PSALM 31:15 (CEV)
My life is in your hands.
LUKE 12:25 (CEV)
Can worry make you live longer?
SUMMARY SENTENCE
Once we acknowledge that ultimately we are powerless over the future, we can relax and leave our lives in the hands of God.
PRAYER
Responsible God, thank you for remaining at the helm and guiding me through these stormy waters. I admit that I worry a lot about what's up ahead. Help me to give up my worrying and to trust you. Just as you are already my Savior I'm going to have faith that you will continue to save me. Amen.
DEUTERONOMY 28:1,6 (CEB)
Now if you really obey the LORD your God’s voice... you will be blessed when you are out and about and blessed when you come back.
MATTHEW 12:50 (MSG)
The person who obeys my heavenly Father’s will is my brother and sister and mother.
SUMMARY SENTENCE
Those who obey God are blessed by God.
PRAYER
Thank you, God, for directing us. I admit that I don't always pay close attention to directions. I'm a bit lazy and I have gotten used to making things up as I go. Of course, the results are not all that good so I need to start doing things in a new way. Help me to focus on obeying you and following your directions. I'm going to enjoy the blessings that come from doing things your way. Amen.
The First Sunday in Advent
PSALM 119:76 (CEV)
I serve you, LORD.
Comfort me with your love,
just as you have promised.
LUKE 2:25 (CEV)
At this time a man named Simeon was living in Jerusalem. Simeon was a good man. He loved God and was waiting for God to save the people of Israel. God’s Spirit came to him...
SUMMARY SENTENCE
God fulfills his promises to those who wait.
PRAYER
Lord, I'm impressed by people like Simeon who patiently wait for their entire lives for what you promise. I admit that I have a hard time waiting for anything. I want everything to happen now. Help me to eliminate all the unnecessary hurry from my life. I'm going to delight in waiting for you. Amen.
PSALM 17:7 (CEV)
Show your wonderful love.
Your mighty arm protects those
who run to you
for safety
from their enemies.
1 THESSALONIANS 5:23 (CEB)
Now, may the God of peace himself cause you to be completely dedicated to him; and may your spirit, soul, and body be kept intact and blameless at our Lord Jesus Christ’s coming.
SUMMARY SENTENCE
God is our saving protector.
PRAYER
Saving Lord, criminals were crucified with you in places of honor, on your right and left hands. You are not like me. You overcome your enemies by changing them into your friends. By your Spirit, grant me such power also. Help me to see that death is nothing, and in your love all become family, through Christ our Lord. Amen. (Daily Texts, Ground Up Grace edition)
TRANSLATIONS
ABP = Authorized Boydston Paraphrase — my own freestyle biblical adaptation — somewhere between paraphrase, commentary, and sermon
CEB = Common English Bible (©2011, the Common English Bible)
CEV = Contemporary English Version (©1995, American Bible Society)
MSG = The Message (©1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson)
NIRV = New International Reader's Version (©1996, 1998, Biblica)
NIV = New International Version (©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011, Biblica)
NLT = New Living Translation (©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, Tyndale House Foundation)
