Friday, November 11, 2022

EITHER WAY

JOB 1:21 (ABP)
GOD gives and GOD takes.
Either way, praise be to him.


ROMANS 5:3-4 (ABP)
We recognize that the problems which come our way develop resilience in us. This resilience then develops our character, and our character matures into hope.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Praise God in both the good and bad times because he is shaping us through both.

PRAYER
God, I'm just starting to get good at thanking you for all the good that you have brought into my life -- and there has been a lot. But I'm not so ready to acknowledge that you're also at work through the difficult situations. I mean, yes, you get me through the tough times but to actually recognize that you are shaping me in a positive way through them takes more maturity than I've got. I pray that you would continue to mature my faith so that I can continue to praise you in both the good and bad times. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

Thursday, November 10, 2022

EVEN IN HOPELESS SITUATIONS

1 SAMUEL 14:6 (MSG)
Maybe GOD will work for us. There’s no rule that says GOD can only deliver by using a big army. No one can stop GOD from saving when he sets his mind to it.

HEBREWS 10:35 (NLT)
So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you!

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Don't let a grim situation erode your confidence in the Lord's desire or power to save.

PRAYER
Gracious and powerful God, from day one you've been in the business of saving people caught up in hopeless situations. I confess that I'm weak-kneed and give in to despair when I'm facing a big challenge. Restore my confidence so that I can stand strong against all odds. I'm going to trust you -- even when I can't see or imagine a good solution. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

Wednesday, November 9, 2022

SATURATION

ISAIAH 11:9 (CEV)
Just as water fills the sea,
the land will be filled
with people who know
and honor the LORD.

JOHN 16:13 (ABP)
The Holy Spirit is the truth revealer. When he comes he will position you so you're being steeped in truth.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God aims to saturate the world with truth honoring godly people.

PRAYER
God of truth, thank you for sending your Spirit to reveal who you are and what you're up to. I'm not able to wrap my mind around how big and significant this movement is. I'm locked into a very small and localized perspective. Increase my awareness so that I might better honor you for the awesome changes that you are bringing to this needy world. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

Tuesday, November 8, 2022

SPEAK UP

JEREMIAH 1:7 (CEV)
“Don't say you're too young,” the LORD answered. “If I tell you to go and speak to someone, then go! And when I tell you what to say, don't leave out a word!

ACTS 18:9-10 (CEV)
One night, Paul had a vision, and in it the Lord said, “Don't be afraid to keep on preaching. Don't stop! I am with you, and you won't be harmed. Many people in this city belong to me.”

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Don't allow perceived limitations to get in the way of speaking up as instructed by the Lord.

PRAYER
Lord, you have given me a mouth to speak and hands to write. You have given me a brain to formulate communication. Forgive me for being slow to respond to the prompting of your Holy Spirit. As you make it clear to whom you'd like me to go, transform my fears into humble confidence. I'm eager to be your messenger. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

DAILYTEXTS.ORG

*ABOUT THE
DAILY TEXTS

The Daily Texts have been published by the Moravian Church since 1731. In 2015 I started posting these Bible verses for my spiritual formation students at Pacific Islands University. In the process of responding to the verses, I found the rhythm of looking for a common thread and writing a prayer based on that key idea to be helpful for my own soul.

The prayers are more or less modeled on the TRIP method, which is what I ask my students to do in their journaling. ~ Brad Boydston

TRANSLATIONS

ABP = Authorized Boydston Paraphrase -- a 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)

EEB = EasyEnglish Bible (©2015, MissionAssist)

ERV = Easy-To-Read Version (©2006, World Bible Translation Center)

GNT = Good News Translation (©1992, American Bible Society)

MSG = The Message (©1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson)

NCB = New Catholic Bible (©2019 by Catholic Book Publishing Corp.)

NCV = New Century Version (©2005, Thomas Nelson Inc)

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)

NRSV = New Revised Standard Version (© 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.)

NTE = New Testament for Everyone (©2011 Nicolas Thomas Wright.)

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