Tuesday, July 30, 2024

GOT WATER?

ISAIAH 43:20 (CEB)
I have put water in the desert
   and streams in the wilderness
to give water to my people,
   my chosen ones...


JOHN 4:14 (MSG)
Jesus said, "Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst—not ever. The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life.”

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Jesus wants to quench our thirst.

DAILY FODDER
Have you ever experienced dehydration? What was that like? Why is rehydration such a powerful metaphor for what happens to us when God renews us?

PRAYER
Thank you, Jesus, for your promise of beautiful, important water. Today I'm thirsty for your presence. Life in you is green and flourishing, yet, often I am dry and parched. Then, into my desert life your living water springs. It's a geyser of grace! Today let me share a cup of your living water. So many are thirsty. Amen. (Daily TextsGround Up Grace edition)

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.
Give us enough food for today.
Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you will protect us from all forms of evil. 
Amen.

Monday, July 29, 2024

WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

1 KINGS 8:57-58 (ABP)
May GOD work on our hearts so they choose to do his will...

1 CORINTHIANS 12:3 (ABP)
No one can acknowledge Jesus as Lord apart from the work of the Holy Spirit.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
We can't even take credit for our obedience to Christ; it's all the work of God.

DAILY FODDER
Are there things you allow into your life that get in the way of the Holy Spirit's activity?

PRAYER
Come. Holy Spirit, do your thing in my heart! Forgive me for allowing stuff into my life that blocks your activity. I need you to reveal the dirt and energize me to clean house. Apart from you, I can accomplish nothing of value, but I trust you are present and active. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.
Give us enough food for today.
Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you will protect us from all forms of evil. 
Amen.

Sunday, July 28, 2024

NO FEAR

The 10th Sunday after Pentecost

PSALM 118:6 (CEV)
The LORD is on my side,
and I am not afraid
of what others can do to me.


ROMANS 8:35 (CEV)
Can anything separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble, suffering, and hard times, or hunger and nakedness, or danger and death?

SUMMARY SENTENCE
With Christ on our side, we needn't fear ANYTHING!

DAILY FODDER
What is your greatest fear? How do you deal with that fear daily?

PRAYER
Jesus, friend, thank you for giving yourself for me. Nothing I do, nothing done to me, can ever separate me from you. By lifting my burden of fear, you restore my life. I am loved for who I am, not what others think of me. Help me know the full embrace of your promise. Let me share your love. Amen. (Daily TextsGround Up Grace edition)

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.
Give us enough food for today.
Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you will protect us from all forms of evil. 
Amen.

Saturday, July 27, 2024

THE POOR

PSALM 9:18 (CEV)
The poor and the homeless
won't always be forgotten
and without hope.


LUKE 6:20 (CEV)
Jesus looked at his disciples and said:
God will bless you people
   who are poor.
His kingdom belongs to you!

SUMMARY SENTENCE
In God's economy, the poor will experience blessings. 

DAILY FODDER
How many poor people do you know? What does that say about you? 

PRAYER
Generous God, you turn your attention to the needs of the poor and hurting. Forgive me for only helping a little, and when it is convenient. In your kingdom there are no shortages. I've already experienced that. Help me to share with open hands — the kind of sharing which reflects your reign. In Jesus' name, Amen!

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.
Give us enough food for today.
Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you will protect us from all forms of evil. 
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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