The Lord bless you and protect you. ~ Numbers 6:24 (CEB)
You were called to do this so that you might inherit a blessing. ~ 1 Peter 3:9b (CEB)
KEY IDEA:
The Lord is looking for ways to bless his people because that is the kind of God he is.
PRAYER:
Thank you so much, Lord, for all the blessings that you have extended to me. I am troubled by the fact that I'm quicker to make a list of all the things I think you should bless me with than I am to list all the blessings you have already given to me. Help me to count the blessings -- and not just every once in awhile but day by day -- moment by moment. I'm going to revel in your generosity -- starting with the blessing of a living hope that is ours through the resurrection of Christ Jesus from the dead. Amen.
The 2nd Sunday in Advent
Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have fighting between us, between your shepherds and my shepherds. After all, we’re family. ~ Genesis 13:8 (MSG)
What we have is one body with many parts, each its proper size and in its proper place. ~ 1 Corinthians 12:20 (MSG)
KEY IDEA:
Our differences as unique members of the body of Christ should be seen as a good thing and not reason to fight.
PRAYER:
Lord God -- you are one -- even though you are three Trinitarian persons. And you are in total harmony together. I pray that we as siblings of Christ might get along with each other in the same way that you in the Trinity get along with one another. Even though I'm quick to jump into a fight I know that you desire something different from me. Help me to acknowledge the wonder of many diverse parts so that we can better reflect who you are. Amen.
The Lord... is kind to everyone who is humble. ~ Proverbs 3:34b (CEV)
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. ~ Philippians 2:5 (NLT)
KEY IDEA:
Jesus' followers need to reflect his humble approach to life in their own lives.
PRAYER:
Lord, I'm grateful that you are so approachable -- and that you have invited us to be a part of your life and mission. I fall short in the humility department. I'm inclined to make most everything about me and my life.
But I know that I need to change so I am again seeking your intervention. Help me to become who I must be. I'm confident that with your help I can embrace the same mindset that Jesus had. Amen.
Keep me from any deadly sin.
Only you can save me!
Then I will shout and sing
about your power to save. ~ Psalm 51:14 (CEV)
The apostles said to the Lord, “Make our faith stronger!” ~ Luke 17:5 (CEV)
KEY IDEA:
The Lord is the one who saves us and grows our faith.
PRAYER:
Thank you, Lord, for intervening in my life. Even though I deserved to die you got involved to save me from sin, its grip, and the consequences. Even though my faith is weak I am asking that you would make it stronger. I want to become a mature follower of Christ Jesus. You are my Savior and Lord. Amen.
*ABOUT THE
DAILY TEXTS
The Daily Texts have been published by the Moravian Church since 1731. In 2011 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)
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)
