JEREMIAH 23:28 (MSG)
You prophets who do nothing but dream—
go ahead and tell your silly dreams.
But you prophets who have a message from me—
tell it truly and faithfully.
What does straw have in common with wheat?
1 CORINTHIANS 2:4-5 (NLT)
My message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.
SUMMARY SENTENCE
Trust in the power of God's word rather than clever and flashy presentations.
PRAYER
One who desires a relationship with me, I am so grateful for a direct line of communication with you! The static of the world's words interferes with the clear understanding I can get through conversation with you. speak and help tune my ears to hear more clearly in spite of the world's chaos and muffled noise. Amen (Daily Texts, Ground Up Grace edition)
PSALM 119:162 (MSG)
I’m ecstatic over what you say,
like one who strikes it rich.
JOHN 6:68 (MSG)
Master, to whom would we go? You have the words of real life, eternal life.
SUMMARY SENTENCE
God's messages to us are real treasurers.
PRAYER
Glorious God, I'm grateful that you reveal yourself and your ways to us. I confess that at times I allow your message to get lost in the static of life. I'm too content to live in a world where the only messages that I naturally allow in are echoes of my own thoughts. So I would ask that you once again break through and put your active word in my head -- my heart. I'm going to start living the real life as defined by your word -- right now. Amen.
DANIEL 3:28 (NLT)
Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him.
ACTS 12:11 (NCV)
Then Peter realized what had happened. He thought, “Now I know that the Lord really sent his angel to me. He rescued me from Herod..."
SUMMARY SENTENCE
God takes care of those who serve him.
PRAYER
Protector of my soul, you purposefully search for and rescue me. In times of waiting for deliverance, I can place too much trust in myself and in others, instead of trusting and having assurance in your ways. Allow me to surrender the impulse to save myself. Instead, help me confidently seek your protection alone. Amen. (Daily Texts, Ground Up Grace edition)
EXODUS 14:13 (ABP)
Dismiss your fears. Stand your ground and watch GOD save the day.
HEBREWS 10:23 (ABP)
Keep a tight grip on the hope that we all confess. Remember, Christ the promise-maker can be trusted.
SUMMARY SENTENCE
Stand firm and trust Christ to finish the job.
PRAYER
Christ Jesus, you are totally faithful and completely trustworthy. I don't understand how it is that I start to panic in the face of trouble. I let my mind run wild and dwell on the worst possible outcomes. Help me to relax and to see enough of your hand at work so that I stand firm. I am trusting that because of you, things really will turn out best. 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)
