Life Recovery Bible - Flipbook - Page 19
S E R E N I T Y P R AY E R D E V O T I O N A L
GOD grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change
the courage to change the things I can
and the wisdom to know the difference
Amen
READ MATTHEW 6:25-34
Living one day at a time is
a discipline we all have to
focus on when we are in
recovery.
12
13
It is easy to slip back into worrying about tomorrow, dwelling on the
“what ifs” and the “if onlys.” Each day brings a host of things we cannot change; there will always be circumstances beyond our control.
We must also face the reality of who we are—human beings confined
within the slice of life we call today. It is tempting to deny the present,
but escaping reality is part of the insanity of our addictive way of life.
Jesus said, “Can all your worries add a single moment to your
life? . . . don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own
worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today” (Matthew 6:27, 34). The
prophet Jeremiah said, “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His
mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh
each morning” (Lamentations 3:22-23). Since God’s grace comes in
daily doses, that’s the best way to face life.
We need to ask ourselves at every turn in life, Am I accepting this
present moment, or am I pretending—trying to escape into the
past or the future? Each day there is something to find joy in, and
there is strength promised for the troubles of that day. The psalmist
wrote, “This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be
glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). We, too, can choose to find joy, strength,
and sanity when we accept each day’s realities. Turn to page 1219,
Matthew 14.
and forgive us our sins,
as we have forgiven those who sin
against us.
And don’t let us yield to temptation,*
but rescue us from the evil one.*
14
“If you forgive those who sin against you,
your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But if
you refuse to forgive others, your Father will
not forgive your sins.
16
“And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to
look miserable and disheveled so people
will admire them for their fasting. I tell you
the truth, that is the only reward they will
ever get. 17 But when you fast, comb your
hair* and wash your face. 18 Then no one
will notice that you are fasting, except your
Father, who knows what you do in private.
And your Father, who sees everything, will
reward you.
Teaching about Money and Possessions
19
“Don’t store up treasures here on earth,
where moths eat them and rust destroys
them, and where thieves break in and steal.
20
Store your treasures in heaven, where
moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves
do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your
treasure is, there the desires of your heart
will also be.
22
“Your eye is like a lamp that provides light
for your body. When your eye is healthy,
your whole body is filled with light. 23 But
when your eye is unhealthy, your whole
body is filled with darkness. And if the light
you think you have is actually darkness, how
deep that darkness is!
24
“No one can serve two masters. For you
will hate one and love the other; you will be
devoted to one and despise the other. You
cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.
:13a Or And keep us from being tested.
6
6:13b Or from evil. Some manuscripts add For yours is the kingdom and the
power and the glory forever. Amen.
6:17 Greek anoint your head.
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