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MEDITATION:

Written by Donald J. Shelby (1931-2012), a minister, speaker, and writer. This is an excerpt from his book “Meeting the Messiah.”

To meet the Messiah in a yes-or-no encounter forces us to examine and to admit what we hold absolute, which is exactly what happened to the rich young ruler long ago. Jesus had—and still has—a disturbing way of putting everything into a different perspective. In his presence we cannot get by with “almost” or “maybe” or “later.” A confrontation with Jesus is always a rigorous examination of the “musts” of our life. It is not unlike sifting through the ashes after a fire has destroyed our home and the possessions of a lifetime. In that aftermath we slowly relearn what we actually keep and what we value most. Or it is not unlike lying in the intensive care unit of a hospital after a massive coronary. In the silent darkness of early morning, we ask where all the hurrying and demanding, all the striving and spending bring us – at last.

PRAYER:

Written by Thomas A Kempis (1380-1471), the author of “The Imitation of Christ”, one of the most popular and best known Christian books on devotion. 

Most benign Lord Jesus, grant me Your grace, that it may always be with me and work with me and preserve me unto the end. Grant that I may always desire and will what is most pleasing and acceptable to You. Let Your will be my will, and let my will always follow Your will and best conform with it. Let there be always in me one will and one desire with You, and grant that I may have no power to will or not to will except as You will or do not will. Grant that I may die to all things in the world, and that for You  I may love to be despised and be a man unknown in this world. Grant me, also, above all things that can be desired, that I may rest in You and fully in You bring peace to my heart. You, Lord are the truest peace of the heart, and the perfect rest of body and soul, and without You all things weary and disturb. Wherefore, in that peace which is in you, on high, one blessed and one endless Goodness, shall I find my rest. So be it. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Oswald J. Smith (1889-1986), a Canadian pastor and evangelist.

Have you confessed, renounced, and surrendered? If you have, then all you have to do is to believe. God will then give you a supernatural faith and you will be able to trust Him for the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Remember, the Holy Spirit is more anxious to fill you than you are to be filled. Nature abhors a vacuum. So it is with the Holy Spirit. As soon as your heart is ready He will come in and then He will complete the transformation until you are finally changed into Christlikeness. There may not be any great emotional experience. God never promises it. No two are filled the same. When there is a lot of sin there may be a tremendous experience. When there is a big dam and it is suddenly taken away there will be a mighty rush and roar as the water pours over. If there is no great dam, then, as you quietly yield, He will flow in His fullness and fill you without any tremendous upheaval, but it will be real nevertheless. The result will be seen in your ministry. You will be used by God. Conviction will grip the hearts of those to whom you witness. God will work in you and through you for His glory.

PRAYER:

Written by Emilie Griffin, a contemporary American author who writes about religious experience and spiritual life.

Dear God, help me to trust in the power of your Incarnate Word even when I do not see the way. Let me not second-guess you. Let me not put my wisdom above yours. Let me believe, Lord, that evil is overcome by your grace. And show me how to forgive my enemies, as Jesus did. Teach me to trust in the Incarnation of Christ Jesus, who comes to transform our fallen world. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Thomas a Kempis (1380-1471), a German-Dutch clergyman and author. This is an excerpt from his book “The Imitation of Christ.”

It is a very great thing to obey, to live under a superior and not to be one’s own master, for it is much safer to be the subject than it is to command. Many live in obedience more from necessity than from love. Such become discontented and dejected on the slightest pretext; they will never gain peace of mind unless they subject themselves whole-heartedly for the love of God.

Go where you may, you will find no rest except in humble obedience to the rule of authority. Dreams of happiness expected from change and different places have deceived many. Everyone, it is true, wishes to do as he pleases and is attracted to those who agree with him. But if God be among us, we must at times give up our opinions for the blessings of peace. Furthermore, who is so wise that he can have full knowledge of everything? Do not trust too much in your own opinions but be willing to listen to those of others. If, though, your own be good, you accept another’s opinion for love of God, you will gain much more merit; for I have often heard that it is safer to listen to advice and take it than to give it. It may happen, too, that while one’s own opinion may be good, refusal to agree with others when reason and occasion demand it, is a sign of pride and obstinacy.

PRAYER:

A prayer from the Last Elders of Optina, an Eastern Orthodox monastery for men near Kozelsk, Russia. In the 19th century the Optina was the most important spiritual center of the Russian Orthodox Church.

O Lord, grant that I may meet all that this coming day brings to me with spiritual tranquility. Grant that I may fully surrender myself to Thy holy Will. At every hour of this day, direct and support me in all things. Whatsoever news may reach me in the course of the day, teach me to accept it with a calm soul and the firm conviction that all is subject to Thy holy Will.

Direct my thoughts and feelings in all my words and actions. In all unexpected occurrences, do not let me forget that all is sent down from Thee. Grant that I may deal straightforwardly and wisely with every member of my family, neither embarrassing nor saddening anyone. O Lord, grant me the strength to endure the fatigue of the coming day and all the events that take place during it. Direct my will and teach me to pray, to believe, and to love. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Oswald Chambers (1874-1917), a Scottish Baptist minister converted under Spurgeon’s ministry.  

Salvation does not mean merely deliverance from sin or the experience of personal holiness…if we are truly surrendered, we will never be aware of our own efforts to remain surrendered. Our entire life will be consumed with the One to whom we surrender. Beware of talking about surrender if you know nothing about it. In fact, you will never know anything about it until you understand that John 3:16 means that God completely and absolutely gave Himself to us. In our surrender, we must give ourselves to God in the same way He gave Himself for us – totally, unconditionally, and without reservation. The consequences and circumstances resulting from our surrender will never even enter our mind because our life will be totally consumed with Him.

PRAYER:

Charles de Foucauld (1858-1916), a cavalry officer in the French Army, an explorer, geographer, and finally a Catholic priest and hermit who lived in Algeria. This prayer is from his book “Meditations of a Hermit.”

 Father, I abandon myself into your hands; do with me what you will. Whatever you may do, I thank you; I am ready for all, accept all.  Let only your will be done in me and in all your creatures. I wish no more than this, O Lord. Into your hands I commend my soul; I offer it to you with all the love of my heart,  for I love you, Lord, and so need to give myself,  to surrender myself into your hands, without reserve, and with boundless confidence,  for you are my Father.  Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Jonathan R. Bailey, a contemporary writer and technology entrepreneur serving in the area of Christian Spiritual Formation. This is an excerpt from his book “The Eternal Journey.”

If you’re like me, your experience with obedience is more exhausting than exhilarating. But when we walk into the Unitive way, everything begins to change. We find that we not only want to obey God, but we are able to obey God. We don’t just agree that his will is our highest good, but we act like it. We rejoice to find that obedience is not the resignation of our will, but the faithful exercise of it. Every thought, every word, every deed ends in perfect fulfillment. John Henry Newman called this the perfect Christian state, the place where our “duty and our pleasure are the same, when what is right and true is natural to us.” A tree naturally obeys God by growing solid and strong, a dolphin naturally obeys God by slicing in and out of ocean water, and we will naturally obey God too – by making His divine goodness visible, by fleshing out what it means to be a real human being, designed in His image and developing His likeness.

PRAYER:

Written by Megan Bailey, a contemporary author and content producer.

 Father, I believe. Help me in my unbelief and doubt. I not only desire but desperately need the blessings that accompany the faithful of heart, those who trust in Your promises without doubting, sons and daughters who know who they are because they know to whom they belong. I am thankful that I belong to You. I know You walk by me and hold Your promises true. Keep my mind away from hesitation and embrace Your promises fully. I know that with You, anything can happen. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Oswald Chambers (1874-1917), a Scottish evangelist and teacher.  This is an excerpt from his book “My Utmost for His Highest.”

God’s commands to us are actually given to the life of His Son in us. Consequently, to our human nature in which God’s Son has been formed, His commands are difficult. But they become divinely easy once we obey. Conscience is that ability within me that attaches itself to the highest standard I know, and then continually reminds me of what that standard demands that I do. It is the eye of the soul which looks out either toward God or toward what we regard as the highest standard. This explains why conscience is different in different people. If I am in the habit of continually holding God’s standard in front of me, my conscience will always direct me to God’s perfect law and indicate what I should do. The question is, will I obey? I have to make an effort to keep my conscience so sensitive that I can live without any offense toward anyone. I should be living in such perfect harmony with God’s Son that the spirit of my mind is being renewed through every circumstance of life, and that I may be able to quickly “prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

God always instructs us down to the last detail. Is my ear sensitive enough to hear even the softest whisper of the Spirit, so that I know what I should do? “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God…” . He does not speak with a voice like thunder— His voice is so gentle that it is easy for us to ignore. And the only thing that keeps our conscience sensitive to Him is the habit of being open to God on the inside. When you begin to debate, stop immediately. Don’t ask, “Why can’t I do this?” You are on the wrong track. There is no debating possible once your conscience speaks. Whatever it is— drop it, and see that you keep your inner vision clear.

PRAYER:

Written by Clemant of Rome (c35 A.D. – 99), the fourth bishop of Rome.

We ask, with prayer and supplication, that the Creator of the universe may guard intact to the end the number of his elect throughout the whole world, through his beloved Son Jesus Christ, through whom he called us from darkness to light, from ignorance to the full knowledge of the glory of his name. Grant to us, Lord, that we may set our hope on your name which is the primal source of all creation, and open the eyes of our hearts, that we may know you, who alone dwells in the highest heavens, holy in the holy, who lays low the insolence of the proud, who sets the lowly on high, and brings the lofty low, who makes rich and makes poor, who kills and makes alive, who alone is the Benefactor of spirits and the God of all flesh, who looks into the abyss, who scans the works of man, the provider of those who are in peril, the Savior of those who are in despair, the Creator and Overseer of every spirit, who multiplies the nations on earth, and has chosen out from all men those that love you through Jesus Christ, your beloved Son, through whom you instructed us, sanctified us, and honored us. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Thomas a Kempis (1380-1471), a German-Dutch priest and author of one of the most popular and best known Christian devotional book, “The Imitation of Christ” of which this is an excerpt.

Lord, you know what is most profitable to me; do this or that according to your will. Give me what You will, as much as You will, and when You will. Do with me as You know what is best to be done, as it shall please You, and as it shall be most to Your honor. Put me where You will. I am Your creature, and in Your hands; lead me and turn me where You will. Lo, I am Your servant, ready to do all things that You command, for I do not desire to live to myself, but to You. Would to God that I might live worthily and profitably, and to Your honor.

PRAYER:

An ancient lychnapsia (lamp lighting) prayer, once said by the Orthodox priest silently.

O Lord, compassionate and merciful, long-suffering and plentiful in mercy, attend to the voice of our prayer. Work upon us a sign for the good. Lead us in your way, that we may walk in the truth. Gladden our hearts that we may honor your holy name. For you are great and work wonders. You alone are God and among all the powers there is none like you, our Lord, who is might in mercy, gracious in strength, always ready to aid and to comfort and save those who put their trust in your holy name. And to you are due all glory, honor, and worship. Now and ever to the ages of ages. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892), an English Baptist preacher, known as the “Prince of Preachers.”

In Lydia’s conversion there are many points of interest. It was brought about by providential circumstances. She was a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, but just at the right time for hearing Paul we find her at Philippi; providence, which is the handmaid of grace, led her to the right spot. Again, grace was preparing her soul for the blessing–grace preparing for grace. She did not know the Savior, but as a Jewess, she knew many truths which were excellent stepping-stones to a knowledge of Jesus. Her conversion took place in the use of the means. On the Sabbath she went when prayer was wont to be made, and there, prayer was heard. Never neglect the means of grace; God may bless us when we are not in his house, but we have the greater reason to hope that he will when we are in communion with his saints. Observe the words, “Whose heart the Lord opened.” She did not open her own heart. Her prayers did not do it; Paul did not do it. The Lord himself must open the heart, to receive the things which make for our peace. He alone can put the key into the hole of the door and open it and get admittance for himself. He is the heart’s master as he is the heart’s maker. The first outward evidence of the opened heart was obedience. As soon as Lydia had believed in Jesus, she was baptized. It is a sweet sign of a humble and broken heart, when the child of God is willing to obey a command which is not essential to his salvation, which is not forced upon him by a selfish fear of condemnation but is a simple act of obedience and of communion with his Master. The next evidence was love, manifesting itself in acts of grateful kindness to the apostles. Love to the saints has ever been a mark of the true convert. Those who do nothing for Christ or his church, give but sorry evidence of an “opened” heart. Lord, evermore give me an opened heart.

PRAYER:

Written by Augustine of Hippo (354-430), an early Christian theologian and philosopher. He was the bishop of Hippo Regius (modern day Annaba, Algeria) and is viewed as one of the most important church fathers in Western Christianity.

O Lord my God, I believe in you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Insofar as I can, insofar as you have given me the power, I have sought you. I became weary and I labored. O Lord my God, my sole hope, help me to believe and never to cease seeking you. Grant that I may always and ardently seek out your countenance. Give me the strength to seek you, for you help me to find you and you have more and more given me the hope of finding you. Here I am before you with my firmness and my infirmity. Preserve the first and heal the second. Here I am before you with my strength and my ignorance. Where you have opened the door to me, welcome me at the entrance; where you have closed the door to me, open to my cry; enable me to remember you, to understand you, and to love you. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

PRAYER:

Written by Kathleen Norris, a contemporary American poet and essayist.

Bless us, Lord, as we seek Christ in the lowly mangers of this world, bless us, as we seek to honor the mystery of the Incarnation in our midst, remembering always that you made us, and all humanity in your divine image. Help us to gladly welcome today and all days, your Wisdom, your Power, your Emmanuel, your Prince of Peace. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Gary Chapman, a contemporary author, speaker, and counselor. This is an excerpt from his book “Love as a Way of Life.”

Our newspapers and television screens are filled daily with reports of our inhumanity toward one another, much of it perpetrated in the name of religion or out of personal greed. Watch any talk show and you will see that we have lost the art of meaningful dialogue. Any news program will remind us that we have little respect for those who disagree with us. Politicians and religious leaders seem to be in attack mode most of the time and rarely are willing to listen to one another. I believe that not only does love stand a chance in the world, but in fact it is our only choice. If we can come to respect one another as fellow humans who need one another and choose to look out for one another’s well-being, the potential for good is unlimited. If we fail to do so, we shall lose our dignity and we shall use the technological advances of the last fifty years to destroy one another. If we are going to solve the problems in our global society, we need the respect and meaningful dialogue that flow from love.

Is buying a homeless woman a bowl of soup or taking your daughter to the park or driving a co-worker to the mechanic when his car breaks down really going to make a difference in the world? The answer is an overwhelming yes. We might have loftier ideas of what it means to love, such as making a grand sacrifice of time or money or even giving our lives, but why should we be willing to die for someone when we won’t fill up the gas tank for her? Every trait of authentic love begins with small things. If all of us become authentic lovers, we can make a difference in a world of turmoil. Love is not only realistic but our only hope of survival.

PRAYER:

Written by Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109), a Benedictine monk, abbot, philosopher and Christian theologian.

O fountain of love,

love our friends and teach them to love you with all their hearts,

that they may think and speak and do

only what is pleasing to you;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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