MEDITATION:
Written by Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811-1896), an American abolitionist and author. She is best known as the author of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” This is an excerpt from a missionary’s booklet she contributed to, “How to Live On Christ.”
There is such a way of living with, or in Christ, that watchfulness, prayer, devotion, patience, gentleness, meekness, become so many sweet and spontaneous impulses, instead of labored acquisitions, alternately the subjects of hope and of despair; and this is true freedom. The very figure which Christ uses illustrates this idea; “as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine, no more can ye, except ye abide in me.” How does the branch bear fruit? Not by incessant effort for sunshine and air, not by vain struggles. . . . It simply abides in the vine, in silent and undisturbed union, and blossoms, and fruit appear as of spontaneous growth. How then shall a Christian bear fruit? By efforts and struggles to obtain that which is freely given? . . . No: there must be a full concentration of the thoughts and affections on Christ, a complete surrender of the whole being to Him, a constant looking to Him for grace.
PRAYER:
Written by John Eldredge, a contemporary American author, counselor and lecturer on Christianity.
My dear Lord Jesus, I come to You now to be restored in You – to be renewed in You, to receive my life and Your love and all the grace and mercy I so desperately need from You this day. I honor You as my Sovereign, and I surrender every aspect and every dimension of my spirit, soul and body to You now, my heart, my mind, my will. I cover myself with the blood of Christ, spirit and soul, body and heart. And I ask Your Holy Spirit to restore me in You today, to renew me in You and to lead this time of prayer. Amen.
Pathways Press.com 
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