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MEDITATION:

Written by R. C. Sproul (1939-2017), an American Reformed theologian, broadcaster, and pastor. He was the founder of Ligonier Ministries. This is an excerpt from his book “The Race of Faith.”

The quest for glory is highly motivating. How often we will try harder or run farther when glory seems within reach. We are even willing to sacrifice personal comfort for a chance at glory. Repeating “No pain, no gain!”, we will fight to push further. We want our lives to count. We want to be celebrated for pursuing something worthwhile. There is a reason we experience this deep thirst for glory. In God’s Word, we discover that we were created for glory. He formed our bodies and breathed life into us so that we might know the greatness of His holiness and stand in awe of it. Our hearts and minds were meant to be so impressed with God’s goodness, that we would readily worship and obey Him. In this way, we would reflect the amazing glory of God. Yet, look around you. The world doesn’t shine with the glory of holiness, does it? Perhaps you have noticed how evil has deformed our world. There is suffering, bitterness, deceit and death. If we were created to know the glory of God, what went wrong? The answer provided by God’s Word points to our own hearts. We were created to rely on God and give Him glory. But we insist on seeking our own glory instead. We have substituted God’s will for our own desires and set out to make a name for ourselves. This is what the Bible calls ‘sin’ and it is the disobedience of God’s purpose for us. Sin tempts us to find satisfaction in our own frailty instead of God’s greatness.  Mistakenly, we try to find enduring glory in our identity, our work, or our dreams. But again and again, we find ourselves both empty and unsatisfied.

But the message of the Gospel is gloriously good news! “God so loved the world”, the Bible says, “that He gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life”. Jesus Christ, the perfect son of God, took the form of man but without the sin of man. He lived among men yet without participating in their disobedience. He did not waver from pursuing God’s will and glorifying God’s name. He perfectly reflected God’s glory…The Bible phrases the good news like this: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” In Jesus, we are gifted with forgiveness, hope, peace and satisfaction. In Jesus, we are readily accepted before God’s presence and discover anew the beauty of His love and holiness. This is salvation. This is truly glorious. This is the Gospel.

PRAYER:

The  prayer is from the Mozarabic Breviary, a liturgical rite of the Latin Church in the 500s and  used generally in the Iberian Peninsula (Hispania), in what is now Spain and Portugal.

O Christ our God, you will come to judge the world in the humanity you have taken on yourself. Sanctify us wholly, that in the day of your coming our whole spirit, soul, and body may arise to a fresh life in you, that we may live and reign with you forever, to your honor and glory; you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Max Lucado, a contemporary pastor, author, and speaker. This is an excerpt from his book “Outlive Your Life.”

Jim Wallis took some scissors to his Bible. He was a seminary student at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School when he and some classmates decided to eliminate a few verses. They performed surgery on all sixty-six books, beginning with Genesis and not stopping until Revelation. Each time a verse spoke to the topic of poverty, wealth, justice, or oppression, they cut it ou. They wanted to see what a compassionless Bible looked like. By the time they finished, nearly two thousand verses lay on the floor, and a book of tattered pages remained.  Cut concern for the poor out of the Bible, and you cut the heart out of it. God makes the poor his priority. When the hungry pray, he listens. When orphans cry, he sees. And when the widows in Jerusalem were neglected, he commissioned his best and brightest disciples to help them…Jesus had a target audience. The poor. The brokenhearted. Captives. The blind and oppressed. His to-do list? Help for the body and soul, strength for the physical and the spiritual, therapy for the temporal and eternal.

PRAYER:

The  prayer is written by Max Lucado, author of today’s meditation.

Dear Lord, you promised we would always have the poor among us. Help me to make sure that the reverse is also true, that I am always among the poor – helping, encouraging, and lending a hand wherever I can. Enable me to love the invisible God by serving the very visible poor in my corner of the world. Help me to be creative without being condescending, encouraging without being egotistic, and fearless without being foolish. May the poor bless you because of me, and may my efforts somehow reduce the number of the poor. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Charles F. Stanley, contemporary pastor and broadcaster. He is the founder of In Touch Ministries. This is an excerpt from his book “Becoming Emotionally Whole.”

Everything that Jesus did was revealed to Him by the Father. We must ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the Father’s will to us. The emotionally healthy person may feel anger, for example, but by asking the Holy Spirit for guidance in how to channel that anger into positive behavior, the person is going to find an outlet for anger that results in blessing, not harm. The emotionally healthy person may feel disappointment or discouragement, but by asking the Holy Spirit for guidance, he will be led to new opportunities that result in hope. Continual reliance on the Holy Spirit takes the form of continual prayer. To pray is to talk to God, and you are wise to talk to God around the clock, every day of the week.

PRAYER:

Today’s prayer is written by an unknown author.

Heavenly Father, in your love you have called us to know you, led us to trust you, and bound our life with yours. Surround us with love and protect us from evil. Fill us with the holy spirit so we walk in the way of Christ and grow in our knowledge of your love.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Lloyd John Ogilvie (1930-2019), a Presbyterian minister who served as Chaplain of the US Senate.  This is an excerpt from his book “Radiance of the Inner Splendor.”

A healthy forgetter is developed by forgiveness. We cannot erase the memory cards of our failures in our brain computer until we have a profound experience of forgiveness. The authentic mark of truly mature persons is the capacity to forgive themselves. But that is a rare commodity. Years of experience of seeking to be a whole person and helping others with their self-esteem has led me to the conclusion that one of the greatest miracles of life is self-forgiveness. I have never known a person who has been able to do it without a healing experience of Christ’s kindness.

PRAYER:

Written by Stormie Omartian, a contemporary author and speaker.

Lord, I know that You have forgiven me for my sins. I thank You for Your unconditional love and grace. I am truly repentant and wish to overcome these tendencies. Now, Father, help me forgive myself. Erase my guilt and create a new heart within me. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by James A. Forbes, Jr., a contemporary pastor in New York City. This is from an essay in “Living with Apocalypse: Spiritual Resources for Social Compassion,” edited by Tilden Edwards. 

The gospel calls us to count up the cost of our witness. Part of this process is the assessing of our power as well. In God’s grace the Church discovers that its members are not helpless victims of alien powers but bearers of gifts, competencies, and influence for effecting change. Just as Moses was told to use the rod in his hand and the disciples were bidden to feed the multitude with the lunch they had, so we are expected to use what we have. One of the functions of the Church is to helps its members discover and release their power in ways that promote the cause of the Kingdom. Professionals and non-professionals, trained and untrained workers, rich and poor – all are influencing their context either by reinforcing the status quo or promoting change. The issue is not simply one of getting power but of becoming aware of how we use the power we have, and then developing expertise to make an impact on our communities for good. The Church is the sleeping giant. What a powerful witness if the parts of the body came to a new awareness of the power that is at work within and around us!

PRAYER:

Written by Christina Patterson, a contemporary author and Bible teacher.

Dear Heavenly Father, Your ways are higher than my ways. I pray for power and strength to surrender my way and follow your best way. I trust You Lord. In Jesus Christ Name I pray. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by A. W. Tozer (1897-1963), an American pastor, author, magazine editor, and spiritual mentor. 

Any serious-minded Christian may at some time find himself wondering whether the service he is giving to God is the best it could be. He may even have times of doubting, and fear that his toil is fruitless and his life empty. This is not as bad as it sounds and may actually prove to be an excellent thing for him—if he knows how to use it. Christian service, like every other phase of religion, can become a very hollow affair. The church has marked out certain work and approved it as service acceptable to God, and for the most part the church has been right. But is should be kept in mind that it is not the kind or quantity of work that makes it true service—it is the quality. Before the judgment seat of Christ, very little will be heard of numbers or size; moral quality is about all that will matter then. If we are wise we will give attention now to the quality of our service; it is obvious that it will be too late to do anything about it when the service is ended and the account rendered up.

PRAYER:

Written by Betty McElwee (1935-2011), an American author.

Dear Lord,

Thank you for this day.

Hold my hand and give me courage

to carry the cross You have chosen for me.

Let me never complain.

Let me smile and give strength

to my family and friends

and to all I come in contact with.

I accept what I have and will not ask, “Why me?”

I will fight until You take me

because it is my belief that I was made

to serve You on earth – and death is my final reward.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Anthony Robinson, a contemporary pastor, speaker, teacher, and writer.

The old coach had been invited to give the high school commencement speech. He approached the podium, looked out on the graduates, and said slowly, “Never give up.” He paused and cast his eyes over the students once more, then said, a second time, “Never give up.” Another pause, another look, and for a third time, “Never give up.” Then he turned and walked back to his seat. Our times are such we may be tempted to give up. To give up on a nation so deeply polarized and divided. To give up on a democracy so vulnerable to manipulation of fear and by falsehood. To give on the hope of being and building a beloved community when bruised by acts and words of cruelty and callousness. 

Isaiah’s words in today’s reading are a kind of “Never give up.”  The people to whom the prophet spoke had plenty of reason for discouragement, for giving up. They dwelt in exile in a foreign land — strangers in a strange land. Their beloved homeland was now a waste land.  But the word of God came: Never give up. “Look to the rock from which you were hewn.” Remember who you are. “Look to Abraham your father and Sarah who bore you. He was but one when I called him, but I made him many.” Never give up. 

However discouraging the present moment, do not give up on people. Do not give up on the church. And never give up on yourself. God isn’t finished with you yet.   “For the Lord will comfort Zion, God will comfort all her waste places, and make her wilderness like Eden.” Never give up. “Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and voice of song.” God never gives up.

PRAYER:

Written by Anthony Robinson, the author of today’s meditation.

Gracious God, we’re concerned. Grant us sustaining hope, steady perseverance, and deep faith for the living of these days. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Richard M. Gula, a contemporary Sulpician priest, teacher, and author. This is an excerpt from his book “To Walk Together Again.”

The disposition of hope is rooted in the fundamental biblical truth that all possibilities for life and its future are under the care and goodness of God. Reconciliation is a possibility for us because it begins with, and remains rooted in, God’s love for us. The good news of Christian faith is that God’s love is constant and undefeatable. This is most clearly evident in Jesus’ being raised from the dead. The resurrection of Jesus (the best of all possible futures) is our ultimate warrant for hope. We cannot engage in or experience it if we do not believe in God’s love for us as a constant, undefeatable love—that is to say, unless we believe in “amazing grace.” To accept God’s unconditional love for us is fundamental to the process of reconciliation in life and in sacrament.

PRAYER:

Written by Jane Holloway, the National Prayer Director of  the World Prayer Centre in Birmingham, England.

Father,

Thank you that in a world of despair, You are our Hope.

In a world of darkness, You are our Light.

In a world of sorrow, You are our joy.

Help us to share the Hope of our hearts with one another

Enable us to give Hope to others through Your work amongst us.

Use us to transform our nation and to spread Your Hope to every corner of this nation.

May our land flourish by the preaching of Your word and the praising of Your name.

In Jesus Name. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by James I. Packer (1926-2020), an English-born Canadian evangelical theologian, cleric and writer. This is an excerpt from his book “Hot Tub Religion.”

Every Christian’s life purpose must be to glorify God. This is the believer’s official calling. Everything we say and do, all our obedience to God’s commands, all our relationships with others, all the use we make of the gifts, talents, and opportunities that God gives us, all our enduring of adverse situations and human hostility, must be so managed as to give God honor and praise for his goodness to those on whom he sets his love. Equally important is the truth that every Christian’s full-time employment must be to please God. . . . Pleasing God in everything must be our goal. 

PRAYER:

Written by Debbie Przybylski, founder and director of Intercessors Arise International.

Lord, teach me to offer you a heart of thanksgiving and praise in all my daily experiences of life. Teach me to be joyful always, to pray continually and to give thanks in all my circumstances. I accept them as Your will for my life. I long to bring pleasure to Your heart daily. Break the power of the enemy in my life. Defeat Him through my sacrifice of praise. Change my outlook and attitude into one of joyful contentment with my present circumstances.

Jesus, I want to be like You who obeyed the Father without complaint. You embraced the chains of humanity when You walked this earth. Convict me whenever I complain or compare myself with others. Give me Your attitude of humility and thankful acceptance.

I want to be like the Apostle Paul who learned contentment in every circumstance. I choose to continually offer You a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that give praise to Your name. I long to bring a smile to Your face. Teach me the power of a thankful heart. I know that Your truth dwells in a thankful heart. “I will give thanks to the LORD because of His righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens” (Psalm 7:17-18:1). In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

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MEDITATION:

Written by C.S. Lewis (1898-1963), an English writer, professor, and lay theologian. This is an excerpt from his book “Letters to Malcolm.”

Our prayers for others flow more easily than those we offer on our own behalf. And it would be nice to accept your view that this just shows we are made to live by charity. I’m afraid, however, I detect two much less attractive reasons for the ease of my own intercessory prayers. One is that I am often, I believe, praying for others when I should be doing things for them. It’s so much easier to pray for a bore than to go and see him. And the other is like unto it. Suppose I pray that you may be given grace to withstand your besetting sin (short list of candidates for this post will be forwarded on demand). Well, all the work has to be done by God and you. If I pray against my own besetting sin, there will be work for me. One sometimes fights shy of admitting an act to be a sin for this very reason. 

PRAYER:

Written by Gemma Galgani (1878-1903), an Italian mystic.

My Jesus, I place all my sins before you. In my estimation they do not deserve pardon, but I ask you to close your eyes to my want of merit and open them to your infinite merit. Since you willed to die for my sins, grant me forgiveness for all of them. Thus, I may no longer feel the burden of my sins, a burden that oppresses me beyond measure.  Assist me, dear Jesus, for I desire to become good no matter what the cost. Take away, destroy, and utterly root out whatever you find in me that is contrary to your holy will. At the same time, dear Jesus, illumine me so that I may walk in your holy light.

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