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MEDITATION:

Written by Ken Weliever, a contemporary pastor and author.

There’s an old fable that one day the devil was having a sale, hawking his many diabolical tools of the trade. Each of the devil’s tools was on display with its price tag attached—tools such as the arrow of jealousy, the hammer of anger, and the dagger of worry. His tools also included the slingshot of doubt and the axe of hatred, along with numerous others. But one tool was displayed prominently on a pedestal high above the others. It was dented and worn with use. A curious shopper inquired about the price and why such an old and worn tool was displayed so visibly. “Ah, yes,” said the devil, “THAT’S THE WEDGE OF DISCOURAGEMENT. It is my favorite tool of all. It’s so easy to use and hardly takes any effort. All I have to do is get the very tip of the wedge into my victim and the rest is easy. Once the wedge is in, I just tap it ever so slightly and it slides in deeper and deeper. Sometimes I don’t have to do anything—my victims drive the wedge in all by themselves!” “A small opening soon becomes a gaping crack, making room for the rest of my tools. Before you know it, my wedge has completely split a person’s dreams, hopes, and aspirations in two. That’s why the wedge of discouragement commands such a high price—because it’s my most effective tool. It has opened more doors for me than all my other tools combined.” Indeed discouragement is a universal problem. None of us are exempt. It affects the young and the aged. Rich and poor. Male and female. Even faithful Christians like preachers, pastors, and Bible teachers. Maybe this is why God places a high value on encouragement. It is important to our Christian walk and to our ability to remain faithful. Christianity was never meant to be a solo act. We are not created to go it alone. We need each other… Look around for a discouraged friend, family member, or fellow Christian that needs some encouragement. You won’t have to look very long. Then lend a hand. Share your heart. Pour some encouragement into their soul.

PRAYER:

Written by Dawn Wilson, a contemporary author and director of Heart Choices Today.

Father, sometimes I feel afraid in the tough trials of life. Sometimes the darkness overwhelms me, and I grow discouraged as I face the uncertainties of life, wearying temptations, or scary attacks from the enemy. But this is not what you have for me, and my victory comes from you. Satan wants me to believe I fight my spiritual battles by myself. Help me remember I am not alone in my battles. Your Word is clear. You have commanded me to be strong and take courage in you, and that is my desire. I can count on your presence wherever I go, and rely on the power and provision of your presence in my times of deepest need. Thank you for being near, for walking with me every day. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by A. B. Simpson (1843-1919), a Canadian preacher, theologian, author, and founder of the Christian and Missionary Alliance.

How strong is the snare of the things that are seen, and how necessary for God to keep us in the things that are unseen! If Peter is to walk on the water he must walk; if he is going to swim, he must swim, but he cannot do both. If the bird is going to fly it must keep away from fences and the trees, and trust to its buoyant wings. But if it tries to keep within easy reach of the ground, it will make poor work of flying. God had to bring Abraham to the end of his own strength, and to let him see that in his own body he could do nothing. He had to consider his own body as good as dead, and then take God for the whole work; and when he looked away from himself, and trusted God alone, then he became fully persuaded that what He had promised, He was able to perform. That is what God is teaching us, and He has to keep away encouraging results until we learn to trust without them, and then He loves to make His Word real in fact as well as faith.

PRAYER:

Written by Lauren Gaskill, a contemporary author and speaker.

Lord, thank you for your promise and gift of peace. Thank you that YOU are my PEACE — my perfect Prince of Peace who died on my behalf so that I could live in peace, because you have conquered the king of fear. You have trampled the enemy under your feet. Help me not to be afraid when trouble comes my way. Help me trust and rest in you at all times, regardless of what my feelings try to convince me to think. I joyfully receive your peace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Amanda Idleman, a contemporary author.

Contentment from the bible is usually associated with moderation, a sense of God’s guidance and readiness for obedience. The definition of contentment is the state of being satisfied or the source of satisfaction. How many of us find ourselves longing to be content with our lives, bodies, marriages, finances, circumstances, personalities, faith, and stories that we have been given? Envy, ungratefulness, comparison, and fear are the things that stop us from living with contentment. Contentment is not a static state of being. It’s the active pursuit of the life God has just for YOU. It’s being ready to be obedient to God’s guidance in every season. It requires laser focus on what God has for you without being distracted by what could be instead. Contentment means we have to abandon the pursuit of perfection and instead strive for God’s beauty and redemption in our lives. Seeing God’s beauty often takes a change in mindset and not circumstances.  This may look like appreciating the way your body has served you even if it’s not in perfect shape, it can be choosing to show love to your husband even though you experienced many seasons of struggle together, or focusing on the ways you are growing rather than obsessing over your failures. Letting go of the pride that says “I have to or I need to” can be one of the hardest things for believers to do. Yet, this is the type of surrender we are called to. Our lives are no longer our own, we are a new creation in Christ!  Contentment is a posture. It’s being in the presence of God first before we pursue action. It’s strategic stillness in our lives so we can have the right focus. Contentment feels like a strong sense of faith that your life is only possible because you are connected to your Creator. It’s living as though He is your strength and portion!  Contentment is a gift. It often can be a fleeting feeling of rightness in a moment or a season. The enemy is always working to steal our peace and push into our minds another reason to doubt, fear, worry, or need. God gives us the gift of assurance, peace, joy, of knowing we are in his will and that we are loved. Even though it can be hard to find contentment in our lives, it is a good gift worth pursuing. Pause to consider how you can cultivate more contentment in your life. How can you better model for your children peace and “enoughness” in a culture that screams more, more, more! What words communicate that God is enough for you, that your life is His, and while you are always moving forward, you are never asked to strive. You just have to walk hand-in-hand with Him. That is all that is required of you. 

PRAYER:

Written by John Wesley (1703-1791), an English cleric, theologian and evangelist who was a leader of a revival movement within the Church of England known as Methodism.

Compose our spirits to a quiet and steady dependence on your good providence, that we may take no thought for our life, nor be anxious for anything, but by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, still make known our requests to you our God. And help us to pray always and not faint; in everything to give thanks, and offer up the sacrifice of praise continually; to rejoice in hope of your glory; to possess our souls in patience; and to learn in whatsoever state we are, there to be content. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Aaron D’Anthony Brown, a contemporary writer, teacher, and visual artist.

One of the most frustrating parts about being a Christian is watching others be applauded for wrongdoing while we feel ignored for doing good. Sometimes we feel this at work, in the classroom, or even on the dating scene. If we’re good people, why aren’t we recognized? Are we not as good as we think? Maybe, and that’s always something to consider, though the issue could be a matter of perspective. Are we seeking the admiration of others and some sort of prize, or are we content with having God’s approval? Sowing and reaping are not always as simple as two plus two. Sometimes we get what we deserve, sometimes not. One thing’s for certain, however, “we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.” That could be tomorrow, years down the road, or in the next life.  As Christians, we want to ensure that what we reap is good. But what exactly are sowing and reaping? In the spiritual context, sowing is to do something, and reaping is to receive the consequence of that action. Think cause and effect. Christians are tasked with sowing and reaping fruits of the Spirit: kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and more. Therefore, we sow through every word and every deed every single day. Scripture speaks to believers, though, everyone participates in sowing and reaping, whether we are Christian or not, and whether we believe in God or not. The question is, what are we sowing, and what are we reaping? This is something to consider in all areas of our lives and in all of our relationships. … This brings us back to an earlier question – are we seeking the admiration of others and some sort of prize, or are we content with having God’s approval? Ideally, Christians sow because of a desire to serve God and others, not for selfish vainglory. We find contentment in sowing regardless of what acknowledgment we receive. By sowing to the Spirit, we perform good deeds with the hope of receiving positive results. This idea of sowing and reaping is especially important because Jesus commands us to abide in Him. He calls Himself the vine, and we are the vine’s branches. We reveal our faith when we produce fruit. The only way to produce fruit is to sow. Do we always get what we deserve? No.  We may think we want the answer to be always, but when we consider ourselves flawed and sinful, we likely reconsider. If we always got what we deserved surely, there would be plenty of good things that resulted from our good deeds, but there would also be plenty of consequences that result from our daily sins. That’s why God commands us to avoid sin and do good things. Good deeds produce good fruit. Not always immediately. Not always in the way that we expect. Not always for our own enjoyment, but blessings do result from following Christ. In due season, we reap what we sow.

PRAYER:

Written by E. A. Adeboye, a contemporary pastor and author.

Father,  thank You for the secret of sowing and reaping which Your Word has revealed to us! Thank You because every seed we sow we sow as Stewards of the Lord! We Trust and obey You for how and where to sow!  Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Frederic William Farrar (1831-1903), an English cleric, schoolteacher, and author.

My mother’s habit was every day, immediately after breakfast, to withdraw for an hour to her own room, and to spend that hour in reading the Bible, in meditation, and prayer. From that hour, as from a pure fountain, she drew the strength and sweetness which enabled her to fulfill all her duties and to remain unruffled by the worries and pettinesses which are so often the trial of narrow neighborhoods. As I think of her life, and all it had to bear, I see the absolute triumph of Christian grace in the lovely ideal of a Christian lady. I never saw her temper disturbed; I never heard her speak one word of anger, of calumny, or of idle gossip; I never observed in her any sign of a single sentiment unbecoming to a soul which had drunk of the river of the water of life, and which had fed upon manna in the barren wilderness. 

PRAYER:

Written by Joseph Parker (1830-1902), an English minister and theologian.

My Father, I am coming. Nothing on the mean plain shall keep me away from the holy heights. At Thy bidding I come, so Thou wilt meet me. Morning on the mount! It will make me strong and glad all the rest of the day so well begun.

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MEDITATION:

Written byGary Abud, Jr., a contemporary educator and teacher.  This is excerpted from his article “God Pursued Me and Transformed Every Part of My Life.”

I am a double cornea transplant recipient, which stemmed from a childhood eye disease that took my sight in my late teens. And to get a cornea transplant, someone had to die so they could donate their eye tissue—it was something I couldn’t have done myself. It was a gift I did nothing to earn, and one I could not repay to the family members of my donor. Quite literally someone had to lose their son in order that I could have my sight back. Reading about the life and death of the Son of God in Jesus the King prompted me to look back on my eye surgery and recognize exactly how God’s grace worked and what Jesus did for me in a very personal way. 

PRAYER:

Written by Dominic of Osma (1170-1221), a Castilian priest and founder of the Dominican order.

May God the Father who made us bless us.

May God the Son send his healing among us.

May God the Holy Spirit move within us and

give us eyes to see with, and ears to hear with,

and hands that your work might be done.

May we walk and preach the word of God to all.

May the angel of peace watch over us and lead us at last by God’s grace to the Kingdom.  Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Os Hillman, a contemporary speaker, author, and consultant on faith at work.

The apostle Paul had a tent-making business. However, over time, it was evident that more and more of his time was being given to vocational ministry activities. That required him to receive income from those to whom he invested his life. It became increasingly difficult to run a business and travel and minister. His letter to the Philippians (Philippians 4:14-19) gives us a perspective on giving. Although Paul appreciated the support financially, his real joy came in the fact that their gift was being credited to their Heavenly account. Paul had a confidence that God would always provide what he needed. Sometimes it came from his business. Sometimes it came through others. He was not overly concerned with where his provision would come from. His confidence was in God, his provider. So, his attitude was in affirming the benefit that came to the giver from a Kingdom perspective. Paul learned that it wasn’t a church or a business that was his provider. It was God. These were merely tools God used to support him.

PRAYER:

Written by John Birch, a contemporary author on Celtic and other prayer.

Bless the givers,

eyes open

for those in need

of prayer,

encouragement,

support,

a little time,

the gift of love.

In the act of giving

and receiving

may both be blessed. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by L.B. Cowman (1870-1960), an American author.

There are degrees to faith. At one stage of Christian experience, we cannot believe unless we have some sign or some great manifestation of feeling. We feel our fleece, like Gideon, and if it is wet we are willing to trust God. This may be true faith, but it is imperfect. It always looks for feeling or some token besides the Word of God. It marks quite an advance in faith when we trust God without feelings. It is blessed to believe without having any emotion. There is a third stage of faith which even transcends that of Gideon and his fleece. The first phase of faith believes when there are favorable emotions, the second believes when there is the absence of feeling, but this third form of faith believes God and His Word when circumstances, emotions, appearances, people, and human reason all urge to the contrary. Paul exercised this faith in Acts 27:20, 25, “And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.” Notwithstanding all this Paul said, “Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer; for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.” May God give us faith to fully trust His Word though everything else witness the other way.

PRAYER:

Written by Rachel Dawson, a contemporary writer.

 Dear God, thank you that you’ve carried us through the uncertainty of deep waters, through the flames of trials, and through the pain of hard losses. We are constantly aware of how much we need you, your grace, your strength, your power working through even the toughest days. Help us to keep our focus first on you this season. Please forgive us for giving too much time and attention to other things, for looking to other people before coming to you first. Help us to reflect again, on you. Thank you that you came to give new life, peace, hope, and joy. Thank you that your power is made perfect in our weakness. Help us to remember that the gift of Christ, Immanuel, is our greatest treasure. Fill us with your joy and the peace of your Spirit. Direct our hearts and minds towards you. Thank you for your reminder that both in seasons of celebration and in seasons of brokenness, you’re still with us. For you never leave us. Thank you for your daily powerful Presence in our lives, that we can be assured your heart is towards us, your eyes are over us, and your ears are open to our prayers. Thank you that you surround us with favor as with a shield, and we are safe in your care. We choose to press in close to you today, and keep you first in our hearts and lives. Without you we would surely fail, but with you, there is great hope. Thank you for your healing power, thank you for bringing us into this new season up ahead. We look forward to all that You still have in store. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by W. Paul Jones, a contemporary priest, professor of theology, and author. This is an excerpt from his book “The Art of Spiritual Direction.”

The Christian is a citizen of the Church universal. While we delight in the uniqueness of each individual, our deepest joy is to be part of the community that Christ embraces as his own body. Invited to his marriage feast yet to be, we partake of his body and blood. And at these sacred moments, it is enough just to stand around, passing the peace for which the world yearns, being the church adorned as a bride awaiting her divine Lover.

PRAYER:

Written by B. Michael Watson, Jean Hawxhurst, and Kyle R. Tau, contemporary pastors and officers of the Council of Bishops of the Methodist Church.

 Eternal Creator; immortal, invisible, God only wise: With these words, we quiet ourselves before you again with awe and reverence. We thank you for this day, a day that is new and fresh, a day we do not deserve, but a day you have given us. We praise you for your graciousness and your steadfast and generous love. We confess we have not always used the days you have given us to further your Kingdom. We have been selfish, focusing on our own needs and our own advancements. Forgive us, we pray. Free us for joyful obedience to walk in your ways and to further your love in this world. This day we thank you for our sister and brother Christians within our own faith community and throughout your world. In your creative genius, you have made all of us with different gifts to bring to your table, and your Spirit has given us the unity to appreciate and celebrate all those gifts. Thank you for that unity in the midst of beautiful, challenging diversity. Thank you for the many expressions of following your son’s Way that are making a difference around your world. Today, we pray for your universal church. We pray for our shared mission to your world. We pray for open eyes and open hearts for those who need to hear your message of grace. We pray for kindness among our faith communions, even when we disagree with each others theology or opinions. We pray for wisdom and insight to maintain unity without demanding uniformity; to celebrate our diversity instead of making it a cause for division, to claim that diversity as a part of your gracious gift to us. Grant that we may speak, and act, and live, so that the world may see in us the promise of your will, and so that the world may be challenged to move toward that vision, in and through the Christ, who is our source and our goal. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Trillia Newbell, a contemporary author. This is an excerpt from her article “Learning to Abide in Christ.”

Beginning in John 13, Jesus gives a series of farewell addresses… He knows that he will soon be lifeless on a tree — the crucified King. And in the middle of it all, he graciously reminds us that to be his means to bear fruit and we bear fruit by abiding in him. The dictionary defines abiding as to accept or act in accordance with a rule, decision, or recommendation. Synonyms include obey, observe, follow, uphold, heed, and accept. This definition isn’t far off from what Jesus is telling us to do in John 15. But before he gets to the meaning, he gives us a picture of what it looks like not to abide in him. “If anyone does not abide in me, he is thrown away like a branch and withers, and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned” (John 15:6). I guess I am what you would call a plant killer. I purchase plants and try to care for them, but I often fail miserably. I forget to water the plant, choking it from its needed nourishment. And then one day, I turn around and there it is, withered away. This didn’t happen overnight. It happened after a series of neglect. So one by one, the branches fall off from the vine… He explains that by not abiding in him we are like my pitiful plants — we will soon fall off the vine — our roots where we receive nourishment were never truly planted. The fruit of the vine is proof of our faith. Not perfection — but fruit, even if a small bud. It really isn’t until John 15:10 that we get a picture of what it looks like to abide in Jesus. “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.” To abide in Jesus means to keep his commandments and to keep his commandments means to love God with all our hearts and souls and minds and to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:37–39). One way that we display our love for God is through our trust, prayer, and devotion to him. We abide through relationship. We pursue in love. We pray in love. We obey in love. And here is the good news: We love Jesus because he first loved us (1 John 4:19). We didn’t choose him; he chose us, and he chose us to walk out our faith in obedience to him (John 15:16). Apart from Christ, we cannot do anything (John 15:5). This is also good news to the weary person who thinks he must muster up strength to pursue and know Christ (and to love his neighbor — a fruit Jesus emphasizes). He provides the grace and the strength. The fruit that Jesus speaks of is simply evidence of a relationship with him. It is a relationship that he initiates through and by his sovereign love. In this chapter, Jesus reminds us that there is no greater love than someone laying down his life for his friends. He then says, “You are my friends if you do what I command you” (John 15:13). Jesus tells us that we are his friends (let that soak in for a minute) if we obey his command to love, and that command is fulfilled through abiding. As we abide in him, we will bear the fruit of righteousness. This does not add to our salvation by grace alone through faith alone, yet it confirms our transformed heart. And the offer to be Jesus’s friend — the author and perfecter of our faith, the Alpha and Omega, the Beautiful One, the one who bore our sins and transgression — the offer to be his friend is irresistible for the Christian. Abide in him, and he will abide in you. He who began a good work in you will complete it (Philippians 1:6). He who called you is faithful; he will surely do it (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

PRAYER:

Written by Dawn Wilson, a contemporary author and is the  director of Heart Choices Today.

Dear Lord, Help me remember you are indeed Lord of my life. You have the right to rule all that I think, believe and do. When I allow my mind to run to places that destroy my peace, remind me that You do not want me to dwell on thoughts and emotions that contribute to unreasonable fears. I know my mind will remain in perfect peace as I fix my thoughts on you; so Lord Jesus, let your peace rule in my heart. Remind me of the peace I have in your family, and teach me how to be thankful for those circumstances that cause me to run to you, focus on you, and abide in you. I never need live with fearful, anxious thoughts. The truth is, you are in control! Amen.

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