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MEDITATION:

Written by John Wesley (1703-1791), an English cleric, theologian, and evangelist who was a leader in the revival movement known as Methodism.  This is an excerpt from his book “Christian Perfection.”

Sins of omission are avoiding to do good of any kind when we have the opportunity. We must beware of these sins and, instead, be zealous of good works. Do all the good you possibly can to the bodies and souls of your neighbors. Be active. Give no place to laziness. Be always busy, losing no shred of time. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might. Also, be slow to speak. It is said, ​“In a multitude of words sin abounds.” Try not to talk too much, or for a long period of time. Not many people can converse profitably beyond an hour’s time. Especially avoid pious ​“chit-chat” or religious gossip. 

PRAYER:

Written by Lesli White, a contemporary Christian author.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for being good and for blessing my life with good. Even when bad things happen, I know that You are good and You do good. I cling to You, and pray that You will continue to perform in me that which is good, for Your glory. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Paul David Tripp, a contemporary pastor, author, and speaker. This meditation is adapted from his work “Reactivity: How the Gospel Transforms Our Actions and Reactions.”

The desire for even a good thing can become a bad thing if it becomes a ruling thing. It is good to want some control in your life, but if your heart is ruled by control, you will destroy your life and relationships. It’s good to want to be happy, but if happiness rules you, you will be endlessly demanding, frustrated, and angry. It’s good to want to know right and be right, but if being right rules you, you will be critical, unapproachable, judgmental, and unlivable. It’s good to want relationships, but if your heart is ruled by the acceptance of others, you will be entitled and demanding or paralyzed by fear of man. There is no other safe lord over your heart than the Lord of lords. And there is no better way of living than to value what he values. I want to propose six street-level examples of what it means in our current cultural climate to value what God values.

1. The gospel is of greater value than politics. If you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, politics should not form your foundational worldview; the gospel should. If you are a believer, politics is not what should give you your identity; the gospel should. If you are a believer, political power should not give you hope; the gospel should. If you are a believer, you should give your life not to any earthly king but to the King of kings. In this moment, politics and political power have become too important, too central, and too life-shaping; they have become a seedbed of much division, acrimony, and reactivity in the Christian community.
2. Relationships are of greater value than dominating the conversation and winning the day. The gospel is entirely relational. Christ purchased for us peace with God and, through that peace, peace with one another. The gospel teaches us that our walk with God is not an individual pursuit but a community project. Second only to the command to love God above all else is the command to love your neighbor as yourself. So much of our debate of the issues of the day are no longer personal but digital. In this arena, people become dehumanized. Because we lose the sense of flesh-and-blood relationships that necessitate commitment and carry consequences, we allow ourselves to behave in ways that are antisocial, not recognizing the value of our relationships with one another.
3. God’s honor is of greater value than your comfort, appreciation, and respect. So much of the toxic reactivity that greets us every day is the result of a self-focused, self-aggrandizing, and self-referencing way of looking at and experiencing the world. It is me in the center, and the offenses that grieve, anger, and motivate me the most are perceived offenses against me. It is an entitled and demanding way of living that never produces personal happiness or relational peace. The gospel of Jesus Christ is meant to produce in you a heart-shaping awe of God that makes his glory the thing that then directs everything you do and say. Self-glory always destroys community and is a sad substitute for the true peace and happiness that is to be found in living for the glory of one infinitely greater than you.
4. Unity is of greater value than individualism or tribalism. Sadly, sin causes us to be better at division than unity. Sin causes us to confuse unity with a demand for uniformity. Sin causes us to think that we can do individually what can only be accomplished in community with others. Sin causes us to divide into little issue/ theology/affinity tribes, often treating those outside of our tribe as if they were the enemy. In Jesus’s final prayer, he argues for the value of our unity with one another (see John 17). He argues that our unity with one another is meant to be a powerful argument for the gospel. You cannot read Scripture without concluding that this unity is not a luxury but essential for our continuing growth in grace and our ongoing witness to the world.
5. Love is of greater value than even the most subtle forms of hate. More than once people have reacted to something I tweeted with accusatory, character-judging, and dismissive responses. These kinds of responses do not come from a heart of love. They do not lovingly encourage me to reflect, reconsider, or repent. They are the words of judgment and dismissal. Sadly, they are posted by brothers and sisters in Christ, who are bound together with me in a unity that only the Holy Spirit can create. Together we are to be known for our love for one another. The subtle hatred of disrespect, dismissal, mockery, cancellation, and judgment never produces good fruit. When someone yells at you, you defend yourself; you don’t open up your heart. Only love has the power to break down my defenses, creating a safe place for me to take an honest look at myself. And love assures me that you are for me and will be with me even when sin and disagreement get in the way.
6. Character is of greater value than position or power.One functional idol in the current Christian culture is power. For the purpose of political power, we will compromise our character and close our eyes to the character flaws of the leaders we’ve attached our hopes to. In his word, God listed the qualifications for leaders in his church. The entire list is a character list, with the exception of one skill set (the ability to teach). God’s call to every believer is “Be holy as I am holy.” Holiness forever trumps power. Holiness forever trumps position. Holiness is not only God’s call; it is what his grace works to produce in us every day. There are too many Christian bullies on social media. There are too many bully leaders in the church. No Christian community can remain healthy if the quest for power and position motivates us more than the beauty of godliness.

PRAYER:

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

We pray for our communities –

that snapshot of humanity

with all ages, backgrounds,

education, employment status,

politics and religious viewpoint

who are our neighbors

in the streets where we live.

We pray for all of them;

not only those we know by name

and chat to through the day,

but also less familiar faces

about whom we know so little

and pass by with just a smile.

Bless their homes and families,

and let your love and peace

so shine within this community

that smiles turn to conversations,

and strangers become friends.

We pray this through Jesus Christ,

the Prince of Peace. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Dalla Willard (1935-2013), an American philosopher, theologian, and author.  This is an excerpt from “The Divine Conspiracy Continued: Fulfilling God’s Kingdom on Earth.”

As disciples of Jesus, following in his footsteps, this is what we must know and do as well. This is the great Divine Conspiracy. To have this humble, peaceful, wise, and loving festival of goodwill overwhelm every competing agenda, fearful scheme, or desperate plan to build our lives on the shifting sands of arrogance or ignorance. Such lonely acts of despair are forged only by those whose ears and deaf to the music and eyes blind to the beauty of the symphonic plenitude on which God has set all creation. Such a God comes to the weary and burdened to whisper hope in our ear. “Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything” (1 John 3:18-20). No greater meaning can be found to human existence than what God has appointed to those who know and love him and his ways with their entire being. This is the church’s greatest opportunity—to model, demonstrate, and manifest the fruits of such a life as both a witness and a beneficiary of God’s overflowing goodness and agape love.

PRAYER:

Written by Dallas Willard, author of today’s meditation. It is his interpretation of the Lord’s Prayer.

Dear Father always near us, may your name be treasured and loved, may your rule be completed in us— may your will be done here on earth in just the way it is done in heaven. Give us today the things we need today, and forgive us our sins and impositions on you as we are forgiving all who in any way offend us. Please don’t put us through trials, but deliver us from everything bad. Because you are the one in charge, and you have all the power, and the glory too is all yours – forever—which is just the way we want it! Amen (Whoopee!).

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MEDITATION:

Written by Courtney Joseph, a contemporary author.

The Bible says in Galatians 6:9, to not grow weary and to not give up. But so many days I am so very weary. The principle of reaping and sowing requires patience. A little acorn does not become a huge oak tree in a day. It takes a LONG time for that acorn to stand tall. Our thoughts, actions, words, hobbies, and habits are all seeds. Pause and consider — what are you sowing right now? And what are you reaping right now? Let’s sow seeds of mediation and prayer and giving thanks into our lives. It is through these spiritual disciplines that God strengthens us on weary days and helps us to not give up. He is our strength!

PRAYER:

Written by Debbie McDaniel, a contemporary Christian writer.

Dear God, We praise you today with our hearts and songs, we praise you for your faithfulness, we praise you for your great power and love. We confess our need for you, our lives don’t go so well when we just spin around on our own. We struggle and worry, get weary and worn. Yet you never leave us. Thank you for your presence. Thank you for your care over us, thank you that you breathe renewal right into our souls. We ask for your spirit to fill us, to draw us close to yourself, and to work your purposes through us, as we set our eyes on you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Lauren Miller, a contemporary author, speaker, trainer, and life coach.

Holy Spirit-driven leadership is the ability to lead from the inside out versus the outside in. It flows from having your identity grounded in your relationship with Jesus. As you experience the depth of His love for you, the Holy Spirit gains access into your mind, will, and emotions. As a youth, my favorite author was Leo Buscaglia. My room was filled with his uplifting quotes. A few of the following still carry me forward in life: “Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” Jesus modeled this quote when He walked the earth…A Spirit-driven leader in life is one who moves from the inside out versus the outside in, who guides another back to themselves as connected to God and their greatest expression of who they are created to be in this world. When a leader moves from the Holy Spirit’s promptings they can go for what they want without the heaviness of attachment to something outside of his/herself. An attachment is an emotional state of clinging due to the belief that without some specific thing, or outcome, you cannot be happy. A Spirit-driven leader is not concerned about the impression they make on others. This is living from the outside in, which will always render the one who plays this finite game of life vulnerable to rising and falling depending upon how the world judges them at that time… it is exhausting and unproductive.

There are 5 things to know for Holy-Spirt driven leadership:  1) A leader is a constant student, knowing that their ability to develop talent in another is in direct proportion to their ability to develop their own gifts and talents … 2) The Holy Spirit-driven leader gives his/her spirit permission to guide others through the archway of love and humility utilizing appreciative inquiry and servant leadership rather than bullying behavior … 3) Knowing that a successful organization is made up of individuals who seek out learning opportunities for growth, the Holy Spirit-driven leader creates a learning environment that fosters engagement: the force that motivates employees to higher levels of performance … 4) A Holy Spirit-driven leader fosters the growth in others without the fear of being overlooked or unseen in the light of the success of another for the good of all concerned, including the organization … 5) The Holy Spirit-driven leader lives in the space of mental observation versus reactive behavior. The one who steps away from defensive routines: entrenched habits we use to protect ourselves from the embarrassment and threat that come from exposing our thinking … Rather than avoiding vulnerability they champion it as an effective tool for instant human connection and learning opportunities. Jesus was masterful at this. 

PRAYER:

Written by Lauren Miller, the author of today’s meditation.

Dear God, I want to be the kind of leader that gives my spirit permission to guide my flesh. Grant me the grace to release my need to own, control or possess a conversation. Give me the ability to stand outside of judgments and assumptions, to encourage the open flow of dialogue, and to step away from the expert role so as to include and empower the people around me. Holy Spirit, help me to lead like Jesus. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

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

I was in Switzerland visiting an acquaintance I had met briefly almost ten years earlier at a Christian conference on the island of Cyprus. We had stayed in contact over the years as he had become a big fan of TGIF and had the devotions translated into German. I had felt led to make the trip from Germany, where we had been attending a conference. I was sitting in the kitchen talking with my friend when I said, “You are different. There is a different spirit about you than when I met you ten years ago on the island of Cyprus. I have to admit, I thought you were a bit aloof,” I confessed to him. “Hmm, you know Os, I thought the same about you.” We both chuckled at our observations. There was a difference in both of us because something dramatic had happened in both of our lives. My friend was a very successful businessman in Switzerland and was running a family business when things went very wrong. He lost millions as a result. Although his fortune was not totally wiped out, it impacted him greatly. It brought a humility and newfound trust in God that had not been there before. I had a similar story. I had gone through a seven year “pit experience” in which I had major losses in family, business, and personal income. Now we were both on the other sides of our “pits.” We could recognize something in each of us that had resulted from our experiences. There was a level of humility that was not there before. It reminded me of a statement a friend of mine made years earlier: “Beware of any Christian leader who does not walk with a limp.” Sometimes God creates circumstances in our lives to create humility and greater dependence upon Him. It is because God works greater through weakness than strength. I often tell others, “You can get humility voluntarily or involuntarily. It is much easier if you get it voluntarily.” 

PRAYER:

Written by Rachel Dawson, a contemporary author.

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. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Annie Yorty, a contemporary author and speaker.

In the Old Testament, there’s a story of a prophet named Elisha, whose defenseless city was surrounded by “a substantial army.” The angry king of that army planned to kidnap Elisha to prevent him from helping God’s people. Elisha’s servant quaked at the sight of the enormous force encircling them. He cried, “This is hopeless, my master” (2 Kings 6:15)! Elisha, though, remained remarkably calm. You see, he saw something with the eyes of his heart that his attendant could not perceive. I wonder if the sight that greeted Elisha’s servant when God opened his eyes left him speechless. Numerous horses and flaming chariots surrounded them. Elisha did not fear the puny force of the earthly king because he could see the powerful King of heaven defending him. When Jesus lived on earth, he healed physical blindness. “Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly (Mark 8:25). Not content with just physical restoration, Jesus also came “to shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace” (Luke 1:79). In other words, Jesus opens the eyes of the heart to spiritual sight.

Elisha’s servant discovered that the world looked significantly different when he saw through the eyes of his heart. When the heavenly realm comes into focus, problems shrink. Provision appears. With spiritual sight, we see the anguish in the heart that spewed angry words. We sympathize with the addict’s chains. We recognize doubt underlying haughtiness and fear of failure behind insolence.  We also realize that Almighty God protects us with His army. Jehovah Jireh provides exactly what we need. Emmanuel stays with us through every circumstance. We radiate hope anchored to the ultimate victory of Jesus. God gives us the ability to see people and problems in the world from His point of view, which includes the thoughts and motives that prompt outward actions. He pulls back the curtain on the heavenly realm to show the big picture. Have you ever covered your eyes to avoid a scary part of a movie? In the same way, we sometimes deliberately close our eyes to the inconvenient or painful realities that God reveals. Is there any spiritual reality you resist? Perhaps God is nudging you to see and respond to a difficult relationship with His compassion instead of censure. Or maybe the eyes of your heart perceive His guidance for a problem, but you’d rather tackle it your way.  Another prophet of God named Isaiah received a strong vision of the heavenly realm. He saw a royal chamber in the temple with the glorious King seated front and center on His throne. Magnificent, adoring seraphim surrounded God. When Isaiah despaired at his unworthiness to stand in God’s presence, a seraph cleansed him, and God spoke. “Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?’ Then I said, ‘Here am I. Send me’” (Isaiah 6:8)! Isaiah’s unequivocal reply flew out of his mouth. In gratitude for spiritual sight, he surrendered his life to God. Perhaps we all need to spiritually be unable to close the eyes of our heart. Unable to turn away from the spiritual realities God reveals. Eager to respond to what we see.

PRAYER:

Written by Wendy Van Eyck, a contemporary writer and blogger.

God, sometimes life gets me down and I find it hard to see things to be thankful for. Open my eyes to see the gifts you’ve given me in my life. I’m going to start by thanking you for loving me enough to come to earth and die so we can live together forever. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by George Palmer Pardington (1939-2017), an Episcopal priest and teacher.

What shall the believer do in times of darkness — the darkness of perplexity and confusion, not of heart but of mind? Times of darkness come to the faithful and believing disciple who is walking obediently in the will of God; seasons when he does not know what to do, nor which way to turn. The sky is overcast with clouds. The clear light of Heaven does not shine upon his pathway. One feels as if he were groping his way in darkness. Beloved, is this you? What shall the believer do in times of darkness? Listen! “Let him trust in the name of the Lord and rely upon his God.” The first thing to do is do nothing. This is hard for poor human nature to do. In the West, there is a saying that runs thus, “When you’re rattled, don’t rush”; in other words, “When you don’t know what to do, don’t do it.” When you run into a spiritual fog bank, don’t tear ahead, slow down the machinery of your life. If necessary, anchor your bark or let it swing at its moorings. We are to simply trust God. While we trust, God can work. Worry prevents Him from doing anything for us. If our minds are distracted and our hearts distressed; if the darkness that overshadows us strikes terror to us; if we run hither and yon in a vain effort to find some way of escape out of a dark place of trial, where Divine providence has put us, the Lord can do nothing for us. The peace of God must quiet our minds and rest our hearts. We must put our hand in the hand of God like a little child and let Him lead us out into the bright sunshine of His love. He knows the way out of the woods. Let us climb up into His arms and trust Him to take us out by the shortest and surest road.

PRAYER:

This prayer is from a traditional collect for Evening Prayer.

Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord; and by thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of thy only Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Trevor Hudson, a contemporary South African pastor, author, and speaker. This is an excerpt from his book “Seeking God.”

We yearn for intimacy, belonging, significance, transformation, power, and eternity. This longing is written in capital letters onto the emptiness of our souls, the pain of our lives, the struggles of our relationships, and the strife of our shattered communities. The good news is that amid our searching lives, our broken relationships, our battles with addiction, our desperate reaching out for something more, our fractured and hurting world, Jesus Christ reaches out to us with the compelling vision of another kind of life. He comes to us in his risen presence and says to each one of us: It doesn’t have to be this way. Another kind of life is available to you. You are invited into an intimate pilgrimage to the heart of my Abba Father, who loves you beyond your wildest imaginings. As you keep company with me, my sisters and brothers will become your new family. Over time I will reveal to you God’s personal calling for your life. I will show you how you can partner with me in healing my Father’s world. Along the way I will slowly transform you into the loving, compassionate, and generous person you were meant to be. My powerful Spirit will set you free from whatever enslaves you and will empower you to act on behalf of the common good. Above all, there is nothing that will ever separate you from the Father’s love with which I love you. This is the divine vision I have for your one life on earth.

When we reimagine this life offered to us by God, when our hearts are moved by the vision of living in the eternal Kingdom now, we begin to seek it. This life is not for passive observers, nor for uninvolved spectators. It is for those serious enough to ache for it, reach out for it, and turn in to it…and who are willing to give up whatever is necessary to obtain it. If we want to enter this life that God gives, you and I must become seekers.

PRAYER:

Written by Trevor Hudson, the author of today’s meditation.

Lord Jesus Christ, your good news has found its way into my heart. Thank you for the divine life that your own life, death, and resurrection make possible for me today. I have caught a glimpse of what this life looks like in your own life, and I yearn to know it for  myself. Today I turn toward you, trusting that this is your vision for my life here on earth. As I learn what it means to seek you and the life you give, may your Spirit show me my next step.

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MEDITATION:

Today’s devotional was from Theodyssey’s Heart’s Desire devotional. Theodyssey is a Christian spiritual formation group for building Christian leaders.

Coming alive spiritually requires us to face the shock of realizing that we are sinners, wholly inadequate to be restored to a relationship with God on our own merits. It requires a genuinely childlike spirit of trust and humility to repent and be renewed.  We’re often too busy to notice or respond to our most profound needs. The emotional poverty of our modern world has left us numb.  We readily forget what it means to exist. We easily dismiss the reality of our inner lives. We’re hurried and stressed, problem-solving our way through each day, armed with our scientific tools and strategies. Any reference to matters of the heart is irrelevant in a culture of production and self-reliance unless it is immediately useful.  And yet, we are born with a persistent longing for “something more.” Amid the noise of our lives, our heart’s desire is a constant internal beacon pointing us toward Home. Sometimes a palpable sense of awe bullies its way into our awareness, leaving us wide-eyed and wondering. It happens while holding a newborn baby. Watching a flaming orange sun slide into the sea. Or feeling the raw hunger to “know.” It occurs when the dearest of friends gather for a meal around a gentle fire.  Simple, everyday experiences of mystery, beauty, truth, and belonging lift us from our cultural malaise and awaken our heart’s desire for “something more.” These are signposts to knowing God, who alone can satisfy that desire. Without being aware of and responding to heart’s desire, we are left to live a self-directed life.  

PRAYER:

Written by Nicki Koziarz, a contemporary author and teacher.

God, help me love the life I live right now. Show me the good things I often overlook and help me be content with what I have. Forgive me when I compare myself to others, forgive me for longing for things outside of you and your kingdom. Thank you for loving me right where I am, right as I am. Help me keep my eyes on you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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