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MEDITATION:

Adapted from a devotion written by Mark D. Roberts, a contemporary Christian speaker,  author, and principle writer of the “Life for Leaders” daily devotion from De Pree Center at Fuller Seminary.

When we moved into our home in Pasadena, we knew we had several citrus trees in the backyard. But we didn’t know exactly what kind of citrus trees they were. Finally, when the time was right, our trees bore their distinctive kind of fruit, and then we knew exactly what sorts of trees we had. (In case you’re curious, we have several lemon trees, one orange tree, and one tangerine tree, as well as a peach tree that showed up unannounced in our front yard.)

If you want to know what kind of tree you have, you need to pay attention to its fruit. The same is true if you want to know what kind of life you’re living. Are you living a good life? Then you’ll see it in your fruit. The opposite is true as well. Bad living is correlated with bad fruit. Fruit, in this case, is a way of talking about our behavior, about what we’re producing by being alive. So, this leads to an obvious question. What is your fruit? If you were to add up all that you’re doing in life – what you do for work, how you act in relationships, where you put your money, how you spend your time, and so on – what kind of fruit is growing on your tree?  If your family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers were to be given a dose of truth serum such that they had to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth, how would they answer this question: What is the fruit of your life? What is your life producing? What difference are you making in this world? I believe that, for most of us, the fruit of our lives is a mixed bag. Some of our fruit is good; some is bad. We need to be honest about this. God will use our honesty to help us shift the balance in the favor of good fruit. Soon we’ll learn how this happens, according to Jesus.

PRAYER:

This prayer is based on Galatians 5:22 and is from the Daily Prayer Guide website. 

Father God, you are the giver of all good things. I pray to ask you to give me the fruits of the Spirit. Help me to love, be full of joy, peace, and patience. Help me be kind, good, faithful, and gentle when dealing with others. And finally, give me the self-control to bear the fruit so others can see. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Henri Jozef Nouwen (1932-1996), a Dutch priest, professor, writer, and theologian. This is an excerpt from his book “Making All Things New.”

The spiritual life can be lived in as many ways as there are people. What is new is that we have moved from the many things to the kingdom of God. What is new is that we are set free from the compulsions of our world and have set our hearts on the only necessary thing. What is new is that we no longer experience the many things, people, and events as endless causes for worry, but begin to experience them as the rich variety of ways in which God makes his presence known for us. Indeed, having a spiritual life requires a change of heart, a conversion. Such a conversion may be marked by a sudden inner change, or it can take place through a long, quiet process of transformation. But it always involves an inner experience of oneness.

PRAYER:

This prayer is from The Liturgy of St. James, a form of liturgy used by some Eastern Christians of the Byzantine and West Syriac Rite. It is considered to be the oldest surviving liturgy developed for general use in the church from around the fourth century. 

O gracious King of ages, Master of all creation,

receive your Church that approaches you through Christ.

Give each of us what is good, bring us all to completeness

and make us ready by your sanctifying grace.

Unite us together in your Holy Church, which you purchased with the precious blood of your only Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; with him, and with your all-holy, good, and life-giving Spirit, you are blessed and glorified forever.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Evelyn Underhill (1875-1941), English Christian writer and pacifist.  This is from her book “The Spiritual Life.”

For a spiritual life is simply a life in which all that we do comes from the center, where we are anchored in God: a life soaked through and through by a sense of his reality and claim, and self-given to the great movement of his will.  Most of our conflicts and difficulties come from trying to deal with the spiritual and practical aspects of our life separately instead of realizing them as parts of one whole. If our practical life is centered on our own interests, cluttered up by possessions, distracted by ambitions, passions, wants and worries, beset by a sense of our own rights and importance, or anxieties for our own future, or longings for our own success, we need not expect that our spiritual life will be a contrast to all this. The soul’s house is not built on such a convenient plan; there are few soundproof partitions in it.

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. 

God, our Father, we are exceedingly frail and indisposed to every virtuous and gallant undertaking. Strengthen our weakness, we beseech you, that we may do valiantly in this spiritual war; help us against our own negligence and cowardice, and defend us from the treachery of our unfaithful hearts. For Jesus Christ’s sake, Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Elton Trueblood (1900-1994), an American Quaker author, theologian, and former chaplain to both Harvard and Stanford universities.  This is an excerpt from his book “The New Man for Our Time.”

Because we cannot reasonably expect to erect a constantly expanding structure of social activism upon a constantly diminishing foundation of faith, attention to the cultivation of the inner life is our first order of business, even in a period of rapid social change. The Church, if it is to affect the world, must become a center from which new spiritual power emanates. While the Church must be secular in the sense that it operates in the world, if it is only secular it will not have the desired effect upon the secular order which it is called upon to penetrate. With no diminution of concern for people, we can and must give new attention to the production of a trustworthy religious experience.

PRAYER:

Written by Claude de la Colombiere (1641-1682), a French Jesuit priest, missionary, and ascetical writer.

Lord, I am in this world to show Your mercy to others.

Other people will glorify You

by making visible the power of Your grace

by their fidelity and constancy to You.

For my part I will glorify You

by making known how good You are to sinners,

that Your mercy is boundless

and that no sinner no matter how great his offences

should have reason to despair of pardon.

If I have grievously offended You, My Redeemer,

let me not offend You even more

by thinking that You are not kind enough to pardon Me. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Albert Edward Day (1884-1973), Methodist pastor and leader of the Disciplined Order of Christ movement. This is an excerpt from his book “The Captivating Presence.”

I came to a new understanding why Jesus passed up the religious establishment of his day, the economically secure, the socially prestigious, and sought out the poor, the outcast, the sinner, the broken, the sick, the lonely. He felt, as we so often do not feel, their sorrow. He was acquainted, as we too seldom are, with their grief. On Calvary he died of a broken heart. But that heart was broken long before Black Friday, by the desolation of the common people. “In all their afflictions he was afflicted.” Most of the time we are not. We seem to have quite a different conception of life. We avoid as much as possible the unpleasant. We shun the suffering of others. We shrink from any burdens except those which life itself inescapably thrusts upon us. We seek arduously the wealth and power that will enable us to secure ourselves against the possibility of being involved with another’s affliction. Lazarus sometimes makes his way to our doorstep. We toss him a coin and go on our way. We give our charities but we do not give ourselves. We build our charitable institutions but we do not build ourselves into other’s lives.

PRAYER:

Written by Thomas More (1478-1535), an English lawyer, social philosopher, author, statesman, and noted Renaissance humanist. He was also a councilor to Henry VIII.

Almighty God, take from me all vainglorious minds, all appetites of my own praise, all envy, covetise, gluttony, sloth, and lechery, all wrathful affections, all appetite of revenging, all desire or delight of other folks’ harm, all pleasure in provoking any person to wrath and anger, all delight of exprobation or insultation against any persons in their affliction and calamity. And give me, good Lord, a humble, lowly, quiet, peaceable, patient, charitable, kind, tender, and pitiful mind, with all my works, and all my words, and all my thoughts, to have a taste of Your Holy, Blessed Spirit. Give me, good Lord, a full faith, a firm hope, and a fervent charity, a love to the good Lord incomparable above the love to myself; and that I love nothing to Your displeasure, but everything in an order to You. Take from me, good Lord, this lukewarm fashion, or rather keycold manner of meditation, and this dullness in praying unto You. And give me warmth, delight and quickness in thinking upon You. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Max Lucado, a contemporary pastor and author. This is an excerpt from his book “Trade Your Cares for Calm.”

If only we could order life the way we order gourmet coffee. Wouldn’t you love to mix and match the ingredients of your future? “Give me a tall, extra-hot cup of adventure, cut the dangers, with two shots of good health.” “A decaf brew of longevity, please, with a sprinkle of fertility. Go heavy on the agility and cut the disability.” “I’ll have the pleasure mocha with extra stirrings of indulgence. Make sure it’s consequence free.” “I’ll go with a grande happy-latte, with a dollop of love, sprinkled with Caribbean retirement.” Take me to that coffee shop. Too bad it doesn’t exist. Truth is, life often hands us a concoction entirely different from the one we requested. Ever feel as though the barista-from-above called your name and handed you a cup of unwanted stress? Life comes caffeinated with surprises. Modifications. Transitions. Alterations. You move down the ladder, out of the house, over for the new guy, up through the system. All this moving. Some changes welcome, others not. We might request a decaffeinated life, but we don’t get it. None of us pass through this life surprise free. If you don’t want change, go to a soda machine; that’s the only place you won’t find any.

So make friends with whatever’s next. Embrace it. Accept it. Don’t resist it. Change is not only a part of life; change is a necessary part of God’s strategy. To use us to change the world, He alters our assignments. God transitioned Joseph from a baby brother to an Egyptian prince. He changed David from a shepherd to a king. Peter wanted to fish the Sea of Galilee. God called him to lead the first church. God makes reassignments. Over time, we discover that the thing we thought we wanted is far less satisfying than what God has prepared for us.

PRAYER:

Attributed to Reinhold  Niebuhr (1892-1971), a Reformed minister, theologian, ethicist, and professor at Union Theological Seminary. The prayer is used by recovery groups.

God grant me the serenity

To accept the things I cannot change;

Courage to change the things I can;

And wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;

Enjoying one moment at a time;

Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;

Taking, as he did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it;

Trusting that he will make all things right if I surrender to his will;

That I may be reasonably happy in this life And supremely happy with him forever in the next.

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MEDITATION:

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

Don’t economize in almsgiving—cut off nothing in charities, rather increase them if anything. “Give and it shall be given to you.” “In the measure that you do to others so shall it be done to you. What you give to the poor you give to me.” The best way of always having enough is to share generously with the poor, seeing in them the representatives of Jesus himself. And then be full of confidence. “He who gives life will also give the nourishment. He who gave the body will give the clothing. Seek the Kingdom of God and his Justice (that is to say, perfection) and the rest shall be given unto you.” This is said for all Christians and not only for monks. Be full of confidence. Keep yourself from all anxiety.

PRAYER:

Written by Peter Ainslie (1867-1934), a minister and strong advocate of Christian unity, world peace, racial inclusiveness, social justice, Jewish-Christian dialogue, and liberal Christianity.

Blessed Father, you are above all in gifts, and out of your giving you have taught me the way to a fuller identification of myself with you. Not only your gift of Jesus and your gift of the Spirit, but every day your gifts are given to me like manna in the wilderness. All I have belongs to you, and of my money I am only a trustee. Command its use as shall please you, and give me the experience of the giver’s joy. Let me see clearly the sin of covetousness and deepen my hatred of its practice. In the name of your unspeakable Gift be praise and dominion forever. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Shilo Taylor, a contemporary youth pastor and Christian author. This is an excerpt from her book “A 40-Day Guide to Life in Christ.”

Have you ever said, “It’s my life. I’m free to do whatever makes me happy?” After a while, whatever you choose to pursue—popularity, alcohol, relationships, living selfishly, or trying hard to be perfect—becomes something that controls you instead of you controlling it. Soon the choice doesn’t feel like a choice at all. Instead of being free, you’re a slave. Before we commit our lives to Jesus we are slaves to sin. Even if we try to be good, we still aren’t free. Freedom is an illusion. We are tangled up in our sin, and it is impossible to set ourselves free. When we commit our lives to Jesus, we are freed from our slavery. Only God brings real freedom. He frees us from everything we’ve been controlled by. Only God—who is absolutely perfect and all-powerful—can make us his children and save us.

Jesus forgives us. Jesus heals us. Jesus makes us whole. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t see instant change. The more you know God, the more you will become the person God created you to be. He knows what your purpose is, what is best for you, what you are good at, and how your experiences will be used in the future. He will help you get past what holds you back. He will make you whole.

PRAYER:

Written by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) , a Patriarch of Alexandria whose Coptic Liturgy  originated in the early Christian Egypt, forming the core of the historical Alexandrian Rite.

What blessing,

what praise,

what thanksgiving

can we give you, O God, lover of all?

For when we were in the darkness of death

and drowning in the depths of sin

you granted us freedom

and gave us this immortal and heavenly food,

and showed us the mystery kept secret for long ages.

Help us understand your supreme mercy

and the greatness of your goodness and Fatherly care for us. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by David Jeremiah, a contemporary Christian pastor and author.  This is an excerpt from his book “What To Do When You Don’t Know What To Do.”

 “Patience” is not a passive term but an active one. It is not a resignation to whatever happens but a strong and tough resolution in the midst of very adverse circumstances. It would be better translated as “steadfastness,” “perseverance,” or “brave endurance.” Trials in the lives of believers refine their faith so that the false is stripped away and the genuine faith that continues to trust God can develop victorious positive endurance. William Barclay points out that the endurance of the early Christians was not a passive quality: “It is not simply the ability to bear things; it is the ability to turn them to greatness and glory. The thing which amazed the heathen in the centuries of persecution was that the martyrs did not die grimly; they died singing.”

Without durability in trials, believers have not yet fully matured. We are to persevere in our trials so that the work that God has begun in us may be brought to completion. It is possible for Christians to be fully grown or mature in most areas in life but be missing this ingredient of steadfastness in trials. Until this has been experienced , they are not yet complete.

PRAYER:

From The Mozarabic Rite, a liturgical rite of the Latin Church once used generally in the Iberian Peninsula (Hispania), in what is now Spain and Portugal.  Developed during Visigoth (Arian Christian) rule of the Iberian peninsula  in the 500s AD.

It is good for us to hold on to you, O Lord,

but increase in us our desire for your good,

that our hope in you may not be shaken

by any wavering of faith,

but may endure in steadfastness of love.

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MEDITATION:

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

“On whom dost thou trust?” “I trust,” says the Christian, “in a triune God. I trust the Father, believing that he has chosen me from before the foundations of the world; I trust him to provide for me in providence, to teach me, to guide me, to correct me if need be, and to bring me home to his own house where the many mansions are. I trust the Son. Very God of very God is he–the man Christ Jesus. I trust in him to take away all my sins by his own sacrifice, and to adorn me with his perfect righteousness. I trust him to be my Intercessor, to present my prayers and desires before his Father’s throne, and I trust him to be my Advocate at the last great day, to plead my cause, and to justify me. I trust him for what he is, for what he has done, and for what he has promised yet to do. And I trust the Holy Spirit–he has begun to save me from my inbred sins; I trust him to drive them all out; I trust him to curb my temper, to subdue my will, to enlighten my understanding, to check my passions, to comfort my despondency, to help my weakness, to illuminate my darkness; I trust him to dwell in me as my life, to reign in me as my King, to sanctify me wholly, spirit, soul, and body, and then to take me up to dwell with the saints in light forever.”

Oh, blessed trust! To trust him whose power will never be exhausted, whose love will never wane, whose kindness will never change, whose faithfulness will never fail, whose wisdom will never be nonplussed, and whose perfect goodness can never know a diminution! Happy art thou, reader, if this trust is thine! So trusting, thou shalt enjoy sweet peace now, and glory hereafter, and the foundation of thy trust shall never be removed.

PRAYER:

Written by Francis of Assisi ((c1181-1226), an Italian Catholic friar, deacon and preacher. He founded the men’s Order of Friars Minor, the women’s Order of Saint Claire, the Third Order of Saint Francis and the Custody of the Holy Land.

Lord, help me to live this day, quietly, easily. To lean upon Thy great strength, trustfully, restfully. To wait for the unfolding of Thy will, patiently, serenely. To meet others, peacefully, joyously. To face tomorrow, confidently, courageously. Amen.

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