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MEDITATION:

Written by Christopher Hudson, a contemporary Christian author. This is an excerpt from his book “Following Jesus Daily Devotional.”

Why do we love TV shows that feature makeovers (of people, houses, etc.) or those that track unknown people becoming national singing sensations? Surely, it’s because such stories remind us that change is possible; and deeper than that, they hint at the most miraculous transformation of all.

When Jesus began gathering followers, he essentially said: Follow me, and I will transform you into something you’re not. If you’ll come to me and remain with me, your life will never be the same. In the end, you’ll actually become like me. This is why we come to Jesus. We come to him not only for forgiveness and the promise of eternal life—as amazing as those things are—but in order to become like him.  Following Jesus isn’t about acquiring theological information. It’s embarking on a journey of personal transformation. It isn’t only about heaven one day; it’s about holiness right now.

PRAYER:

Written by Ambrose (339-397), a bishop of Milan.  He contributed to theology and doctrine of the early Christian Church and influenced Augustine of Hippo.

O Lord, who has mercy upon all, take away from me my sins, and mercifully kindle in me the fire of Your Holy Spirit. Take away from me the heart of stone, and give me a heart of flesh, a heart to love and adore You, a heart to delight in You, to follow and to enjoy You, for Christ’s sake. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Athenagoras (c133-c190), an Athenian Father of the Church and Christian apologist, philosopher, and convert to Christianity. This is from his letter “A Plea Regarding Christians,”

It is like the potter and the clay. The clay is matter, the potter is an artist. So is God the creator an artist, while matter is subject to him for the sake of his art. But as clay cannot by itself become pottery without art, so matter, which is altogether pliable, cannot receive distinction, form, or beauty apart from God the creator. We do not, moreover, reckon pottery of more value than the potter, or bowls or vessels of gold than the artisan. If they have artistic merit, we praise the artist. It is he who reaps the renown for making them. So it is with matter and God. It is not matter which justly receives praise and honor for the arrangement and beauty of the world, but its creator, God. If, then, we were to worship material forms as gods, we should seem to be insensitive to the true God, identifying what is eternal with what is subject to dissolution and corruption. Beautiful, indeed, is the world in its all-embracing grandeur, in the arrangement of the stars, both those in the circle of the ecliptic and those at the Septentrion, and in its form as a sphere. Yet it is not the world, but its maker, who should be worshiped.

PRAYER:

Written by the Lasallian Brothers, a  religious teaching organization founded by Jean-Baptiste de La Salle (1641-1719) in France and now based in Rome.

All-loving and ever-living God,

We pray with the prophet Isaiah:

“Yahweh, you are our Father;

We, the clay, you the potter,

We are all the works of your hand.”

Help us to trust in you.

Free us to be shaped by your love.

Help us to follow the example of your Son, Jesus,

Whose love transformed the lives of his disciples.

Through love, may we influence the lives

of those entrusted to our care.

We make this prayer through Jesus,

your Son and our Brother.  Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Valerie E. Hess, a contemporary Christian author. This is an excerpt from her book “Spiritual Disciplines Devotional.”

Some people are never satisfied. The Irish saint Columbanus is reported to have said, “The man [or woman] to whom little is not enough will not benefit from more.” We all know people like this. Give them an all-expenses-paid trip to an exotic destination and they complain about the view from their hotel room. Take them to a place of beautiful scenery, and they complain of being tired from all the traveling. Show them another culture with all of its marvelous characteristics, and they hate the food and the bathrooms. These kind of people always find something wrong because they are looking for perfection on earth, a quality that is simply not available in this life.

One way to practice the discipline of simplicity is through a spirit of contentment. This is so contrary to the culture around us that people are bound to take notice. We can strive to be sincerely thankful for all of the little things in life. Sure, there may be struggles or things we wish were different or needs or wants we would like to see met, but we are invited to keep them from becoming our defining reality. When we respond in peace and joy to the question “How are you?” we can be a witness to others of God’s goodness in all things.

PRAYER:

Written by Basil the Great (330-379) of Caesarea, an influential theologian and pastor. He was one of the Cappadocian Fathers.

O God and Lord of the Powers, and Maker of all creation, Who, because of Your clemency and incomparable mercy, sent Your only-begotten Son and our Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation of mankind, and with His venerable cross tore asunder the record of our sins, and thereby conquered the rulers and powers of darkness; receive from us sinful people, O merciful Master, these prayers of gratitude and supplication, and deliver us from every destructive and gloomy transgression, and from all visible and invisible enemies who seek to injure us. Nail down our flesh with fear of You, and let not our hearts be inclined to words or thoughts of evil, but pierce our souls with Your love, that ever contemplating You, being enlightened by You, and discerning You, the unapproachable and everlasting Light, we may unceasingly render confession and gratitude to You: the eternal Father, with Your only-begotten Son, and with Your all-holy, gracious and life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Evelyn Underhill (1875-1941), an English writer and pacifist known for her numerous works on religion and spiritual practice. This is an excerpt from her book “The Spiritual Life.”

St. John of the Cross says that every quality or virtue which that Spirit really produces in our souls has three distinguishing characters—as it were a threefold National Mark—Tranquility, Gentleness, Strength. All our action—and now we are thinking specially of action—must be peaceful, gentle, and strong. That suggests, doesn’t it, an immense depth, and an invulnerable steadiness as the soul’s abiding temper; a depth and a steadiness which come from the fact that our small action is now part of the total action of God, whose Spirit, as another saint has said, “Works always in tranquility.” Fuss and feverishness, anxiety, intensity, intolerance, instability, pessimism and wobble, and every kind of hurry and worry—these, even on the highest levels, are signs of the self-made and self-acting soul; the spiritual parvenu. The saints are never like that. They share the quiet and noble qualities of the great family to which they belong.

PRAYER:

Written by Jay McDaniel, a contemporary an American professor of religion.

In this century and in any century,

Our deepest hope, our most tender prayer,

Is that we learn to listen.

May we listen to one another in openness and mercy

May we listen to plants and animals in wonder and respect

May We listen to our own hearts in love and forgiveness

May we listen to God in quietness and awe.

And in this listening,

Which is boundless in its beauty,

May we find the wisdom to cooperate

With a healing spirit, a divine spirit

Who beckons us into peace and community and creativity.

We do not ask for a perfect world.

But we do ask for a better world.

We ask for deep listening. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Martin Luther (1483-1546), a German professor of theology, composer, priest and Augustinian monk. He was a seminal figure in the Reformation.

What could be more clear and concise than the truth of the Golden Rule? But the world won’t let us reflect on these words. Our sinful nature won’t let us measure our lives against this standard. We let this verse go in one ear and out the other. If we would continually compare our lives and actions against this standard, we wouldn’t live so carelessly. We would have more than enough to do and wouldn’t need to pursue other works we consider holy. We would become our own teachers and begin teaching ourselves how we should live. We wouldn’t need so many lawyers and law books, for this standard is concise and easy to learn. If only we were diligent and serious enough to live according to it.

Let me give a rough illustration. No one would like to be robbed. If you ask yourself, you would have to admit that you certainly wouldn’t enjoy it. So why don’t you conclude that everyone else feels the same way? At the market, you see that vendors charge as much as they wish for what they’re selling, so that it costs three times what it is worth. If you were to ask a vendor, “Excuse me, would you like this done to you?” he would have difficulty replying. If he were honest and thinking sensibly, he would have to say, “I want to pay the market value, what is just and fair. I don’t want to be overcharged.” So do you see the point? Your heart tells you how you would like to be treated, and your conscience tells you that you should treat others the same way.

PRAYER:

Written by Dionysius (?-845), patriarch of the Syrian Jacobite Church and author of important documents on Eastern Christianity.

God the Father, source of Divinity,

good beyond all that is good,

fair beyond all that is fair,

in you is calmness, peace, and unity.

Repair the things that divide us from each other

and restore our unity of love like your divine love.

And as you are above all things,

unite us in goodness and love that we may be spiritually one,

with you and with each other,

through your peace which makes all things peaceful

and through the grace, mercy, and tenderness

of your only Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by John MacArthur, a contemporary evangelical pastor. This is an excerpt from his book “Daily Readings from the Life of Christ.”

Peter and Andrew obeyed Jesus’ call right away – “Immediately they left their nets and followed him” – an indication of how determined they were to go with the Lord. The word “followed” carries the meaning of being committed to imitating the one he or she follows.

Past surveys have shown that 95% of all professing Christians have never led someone to faith in Jesus Christ. Too often they are like the reclusive, frugal man many years ago who accumulated 246 expensive violins in the attic of his house in Italy. Because he selfishly acquired and held on to those instruments, the world never heard the beautiful music the violins were intended to play. Many believers hide their light and store away the great treasure they possess as children of God. As a result, 95% of the world’s spiritual violins have not been played for others.

Evangelist D.L. Moody especially admired two similar paintings. The first depicted a person in the midst of a storm clinging with both hands to a cross firmly planted in a rock. The other picture also showed a person in a storm firmly grasping a cross. But in this one the man was reaching out with his other hand to rescue someone who was about to drown. Both paintings pictured a Christian valiantly holding on to Christ. But the second one portrayed the believer reaching out for another who was about to be lost. For us, as for D.L. Moody, the second picture should be the favorite.

PRAYER:

This prayer is from the Morning and Evening Prayer services of the Evangelical Lutheran Worship.

Oh God, maker of all things new, You call us…Your servants…to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untraveled, through perils and joys still unknown.

Give us faith, oh God, to do all we are called to with courage, with hearts full of hope, with You, even though we do not know where we will land. Still, this is our assurance…

that Your love holds us

and Your hand leads us…always!

Through Jesus Christ.

Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Jerry Bridges (1929-2016), an evangelical Christian author, speaker, and staff member of The Navigators. This is an excerpt from his book “Holiness Day by Day.”

The word gospel essentially means “good news,” specifically about our relationship with God. We all like good news, especially if it addresses bad news we’ve just received. If you’ve just been told you have cancer, it’s good news when the doctor tells you it’s a type that readily responds to treatment. The gospel is like that. It’s good news that directly addresses our ultimate bad news. The Bible tells us we were in deep trouble with God; we were unrighteous and ungodly, and God’s wrath is revealed “against all the godlessness and wickedness of men:” in fact, we were “by nature objects of God’s wrath.  Coming into the world as a baby, before you’ve ever done anything bad, you were an object of God’s wrath. That’s the bad news.

Then the Bible tells us that God has provided a solution far surpassing our problem. The Good News always outweighs the bad. After telling us we were objects of God’s wrath, Paul added: “But…God, who is rich in mercy…raised us up with Christ, and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.” That is surely a dust-to-glory story. What greater contrast could there be than an object of God’s wrath seated with His Son in glory?

This Good News doesn’t begin when we die. It’s for now. We don’t have to feel guilt-ridden and insecure before God. We don’t have to wonder if He likes us. We can begin each day with the deeply encouraging realization, I’m accepted by God, not on the basis of my personal performance, but on the basis of the infinitely perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ.

PRAYER:

Written by the Presbyterian Mission Agency.

Living God, through Jesus Christ

you emptied the power of death

and gave us the gift of life in fullness.

Now dry our tears and send us out

to tell the good news of the gospel:

Jesus Christ is risen from the dead.  Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by William P. Smith. a contemporary pastor, author, and teacher.

God’s instructions were not arbitrary. We realize this when we look at God’s call to his children to enter the Promised Land, or to Moses to free his people. God did not order those things as extreme tests to develop his people’s faith. Those specific events were necessary to bring about his greater purposes of redemption. His people had to be freed from the bondage of slavery (Egypt) so that they could obey him. They had to actively fight against influences (Canaanites) that would tempt them, lead them astray, and re-enslave them. Anything short of these goals would distract his people from serving and enjoying him. His commands furthered his plan to establish a holy place for himself that would bless the whole earth. When he promised to go with them, he gave them an ironclad guarantee that his plans would not fail. Yet his promised presence came with the expectation that his people were moving in his direction. Often when I think God has failed me—that his presence wasn’t enough—I find upon reflection that I’ve tried to force him to go along with my agenda.

PRAYER:

Written by Billy Graham (1918-2018), an American Christian evangelist.

Our Father and Our God, we praise you for Your goodness to our nation, giving us blessings far beyond what we deserve. Yet we know all is not right with America. We deeply need a moral and spiritual renewal to help us meet the many problems we face. Convict us of sin. Help us to turn to You in repentance and faith. Set our feet on the path of Your righteousness and peace. We pray today for our nation’s leaders. Give them the wisdom to know what is right, and the courage to do it. You have said, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” May this be a new era for America, as we humble ourselves and acknowledge You alone as our Savior and Lord. This we pray in your holy name. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Edward T. Welch, a contemporary Christian counselor and director of the School of Biblical Counseling.

The ending makes all the difference. A tragic story like Shakespear’s Romeo and Juliet starts well, with people full of hope and love, but it ends badly. A comedy like Much Ado About Nothing opens with dark omens and scheming betrayers. The future looks very uncertain but it turns out wonderfully. It is the ending rather than the humor that makes it a comedy.

You must decide whether you will live life as a tragedy or a comedy. The story that Jesus offers you is a comedy. Scripture tells you the end, and, if you have put your faith in Jesus rather than in yourself, it is your end too. Jesus wins. His justice prevails. His love is seen for what it really is – boundless and irresistible. Our unity with him exceeds our imaginations. We will see that life was much more purposeful than we thought. Everything we ever did by faith—because of Jesus—stands firm and results in “praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” Knowing this, of course does not blot out sorrow. But knowing the end reveals that sorrow and death don’t win. For those who know Christ, life and joy are the last word.

PRAYER:

This is an Anglican Prayer of Thanksgiving.

Blessed are you, Lord our God.

How sweet are your words to the taste,

sweeter than honey to the mouth.

How precious are your commands for our life,

more than the finest gold in our hands.

How marvelous is your will for the world,

Unending is your love for the nations.

Our voices shall sing of your promises

and our lips declare your praise.

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Blessed be God for ever. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Scotty Smith is a contemporary pastor. This is an excerpt from his book “Everyday prayers”

In Rome I’ve seen statues of the various gods that filled the temples and lifestyle of that great ancient city. In London I’ve visited the biggest Hindu temple in the city and wandered from station to station as worshipers offered prayers and gifts to deities that looked so strange to me. In Israel I studied decaying remains of various idols that competed for the worship of the people of God. Idolatry is everywhere because there’s no such thing as a non-worshiper. Yet, to keep myself from idols requires so much more than simply staying away from ancient sites, pagan temples, and man-made idols. I’ve never been more aware of the invisible pantheon of idols that are constantly angling and clamoring for my heart’s worship. How I wish that as soon as I was placed in Christ my struggle with idolatry would have ceased. That’s simply not the case.

God, Sometimes the approval or rejection of people has more sway over my heart than what you think about me. Sometimes my need to be right is more compelling to me than being righteous in Christ. Sometimes my desire to be in control of people and circumstances claims much more of my time and energy than seeking your face, savoring your grace, and serving your Son—the true King. These are just a few of the things that bear the marks of idolatry in my heart.

PRAYER:

Written by Scotty Smith, author of today’s meditation.

Have mercy on me, Father, and free my foolish heart from giving anything or anyone the attention, allegiance, affection, and adoration you alone deserve. The fact that I’m one of your “dear children” – forgiven, secure, righteous, and beloved in Christ – should be all the motivation I need to keep myself from any form of idolatry. May the gospel of your grace relentlessly expose and dethrone all “empty nothings” from my heart. I pray in Jesus’ most worthy name. Amen.

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