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MEDITATION:

Written by Meg Bucher, a contemporary writer.

The pit in my stomach starts to swirl when the Lord is convicting me to be cautious or alerting me to take action. The decisions we make in our everyday lives can either lead to pure and blameless lives or heaped in the consequences of incorrect choices. Paul’s adamant to get his message across. Every decision matters. We cannot walk through life without pausing to perceive what is happening around us. To know what really matters takes mature discernment. Discernment is the acuteness of judgment and understanding. To discernis to “perceive by the sight or some other sense or by the intellect.”  Our decisions affect the people God has purposefully placed in our lives to love. When we consider the effect our decision will have upon others, we are more cautious than if we were just thinking about ourselves. When my daughters were young, I read a devotional book with them every night. I cherished the conversations we would have and loved hearing their little voices pray to their big God. Over time, though, I knew they needed to grow beyond just a devotional at bedtime. The next step for them became the kids’ program at our local church. They looked forward to going every Sunday and eventually jumped into volunteering and serving as they got older. Now they are teens, and they are active in their local youth group. I miss bedtime devotions with their tiny voices praying to their great big God. But I love watching them grow into their faith on their own accord. In our everyday lives, God is faithful to meet us where we are at. He wants us to understand what really matters.

PRAYER:

Written by Jeremy Taylor (1613-1667), an English cleric and author.

Father God, You desire peace and unity and encouragement for our body of believers. Help us, Lord, to pursue what makes for peace and for building one another up. To pursue the things You will lead to peace and unity. Give us discerning hearts to know Your will and give us the courage to be obedient. Lord, we know that without You and Your Holy Spirit indwelling each of us, we cannot do any of these things. But, with You and for Your glory, grant our body peace and unity. Amen.

MEDITATION:

Written by Dennis Praeger, a radio talk show host and writer. This is an excerpt from his book “Genesis: God, Creation, and Destruction” from his The Rational Bible series.

It is very tempting to seek a united world—one language and one governing authority, with no divisive national identities. But God declares such a world dangerous [Genesis 11:6]. For one thing, it inevitably concentrates power in the hands of the few who run that united world—and power corrupts. For another, diverse national identities and cultures are a good thing. The united world the Torah seeks is a world of nations united in acknowledging the one God and living by His moral code. Beyond that, diversity in national identity, language, and even religion is welcome. Regarding the latter, the Torah and later Judaism are unique among monotheistic faiths in not seeking a world in which all people are members of their religion. Rather, the Torah wants all people to be ethical monotheists—people who acknowledge the one God of the Torah and live by His moral demands.

Virtually every call for “unity” is disingenuous. People who call for ideological unity do so on the presumption that it will be based on their values. When a Christian calls for Christian unity, he is calling for a unity based on his understanding of Christianity. Protestants who call for Christian unity are hardly willing to accept the Catholic pope or Sacraments, and Catholics who call for Christian unity are hardly willing to give up the papacy or the Sacraments. Likewise, orthodox Jews who call for Jewish unity assume it means all Jews embracing Halacha (Jewish law); and few non-Orthodox Jews who call for Jewish unity are willing to embrace most, let alone all, of Halacha…and the Torah never calls for all the world’s population to unite as Jews – only as followers of Torah’s God.

PRAYER:

Written by Candace Crabtree, a contemporary writer.

God, help our church body to walk in a manner worthy of the calling You have given us. Help us in all our interactions with one another to have humble and gentle hearts. Grant us patience for one another, bearing with one another in love. Grant the Body of Christ unity. May we walk humbly with You, God, allowing You to show us our wrongs. Amen.

MEDITATION:

Written by Peggy Stackle from the Village Church.

Have you ever considered how amazing you are? Seriously. You move about freely, wherever you want to go and you’re not plugged in, don’t require gasoline or electricity or robotics. You think you communicate verbally, and you can sing. Well, OK, some of us can’t carry a tune in a basket but we have voice boxes. Even though there is much about us that is the same, you are unique. Even if you have a twin there is still something that makes you unique. Let’s talk about being the same. The one basic defining issue is that we are human beings. Dallas Willard says that we are “spiritual beings in physical bodies”. That separates us from everything else. There are other creatures, and we know that they all communicate within their species at some level. But we have voice boxes, and we can communicate with really complicated thoughts. We can

communicate prejudice and bias or acceptance and openness, we can communicate contempt and condemnation or approval and appreciation, and so much more. Imagine how boring life would be if we were all absolutely identical. What if there were only one kind of flower or one kind of tree? If every person and every culture were the same, what excuse would we have to travel? What could we learn from others if everyone were exactly the same? If you have more than one child in your household or know a family with more than one, those children, raised by the same two parents in the same location and conditions, more than likely, are totally different from each other. Most parents are grateful for that. That’s how we were created. Unique. I wonder then why we do not celebrate the variety and the differences in our many cultures around the world. Geography has a lot to do with how indigenous populations develop. Weather as well. These two natural elements figure in world views. In the biblical text, mountains were centers of devotion in the communities around them. In California, mountains in winter mean skiing, another form of worship. We need to expand our understanding and our experience of our neighbors around the world. There is much to learn. There are many to love. Let’s celebrate each other.

PRAYER:

This prayer is from the PrayRay prayer website.

Lord, I thank you because I am relevant in your kingdom. You, God made us all unique. Lord, please let me be the change that the world needs. Use me for the world, let me be the salt that will sweeten this world, and let me be the light that will shine in this world.

MEDITATION:

Written by Alexander Smellie (1857-1923), a Scottish minister and writer.

The cross which my Lord bids me take up and carry may assume different shapes. I may have to content myself with a lowly and narrow sphere, when I feel that I have capacities for much higher work. I may have to go on cultivating year after year, a field which seems to yield me no harvests whatsoever. I may be bidden to cherish kind and loving thoughts about someone who has wronged me–be bidden to speak to him tenderly, and take his part against all who oppose him, and crown him with sympathy and succor. I may have to confess my Master amongst those who do not wish to be reminded of Him and His claims. I may be called to “move among my race, and show a glorious morning face,” when my heart is breaking. There are many crosses, and every one of them is sore and heavy. None of them is likely to be sought out by me of my own accord. But never is Jesus so near me as when I lift my cross, lay it submissively on my shoulder, and give it the welcome of a patient and unmurmuring spirit. He draws close, to ripen my wisdom, to deepen my peace, to increase my courage, to augment my power to be of use to others, through the very experience, which is so grievous and distressing, and then–as I read on the seal of one of those Scottish Covenanters whom Claverhouse imprisoned on the lonely Bass, with the sea surging and sobbing round–I grow under the load.

PRAYER:

Written by Scotty Smith, a contemporary American pastor.

Father, when we  begin to ask, “How long, O Lord?” When we wonder, silently and out loud, “How much is too much?” When we begin, or continue to doubt, your mercy and might, make the cross of Jesus clearer and dearer. O, for the Day when Jesus finishes making all things new. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ suffering and triumphant name. Amen.

MEDITATION:

Written by Mark Mueller, Executive Director of the Outreach Foundation, an organization supported by the Village Church with the mission of “Engaging followers of Christ for his work in the world.”

The global church stands in stark contrast to the darkness in the world today. I have just returned from Aleppo, Syria where I witnessed, once again that darkness will never extinguish the light of Christ. More than 10 years ago, 70% of the city of Aleppo was destroyed by ISIS, including the Presbyterian church. Yet, the resilient saints of the church rebuilt. On our recent visit, 275 church members packed the new church on a Tuesday evening, singing songs of thanksgiving to God. 75 children sang songs of triumph. Awards were given to young adults for their participation in a city-wide Bible competition. The Outreach Foundation was thanked profusely for its support. We will soon embark on renovating the Aleppo church basement. Why? They need additional Sunday school rooms for all the children that flock to the church to learn about Jesus.

PRAYER:

Written by Rev. Michaela Youngson, a Methodist minister from London. She is a poet, author, and broadcaster.

 Merciful Father, you have not stood aloof from our joys and sorrows, but, in your Son Jesus Christ, you have entered into our happiness and our sadness.

Teach us that it is by involving ourselves in all that enriches human life that true meaning is to be found, and that it is by keeping ourselves from all that debases human life that true joy is to be experienced. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

MEDITATION:

Written by Kyle Norman, a contemporary pastor and author.

Sometimes the most profound experiences of God’s presence occur within the ordinary places of over lives. God comes amid the regular and routine, catching us unawares. This is no truer than in the story of Jacob. One of the high points of his life with God is when he dreams of a ladder upon which the angels of God ascend and descend. Rising from his dream Jacob exults in the presence of the Lord saying, “Surely the Lord is in this place!” He dedicates the spot to the Lord, and calls the place Bethel, meaning “The House of God”. Bethel becomes a recurring place of divine encounter throughout Scripture. Did Jacob simply happen to lie down in a thin place, a place where heaven and earth touch? Was his dream nothing more than blessed happenstance, a byproduct of resting near the stairway of the heavens? If we read the scripture this way, then we must assume that Jacob has the dream simply because he happened to lie down in the correct spot. The implication of this is clear; if we wish to have a similar occurrence, we must make our way to the appropriate location. God will come to us if we rest in the correct place. But what does this mean? Does God remain hidden behind secret doors and heavenly staircases? Does an encounter with God simply boil down to being in the right place at the right time – even if it’s by accident? … The Lord’s house is the place where the Lord lovingly dwells, and that is around us and within us. Jesus promises to reside within the heart of those committed to him…Like Jacob, the one who created us also sustains us. There is no place in our lives where we are outside God’s gracious presence. This means that each evening, regardless of where we place our heads, we rest within the presence of God.  Hear these comfortable words: Surely, the Lord is in this place. Every moment of your life, you are surrounded by the gracious presence of the Lord. When you retire for the evening, you rest your body and soul in the protective arms of Jesus. And when you rise, you waken to a day that will be lived in the context of his grace and mercy. You may not experience divine dreams such as Jacob did, but the reality of God’s presence is assured just the same. This is an awesome place. You stand at the gate of heaven.

PRAYER:

This prayer is from the Leonine Sacramentary, the earliest surviving collection of Roman Mass formularies and ordination prayers from the early 7^th century.

O Lord,

hear our prayers.

Just as we trust

that the Savior of humanity

is seated with you in your majesty,

we may also trust that he remains with us always

to the end of the age, as he has promised;

through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

MEDITATION:

Written by Thomas a Kempis (1380-1471) a German-Dutch canon and author.  This is an excerpt from his book “The Imitation of Christ.”

Wait a little, my soul, wait for the divine promise, and you will have more than enough of all good things in heaven. If your appetite for present things is excessive you may lose eternal and heavenly ones. Use the things of the world, but long for the things of eternity. You cannot be fully satisfied by material possessions, for you are simply not made to enjoy them. Even if you owned every good thing in the world you would not be happy and blessed, for your blessedness and joy is in God, who created all those things. Your happiness is not what is seen and admired by others but in what the good and faithful followers of Christ seek. Your happiness is in what the spiritual and pure of heart, those whose citizenship is in heaven, sometimes experience in this life, though it is meant for the next.

PRAYER:

This prayer is from the Gelasian Sacramentary, a book of Christian liturgy that is the oldest western liturgical book that has survived. It is linked to Pope Gelasius and was compiled near Paris around 750.

O God,

in your deep counsel

and foresight for humanity,

you sent your Son to heal the hearts of the weak

and purify our souls and bodies.

You are the Savior of body and soul.

You are the loving bestower of eternal happiness! Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

MEDITATION:

Written by Robert Calder Gillie (1865-1941), a British author and minister.

The words often on Jesus’ lips in His last days express vividly the idea, “going to the Father.” We, too, who are Christ’s people, have vision of something beyond the difficulties and disappointments of this life. We are journeying towards fulfillment, completion, expansion of life. We, too, are “going to the Father.” Much is dim concerning our home-country, but two things are clear. It is home, “the Father’s House.” It is the nearer presence of the Lord. We are all wayfarers, but the believer knows it and accepts it. He is a traveler, not a settler.

PRAYER:

Written by Janet Thompson, a contemporary speaker and author.

Father, it’s not always easy for me to accept problems that come my way. I admit I would like my life to run smoothly and carefree but I know this world is not my home. I want to learn to turn to you first during troubling times, listen for your guidance, and feel your loving arms around me. To God be the glory! Amen.

MEDITATION:

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

Where showers fall most, there the grass is greenest. I suppose the fogs and mists of Ireland make it “the Emerald Isle”; and whenever you find great fogs of trouble, and mists of sorrow, you always find emerald green hearts; full of the beautiful verdure of the comfort and love of God. O Christian, do not thou be saying, “Where are the swallows gone? They are gone; they are dead.” They are not dead; they have skimmed the purple sea and gone to a far-off land; but they will be back again by and by. Child of God, say not the flowers are dead; say not the winter has killed them, and they are gone. Ah, no! though winter hath coated them with the ermine of its snow; they will put up their heads again and will be alive very soon. Say not, child of God, that the sun is quenched, because the cloud hath hidden it. Ah, no; he is behind there, brewing summer for thee; for when he cometh out again, he will have made the clouds fit to drop in April showers, all of them mothers of the sweet May flowers. And oh! above all, when thy God hides His face, say not that He hath forgotten thee. He is but tarrying a little while to make thee love Him better; and when He cometh, thou shalt have joy in the Lord, and shalt rejoice with joy unspeakable. Waiting exercises our grace; waiting tries our faith; therefore, wait on in hope; for though the promise tarry, it can never come too late.  

PRAYER:

Written by DeLano Sheffield is a contemporary author and works as a resource specialist for Goodwill.

I come asking for forgiveness where I have forgotten to remember to wait for your presence. I thank you for being present to keep my soul longing for you also, and we thank you for this great anticipation of seeing you in glory that is to come. In the meantime, while we wait, please keep the glimpses of what is to come in view in ways our simple minds can handle, so that we will be humbled enough to know that none of us have fully arrived but be encouraged enough to endure this arduous journey by trusting in your Son. In the name of the one who we call the bright and morning star, Amen.

MEDITATION:

Written by Meg Bucher, a contemporary author.

In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he is writing to them about living by the power of the Holy Spirit and how that affects their relationships. He said: “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 5:15-20) This is a laundry list full of things Paul wants the Ephesians to address. To follow Christ isn’t a burden, but these adjustments to our everyday lives can be hard to incorporate! The process of breaking bad habits doesn’t feel light, but the consequence of allowing them to continue in our lives is too heavy not to address them. One by one, Paul is guiding the Ephesians in the way to live a holy life. But there is one key component they, and we today, need to become more like Jesus each day. We need the Holy Spirit and His power in our lives.  Making good choices, unfortunately, doesn’t come naturally. It takes effort to steer our hearts toward what is good and right in the world. “Submit to one another,” Paul encouraged the Ephesians. But first, we must submit our lives to the One who created us. James wrote, “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7).  Submission means to yield control to a more powerful authority…Submission removes us from the center of every situation. When we submit our lives to Christ, we give Him authority over us. Submission to the Holy Spirit means to pause and pray into the space He occupies in our hearts and allow Him to move and motivate us in the right direction. In our relationships, when we submit to each other, we are putting that person before ourselves… God created each of us with a specific purpose and plan to bring glory and honor to Him. His plan for us is a full life, and to reach it, we follow His will for us. To know which way to go requires daily submission to the Lord and to the wise people He has placed in our lives. We don’t do this with selfish motives but out of reverence for Christ. Micah 6:8 reads: “No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”  In order to accomplish this way of life, the Lord did not leave us alone but gave us His Holy Spirit, who is always with us.

PRAYER:

Written by Paige Deane, a contemporary author.

Lord, you are so good to me. I don’t deserve your love and grace but I am so thankful for it. Your ways are higher than my ways and your thoughts are higher than my thoughts. Please help me submit fully to your lordship in my life. Give me the strength to resist the desires of my flesh. Help me to deny myself, and relinquish all that I have, and all that I am for you. Destroy my attachment to this world so that I can fully rely on you in every situation. I want to develop a strong relationship with you and to be your disciple. Help me to continue to pursue this goal every day, and to help others do the same. I give my entire self over to you Lord. Amen.