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MEDITATION:

Written by Kathryn Bindig, a contemporary American pastor and spiritual consultant. 

When we tune ourselves into God’s awesome creation—when we pause to notice life bursting forth all around us, our automatic response is reverent gratitude.  It is impossible to stand in the light of creation & not recognize the reverent majesty and wonder of God’s presence in, around, & within us.  The awesome beauty & reverence of: a vine adorned with morning glories, the joyous song of birds singing, a deeply rooted stable tree, the gentle waves of a serene clear lake, the power of majestic mountain ranges, the first cry of a newborn baby, the healing sound of laughter shared, the warmth of souls embracing, the soothing feeling & sound of the wind, all fill our souls with deep reverent gratitude for our Creator & fill our spirits with new life, joy & hope.  When we fail to recognize the spiritual context in which we live, we lose sight of our Creator and our whole being; mind, body and spirit become broken and separated from our life-giving force.  Though the reverence of creation transcends our full understanding, by the very fact that God is in all creation and all of creation is in God, we who are created in the image of God, are pulled into sacred harmony with God’s creative order and made whole.  Creation is the healing balm that makes us whole and brings us into balance; in our mind, body, and spirit, regardless of what season we may find ourselves in.  The challenge for our soul is to find ways to live in harmony with God’s creative order, which by its very nature includes beauty and suffering that affects our mind, body, and spirit, without losing sight of our Creator.  We know that life is gloriously complicated.  It is difficult to understand why any suffering at all exists, but we know it does. However, even in the worst suffering, ultimately beauty will always outweigh our suffering for our Creator God resides in all life and God created all life to be beautiful and good.

PRAYER:

Written by Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109), a Benedictine monk, abbot, philosopher and Christian theologian. He served as the archbishop of Canterbury from 1093-1109. 

Lord, because you have made me, I owe you the whole of my love; because you have redeemed me, I owe you the whole of myself; because you have promised so much, I owe you my whole being. Moreover, I owe you as much more love than myself as you are greater than I, for whom you gave yourself and to whom you promised yourself. I pray you, Lord, make me taste by love what I taste by knowledge; let me know by love what I know by understanding. I owe you more than my whole self, but I have no more, and by myself I cannot render the whole of it to you. Draw me to you, Lord, in the fullness of your love. I am wholly yours by creation; make me all yours, too, in love. Amen.

MEDITATION:

Excerpted from a work by Rick Warren, a contemporary American pastor and author. 

You’re never going to live in harmony with your wife, your husband, your friends, or anybody else without empathy. You can’t have a team without being aware of what’s happening in each other’s lives. That’s why when people work together in an office, they may do work together, but they’re not a team unless they know what’s going on in each other’s lives. Empathy is so important because it meets two of our deepest needs: the fundamental need to be understood and a deep need to have our feelings validated. If you’re going to build a team of friends or at work or in your small group, you have to build empathy into the structure. So how do you become an empathetic person?

1. Slow down. Because our culture teaches us to move fast, we end up relationally skimming. That means you’re hitting the high points and missing all kinds of details in the lives of people you care about most. James 1:19 says, “Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry” (NLT, second edition).  2. Ask questions. Proverbs 20:5 says, “A person’s thoughts are like water in a deep well, but someone with insight can draw them out” (GNT). Most people hold their emotions pretty close, and they don’t automatically share how they’re doing. “I’m fine” is the standard answer, but that doesn’t really tell you how they feel. If you ask, “How are you doing?” and the other person says, “I’m fine,” here’s how you draw out a more telling response: Learn to ask the question twice. That’s how you develop empathy. Pause and say, “No. How are you really doing?” The other thing you do is learn to linger. That means don’t be afraid of silence. Just be in the moment, ask the question, and don’t be afraid to sit there and wait. Don’t immediately go into your agenda. Just listen and learn. 3. Show emotions. The Bible says in Romans 12:15, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep” (NASB). Empathy is more than saying, “I’m sorry you hurt.” It’s saying, “I hurt with you.” You’re willing to cry with them, and you’re willing to rejoice with them. There’s only one way you’re going to be that empathetic — stay filled up with God. If your tank gets low on God, you’re not going to be empathetic at all. You’ve got to stay filled up with God.

PRAYER:

Written by Clare of Assisi (1194-1253), the founder of the Poor Clares, a community dedicated to poverty, simplicity and service.

Gaze upon Him, consider Him, as you desire to imitate Him. Show forth in your actions the love which you have within you.

MEDITATION:

Written by Karen Bables, a contemporary American Christian author. 

When asked by a religious teacher (and legal scholar), “What is the most important commandment,” Jesus quotes this Old Testament verse (Mark 12: 29-30) which makes it an important commandment for Christians as well. In the Shema and in the Gospels, the concepts of the lordship of God and the necessity to love God with everything we have are locked together. In order to live in harmony with God we must obey and simultaneously love God.  For 21st century Christians, I believe, this is a difficult combination – obedience is required; love is offered. We can understand this better if we recognize that love is an action. To the Hebrews, love made obedience possible.  As Timothy Mackie says, “You love someone when you act in loyalty and faithfulness. And so for Israel, to love meant faithful obedience to the terms of their covenant relationship. Obedience to these laws was never about legalism or trying to earn God’s favor. Obedience in the Old Testament is about love and listening. If an Israelite loves God, it will make it easier to listen and absorb his teachings and guidance. This is why the words “listen” and “love” are so tightly connected and repeated through these opening speeches of Deuteronomy” (The Bible Project.com). Living in harmony with God is a multi-faceted experience. But first and foremost we must recognize the Lordship of God. Our response is to “hear” him and love him with” all [our] passion and prayer and intelligence and energy” (Mark 12:30; MSG). This is a commitment far deeper than quoting scripture and attending church services – as important as those things are. It means giving ourselves body and soul to the Lordship of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It required stamina and sacrifice and devotion and courage throughout history – and most certainly requires it in the present.

PRAYER:

Written by Al Paton (1903-1988), a South African author and anti-apartheid activist.

Make me, O Lord, the instrument of your love, that I may bring comfort to those who sorrow and joy to those who are regarded as persons of little account. In this country of many races make me courteous to those who are humble and understanding to those who are resentful. Teach me what I should be to the arrogant, the cruel, for I do not know. And as for me myself, make me more joyful than I am, especially if this is needed for the sake of others. Let me remember my many experiences of joy and thankfulness. And may I this coming day do some work of peace for thee. Amen.

MEDITATION:

Written by Joyce Meyer, a contemporary American Charismatic Christian author and speaker.  This is an excerpt from her book “My Time With God.”

God has brought us into harmony with Himself, and His desire is to work through us to do the same thing for the multitudes that are separated from Him and living in darkness. What a great privilege it is to bring people to God! Life lived out of harmony with God is a miserable life. It is one filled with sin, darkness, fear, anger, confusion, and never-ending disappointment. It is one lived without the awareness of God. I remember living a life like that, and I will be forever grateful for the new life that Jesus has provided for me. Let’s be thankful today that we’re aware of God and that we can come to Him without fear of rejection. Ask yourself: Are people being brought to God by my words and deeds? I pray that they are! We have an amazing opportunity to partner with God in the reconciliation of the lost people in this world. We are ambassadors for God, and as such, we represent Him in the earth today. God is making His appeal to the world through us. Working with and for God is the greatest privilege that anyone could ever have. Let the people around you see Christ shining through you today!

PRAYER:

Written by Cheryce Rampersad, contemporary Christian author and contributor to the ChristiansTT prayer website.

Almighty Father, Creator of the universe, I approach Your Heavenly Gates with a grateful heart. I bless Your Holy Name and submit the honor and praise that is due unto You.  Beautiful Lord, I was created in your image, fearfully and wonderfully made to be the light in this dark world. Father, please guide me in a plain path of righteousness according to Your will and glory. You are the Omnipotent Potter and I am the clay. Shape me, mold me, use me, and fill me each and every day to become more like Christ. Amen.

MEDITATION:

Today’s meditation is an excerpt from the Our Daily Bread Mountain Life devotional.

Living in harmony is not as easy as it looks. If we are honest, we like to have things go our own way. Living in harmony does not happen if our real goal is to get people to act the way we want them to act and, at the end of the day, to admit we were right all along (LOL). Our human tendency is to find fault with others, blaming them if harmony is not being achieved. Sadly, the blame game comes naturally to most of us…The blame game does not work because, in reality, the only person I can change is myself…Rather than putting the spotlight on others, let’s start by putting it on ourselves. I want all of us to rate ourselves in the following categories when it comes to our person. A 1 is a low score and a 10 is “we are living it to the max.” Your personal rating should come from how you are doing of late. (Note: if you give yourself all “10’s” then pray for honesty and re-take the test!) 1)  Keeping a sense of humor 2) Being patient 3) Being quick to forgive 4) Sharing how you really feel  5) Building others up  6) Being considerate 7) Overlooking minor offenses  8) Listening to others  9) Serving others in love, and 10) Being positive.

As we consider how we are doing, the goal is not to beat ourselves up in areas where we are struggling. Rather, we can come to God in prayer and ask Him for the grace to grow in these areas. If we slow down and listen, He will help us see specific ways we can change for the benefit of everyone. He may also ask us to ask a loved one for forgiveness if we have hurt them by not living in love in a certain area.

PRAYER:

Today’s prayer is a prayer from Nigeria.

God in heaven, you have helped my life to grow like a tree.  Now something has happened.  Satan, like a bird, has carried in one twig of his own choosing after another.  Before I knew it he had built a dwelling place and was living in it.  Tonight, my Father, I am throwing out both the bird and the nest. Amen

MEDITATION:

Written by Jimmy Ray Lee, a contemporary American pastor.  This is an excerpt from his book “Stepping into Freedom.”

The only way we can walk with God is to agree with him. Agreeing with God and walking with God go hand in hand. Walking with God means being in harmony with him and his Word, the Bible. Two people cannot walk together unless they are in agreement. If they are not walking in harmony, they are not going in the same direction . . . their goals are different . . . friction grows . . . and communication deteriorates. This is true not only of a relationship between two people–it’s also true of our relationship with God. If we don’t agree with his promises and commands in the Bible, we won’t be moving in his direction. We will want our way, not his. And we will neglect prayer . . . our communication with him. The only way to live an overcoming life is to walk in harmony with our Lord, knowing that we cannot change ourselves. As we obey and trust him, he changes us.

PRAYER:

Written by Luci Shaw, a contemporary American writer of poetry and essays.

Mighty One, as the God who is with us, quench all doubt within us. Reassert yourself in us, in all your creative power and glory. As we remember how your Son gave up that authority to be born and to walk with us on earth, may our love and loyalty rise up to you, strong and certain, to reassure you that we are indeed your creatures. More — we are your sons and daughters. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

MEDITATION:

Written by Colin Smith, a contemporary American pastor.

Harmony, as all musicians know, is a pleasing arrangement of different parts. You get harmony when different notes are brought together in such a way that one note complements another. Harmony is not unison. You don’t get harmony by everyone playing the same note. Harmony does not mean everyone thinks the same nor does the same. And harmony is not discord. Discord is when notes are brought together in such a way that one note diminishes another. To live in harmony with one another is to live in such a way that you enrich and complement each other. Together you are more than any of you would be on your own. There is a display of beauty that comes from taking what is distinct and different and making it one. We see this in the nature of God. There is one God and he is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God is one in nature, in purpose, and in love. There is a beauty, a glory, a peace, a joy, a blessing, a harmony that we see in God and that flows from God. When God says, “Live in harmony with one another,” the “one another” are Christian brothers and sisters, redeemed by Christ, and brought together in the family of God. Here is a distinct calling that we have as Christians: Live in harmony. Is there anything that is more desperately needed in our world today than this? Our country is tired of polarization, division, and conflict over race and religion and money. The world desperately needs to see something different, and God says, “Let it be seen in the church!” Who are you struggling to live in harmony with?

PRAYER:

Written by Debbie McDaniel, a contemporary Christian writer.

Dear God, we ask that you fill us with your Spirit of love and unity among believers all across this nation. We ask for your help to set aside our differences and look to the greater cause, the cause of Christ. We ask that you would help us to truly live a life of love. We know that this is only possible through the power of your Spirit, so we pray for your Spirit to move across our land in fresh ways. Turn your people back to you. Draw others to come to know you. Thank you that you are always with us to give us great purpose and hope. We pray for our families, for every relationship most dear to us, that you would guard our time, and our lives together. We ask for your ability to quickly forgive hurts, for a renewed heart of compassion, for love and faithfulness to be evident in every decision and action.

MEDITATION:

Written by Craig Denison, a contemporary Christian author and speaker. This is an excerpt from his daily devotional “First 15.”

Harmony in music is this beautiful, fleeting occurrence that most singers and musicians work their entire lives to continuously experience. It requires diligence, patience, humility, and unity between people pursuing the same goal of making beautiful music. And when musical harmony is achieved, it touches not only those singing or playing, but everyone listening as well. Living in harmony with one another in everyday life isn’t too different than musical harmony. For most of us it’s a target just as elusive and fleeting. But like musical harmony, it’s worth fighting for. Like musical harmony, it produces joy and life in those who pursue it and touches those around them. All throughout the New Testament, we find exhortations to live life in unified, harmonious community. Scripture is clear that unity in the body is foundational to the Christian life…harmony requires humility, grace, the pursuit of peace, not fighting for our own justice, and blessing those who hurt us. What would our communities, churches, and families look like if we all committed ourselves to these virtues? What would your relationships look like if you strived to obey these commands? God doesn’t ask you and me to pursue these virtues; he commands us. It is a command because God knows that pursuing a life lived in harmony with one another will lead us to the abundance of joy, peace, and purpose we are created to experience. As our good Father, he wants his children to experience the peace that can only come from living in harmony with one another.

PRAYER:

Written by Germaine Copeland, contemporary pastor and author.  This prayer is an excerpt from her book “Prayers that Avail Much.”

Holy Spirit, teach us how to agree (harmonize together, together make a symphony) — about anything and everything — so that whatever we ask will come to pass and be done for us by our Father in heaven.

We pray that as members of the Body of Christ we will live as becomes us — with complete lowliness of mind (humility) and meekness (unselfishness, gentleness, mildness), with patience, bearing with one another and making allowances because we love one another. In the name of Jesus, we are eager and strive earnestly to guard and keep the harmony and oneness of [produced by] the Spirit in the binding power of peace.

MEDITATION:

Written by Amy Carroll, a contemporary Christian author. This is an excerpt from her devotion “Being Right Doesn’t Mean I’m Righteous.”

God is filling me with a simple prayer: Lord, please make me completely righteous and not a bit self-righteous. The word righteous means, “acting in accord with divine and moral law, free from guilt or sin” according to Webster. But being righteous and looking righteous are two different things. Looking righteous is something I’ve mastered. I know how to follow the rules, play the game and fit into the church crowd. Maybe you’re like me and are wired to work hard to get things done “right.” I like to please my peers and check items off my to-do list. Often it wins me the approval I crave. I get pats on the back, and it all looks good on the outside. But on the inside — in the quiet moments — I can find myself exhausted. Defeated. Numb. Those feelings let me know I’ve crossed from being righteous through Christ into trying to earn righteousness myself. Sometimes my self-righteousness leaks out and reveals its ugliness through judgmental thoughts and attitudes towards others. That’s when I find myself looking down my nose at those struggling while thinking I have it together or snapping with impatience when someone delays my next task. … To maintain the right heart, God asks us to keep returning to our first love with Him. To rediscover the newness, lightness and joy we felt at first. He urges us to constantly rekindle passion for Him, which will deepen our love for Him and others. The beautiful part is God doesn’t call us to love without Him setting the ultimate example. His love is “wide and long and high and deep” (Ephesians 3:18, NIV), and it surpasses our thoughts and the works done in our own strength. Pursuing righteousness solely through good works is an empty endeavor, always leaving us impossibly short of the goal. Returning to our first love ensures full righteousness as we follow Jesus, for He is our righteousness… True righteousness creates more love for God and others. It’s a beautiful cycle, and it’s a goal that transforms us.

PRAYER:

John Chrysostom (AD 347-407), theologian and archbishop of Constantinople.

O my all-merciful God and Lord, Jesus Christ, full of pity: through Your great love You came down and became incarnate in order to save everyone. O Savior, I ask You to save me by Your grace! If You save anyone because of their works, that would not be grace but only reward of duty, but You are compassionate and full of mercy! You said, O my Christ, “Whoever believes in Me shall live and never die.” If then, faith in You saves the lost, then save me, O my God and Creator, for I believe. Let faith and not my unworthy works be counted to me, O my God, for You will find no works which could account me righteous. O Lord, from now on let me love You as intensely as I have loved sin, and work for You as hard as I once worked for the evil one. I promise that I will work to do Your will, my Lord and God, Jesus Christ, all the days of my life and forevermore.

MEDITATION:

Written by A.W. Tozer (1897-1963), an American Christian pastor, author, magazine editor, and spiritual mentor. This is an excerpt from his devotional “Jesus, Our Man in Glory.”

These basic concepts — the mysteries of creation and God’s unity forever displayed in His works—are not new. They were believed by the great Christian souls and minds of the earlier centuries. One of the notable Scottish Moravian authors was James Montgomery. Out of his writing comes this beautiful poem expressing the unity he sensed in God’s creation:  “The glorious universe around, The heavens with all their train, Sun, moon and stars are firmly bound In one mysterious chain. The earth, the ocean, and the sky To form one world agree; Where all that walk or swim or fly Compose one family. God in creation must display His wisdom and His might; Where all His works with all His ways Harmoniously unite.”

Montgomery’s use of the word harmoniously is impressive. It affirms that finally, when sin has been purged from God’s universe, everything in creation will be consummated with everything else. There will be universal cosmic harmony. We are only too aware that the universe as we know it is in discord. On every side sounds the raucous rattle of sin. But in that coming day sin will be purged away and all things that walk, creep, crawl, swim or fly will be found to comprise one family indeed.

PRAYER:

From the Mozarabic Breviary, also called the Visigothic Rite or the Hispanic Rite, is 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.

O God, you are peace eternal.

Your gift is peace.

You have taught us

that your children will be called peacemakers.

Pour out your peace into our souls

that all discord may vanish away,

and that we may forever love and seek

the things that bring your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.