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Written by Dallas Willard (1935-2013), an American philosopher, speaker  and writer on spiritual formation. This is an excerpt from his book “Renovation of the Heart.”

Thinking is the activity of searching out what must be true, or cannot be true, in the light of given facts or assumptions…It is a powerful gift of God to be used in the service of truth…We must apply our thinking to and with the Word of God. We must thoughtfully take the Word in, dwell upon it, ponder its meaning, explore its implications—especially as it relates to our own lives…We must thoughtfully put it into practice. We must seek the Lord by devoting our powers of thinking to understanding the facts and information of the gospel. This is the primary way of focusing our mind on him, setting him before us. When we do so, we will be assisted by God’s grace in ways far beyond anything we can understand on our own; and the ideas and images that governed the life of Christ through his thought will possess us.

We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. [Hebrews 2:1]

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Written by Henry Drummond (1851-1897), a Scottish evangelist, biologist, writer, and lecturer.

Two painters each painted a picture to illustrate his conception of rest. The first chose for his scene a still, lone lake among the far-off mountains. The second threw on his canvas a thundering waterfall, with a fragile birch tree bending over the foam; and at the fork of the branch, almost wet with the cataract’s spray, sat a robin on its nest. The first was only stagnation; the last was rest. Christ’s life outwardly was one of the most troubled lives that ever lived: tempest and tumult, tumult and tempest, the waves breaking over it all the time until the worn body was laid in the grave. But the inner life was a sea of glass. The great calm was always there. At any moment you might have gone to Him and found rest. And even when the human bloodhounds were dogging Him in the streets of Jerusalem, He turned to His disciples and offered them, as a last legacy, “My peace.” Rest is not a hallowed feeling that comes over us in church; it is the repose of a heart set deep in God.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; I do not give it to you as the world does. Do not let your hearts be distressed or lacking in courage. [John 14:27]

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Written by Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892), an English preacher.

Christian, take good care of your faith, for recollect that faith is the only means whereby you can obtain blessings. Prayer cannot draw down answers from God’s throne except it be the earnest prayer of the man who believes. Faith is the telegraphic wire which links earth to Heaven, on which God’s messages of love fly so fast that before we call, He answers, and while we are yet speaking He hears us. But if that telegraphic wire of faith be snapped, how can we obtain the promise? Am I in trouble? I can obtain help for trouble by faith. Am I beaten about by the enemy? My soul on her dear Refuge leans by faith. But take faith away, then in vain I call to God. There is no other road between my soul and Heaven. Blockade the road, and how can I communicate with the Great King? Faith links me with Divinity. Faith clothes me with the power of Jehovah. Faith ensures every attribute of God in my defense. It helps me to defy the hosts of hell. It makes me march triumphant over the necks of my enemies. But without faith, how can I receive anything from the Lord? Oh, then, Christian, watch well your faith.

But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. When you have turned back, strengthen your brothers. [Luke 22:32]

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Written by Arthur Lindsley, a contemporary writer and theologian.

God’s character and knowledge provide the philosophical basis for our knowledge. God is not contradictory, and His universe is knowable. Without this truth, we could not trust our reason and science. There is much that is mysterious about God, but there is not contradiction in Him. He cannot be holy and not holy, good and not good, just and not just, and so on.

If we have no faith, He will still be faithful for He cannot go against what He is. [2 Timothy 2:13]

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Written by C.S. Lewis (1898-1963), a British writer, scholar, and Anglican lay theologian. This is an excerpt from his book “Miracles”

Theology says to you in effect, “Admit God and with Him the risk of a few miracles, and I in return will ratify your faith in uniformity as regards the overwhelming majority of events” . . . The alternative is really much worse. Try to make Nature absolute and you find that her uniformity is not even probable. By claiming too much, you get nothing . . . Theology offers you a working arrangement, which leaves the scientist free to continue his experiments and the Christian to continue his prayers.

I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me? [Jeremiah 32:27]

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Written by Sunshyne Gray, a contemporary author.

Confusion is a state of mental uncertainty or lack of clarity. It occurs when your thoughts, feelings, or perceptions are disordered or foggy, making it difficult to understand or make sense of a situation. Confusion can also be described as a sense of chaos, indecision, or disorientation, where you may feel unsure about what to believe or how to act/respond. This can be from internal or external circumstances. In summary, confusion is a state where clarity and understanding are hard to grab on to, leaving you feeling perplexed or lost. The best place to go when you feel confused is the Word of God.

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. [Ephesians 6:11-12]

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This meditation is from the Pray.com app.

In times of scarcity or struggle, how can you remain steadfast in your faith and trust in God’s provision? Have you ever experienced a season of drought in your life—times of spiritual dryness or overwhelming challenges? Elijah’s story during the drought in Israel, found in 1 Kings 17, speaks powerfully to such times. As the nation faced physical famine due to their spiritual waywardness, Elijah, God’s faithful prophet, declared this truth to King Ahab. Despite the bleak circumstances, God’s care for Elijah never wavered. He provided for Elijah at the Kerith Brook with ravens bringing him food, and when the brook dried up, God led him to a widow in Zarephath. There, both Elijah and the widow experienced God’s miraculous provision, turning scarcity into sufficiency. Elijah’s journey reminds us that God is always present, even in our driest seasons. When life feels like a drought, and we are tempted to despair, we must remember God’s faithfulness. Elijah’s reliance on God’s guidance and provision teaches us to trust Him fully, even when the path ahead is unclear. In our modern lives, we too may face periods where resources are limited, or our spiritual fervor wanes. Yet, it is during these times that we can most profoundly experience God’s provision and grace. Consider the areas in your life that feel barren or challenging. Are you looking to God for sustenance and direction? Elijah’s story encourages us to seek God’s presence, trusting that He will provide what we need in His perfect timing and way.

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. [Philippians 4:19]

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Written by Margaret Feinberg, a contemporary writer and public speaker. This is an excerpt from her book “The God You Need to Know.”

Sometimes we can believe that what we possess is too ordinary for the Spirit to use. That our knowledge or interests are so commonplace, they can’t possibly amount to anything significant. That the framed accolades or certificates we’ve earned are nothing more than dust collectors or ego boosters. That our observations and hard-won life lessons are just basic life hacks. I don’t know the subjects you’ve studied or the stories you’ve lived. I don’t know the geography you’ve traversed or the people you’ve met along the way. I don’t know the skills you’ve honed since childhood or those you’ve cultivated in adulthood. But this much I know: The Spirit doesn’t waste anything…The Spirit leverages what we consider ordinary — our know-how, experience, and circumstances — and puts it to extraordinary use. The Spirit rummages through the pantry of our lives, pulls out everything we’ve lived and learned, and mixes it all into a delectable divine dish that nourishes the world. Because the Spirit of the one true God does not waste anything.

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. [1 Peter 4:10-11]

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Written by Vivian Bricker, a contemporary writer.

Whenever we spend time outdoors, we are reminded of God’s beauty. This is why I enjoy spending time outdoors. The beautiful blue sky, the shining sun, and the singing birds help me to remember that there is still hope in the world…However, if we do not pay careful attention to this beauty, we will miss it. I have noticed many times in my life that I have had a habit of rushing and missing out on these beautiful things. Rather than slowing down and fully absorbing the sky or the clouds, I’m just rushing from one place to another…I have slowed down and started to take note of these parts of God’s creation…I try to  notice all the little things in life: the blooming of the flowers, a few storm clouds in the distance, or the happy face of a stranger as they pass by. If we slow down enough, we can notice all of these things…Start appreciating all of the things God has placed in the world. Taking time to notice these things will help us have a healthier outlook on life. Even when things are not going upward, God is still good and in control.

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. [Psalm 19:1]

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Written by Kyle Norman,, a contemporary Canadian pastor, writer, speaker, and retreat leader.

Jesus shows his true nature; he reveals his fullness as the Messiah, the Savior, the Lord of all, not because he escapes the cross, nor transforms it into some easy symbol. No, He proves who he is and the salvation he brings by hanging there and taking upon himself not an easy or beautiful cross but one of derision, mockery, and shame. Jesus scorns all that the cross represents; he shows that he is the pioneer and perfector of our faith precisely because he endures the cross, takes it on, and does not forsake it. The cross, therefore, is the symbol of faith precisely because it is ugly, extreme, and a symbol of shame, abandonment, and derision. The cross represents everything that is not beautiful, majestic, or surrounded by pleasantry and Ease. It symbolizes faith because it is into that place that Jesus entered.

Let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. [Hebrews 12:1-2]

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