July Week 5

Virtue: Devotion
Resolution: I choose to practice spiritual disciplines to nurture my relationship with Christ.

Human Story: Eric Liddell (1902-1945)

Thanks to the movie Chariots of Fire, Eric Liddell is known for being an Olympic champion. But there is much more to his story than forfeiting his best chance at victory because he would not compete on Sunday. Born in Tientsin, China to Scottish missionaries, Eric Liddell and his older brother left China at ages 6 and 8 respectively to attend boarding school in Britain. By the time Eric was eight or nine, he had already planned to return to Asia. While in school, however, Eric found that he was a good athlete, a very good athlete, and soon he was competing in both track and rugby for not only his school but also his country.

At a young age Eric’s father taught him that “winning a medal isn’t that important. What matters is how you run the race of life.” Eric never lost sight of that whether he was competing or ministering to others. Before every competition, Eric would shake each athlete’s hand and wish him well, and he truly meant what he said.

When Eric began competing for Edinburgh University and was assigned an athletic trainer, he wrote in a letter:

The exercises seemed unimportant at first, but later one finds out how useful they have been. He [his trainer] took me in hand, pounded me about like a piece of putty, pushed this muscle this way and that muscle the other way, in order, as he said, to get me into shape. Training is not the easiest thing to do. It is liable to become monotonous.

The results of Eric’s “monotonous” exercises ultimately won for him gold and bronze medals at the 1924 Paris Olympics. But because of his devotion to God, he refused to participate in his best event as well as several relay races because he would have had to run on Sunday (Sabbath). Even though he gave up the chance to compete in additional races, he was lauded throughout Europe, Britain, and especially Scotland and China, both of which credit Eric as their first Olympic champion.

It is Eric’s faith, devotion, and humility, though, that set him apart from most other famous people. After graduating from Edinburgh University, he did return to China as planned since childhood and ministered to countless people in that vast land despite political unrest due to civil war, Japanese aggression, and world war. In his book titled Manual of Christian Discipleship, Eric shared six questions he would ask himself each morning as part of his exercises of “daily morning quiet.” Rather than becoming monotonous like his physical exercises, these gave him the courage and strength to face the ever-changing landscape of life in China with boldness and peace, even during his time in the Weixian Internment Camp where he died at age 43. The Challenge section below shows Eric’s six questions. May they challenge you to consider whether your daily discipline could use an adjustment.

Reference: Eric Liddell, Olympian and Missionary by Ellen Caughey

Lesson: 1 Samuel 2:30

Those who honor me I will honor.

One of Eric Liddell’s Olympic trainers game him a folded note just prior to Eric’s first heat of the Games: “In the Old Book it says, ‘He that honors me, I will honor.’ Wishing you the best of success always.”

There are two lessons to be learned from this brief story. The first is to consider how we honor God. Jesus says it is through doing what we are commanded; and his commands to us were to love God and to love our neighbor. Eric demonstrated both these commands throughout his life, but he could only do so because he was disciplined to keep before him the word of God and to listen for God’s specific direction through prayer.

The second, and a bit more obscure, lesson is found in the action of the trainer who was prompted by God to encourage Eric before his race. There are times when God wants each of us to speak encouragement into someone else’s life. Are you listening to God well enough to hear His promptings?

Remembrance

The duty of a faithful missionary is to concentrate on keeping his soul completely and continually open to the nature of the Lord Jesus Christ. The men and women our Lord sends out on His endeavors are ordinary human people, but people who are controlled by their devotion to Him, which has been brought about through the work of the Holy Spirit.    -- Oswald Chambers

Challenge

Eric Liddell asked himself the following six questions each morning. Write down these questions and ask them to yourself each morning this week. At the end of the week, reflect on how this discipline has made a difference in your life these seven days.

1. Have I surrendered this new day to God, and will I seek and obey the guidance of the Holy Spirit through its hours?

2. What have I specially to thank God for this morning?

3. Is there any sin in my life for which I should seek Christ’s forgiveness and cleansing? Is there any apology or restitution to make?

4. For whom does God want me to pray this morning?

5. What bearing does this morning’s Bible passage have on my life, and what does He want me to do about it?

6. What does God want me to do today and how does he want me to do it?

Reflection

“It has been a wonderful experience to compete in the Olympic Games and to bring home a gold medal. But since I have been a young lad, I have had my eyes on a different prize. You see, each one of us is in a greater race than any I have run in Paris, and this race ends when God gives out the medals.” – Eric Liddell

Further Growth

2021: Book of Common Prayer St. James

Old Testament: Jeremiah 45:1-5
Psalm: Psalm 7
New Testament: Acts 11:27 — 12:3
Gospel: Matthew 20:20-28

July Week 4

Virtue: Devotion
Resolution: I choose to practice spiritual disciplines to nurture my relationship with Christ.

Human Story: Monica (AD 332 – 387)

Christian philosopher James KA Smith has said recently that all of us in the Western world are Augustinian. He means that the great Christian thinker who lived in the 4th and 5th centuries has left such an impact that we who live in societies influenced by Christianity are shaped by his theological and political ideas. If Smith is correct, then we not only live in the shadow of St. Augustine but also in the great shadow of his mother Monica (sometimes spelled Monnica), whose piety deeply affected her son and whose life and influence we know from Augustine’s “autobiography,” The Confessions. 

Monica is an example of a life lived in devotion. She was born into a Christian home, but her devotion is exemplified in her marriage to non-Christian Patricius, a city councilman in their small town of Thagaste (now Souk Ahras, Algeria), and in their three children Augustine, Navigius, and Perpetua. 

As a non-Christian, Patricius would not allow his children to be baptized and this worried Monica greatly. As Augustine records, she often prayed earnestly with tears for her children to become Christian. Before his conversion, Patricius had a violent temper. Yet, he never abused Monica, though it was common at that time. Her care to follow Scripture, as she understood it, to keep a tight rein on her speech—to practice silence—provided for a more peaceful home than might have been expected. This continual act of devotion eventually led to the conversion of her husband Patricius. Beyond her marriage, her gentle disposition eventually won over her mother-in-law, who did not initially like Monica. It was to all whom she met that she “preached [Christ] … through her way of life” (Confessions, IX.9, 19). 

Perhaps Monica’s greatest legacy is that of deeply influencing her son through her constant devotion to prayer. As a widow, she traveled to Rome with Augustine, who lectured there regularly (having been highly educated in rhetoric). At this time, Augustine had not yet converted to Christianity. Monica began attending a church where St. Ambrose was the pastor. She introduced her son to Ambrose and eventually Augustine converted to Christianity. Augustine credits his conversion to his mother being “constant in her life of prayer” (Confessions, IX.7, 15). 

We need people to show us the way of deep, consistent commitment to practicing the Christian faith through acts of devotion. Monica is such a person to guide us. She models for us a life that speaks the gospel, even without words, by gentle living and consistent prayer.

Resource: Augustine’s Confessions book IX

Lesson: Romans 12:9-13

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

John Wesley, an Anglican pastor, missionary, and theologian whose work inspired and began the Methodist movement, describes what we have called the spiritual disciplines as “works of piety.” For him, these works are a necessary part of our becoming more close to the image of Jesus Christ. As such, devotion is not merely an affectional or emotional disposition but actions that flow from this heart-center. Prayer is a central pietistic practice that builds devotion in us. Consistent prayer practices make space for us to develop important Christian virtues and values.

Consider Paul’s admonition to the Roman Christians in our lesson text. Sandwiched between the two book-ends of love (“love must be sincere” and “practice hospitality,” where “hospitality” literally means “love of/for the other”) is a call to be committed to a life of devotion culminating in being “faithful in prayer.” While prayer surely is that space in which we bring to our gracious God our praise, our needs and our supplications, it is doing much more than that.

In our hurried and harried culture, giving sustained and focused attention is sometimes quite difficult. We are easily distracted and quickly perturbed, both of which are heightened by our technological dependence. In faithful, devotional prayer, however, we are practicing patience and attention. When we pray, we must exercise patience as we await God’s response to our pleas. As we pray, we must learn to focus our attention on the characteristics of God which are what give us hope in His answers.

In addition, when we authentically pray for others, we must focus on them as persons, be open to their needs, seek their good, and carry their concerns and joys. Enduring the frustrations of difficult people or uncooperative circumstances with love and kindness is surely challenging. But as we pray for others, God provides patience and wisdom. And as we look forward to God’s response to our prayers, we build and express hope within ourselves and in those around us.

The spiritual discipline of prayer is not merely an expression or practice of our piety. Our devotional life can be a life lived for both our Christlikeness and our neighbor’s flourishing.

Remembrance

Prayer does not equip us for greater works – prayer is the greater work. -Oswald Chambers

Challenge

Monica kept a tight rein on her speech but poured out her heart to God in prayer for her family and those she loved. Whose life can you affect through a consistent life of prayer?

Reflection

Prayers outlive the lives of those who uttered them; outlive a generation, outlive an age, outlive a world.  – E.M. Bounds

Further Growth

2021: Book of Common Prayer Proper 12

Old Testament: 2 Kings 2:1-15
Psalm: Psalm 114
New Testament: Ephesians 3:1-21
Gospel: Mark 6:45-52

2020: Book of Common Prayer Proper 12

Old Testament: 1 Kings 3:3-14
Psalm: Psalm 119:121-136
New Testament: Romans 8:26-34
Gospel: Matthew 13:31-33, 44-50

July Week 3

Virtue: Devotion
Resolution: I choose to practice spiritual disciplines to nurture my relationship with Christ.

Human Story: Ignatius of Antioch ( - 108/140)

Ignatius was born into a noble, though not wealthy, family in Spain a year before Columbus sailed the ocean blue. Ignatius (Inigo) was the youngest of eleven children. Around the age of 16, his father was near death, so Inigo decided to become a page (an aspiring knight) - a transition that meant Inigo would leave his family and submit himself to the instruction of others.

During this phase of life Inigo became fascinated with the idea of chivalry and conquest, and when his time came to enlist in the Spanish army, he joined right in, becoming known for brawling, dueling, gambling, and sensual relationships with women. When he was about 26, Inigo was wounded in battle by a cannonball. This near fatal injury severely broke his right leg, tearing his calf muscle, and hurt his left leg too. For the rest of his life, he would walk with a limp. In the months following this misfortune, he was bedridden, requiring constant care back home in Loyola. One day he asked for a book about knights and romance, the focus of his life to up until then, but the house had no such books. Instead he was brought two books - one on the Life of Christ and the other on the Lives of the Saints. Inigo found himself enamored with these stories and quickly lost interest in the lusts of his youth and his vainglory self-righteous pursuits.

While he was still recovering, he had a dream where he encountered Mary, the Mother of Jesus, whose presence struck him with awe and immense joy. After recovering from his injury, he arranged to travel to Jerusalem to make pilgrimage to all of the holy sites. Before embarking from the port of Barcelona, he stopped in at a local monastery in order to exchange his knight’s armor for that of a pilgrim-beggar. However, he got totally distracted by the life of the monks. They shared with Inigo a book that would forever change his life - Manual of the Spiritual Life by monastic reformer Garcia Jimenez de Cisneros. So instead of heading to Israel as he had planned, he remained near the monastery for almost a year, cultivating his own spiritual life. After this year of largely self-guided discipleship, Ignatius eventually made his way to Jerusalem where he quickly realized his own lack of wisdom in missionary efforts. He vowed to become a priest.

During the ten years it took him to become ordained, Ignatius began sharing his "Spiritual Exercises" with others. A total of 10 men formed an unofficial group that became known for working in hospitals, preaching the Gospel, hearing confessions, teaching the “Exercises,” sheltering the oppressed, and feeding victims of the plague. The pope heard of their work, and called on them to help take on the reformation of monasteries.

Ignatius became the leader of this newly formed "Society of Jesus" (now known as Jesuits) which is currently the largest Catholic monastic order in the world. His book Spiritual Exercises, which was foundational to the new order, is intended to be a practical, month-long instruction focused on the following four categories:

Week 1.      Contemplation of our sin and God's saving love
Week 2.      The life of Jesus, particularly His public ministry
Week 3.      The passion week and death of Jesus
Week 4.      The risen Christ

References
Fleming, D. (1980). The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius: A Literal Translation and A Contemporary Reading. St. Louis, MO: The Institute of Jesuit Sources.
O'Malley, W. (1976). The Fifth Week. Chicago, IL: Loyola University Press.
Butler's Lives of the Saints: New Full Edition. Revised by Peter Doyle. (2000). Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press.

Lesson: Luke 18:9-14

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, 'God be merciful to me, a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted."

The truth of this parable can be succinctly summarized by the final phrase - "...all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted." This teaching can be found throughout all four Gospels and the entire New Testament. In fact, without this theme being demonstrated by Christ and exhibited by the early church founders, Christianity wouldn't be what it is today. This quintessential virtue is a bedrock to our faith. Without it, we would all be lost! But what can we learn from these two contrasting men Jesus highlights in the parable?

First, let's look at the Pharisee. Despite his wrong posture, look for a moment at his level of commitment: fasting twice a week and tithing a tenth of all his income. What we’re observing here is a person who is legitimately "devoted" to God in some ways. But his heart is not right. There is a lack of compassion and empathy towards others, as well as an incorrect view of God's grace and mercy. All of his prayer and devotion are for naught because of his attitude. 

Second, let's look at the tax collector. In those days, a tax collector would likely have been an extortionist. But that is who Jesus chooses to highlight as the good-guy in the story, noting his proper posture toward himself (his sins) and God's grace and mercy. Not that Jesus condoned his lifestyle, but He wanted to show the Jewish elites and the religious authorities that their self-righteousness was wrong.

How does this parable tie into our month's virtue of "devotion"? It is not enough to be merely devoted; the Pharisee was certainly devoted. Instead, in our devotion we must have the right posture of heart, the right attitude toward others, and the right view of God. We must, in short, be humble in our devotion.

Remembrance

A Prayer of Ignatius

Traditional version - "Anima Christi"

Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O good Jesus, hear me;
Within thy wounds, hide me;
Suffer me not to be separated from thee;
From the malignant enemy defend me;
In the hour of my death call me,
And bid me come to thee,
That with thy saints I may praise thee
Forever and ever. Amen.

Contemporary Version - "Soul of Christ"

Jesus, may all that is you flow into me.
May your body and blood be my food and drink.
May your passion and death be my strength and life.
Jesus, with you by my side enough has been given.
May the shelter I seek be the shadow of your cross.
Let me not run from the love which you offer,
But hold me safe from the forces of evil.
On each of my dyings shed your light and your love.
Keep calling to me until that day comes,
When, with your saints, I may praise you forever. Amen

Challenge

Practice the “Daily Examen” (one of Ignatius’ famous methods of prayer).

1. Give thanks to God for all the blessings you have received today.

2. Ask for the grace and help of the Holy Spirit to enlighten you to know and see your sin as he sees it - and cast it out.

3. Go back over the events of this day - reviewing your thoughts, words, and acts - trying to detect any sinful behavior - whether of omission or commission - and examine the roots of any identified sin(s).

4. Express sorrow and ask for God’s healing love to forgive you.

5. Pray for the strength of God’s grace to help change/amend your life.

Reflection

Try to keep your soul always in peace and quiet, always ready for whatever our Lord may wish to work in you. It is certainly a higher virtue of the soul, and a greater grace, to be able to enjoy the Lord in different times and different places than in only one.   -St. Ignatius

Further Growth

2021: Book of Common Prayer Proper 11

Old Testament: Isaiah 57:14-21
Psalm: Psalm 22:23-31
New Testament: Ephesians 2:11-22
Gospel: Mark 6:30-44

2020: Book of Common Prayer Proper 14

Old Testament: Wisdom* 12:13-19
Psalm: Psalm 86
New Testament: Romans 8:18-25
Gospel: Matthew 13:24-43

*Apocryphal text

July Week 2

Virtue: Devotion
Resolution: I choose to practice spiritual disciplines to nurture my relationship with Christ.

Human Story: Revival at Asbury College

On Tuesday February 3, 1970, Asbury College held their routine chapel service at 10:00 am, yet there was nothing routine about this particular chapel service. It began ordinary enough. The professor assigned to lead the service decided to tell of his testimony in lieu of expounding on any particular bible verses.  As the hour was closing, another professor sensed God’s presence and encouraged the leading professor to invite those who wish to pray to come to the altar. The service concluded eight days later.

The small United Methodist college, located in Wilmore, Kentucky, experienced revival. The service continued with student after student giving testimony, expressing how God has been at work in their life, some confessing sin that they had overcome or were struggling to overcome.  Each testimony struck a chord with another, prompting them to make their own confession. The testimonies were only interrupted by intermissions of prayer and singing. 

By Wednesday evening, the chapel service had hit the local news, and later spread throughout the US and Canada. A number of people traveled to the small town in Kentucky to see for themselves what was happening. Some students were prompted to speak of their experience in their hometown churches, spreading the renewal. Churches and other organizations across North America began requesting students from Asbury College to speak. The college president referred to the effect as sparks from a fire starting new fires.

Asked what caused the revival at Asbury College, the college president attributed it to prayer and need.  He referred to a young female student that felt a call to prayer. She and five friends committed themselves in the Fall semester to devote 30 minutes each day to prayer for 30 days. In January, each of the six found five more friends to commit to 30 days of daily prayer.  These 36 students were on the chapel stage just prior to the February 3rd service. 

1970 was a time of much unrest in our country. The Vietnam War had become very unpopular, resulting in protests and riots at several colleges. That same year, four college students were killed by the National Guard during a protest in the neighboring state of Ohio. Juxtaposed to this unrest, we see the working of the Holy Spirit at Asbury College, like a breath of fresh air.  We are currently living in a time that seems to have become more divisive. In our time of unrest, let’s devote ourselves to prayer, seeking God’s will on earth and acting on the Holy Spirit’s promptings.

The following YouTube link provides more information on the Asbury College revival:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qOqitIKUNs

Lesson: James 5:16 (NIV)

Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.  The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. 
James, the half-brother of Jesus, wrote this letter to the Jewish Christians who had left Jerusalem due to persecution.  His letter is a collection of his teachings about how life should be lived.  He begins his letter stating that our trials in life can lead to becoming complete in our restoration with God.  As James is wrapping up his letter, he emphasizes the importance of prayer in our own healing whether physical or spiritual.

Confessing to one another and praying for each other indicates that we are more effective in community. We shouldn’t pursue our journey alone. We all face trials.  We all have struggles.  We also all have victories and times of celebration.  We should share all of these with each other, lifting each other up.

What a powerful example of the effects of prayer and confession we have in the revival at Asbury College.  Students committed to prayer led to a revival sustained by the confessions to one another.  The revival was not just a one-time experience, but a life-changing event for many.  Being a Christian college, most, if not all of the students, grew up in Christian surroundings; however, some had never personally experienced Jesus in their life.  Others experienced a sustained renewal, including a Bible professor whose relationship with Jesus had become distant.  One person referred to the revival’s effects as “tradition becoming reality” and “vocabulary becoming experience”.

May our community at Mission Cleveland Parish become one of prayer and sharing with one another, so that we journey together in God’s process of our own restoration, leading to revival in our city and beyond.  Selah.

Remembrance:

Book of Common Prayer

Eternal God, in whom we live and move and have our being, whose face is hidden from us by our sins, and whose mercy we forget in the blindness of our hearts: cleanse us from all our offenses, and deliver us from proud thoughts and vain desires, that with reverent and humble hearts we may draw near to you, confessing our faults, confiding in your grace, and finding in You our refuge and strength. Hear now my silent prayer.

Challenge

We practice corporate confession each week in our services, but have you ever openly and verbally confessed a sin to a trustworthy person? Sometimes we repress the sin in our lives, keeping it locked inside. Putting words to thoughts and feelings makes them real and forces us to deal with them. Confessing those sins to someone frees you from guilt and pride and helps you accept God’s forgiveness. Thoughtfully and prayerfully consider whether you need to confess a sin in your life to a trusted friend.

Reflection

Have you felt a call to prayer either in a general sense or toward a specific issue or circumstance? Do you think God has placed a similar burden on any of your friends? If so, seek out a group of folks who might be interested in praying together on a regular basis.

Further Growth

2022: Book of Common Prayer Proper 10

Old Testament: Deuteronomy 30:9-14
Psalm: Psalm 25:1-21
New Testament: Colossians 1:1-14
Gospel: Luke 10:25-37

2021: Book of Common Prayer Proper 10

Old Testament: Amos 7:7-15
Psalm: Psalm 85
New Testament: Ephesians 1:1-23
Gospel: Mark 6:7-13

2020: Book of Common Prayer Proper 10

Old Testament: Isaiah 55
Psalm: Psalm 65
New Testament: Romans 8:7-17
Gospel: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

July Week 1

Virtue: Devotion
Resolution: I choose to practice spiritual disciplines to nurture my relationship with Christ.

Human Story: Richard Foster (1942 - )

Modern discussions about spiritual disciplines usually mention Richard Foster. His book Celebration of Discipline, with over 1 million copies sold, is known by many as the go-to book on Christian spirituality. Foster’s early career story is a familiar one: he graduated seminary and began pastoring a small church. His goal was not numerical church growth, however, but the spiritual growth of the congregants. After a few months of teaching his churchgoers, he realized they needed more than just biblical teaching in order to grow spiritually. Foster looked to antiquity to be his guide and discovered the disciplines practiced by Jesus and believers throughout history. Confession, prayer, solitude, bible reading, fasting, simplicity, celebration……all of these are ways to be a “living sacrifice.” We must learn to present ourselves before God as holy, and the disciplines are how we do that. 

In addition to being a pastor and author, Foster also founded Renovaré, an ecumenical nonprofit that advocates fullness of life with God experienced through spiritual disciplines. This ministry includes retreats, educational material for small groups, an institute, as well as books, articles, and podcasts. Foster is driven to facilitate spiritual growth in others such that they become more like Jesus. Listening to sermons or having an individual quiet time are certainly not bad things but must be supplemented by other Christian practices. In the words of Foster:

We must not be led to believe that the Disciplines are only for spiritual giants and hence beyond our reach, or only for contemplatives who devote all their time to prayer and meditation. Far from it. God intends the Disciplines of the spiritual life to be for ordinary human beings: people who have jobs, who care for children, who wash dishes and mow lawns. In fact, the Disciplines are best exercised in the midst of our relationships with our husband or wife, our brothers and sisters, our friends and neighbors.

- Celebration of Discipline, 1

Lesson: 1 Timothy 4:7-10 (NIV)

Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.

Several times in the New Testament, spiritual life is likened to athletics. Some people are naturally athletic, but even those who are need to discipline their bodies in order to excel in sports. 

Similarly, some people are naturally good at certain Christian practices. Some may be drawn toward Bible reading, some towards praying for others, some toward encouraging others or hospitality. However, this does not mean that those who may find these practices more difficult are off the hook. Just like a person who may be a poor free-throw shooter, practice and discipline can improve an area that does not meet certain standards.

In our text, Paul is telling Timothy to avoid the gossip that was characterizing the house church in Ephesus, and the antithesis of avoiding this silly talk was to train himself in godliness. Practicing spiritual disciplines is the way to train oneself. In addition to the classical spiritual disciplines (see July Introduction), the following are other examples that are considered by some as spiritual disciplines: Sabbath-keeping, journaling, stewardship, chastity, evangelism, gratitude, and almsgiving.

Spiritual disciplines are not some tool of legalism to make us feel guilty or proud. They are tools to be utilized to make us more like Jesus. Without practicing them, we are like a lazy athlete who does not practice his trace. Some of us may have more talent than others, but without discipline and practice, we will eventually get left behind.

Remembrance

The standard of practical holy living has been so low among Christians that very often the person who tries to practice spiritual disciplines in everyday life is looked upon with disapproval by a large portion of the Church. And for the most part, the followers of Jesus Christ are satisfied with a life so conformed to the world, and so like it in almost every respect, that to the casual observer, there is no difference between the Christian and the pagan.

- Hannah Whitall Smith in The Christian’s Secret of a Happy Life

Challenge

The scripture this week urges us to “train for godliness”. In order to practice the spiritual disciplines in conjunction with each other, it is necessary to know what they entail. You might understand what some of the disciplines are through knowledge or experience but consider spending time this week learning about the ones that are unfamiliar to you. Once you know what the disciplines are, pick one or two you have not experienced and plan a time to give them a try. Consider how you can alter your daily, weekly, and monthly habits to incorporate the disciplines into your life.

Reflection

People do not drift toward holiness. Apart from grace-driven effort, people do not gravitate toward godliness, prayer, obedience to scripture, faith, and delight in the Lord. We drift toward compromise and call it tolerance; we drift toward disobedience and call it freedom; we drift toward superstition and call it faith. We cherish the indiscipline of lost self-control and call it relaxation; we slouch toward prayerlessness and delude ourselves into thinking we have escaped legalism; we slide toward godlessness and convince ourselves we have been liberated. - D. A. Carson

Further Growth

2022: Book of Common Prayer Proper 9

Old Testament: Isaiah 66:10-16
Psalm: Psalm 66
New Testament: Galatians 6:1-18
Gospel: Luke 10:1-20

2021: Book of Common Prayer Proper 9

Old Testament: Ezekiel 2:1-7
Psalm: Psalm 123
New Testament: 2 Corinthians 12:2-10
Gospel: Mark 6:1-6

2020: Book of Common Prayer Proper 14

Old Testament: Zechariah 9:9-12
Psalm: Psalm 145
New Testament: Romans 7:21-8:6
Gospel: Matthew 11:25-30

July Introduction

July: Devotion

Resolution: I choose to practice spiritual disciplines to nurture my relationship with Christ.

Christian devotion can be defined as dedicating oneself to Christ wholly and earnestly. The Bible encourages us to devote ourselves to a number of practices that demonstrate our relationship with Christ. Over the years these practices have been defined and redefined, but the classical spiritual disciplines comprise a timeless list of things Jesus practiced in His earthly life. We would all benefit individually and as a church body if we were to commit to these practices.

The twelve spiritual disciplines, which should be practiced in conjunction with one another, are outlined by Richard Foster:

Prayer
Fasting
Meditation
Study
Simplicity
Solitude
Submission
Service
Confession
Worship
Guidance
Celebration 

The practice of these disciplines is for the purpose of becoming more like Christ. They are not to be viewed as an end unto themselves nor a box to be checked off your to-do list. They are simply a way to demonstrate devotion to Christ and grow closer to Him.

July’s resolution echoes this: I choose to practice spiritual disciplines to nurture my relationship with Christ.

July: Liturgy

Leader: Almighty Father, You are faithful, wise, and loving. 

People: Father, help us be more like You.

Leader: Lord Jesus, You are the perfect example of discipline as You walked in perfect unity with the Father- being one with Him.

People: Jesus, help us be more like You.

Leader:  Holy Spirit, we acknowledge that our hearts are restless until they find rest in You. When we feel like discipline and devotion are beyond our capacity, You are our help, comforter, and advocate.

People: Spirit, help us be more like You.