Christian Meditation Podcast

342 Be Prepared to Give The Reason for Your Hope, A Guided Christian Meditation on 1 Peter 3:15-17 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to connecting with God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. NRSV 15 but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; 16 yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God's will, than to suffer for doing evil. Meditation on Scripture: What testimony do you have to share? One of shame, fear, and insecurity or one of hope, love, and gratitude? What reasons would you give of your hope? Do you follow Christ to gain earthly rewards? This scripture shows us that regardless of what we do in life, we will inevitably encounter hardship. How we act in the middle of this hardship can be a testimony of our faith. The way we share our faith also indicates how we feel about it. For example when we share our faith because it fills us with hope and joy, that more fully represents how Jesus taught. Jesus didn't promise earthly blessings, in fact he often taught that our lives will certainly have hardship, but the would be there to help us carry the weight. Prepare today for a deeper level of trust in Christ. Not that he will give us what we want, but that he will give us what we need. It is better to follow God in hardship then to have a seemingly life of ease without God. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Question: In what ways do you struggle with seeing people as objects at times? Final Thought: God's plan was meant to try us and to push us to rely on Him. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

Bible verses for Meditation: Psalms 139 NIV 13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

340 I Am Fearfully And Wonderfully Made, A Guided Christian Meditation on Psalms 139:13-16 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to connecting with God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: Psalms 139 NIV 13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. NABRE 13 You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother's womb. 14 I praise you, because I am wonderfully made; wonderful are your works! My very self you know. 15 My bones are not hidden from you, When I was being made in secret, fashioned in the depths of the earth.[e] 16 Your eyes saw me unformed; in your book all are written down; my days were shaped, before one came to be. Meditation on Scripture: What are the implications of being wonderfully made? Does it mean being flaw proof? Does it mean that we are invincible to the fall and sin? What implications does this have for how we should treat ourselves and others? A great tragedy occurs when we treat ourselves and others like objects. If we are not careful this can creep into our thinking and behavior. This is becoming increasingly common in a digital age.. It becomes easy to be cruel, judgmental, or apathetic to other people when we see them as a prop in our own life or as a statistic. It is harder to be cruel and mean when we become familiar with people's humanity. The love that Jesus asks of us is easier when we see the humanity in others. The truth is that each person is made in God's image. Similarly each person has complexity and beauty along with faults and insecurities. We can experience spiritual injuries when we ignore the humanity in others. We objectify people when we see them only for their attractiveness, skills, or even their race or their worldview, politics, or religion. Each human being is a creation of God. Each person's body was carefully and meticulously grown in a mother's womb. Each person struggles with temptation. Satan asails us all. Let us all unite our hearts, mind, might, and strength together as we recognize our own humanity and that of those around us. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Question: In what ways do you struggle with seeing people as objects at times? Final Thought: God's plan was meant to try us and to push us to rely on Him. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

Bible verses for Meditation: ACTS 2:42-47 NIV 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

338 All Who Believed Were Together, A Guided Christian Meditation on Acts 2:42-47 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to connecting with God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: ACTS 2:42-47 NIV 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. ESV 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. Meditation on Scripture: I love scriptures that describe ways in which ancient Christians worshiped together. It seems clear that from the very early days of the faith, that meeting was crucial. This was true even when it posed great risk to the people, if they were discovered. They met in homes in secret. Why did they risk so much to gather together? Because they followed inspired teachings on how much gathering benefits us as humans. We are fallen and prone to sin. When we join together in intention and worship we inspire each other. We learn that people can try really hard and still fail, just like us. Clearly there will not be a test to get into heaven where church attendance has some relevant score. Much more important is the notion of why God asked us to gather in the first place. In the story where the shepard goes after the one lost sheep, we often consider that person to be someone else or some long past version of us. God's goal for us to is to help transform us into a more holy version of ourselves through His grace. When we drink in the refreshing water of communal worship of the Almighty God it inspires us to continue along the path with the other 99 sheep. The Shepherd is still inviting us by the still waters and to the green pastures. The more important truth is forgiveness of sin and redemption but God's grace doesn't stop there. It transforms us by submission to His guidance. Together we are stronger. You will strengthen others and be strengthened in return, all while being exposed to the weaknesses of other humans. If you have gotten away from communal worship in person, I invite you to pray to find a meaningful way to do that. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Question: How can you more clearly walk with the 99 and help the other sheep from becoming lost? Final Thought: God's plan was meant to try us and to push us to rely on Him. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

Bible verses for Meditation: ESV 12 And they told Mordecai what Esther had said. 13 Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, "Do not think to yourself that in the king's palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this? NRSV 12 When they told Mordecai what Esther had said, 13 Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, "Do not think that in the king's palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you keep silence at such a time as this, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another quarter, but you and your father's family will perish. Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this." FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

336 You Have Come For Such a Time As This, A Guided Christian Meditation on Esther 4:12-14 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to connecting with God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: ESV 12 And they told Mordecai what Esther had said. 13 Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, "Do not think to yourself that in the king's palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this? NRSV 12 When they told Mordecai what Esther had said, 13 Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, "Do not think that in the king's palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you keep silence at such a time as this, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another quarter, but you and your father's family will perish. Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this." Meditation on Scripture: The context of this scripture is important. In the account, Esther was born as a Jew yet that identity was hidden. The Isralite name of Hadassah was not used and instead she was called Esther. The King was looking for a new wife after his last wife had been insubordinate. Esther could have seen her role as a one of random chance or divine guidance. When Haman attempted to kill the Jews, Esther risked her own life to appear before the king without an invitation. She rejected a life of comfort for the greater good. When we as Believers in the God of heaven, think that challenges in our lives are unfair interruptions in what should be a smooth life, it demonstrates that we dont understand God's plan. When we suppose that things in life should be smooth, we discount the role of Christ who took upon him suffering for our sake. When we feel that we have not been dealt with fairly, we miss the fact that it is mercy that we are not treated as we deserve, because each of us fall short of the perfection that would be demanded by a perfect God. Redemption, and life itself is not meant to smooth out unneeded bumps on the road back to comfortable glory. Our lives are not meant to be smooth progress toward an eventuality of heavenly life with God, rather they are meant to be a refiner's fire of challenges to prepare us for a future we don't deserve but that has been offered through God's grace. Jesus said take up our cross and follow Him. You were born with the available resources to bear the weight of the burdens you carry. You were never meant to do it alone. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Question: How has God strengthened you in the middle of your struggle? Final Thought: God's plan was meant to try us and to push us to rely on Him. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

334 I Will Counsel You With My Loving Eye, A Guided Christian Meditation on Psalms 32:8-11 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to connecting with God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: NIV 8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. 9 Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. 10 Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord's unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him. 11 Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart! KJV 8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. 9 Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee. 10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about. 11 Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart. Meditation on Scripture: How do you receive teaching from the Lord? How do you receive His truth? I hope it involves the scriptures, but even if it does how do you get God's truth into your head from the words on the page? This scripture points out that God does not want us to behave like unthinking animals in our desire to pursue His course in life. When Jesus commanded that we follow Him, I suspect he didn't intend for us to be mindless. He wants us to attempt, even though we are flawed in our attempts, then we are empowered by Grace. I believe that, in order to learn from God, that God desires us to humble ourselves before Him and approach His word with hunger to learn. This is facilitated when we discard the distractions of this world. This is why I spend so much focus and energy on inviting you to put aside the distractions of the world, so that you can encounter the spirit of God instead of being focused on the world. This is also why we pray, and read scripture during the meditations. We attempt to remove the distractions of the world, expose ourselves to God's word directly by reading, then plead for guidance from a loving father, then we sit in contemplation trying to reconcile it all. Yesterday someone was telling me how much this podcast had helped them and I let them know that it was their relationship with God that helped, this podcast only helped them remove the distractions of life so they could focus on listening to what God had placed on their heart. My deepest prayer is that each of us can continue to develop our relationship with God and grow closer to Him and His promised Spiritual growth. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Question: Do you spend time cultivating courage? I think the answer to this question is complex. In the Beatitudes Jesus pronounces a blessing on the pure in heart, for the shall see God. It is clear that we are not made clear through our own goodness, but it seems equally disingenuous for us to intentionally allow sin in our minds and then proclaim ourselves pure before God. To understand God we rely in God's mercy as we faithfully come unto Him. Just as this scripture says, the love of the Lord surrounds us as we trust in Him. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

334 I Will Counsel You With My Loving Eye, A Guided Christian Meditation on Psalms 32:8-11 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to connecting with God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: NIV 8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. 9 Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. 10 Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord's unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him. 11 Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart! KJV 8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. 9 Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee. 10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about. 11 Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart. Meditation on Scripture: How do you receive teaching from the Lord? How do you receive His truth? I hope it involves the scriptures, but even if it does how do you get God's truth into your head from the words on the page? This scripture points out that God does not want us to behave like unthinking animals in our desire to pursue His course in life. When Jesus commanded that we follow Him, I suspect he didn't intend for us to be mindless. He wants us to attempt, even though we are flawed in our attempts, then we are empowered by Grace. I believe that, in order to learn from God, that God desires us to humble ourselves before Him and approach His word with hunger to learn. This is facilitated when we discard the distractions of this world. This is why I spend so much focus and energy on inviting you to put aside the distractions of the world, so that you can encounter the spirit of God instead of being focused on the world. This is also why we pray, and read scripture during the meditations. We attempt to remove the distractions of the world, expose ourselves to God's word directly by reading, then plead for guidance from a loving father, then we sit in contemplation trying to reconcile it all. Yesterday someone was telling me how much this podcast had helped them and I let them know that it was their relationship with God that helped, this podcast only helped them remove the distractions of life so they could focus on listening to what God had placed on their heart. My deepest prayer is that each of us can continue to develop our relationship with God and grow closer to Him and His promised Spiritual growth. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Question: Do you spend time cultivating courage? I think the answer to this question is complex. In the Beatitudes Jesus pronounces a blessing on the pure in heart, for the shall see God. It is clear that we are not made clear through our own goodness, but it seems equally disingenuous for us to intentionally allow sin in our minds and then proclaim ourselves pure before God. To understand God we rely in God's mercy as we faithfully come unto Him. Just as this scripture says, the love of the Lord surrounds us as we trust in Him. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

NIV 6 And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of what they say or be terrified by them, though they are a rebellious people. 7 You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious. 8 But you, son of man, listen to what I say to you. Do not rebel like that rebellious people; open your mouth and eat what I give you." FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

332 Do Not Fear, Even As You Sit Among Scorpions, A Guided Christian Meditation on Ezekiel 2:6-10 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to connecting with God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: NIV 6 And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of what they say or be terrified by them, though they are a rebellious people. 7 You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious. 8 But you, son of man, listen to what I say to you. Do not rebel like that rebellious people; open your mouth and eat what I give you." NABRE 6 But as for you, son of man, do not fear them or their words. Do not fear, even though there are briers or thorns and you sit among scorpions. Do not be afraid of their words or be terrified by their looks for they are a rebellious house. 7 You must speak my words to them, whether they hear or resist, because they are rebellious. 8 But you, son of man, hear me when I speak to you and do not rebel like this rebellious house. Open your mouth and eat what I am giving you. Meditation on Scripture: Ezekiel receives for very intense and abstract revelations. God speaks to him to inspire him to rise up and fulfill the call. Earlier in the chapter God asked him to rise to his feed. Once on his feet he told him to carry on regardless of the outcome of his actions. He calls him Ben Adam, which means Son of Man, or more generally, human being. Christ himself takes on this title. Each of us are Ben Adam, we are created from our first parents Adam and Eve and can take courage from this same scripture. This whole scripture is meant to inspire Ezekial to great action. In our lives we seek peace through Christ. When we feel fear there are two equally important tracks. One is to try and seek peace and calm. The other is to seek strength and bravery to overcome the fears we feel. When God commands that we don't fear, this can be an invitation to trust in Him, the source of the most enduring courage imaginable. When our faith in God grows our fear of what the world can do diminishes. We can carry out the commands of God regardless of how we feel it is going, regardless of the outcome, just as Ezekial was commanded by God. Until we too can not fear although we live among thorns and scorpions metaphorically. Undoubtedly each of us will have opportunities to engage a courageous faith in God. When we feel that fear, rejoice in the opportunity to rise up in the power of God and make the attempt that He is asking for. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Question: Do you spend time cultivating courage? Final Thought: God transforms us. Many scriptures talk about this. This comes about as we trust our lives to Christ. We learn to follow. We learn to listen to the spirit by rejecting what we know to be evil and by learning to Love as Christ did. We learn to rejoice always and pray unceasingly. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

1 Thessalonians NIV 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil. NRSV 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise the words of prophets, 21 but test everything; hold fast to what is good; 22 abstain from every form of evil. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

330 Rejoice Always, Pray Continually, A Guided Christian Meditation on 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to connecting with God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: 1 Thessalonians NIV 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil. NRSV 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise the words of prophets, 21 but test everything; hold fast to what is good; 22 abstain from every form of evil. Meditation on Scripture: What simple words of wisdom. Rejoice always. And pray without ceasing. What is it that we are meant to rejoice for? For the goodness of God to us in all circumstances. God's will for us is that we rejoice and find gratitude for our many blessings. This is not an antidote for struggle, this is more of training of our mental and spiritual habits. It takes a concerted effort to develop these habits. When we encounter beauty no matter how small, we can practice giving thanks for it. Not as a denial of the difficulties of other parts of our life, but to honor the good that also exists alongside the challenge. The more we place our focus on the good the better we will be at spotting it. As we build these habits stronger we will be able to do this easier. When you see a sunset, rejoice. When you feel a gentle breeze on your skin, rejoice. When you feel the love of God despite many failings and challenges, rejoice the most and give thanks to God. These efforts that we have to find joy and thanksgiving don't cheapen our suffering. They give it context. Do not quench the spirit. Let it burn within you. Engage in the challenging work of continuing in the path of Jesus and receiving his saving grace. We can test things to ensure they are from God and hold fast to what is good while rejecting what is evil. If you struggle with this, pray to God continually. Ask God for help. The glory and love of God are all around you at all times, sometimes we just need to develop the muscle to see it. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Question: What is something you can rejoice about? Final Thought: God transforms us. Many scriptures talk about this. This comes about as we trust our lives to Christ. We learn to follow. We learn to listen to the spirit by rejecting what we know to be evil and by learning to Love as Christ did. We learn to rejoice always and pray unceasingly. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

328 Train Yourselves to Be Godly, A Guided Christian Meditation on 1 Timothy 4:7-10 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to contactxing God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: 1 Timothy 4 ESV 7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. 10 For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. NABRE 7 Avoid profane and silly myths. Train yourself for devotion, 8 for, while physical training is of limited value, devotion is valuable in every respect, since it holds a promise of life both for the present and for the future. 9 This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance. 10 For this we toil and struggle, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the savior of all, especially of those who believe. Meditation on Scripture: Yesterday I went on a hike. This was not a leisurely trip into nature but an intentional trip with a family who was mourning profoundly. A young man from this family had tragically died recently and they were feeling his absence. A little bit ago I performed the funeral. We rejoiced in his reunion with Christ even when we mourned his physical loss here. They decided to travel to a place in nature he loved as a large group and share some memories there. As we hiked our blood flowed in our veins and we got a little exercise. When we arrived at the top of the mountain and a few words and prayers were shared, the tears flowed. Yet despite that, the beauty that surrounded us, mixed with the physical exertion of the climb made this trip feel less emotionally challenging than the previous day when we mourned him while sitting down. The bodies that God has created for us respond to different situations. Some situations lead to greater spiritual strength and some to greater temptation. Sitting in silence before the Lord and setting our intention on prayer and scripture can have a positive effect about helping us connect with God as well. Yet it is not the physical act itself that is good for the soul. It is the devotion to God, which as this scripture says "holds a promise of life both for the present and for the future." In this way I think as we involved either stillness devotion or moving devotion to God, we recognize that it is not the physical act itself that creates that meaning, rather it is our hearts in need which reach out to the one who created us. As you sit here prioritize the connection to God through devotion over the physical. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Question: In what ways does your body contribute to or take away from your devotion? Final Thought: This time of meditation can be a powerful way for you to connect with God and devote your soul to him each day. Yet dont see the posture or stillness as the thing that saves. God has created us, and as such we respond to the pace available in God's spirit. I invite you to experiment with other bodily positions while communicating with God. Perhaps praying to God while going for a walk in the beauty of nature, perhaps while stretching your body. Our goal is not to find a magical position but to attempt to become more sensitive to hearing the peace he offers. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

NIV 4 Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. 5 But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. 6 No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

324 Wisdom with Enter Your Heart, A Guided Christian Meditation on Proverbs 2:10-13 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct you r thoughts to contacting God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: KJV 10 When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; 11 Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: 12 To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things; 13 Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; ESV 10 for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; 11 discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you, 12 delivering you from the way of evil, from men of perverted speech, 13 who forsake the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness, Meditation on Scripture: There is no way we have the capacity to have God tell us everything that we could know in this life. There is no way we have every decision before us laid out. Instead what God does is fills us with the wisdom to recognize the patterns of how we can live in wisdom. This wisdom only comes as we humble ourselves and give up our vain and foolish desires and yield to God's spirit. For example God could give us a thousand rules of what we should do each day, or he gives us principles to live by. God does not need to list out all the names we could call someone, or all the sinful acts we are tempted to engage in. Instead we gain wisdom by uniting our will to His. Let me ask you this. What principles do you live by? How are these principles aligned with God's word? How could you apply God's principles in your life. As an example of this. The root of eternal wisdom is faith in God. As such, the first principle of the Gospel is Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. More specifically we follow the principle that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. It is by His grace and mercy that we have any hope of overcoming sin. What other principles do you live by? What principles guide your action with your family? What principles guide how you correct errors or deal with people you disagree with? Ponder more on God's principles for us. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Question: What principle do you feel God is calling you to live more consistent with? Final Thought: Easter is Christ Victory Day. It is the day we remember that Christ overcame all, including sin, and death. May we keep it in our hearts that God offers us redemption and salvation. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

324 Wisdom with Enter Your Heart, A Guided Christian Meditation on Proverbs 2:10-13 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct you r thoughts to contacting God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: KJV 10 When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; 11 Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: 12 To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things; 13 Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; ESV 10 for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; 11 discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you, 12 delivering you from the way of evil, from men of perverted speech, 13 who forsake the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness, Meditation on Scripture: There is no way we have the capacity to have God tell us everything that we could know in this life. There is no way we have every decision before us laid out. Instead what God does is fills us with the wisdom to recognize the patterns of how we can live in wisdom. This wisdom only comes as we humble ourselves and give up our vain and foolish desires and yield to God's spirit. For example God could give us a thousand rules of what we should do each day, or he gives us principles to live by. God does not need to list out all the names we could call someone, or all the sinful acts we are tempted to engage in. Instead we gain wisdom by uniting our will to His. Let me ask you this. What principles do you live by? How are these principles aligned with God's word? How could you apply God's principles in your life. As an example of this. The root of eternal wisdom is faith in God. As such, the first principle of the Gospel is Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. More specifically we follow the principle that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. It is by His grace and mercy that we have any hope of overcoming sin. What other principles do you live by? What principles guide your action with your family? What principles guide how you correct errors or deal with people you disagree with? Ponder more on God's principles for us. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Question: What principle do you feel God is calling you to live more consistent with? Final Thought: Easter is Christ Victory Day. It is the day we remember that Christ overcame all, including sin, and death. May we keep it in our hearts that God offers us redemption and salvation. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

Bible verses for Meditation: NIV 17 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?" 18 He replied, "Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, 'The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.'" 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover. 20 When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. 21 And while they were eating, he said, "Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me." FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

322 Jesus Fulfills the Passover with Easter, A Guided Christian Meditation on Matthew 26:17-21 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to contacting God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: 1 Corinthians 15 NIV 17 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?" 18 He replied, "Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, 'The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.'" 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover. 20 When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. 21 And while they were eating, he said, "Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me." ESV 17 Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?" 18 He said, "Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, 'The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.'" 19 And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover. 20 When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve. 21 And as they were eating, he said, "Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me." Meditation on Scripture: In our current days, many people find themselves wondering why such things are allowed to happen. They find themselves questioning the fairness of what happens through the world. We hear of people who seem to be trying to live God's ways suffering. We hear the wicked prospering for a time. I have talked to people who are angry with God. Yet after the flury of emotion runs its course, how can humans stand in Judgement of Jehovah who submitted himself to be killed unjustly. At Easter we remember the sacrifice of Jesus. His death made our eternal life possible. Yet of all the beings that have walked the earth, he deserved suffering the least. Yet he went through it. One may ask why God would choose to redeem his people in such a painful and humiliating way as public torture, yet so it was. Faith is not enough to spare us from all temptation and pain. And this has been set up as a truth from the beginning. The last week of Jesus' life was during Passover. It was a time He and His disciples were honoring and celebrating the deliverance of the people of Israel from captivity and even death. Yet even in these preparations, he knew that he would not be passed over. This scripture and others clearly show his foreknowledge. His life would not be spared as it was for the first born in Egypt. He accepted the will of His Father. He accepted betrayal by one of his own. When we are tempted to judge the world as unfair, or to claim that God has abandoned the faithful, let us remember how it is that our freedom was won. On this easter may we ponder the humbling realization that we deserve the ills that happen to us far more than Christ did His. Jesus fulfilled the Passover. He was the sacrificial lamb to redeem us all as Paul talks about in 1 Cor 5. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Question: How are the sting of sin and death related? Final Thought: Easter is Christ Victory Day. It is the day we remember that Christ overcame all, including sin, and death. May we keep it in our hearts that God offers us redemption and salvation. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

320 Where is Death's Victory, A Guided Christian Meditation on 1 Corinthians 15:55-58 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to contacting God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: 1 Corinthians 15 NIV 55 "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"[i] 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. KJV 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. Meditation on Scripture: What is it that is celebrated at Easter? This scripture equates the victory of Christ over death and sin. What is that correlation? How is it that Christ takes away the sting of the grave? What is the correlation between victory over sin and the grave? Having served many families suffering after the death of someone close, it is often filled with pain. Yet here Paul quotes Isaiah saying that Death has no sting. I find mourning around death is much more intense when there is doubt about the eternal destiny of the person who has died. There is an inherent conflict in this. In my experience our human weakness is often not able to fully grasp the plans of God immediately. Even in cases when people have great faith that their loved one will be OK and is at God's side, their absence is felt. I see this as quite different from what this scripture speaks of and feel that there is no lack of faith that contributes to natural mourning. Ultimately Christ can comfort our hearts around the suffering cause by all sources, death, sin, and even the temporary separation of the faithful. When we, in faith lay our pain at the feet of Christ, he carries it with us. We become yolked with Him. As we prepare our hearts and minds to worship God and remember the victory of Easter, it is valuable to turn our hearts to this triumph. May we truly feel the help that Christ offers. It may not always come at once, or when we expect, but Christ can help us remain strong enough to overcome. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Question: How are the sting of sin and death related? Final Thought: Easter is Christ Victory Day. It is the day we remember that Christ overcame all, including sin, and death. May we keep it in our hearts that God offers us redemption and salvation. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

Ecclesiastes 4 NIV 4 The word of the Lord came to me, saying, 5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew[a] you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." 6 "Alas, Sovereign Lord," I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am too young." 7 But the Lord said to me, "Do not say, 'I am too young.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the Lord.

318 Before I Formed You in the Womb I Knew You, A Guided Christian Meditation on Jeremiah 1:4-8 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to contacting God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: Ecclesiastes 4 NIV 4 The word of the Lord came to me, saying, 5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew[a] you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." 6 "Alas, Sovereign Lord," I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am too young." 7 But the Lord said to me, "Do not say, 'I am too young.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the Lord. NRSV 4 Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, 5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations." 6 Then I said, "Ah, Lord God! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy." 7 But the Lord said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a boy'; for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and you shall speak whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord." Meditation on Scripture: The account of the calling of Jeremiah teaches valuable lessons. God is aware of his children. Whether it is Jeremiah or each one of us. There are many times in our lives when we may feel that the world is chaos. We may see no purpose in how things progress in our lives, Yet God knows us. He is familiar with our Character, our potential, our strengths, our profound weaknesses. Not only does he know us and he is aware of what we can do, he understands how we can learn and grow with him. When Jeremiah was feeling the natural experience of being overwhelmed before God due to his weakness and ignorance, God encouraged him by saying he will be directed. God has claimed that he will deliver us if we believe and follow Him. I had an experience of this. I am traveling in another state from my home. I came to visit family and be present for a baptism. While I was here I was made aware that one of the people I work with was involved in a horrible accident and was flown into a hospital not 30 minutes from where I was during the call. It was hundreds of miles way from my home and yet God had me where i needed to be and I was able to provide support. I cant claim to understand God's timing in the unfortunate situations in our lives, but I do know that God watches over us. He gives us what we need. He loves us, and expects us to approach Him to be washed from sin, forgiven, and redeemed. He is our redeemer. You may not understand God's purpose in your life. You may not be able to see the pattern amidst the chaos but I can assure you it is there, but we probably wont understand it until later. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Question: What ways has God shown you that he knows you? Final Thought: Foster fondness and build feelings of mutual service. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

Ecclesiastes 4 NIV 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: 10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

316 Two Are Better Than One, A Guided Christian Meditation on Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to contacting God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: Ecclesiastes 4 NIV 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: 10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. NRSV 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up the other; but woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help. 11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone? 12 And though one might prevail against another, two will withstand one. A threefold cord is not quickly broken. Meditation on Scripture: The subheading of this scripture in the NRSV version of the bible calls this section the value of a true friend. I have been spending time thinking about this recently. There is such deep and profound value in real and deep friendship. We benefit so much from positive relationships as much as we stand to be hurt by these same relationships. The greatest example of this is in marriage. In the recent weeks I have been working with various couples and so this thought of deep and profound friendship has been on my mind. True friends lift each other up. When they give of themselves they receive benefit for that because the friendship gains strength. The fire of the testimony remains strong together, the warmth of their affection stays warm. When their forces are united they can do amazing things together. We should seek to foster and grow these kind of relationships around us in wisdom. Loneliness are far too common. This can occur even for people living in close proximity to others. So what is it that makes us feel connected? We feel seen and understood. We feel that we know the dreams of the other and they know ours. In intimate relationships this takes on a unifying purpose. The success in our relationships can be seen as the degree to which we can work toward our deeply held dreams while also working toward the dreams of those we care about. I want you to take a moment and ponder on what the deeply held goals are of those closest to you. Ponder on how you can support that. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Question: How can you learn more about the dreams of others? Final Thought: Foster fondness and build feelings of mutual service. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

314 Abraham's Promise Came Through Faith, A Guided Christian Meditation on Romans 4:13-17 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to contacting God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: Romans 4:13-17 NRSV 13 For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 14 If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. 15 For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation. 16 For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, 17 as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations")—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. KJV 13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: 15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. 16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, 17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. Meditation on Scripture: Sometimes we speak about how the law is in direct contrast to the way of Christ. This scripture points out an interesting comparison. The father of Israel is Abraham and when you look through the old testament there is not a great deal of rules set up with the covenant of Abraham. In fact it seems to be more of a promise from God that he will be their God with the understanding that he wanted them to follow. This seems to be what the Abrahamic covenant was about. This is how Paul paints it as well. Abraham was made the father of nations through faith. Abraham surely did receive the promise of God and it has been clearly fulfilled. With that said, it is a clear demonstration how trust in God leads to the fulfillment of blessings. God's word is always fulfilled, including when he proclaims blessings. Paul then points to how it is of faith, through grace to the end of the promise might be offered to the seed, including those who believe as Abraham did. As followers of Christ we also believe in the same God, Jehovah, that Abraham did. As a result we can be blessed by the same faith and reliance that Abraham did, if we are willing to follow the spirit to where God leads us. God will be our father as we trust in this covenant. Glory be to God for his mercy and grace. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Question: How do you see faith leading to blessings in your life? Final Thought: Perhaps we can then see the big conflict between the Law of Moses and the teachings of the savior through a different light. Perhaps it was the rigidity with which the people applied the law that caused it to be such a distraction from Jesus. The people had set up their own expectations on God, as a result they didnt recognize the divinity of Jesus when he did come. Fulfillment of the Law has never been possible by our own merits. Even in the Old Testament sacrificial offerings were made for failure to uphold the law. This was given to turn the hearts of the people to the mercy of God and to prepare them for the coming of the Lamb of God

314 Abraham's Promise Came Through Faith, A Guided Christian Meditation on Romans 4:13-17 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to contacting God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: Romans 4:13-17 NRSV 13 For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 14 If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. 15 For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation. 16 For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, 17 as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations")—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. KJV 13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: 15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. 16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, 17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. Meditation on Scripture: Sometimes we speak about how the law is in direct contrast to the way of Christ. This scripture points out an interesting comparison. The father of Israel is Abraham and when you look through the old testament there is not a great deal of rules set up with the covenant of Abraham. In fact it seems to be more of a promise from God that he will be their God with the understanding that he wanted them to follow. This seems to be what the Abrahamic covenant was about. This is how Paul paints it as well. Abraham was made the father of nations through faith. Abraham surely did receive the promise of God and it has been clearly fulfilled. With that said, it is a clear demonstration how trust in God leads to the fulfillment of blessings. God's word is always fulfilled, including when he proclaims blessings. Paul then points to how it is of faith, through grace to the end of the promise might be offered to the seed, including those who believe as Abraham did. As followers of Christ we also believe in the same God, Jehovah, that Abraham did. As a result we can be blessed by the same faith and reliance that Abraham did, if we are willing to follow the spirit to where God leads us. God will be our father as we trust in this covenant. Glory be to God for his mercy and grace. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Question: How do you see faith leading to blessings in your life? Final Thought: Perhaps we can then see the big conflict between the Law of Moses and the teachings of the savior through a different light. Perhaps it was the rigidity with which the people applied the law that caused it to be such a distraction from Jesus. The people had set up their own expectations on God, as a result they didnt recognize the divinity of Jesus when he did come. Fulfillment of the Law has never been possible by our own merits. Even in the Old Testament sacrificial offerings were made for failure to uphold the law. This was given to turn the hearts of the people to the mercy of God and to prepare them for the coming of the Lamb of God

Bible verses for Meditation: 1 John 3:1-3 NIV 3 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

312 When Christ Appears We Shall Be Like Him, A Guided Christian Meditation on 1 John 3:1-3 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to contacting God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: 1 John 3:1-3 NIV 3 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears,[a] we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. KJV 3 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. Meditation on Scripture: We have been apart from God in this life. In this life we rely on faith. In fact it is this faith that purifies us as it says in this scripture. Yet despite the purifying faith we miss His presence. I believe that when we are reunited with Jesus it will be both an awe inspiring and humbling experience yet at the same time it will feel familiar. We will recognize the feelings of love and I expect that we will even recognize his face as He gazes back at us. We will be like him, he will be familiar to us. Because we live along side of His spirit in this life. Over the last handful of months I have been away. I was far north in the frozen Arctic. I lived something that was very different than my normal life. I lived differently. I was around different people. Yet when I returned home to my family, it was as if no time had passed at all. In fact this is something that I found quite astonishing. It was the strangest experience to compare what I thought returning home would feel like, versus what it felt like. When I walked in the door and surprised my family with an early return we all were filled with emotion, yet how soon I felt as though I was right back into the swing of life going grocery shopping. I anticipate that so will heaven be. The various decades that we have spent on earth will evaporate and dissolve as we are embraced in the overwhelming love of God. If you need some encouragement I will tell you. Place your faith in this joyous reunion that God has promised. We are purified into this familiarity with God, not due to who we are but due to who God is and what He has chosen to offer us through his infinite atonement. Prepare for a joyous reunion with a loving God. Believe in Him and then follow in the path He has laid out. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Question: Do you hope for a joyous reunion with your loving God? Final Thought: God has laid out what He wants from us and it doesn't involve earthly achievements. It involves following the way. Trusting in Him as our only hope and embracing a life as God's disciple. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

Mark 1:9-13 NIV 9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." 12 At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, 13 and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

310 Temptation Follows the Covenant, A Guided Christian Meditation on Mark 1:9-13 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to contacting God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: Mark 1:9-13 NIV 9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." 12 At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, 13 and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him. ESV 9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased." 12 The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him. Meditation on Scripture: The account of the baptism and temptation of Jesus are much longer in the Gospel of Matthew. They also are separated by a chapter marker. This has had the unintended consequence of separating these stories yet they are intrinsically connected. It is not a coincidence that the Temptation of Christ immediately followed His baptism. It may seem strange or inequitable that Christ would have been tempted immediately following something that has been recognized and presented in Christianity as an induction into the community of God. Of course Jesus did not need any purification associated with Baptism yet regardless the only documented temptation of Jesus occurred right afterward. It may seem in our life that once we commit to live as God would want that doors will open making that easy for us. Perhaps we expect that God will clear all the weeds away from the path or that he will make things turn out easier in our efforts to overcome Sin. What this demonstrates is the persistence of the Enemy to destroy forward progress. Sometimes it is at our greatest points of potential that we experience the greatest temptation. What is also modeled is that if we can remain faithful and resist temptation while also making efforts to grow closer to God, therein is an amazing combo. With our determination and willingness to continue to strive to overcome temptation God will give us the boost we need to make the progress we most need. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Question: When do you experience your greatest temptation? Final Thought: Something that seems to be indicated is that we need not judge our spiritual progress based on how hard we are tempted but rather how we can overcome those temptations through God's help. Jesus quoted scripture and referred to the value of reliance on God. It is certainly true that our human condition is hopeless without God and without the victory obtained through the Cross. This introduced grace and offered it to us. May the grace of God help us overcome temptation when it comes our way, even increasing temptation. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

NIV 9 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you." And Elisha said, "Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me." 10 And he said, "You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you, but if you do not see me, it shall not be so." 11 And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 12 And Elisha saw it and he cried, "My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!" And he saw him no more. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

308 Elijah Rides to Heaven on a Chariot of Fire, A Guided Christian Meditation on Mark 2 Kings 2:9-12 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to contacting God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: 2 Kings 2:9-12 KJV 9 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you." And Elisha said, "Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me." 10 And he said, "You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you, but if you do not see me, it shall not be so." 11 And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 12 And Elisha saw it and he cried, "My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!" And he saw him no more. NIV 9 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you." And Elisha said, "Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me." 10 And he said, "You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you, but if you do not see me, it shall not be so." 11 And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 12 And Elisha saw it and he cried, "My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!" And he saw him no more. Meditation on Scripture: As with various examples in the Old Testament the accounts there are some miraculous things occuring in this scripture. Elijah was a great prophet. He was close to God's power and accessed it various times to great effect. Elisha came to be the protégé of Elijah. In fact it was a revelation that caused Elijah to seek out Elisha as his successor. As a result, he sought out and found Elisha and Elisha followed him immediately. Elijah adoptped him as though he were his own son. Elisha spent some time at Elijah's side learning from the experienced prophet. He saw many things and valued highly the abilities that God had blessed him with. Elijah put upon his student the mantle of prophet, yet when he was given this opportunity to ask for something in return from the prophet, he asked for twice his spirit, perhaps in reference to the natural rights of inheritance of the oldest son, or perhaps as a literal doubling of the powers Elijah displayed. The thing that I want to place a little focus on is this idea that there are two distinct things occuring here. One is a very clear depiction of God choosing someone and making that revelation clear. The other is the choice and desire of Elisha to receive from God and how that was honored. Many times we can get too locked into how we think God works and we lose sight of the dynamic that God encourages. For example why was the blessing of Spirit that Elisha requested not automatically bestowed? Why did he have to ask for it then wait? Perhaps one explanation is that God wants to work with us. He wants us to submit to him and train our will and desire to the things that are good for us in the long run. It seems that God directs us in our life but then wants us to come along for the ride and follow. Pray to God as though all decisions are in His hands, then use your own insight to pursue the best gifts as you can. What greater gift can there be than closeness with God's spirit which leads to eternal life with God. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: What Sims, Worries, Doubts or Fears would you be willing to give up for an increase in God's Spirit. To be clear we don't purchase the gifts of God with obedience. We don't perform some act then earn some specific benefit. We demonstrate to God that we value what the Almighty God values. We all

Mark 1:29-33 NIV 29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. 30 Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. 31 So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. 32 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. 33 The whole town gathered at the door, FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

306 Jesus Heals Simon's Mother, A Guided Christian Meditation on Mark 1:29-33 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to contacting God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: Mark 1:29-33 NIV 29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. 30 Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. 31 So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. 32 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. 33 The whole town gathered at the door, ESV 29 And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. 31 And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them. 32 That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door. Meditation on Scripture: Many times when we think of Jesus healing large groups of people. Yet he also healed people close to Him. This scripture makes me so curious about how people received this healing. Were they surprised? Did Simon Peter already believe in Jesus when he did this or was this something that convinced Him of Jesus' power and divinity? This was a time without antibiotics. It was a time were medicine in general had little to offer that would help to combat sickness. This makes Jesus' healing even more appreciated. The only thing that they had to rely on was Jesus. Perhaps because of this many believed as a result of His miracles. Those close to Him and those know never met Jesus before the miracles. I want to highlight these two ideas that make it more challenging for us to understand Jesus. We don't get to see Him work his miracles. We don't get to see him cry over Lazarus' death. We dont feel the electricity in the air when the people shared the stories of his miracles. Similarly we dont understand the type of dependance that these people would have felt. If we get sick we have other reliable resources to help in many cases, even critical ones. As a result many people envy those who got to walk with Jesus. On the flip side, we have access to the whole story. We can read the story from beginning to end, told by direct witnesses who are able to tell their story in a way that fills in a lot of details that many people in the Time of Jesus would not have known about. What a blessing it is to have these stories of how Jesus cared for those people he knew and also those he didnt. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Thought: FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

NIV 24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

304 What Would You Exchange for Your Soul?, A Guided Christian Meditation on 1 Matthew 16:24-26 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to contacting God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: Matthew 16:24-26 KJV 24 ¶ Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? NIV 24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? Meditation on Scripture: What would you exchange for the forfeit of your soul? Obviously when confronted with this question, we may respond differently than the way it actually shows up in our life. Most of the time it is not given as a choice that clearly. It is simply human desire. I really enjoy this question due to the way it can cause us to think about ourselves. When we ask ourselves clear questions like this it can help give our mind clarity. Similarly if we were to ask ourselves if we trust God's plan we would agree but what about when tragedy hits? When we are overly focused on this world, it makes the things of this world much harder to manage. For example, when there is a death of someone close to us, or an unforseen situation that arises. If we view the purpose of our existence to stay like we are now forever and be content with perpetual mortality, then we can get rocked to our core. When however, we realize that there is nothing we can do to hold the mortal world together, we can allow normal human emotions to move through us while not becoming trapped by them. It can give a perspective that helps us rise above. The good news about this is not only that Jesus came to overcome sin and death, but that we can grow and develop spiritually by truly understanding that and believing it. Jesus came to earth because this world is made of clay and will invariably come to an end. It is through our faith in the one who fixxes all eternal problems, that we gain the ability to rise above temporary things and place our focus on eternity. The most beautiful truth of all is that Jesus makes this question irrelevant if we follow Him. We don't have to hate good things, we dont have to reject all happiness and comfort, we dont need to live in constant fear of sin. We can enjoy the good of life while trusting in God's ability to help us rise above it. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Question: Do you really value the things of God above the things of this world? Final Thought: When we are forced to choose between happiness and God that is a false dilemma. When we follow God that is how we find lasting happiness. It is a discipline that takes time to wrestle with. Focusing on God allows us to feel more connected to others, not less. It also allows us more flexibility to understand we dont need to fear as much what happens on earth. We can place our eternal trust in God and wait for his majesty. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

Jonah 3:6-10 ESV 6 The word reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. 7 And he issued a proclamation and published through Nineveh, "By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not feed or drink water, 8 but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to God. Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. 9 Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish." 10 When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

302 God Saw That They Had Returned, A Guided Christian Meditation on Jonah 3:6-10 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to contacting God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: Jonah 3:6-10 ESV 6 The word reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. 7 And he issued a proclamation and published through Nineveh, "By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not feed or drink water, 8 but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to God. Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. 9 Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish." 10 When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it. NRSV 6 The word reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. 7 And he issued a proclamation and published through Nineveh, "By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not feed or drink water, 8 but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to God. Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. 9 Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish." 10 When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it. Meditation on Scripture: Something that always try and maintain is a balance between the graduate of God and a closeness that helps motivate my human heart. Similarly there is a balance between trying desperately to follow the path of Jesus and also accepting Gods grace when we inevitably fail. God honors repentance. God seems to value our feeble efforts as long as we are not deceptive in half hearted confessions or desires for us to feel we earn grace. Gods grace comes as an unparalleled gift. Yet how do we receive this gift? Do we casually accept that of course God should forgive those who profess faith or do we accept how monumental it is that God has chosen to do this and lay out a clear plan whereby we are saved from certain destruction. This scripture is inspiring to me because it demonstrates humility, clarity, and intensity in devotion. The king accepted a great need. He didn't congratulate himself for getting an escape card. He poured out genuine grief at his sin. He also encouraged his people to do it as well. As a result God stated the hand of destruction for the city (which ironically frustrated Jonah). My hope is that we can embrace Gods grace while also recognizing how desperate we are for it and how grateful we should be to be saved from our fate. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Question: How do you perceive grace? Final Thought: I invite you to spend time pondering the above question do we see grace as the natural and logical consequence of the fall or do we see it with profound emotions of gratitude. I think it is normal for all people to struggle with this balance from time to time, which is what makes it such a valuable subject to focus on. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

300 You Know Me Lord, A Guided Christian Meditation on Psalms 139:1-6 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to contacting God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: Psalm 139:1-6 NIV 1 You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. 5 You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. KJV 1 O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. 2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. 3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. 4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. 5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. Meditation on Scripture: Through much of our lives we struggle to be comfortable with who we are or who we want to be. Many people wrestle with identity. Either don't have a well defined sense of who they are or an overly rigid perception of who we are. But under all of that, God knows us. Wether we are see it or not God knows us. He knows about our aspirations. He knows about our desires. Our goals. He knows our struggles with them. When we feel disappointed with our progress or we feel discouraged about how things turn out, we can rest assured that God understands us. He knows us.I find that language lacking. In Spanish there is two very distinct words for knowing. You know facts, you may even know that certain people exist, but to know a person means to understand them. To be familiar with them. The way in which God knows us is deeper than that. He knows our inner workings. He was there when we were made. God knows you. All the things you are ashamed of and embarrassed of. All the things you want to hide, he already knows. He already decided to overcome them. Through the cross Jesus overcame it all. Because He knows why you need Him. Because he loves you. So with Gods help you can get back up and try again. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Question: What is something that God could help you improve inside of you? Final Thought: Many times we set Mew Years resolutions and struggle to fulfil them. Let me just say that there is nothing magical about the arbitrary day that was selected as the New Year. You can continue each day to move forward. God cheers on our goals of following in the path Jesus gave us. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

KJV In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. 5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

298 And God Said, Let There Be Light, A Guided Christian Meditation on Genesis 1:1-5 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to contacting God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: Genesis 1:1-51 KJV In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. 5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day. NABRE 1 In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth— 2 and the earth was without form or shape, with darkness over the abyss and a mighty wind sweeping over the waters— 3 Then God said: Let there be light, and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good. God then separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." Evening came, and morning followed—the first day. Meditation on Scripture: The verbage used for the kingdom of God is one that evokes familiarity. As we ponder what Heaven will be like I think it will feel extremely familiar when we get there. Not because it exactly like our earth, but that God has created our souls with the intention of bringing us to Him. The Home of God is coming among mortals. What a powerful thought. Jesus often declared that the Kingdom of Heaven could be brought to earth as we believe in Jesus and follow him. When this happens it will not be something to fear but something to cause Joy. God will be our ruler in every sense of the word. When Heaven comes to us we will rejoice and it will be a time of reflection on our life and how grateful we are to God for the mercy He extends to us. When we are with Him there ill be no more pain, no more crying. He will heal all our wounds. As it says in Isaiah, with His stripes we are healed. This could be compared to the separation from light and darkness, yet he has more he wants to do with us before we come back Home. I have stood many times at the threshold of death and watched people silently pass over and can affirm that God's spirit is present when His children pass to the next life. Many people fear death, we fear the unknown but this scripture clearly points out that it will be glorious to be with Him. This doesn't mean we should rush to get there. God has goals and intentions for us here. As we are apart from God we learn and grow through the hardship we dislike so much. This all forges us to become like him. As it says in 1 John 3:2, when he appears we will know him because we shall be like Him. When our turn comes it will be a glorious reunion. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Question: Where do you see the light of creation in your life? Final Thought: The demonstration of God's creation shows his power. The rest of scripture shows his concern for our growth. Creation of God's universe took multiple acts from the most powerful being in the universe. Instead of snapping his fingers and materializing a fully formed world, God demonstrates both in Genesis 1 and 2 different focuses on creation. His work on you is also complex. Overcoming the effects of sin could be compared to separating the light from the darkness, yet there is much more that God does in our lives. He continues to move in our lives even after offering us redemption from sin, eternal grace moves us to the image of God. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.c

NIV 1 Then I saw "a new heaven and a new earth," for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

296 I Saw a New Heaven and a New Earth, A Guided Christian Meditation on Revelations 21:1-4 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to contacting God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: Revelations 21:1-4 NIV 1 Then I saw "a new heaven and a new earth," for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." NRSV 1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; 4 he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away." Meditation on Scripture: The verbage used for the kingdom of God is one that evokes familiarity. As we ponder what Heaven will be like I think it will feel extremely familiar when we get there. Not because it exactly like our earth, but that God has created our souls with the intention of bringing us to Him. The Home of God is coming among mortals. What a powerful thought. Jesus often declared that the Kingdom of Heaven could be brought to earth as we believe in Jesus and follow him. When this happens it will not be something to fear but something to cause Joy. God will be our ruler in every sense of the word. When Heaven comes to us we will rejoice and it will be a time of reflection on our life and how grateful we are to God for the mercy He extends to us. When we are with Him there ill be no more pain, no more crying. He will heal all our wounds. As it says in Isaiah, with His stripes we are healed. I have stood many times at the threshold of death and watched people silently pass over and can affirm that God's spirit is present when His children pass to the next life. Many people fear death, we fear the unknown but this scripture clearly points out that it will be glorious to be with Him. This doesn't mean we should rush to get there. God has goals and intentions for us here. As we are apart from God we learn and grow through the hardship we dislike so much. This all forges us to become like him. As it says in 1 John 3:2, when he appears we will know him because we shall be like Him. When our turn comes it will be a glorious reunion. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Question: What can you do to prepare for the Kingdom of God coming to earth? Final Thought: The scriptures provide different scenarios of how people experience God's presence. In some respects it is an overwhelming experience. Even as Angels appear unto people one of the things that they seem to consistently say is for the people to not be afraid. In some ways it will likely be an awe inspiring and intense experience, but I also trust that the Goodness, Grace, and Love of God will overwhelm any fear we may feel. As we look into Jesus' eyes and see an unending well of Love and we in turn worship God. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts -

Psalm 89:1-6 NIV 1 I will sing of the Lord's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. 2 I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself. 3 You said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant, 4 'I will establish your line forever and make your throne firm through all generations.'" 5 The heavens praise your wonders, Lord, your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones. 6 For who in the skies above can compare with the Lord? Who is like the Lord among the heavenly beings? 7 In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared; he is more awesome than all who surround him. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

294 The Heavens Praise Your Wonders, A Guided Christian Meditation on Psalms 89:1-7 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to contacting God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: Psalm 89:1-6 NIV 1 I will sing of the Lord's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. 2 I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself. 3 You said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant, 4 'I will establish your line forever and make your throne firm through all generations.'" 5 The heavens praise your wonders, Lord, your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones. 6 For who in the skies above can compare with the Lord? Who is like the Lord among the heavenly beings? 7 In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared; he is more awesome than all who surround him. NRSV 1 I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations. 2 I declare that your steadfast love is established forever; your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens. 3 You said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to my servant David: 4 'I will establish your descendants forever, and build your throne for all generations.'"Selah 5 Let the heavens praise your wonders, O Lord, your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones. 6 For who in the skies can be compared to the Lord? Who among the heavenly beings is like the Lord, 7 a God feared in the council of the holy ones, great and awesome above all that are around him? Meditation on Scripture: In this Psalm a profound truth is shared. The love of God is eternal. Ponder for a moment how firm are the heavens. How eternal is the dwelling of God. The real in which God dwells is unmovable. Yet the love of God is as eternal as the heavens. In fact the heavens are subservient to God and they declare his glory. As you go out in the night and look up into the sky we are reminded how amazing the universe is. The wide expanse of Gods heavens is astounding. In fact the heavens have shown signs through the years. The birth of Christ was signaled by a star in the heavens. Imagine that billions of miles away an enormous flaming ball of nuclear fusion was created at just the right time to point the magi to the baby Jesus. Even the closest stars are so far that it takes light years to travel to our eyes. God in his preparation set things up with enough advanced time to allow the light reach earth at the perfect moment. As it says in Psalms 19, the heavens declare the glory of God. As we ponder the new beginnings represented by the new year may each of us recognize the travel of the heavenly bodies is numbered and designed by God. The rotation of our earth around the Sun is pronounced by Our God. The Goals that you form for the coming rotation will be within the same power of the Almighty God. As we set good intentions and goals may we remember the source of true power, the power to improve and change, as it comes from our Loving Father. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Question: Final Thought: FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

KJV 4 For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian. 5 For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire. 6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

292 For Unto Us a Child is Born, A Guided Christian Meditation on Isaiah 9:4-7 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to contacting God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: Isaiah 9:4-7 ESV 4 For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. 5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called W onderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. kjv 4 For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian. 5 For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire. 6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. Meditation on Scripture: The connections of this scripture are interesting and form a web of understanding about Jesus's life. This is a familiar pronouncement and shows up in many places, including Handel's Hallelujah Chorus in the Messiah. It is hard for me to hear these words and not be overcome with the spirit of God at that beautiful song pronouncing these words. And his name will be called, Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. All of these are names for Jesus. A study of the numerous names referring to Jesus can be enlightening in and of itself as each one reflects different truths about God. There are multiple levels in which this scripture is fulfilled. Matthew states that this prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus began preaching in Matthew 4 which represented the beginning of his ministry. Earlier in this chapter it says. "the people who dwell in darkness have seen a great light." This was a metaphor for both the star that signaled the birth of the Baby Jesus but also the light that His teachings brought when he formally began His ministry. As we commemorate the Christmas Season may we remember the power of this message. All of us who would have lived in darkness forever, we have seen a great light. That light is the Glory of the Lord. May we truly receive him as the Prince of Peace. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Question: In what ways does the Christmas season represent light in your life? Final Thought: It is fun to get caught up in the festivities and family traditions associated with the Christmas season. May we not forget, however, that the true purpose of this season is the Birth of Jesus Christ and the coming of his life saving, eternity saving, ministry. My hope is that we enjoy good time together with loved ones while remembering the power of Christ over the grave and over sin. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditait

Isaiah 61:1-4 ESV 1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; 3 to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified. 4 They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod