Christian Meditation Podcast

702 Again There Was Division Because of Jesus' Words, A Guided Christian Meditation on John 10:17-21 with the Recenter With Christ app The purpose of this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and connect with the true source of peace, Jesus Christ. 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. Scripture for Meditation John 10 NABRE 17 This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again. This command I have received from my Father." 19 Again there was a division among the Jews because of these words. 20 Many of them said, "He is possessed and out of his mind; why listen to him?" 21 Others said, "These are not the words of one possessed; surely a demon cannot open the eyes of the blind, can he?" ESV 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father." 19 There was again a division among the Jews because of these words. 20 Many of them said, "He has a demon, and is insane; why listen to him?" 21 Others said, "These are not the words of one who is oppressed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?" Meditation on Scripture: Jesus is in absolute unity with the will of the Father. He did the right thing all the time. Yet that did not stop the people from accusing him of having a demon possess him. What a strange world we live in, were the very sinless Son of God was so profoundly misunderstood by people who heard him speak. Those who were right next to him. They heard the words and many of them saw amazing deeds done and yet they wondered. They didnt understand. Human understanding is a gift from God but it is also incredibly limited when compared to the understanding of the infinite. I have had a chance to study some amazingly complex and beautiful things. I studied Math in college. There are some very deep and abstract ideas that humans are able to understand. I had many professors who became subject matter experts on exactly what they studied. In fact math goes so deep that there were often few people in the whole world that were as familiar with their sliver of understanding as they were. And this is only what we know right now. When compared with the kind of understanding God possess, the depth of understanding is pitiful. There are people you know who you don't understand. WE don't understand the depth of the people we know. Equally, there are people who don't understand you and what your needs and wants are. IN some ways we are surprised by this when it happens. When people we know misunderstand us so profoundly we feel wronged in some way and yet this is a reflection of the same weakness of understanding that we ourselves hold. If Jesus was accused of having a demon possess him how likely is it that you will understand everyone you encounter? Or how likely is it that everyone will understand you. I think this is one of the reasons why God asks us to be forgiving and to try and not judge others. We don't have enough insight to judge others fairly. With that siad there are times when we can have insight that maybe just maybe helpful to them and they may have insight for us as well but it is Jesus who holds the judgement role because he has all the facts and knows the depths of every human heart. As you ponder relationships in life that are a bit upside down reflect on the limits of human understanding and reach out to the infinite understanding of God to bridge the gap. Embrace God's love in your heart and let go of the judgement of others, both toward them and from them. Trust yourself to a God who was willing to be so profoundly misunderstood himself and may that comfort your human misunderstandings. 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 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 Final Question: If you consider the invitation and command to persevere in the faith, what change in your life does that bring to you

ESV 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.

Edit: The initial audio didnt get fully processed and was much quieter than normal. This should resolve that but will require you to redownload the episode if you dowloaded it the first night. 700 There Shall Be One Fold and One Shepherd, A Guided Christian Meditation on John 10:14-16 with the Recenter With Christ app The purpose of this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and connect with the true source of peace, Jesus Christ. 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. Scripture for Meditation John 10 NRSVCE 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. ESV 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. Meditation on Scripture: I grew up in the desert. It was hot and dry. As an adventurer prone young man I spent a lot of time in the desert, hiking and doing other outside activities. From time to time we would encounter barb wire fences as well we would see cows out in the desert that would feed on the desert bushes and the very little dry grass. They usually were alone or with a very small number of other cows. I often remember wondering were those cows were from. Were they part of a herd? The conditions in the desert did not support dense cattle but they were part of a herd. They were just very spread out. As I read this scripture I thought of a large spread out flock split up across miles and miles of rough ground with some grass here and there. Jesus pronounced that we are called to the his flock. I sometimes wonder if there was a herd of sleep large enough would all the sheep understand that they are in the same flock? The sheep are not who determine who is part of the flock. That is the shepherd. We are spread across better and more challenging terrain and we are separated in ways that seem very meaningful to us. Yet God is the one that calls us. During this time of the year there are family gatherings and different social demands, or the longing for greatly missed social connections attempt to draw us away from His peace, ponder this, we are called to the same flock. As we set arbitrary distinctions between each other we ultimately are not the ones at the final judgement that determines who is part of the flock. That is God's role. I invite you to reach into the love that God has for you and share that with others. What greater thing is there to be grateful for than the knowledge that we can be unified with God due to His 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 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 Final Question: If you consider the invitation and command to persevere in the faith, what change in your life does that bring to your mind? 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

698 I Have Come That They Might Have Life More Abundantly, A Guided Christian Meditation on John 10:10-13 with the Recenter With Christ app The purpose of this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and connect with the true source of peace, Jesus Christ. 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. Scripture for Meditation John 10 NIV 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. KJV 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. Meditation on Scripture: In the previous verses Jesus called himself the sheep gate. shortly after he calls himself the good shepherd. These back to back references highlight something interesting. They demonstrate God's ability to keep us spiritually safe as well as his desire to be with us as we grow. The gate of the sheep is where those sheep come in and out. The threatening world is held back by the safety of the wall and the gate is what allows the sheep to find that safety but also to go out to be fed and experience the growth the sheep need. The shepherd, on the other hand, goes with the sheep. He watches over them and chases away predators. The shepherd would face risk for the sheep. He would guide them to good food and water. He would help them if they got stuck and lead them back if they got lost. Jesus declares himself The Good Shepherd defends the sheep. A normal shepherd may risk his life for the sheep Jesus as the Good Shepherd would guarantee his own death and yet that is not the end of the metaphor. Jesus, as The Good Shepherd, stays with us as we feed. He goes to where we need to go to grow, then as the gate Jesus allows us to go in and come out from protection. As the good shepherd he is with us as we face the peril of the world. Jesus is both our path to safety as well as growth. He came not just to give us life, but to give it more abundantly. Fortunately and unfortunately that doesn't look like the life we would make for ourselves many times. Trust in God to not only give you life, but to give it more abundantly. 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 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 Final Question: If you consider the invitation and command to persevere in the faith, what change in your life does that bring to your mind? 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 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice." 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them. 7 Therefore Jesus said again, "Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.

NASB 10 "Truly, truly I say to you, the one who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber. 2 But the one who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep listen to his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he puts all his own sheep outside, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.

694 His Sheep Hear His Voice, A Guided Christian Meditation on John 10:1-4 with the Recenter With Christ app The purpose of this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and connect with the true source of peace, Jesus Christ. 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. Scripture for Meditation John 10 NASB 10 "Truly, truly I say to you, the one who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber. 2 But the one who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep listen to his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he puts all his own sheep outside, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. NIV "Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. Meditation on Scripture: You, spending these moments with the Lord, are responding to his voice. Of the many ways we respond to his voice through academic study, prayer, meditation, service, and a thousand other ways, we live out this scripture. We respond to His voice as His sheep. Jesus shows us the way by which we can walk. He shows us how to follow His word. His spirit lifts, inspires, and transforms us. Jesus declares himself to be our shepard and we respond to His voice, as his sheep. He goes ahead of us and we follow. We go in and out. He knows each one of us and what we need. He knows His sheep. He knows you. He calls you by name. Jesus has taken the right to break whatever boundaries prevent you from progress toward Him and His love. Let whatever hardship you have in life, whatevers stressors have their perfect work in your to draw you to the arms of the loving shepherd. There is no place we can run where he cannot find us and will not pursue, eventually to catch us in loving arms and hold us in a warm embrace. Regardless of what lost wilderness you roam in, know the love of your shepard never fail.s In moments like this when we focus on His love and presence we can hear that voice in our lives, and we can see that lived out in us, His sheep. Additionally in these moments we can discern God's will for us in other moments of our lives. What is God calling us to? How does God's unwavering love lift you to greater heights? What is God calling you to? How will this moment of peace and love with God pour out into the rest of your life? Ponder that for a moment now. 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 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 Final Question: If you consider the invitation and command to persevere in the faith, what change in your life does that bring to your mind? 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

Romans 15 NIV 17 Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. 18 I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done— 19 by the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.

692 I Glory In What Christ Accomplishes Through Me, A Guided Christian Meditation on Romans 15:17-19 with the Recenter With Christ app The purpose of this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and connect with the true source of peace, Jesus Christ. 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. Scripture for Meditation Romans 15 NIV 17 Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. 18 I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done— 19 by the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. RSV 17 In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God. 18 For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has wrought through me to win obedience from the Gentiles, by word and deed, 19 by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Holy Spirit, so that from Jerusalem and as far round as Illyr′icum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ, Meditation on Scripture: Recently I was given the role of providing a Eulgoy by a third party for someone I did not know. Through various reasons it became increasingly impossible for me to make much meaningful contact with anyone who knew him but those people would be at the service and it would be streamed to potentially hundreds of others who would watch the event streamed. Because of how important I knew this person to be in their community this filled me with anxiety. Additionally I was the MC for the event which was an incredibly formal process with an exacting prewritten script. I had a very basic understanding of this man but not the depth that I felt that would result in the quality of Eulogy that they deserved yet there was no other option of who could do it. When I have done this important speaking role previously I usually have access to family and friends who know the person, to make it personal and have it land. I was worried and I lost some sleep over this despite my efforts. I prayed to God for him to fill my mouth with the words that needed to be spoken. When I did, I received a calming assurance and felt the words of God in my mind that he would in fact answer that prayer and fill my mouth yet as I wrote the words over and over and worked at it for days at a time I kept feeling as though it was not personal enough. I trusted in God and the answer he had given me. Yesterday when I gave that Eulogy it finally had the emotional and spiritual resonance that this person deserved. Afterward I was given a lot of praise and people commented about how well it went and I got many heartfelt hugs and handshakes of gratitude. In this moment my heart was full of gratitude for God. Instead of pride I felt humility that God had rescued me from what could have been an incredibly embarrassing and disappointing experience for me and the man's family. I really felt the words of this scripture in my heart. I rejoice only in those things that Jesus Christ does through me. Certainly in your life, God has worked important things through you. This is far from boasting or prideful. God is mighty and does things that are mighty but if we dont pay attention then we miss them altogtether. Perhaps in this meditaiton you can ponder what mightly things Christ has done through you. As we reflect on what God has done through us our gratitude for those things will grow and can help us feel the love of 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 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 Final Question: If you consider the invitation and command to persevere in the faith, what change in your life does that bring to your mind? 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 14 I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another. 15 Yet I have written you quite boldly on some points to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. He gave me the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

690 You Are Full of Goodness, A Guided Christian Meditation on Romans 15:14-16 with the Recenter With Christ app The purpose of this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and connect with the true source of peace, Jesus Christ. 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. Scripture for Meditation Romans 15 NIV 14 I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another. 15 Yet I have written you quite boldly on some points to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. He gave me the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. NABRE 14 I myself am convinced about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to admonish one another. 15 But I have written to you rather boldly in some respects to remind you, because of the grace given me by God 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in performing the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering up of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the holy Spirit. Meditation on Scripture: This scripture contains a beautiful, sweet and succinct reflection on goodness. You are full of goodness. There is something about you that made God be willing to save you from death and sin. At times we struggle with understanding that, with understanding the good we are capable of with the grace of God. dont doubt the ability of God to do amazing wonders in you and through you, as you are sanctified and transformed through God's love. You do not need to wonder or worry. God has seen your heart and will help you improve and change it your whole life long. He gives us the path and the way back to the father. When you ponder the areas of your life you need to correct as you readin scripture, recognize this, all those words are an invitation by God to remind you of the goodness God offers through His commands. As Jesus declared he is the way the truth and the life. You are full of goodness. Put aside any desperate search you have for trying to prove to others you are enough. God's love clearly demonstrates that. With that knowledge be encouraged and lifted up to shed those things that you know to be in opposition to God's will for you. In joy turn from those things back to the love of God and embrace the goodness he has and can clear out in your heart. 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 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 Final Question: If you consider the invitation and command to persevere in the faith, what change in your life does that bring to your mind? 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 11 And again, "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; let all the peoples extol him." 12 And again, Isaiah says, "The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope." 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

688 May the God of Hope Fill You With All Joy And Peace As You Trust In Him, A Guided Christian Meditation on Romans 15:11-13 with the Recenter With Christ app The purpose of this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and connect with the true source of peace, Jesus Christ. 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. Scripture for Meditation Romans 15 NIV 11 And again, "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; let all the peoples extol him." 12 And again, Isaiah says, "The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope." 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. NASB 11 And again, "Praise the Lord all you Gentiles, And let all the peoples praise Him." 12 Again Isaiah says, "There shall come the root of Jesse, And He who arises to rule over the Gentiles, In Him will the Gentiles hope." 13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Meditation on Scripture: Hope is such a valuable and beautiful thing that Jesus brings us. Sometimes it feels as though when we speak of hope that it is that we can have just enough hope to scrape by. As though we are about to fall apart and drop into despair and we scrape the bottom of the barrel to get just enough hope to survive. Instead the hope that Christ offers is not some leftover remnant but a fountain, a spring that flows up in us, through Christ. It can overflow hope within us by the power of the Holy Spirit. Ponder what role hope plays in your life. How much do you allow yourself to hope for? What things do you most strongly hope for. What would you consider as the most important thing to hope in? The hope that God offers is not necessarily the same thing we prioritize. The hope of God is not always the things we would hope for, it is far more important. THe hope of God is an eternal hope. When the struggle of this life has passed far into the rear view mirror, all those things will seem distant in comparison. At that time, we will consider our spiritual and eternal future as a child of God to be far more important. I remember attending a highly desired sporting event a number of years ago. The moment the event was over, tickets could be found on the ground thrown away. They had no value. Our current desires will seem far less important in thousands of years from now, but the things God prioritizes will remain of equal or perhaps even greater importance. The best part of this is that, in these eternal matters, the Holy Spirit can fill us with an overflowing hope in God's power. Ponder now for a moment the things that you hope in? 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 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 Final Question: If you consider the invitation and command to persevere in the faith, what change in your life does that bring to your mind? 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

Romans 15 NIV 8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God's truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed 9 and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written: "Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing the praises of your name." 10 Again, it says, "Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people."

686 Rejoice and Celebrate, O Gentiles, Along With His People, A Guided Christian Meditation on Romans 15:8-10 with the Recenter With Christ app The purpose of this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and connect with the true source of peace, Jesus Christ. 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. Scripture for Meditation Romans 15 NIV 8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God's truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed 9 and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written: "Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing the praises of your name." 10 Again, it says, "Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people." AMP 8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant and a minister to the circumcision (Jews) on behalf of God's truth, to confirm and verify the promises made to the fathers, 9 and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy [to them, since God had no covenant with them]. As it is written and forever remains written, "Therefore I praise You among the Gentiles, And sing praises to Your name." 10 Again it says, "Rejoice and celebrate, O Gentiles, along with His people." Meditation on Scripture: For people who have listened many times about God's chosen people we can get desensitized to how miraculous this is. If we are not careful we can get very comfortable with this idea such that it seems obvious. As though God had no other choice then to choose us. Equally spiritually dangerous is to feel like we somehow pulled a fast one on God and we snuck into the sheepfold some other way than through the door. With both these thoughts it is important for us to ponder and focus on the idea that God had no obligation to help us out of our fallen state other than the covenant He made for us, and to be clear, unless we are literally Jewish, we were not historically Gods chosen people. God decided to offer that to each of us based on His love. May we glorify Gods mercy. 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 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 Final Question: If you consider the invitation and command to persevere in the faith, what change in your life does that bring to your mind? 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

682 The Strong Bear The Infirmities of The Weak, A Guided Christian Meditation on Romans 15:1-4 with the Recenter With Christ app The purpose of this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and connect with the true source of peace, Jesus Christ. 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. Scripture for Meditation KJV 1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. 3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. 4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. NABRE 1 We who are strong ought to put up with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves; 2 let each of us please our neighbor for the good, for building up. 3 For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, "The insults of those who insult you fall upon me." 4 For whatever was written previously was written for our instruction, that by endurance and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. Meditation on Scripture: Many years ago as an impetuous young man I had some amazing advice given to me. "Be forgiving of those things that are weaknesses in others and just enjoy. Enjoy others. Enjoy life with others. In our modern world this message becomes confused and conflicted. When thinking of serving others we need not think about degrading ourselves. Think instead of unity in Christ. God was not lessened through Jesus Christ. The Grandeur of God was not destroyed on the Cross but it was demonstrated. Our goal is to submit to that same grandeur. To be swallowed up from our weakness to God's strength. Through Christ and through God's word, we can embrace a hopeful mindset. Embrace hope. Hope about an eternal future with God, but also an improved life here on earth in the form of unity with God. embrace the love of God and just enjoy. With God nothing is impossible. let each of us please our neighbor for the good, for building up. May we through patience and endurance rejoice in the victory of God over the sins of all those who trust in Jesus and truly turn to him for forgiveness and redemption. 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 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 Final Question: If you consider the invitation and command to persevere in the faith, what change in your life does that bring to your mind? 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

NABRE 1 We who are strong ought to put up with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves; 2 let each of us please our neighbor for the good, for building up. 3 For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, "The insults of those who insult you fall upon me." 4 For whatever was written previously was written for our instruction, that by endurance and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.

682 The Strong Bear The Infirmities of The Weak, A Guided Christian Meditation on Romans 15:1-4 with the Recenter With Christ app The purpose of this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and connect with the true source of peace, Jesus Christ. 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. Scripture for Meditation KJV 1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. 3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. 4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. NABRE 1 We who are strong ought to put up with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves; 2 let each of us please our neighbor for the good, for building up. 3 For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, "The insults of those who insult you fall upon me." 4 For whatever was written previously was written for our instruction, that by endurance and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. Meditation on Scripture: Many years ago as an impetuous young man I had some amazing advice given to me. "Be forgiving of those things that are weaknesses in others and just enjoy. Enjoy others. Enjoy life with others. In our modern world this message becomes confused and conflicted. When thinking of serving others we need not think about degrading ourselves. Think instead of unity in Christ. God was not lessened through Jesus Christ. The Grandeur of God was not destroyed on the Cross but it was demonstrated. Our goal is to submit to that same grandeur. To be swallowed up from our weakness to God's strength. Through Christ and through God's word, we can embrace a hopeful mindset. Embrace hope. Hope about an eternal future with God, but also an improved life here on earth in the form of unity with God. embrace the love of God and just enjoy. With God nothing is impossible. let each of us please our neighbor for the good, for building up. May we through patience and endurance rejoice in the victory of God over the sins of all those who trust in Jesus and truly turn to him for forgiveness and redemption. 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 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 Final Question: If you consider the invitation and command to persevere in the faith, what change in your life does that bring to your mind? 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

NABRE 47 When it was evening, the boat was far out on the sea and he was alone on shore. 48 Then he saw that they were tossed about while rowing, for the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them. 49 But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out. 50 They had all seen him and were terrified. But at once he spoke with them, "Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!" 51 He got into the boat with them and the wind died down. They were [completely] astounded. 52 They had not understood the incident of the loaves. On the contrary, their hearts were hardened. 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

NASB 43 and they picked up twelve full baskets of the broken pieces of bread, and of the fish. 44 There were five thousand men who ate the loaves. Jesus Walks on the Water 45 And immediately Jesus had His disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He Himself *dismissed the crowd. 46 And after saying goodbye to them, He left for the mountain to pray.

NIV 35 By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. "This is a remote place," they said, "and it's already very late. 36 Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat." 37 But he answered, "You give them something to eat." They said to him, "That would take more than half a year's wages[e]! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?" 38 "How many loaves do you have?" he asked. "Go and see." When they found out, they said, "Five—and two fish." 39 Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. 41 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. 42 They all ate and were satisfied,

ESV 30 The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 And he said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. 33 Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things 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

674 Come With Me by Yourselves To A Quiet Place And Get Some Rest, A Guided Christian Meditation on Mark 6:30-34 with the Recenter With Christ app The purpose of this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and connect with the true source of peace, Jesus Christ. 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. Scripture for Meditation ESV 30 The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 And he said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. 33 Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. NIV 30 The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. 31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." 32 So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. 33 But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. Meditation on Scripture: Jesus sent out the 12 Apostles, in fact the word apostle means one who is sent. Between them being send and their debrief with Jesus and each other, John the Baptist dies. I find the timing of these accounts to be fascinating. The role of John was to prepare the way of the Lord, to make straight his path and prophesy concerning the Messiah. At the time of his death, John had fulfilled his purpose. He had achieved the mission God had given to him. That timing lined up with the ministry of the Apostles. The way was declared prepared and the apostles went on missions. In subsequent verses. With that said this was likely emotionally difficult for Jesus. Not for lack of faith but due to the separation with John, someone who had supported him from within the womb. The apostles were reunited with Jesus and were telling all that they had done, and likely mourning John's death. I suspect that it was bitter in ways but also some beautiful stories were told of the miraculous things they had done. They had gone through a busy season of life. They were busy and taxed emotionally and were mourning John. They enjoyed meaningful time together and Jesus united them to a getaway. They didn't even have time to eat. As they were doing that and getting away, that is when they encountered a crowd and Jesus started teaching them because of compassion he held. I think this shows an important dichotomy. Jesus teaches that it is perfectly appropriate to seek time to calm down the stresses of life. Jesus invited them into a calm season, yet he also taught them that is we dont always get the downtime we need. This will compete with our care of others but there is a value in seeking that time. So ponder this, is it possible for you to arrange a "quiet place to get some rest" as Jesus said? 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 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 Final Question: If you consider the invitation and command to persevere in the faith, what change in your life does that bring to your mind? 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

ESV 27 And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John's head. He went and beheaded him in the prison 28 and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb. 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

672 John's Disciples Laid His Body in Tomb, A Guided Christian Meditation on Mark 6:27-29 with the Recenter With Christ app The purpose of this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and connect with the true source of peace, Jesus Christ. 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. Scripture for Meditation NASB 27 Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded him to bring back his head. And he went and beheaded him in the prison, 28 and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard about this, they came and carried away his body, and laid it in a tomb. ESV 27 And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John's head. He went and beheaded him in the prison 28 and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb. Meditation on Scripture: In the previous verses, Herods's wife and daughter skeemed to get John the Baptist killed. It was based on a grudge. It was based on offense. Herod's wife planned John's death because she was offended. As I was reading these verses it reminded me of the impact that John's death had on the early followers of Jesus and even Jesus himself. This was heavy news. It was a sign of the fact that those who followed the correct path were not saved from death and persecution. Yet the thing I found myself thinking about this time reading through it was the impact that this skeem had. Those actions to plan John's death obviously took the gift of life from John. This death was an unnecessary robbery of the potential of the human life of John. John, created in the image of God was robbed time on earth. This was certainly not a surprise to God, and it didnt stop God's plans but it was still wrong. Additionally not only was John killed but many people were racked with the grief and uncertainty that his death represented. The action based on her own pride resulted in a death and profound sadness to many people. It made me think about the impact of our actions. Our actions have an effect on other people. Sometimes people tell me proudly that they dont care what anyone else thinks about their actions. This misses the important way in which we all owe each other love, as Jesus said. Part of what makes certain actions wrong is if it harms others. Murder is wrong because of what it takes from others. Similarly it is wrong to be cruel to someone else. I dont mean sharing God's loving words of correction but to share spite, hate, jealousy, and other negativity is wrong also. Invariably there will be times when doing the right thing will bother others. That is not what I mean here. Clearly parents sometimes make their kids sad by correcting them and sinners that are invited to repentance are not always happy to do so. When we act we should ponder the effect it has on others. We should seek to represent what Jesus would do. 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 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 Final Question: If you consider the invitation and command to persevere in the faith, what change in your life does that bring to your mind? 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

NRSVA 20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. 21 But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. 22 When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, 'Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.' 23 And he solemnly swore to her, 'Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.' 24 She went out and said to her mother, 'What should I ask for?' She replied, 'The head of John the baptizer.' 25 Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, 'I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.' 26 The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. 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

670 Anything You Want I'll Give it To You, A Guided Christian Meditation on Mark 6:20-26 with the Recenter With Christ app The purpose of this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and connect with the true source of peace, Jesus Christ. 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. Scripture for Meditation NRSVA 20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. 21 But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. 22 When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, 'Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.' 23 And he solemnly swore to her, 'Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.' 24 She went out and said to her mother, 'What should I ask for?' She replied, 'The head of John the baptizer.' 25 Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, 'I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.' 26 The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. NKJV 20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly. 21 Then an opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee. 22 And when Herodias' daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, "Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you." 23 He also swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom." 24 So she went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?" And she said, "The head of John the Baptist!" 25 Immediately she came in with haste to the king and asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter." 26 And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her. Meditation on Scripture: Here we see additional complications of the convictions of Herod. This is not the same Herod who killed all the young children but this is the same Herod who refused to judge Jesus when Pilote asked Herod to judge him. He was confused by John but he listened to him. However, Herodias was offended by John. Despite that he put himself into a bid when he allowed his desire to rule. When he was pleased by the dance of thing younger woman he unwisely made a very unspecific deal. He wrote a blank check. It seems very clear that the thing that led him to this pronouncement was not the goodness of his heart or his desire for justice. It seems to be his physical lusts. How often are we drawn away from what we know to be good and true due to our desires. Those desires take many forms. Not everything that we feel a strong pull to, is good for us. This is a representation of the weakness of our human nature. Each person experiences different temptations of the flesh and yet, each of us have them. If we allow these things to rule our better judgment we can mortgage our morals to the temporary promise of pleasure. It is important to distinguish between finding beauty in God's world and temptation. Spend a moment now reflecting on how to prioritize finding beauty in God while rejecting carnal temptation. 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 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 Final Question: If you consider the invitation and command to persevere in the faith, what change in your life does that bring to your mind? 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 6 NIV 17 For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, whom he had married. 18 For John had been saying to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." 19 So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, 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

668 Herodias Nursed a Grudge Against John, A Guided Christian Meditation on Mark 6:17-19 with the Recenter With Christ app The purpose of this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and connect with the true source of peace, Jesus Christ. 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. Scripture for Meditation Mark 6 NIV 17 For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, whom he had married. 18 For John had been saying to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." 19 So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, NABRE 17 Herod was the one who had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married. 18 John had said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." 19 Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so. Meditation on Scripture: John the Baptist had gained a large following and he spoke the words of God. He prophesied about the coming of Jesus. In the womb he provided a visceral testimony of the nature of Jesus as the Son of God. John's whole ministry was to set the stage for the coming of the Messiah. He knew the law, which forbade Herod from taking his brother's wife after his own divorce. With that said, John did not say these things as a personal aggression against Herod or his wife Herodias. It was a condemnation of God. Herod was held by Rome to be the leader of Judea. John knew the influence this leader could have for good or bad. King Herod's relationship with Rome had challenging implications. He was powerful as to the things of the world, but many of the Jews saw him as a traitor, someone who was after personal gain by siding with the enemies of God. He did not remain faithful to the word of the Lord. Eventually he executed John the Baptist based on this condemnation but it bothered him. The people feared John, and it is hard to know what exactly Herod thought about John but the way scripture paints it the grudge that Herod's wife had was the primary drive that resulted in John's death. I find it interested the way it says Herodias nursed a grudge. Grudges can be so terribly destructive. To hold a grudge is in opposition to the life Jesus preached. We are meant to hate sin, to move toward what God would have of our lives, but not to nurture personal grievances. How would John's life have been different without this grudge? Scholars believe that him seeking a new wife was related to the defeat of Herod. In this way John's condemnation was adjudicated by an indirect means. The reality is when we think we get away with things in our heart we don't. How would the world be without grudges? How would our lives be different without grudges? As you have reflected on the grudge played out in this scripture, remember the temptation we all have to self vindication. The Lord says vengeance is His. Our role should be to seek the will of the Lord, not to seek the destruction of those who offend us. Just as Herods word would have been better without this nursed grudge, so too would each of our lives. Attempt to let go of any ill will you may harbor for others. 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 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 Final Question: If you consider the invitation and command to persevere in the faith, what change in your life does that bring to your mind? 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

ESV 14 King Herod heard of it, for Jesus' name had become known. Some said, "John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him." 15 But others said, "He is Elijah." And others said, "He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old." 16 But when Herod heard of it, he said, "John, whom I beheaded, has been raised." 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

666 Jesus Name Became Known, A Guided Christian Meditation on Mark 6:14-16 with the Recenter With Christ app The purpose of this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and connect with the true source of peace, Jesus Christ. 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. Scripture for Meditation Mark 6 NASB 14 And King Herod heard about it, for His name had become well known; and people were saying, "John the Baptist has risen from the dead, and that is why these miraculous powers are at work in Him."15 But others were saying, "He is Elijah." And others were saying, "He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old." 16 But when Herod heard about it, he kept saying, "John, whom I beheaded, has risen!" ESV 14 King Herod heard of it, for Jesus' name had become known. Some said, "John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him." 15 But others said, "He is Elijah." And others said, "He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old." 16 But when Herod heard of it, he said, "John, whom I beheaded, has been raised." Meditation on Scripture: When Herrod learned of the name of Jesus he did not seek to understand. He sought to preserve his own life. He feared the superstition of the power but he didn't honor it. Herrod looked at the name of Jesus in relationship only to his own life and propsperity. The name of Jesus is not meant to be interpreted and valued only based on our life. Doing so misses the Nature of God. Jesus is not a tool for us to use. We need to reject the human mindset that would objectify Jesus as Herrod did as a magic spell or specter. Instead the far better response is the one Peter gave. When Jesus asked the disciples who He was Peter proclaimed he was the Announred one, the Son of the Living God. Jesus is The Word made flesh not a convenient way we can sneak into heaven. When we think of the Name of Jesus it should be more than a magical word. It should be in reference to the presence of God. Not just on Sunday hidden in a silent building not just a God we choose to visit occasionally but one who we embrace into our hearts and seek our whole lives. The name Jesus Christ is a reflection of the presence of God on Earth. We should seek God with determination. We shouldn't seek the corruption of this world. Not to human schemes. Not to our own pride. As Peter said Jesus is the Messiah and the Son of the Living 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 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 Final Question: If you consider the invitation and command to persevere in the faith, what change in your life does that bring to your mind? 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

ESV 11 And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them." 12 So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. 13 And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them. 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

664 Shake The Dust Off Your Feet, A Guided Christian Meditation on Mark 6:11-13 with the Recenter With Christ app The purpose of this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and connect with the true source of peace, Jesus Christ. 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. Scripture for Meditation Mark 6 KJV 11 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. 12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent. 13 And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them. ESV 11 And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them." 12 So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. 13 And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them. Meditation on Scripture: I find this scripture to be interesting. Here the Apostles being sent out are given specific guidance to shake off the dust of their feet as a testimony against those who will not receive them. On one hand this makes complete sense. Since Jesus is the way back to the Father, anyone who does not receive that message will experience spiritual consequences. With that said there are other times when the Sons of Thunder, James and John were corrected for wanting to call down God's vengeance on those who did not receive them. Jesus rebuked them and said they didn't know what manner of spirit they were of. I find myself wondering, what is the difference? Was it a matter of timing? Is it a matter of commandment? Is it a matter of assuming the role of the person who doles out the justice of God. I think this is a duality that we are presented with as Christians. In some ways we are called to represent the truth of God, yet we must be cautious to not assume the role of judge. God is the judge. Going back to the scripture the very next verse says that the Apostles called people to repentance. Jesus is the source of being delivered from that judgment. Repentance is turning back to God for forgiveness. Each one of us shares the need before the Lord. Jesus is the source of repentance and our lives are improved and blessed spiritually by continually turning back to God and disciplining our hearts to God day by day. As we are asked to be a light on a hill, may we be a good representation of the Love and Grace that we receive from 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 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 Final Question: If you consider the invitation and command to persevere in the faith, what change in your life does that bring to your mind? 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 6 NIV 7 Calling the Twelve to him,he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits. 8 These were his instructions: "Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. 9 Wear sandals but not an extra shirt. 10 Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. 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

662 Jesus Gave Them Authority Over The Unclean Spirits, A Guided Christian Meditation on Mark 6:7-10 with the Recenter With Christ app The purpose of this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and connect with the true source of peace, Jesus Christ. 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. Scripture for Meditation Mark 6 NIV 7 Calling the Twelve to him,he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits. 8 These were his instructions: "Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. 9 Wear sandals but not an extra shirt. 10 Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. NASB 7 And He *summoned the twelve and began to send them out in pairs, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits; 8 and He instructed them that they were to take nothing for their journey, except a mere staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belt— 9 but to wear sandals; and He added, "Do not wear two tunics." 10 And He said to them, "Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave town. Meditation on Scripture: Jesus called the twelve and then within a relatively short amount of time he sent them off on missions to heal and preach. If Jesus wanted the smartest and most intelligent missionaries he could have trained them for many years. If he wanted to be seen as the one who did all the work he certainly could have yet he sent the 12. God could do all the things we are asked to do yet God called disciples. Yet the plan was not that things would be done by their power. There are things that God has called you to. God empowers His work. The things that are important in your life, you are not left to your own power to do. What things is God calling you to? Not what do you want to do but what does God call you to. 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 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 Final Question: If you consider the invitation and command to persevere in the faith, what change in your life does that bring to your mind? 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

Matthew 9 KJV 35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. NABRE 35 Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. 36 At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; 38 so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest." 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

660 Jesus Was Moved With Compassion on Them, A Guided Christian Meditation on Matthew 9:35-38 with the Recenter With Christ app The purpose of this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and connect with the true source of peace, Jesus Christ. 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. Scripture for Meditation Matthew 9 KJV 35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. NABRE 35 Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. 36 At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; 38 so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest." Meditation on Scripture: It can be easy to think how wonderful it would be if we could be there when Jesus taught. What would it be like to hear Jesus preaching in the synagogue for example. I find myself filled with curiosity about what that experience would be like. The Gospel of John says if all the things Jesus had done were written the world would not have room to contain the books. How many things did he teach to individuals in quiet moments when few were there, and nobody to write it. Yet this is an emotional response because that assumes that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is somehow insufficient. As if there is a certain secret that if we were to learn that one secret then we would be able to overcome the world. With the secret knowledge Jesus whispered in the night to someone, then we would be able to truly embrace God and His word. This mindset is certainly romantic but it misses the greater point that we have information enough to begin our walk with God, and in addition to that the guidance of the Holy Spirit can help us to grow in understanding. When Thomas believed after he had seen the risen Lord Jesus said even more blessed are those who have not seen yet still believe. Jesus had compassion on us through His love that he poured out on us, exemplified on the Cross. In some ways we may feel as though, because we didn't hear Jesus preach, that we are the ones without a shepherd or that we are the one abandoned, but that misses when we respond to the Call of Jesus' love, we are found. We are called to be laborers in his vineyard, to help bring others to know God. To show them through action, through love, and through word, how to approach the throne of mercy and to be found. As limited as our understanding as humans is, we have enough to be able to do that, and that is what God has asked of 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 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 Final Question: If you consider the invitation and command to persevere in the faith, what change in your life does that bring to your mind? 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 32 While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus. 33 And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel." 34 But the Pharisees said, "It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons." 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

658 Nothing Like This Has Ever Been Seen, A Guided Christian Meditation on Matthew 9:32-34 with the Recenter With Christ app The purpose of this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and connect with the true source of peace, Jesus Christ. Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Cont emplation 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. Scripture for Meditation Matthew 9 NIV 32 While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus. 33 And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel." ESV 32 As they were going away, behold, a demon-oppressed man who was mute was brought to him. 33 And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, "Never was anything like this seen in Israel." 34 But the Pharisees said, "He casts out demons by the prince of demons." Meditation on Scripture: We live in a world full of confusion, struggle and even downright spiritual darkness. There are times when it seems like we are surrounded by evil. At times this can be disconcerting. We can feel that there is an imbalance. Yet it is vitally important that we worship a God who will never lose to the darkness. Evil will not prevail. We worship a God who is always victorious. We gain victory by faithfulness to our almighty God. With that said, the world, and the evil in it, will not profess that miraculous power. Even when Jesus did things that had never been done and did miracles and signs it was not enough to convince some. They accused Him of being on the side of evil. Satan will attempt to call evil good and good evil. This is why it becomes increasingly important for us to focus on what God says, not what the world says. Jesus has power over evil and when we are faithful to God, God does things in our spiritual life that have never been done before. If we keep our eyes open to it we can gain increasing confidence in the miracle He is working in our life. 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 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 Final Question: If you consider the invitation and command to persevere in the faith, what change in your life does that bring to your mind? 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

Matthew 9 NIV 27 As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, "Have mercy on us, Son of David!" 28 When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" "Yes, Lord," they replied. 29 Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith let it be done to you"; 30 and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, "See that no one knows about this." 31 But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region. 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

656 It Shall Be Done According to Your Faith, A Guided Christian Meditation on Matthew 9:27-31 with the Recenter With Christ app The purpose of this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and connect with the true source of peace, Jesus Christ. Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Cont emplation 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. Scripture for Meditation Matthew 9 NIV 27 As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, "Have mercy on us, Son of David!" 28 When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" "Yes, Lord," they replied. 29 Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith let it be done to you"; 30 and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, "See that no one knows about this." 31 But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region. NASB 27 As Jesus went on from there, two men who were blind followed Him, crying out, "Have mercy on us, Son of David!" 28 And after He entered the house, the men who were blind came up to Him, and Jesus *said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They *said to Him, "Yes, Lord."29 Then He touched their eyes, saying, "It shall be done for you according to your faith." 30 And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, saying, "See that no one knows about this!" 31 But they went out and spread the news about Him throughout that land. Meditation on Scripture: In what way do we seek healing from the Master? When we notice weakness inside ourselves do we turn to God? The accounts of Jesus healing in scripture are plentiful. What do we most need healing from God. If we are not careful we can see these descriptions of healing as something nice Jesus did a long time ago. They are more than that. They are evidences of Gods ability to heal. The things we need healing from are more than physical. They can be psychological and emotional. We live surrounded by immorality. We may have habits or mindsets that we can seek healing from God. Similar to physical healing we do not dictate the timeline which God heals, but he will heal. As long as we come to Him and remain willing to shed anything that is in opposition tonGis plan for us, he will continuously refine our lives and heal us in every way. 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 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 Final Question: If you consider the invitation and command to persevere in the faith, what change in your life does that bring to your mind? 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

Matthew 9 NKJV 23 When Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd wailing, 24 He said to them, "Make room, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping." And they ridiculed Him. 25 But when the crowd was put outside, He went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26 And the report of this went out into all that land.

654 She Is Not Dead But Sleeping, A Guided Christian Meditation on Matthew 9:23-26 with the Recenter With Christ app The purpose of this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and connect with the true source of peace, Jesus Christ. Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Cont emplation 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. Scripture for Meditation Matthew 9 NKJV 23 When Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd wailing, 24 He said to them, "Make room, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping." And they ridiculed Him. 25 But when the crowd was put outside, He went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26 And the report of this went out into all that land. NRSVA 23 When Jesus came to the leader's house and saw the flute-players and the crowd making a commotion, 24 he said, 'Go away; for the girl is not dead but sleeping.' And they laughed at him. 25 But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. 26 And the report of this spread throughout that district. Meditation on Scripture: In our physical world, we tend to accept the reality with which we are offered. Even as we come to faith we battle with the physicality of the seemingly permanent realities before us. For example here Jesus says this girl is sleeping. He used the same language for Lazarus who was dead for four days before being raised. Jesus had a view of reality that was more real than the seemingly permanent effect of death. For him the effects of death were as temporary as sleep. The onlookers, the death mourners and the mourning musicians laughed him to scorn. Jesus knows the temporary nature of your struggles. As we come to see this world in the way God does, we can overcome the things in life that we may catastrophize. When tragedy strikes it can be easy for us to be overwhelmed but as we look to God and try and see the world in his way perhaps we can gain a little bit more of that perspective. Dont worry she is only asleep. The invitation to each of us is, trust God and He will care for our needs. Pour your heart out to him and trust him. Without a Godly view this was a preposterous, thoughtless thing to say. With a Godly view it was an invitation to hope. We are given the choice to view the world with a Godly view or a worldly one. Which view do we choose? 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 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 Final Question: If you consider the invitation and command to persevere in the faith, what change in your life does that bring to your mind? 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 20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: 21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. 22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour. 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