Christian Meditation Podcast

468 A Shadow of Good Things to Come, A Guided Christian Meditation on Hebrews 10:1-4 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain. My purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to connecting with God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: NIV Hebrews 10:1-4 1 The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. 2 Otherwise, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. 3 But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins. 4 It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. NKJV 10 For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins. Meditation: During the Old Testament times animal sacrifice was a major part of the worship of the one true God. It was a recognition of the people's need for God. The Law of Moses, which came from God, commanded it. Yet even as God laid out that plan there was a plan to replace animal sacrifice with the true sacrifice of Christ. Recently I have been thinking about changes and new things. That brought me to this scripture. The Law then was pointing to something much greater. It pointed to a relationship with the Messiah, with Jesus Christ who will build us perfectly as our hearts are changed. Whatever relationship you have with God, it is only a shadow of the beauty to come. We won't understand that until we see what He makes of us. When we die and our bodies are perfectly restored and reunited with loved ones and Christ. Only then will we truly understand what good things he spoke of. 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 Updates: Final Question: How can you live consistent with the cleansing power God offers you? This week I performed a funeral for a family from Africa. The amount of family that was physically present was not that large but there were many friends who were just as close as family in some ways and their presence and comfort was amazing. Final Thought: FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

ESV 18 I said in my heart with regard to the children of man that God is testing them that they may see that they themselves are but beasts. 19 For what happens to the children of man and what happens to the beasts is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath, and man has no advantage over the beasts, for all is vanity. 20 All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return. 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

466 All Have The Same Breath, A Guided Christian Meditation on Ecclesiastes 3:18-20 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain. My purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to connecting with God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: ESV 18 I said in my heart with regard to the children of man that God is testing them that they may see that they themselves are but beasts. 19 For what happens to the children of man and what happens to the beasts is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath, and man has no advantage over the beasts, for all is vanity. 20 All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return. NABRE 18 I said in my heart: As for human beings, it is God's way of testing them and of showing that they are in themselves like beasts. 19 For the lot of mortals and the lot of beasts is the same lot: The one dies as well as the other. Both have the same life breath. Human beings have no advantage over beasts, but all is vanity. 20 Both go to the same place; both were made from the dust, and to the dust they both return. Meditation: This scripture addresses the aspect of our humanity that is animalistic. Sometimes when we hear of scientific analysis of humans being animals we resist. We remember scripture that calls us children of God. Yet this scripture points out an incredibly valuable thing. Without God and His spirit all is pointless. With God's influence to redeem and purchase us, we have infinite worth as children of God. When I address deep breathing, or relaxation in this podcast it is with this in mind. Relaxation is not saving us. It doesn't purge our sin. It can, however, help us get out of God's way in showing us a better way. For example I was reading a book called the oxygen advantage. The book outlines how breathlessness is almost always not a shortage of oxygen but an overabundance of CO2. Oddly enough CO2 in our blood dilates our veins as well; it chemically helps oxygen travel to the brain, organs and muscles. So the point is to learn to do breath holding exercises to get better at managing higher levels of CO2 in the blood to help us stay oxygenated and more calm. None of that will change the content of your soul. It is valuable in fitness and reduction of anxiety but will not take away our sin. So the moral of the story is that we can manage that part of us that is similar to the animals but we should learn to rely on God to cleanse our soul as we draw near to our Savior. May we have success firstly in joining with Christ, then learning tricks and tips to help our earthly experience be calmer and avoid all the suffering we can. 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 Updates: Final Question: How can you live consistent with the cleansing power God offers you? This week I performed a funeral for a family from Africa. The amount of family that was physically present was not that large but there were many friends who were just as close as family in some ways and their presence and comfort was amazing. Final Thought: FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

2 Corinthians 6 NIV 11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. 12 We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. 13 As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also. 14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 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

464 Be Equally Yoked, A Guided Christian Meditation on James 2:6-10 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain. My purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to connecting with God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: 2 Corinthians 6 NIV 11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. 12 We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. 13 As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also. 14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? NRSVA 11 We have spoken frankly to you Corinthians; our heart is wide open to you. 12 There is no restriction in our affections, but only in yours. 13 In return—I speak as to children—open wide your hearts also. 14 Do not be mismatched with unbelievers. For what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness? Or what fellowship is there between light and darkness? Meditation: A yoke is the cross bar that is used between two beasts of burden. If a person wants to connect two animals to carry a weight they put the yoke across their shoulders and then the burden is connected to the yoke. If the animals are going in two different directions then they will not move the yoke forward and do any meaningful work. Paul makes a comparison between faith and a yoke. For those who accept Christ as their Savior and Lord should be attempting to move in the direction Christ commands. It is Christ that equally yokes us. He guides the balance of the burden We should be yoked with those headed in the same direction as we are. This is not to say that we should treat others unkindly. This is not to say that those who have not yet received the truth of Christ should be avoided. The Command Christ recaptured in the second great commandment says we should love one another with all our hearts. This is what leads to a desire to share God's word with others. Our goal then is to build fellowship with people who can help us craft a better future. It is hard to move to a better future while denying the existence of God or the truth of the Gospel. During the last few years so many people have become detached from meaningful fellowship. Many people have become unyoked with anyone or settled for relationships that are not moving in the direction they want to go. May God inspire and direct our hearts to find more fellowship with others headed in the same direction as where we want to go spiritually. May we focus on how to build more meaningful fellowship in our relationships. 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 Updates: Final Question: How can you live consistent with the cleansing power God offers you? This week I performed a funeral for a family from Africa. The amount of family that was physically present was not that large but there were many friends who were just as close as family in some ways and their presence and comfort was amazing. Final Thought: FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

James 2 NIV 6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong? 8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

Ezekiel 36 NIV 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. 28 Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God. 29 I will save you from all your uncleanness. I will call for the grain and make it plentiful and will not bring famine upon you.

460 I Will Give You A New Heart, A Guided Christian Meditation on Ezekiel 36:26-29 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain. My purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to connecting with God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: Ezekiel 36 NIV 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. 28 Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God. 29 I will save you from all your uncleanness. I will call for the grain and make it plentiful and will not bring famine upon you. NABRE 26 I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put my spirit within you so that you walk in my statutes, observe my ordinances, and keep them. 28 You will live in the land I gave to your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God. 29 I will deliver you from all your impurities. I will summon the grain and make it plentiful; I will not send famine against you. Meditation: I love this scripture. I do, however, often read it in isolation, apart from the preceding verses. God promises to give us a new heart and to place a new spirit within us. He will remove the heart of stone. When viewed in the context of the whole scripture this is referring to God restoring Israel after its captivity into Babylon that we saw in the previous episode. God said he did that for the sake of His own name. He also makes it clean that the people must Choose God. This seems to imply that God is not going to do involuntary heart surgery. It is directly tied to our willingness to yield to the commandments of God. The New Testament gives more insight into deeper truths about having the Spirit with us. As we become aware of how complicit we are in our own sin, we can then apply the healing balm of Gilead and help Christ in to clean up the mess in our own heart. The first step is to become willing to change toward what God wants, accept Christ's redemptive power to transform us, then we are ready to change. There is an important question to ask ourselves first. When we read of the redemption of collective Israel it can be very valuable to consider the state of our own heart. Do we want God to actually remove our sin? Many times there are parts of our sinful nature that we secretly hold onto. We may be dishonest with ourselves or perhaps we just maintain guilty pleasures. Do you want to change in the same way God wants you to change? 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 Updates: Final Question: How can you live consistent with the cleansing power God offers you? This week I performed a funeral for a family from Africa. The amount of family that was physically present was not that large but there were many friends who were just as close as family in some ways and their presence and comfort was amazing. Final Thought: FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

Ezekiel 36 NIV 22 "Therefore say to the Israelites, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: It is not for your sake, people of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone. 23 I will show the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Sovereign Lord, when I am proved holy through you before their eyes. 24 "'For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. 25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. 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

458 For The Sake of My Holy Name, A Guided Christian Meditation on Ezekiel 36:22-25 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain. My purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to connecting with God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: Ezekiel 36 NIV 22 "Therefore say to the Israelites, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: It is not for your sake, people of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone. 23 I will show the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Sovereign Lord, when I am proved holy through you before their eyes. 24 "'For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. 25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. NRSVA 22 Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. 23 I will sanctify my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them; and the nations shall know that I am the Lord, says the Lord God, when through you I display my holiness before their eyes. 24 I will take you from the nations, and gather you from all the countries, and bring you into your own land. 25 I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. Meditation: Many times when we hear of the great acts that God has done for us we hear that God did them for us. We hear powerful professions of the Love of God. The inriquit and eternal plan he has made. We know of his intentions to save us before the foundations of the Earth we laid. He sent his Son to die for us because he loved us. These are powerful ideas. They are rooted in the truth of the gospel. God loves us. This is undeniably true. We love him because he first loved us, a scripture says in 1 John 4:19. Yet in our comfortable moments when we are overconfident of our own goodness we can be tempted to think that this is the only way it could be. The world tells us we deserve a life filled with happiness and ease, free of guilt regardless of what we do. Yet this misses a much more profound truth. God loves us, first because who God is, and in some ways, in spite of what we have been. This is far from a demeaning idea. It shows us our true value is not an argument of the situation of our birth, our past, the temptations that come into our hearts. Our value is determined by God. In the end of Ezekiel we read of prophecies where God will redeem Israel, for His Name's sake. It is because God's name is so valuable that we are able to be cleansed with God's water poured upon us. We can be cleaned from all our idols by Him. Yours and my salvation are therefore a matter of much more firm stuff than our own transitory identity. It is founded in the Name of God. In this moment invite Jesus Christ to guide your heart and be your savior. For the sake of His holy name he will cleanse you. 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 Updates: Final Question: How can you live consistent with the cleansing power God offers you? This week I performed a funeral for a family from Africa. The amount of family that was physically present was not that large but there were many friends who were just as close as family in some ways and their presence and comfort was amazing. Final Thought: FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: jared@christianmeditatio

2 Corinthians 7 NIV 9 yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. 10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11 See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. 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

Psalm 34 NASB 3 Exalt the Lord with me, And let's exalt His name together. 4 I sought the Lord and He answered me, And rescued me from all my fears. 5 They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces will never be ashamed. Final Thought: FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

452 The Whole Armor of God, A Guided Christian Meditation on Ephesians 6:14-17 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain. My purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to connecting with God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: Ephesians 6 KJV 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: NIV 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Meditation: In ancient times when men wore tunics, when they needed to move swiftly they would secure their tunic by grabbing the fabric between their knees and tying it to their belt. This would help them maintain their personal privacy as they moved quickly. It would help them guard their most sacred parts. This was called girding your loins. The truth is what protects the most hidden parts of who we are. If we are truthful we do not need to worry about being exposed. Feet represent movement and action. Blessed are the feet of those who bring the good news of the gospel. As we learn to trust in Christ, we become prepared to take action in life with a right understanding of our needs before him. May we always be ready to perform the actions of the Lord The shield is what protected the warrior from distant and nearby threats. Arrows could be deflected, and in closer combat, the shield made a frontal attack very difficult. So is our faith. As we maintain strong faith in Christ, it is extremely hard for the enemy to attack us, even from angles we don't currently see. Flaming darts from afar or swinging swords of those close by. Faith shields us against attacks to our trust in God. The helmet protects our intellect and understanding. Our mind must be surrounded by understanding of the ways of God. Imagine a bike helmet that only covered one side of the head. Salvation covers us entirely. It protects us from all that we think, all that we are. God's salvation protects the most vital parts of our identity. The only offensive weapon in the armor is the Spirit. We are not meant to be offensive in Christ's name but to speak truth, to live in meekness, and to ally with the Spirit which is what will be our only weapon to bring others to Christ. May we put on the whole armor 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 Updates: 2 MILLION DOWNLOADS Final Question: What role does the Word have in your life? This week I performed a funeral for a family from Africa. The amount of family that was physically present was not that large but there were many friends who were just as close as family in some ways and their presence and comfort was amazing. Final Thought: FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

NIV 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 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

450 Draw Your Strength From the Lord, A Guided Christian Meditation on Ephesians 6:10-13 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain. My purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to connecting with God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: NIV 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. NABRE 10 Finally, draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. 11 Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. 13 Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground. Meditation: Much of the focus of this podcast is focused on feeling the peace and calm of the Lord. We feel stresses in life, we feel overwhelmed at times and calming those stresses is important and I believe is a gift from God. Another aspect of overcoming the difficulties of life is by strengthening us. We do not need to clear all difficulties in life in order for us to rise up to life. We can draw our strength from the Lord. God has supreme power. He offers us His armor. As we learn to draw on His strength, we put on His armor. Imagine now that God's armor covers your heart, your mind, and your value. Spend a moment with the idea of God's armor covering you. Weakness is not something we need to entertain. Christ taught us to be meek. In the original languages that had more of a meaning that we bridle our ferocity. We intentionally move toward acting the way God would choose for us, not because we are weak, but because we do not fear the world. We trust in His armor and are not attacked by the empty threats of what the world can do to us. The world cannot control our value, or our eternal destiny. God's armor can shield us from this. It can shield us from the weakness and sin of this world. This is one version of God's strength. His strength allows us to live out our purpose. I think this is an incredibly valuable thing to embrace. We do not need to embrace weakness in order to be true followers of Christ, quite the opposite. We embrace strength. We embrace an ability to do hard things. We embrace overcoming the world. This is all done through Him. This is the grace of God playing out 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 Updates: 2 MILLION DOWNLOADS Final Question: What role does the Word have in your life? This week I performed a funeral for a family from Africa. The amount of family that was physically present was not that large but there were many friends who were just as close as family in some ways and their presence and comfort was amazing. Final Thought: FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

NIV 1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

446 We Have Different Gifts, According to the Grace Given to Each of Us, A Guided Christian Meditation on Romans 12:4-8 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain. My purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to connecting with God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: Romans 12 NIV 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts,according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. NRSVCE 4 For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. 6 We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; 7 ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; 8 the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness. Meditation: In Christ we are to be united. This is not to say we all must be exactly the same, or that all aspects of people must be forced to be the same. That is clearly not the case even in this scripture. God, through His grace, has given different gifts. What are your gifts? What things does God's grace bring up in you? What gifts do you find yourself rejoicing for in others? Do you ever struggle to rejoice in the gifts of other people? Do you ever struggle to see the gifts of others? As I interact with different groups, I have seen vast differences in capabilities. I have some friends in ministry and they tend more towards compassion, I have other friends who are more intense in law enforcement and they have a different focus and set of gifts. I have other friends in science and engineering. Many different gifts can come together for the Glory of God. This includes many cultures as well. There is no one nation that represents God's culture. Yet with all the divisions that we make for ourselves, we can all be united in Jesus. We can all be united in the Love of God. We can be united in the way in which we attempt to live the example of Jesus. 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 Updates: 2 MILLION DOWNLOADS Final Question: What role does the Word have in your life? This week I performed a funeral for a family from Africa. The amount of family that was physically present was not that large but there were many friends who were just as close as family in some ways and their presence and comfort was amazing. Final Thought: FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

Bible verses for Meditation: John 5:6-10 NIV 6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

444 John as a Witness of Light, A Guided Christian Meditation on John 5:6-10 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain. My purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to connecting with God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: John 5:6-10 NIV 6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. KJV 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. Meditation: What does a witness do? What made John the Baptist a witness for Jesus? WHat things did he do to show that witness? I find it very interesting that the very beginning of the Gospel of John, before even knowing much about Jesus, that John is described. Importantly John's primary purpose was to witness the Coming of Christ into the world. He served and prepared the minds of the People. John the Baptist was likely not a well polished character. It says that we was considered a wild man. And yet this person is the one who was a witness for Christ, even the greatest witness. One of the Ten Commandments is thou shalt not bear false witness. We often shorten that to lying, which is a meaningful contribution but not exactly the same. Yet more specifically there are things that could go bad when people violate this law. In the times of the scriptures, great emphasis and care was placed on the witness testimony. Witnesses testimony was valued, additionally, due to the harsh context of those witness accounts being questioned, law and order would break down. How accurate those witness insights are they could decide someone's fate, both in ancient times and in modern times. 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 Updates: 2 MILLION DOWNLOADS Final Question: What role does the Word have in your life? This week I performed a funeral for a family from Africa. The amount of family that was physically present was not that large but there were many friends who were just as close as family in some ways and their presence and comfort was amazing. Final Thought: FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain. My purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to connecting with God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: Galatians 3:26-29 NABRE 26 For through faith you are all children of God in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendant, heirs according to the promise. ESV 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise. Meditation: This scripture is a continuation of the argument Paul is making that it is only through Jesus that we find salvation. He continues the thought by stating that through faith we are children of God, and as such we are all alike and equal. There is no place in heaven for arbitrary divisions of people. The variety of ways that we, as humans, divide ourselves will melt away in the presence of the Loving God. This includes race, nationality, cliques, congregations. Pause for a moment and consider how you distinguish your self from others. Do you feel excluded or do you exclude? Do you feel isolated, do you draw near to others. Do you isolate yourself from others due to discomfort or fear. In Christ we are not divided in such ways. Christ seeks to unify us by having us follow in His walk. To do the things he did, to do the things he told us to do, to follow as His sheep and accept Him as our Shepherd and Savior. Through Baptism we put on Christ. It is not saying that realities of our life disappear but it says that God values us and unites us together. As it says in John 17 that we may be one together as Jesus if one with the Father. What does that mean in your life? Are you missing the blessings of being unified with Jesus? What can you do to actively change that in your heart and behavior? Reflect for a moment what this means. 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 Updates: 2 MILLION DOWNLOADS Final Question: What role does the Word have in your life? This week I performed a funeral for a family from Africa. The amount of family that was physically present was not that large but there were many friends who were just as close as family in some ways and their presence and comfort was amazing. Final Thought: FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

Matthew 20:25-28 KJV 25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; 27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: 28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Final Thought: FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

Revelation 2 9 "I know your tribulation and poverty, but you are rich. I know the slander of those who claim to be Jews and are not, but rather are members of the assembly of Satan. 10 Do not be afraid of anything that you are going to suffer. Indeed, the devil will throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will face an ordeal for ten days. Remain faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 "'"Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The victor shall not be harmed by the second death."' Final Thought: FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast

438 I Know Your Tribulation, A Guided Christian Meditation on Revelation 2:9-11 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain. My purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to connecting with God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: Revelation 2 NABRE 9 "I know your tribulation and poverty, but you are rich. I know the slander of those who claim to be Jews and are not, but rather are members of the assembly of Satan. 10 Do not be afraid of anything that you are going to suffer. Indeed, the devil will throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will face an ordeal for ten days. Remain faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 "'"Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The victor shall not be harmed by the second death."' ESV "'I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.' Meditation: God knows the suffering of his people. Just as in this scripture God knew the suffering of his saints in ancient times, so he knows your struggles. He knows how the world will go after good. Yet we can live without fear. Regardless of what the devil does we do not need to fear. Much of our human worries are about things that we cannot control. In this moment give those fears over to the Lord. God has promised that those who trust in Him, those who come to Him, will be joint heirs with Christ. Regardless of our struggles we can remain faithful. Empowered by God we can do those things we need to do to overcome. We can embrace the peace of God. The Second death refers to spiritual death, or our separation from God. Those who place their trust in God will not be harmed by the second death. We will overcome this world. 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 Updates: 2 MILLION DOWNLOADS Final Question: What role does the Word have in your life? This week I performed a funeral for a family from Africa. The amount of family that was physically present was not that large but there were many friends who were just as close as family in some ways and their presence and comfort was amazing. Final Thought: FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

Matthew 12 NIV 46 While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. 47 Someone told him, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you." 48 He replied to him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" 49 Pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."

436 My Family is Whoever Does the Will of The Father, A Guided Christian Meditation on Matthew 12:46-50 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain. My purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to connecting with God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: Matthew 12 NIV 46 While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. 47 Someone told him, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you." 48 He replied to him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" 49 Pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother." NASB 46 While He was still speaking to the crowds, behold, His mother and brothers were standing outside, seeking to speak to Him. 47 Someone said to Him, "Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak to You." 48 But Jesus replied to the one who was telling Him and said, "Who is My mother, and who are My brothers?" 49 And extending His hand toward His disciples, He said, "Behold: My mother and My brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother, and sister, and mother." Meditation: This scripture has always been interesting and in some ways confusing to me. On its face it makes complete sense that Jesus prioritizes those who are obedient. He is teaching a fundamental point that God does not play favorites. In that sense, it is incredibly compelling as a way of changing our priorities and removing our human biases. It invites us to feel like even if we are not on the inside track or some special group, that God still loves us. On the other hand I find it confusing because of the many ways that Jesus speaks so highly of his mother and looks to ensure that she is cared for even at the Cross. The mighty Jehovah himself is the one that proclaimed honoring father and mother as one of the top ten rules, making the list of ten commandments. Additionally scripture does not shy away from showing the importance of Jesus's mother in the narrative. These two priorities seem to be at odds with each other. I also find it an interesting ballance in my own life. Personally, my family is extremely important to me. My mother is a special woman that I will forever be grateful for. I appreciate her goodness, kindness, and example in so many ways. In the words of Abraham Lincoln, All that I am or hope to be I owe to my angel mother. She raised me as a single mother and I owe her the world. Additionally I consider the role of my wife and her motherly influence on our children, and it is so profoundly meaningful to me. I prefer her to all others. Yet I also recognize that loving others is the second great commandment. Luckily these are not mutually exclusive commands and we can honor God by loving and honoring his children. 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 Updates: 2 MILLION DOWNLOADS Final Question: What role does the Word have in your life? This week I performed a funeral for a family from Africa. The amount of family that was physically present was not that large but there were many friends who were just as close as family in some ways and their presence and comfort was amazing. Final Thought: FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

NIV 4 Moses then wrote down everything the LORD had said. He got up early the next morning and built an altar at the foot of the mountain and set up twelve stone pillars representing the twelve tribes of Israel. 5 Then he sent young Israelite men, and they offered burnt offerings and sacrificed young bulls as fellowship offerings to the LORD. 6 Moses took half of the blood and put it in bowls, and the other half he splashed against the altar. 7 Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, "We will do everything the LORD has said; we will obey." 8 Moses then took the blood, sprinkled it on the people and said, "This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words." Final Thought: FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

434 Behold the Blood of the Covenant, A Guided Christian Meditation on Exodus 24:4-8 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain. My purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to connecting with God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: ESV 4 And Moses wrote down all the words of the Lord. He rose early in the morning and built an altar at the foot of the mountain, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel. 5 And he sent young men of the people of Israel, who offered burnt offerings and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen to the Lord. 6 And Moses took half of the blood and put it in basins, and half of the blood he threw against the altar. 7 Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it in the hearing of the people. And they said, "All that the Lord has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient." 8 And Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, "Behold the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words." NIV 4 Moses then wrote down everything the LORD had said. He got up early the next morning and built an altar at the foot of the mountain and set up twelve stone pillars representing the twelve tribes of Israel. 5 Then he sent young Israelite men, and they offered burnt offerings and sacrificed young bulls as fellowship offerings to the LORD. 6 Moses took half of the blood and put it in bowls, and the other half he splashed against the altar. 7 Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, "We will do everything the LORD has said; we will obey." 8 Moses then took the blood, sprinkled it on the people and said, "This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words." Meditation: Here Moses had already received the Ten Commandments and that is what he was presenting to the people. This represented a covenant or a testament between the law of God and the people. The people willingly agreed to follow the Law of God. They had been delivered from Egypt by the hand of God, quite obviously by the miracles of God and here God had laid out His rules. Yet even in the midst of what appears to be a straightforward promise there was sacrifice offered and the blood of that sacrifice was sprinkled on the people in the middle of this covenant or as some translations call it, testament. To our modern sensibilities it may seem an unexpected aspect of this kind of promise that a sacrifice and blood would be involved. Why was a sacrifice needed? Why the blood? Perhaps we could look to Leviticus where it lays out the different kinds of sacrifices and what the purpose of those sacrifices but they were to redeem fallen people in the face of an all powerful and perfect God. It is important to recognize the symbolism for all these sacrifices. The book of Hebrews points out that the sacrifices were a symbol of Christ. Similarly, the blood that was sprinkled on them was a symbol of the coming blood of Christ. Hebrews also points out that the old covenant or testament was incomplete without the New Testament or Covenant. The New Covenant or New Testament. Jesus says that the Covenant is played out in the last supper. Christ's plan all along has been fulfilled and now we stand as the beneficiaries of a covenant we don't deserve because God knew that we need his grace in our human weakness. We remember Christ, we honor the covenant that he made with us, that he would redeem us if we believe in him and pick up our Cross and follow him. 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 Updates: 2 MILLION DOWNLOADS Final Question: What role does the Word have in your life? Final Thought: FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.co

NIV 11 Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. 12 As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, "Don't cry." 14 Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, "Young man, I say to you, get up!" 15 The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother. 16 They were all filled with awe and praised God. "A great prophet has appeared among us," they said. "God has come to help his people." 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

432 I Say To You Get Up, A Guided Christian Meditation on Luke 7:11-16 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain. My purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to connecting with God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: NIV 11 Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. 12 As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, "Don't cry." 14 Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, "Young man, I say to you, get up!" 15 The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother. 16 They were all filled with awe and praised God. "A great prophet has appeared among us," they said. "God has come to help his people." ESV 1 Soon afterward[c] he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. 12 As he drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable crowd from the town was with her. 13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep." 14 Then he came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, "Young man, I say to you, arise." 15 And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus[d] gave him to his mother. 16 Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has arisen among us!" and "God has visited his people!" Meditation: What is the correct course for our lives? How do we know what the right way for our life is to be? Luke shares this experience where Christ dramatically changes the direction of this mothers life, and brings this young man back from the grave. How many people died during the time of Jesus and we don't have more than a couple examples where Jesus raised people from the dead. What is it that made the death of this young man special? The fact is that we do not fully understand the plan and way of God. Additionally the power that Jesus uses shows his absolute dominance over the limits of this world. The things we see as limitations are completely meaningless to Him. Yet with that said, those who follow Christ are in the same world and exposed to the same limits. Without the power of a supreme God we cannot escape those limits. The faithful are susceptible to human failings. The apostles were killed and died and Christ did not raise them in the mortal way. It is important to note that this is not referring to resurrection which is an essential gift God gave us through the resurrection of Christ. Resurrection is in the plan for each one of us. Imagine for a moment how wonderful it is to realize that we need not maintain a scarcity mindset regarding life. In other words we don't have to covet our own time and fear the inevitable loss due to mortality. If we celebrate stories like this how much more powerful is it to consider Christ resurrecting people by the millions or billions. God's power to undo the limits of our humanity can help us overcome the natural emotions that come from our mortality also. Ultimately it is God who controls this and we can learn to trust Jesus as our true savior both of body and spirit. 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 Updates: 2 MILLION DOWNLOADS Final Question: What role does the Word have in your life? Final Thought: FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

NIV 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is God's Messiah, the Chosen One." 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

NRSV 13 So they went and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal. 14 When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. 15 He said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16 for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God." 17 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, "Take this and divide it among yourselves;

428 The Last Passover Supper, A Guided Christian Meditation on Luke 22:13-17 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain. My purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to connecting with God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: Luke 22 NIV 13 They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. 14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15 And he said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God." 17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you. NRSV 13 So they went and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal. 14 When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. 15 He said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16 for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God." 17 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, "Take this and divide it among yourselves; Meditation on Scripture: During the lead up to Easter we look back to the things that happened during the last week of the life of Christ. One thing we often hear mentioned is the last supper, which was initiated right before Jesus' death. He gathered His apostles and gave them bread and wine in remembrance of His body and His blood. This was directly connected to the Passover meal. The last supper was a passover meal. This is incredibly significant. The passover meal's purpose was to remember how God saved the children of Israel when they were in bondage in Egypt. The Israelites painted lamb's blood on the doorposts of their homes and the final plague passed over them. This final plague is when Pharaoh finally agreed to let the Israelites free. The destroying angel lit Similarly, in the eyes of Christians, the death of Christ was the fulfillment of the practice of passover since it had been fulfilled.. Jesus says He would not eat or drink it again until it was fulfilled in the kingdom of God. When we partake of the Sacrament of last supper we should remember Jesus as the lamb of God creating an eternal passover, where his blood would spare us from the plague that would befall us due to our sinful actions. May we always remember him, and trust in the blood of the Lamb to save us from destruction. God loves us enough to have created this whole plan for us. The being that created you, is able to save you. Nobody is beyond his ability to forgive. May we place our faith in Christ this Easter Season, as we remember the events leading up to his death on the cross for you and for me, may we recognize that this was foretold from the very beginning. He loves you and offers you 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 Updates: 2 MILLION DOWNLOADS Final Question: What role does the Word have in your life? Final Thought: FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

NRSV 13 So they went and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal. 14 When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. 15 He said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16 for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God." 17 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, "Take this and divide it among yourselves;

426 Do Not Fear Those Who Can Only Kill the Body, A Guided Christian Meditation on Luke 12:4-7 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain. My purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to connecting with God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: NRSV 4 "I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that can do nothing more. 5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God's sight. 7 But even the hairs of your head are all counted. Do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows. ESV 4 "I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. 5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows. Meditation on Scripture: Life is full of opportunities to fear. Many times we call it by different names, anxiety, worry, even sometimes business. Does fear rule our hearts? Do we let worries of this world draw us away from the peace of Christ? Jesus said to not fear people who can only do things to your here on earth, the extreme example he gave is to not fear those who can only kill us. If anything we should fear God. Even so, he immediately tells of how God loves us far more than we deserve and to not be afraid because he values us more than sparro. Does God want you to be afraid? The scriptures say we should fear God but that generally means we should recognize his power and it is more about having awe for God. God does not want us to be afraid as he says here. We should have reverence for the Lord but God does not give us the spirit of fear but of Power and Love ane a sound mind. What are you afraid of? Is it something that you should fear? What can you do to learn to be less fearful of this world and trust in the Lord? 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 Updates: 2 MILLION DOWNLOADS Final Question: What role does the Word have in your life? Final Thought: FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

NRSV 12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. 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

424 That Which Happened Served the Gospel, A Guided Christian Meditation on Philippians 1:12-14 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain. My purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to connecting with God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: NRSV 12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. KJV 12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; 13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; 14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Meditation on Scripture: Paul experienced hardship. He was placed in jail for his testimony of Christ. He was beaten and stoned. He experienced hardship far beyond what he would have had he not followed Christ. To him this made sense to him. Instead of looking as his persecution as a as curse from God, he saw it as meaningful. He saw purpose in struggle. He saw that even though it was not what he would have chosen for himself, that some good and value came from his struggle. When hard things happen in our life it can be extremely meaningful if we find a Godly purpose. It is also challenging and can take us some time to see that purpose. Think now of the unexpected purposes connected to hard things you have gone through. 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 Updates: 2 MILLION DOWNLOADS Final Question: What role does the Word have in your life? Final Thought: FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

Romans 5:5-8 NIV 5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

422 To Be Spiritually Minded is Life and Peace, A Guided Christian Meditation on Romans 8:5-8 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain. My purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to connecting with God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: Romans 5:5-8 NIV 5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. NKJV 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Meditation on Scripture: What does it mean to be spiritually minded? What does it mean to live according to the flesh? The Glorious offer of Christ is that we can trust in Him as our savior, trust that he will take our sin, trust in Him and follow Him and our human weaknesses will be swallowed up. Our carnal human nature is hostile to God. We should not try and guard and protect our sin. We should not attempt to save a secret corner of our heart for sin, for the carnal ways of the flesh. So what do we do if we are assailed by carnal desires after we have received Christ? Even after we trust Christ, we are not free of temptation of carnal things, so what should we do about it? Draw unto God, confess it to Him. Confess our weakness to Him and not try and protect and guard our sin. We can turn our mind to Him in confidence and peace instead of angst and fear of the carnal. Think of a time recently when you were tempted. Did you reach out to God in peace and love or did you feel fearful or worse, did you enjoy the secret thought? The truth is that each of us are tempted to do things in contrast to what we know to be right, yet with God's help we can overcome that and we can learn to trust in the Spirit of God and embrace God's peace instead of giving in. Spiritual maturity comes as we learn to trust in God, and trust that he can cleanse us and change us.We must learn to approach God not as a resentful child who resentfully gives in to the idea of not sinning, but as a grateful mature person who places values the word of God as THE standard they wish to live their life by. 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 Updates: 2 MILLION DOWNLOADS Final Question: What role does the Word have in your life? Final Thought: FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

KJV Mark 4 36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. 37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 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

420 Carest Not That We Perish, A Guided Christian Meditation on Mark 4:36-38 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain. My purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to connecting with God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: KJV Mark 4 36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. 37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? NIV 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" Meditation on Scripture: When the storms in our life rage it can cause us to feel fear. We see the waves splashing and the wind blowing over our heads. We wonder why such storms are aloud to grow and build. Why was it that a storm came when Jesus was on board the ship? It may seem that when things are not smooth in our life that we are failing or worse that God is failing us. We can wonder as the apostles did, does He care if we perish? As If God would only allow us to live through challenges if he didn't care for us. This is a natural thought yet I think it demonstrates a misunderstanding of the purpose of our lives. We are not called to live carefree lives. What is important to know is that regardless of what we may perceive as the outcome in a given situation, God knows what it will do for us and to us. In this scripture Jesus saves them from the storm but not until it was nearly sinking the vessel. This caused them in the end to marvel at His greatness. 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 Updates: 2 MILLION DOWNLOADS Final Question: What role does the Word have in your life? Final Thought: FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

NIV 7 Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong—not so that people will see that we have stood the test but so that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. 8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9 We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is that you may be fully restored. 10 This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority—the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down. 11 Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

416 The Lord is My Light and My Salvation, In Whom Shall I Fear, A Guided Christian Meditation on Psalms 27:1-5 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain. My purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to connecting with God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: Psalms 27 ESV 1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. 3 Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. 4 One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. 5 For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. NABRE 1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? The Lord is my life's refuge; of whom should I be afraid? 2 When evildoers come at me to devour my flesh, These my enemies and foes themselves stumble and fall. 3 Though an army encamp against me, my heart does not fear; Though war be waged against me, even then do I trust. 4 One thing I ask of the Lord; this I seek: To dwell in the Lord's house all the days of my life, To gaze on the Lord's beauty, to visit his temple. 5 For God will hide me in his shelter in time of trouble, He will conceal me in the cover of his tent; Meditation on Scripture: At many points in our lives and in history we may find reasons to worry and fear. Aggression across the world. Hate and malice between people. Military action. There are times when our hearts may worry. We may feel as though we are in a losing conflict with the enemy of Good. Yet we know that the enemy will not win. We do know that on earth there will be tribulations but we also know we can trust the Lord. We can trust in our God. Spend a moment and reflect on placing your trust in God. David often talks about dwelling in the house of the Lord, yet he spent a great deal of his life on the run for his life. Dwelling in the house of the Lord does not always mean living in comfort, rather it is learning to confide in the Lord and find peace through God. If you notice yourself begin to fear, confide in the Lord. Trust that He rules all and will make all things right. He will hide us in His shelter. May God bless our world with peace and may he bless us with spiritual peace. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: 2 MILLION DOWNLOADS Final Question: What role does the Word have in your life? Final Thought: FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod