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Oct 8, 2017

 

One way to bring your focus to scripture is not with a spirit of fight but with a spirit of peace. A very effective way to do this is to become curious about your current moment. As an example is to observe your thoughts, feelings, and body tension. Another way to help your mind to find its way to scripture is to breathe deeply. Breathe deeply and it will help you relax. If you relax then it will be easier to untie your muscles. Realize that your body has breathed without your focus for years and years.  You have literally taken tens of millions of breaths in your life. You don’t need to force it now. Only allow you breathing to expand. Feel your breath and you don’t have to force yourself to breathe. Your brain is hardwired to relax when it breathes deeply. God has placed this bit of programming into your body. Feel your body relax as you breathe deeply. And as you relax, your body will un-tense. Allow the air to fill your stomach. Slowly filling your lungs with full tummy breaths. As you do that you realize that you can receive peace without conquering the world. We know that we can’t conquer the world but we worship a mighty God who has overcome the world. It is in the hollow of his hand that you breathe deeply now. You can feel his calming influence around you now. Keep breathing calmly as I read through the selected scripture.

Bible verse for meditation:

This scripture is in the gospel of John 14:25-28.

NKJV

25 “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you.

26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

28 You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I.

Ponder on this meaning. Continue sitting in the grace of God and allow this scripture and God’s message to reach your heart.

NABRE

25 “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you.

26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

28 You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I.

 

Meditation on scripture / bible verse meditation:

What does this scripture mean to you?

What stuck out to you as you focused on the scripture?

Jesus tells them, and us, that the Father will send the Helper… which is a name for the Holy Spirit. It is through the name of Jesus that it is sent. Only by the mission of Jesus and His holy name can we fully receive the Spirit. The Holy Spirit can be with us especially in our darkest times. He can do many things, and one thing that is highlighted here is that he will bring things to our remembrance. Specifically the words of God.

Is there a particular memory that is coming to you now? Don’t force it, but realize that this is one thing that the Helper can do.

Only after he says that these things will be brought to our remembrance, is when he states that he leaves His peace with us. The peace of God is not a trick. It is not something that we control. A dangerous notion is to perceive meditation, reflection, scripture study, or anything else to fully dictate the spirit of God. It is important to realize that only the sovereignty, or unilateral decisions of God, dictate His spirit. We should therefore not expect that any spiritual practice will yield exactly what we want and when we want it. We should do the things we feel are right, such as spend time in His word and in prayer, then wait and be patient for the time that He determines to. As we readjust our expectations to accept the sovereignty of God, we are more patient for His timing.

In this passage, the disciples were sad that he was going away. They should have rejoiced when he said that, but how could they? Without an understanding of the full and true message of Jesus, which they didn’t have, why would the rejoice? So it is with us. We do not have a bird’s eye objective view of our lives. Sometimes we have an expectation that Jesus will always stay with us, not realizing that this is not His plan. Only by accepting what God’s true plan is, will we be able to recognize His Spirit in our lives.

Meditation of Prayer:

Pray as directed by the Spirit.

Ask God for His Spirit to Rest on you.

Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm:

Imagine the Spirit of God resting on you and bringing things to your remembrance and bringing peace to your heart. Be patient.

Meditate and Visualize Positive Change in Your Life:

What things have been brought to your remembrance. How can you change based on what you have listened to? Find some concrete way that you can change today or tomorrow. Take a specific thing and visualize that change occurring in your life. Do you have the moment?

What will that change look like? Who will be there? How will you interact with them? Imagine the full scene, like a movie scene where you get to rehearse out your changed character in this one specific way.

Visualize blessing someone else:

Now visualize someone or a group of people who need this message. Imagine what their face would look like as they receive this scripture in their hearts. Imagine how you can share it with them.

Conclusion:

Print this scripture out and focus on it during the coming week, perhaps listening to this episode more than once.

I release a new episode of this every Sunday morning at 1 AM Mountain time in the US.

You can help someone feel the peace you experienced here by sharing this podcast with those you care about. You can get more information about my podcast by visiting my website ChristianMeditationPodcast.com.

 

Allow Jesus to call these things, and others you need, to your remembrance. Realize that if it is from God then it will be with the goal of helping your change and improve. If you feel guilty for past actions, spend the time repenting to God, realizing that he loves you so profoundly that he will help you and walk with you as you correct those things in your life. The evil one will try and bog you down in eternal and unending shame. Allow these memories to drive you along the way of Jesus and place your trust fully in Him. His scriptures teach that as we do this, we will feel of His peace as his eternally needed grace showers over us and helps us change, and become more sanctified through His Holy Spirit. May you experience His peace in your life as you make these changes is my prayer in Jesus name. Amen.

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