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Jan 28, 2018

Begin by noticing your level of peacefulness. Try to focus on accurately noticing it and let go of a desire to force yourself to relax. There is no hurry to relax. Your body has started to unwind already and will continue to do so during this whole recording. Let go of any compulsion to feel relaxed and just let your body breathe and feel the points where you body touches your clothes and furniture. As you become aware of this you feel yourself resting deeper into this furniture through no effort of your own.  Through this process you notice your level of peacefulness is continuing to grow. Your breathing is getting more gentle and fulfilling. Your whole body fills will cleansing air and all excess tension is breathed out. Feel you calm as you prepare to listen to readings from God’s word. The verses today are very meaningful for so many people and I invite you to attempt to remain in this relaxed state during the reading and allow God’s word to you in this moment be unique. Pretend as though you have never heard this scripture. Bible verse for meditation:


Psalm 23

KJV

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Notice the similarities and differences in the translations presented. 

NIV

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.


What does this scripture mean to you?

Has it had a different effect this reading as compared to times past?


Continue breathing deeply as you ponder this meaning.
Meditation on scripture / bible verse meditation:


I have a deep connection with this Psalm. As an ICU chaplain I read this scripture over many people who were dying or dead. In many ways I felt that I walked through the valley of the shadow of death professionally. It is hard for me to fully read this scripture afresh and I am overcome with emotion when I think of it. In sickness, health, death and life, God is our Shepherd. Jesus leads us in this life and into the next.  I had a woman who emailed me the details of the tragic death of her husband. I was moved by her strength and reliance on the peace of God. Despite our love for God and His love for us, he allows us to deal with the sadness and pain of this life. Our pain is intimately connected to our love. This pain of loss is not always death. Sometimes its estrangement or just the normal distance of time. God understands the pain of separation for every reason. Moments before he raised Lazarus from the grave, He wept for the pain of Martha and others despite Him knowing His own power to raise him. God has not designed our bodies to be free of pain and sadness. This sadness teaches us of love and, if we bear it with patience can connect our hearts to others and to God. In this moment allow this calm feeling to remain as you consider what blessings are attributed to God in this scripture. Breath this in. 


Meditation of Prayer:Pray as directed by the Spirit.Pray now in a spirit of submission to Him.


Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm:

I invite you to sit in silence feeling the comfort and Love of God
Meditate and Visualize Positive Change in Your Life:This part is very important. It is no accident that scripture is so full of narratives. Our minds connect with narratives. Imagine a visualization of a Narrative of your life knowing the truths from this scripture.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:

I have a couple of things to say and then I have a final thought so stay with me to the end.

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

My wife mentioned to me that she would really enjoy a question be presented to continue reflecting on afterwords. Perhaps as a type of continued focus. 

This week’s question will be, “What in your life represents the still waters and how is God leading you to them?”I would love to hear your answer. You can do that by visiting my website ChristianMeditationPodcast.com and clicking the contact tab. 

Here is the Final thought:

Jesus is our Shepherd. We are compared to sheep because we need His constant guidance and protection. With God we truly need not want. Jesus repeatedly counseled us to give up the love of this world. As we do that He guides us on the path of the righteous and leads us to still waters and green pastures. As I have visualized the valley of the shadow of death it has always been dark and foreboding, but despite the pain associated with death this scripture teaches that God will be with us in that valley regardless how dark we think it is. Light will prevail as we trust in Him. and I say that in Jesus’ name Amen.

 

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