Aug 12, 2018

Bible verse for meditation:KJV 30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
What does this scripture mean to you?Has it had a different effect this reading as compared to times past?How does this scripture make you feel?
Continue breathing deeply as you ponder this meaning.
Meditation on scripture / bible verse meditation:
This scripture is known as the story of the good Sameritain. In the verses that are right before it. There is a lawyer tempting Jesus asking what he has to do to inherit the earth. He states to Jesus the same that he had heart Jesus tell others were the two greatest commandments: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.” Jesus answers saying, this do, and thou shalt live. To justify himself the man continues by asking who his neighbor is. Jesus’ response was even more meaningful because of the long-standing relationships between the Samaritans and the Jews that we talked to in episode 63.
When I read this scripture I think about how amazing this level of care and love is. It both reassures me of how we can care for each other but I also realize how profoundly I don’t live up to what Jesus is really asking. It is hard to truly devote ourselves so fully to every person who could be considered our neighbor. On the flip side, it is amazing to be so well cared for. I imagine that this is what heaven would feel like. Often when we think of Heaven we consider that it will be filled with people who will be willing to serve each other so purely. Jesus taught that the The Kingdom of Heaven is brought to earth by heavenly actions inspired by the Love of God. As we love God and each other we bring. When we place self righteousness, fear, or anything else above Love, we truly are not living the way of the kingdom of heaven. 
May this story inspire us to recommit to each other that we will serve and love each other as well as to love and serve God. 
Meditation of Prayer:
Pray as directed by the Spirit.Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him.
Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm:I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. 
Meditate and Visualize Positive Change in Your Life:Implement the kind of change you want to see in your life.  Length, Intensity, Modality, Freshness, 

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Final Question: Who is your neighbor? Try to put deep thought into it. Who is your neighbor?
Final thought -I hope that God blesses you. I was thinking about the hours I spend on this podcast. My former economics mind got curious and I added up the opportunity cost. I spend several hours each episode for over a year which adds up to nearly 10 thousand dollars. I then divide that by the number of downloads it means that for each listener It costs me less than a dolar to reach you. Compared to the good samaritan story that return on investment is pretty amazing. It warmed my heart to know that I could be a small blessing in your life. Just as the traveling man who has fallen by the road each of us have struggles at times. I pray that the healing balm of God’s love and His word will heal your heart. It is the hard times that allow the greatest blessings in service and will yield the greatest improvements in us. May we be thankful to God for them.
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