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Dec 15, 2019

188 God Loves a Cheerful Giver A Guided Christian Meditation on 2 Corinthians 9:5-8

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 contacting God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate.

Bible verses for Meditation:

NABRE
5 So I thought it necessary to encourage the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for your promised gift, so that in this way it might be ready as a bountiful gift and not as an exaction.
6 Consider this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
7 Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
8 Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work.

ESV
5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction.
6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

Meditation on Scripture:

As our lives become increasingly complex we can feel worn and defensive. I have heard numerous commercials about the need for people to get themselves Christmas presents. By no means do I want to suggest that buying things we need is misguided, I think the increasingly prevalent mindset of thinking of ourselves as the most deserving recipients of our own gifts is. In my experience the more we think about how we gain from a situation, the less effective we are at doing what is most important, to give our love and help to those who need it.

I will use a recent example. As many of you know I was at the Navy Chaplain school recently. I was there for a little less than 2 months. During that time I was stretched physically and organizationally. It was hard work but I made a decision early on to make every effort to make meaningful friendships with everyone I could and to treat them with the Love of God above all else. I gave up all goals of advancing my personal reputation in their eyes but instead focused on being supportive and caring.

At the end of the class I was voted by my classmates for the student leadership award because of this. I dont share this as a humble brag but because I have spent many hours trying to wrestle with this. It was a complete surprise to me. I removed recognition from my goals. I attempted to give others what they most need, love. During this Christmas season I want you to consider how you can give of what is most meaningful in your heart.

Meditation of Prayer:

Pray as directed by the Spirit.

Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him.

Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm:

I invite you to sit in silence feeling being 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 give more openly?

Final Thought: As we reflect on the purpose of Christmas we are reminded that we are truly celebrating light coming into the world. We celebrate the example of love offered by Jesus. Resist getting emotionally caught up in the expectations of this time of year and just enjoy those around you, even as you encounter their flaws up close nad personal. When this life is over and we are dead, none of the things we buy, give, and receive will make any difference. The thing that will make a difference is how we learned to relate to each other in love. As you take these deep breaths, let go of the fear of loving others. Let go of the apathy that holds you back from caring for others. Think in your mind how you can bless the lives of the humans who happen to be sharing the earth with you this day. Let us all join together in a spirit of loving companionship as we bless the poor with physical blessings, and bless everyone with the blessing of your warm affection.FIND ME ON:
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