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May 30, 2021

338 All Who Believed Were Together, A Guided Christian Meditation on Acts 2:42-47 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:

ACTS 2:42-47

NIV
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

ESV
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Meditation on Scripture:

I love scriptures that describe ways in which ancient Christians worshiped together. It seems clear that from the very early days of the faith, that meeting was crucial. This was true even when it posed great risk to the people, if they were discovered. They met in homes in secret. Why did they risk so much to gather together? Because they followed inspired teachings on how much gathering benefits us as humans. We are fallen and prone to sin. When we join together in intention and worship we inspire each other. We learn that people can try really hard and still fail, just like us.

Clearly there will not be a test to get into heaven where church attendance has some relevant score. Much more important is the notion of why God asked us to gather in the first place. In the story where the shepard goes after the one lost sheep, we often consider that person to be someone else or some long past version of us. God’s goal for us to is to help transform us into a more holy version of ourselves through His grace. When we drink in the refreshing water of communal worship of the Almighty God it inspires us to continue along the path with the other 99 sheep. The Shepherd is still inviting us by the still waters and to the green pastures. The more important truth is forgiveness of sin and redemption but God’s grace doesn't stop there. It transforms us by submission to His guidance.

Together we are stronger. You will strengthen others and be strengthened in return, all while being exposed to the weaknesses of other humans. If you have gotten away from communal worship in person, I invite you to pray to find a meaningful way to do that.

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 more clearly walk with the 99 and help the other sheep from becoming lost?

Final Thought: God’s plan was meant to try us and to push us to rely on Him.

FIND ME ON:
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Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com
Voicemail - (602) 888-3795
Email: jared@christianmeditationpodcast.com
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