356 Entering in God's Day of Rest , A Guided Christian Meditation on Hebrews 4:8-11 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:

Hebrews 4

NRSV 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not speak later about another day. 9 So then, a sabbath rest still remains for the people of God; 10 for those who enter God's rest also cease from their labors as God did from his. 11 Let us therefore make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one may fall through such disobedience as theirs.

NABRE 8 Now if Joshua had given them rest, he would not have spoken afterwards of another day. 9 Therefore, a sabbath rest still remains for the people of God. 10 And whoever enters into God's rest, rests from his own works as God did from his. 11 Therefore, let us strive to enter into that rest, so that no one may fall after the same example of disobedience.

Meditation on Scripture:

Joshua helped deliver the people of Israel from their captivity in Egypt. He assisted them and helped lead them as they marched through the desert. He led them into the promised land God had promised them. And yet here, scripture states that this was not the rest that was the highest form of rest. To be delivered to a land prepared specifically for them is not the deliverance destined for the Messiah.

The Messiah came to deliver rest from our human weakness. He helps us overcome our weaknesses. This rest comes not by luxurious living according to the way of the world. We can be sitting on a fancy beach or along a mountain stream and be overwhelmed by the fear of this world and the fear of ourselves. God offers rest, true rest. How does He do this? He offers rest through trusting in Him.

Can we be at peace without truly believing that God will make everything turn out OK. Can we have rest when we feel that the current life situation we are in is permanent and there is no hope to change it? Are you in agreement with God about His ability to transform the things you think are so unmovable in your life?

Faith in God is not meant to be some abstract theology. It is meant to be a deep trust that moves us to action through the Spirit. As you enjoy the Sabbath day, resting from your labor, ponder how you trust God. Not if you are in alignment to facts of the life of Jesus, but if you trust God to be your redeemer.

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: What does the rest of the Lord look like?

Final Thought:

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