364 Build Upon A Rock, A Guided Christian Meditation on Matthew 7:24-27 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:

Matthew 7 NIV 24 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

NRSV 24 "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. 25 The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its fall!"

Meditation on Scripture:

So many different compelling challenges are in front of us that at times we can be swept away by the fear and strain they cause. There is so much to draw us away from the peace of God, too much to list here. I find it interesting that in this story there is a recommendation that we build on a solid foundation. Why does that matter if it is not meant to rain on the righteous. Good people have storms come at them as well. For this reason Jesus says we need to start with a solid foundation. Belief in Christ as our savior is the foundation. Christ himself is the chief cornerstone.

After the foundation we must build. What do we build with? The things Jesus has asked us to do. If we want to be safe from the storms of life we need to do what Jesus asks us to do. Not because that will cause us to escape them, but that it will allow us to weather them. We do not need to fear the collapse of our soul or character if we constantly strive to do what Jesus asks us to do, and he does ask us to follow Him.

With that said, if we follow Christ's commandments without really trusting in Him or having our faith founded on Him then our house is weak. What things do you know that you need to be doing more of in your life? What things do you need to be doing less of? These are the ways in which we build our house through Christ. Ponder on what things those are.

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 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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