670 Anything You Want I'll Give it To You, A Guided Christian Meditation on Mark 6:20-26 with the Recenter With Christ app

The purpose of this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and connect with the true source of peace, Jesus Christ.

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.

Scripture for Meditation

NRSVA 20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. 21 But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. 22 When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, 'Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.' 23 And he solemnly swore to her, 'Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.' 24 She went out and said to her mother, 'What should I ask for?' She replied, 'The head of John the baptizer.' 25 Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, 'I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.' 26 The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her.

NKJV 20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly. 21 Then an opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee. 22 And when Herodias' daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, "Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you." 23 He also swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom." 24 So she went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?" And she said, "The head of John the Baptist!" 25 Immediately she came in with haste to the king and asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter." 26 And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her.

Meditation on Scripture:

Here we see additional complications of the convictions of Herod. This is not the same Herod who killed all the young children but this is the same Herod who refused to judge Jesus when Pilote asked Herod to judge him. He was confused by John but he listened to him. However, Herodias was offended by John. Despite that he put himself into a bid when he allowed his desire to rule. When he was pleased by the dance of thing younger woman he unwisely made a very unspecific deal. He wrote a blank check. It seems very clear that the thing that led him to this pronouncement was not the goodness of his heart or his desire for justice. It seems to be his physical lusts.

How often are we drawn away from what we know to be good and true due to our desires. Those desires take many forms. Not everything that we feel a strong pull to, is good for us. This is a representation of the weakness of our human nature. Each person experiences different temptations of the flesh and yet, each of us have them. If we allow these things to rule our better judgment we can mortgage our morals to the temporary promise of pleasure. It is important to distinguish between finding beauty in God's world and temptation. Spend a moment now reflecting on how to prioritize finding beauty in God while rejecting carnal temptation.

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

Final Question: If you consider the invitation and command to persevere in the faith, what change in your life does that bring to your mind?

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