802 There Will Be One Fold, and One Shepherd, A Guided Christian Meditation on John 10:16-18 with the Recenter With Christ app

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

Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. You can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tense 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

KJV 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. 17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

ESV 16 I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again. This command I have received from my Father."

Reflection on Scripture:

In a world filled with so much conflict and warring theologies, philosophies and ideologies, it is crucial to remember that Jesus declared there is one fold of God. There is only one Shepherd. He gathers His sheep. If there is any message that is needed by the world it is the words of Jesus. The world becomes more challenging as more people abandon what Jesus said, and turn their trust to other things to form their personal ethics. In the absence of the word of God as the direction humans are left to cling to whatever floating driftwood of values they find in society. Many people grasp to ideas they hear and allow those ideas to form how they see themselves. Earthly ideologies replace heavenly theologies. The truth is though that there is one Shepherd that decides what your identity is. The perspective of the world does not change that. The philosophies of the world cannot provide a better foundation for how people should exist with each other than to know we are all the same sheep. We are all lost without our Shepherd.

That Shepherd is master of life and death. Jesus descended from Heaven to gather his flock. He taught powerful truths about how to live and what He expects of us. He taught us how to trust and how to seek God's spirit. He chose to lay down His own life in the great culmination of His earthly ministry. He gave His life. He laid it down. Nobody could take it from Him. God allowed for the people to crucify Him. God allows for people to make evil choices but never stops calling for people to leave their sin. He sent his Apostles into all the world to preach the gospel because there are other sheep yet we are all to be part of one flock and all this was God's plan from the beginning. You are meant to be united with all God's children. Our highest priority should be to live the way Jesus would have us live, even when we exist in the world. Do not allow the sin of the world to discourage you. God will be victorious. God's purposes will be worked even through the incorrect choices we all make on earth. Trust in the Lord and he will lead you to His 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 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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