Christian Meditation for A Bigger Life with Pastor Dave Cover

Sometimes when I pray I just focus on the first line in The Lord’s Prayer -- “My Father in Heaven.” The order of The Lord’s Prayer is part of Jesus’s main point about prayer -- we need to focus first on who God is to us. And Jesus taught much about the God of this universe wanting us to come to him as our Father. And because Jesus rose from the dead, we can trust what he says is true. So sometimes I’ll just focus on that first line, Our Father in Heaven, as my prayer. Let me show you what I mean in this episode. Matthew 6:6-13 NIV But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. This, then, is how you should pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” Matthew 7:11 NIV If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! Matthew 6:25-27 NIV Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? Matthew 6:32-33 NIV For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 10:29-31 NIV Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Matthew 13:43 NIV Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear. Matthew 25:34 NIV Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. Ephesians 1:4–5 NIV For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will. Luke 10:21 NIV At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. Luke 12:32 NIV Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Luke 15:21-24 NIV The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. Luke 22:29 NIV And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, John 4:23-24 NIV Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the...

There are those times in your life when you really need God to answer your prayer. A crisis. An opportunity. A fork in the road. Something big is happening and only God can help! A crisis with a family member. A sudden health issue. Or finances. Or at work. There are a thousand things that can go “wrong” in the course of our lives. And it’s in those times we sense a stronger need to pray. Psalm 4 was one of those times for King David. This episode will discuss how David’s prayer gives us helpful direction in those anxious times. 

Psalm 4 ESV 1 Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer! 2 O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah Psalm 4:2 in the NAS is a better translation... How long will you love what is worthless and aim at deception? 3 But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him. 4 Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah 5 Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD. 6 There are many who say, “Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD!” 7 You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. 8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. 

1 Peter 5:7 NIV Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Philippians 4:6 NIV Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God

 Follow Dave Cover on Twitter @davecover. Like this content? Make sure to share it with others and leave us a rating, so others can find it too. To learn more, visit our website and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @TheCrossingCOMO. Social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo

1 Corinthians 15 is one of those quintessential Bigger Life chapters in the Bible. It’s where the apostle Paul reminds us of the core message of the gospel. It’s the bottom line Good News that our faith must be centered on if our faith is going to have any value whatsoever. And it centers on Jesus rising from the dead. If the gospel’s Good News centers on that, then so should our faith and the narrative of our lives. This episode will hear Paul explain why Jesus’s resurrection is ultimately the reason anything else matters. And why if Jesus didn’t rise from the dead, ultimately nothing matters. 

1 Corinthians 15:1–24 NIV 1 Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. 9 For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 11 Whether, then, it is I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed. 12 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. 20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. 24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 1 Corinthians 15:30–58 NIV 30 And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour? 31 I face death every day—yes, just as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord. 32 If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus with no more than human hopes, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” 33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” 34 Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame. 35 But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?” 36 How foolish! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. 37 When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or of something else. 38 But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to...

This is one of those psalms that David wrote in the context of fear, insecurity, and anxiety. Yours may not be as intense as David’s when he wrote this, but there are some phrases in this psalm that are calming and life-giving in any level of anxiety. This episode will discuss why and lead you in a time of prayer so you can take a deep breath and trust God instead of worry. Psalm 3 ESV A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. 1 O LORD, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; 2 many are saying of my soul, “There is no salvation for him in God.” Selah 3 But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. 4 I cried aloud to the LORD, and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah 5 I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the LORD sustained me. 6 I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. 7 Arise, O LORD! Save me, O my God! For you strike all my enemies on the cheek; you break the teeth of the wicked. 8 Salvation belongs to the LORD; your blessing be on your people! Selah Follow Dave Cover on Twitter @davecover.  Like this content? Make sure to share it with others and leave us a rating, so others can find it too. To learn more, visit ourhttps://www.thecrossingchurch.com/ ( website) and follow us onhttps://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( Facebook),https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/ ( Instagram), andhttps://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo ( Twitter) @TheCrossingCOMO. Social Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO) Instagram:https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( )https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/ (https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/) Twitter:https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo ( https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo) 

This is a kind of expanded version of the Lord's Prayer, where each line provides a meditative heading in order to guide your prayers. The goal is not just trying to get through this as if it’s a ritual. The purpose is meditation and prayer. The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4) Jesus says… Matthew 6:6, 9-13 (ESV) 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. ...9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” My Father in heaven You are my Father in Heaven, which defines who you are to me and who I am to you. You are my origin — You are my Creator — my Maker (Ps 139:13) — and I am created in your image of love, righteousness, and creativity. You are my Father in Heaven, which means I’m a child of Heaven (Phil 3:20). I exist because you created me and wanted me to exist (Ps 139:16; Rev 4:11) — you wanted “me” in your universe (Eph 1:4-5). I exist by you and for you and through you (John 1:3; Rom 11:36; Eph 2:10; Col 1:16). You are the Author of all life (Acts 3:15) — a bottomless fountain of living water (Jer 2:13), and there is no true good apart from you (Ps 16:2; Jam 1:17). You are intimately acquainted with every detail of my life (Ps 139:3; Matt 10:29-31; Lk 12:7) You are my Father who is present with me forever (Ps 23:4; Ps 118:6-7; Ps 139:7; Matt 6:6). You are “our Father” — You said, “It’s not good for the man to be alone” (Gen 2:18). I am created to live in the context of your redeemed community — so all followers of Christ are my brothers and sisters who are precious in your sight. Hallowed be your name Your name is the I AM (Exodus 3:13-15). You are the Eternal One. The Source of all existence. The Giver of all life. You are the I AM who is always 100% present with me without being any less present anywhere else in the entire universe. You are the I AM who is always in my present tense. Glorified by your name. Treasured above all else in my life be your name. Cherished more than anything or anyone else in my life be your name. Ultimate be your name in my soul, my heart, my loves and affections, my wants and desires, my mind and thoughts, and in my body. May your name be my greatest trust. I want to bear your name in holiness — I want my life to bring glory and honor to your name in my words, my relationships, my work, my… May your kingdom come Your kingdom is the true Shalom my heart longs for. I want to live for the coming your kingdom as my greatest hope and desire (Matt 13:44-45; Rom 5:2). May your kingdom come more and more in my mind and my heart and my life. I want to seek first your kingdom and your righteousness as my greatest possession (Matt 6:33). In your kingdom, the Forever God is my God forever (Rev 21:7). I am your temple right now on earth to faithfully represent your kingdom (2 Cor 6:16). May your will be done (on earth as it is in heaven) I exist by your will and for your will (Rev 4:11; Rom 11:36) True life, true joy, and true satisfaction are forever found only in your will, but every other will and everything else will be nothing in the end (Ps 16:11). Your will is the only will that is my good forever (1 Cor 2:7, 9). I trust in your will for my life. Not my will, but your will be done (as Jesus prayed in Lk 22:42).   Give me this day my daily bread Provide for me everything I need for today — every grace and mercy, every wisdom and skill, the money I need, the work I need, the relationships I need, the healing I need, and the protection I need. I cast all my anxieties and cares on

Jesus intended to put words in our mouth by giving us the Lord's Prayer. Praying the Lord's Prayer — out loud or meditatively in our hearts — is a way that Jesus gives us to “tune” our hearts to be in harmony more and more with the God who created this entire universe. Because this prayer comes directly from Jesus (who is God), we know that these phrases are the kinds of prayers God wants us to pray and that he wants to answer.

 The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4) Jesus says… Matthew 6:6, 9-13 (ESV) 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. ...9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” 

Follow Dave Cover on Twitter @davecover.

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We know that Psalm 41 was a prayer that Jesus meditated on and prayed often enough to quote from memory, because he does so In John 13:18. This prayer of David will help you pray the words Jesus himself often prayed, and specifically quoted before his death and resurrection as a sign to you that God delights in YOU. This episode will help you meditate on that, and lead you in a prayer to make it more real to you in your life. Psalm 41:4–13 ESV A Psalm of David 4 As for me, I said, “O LORD, be gracious to me; heal me, for I have sinned against you!” 5 My enemies say of me in malice, “When will he die, and his name perish?” 6 And when one comes to see me, he utters empty words, while his heart gathers iniquity; when he goes out, he tells it abroad. 7 All who hate me whisper together about me; they imagine the worst for me. 8 They say, “A deadly thing is poured out on him; he will not rise again from where he lies.” 9 Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me. 10 But you, O LORD, be gracious to me, and raise me up, that I may repay them! 11 By this I know that you delight in me: my enemy will not shout in triumph over me. 12 But you have upheld me because of my integrity, and set me in your presence forever. 13 Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting! Amen and Amen. Jesus quotes v. 4 in John 13:18–19 NIV “I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill this passage of Scripture: ‘He who shared my bread has turned against me.’ I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am who I am.” Follow Dave Cover on Twitter @davecover.  Like this content? Make sure to share it with others and leave us a rating, so others can find it too. To learn more, visit ourhttps://www.thecrossingchurch.com/ ( website) and follow us onhttps://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( Facebook),https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/ ( Instagram), andhttps://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo ( Twitter) @TheCrossingCOMO. Social Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO) Instagram:https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( )https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/ (https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/) Twitter:https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo ( https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo)