816 There went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, A Guided Christian Meditation on Luke 2:1-3 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

Luke 2

KJV
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

NIV
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

Reflection on Scripture:

With the coming of Christmas in several weeks I wanted to focus on the Birth of Christ. Luke 1 focuses on the foretelling of the birth of Jesus and the different testimonies of his divinity. Luke 2 here starts at an interesting spot. It begins with the Romans. This provides a very interesting question. Why did the Romans form the basis for the birthplace of Jesus? It seems that Jesus could have chosen to be born anywhere. He could have made it a deeply theological one as to where he was born, yet her the justification of why Jesus was born in Bethlehem came down to the decisions of Romans, who were gentiles, and were considered enemies to the people of God.

Interesting that God chose to fulfill prophecy this way. Just as interesting, why didn't He prophecy something else as to the birthplace? God can fulfill his purposes any way he chooses. We can look to. Just as in times of old, he can chose any means he wants to fulfil his word. Many times in our lives we become convinced that God will only answer things in a certain way, or that good things can only come from good things. Yet God uses the oppression of his people and the respective census to begin the story. God can use bad things in our lives to drive positive change. The real distinction for what makes something good or bad, has more to do with how it causes us to draw near to God. God may have a calling for you, wrapped up in a bad package. The thing that makes it from God is that it draws you to God's light and truth.

Ponder now for a moment the different challenges you face? Might those be opportunities for your story to transition. Might they be the beginning of a story God is forming in your life. The struggle is that you will not know that until it is far too late to act. We must first seek the Kingdom of God. Pursue God and understanding will come later.

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?

FIND ME ON:
Download my free app: Recenter with Christ
Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com
Voicemail - (602) 888-3795
Email: jared@christianmeditationpodcast.com
Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast
Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast
Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast
Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

RSV
39 Again they tried to arrest him, but he escaped from their hands. 40 He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John at first baptized, and there he remained. 41 And many came to him; and they said, "John did no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true." 42 And many believed in him there.

814 They Attempted Again To Seize Him, But He Escaped Their Clutches, A Guided Christian Meditation on John 10:39-42 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

NET
39 Then they attempted again to seize him, but he escaped their clutches. 40 Jesus went back across the Jordan River again to the place where John had been baptizing at an earlier time, and he stayed there. 41 Many came to him and began to say, "John performed no miraculous sign, but everything John said about this man was true!" 42 And many believed in Jesus there.

RSV
39 Again they tried to arrest him, but he escaped from their hands. 40 He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John at first baptized, and there he remained. 41 And many came to him; and they said, "John did no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true." 42 And many believed in him there.

Reflection on Scripture:

Imagine the ridiculous idea. A group of religious policemen go try and arrest the creator of everything on the earth they walked. When I read this I am overwhelmed by the irony of it all. Jesus on many occasions escaped capture. He would not go until his time came. Even when he was finally captured he did so knowingly. He even told Judas to betray him quickly. For us to assume that we can dictate God's plans is such a spiritually immature and damaging mindset.

Yet we are not above this mindset. We like to think we control our world. We like to feel empowered. In some ways this is something God has created within us. Our Godly drive to improve the world around us is good. If we are not careful we can get captured by the idea that we can bend God to our will. Equally unhelpful is that God wants to help us to do whatever we want. God wants our development and perfection and only he knows what it is.

With that said I do believe God wants us to learn to pursue good autonomously. Also I think he wants to empower us to engage with Him regarding our plans. I think this is drastically different than us being a law unto ourself and pursuing our own selfish desires and claiming it is what God wants. I believe that God wants us to reach out to him and plead for discernment regarding our lives. The goal should always be for us to seek God's will not to bend God's will to our own. I want you to ponder

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?

FIND ME ON:
Download my free app: Recenter with Christ
Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com
Voicemail - (602) 888-3795
Email: jared@christianmeditationpodcast.com
Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast
Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast
Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast
Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

KJV
34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;
36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?
37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.
38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.

812 Is It Not Written In Your Law 'I Have Said You Are Gods'?, A Guided Christian Meditation on John 10:34-38 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

NIV
34 Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your Law, 'I have said you are "gods"'? 35 If he called them 'gods,' to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be set aside— 36 what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, 'I am God's Son'? 37 Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father. 38 But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father."

KJV
34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;
36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?
37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.
38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.

Reflection on Scripture:

In some ways this feels like a challenge to our understanding. It seems wrong that Jesus said this. In defense of the accusations of blasphemy Jesus said the scriptures said ye are gods. I have seen a lot of commentary about this point and I don't mean to dig into deep meaning but Jesus' words are always important. Let's not miss an incredibly important idea. We are not holy. The natural human condition is not holy. To say humans are gods would be wrong and miss the point. What is it that makes men and women holy? It is the holy name of Jesus Christ. Just as there are no saintly people, the thing that makes someone a saint is the name of Jesus Christ. If we have taken upon us the name of Jesus then we can become holy.

Roman's says we are children, and as a result are heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. Our suffering does not make us holy. Our struggles in life do not clean us from sin and spiritually transform us. But through the suffering of Jesus does transform us. The suffering Jesus experienced on the cross is what makes us holy. That is what makes us join heirs.

We should trust in Jesus who has promised us all the Father has. We don't need to fear the accusations the people laid on Him. He said He is the Son of God. We can trust that. Jesus did not claim any authority that He did not deserve. You can believe the works He did. The healings of lepers, and healing the blind were attested to by so many witnesses. The greatest work of all was His atoning sacrifice. Trust that work. Trust that Jesus is allowed to offer you what He has offered which is salvation, forgiveness, healing, and eventually completion. Through His works you become holy.

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?

FIND ME ON:
Download my free app: Recenter with Christ
Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com
Voicemail - (602) 888-3795
Email: jared@christianmeditationpodcast.com
Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast
Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast
Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast
Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

ESV
31 The Jews picked up stones again to stone him. 32 Jesus answered them, "I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?" 33 The Jews answered him, "It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God."

810 For Which Of Those Works Do You Stone Me, A Guided Christian Meditation on John 10:31-33 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

ESV
31 The Jews picked up stones again to stone him. 32 Jesus answered them, "I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?" 33 The Jews answered him, "It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God."

NABRE
31 The Jews again picked up rocks to stone him. 32 Jesus answered them, "I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of these are you trying to stone me?" 33 The Jews answered him, "We are not stoning you for a good work but for blasphemy. You, a man, are making yourself God."

Reflection on Scripture:

Just previous to this, as we covered last week, Jesus had just claimed to be one with the Father. According to the law of Moses this was a clear example of Blasphemy which would be punished with stoning to death. The Jews then picked up rocks to throw at him to kill him. What an intense moment full of aggression. Instead of Jesus clarifying the faulty accusation of these people answered indirectly. He did not correct them that it was not actually blasphemy if He is one with the Father.

He responds about His works. He declared the good works he did and redirected the punishment of blasphemy as though his works would offset blasphemy. He then corrected that it wasn't the works for which they wanted to kill him but because he made himself God. The Irony is that Jesus was the only person who could equate Himself with God. Jesus standing before them was God. So in a direct sense it was not blasphemy. Jesus was making a statement about the intent of His works. They were meant to be a sign that He was the promised Messiah and the Son of God.

They said something wrong. You are a man and are making yourself God. If It is blasphemy for someone who is not God to call themselves God it seems like an equally great sin for the people to tell Jesus he was not God, when He was. Some sort of reverse blasphemy. The takeaway for us is that Jesus is who He claimed to be. He showed His power through His works that were witnessed by so many people and he chose to show those miracles and also to use those works as a demonstration that He was. Jesus didn't need the people to believe Him but He wanted to give them enough of a demonstration to be a testimony and witness.

Jesus is our saviour and He has the power to save. Everything that he said was true and came true. Most important of all is that He is one with the Father and also something super crucial for us is the Jesus loves us enough to prepare a plan to save us and offer that salvation to us. Embrace the love of Jesus and submit and trust your eternal future to His grace.

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?

FIND ME ON:
Download my free app: Recenter with Christ
Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com
Voicemail - (602) 888-3795
Email: jared@christianmeditationpodcast.com
Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast
Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast
Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast
Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

KJV
26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
30 I and my Father are one.