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Spiritual Gifts And Church Unity | 1 Corinthians 12 | Full Meditation · Growing Closer to God with Guided Meditation

• 0:16
  Pastor Robert Young: Welcome, friends, to this week's Guided Christian Meditation.
• 0:19
  Pastor Robert Young: I'm Your host, Pastor Robert Young, and thank you for allowing me to be your guide on this journey.
• 0:26
  Pastor Robert Young: Here we put aside all distractions to enter into God's presence and to hear from God better and to allow the Holy Spirit to make us more like Christ.
• 0:39
  Pastor Robert Young: If you're new to the podcast, or if you're not a believer, then I'd like to suggest that you check out episode 164 that talks about the who, what, and the why of all of the stages of meditation that we practice.
• 0:57
  Pastor Robert Young: If you suffer from severe anxiety, depression, or trauma, psychotic episodes, or if you're an active addiction, then please consult your physician before beginning this or any meditation practice.
• 1:15
  Pastor Robert Young: If you're not filled with the Holy Spirit, then this process will not apply to you.
• 1:23
  Pastor Robert Young: In fact, our whole podcast only applies to those who have repented, confessed, and accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior.
• 1:33
  Pastor Robert Young: If you haven't done this, then repeat this prayer of salvation with me now.
• 1:41
  Pastor Robert Young: Father, I want and desire a fellowship with you.
• 1:47
  Pastor Robert Young: I know that my sins have separated me from having a full relationship with you.
• 1:54
  Pastor Robert Young: I know that I can only have that relationship with you by acknowledging, accepting, and believing in Jesus' redemptive work on the cross.
• 2:06
  Pastor Robert Young: Now I repent of my sins.
• 2:11
  Pastor Robert Young: I receive Jesus as my Savior.
• 2:14
  Pastor Robert Young: And I receive your forgiveness and Holy Spirit.
• 2:17
  Pastor Robert Young: Thank you, Lord.
• 2:19
  Pastor Robert Young: Our theme for this week is coming from the book of 1 Corinthians, chapter twelve.
• 2:35
  Pastor Robert Young: But first, according to the scriptures, God requires us to be completely involved and free from wrongful acts in mind, body, and spirit.
• 2:49
  Pastor Robert Young: Confession prepares the heart for being in the presence of Almighty God.
• 2:55
  Pastor Robert Young: Let's begin by repeating the prayer that King David prayed in Psalms 51, verses 1 through 4, where it says, Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving kindness, according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies, blot out my transgressions, wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
• 3:24
  Pastor Robert Young: For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
• 3:31
  Pastor Robert Young: Before we start to reflect on our verse for today's meditation, let's prepare our mind by closing our eyes and taking a deep breath as we invite the presence of God to fill us.
• 3:54
  Pastor Robert Young: First, we're going to take a deep breath in for a count of seven through our nostrils.
• 3:59
  Pastor Robert Young: Then we're going to hold the breath for a count of four and slowly release through our mouth for a count of seven.
• 4:08
  Pastor Robert Young: Let's begin.
• 4:10
  Pastor Robert Young: Again.
• 4:18
  Pastor Robert Young: Now, let's prepare our bodies by releasing any tension with muscle relaxation exercises. We will simply tense each muscle group for three seconds and then release the muscle. As I always say, don't hold your breath for this portion of the meditation.
• 4:52
  Pastor Robert Young: Let's begin with the calf muscles.
• 4:56
  Pastor Robert Young: Lightly tense the calf muscles for a count of three.
• 5:01
  Pastor Robert Young: Now release.
• 5:04
  Pastor Robert Young: Moving upward to the hamstrings, quads, and glutes.
• 5:09
  Pastor Robert Young: Lightly tense for three seconds.
• 5:12
  Pastor Robert Young: Now release.
• 5:15
  Pastor Robert Young: Moving upward to the abdominal, chest and back area.
• 5:21
  Pastor Robert Young: Let's lightly tense those muscles for three seconds.
• 5:25
  Pastor Robert Young: Now release.
• 5:28
  Pastor Robert Young: Last, moving to the arms and shoulders.
• 5:33
  Pastor Robert Young: Lightly tense these muscle groups for three seconds.
• 5:37
  Pastor Robert Young: Now release.
• 5:40
  Pastor Robert Young: Friends, now we can begin to enter into worship by repeating a verse from the book of Psalms where it says, Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
• 5:58
  Pastor Robert Young: Worship the Lord with gladness, come before him with joyful songs.
• 6:04
  Pastor Robert Young: Let's take a moment to lift up our voice in praise and thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father, who is worthy of all honor and glory, by repeating Psalms chapter 8, verse 9, that says, Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth.
• 6:28
  Pastor Robert Young: Now that we've prepared our mind, our bodies, and our spirit, let's begin to examine and reflect on First Corinthians chapter twelve.
• 6:49
  Pastor Robert Young: Imagine the Corinthian church gathered for worship.
• 6:55
  Pastor Robert Young: The room is alive with energy.
• 6:58
  Pastor Robert Young: Some people speak with remarkable wisdom.
• 7:02
  Pastor Robert Young: Others pray boldly.
• 7:04
  Pastor Robert Young: Some exercise gifts of healing, others quietly serve behind the scenes.
• 7:11
  Pastor Robert Young: Yet a question hangs in the air.
• 7:14
  Pastor Robert Young: Which gift is most important?
• 7:18
  Pastor Robert Young: Paul answers by shifting their focus away from the gifts and back to the giver.
• 7:26
  Pastor Robert Young: He explains that the Holy Spirit distributes a variety of gifts to believers.
• 7:32
  Pastor Robert Young: Some receive wisdom, others knowledge, some receive faith, others healing, and yet others miracles, prophecy, discernment, tongues, or even interpretation of tongues.
• 7:47
  Pastor Robert Young: The gifts are different, but they all come from the same spirit and are given for the common good, not for personal status.
• 7:58
  Pastor Robert Young: Then Paul paints one of the most beautiful pictures in all of Scripture.
• 8:04
  Pastor Robert Young: The body of Christ.
• 8:06
  Pastor Robert Young: Imagine a human body arguing with itself.
• 8:11
  Pastor Robert Young: Imagine the foot saying, Because I'm not a hand, I don't belong.
• 8:17
  Pastor Robert Young: Imagine an ear saying, Because I'm not an eye, I'm not important.
• 8:22
  Pastor Robert Young: Meanwhile, the eye looks at the hand and says, I don't need you.
• 8:28
  Pastor Robert Young: Paul says this is exactly how some Christians think.
• 8:32
  Pastor Robert Young: Some feel insignificant because their gifts seem less visible.
• 8:38
  Pastor Robert Young: Others become prideful because their gifts receive more attention.
• 8:43
  Pastor Robert Young: But God designed the body differently.
• 8:48
  Pastor Robert Young: Every part matters.
• 8:51
  Pastor Robert Young: The hidden parts matter, the visible parts matter, the strong parts matter, the weak parts matter.
• 8:59
  Pastor Robert Young: When one member suffers, the whole body suffers.
• 9:04
  Pastor Robert Young: When one member is honored, everyone rejoices.
• 9:09
  Pastor Robert Young: Paul's message is clear.
• 9:12
  Pastor Robert Young: You are not meant to do everything.
• 9:15
  Pastor Robert Young: You are meant to do your part.
• 9:18
  Pastor Robert Young: The church is healthiest when every member embraces their God-given role and uses their gifts to serve others rather than elevate themselves.
• 9:34
  Pastor Robert Young: The chapter ends by encouraging believers to eagerly desire the gifts that strengthen the church while preparing them for an even greater truth in chapter 13.
• 9:45
  Pastor Robert Young: Friends, with this in mind, let's take five minutes to reflect on the following questions:
• 9:56
  Pastor Robert Young: 1. How does God's distribution of different gifts reveal His wisdom, creativity, and care for His people? 2. What part of God's character is displayed by creating a body where everyone belongs and everyone matters? 3. How can I use my gifts more intentionally to strengthen others?
• 15:41
  Pastor Robert Young: Repeat this affirmation now and throughout your day: God has uniquely gifted me for His purpose. I belong in the Body of Christ, and my gifts matter. I will use what God has given me to serve others and glorify Him.
• 15:57
  Pastor Robert Young: Our closing prayer: Lord God, thank you for making me a part of your family and for giving me gifts through your spirit.
• 16:16
  Pastor Robert Young: Lord, help me to stop comparing myself to others and to embrace the role you have designed for me.
• 16:25
  Pastor Robert Young: Show me how to use my gifts to build up your church, to encourage others and reflect your love.
• 16:35
  Pastor Robert Young: Father, teach me to value every member of the body of Christ and to serve with humility, gratitude, and joy.
• 16:46
  Pastor Robert Young: May your spirit work through me for the good of others and for your glory.
• 16:53
  Pastor Robert Young: Amen.