Latest / Growing Closer to God with Guided Meditation / The Power of Praise | Why Am I Here Series | #209

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The Power of Praise | Why Am I Here Series | #209 · Growing Closer to God with Guided Meditation

• 0:05
  Pastor Robert Young: Welcome to this week's Guided Christian Meditation.
• 0:08
  Pastor Robert Young: If you're new to the podcast and may not understand our process, then check out episode number 164.
• 0:17
  Pastor Robert Young: Dan and Sheila from the Deep Dive give an excellent review and explanation about our process.
• 0:26
  Pastor Robert Young: You can also receive our e-book explaining the process of getting started with Christian meditation.
• 0:34
  Pastor Robert Young: Contact us in the description box below.
• 0:40
  Pastor Robert Young: Today let's continue in our series called why Am I here?
• 0:46
  Pastor Robert Young: Our topic today answers this question and is about praise, praise being the outward expression through words of adoration, music and more.
• 0:59
  Pastor Robert Young: Our scripture is from Hebrews, chapter 13, verse 15.
• 1:07
  Pastor Robert Young: But first, proper worship of God requires us to be completely involved and free from sin in mind, body and spirit.
• 1:19
  Pastor Robert Young: Let's prepare our hearts by repenting of any known sin that might be in our lives, by simply repeating Psalms 51, verses 1 and 2, which says, have mercy upon me, o God, according to thy lovingkindness, according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies, blot out my transgressions, wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity and cleanse me from my sin, for I acknowledge my transgressions and my sin is ever before me Against thee.
• 2:08
  Pastor Robert Young: Thee only have I sinned and done this evil in thy sight.
• 2:22
  Pastor Robert Young: Now that our soul has been cleaned, we can enter into worship of our Heavenly Father by focusing on Psalms 100, verses 1 through 3, where it tells us to shou to the Lord, all the earth.
• 2:42
  Pastor Robert Young: Worship the Lord with gladness, come before him with joyful songs.
• 2:48
  Pastor Robert Young: Take a moment to lift up your voice in praise and thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father, who is worthy of all honor and glory.
• 3:08
  Pastor Robert Young: Before we start to reflect on Hebrews, chapter 13, verse 15, let's prepare our minds by closing our eyes and taking a few deep breaths as we invite the presence of God to fill us.
• 3:25
  Pastor Robert Young: Take a few deep breaths in for a count of seven.
• 3:30
  Pastor Robert Young: Hold the breath for a count of five and slowly exhale for a count of seven.
• 3:37
  Pastor Robert Young: Repeat the exercise.
• 3:56
  Pastor Robert Young: Now let's prepare our bodies with muscle relaxation exercises.
• 4:02
  Pastor Robert Young: We will simply tense each muscle group for three seconds and then release the muscle and, as always, don't hold your breath for this portion of the meditation.
• 4:16
  Pastor Robert Young: Let's begin with the calf muscles.
• 4:18
  Pastor Robert Young: Lightly tense for three seconds, now release.
• 4:23
  Pastor Robert Young: Moving upwards to the hamstrings, the quads and glutes, lightly tense for three seconds, now release.
• 4:38
  Pastor Robert Young: Moving to the chest and back area, lightly tense for three seconds, now release.
• 4:48
  Pastor Robert Young: Finally, moving to the arms and shoulders, lightly tense these muscle groups for three seconds, now release.
• 5:03
  Pastor Robert Young: Now that we've prepared our minds, our bodies and our spirit, let's begin to think about Hebrews, chapter 13, verse 15, where it says, by him, therefore, let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually.
• 5:27
  Pastor Robert Young: That is the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name.
• 5:34
  Pastor Robert Young: The word praise is used over 200 times in the Bible.
• 5:38
  Pastor Robert Young: It speaks of an outward expression of God's love for us, our love for Him, for His majesty.
• 5:48
  Pastor Robert Young: In Hebrews 13, 15, the writer is encouraging the church to give God the praise that he deserves by speaking of his goodness.
• 6:01
  Pastor Robert Young: Always, no matter what we are going through, we should give God the praise that he deserves.
• 6:09
  Pastor Robert Young: Being grateful and thankful to God keeps our focus on the one who can heal us and deliver us from all worldly troubles.
• 6:25
  Pastor Robert Young: Why would we not praise him for his goodness?
• 6:35
  Pastor Robert Young: Let's take three minutes to reflect on the following question.
• 6:38
  Pastor Robert Young: The question is, do I praise God in my tough times?
• 9:56
  Pastor Robert Young: .
• 9:57
  Pastor Robert Young: Repeat this affirmation now and for the next six days.
• 9:58
  Pastor Robert Young: Lord, I praise you for being loving and in control of my life.
• 10:03
  Pastor Robert Young: Again, lord, I praise you for being loving and in control of my life.
• 10:18
  Pastor Robert Young: Imagine someone asking you how have you been?
• 10:24
  Pastor Robert Young: Picture yourself saying God has been good to me.
• 10:30
  Pastor Robert Young: Now feel the joy bubble up inside of your body, knowing that God is pleased with you acknowledging Him in the presence of someone.
• 10:54
  Pastor Robert Young: Listen ,to this meditation daily until it becomes permanent in your spirit.
• 10:57
  Pastor Robert Young: Search out other scriptures that talk about praising God.
• 11:02
  Pastor Robert Young: Now, take five minutes to give praise for all the blessings in your life.
• 11:12
  Pastor Robert Young: Tell him how wonderful he is and remember, all the wonderful things that you and I could possibly say about God, no-transcript
• 16:33
  Pastor Robert Young: .