Latest / Growing Closer to God with Guided Meditation / Will You Reflect the Heart of Christmas? | Meditation from John 3:16
Transcript
- 0:05Pastor Robert Young: Welcome to this week's Guided Christian Meditation.
- 0:09Pastor Robert Young: Here we put aside all distractions to enter into God's presence and hear from God better and to allow the Holy Spirit to make us more like Christ.
- 0:24Pastor Robert Young: I'm your host, Pastor Robert Young, and thank you for allowing me to be your guide on this journey.
- 0:33Pastor Robert Young: If you're new to Guided Christian Meditation, then check out our episode 164 titled Getting Started in Guided Christian Meditation.
- 0:45Pastor Robert Young: Episode 164 explains the why and even the science of all of the stages of meditation that we practice.
- 0:57Pastor Robert Young: If you suffer from severe anxiety, depression, or trauma, psychotic episodes, or if you're in active addiction, then consult your physician before beginning this or any meditation practice.
- 1:19Pastor Robert Young: Our theme for this week is, "Will you reflect the heart of Christmas?" Our scripture for this week is from John chapter 3, verse 16, which says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
- 1:48Pastor 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.
- 2:04Pastor Robert Young: Confession prepares the heart for being in the presence of an Almighty God.
- 2:11Pastor Robert Young: Let's repeat the prayer that King David prayed in Psalms chapter fifty-one, verses one through four, which 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.
- 2:46Pastor Robert Young: For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
- 2:56Pastor Robert Young: Before we start to reflect on John chapter 3, verse 16, let's prepare our mind by calming our nervous system.
- 3:06Pastor Robert Young: Let's close our eyes and take a deep breath as we invite the presence of God to fill us.
- 3:14Pastor Robert Young: Now, take a deep breath in for a count of seven, hold the breath for a count of five, and release slowly for a count of seven.
- 3:25Pastor Robert Young: Repeat this breathing pattern two more times.
- 3:45Pastor Robert Young: Now, let's prepare our body by releasing any tension with muscle relaxation exercises.
- 3:55Pastor Robert Young: We will simply tense each muscle group for three seconds and then release the muscle.
- 4:02Pastor Robert Young: As we always say, don't hold your breath for this portion of the meditation.
- 4:09Pastor Robert Young: Let's begin with the calves.
- 4:14Pastor Robert Young: Lightly tense the calf muscles for a count of three.
- 4:18Pastor Robert Young: Now release.
- 4:21Pastor Robert Young: Moving upward to the hamstrings, quads, and glutes.
- 4:27Pastor Robert Young: Lightly tense for three seconds.
- 4:30Pastor Robert Young: Now release.
- 4:32Pastor Robert Young: Moving upward to the abdominals, chest, and back area.
- 4:37Pastor Robert Young: Lightly tense for three seconds.
- 4:40Pastor Robert Young: Now release.
- 4:42Pastor Robert Young: Finally, moving to the arms and shoulders.
- 4:48Pastor Robert Young: Lightly tense these muscle groups for three seconds.
- 4:52Pastor Robert Young: Now release.
- 5:01Pastor Robert Young: Now we can begin to enter into worship by repeating Psalms 100 verses 1 through 3, where it says, Shout for joy to the Lord all the earth.
- 5:13Pastor Robert Young: Worship the Lord with gladness, come before Him with joyful songs.
- 5:19Pastor 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, which says, Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth.
- 5:56Pastor Robert Young: Now that we've prepared our hearts, our minds, and our bodies, we can begin to reflect on John chapter three, verse 16, where it says, For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
- 6:26Pastor Robert Young: During this Christmas season, with all the preparations, the online shopping, the in-store shopping, and the busyness of it all, let's take a few minutes to remember and to reflect on the fact that God had mercy on us and loved the world so much that He gave His only Son to die for the sins of the whole world.
- 6:57Pastor Robert Young: Let's reflect on this love, this season starting today, and let it continue for the rest of our lives.
- 7:14Pastor Robert Young: Imagine as you and your family are opening presents or having Christmas dinner or entertaining guests or being entertained.
- 7:26Pastor Robert Young: See yourself joyfully starting the conversation about the real heart of Christmas, which is Christ's birth, and all that that means for the world.
- 7:43Pastor Robert Young: Feel the calming, gentle touch of the Holy Spirit giving you the confidence to start the conversation without judgment, but with joy and balanced excitement?
- 8:11Pastor Robert Young: Let's take five minutes to really reflect on the following questions.
- 8:18Pastor Robert Young: One, what specific, practical way can I get this conversation started?
- 8:26Pastor Robert Young: Two, am I reluctant to start this conversation?
- 8:33Pastor Robert Young: If so, why?
- 8:35Pastor Robert Young: Three, how important is starting this conversation.
- 13:42Pastor Robert Young: After pondering the reflection questions, is there anything that you need to ask God to help you with?
- 13:51Pastor Robert Young: If so, take another minute to do it now.
- 13:56Pastor Robert Young: He's ready to forgive and to strengthen you.
- 15:20Pastor Robert Young: Repeat the following affirmation now, and for the next 7 days:
- 15:20Pastor Robert Young: thank you, Lord, for the strength and confidence to start this conversation about your great love for humanity. Again, thank you, Lord, for the strength and confidence to start this conversation about your great love for humanity
- 15:40Pastor Robert Young: Our assignment.
- 15:41Pastor Robert Young: Listen to this meditation daily until it saturates your soul. Follow up with the daily devotion and reflection questions about this subject. As you reflect on God's goodness and mercy, your soul will begin to ignite with desire for more of God's presence and the confidence to share it with loved ones.
- 16:09Pastor Robert Young: Amen.