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Romans 4 & 5: Stop Striving And Receive The Peace Christ Gives | Full Meditation · Growing Closer to God with Guided Meditation

• 0:15
  Pastor Robert Young: Welcome, friends, to this week's Guided Christian Meditation.
• 0:19
  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.
• 0:34
  Pastor Robert Young: I'm your host, Pastor Robert Young, and thank you for allowing me to be your guide on this journey.
• 0:43
  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, the what, and the why of all of the stages of meditation that we practice.
• 1:02
  Pastor Robert Young: If you suffer from severe anxiety, depression, or trauma, psychotic episodes, or if you're in active addiction, then please consult your physician before beginning this or any meditation practice.
• 1:20
  Pastor Robert Young: If you're not filled with the Holy Spirit, then this process will not apply to you.
• 1:29
  Pastor Robert Young: In fact, our whole podcast only applies to those who have repented, confessed, and accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior.
• 1:41
  Pastor Robert Young: If you haven't done this, then repeat this prayer of salvation with me now.
• 1:47
  Pastor Robert Young: Father, I want and desire a fellowship with you.
• 1:54
  Pastor Robert Young: I know that my sins separate me from having a full relationship with you.
• 2:02
  Pastor Robert Young: I know that I can only have that relationship with you by accepting, acknowledging, and believing in Jesus' redemptive work on the cross.
• 2:15
  Pastor Robert Young: Now, I repent of my sins, I receive Jesus as my Savior.
• 2:22
  Pastor Robert Young: I receive your forgiveness and Holy Spirit.
• 2:26
  Pastor Robert Young: Thank you, Lord.
• 2:29
  Pastor Robert Young: Our scripture for this week is coming from the book of Romans, chapter four and chapter five.
• 2:46
  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.
• 2:59
  Pastor Robert Young: Confession prepares the heart for being in the presence of Almighty God.
• 3:07
  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.
• 3:37
  Pastor Robert Young: For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
• 3:45
  Pastor Robert Young: Friends, before we start to reflect on our verse for today's meditation, let's prepare our minds by closing our eyes and taking a deep breath as we invite the presence of God to fill us.
• 4:07
  Pastor Robert Young: First, take a deep breath in for a count of seven, hold the breath for a count of four, and slowly release for a count of seven.
• 4:18
  Pastor Robert Young: Let's begin.
• 4:20
  Pastor Robert Young: Now, let's prepare our bodies by releasing any tension with muscle relaxation exercises.
• 4:52
  Pastor Robert Young: We will simply tense each muscle group for three seconds and then release the muscle.
• 4:58
  Pastor Robert Young: Don't hold your breath for this portion of the meditation.
• 5:02
  Pastor Robert Young: Let's start with the calf muscles.
• 5:06
  Pastor Robert Young: Lightly tense the calf muscles for a count of three.
• 5:10
  Pastor Robert Young: Now release.
• 5:12
  Pastor Robert Young: Moving upward to the hamstrings, quads, and glutes.
• 5:18
  Pastor Robert Young: Lightly tense for three seconds.
• 5:21
  Pastor Robert Young: Now release.
• 5:24
  Pastor Robert Young: Moving upward to the abdominals, chest, and back area.
• 5:31
  Pastor Robert Young: Lightly tense for three seconds.
• 5:33
  Pastor Robert Young: Now release.
• 5:36
  Pastor Robert Young: Last, moving to the arms and shoulders.
• 5:40
  Pastor Robert Young: Lightly tense these muscle groups for three seconds.
• 5:44
  Pastor Robert Young: Now release.
• 5:47
  Pastor Robert Young: Friends, now we can enter into worship by repeating the scriptures from Psalms where it says, Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
• 6:06
  Pastor Robert Young: Worship the Lord with gladness.
• 6:09
  Pastor Robert Young: Come before Him with joyful songs.
• 6:13
  Pastor Robert Young: Let's take a moment to lift up our voice and praise and thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father, who is worthy of all honor and glory by repeating Psalms chapter eight, verse nine, which says, Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth.
• 6:48
  Pastor Robert Young: Now that we've prepared our mind, our bodies, and our spirit, let's begin to examine and reflect on Romans chapter four and chapter five.
• 7:00
  Pastor Robert Young: Paul argues that Abraham was declared righteous simply because he believed God.
• 7:11
  Pastor Robert Young: His righteousness came before circumcision, making him the father of all who believe, Jew or Gentile.
• 7:22
  Pastor Robert Young: Paul contrasts wages earned by work with righteousness given as a gift.
• 7:30
  Pastor Robert Young: Faith receives what God freely gives.
• 7:35
  Pastor Robert Young: Works cannot obligate God.
• 7:38
  Pastor Robert Young: The inheritance promised to Abraham rests on grace, not on the law.
• 7:46
  Pastor Robert Young: The law exposes sin.
• 7:49
  Pastor Robert Young: Grace guarantees the promise.
• 7:52
  Pastor Robert Young: God is the one who gives life to the dead, making faith possible.
• 7:59
  Pastor Robert Young: Chapter five tells us that Abraham trusted God despite impossible circumstances.
• 8:09
  Pastor Robert Young: His story is written for us, because we too believe in God who raised Jesus for our justification.
• 8:19
  Pastor Robert Young: Being justified by faith gives believers peace with God, access to grace, and hope that does not disappoint.
• 8:32
  Pastor Robert Young: Christ died for us while we were still sinners, proving God's love and securing our reconciliation.
• 8:42
  Pastor Robert Young: Paul also expands the story.
• 8:47
  Pastor Robert Young: Adam's sin brought death to all humanity, but Christ's obedience brings life, righteousness, and grace that superabounds over sin.
• 9:00
  Pastor Robert Young: Grace becomes a new reign, stronger than the rain of death.
• 9:06
  Pastor Robert Young: Let's take 5 minutes to reflect on the following question: What would it look like today to stop trying so hard and to fully accept the grace and peace that Christ offers?
• 9:34
  Pastor Robert Young: Friends, repeat this affirmation with me now and throughout your day.
• 14:39
  Pastor Robert Young: I stand in God's grace.
• 14:44
  Pastor Robert Young: His promise is a cure.
• 14:47
  Pastor Robert Young: His peace is mine.
• 14:50
  Pastor Robert Young: And his love overflows into every part of my life.
• 14:56
  Pastor Robert Young: Again.
• 14:58
  Pastor Robert Young: By favorite, I stand in God's grace.
• 15:03
  Pastor Robert Young: His promise is a cure.
• 15:05
  Pastor Robert Young: His peace is mine.
• 15:08
  Pastor Robert Young: And his love overflows into every part of my life.
• 15:15
  Pastor Robert Young: Our closing prayer.
• 15:21
  Pastor Robert Young: Lord, thank you for the gift of righteousness that comes through faith alone.
• 15:29
  Pastor Robert Young: Thank you for Abraham's example, for the peace that you give through Jesus Christ.
• 15:38
  Pastor Robert Young: Lord, let your grace reign in my heart.
• 15:41
  Pastor Robert Young: Lord, teach me to trust your promises, to rest to rest in your love, and to walk in the new life.
• 15:58
  Pastor Robert Young: In his name, I pray.
• 16:03
  Pastor Robert Young: Amen.