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Acts 13 & 14: How to Keep Going When Troubles Arrive | Full Meditation · Growing Closer to God with Guided Meditation

• 0:14
  Pastor Robert Young: Welcome friends to this week's Guided Christian Meditation.
• 0:18
  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.
• 0:33
  Pastor Robert Young: I'm your host, Pastor Robert Young, and thank you for allowing me to be your guide on this journey.
• 0:41
  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.
• 1:01
  Pastor Robert Young: If you're not filled with the Holy Spirit, then this process will not apply to you.
• 1:09
  Pastor Robert Young: In fact, our whole podcast only applies to those who have repented, confessed, and accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior.
• 1:18
  Pastor Robert Young: If you haven't done this, then reach out to me with the link in the description box below.
• 1:26
  Pastor Robert Young: I can help you with the process of becoming a believer in Christ Jesus, and you too can experience the joy of living for God.
• 1:36
  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.
• 1:56
  Pastor Robert Young: Our theme for this week is coming from the book of Acts, chapter thirteen and fourteen, where it talks about Paul and Barnabas' first missionary journey.
• 2:11
  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.
• 2:27
  Pastor Robert Young: Confession prepares the heart for being in the presence of Almighty God.
• 2:33
  Pastor Robert Young: Let's begin by repeating the prayer that King David prayed in Psalms fifty-one verses one through four, where it says, Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving kindness, according to 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.
• 3:11
  Pastor Robert Young: Before Before we start to reflect on Acts chapter thirteen and fourteen, let's prepare our minds by closing our eyes and taking a deep breath as we invite the presence of God to fill us.
• 3:36
  Pastor Robert Young: First, take a deep breath in for a count of seven.
• 3:41
  Pastor Robert Young: Hold the breath for a count of four, and slowly release for a count of seven.
• 3:48
  Pastor Robert Young: Repeat this exercise.
• 4:02
  Pastor Robert Young: We will simply tense each muscle group for three seconds and then release the muscle.
• 4:34
  Pastor Robert Young: And as I always say, don't hold your breath for this portion of the meditation.
• 4:41
  Pastor Robert Young: Let's start with the calf muscles.
• 4:44
  Pastor Robert Young: Lightly tense the calf muscles for a count of three.
• 4:48
  Pastor Robert Young: Now release.
• 4:52
  Pastor Robert Young: Moving upwards to the hamstrings, quads, and glutes.
• 4:56
  Pastor Robert Young: Lightly tense for three seconds.
• 4:59
  Pastor Robert Young: Now release.
• 5:03
  Pastor Robert Young: Moving upward to the abdominals, chest, and back area.
• 5:08
  Pastor Robert Young: Lightly tense for three seconds.
• 5:12
  Pastor Robert Young: Now release.
• 5:15
  Pastor Robert Young: Finally, moving to the arms and shoulders.
• 5:19
  Pastor Robert Young: Lightly tense these muscle groups for three seconds.
• 5:23
  Pastor Robert Young: Now release.
• 5:26
  Pastor Robert Young: w MNow we can begin to enter into worship by repeating Psalms verse one through three, where it says, Shout for joy to the Lord all the earth.
• 5:48
  Pastor Robert Young: Worship the Lord with gladness.
• 5:50
  Pastor Robert Young: Come before him with joyful songs.
• 5:54
  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 eight, verse nine, which says, Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth.
• 6:20
  Pastor Robert Young: Now that we've prepared our mind, our bodies, and our spirit, let's begin to examine and reflect on chapter Acts chapter thirteen and fourteen.
• 6:46
  Pastor Robert Young: The Holy Spirit calls the church to set apart Barnabas and Saul, sending them out after prayer and fasting.
• 7:00
  Pastor Robert Young: They traveled to Cyprus, confronting the sorceress Elymas, whom Paul rebukes and blinds, leading the Roman governor to believe.
• 7:13
  Pastor Robert Young: From there they move to Pisidian, Antioch, where Paul preaches a sweeping sermon on Israel's history, Jesus' resurrection, and salvation through Jesus.
• 7:28
  Pastor Robert Young: Many believe, but opposition rises, and Paul and Barnabas declare they will now turn to the Gentiles, fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy of a light to the nation.
• 7:44
  Pastor Robert Young: In Iconium, they preach boldly, and many believe despite growing hostility.
• 7:53
  Pastor Robert Young: In Lystra, Paul heals a man crippled from birth, leading the crowd to mistakenly worship them as the gods Zeus and Hermes.
• 8:04
  Pastor Robert Young: Hostile Jews stir up violence, and Paul is stoned and left for dead.
• 8:11
  Pastor Robert Young: But he rises and continue preaching.
• 8:14
  Pastor Robert Young: They strengthen disciples, appoint elders, and return to Antioch, reporting that God has opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.
• 8:28
  Pastor Robert Young: L Let's take five minutes to reflect on the following question.
• 8:43
  Pastor Robert Young: Where is God inviting you to step forth in faith, even if the path includes challenges, misunderstanding, or spiritual resistance?
• 8:57
  Pastor Robert Young: Repeat this affirmation now and throughout your day.
• 14:05
  Pastor Robert Young: The Holy Spirit sends me.
• 14:08
  Pastor Robert Young: He strengthens me and sustains me.
• 14:12
  Pastor Robert Young: I walk in courage, perseverance, and purpose, no matter the opposition.
• 14:20
  Pastor Robert Young: Friends, let's say that again.
• 14:23
  Pastor Robert Young: The Holy Spirit sends me.
• 14:26
  Pastor Robert Young: He strengthens me and sustains me.
• 14:31
  Pastor Robert Young: I walk in courage, perseverance, and purpose, no matter the opposition.
• 14:38
  Pastor Robert Young: Our closing prayer.
• 14:48
  Pastor Robert Young: Lord, thank you for the courage of Paul and Barnabas and the faith of the early church.
• 14:56
  Pastor Robert Young: Send me where you desire.
• 14:59
  Pastor Robert Young: Fill me with boldness to speak, compassion to serve, and endurance to continue even when the journey is difficult.
• 15:12
  Pastor Robert Young: Father God, open doors of faith around me, and let my life carry your light to those who have not yet heard it.
• 15:25
  Pastor Robert Young: Strengthen me by your spirit and let your kingdom advance through my obedience.
• 15:34
  Pastor Robert Young: For Christ's sake and in his name, Amen.