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Transcript

Acts 5: Warning & Hope | Full Meditation · Growing Closer to God with Guided Meditation

• 0:13
  Pastor Robert Young: Welcome to this week's Guided Christian Meditation.
• 0:17
  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.
• 0:31
  Pastor Robert Young: I'm your host, Pastor Robert Young, and thank you for allowing me to be your guide on this journey.
• 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.
• 0:58
  Pastor Robert Young: If you're not filled with the Holy Spirit, then this process will not apply to you.
• 1:06
  Pastor Robert Young: In fact, our whole podcast only applies to those who have b repented, confessed, and accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior.
• 1:17
  Pastor Robert Young: If you haven't done this, then reach out to me with the link in the description box below.
• 1:24
  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.
• 1:34
  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.
• 1:55
  Pastor Robert Young: Our scripture for the day is Acts chapter five, a meditation on integrity in the church.
• 2:09
  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.
• 2:24
  Pastor Robert Young: Confession prepares the heart for being in the presence of Almighty God.
• 2:31
  Pastor Robert Young: Let's begin by repeating the prayer that King David prayed in Psalms 51, verse 1 through 4, where it says, Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving kindness, according unto thy unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions, wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
• 3:04
  Pastor Robert Young: For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
• 3:12
  Pastor Robert Young: Before we start to reflect on Acts chapter five, let's prepare our minds by closing our eyes and taking a deep breath as we invite the presence of God to feel us.
• 3:36
  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.
• 3:49
  Pastor Robert Young: Repeat the exercise.
• 4:01
  Pastor Robert Young: Now, let's prepare our bodies by releasing any tension with muscle relaxation exercises.
• 4:20
  Pastor Robert Young: We will simply tense each muscle group for three seconds and then release the muscle.
• 4:27
  Pastor Robert Young: And as always, don't hold your breath for this portion of the meditation.
• 4:34
  Pastor Robert Young: Let's start with the calf muscles.
• 4:37
  Pastor Robert Young: Lightly tense the calf muscles for a count of three.
• 4:42
  Pastor Robert Young: Now release.
• 4:46
  Pastor Robert Young: Moving upward to the hamstrings, quads, and glutes.
• 4:51
  Pastor Robert Young: Lightly tense for three seconds.
• 4:54
  Pastor Robert Young: Now release.
• 4:57
  Pastor Robert Young: Moving upward to the abdominals, chest and back area.
• 5:02
  Pastor Robert Young: Lightly tense for three seconds.
• 5:06
  Pastor Robert Young: Now release.
• 5:09
  Pastor Robert Young: Finally, moving to the arms and shoulders.
• 5:14
  Pastor Robert Young: Lightly tense these muscle groups for three seconds.
• 5:17
  Pastor Robert Young: Now release.
• 5:21
  Pastor Robert Young: Now 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.
• 5:40
  Pastor Robert Young: Worship the Lord with gladness.
• 5:42
  Pastor Robert Young: Come before him with joyful songs.
• 5:46
  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.
• 6:12
  Pastor Robert Young: Now that we've prepared our minds, our bodies, and our spirit, let's begin to examine and reflect on Acts chapter five.
• 6:32
  Pastor Robert Young: Acts chapter five reveals both the purifying holiness and unstoppable power of the early church.
• 6:42
  Pastor Robert Young: It begins with the sobering story of Ananias and Sapphira, who lie about the money they donated.
• 6:52
  Pastor Robert Young: Their deceit results in immediate divine judgment, creating a deep sense of reverence and integrity within the community.
• 7:06
  Pastor Robert Young: The apostles continue performing signs and wonders, healing the sick and casting out unclean spirits.
• 7:16
  Pastor Robert Young: Crowds gather, and even Peter's shadow is bringing healings as people bring the sick from surrounding towns.
• 7:26
  Pastor Robert Young: Jealous religious leaders arrest the apostles, but an angel of the Lord frees them at night and commands them to keep preaching.
• 7:38
  Pastor Robert Young: When the council discovers them teaching in the temple again, Peter boldly declares that they must obey God rather than men.
• 7:50
  Pastor Robert Young: The council wants to execute them, but Gamaliel, a respected Pharisee, advises restraint, warning that if the movement is from God, it cannot be stopped.
• 8:06
  Pastor Robert Young: The apostles are beaten, released, and continue rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer for Christ?
• 8:16
  Pastor Robert Young: They preach daily, both in the temple and from house to house.
• 8:24
  Pastor Robert Young: Let's take five minutes to reflect on the following question.
• 8:35
  Pastor Robert Young: Where is God inviting you to deeper honesty, greater courage, or joyful perseverance, even when obedience feels costly?
• 8:50
  Pastor Robert Young: Repeat this affirmation now and throughout your day.
• 14:06
  Pastor Robert Young: God's Spirit purifies, empowers, and sustains me. I walk in honesty, courage, and joyful obedience, trusting that his work in my life cannot be stopped.
• 14:27
  Pastor Robert Young: Let's say that again.
• 14:29
  Pastor Robert Young: God's Spirit purifies, empowers, and sustains me.
• 14:36
  Pastor Robert Young: I walk in honesty, courage, and joyful obedience, trusting that his work in my life cannot be stopped.
• 14:48
  Pastor Robert Young: Our closing prayer.
• 14:59
  Pastor Robert Young: Father, thank you for your purifying presence and your unstoppable power.
• 15:07
  Pastor Robert Young: Search my heart and make my devotion sincere.
• 15:13
  Pastor Robert Young: Fill me with boldness like the apostles, courage to obey above all else, and joy even in difficult moments.
• 15:26
  Pastor Robert Young: Let my life testify that your spirit is alive and active today.
• 15:35
  Pastor Robert Young: Strengthen me to walk in truth, love, and perseverance.
• 15:40
  Pastor Robert Young: For Christ's sake.
• 15:42
  Pastor Robert Young: Amen.