Latest / Abide Meditation App / Abide Bible Stories for Sleep Identity in Christ Meditation - Abide Meditation App
Transcript
- 0:15Speaker 1: Hello, and welcome to this sleep story from Abide. I'm James.
- 0:21Speaker 1: Thanks for joining me tonight for this peaceful meditation titled
- 0:26Speaker 1: Who God Made You to be. At the very core
- 0:30Speaker 1: of who you are, there is a creator who loves you,
- 0:34Speaker 1: who fashioned you in his likeness. Because you take after
- 0:39Speaker 1: your heavenly Father, you can be certain of who you
- 0:43Speaker 1: were made to be. Ephesians chapter two, verse ten cents.
- 0:51Speaker 1: For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for
- 0:56Speaker 1: good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk
- 1:01Speaker 1: in them. Let this verse sink in for a moment. You,
- 1:11Speaker 1: my friend, are God's workmanship, his masterpiece. You were created
- 1:18Speaker 1: in Christ's Jesus for good works. These were prepared just
- 1:23Speaker 1: for you, and you are equipped to walk in them.
- 1:30Speaker 1: As you fall asleep tonight, let these words of truth
- 1:35Speaker 1: settle deep in your heart, push away any doubt that
- 1:41Speaker 1: God loves you and has created you for a divine purpose.
- 1:48Speaker 1: My prayer is that you will hear the words of
- 1:51Speaker 1: the scriptures tonight and be assured of your place in
- 1:55Speaker 1: God's perfect plan, for He chose us in him before
- 2:01Speaker 1: the foundation of the world, that we should be holy
- 2:05Speaker 1: and without blame before Him and love God shows you
- 2:12Speaker 1: before the world was established, to be holy and blameless
- 2:17Speaker 1: in His love. What a beautiful calling on your life.
- 2:24Speaker 1: What rest and assurance this brings in an uncertain world.
- 2:30Speaker 1: You are secure in Christ Jesus. He is your savior
- 2:35Speaker 1: and your hope. Let this peaceful thought cover you tonight
- 2:39Speaker 1: as you prepare to fall asleep. Take the next several
- 2:46Speaker 1: moments to calm your mind and fix your heart on
- 2:49Speaker 1: the Lord and hail slowly and exhale. Feel your bodies
- 3:01Speaker 1: start to relax. Feel the tension and your forehead loosen.
- 3:10Speaker 1: Unclench your jaw, feel the tops of your shoulders unwind
- 3:17Speaker 1: as you sink deeper into the soft bed beneath you.
- 3:24Speaker 1: Let your arms lay still on your side, and your
- 3:28Speaker 1: legs grow heavy as they completely relax. Inhale again, pausing
- 3:37Speaker 1: at the top of your breath for just a second.
- 3:42Speaker 1: Then exhale slowly, releasing the last bit of tension. Invite
- 3:52Speaker 1: the Holy Spirit to be with you in the name
- 3:56Speaker 1: of Jesus. Ask him to be present throughout the night.
- 4:02Speaker 1: Feel the love of the Father, the warmth of his
- 4:06Speaker 1: peace that surrounds you like a soft blanket. Let all
- 4:13Speaker 1: other thoughts go, all worries and doubts. Let them fade away.
- 4:22Speaker 1: Imagine a sunset sinking below the horizon, the last bit
- 4:27Speaker 1: of sunshine disappearing behind the landscape. Let this imagery help
- 4:33Speaker 1: you end the day with closure, closure from all your responsibilities.
- 4:42Speaker 1: Now is the time to rest, to sleep, to regain
- 4:47Speaker 1: strength and energy for the new day ahead. Just like
- 4:53Speaker 1: the sunset that fades into dusk. Let all thoughts fade away.
- 4:59Speaker 1: Accept for the thought of God's presence. The Bible says,
- 5:07Speaker 1: in your presence is fullness of joy. Fullness of joy
- 5:13Speaker 1: is my prayer for you as you listen to this
- 5:17Speaker 1: sleep story. My hope is that you will be assured
- 5:21Speaker 1: of who you are in Christ. There is one thing
- 5:27Speaker 1: you can be certain of. You are God's masterpiece, created
- 5:33Speaker 1: in Christ Jesus for good works prepared in advance for
- 5:38Speaker 1: you to walk in them. Let's pray, Heavenly Father, in
- 5:46Speaker 1: the quietness of this room, we seek you tonight. Your
- 5:50Speaker 1: word says that when we seek first your kingdom and
- 5:54Speaker 1: your righteousness, you will bless us with everything else we need. Lord,
- 6:01Speaker 1: I pray that you will meet every need of this
- 6:04Speaker 1: listener to night. Please meet them right where they are
- 6:09Speaker 1: and fill them with your peace. Father, Please remind this
- 6:16Speaker 1: beloved child of who they are in you. Remove all
- 6:20Speaker 1: insecurities and replace them with confidence in your son, for
- 6:27Speaker 1: they were created in him, for him and because of him.
- 6:34Speaker 1: Let this knowledge fill your child with the peace and
- 6:37Speaker 1: assurance they need to night. Help them relax and fall
- 6:43Speaker 1: into a deep, restorative sleep. Please fill their dreams with
- 6:48Speaker 1: visions of the good things you have prepared for them.
- 6:53Speaker 1: We look to you to night for our identity, our strength,
- 6:57Speaker 1: and our purpose in Jesus' holy name. Amen, as we
- 7:06Speaker 1: begin our story, please take a moment to readjust the
- 7:10Speaker 1: covers if needed, and make yourself even more comfortable. Take
- 7:18Speaker 1: a slow, deep breath in and release it. Allow your
- 7:27Speaker 1: breathing to settle into a steady rhythm, lulling you into
- 7:32Speaker 1: a peaceful state of relaxation. Listen to our focus verse
- 7:39Speaker 1: again from Ephesians two, verse ten. It says, for we
- 7:46Speaker 1: are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works
- 7:52Speaker 1: which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
- 7:59Speaker 1: Let these words words flow over you as a confirmation
- 8:02Speaker 1: of who you are in the Lord. Allow your mind
- 8:09Speaker 1: to settle on the word workmanship for just a moment.
- 8:16Speaker 1: You are God's workmanship the work of his hands. He
- 8:24Speaker 1: is the master craftsman of your life. He formed you
- 8:28Speaker 1: in his image. Other Bible translations describe workmanship as masterpiece
- 8:37Speaker 1: or handiwork, And certainly you are a masterpiece of God's design.
- 8:45Speaker 1: You are a living example of his handiwork in all
- 8:51Speaker 1: of God's creation. You are fashioned with a purpose and
- 8:56Speaker 1: a plan. First John, chapter two, verse seventeen says he
- 9:05Speaker 1: who does the will of God abides forever, My friend.
- 9:11Speaker 1: You were created to do the will of God, walk
- 9:14Speaker 1: in his ways, and to bring him glory. What an
- 9:18Speaker 1: amazing calling. It's tempting to look for our purpose outside
- 9:25Speaker 1: of God's parameters. Yet when we view his boundaries as loving,
- 9:31Speaker 1: kind and good, we are more than happy to remain
- 9:36Speaker 1: within his will. Remember his will is called good, pleasing,
- 9:44Speaker 1: and perfect. Let those three words sink deep in your heart. Tonight, good, pleasing,
- 9:54Speaker 1: and perfect. Find contentment in the love parameters that God
- 10:01Speaker 1: has placed around you. Let them be a protective guard
- 10:05Speaker 1: rail of peace and assurance. Psalm seventy three, verse twenty
- 10:13Speaker 1: eight cents. As for me, the nearness of God is
- 10:18Speaker 1: my good. I have made the Lord God my refuge.
- 10:24Speaker 1: Hear those peaceful words again, the nearness of God is
- 10:29Speaker 1: my good. I have made the Lord God my refuge.
- 10:37Speaker 1: Dear friend, the nearness of God is your good. His
- 10:42Speaker 1: boundaries are loving and protective. His plans are for you,
- 10:48Speaker 1: not against you. Please allow me to pray over you,
- 10:54Speaker 1: Lord God, how we seek your loving presence tonight. As
- 10:59Speaker 1: the rest responsibilities of the day fade into the background
- 11:03Speaker 1: and your word becomes clear to us, we sense your
- 11:08Speaker 1: perfect peace surrounding us, like a refuge from the world. Please, God,
- 11:15Speaker 1: speak to this listener tonight, instilling in them a deeper
- 11:19Speaker 1: sense of security in who you created them to be.
- 11:25Speaker 1: Help them release every false notion of who they think
- 11:29Speaker 1: they are and embrace every true statement of who you
- 11:34Speaker 1: say they are. Most of all, Lord, help them abide
- 11:40Speaker 1: in your son, never straying from his finished work in
- 11:44Speaker 1: their lives. We commit this meditation to you, seeking your will,
- 11:51Speaker 1: your way, and your truth in the precious name of Jesus. Amen. Isaiah.
- 12:01Speaker 1: Chapter forty five, Verse nine asks does the clay say
- 12:07Speaker 1: to the potter? What are you making? We ask, clay
- 12:12Speaker 1: in the hands of the potter ask similar questions. I
- 12:19Speaker 1: encourage you to rest in the potter's hands to night,
- 12:26Speaker 1: imagine a skilled yet gentle potter sitting above his pottery wheel,
- 12:31Speaker 1: taking a lump of clay in his hands and working
- 12:34Speaker 1: out the impurities. He spends time needing it, making it pliable,
- 12:40Speaker 1: and preparing it to become a noble vessel. Then, as
- 12:47Speaker 1: he places the clay on the center of the wheel,
- 12:50Speaker 1: the wheel spins around and around, and the potter applies
- 12:55Speaker 1: pressure to the lump of clay. The skillful potter uses
- 13:00Speaker 1: his hands against the force of the spinning wheel to
- 13:04Speaker 1: mold and shape the loan. This process is known as
- 13:08Speaker 1: throwing pottery or wheel throwing. Once the desired shape of
- 13:16Speaker 1: the pot is made and it has hardened to a
- 13:19Speaker 1: leather like consistency, the potter then trims away the excess,
- 13:25Speaker 1: the parts of the vessel that don't belong. As followers
- 13:31Speaker 1: of Jesus, we too are refined by God as he
- 13:35Speaker 1: trims away what doesn't belong. In John chapter fifteen, verses
- 13:42Speaker 1: one and two, Jesus said, I am the true vine,
- 13:48Speaker 1: and my father is the gardener. He cuts off every
- 13:51Speaker 1: branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch
- 13:55Speaker 1: that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will
- 13:59Speaker 1: be even more fruitful. My friend, the pruning process isn't
- 14:06Speaker 1: always comfortable, but it is fruitful. Without it, we would
- 14:12Speaker 1: carry all kinds of excess that would burden us and
- 14:15Speaker 1: weigh us down. My hope for you tonight is that
- 14:21Speaker 1: you will allow the Father to trim away the things
- 14:24Speaker 1: that don't belong. Allow his gentle, loving hands to remove
- 14:31Speaker 1: the burdens you've been carrying. Heavenly Father, please hold this
- 14:38Speaker 1: beloved child in the palm of your hands as a
- 14:42Speaker 1: skilled potter who fashions beautiful vessels. Help them know they
- 14:49Speaker 1: are valuable in your sight, created in your son for
- 14:53Speaker 1: good things as the sleep. Lord, fill their minds with
- 14:58Speaker 1: soothing thoughts of intricate pass carved on earthen vessels, designed
- 15:03Speaker 1: with the heavenly purpose. Please whisper your divine purpose for them,
- 15:10Speaker 1: telling them of the wonderful works You've planned for them
- 15:13Speaker 1: to do. Remind them that these noble things were fashioned
- 15:18Speaker 1: in their hearts before even one of their days came
- 15:22Speaker 1: to be. Most of all, Lord, remind them of their
- 15:27Speaker 1: place in the body, the body of Christ. Let them
- 15:32Speaker 1: know that they are secure in faith, hope, and love.
- 15:38Speaker 1: I pray these things in the precious name of your
- 15:40Speaker 1: Son Jesus. Amen Now rest quietly in the stillness of
- 15:49Speaker 1: this moment. Let the words of the scriptures surround you,
- 15:55Speaker 1: as a potter's hand surround the clay. Isaiah sixty four,
- 16:02Speaker 1: verse eight says, But now, o Lord, you are our father.
- 16:09Speaker 1: We are the clay, and you are our potter. We
- 16:14Speaker 1: are all the work of your hand. Jeremiah chapter eighteen,
- 16:22Speaker 1: verse six says, Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand,
- 16:28Speaker 1: so are you in my hand. As the imagery of
- 16:35Speaker 1: God's hands working everything out for his glory flows over you,
- 16:40Speaker 1: rest and peaceful adoration of your creator. You are the
- 16:46Speaker 1: work of his hands. The power belongs to God, not us.
- 16:54Speaker 1: In this there is great assurance that He is in
- 16:57Speaker 1: control and he holds us securely. The person God made
- 17:05Speaker 1: you to be is a gift, a gift to the
- 17:08Speaker 1: world around you. You have been given a specific role
- 17:12Speaker 1: in this life, and there is no one just like you.
- 17:19Speaker 1: God breathed life into you and at the same time
- 17:24Speaker 1: equipped you for every good work He planned for you
- 17:27Speaker 1: before the beginning of time. You can rest in this
- 17:33Speaker 1: knowledge and find peace in God's provision. You can have
- 17:38Speaker 1: hope in the one who has created you in this
- 17:40Speaker 1: time and place for We are His workmanship, created in
- 17:47Speaker 1: Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand, that
- 17:53Speaker 1: we should walk in them. What hope, what joy? What purpose?
- 18:04Speaker 1: Know that the Lord he is God. It is he
- 18:08Speaker 1: who made us, and we are his My friend, You
- 18:16Speaker 1: are his, You are a vital part of his creation,
- 18:21Speaker 1: his body, the body of Christ. The rest of the
- 18:26Speaker 1: world needs what you have to offer. They really do.
- 18:33Speaker 1: Even when you aren't sure of what your gifts are,
- 18:37Speaker 1: you can trust that God has given you specific talents
- 18:41Speaker 1: to be invested in the lives of people. As you
- 18:46Speaker 1: sleep to night, I pray that God will waken his
- 18:50Speaker 1: gifts in you, instilling in you a renewed excitement to
- 18:55Speaker 1: use your talents for the kingdom of God. Romans Chapter twelve,
- 19:02Speaker 1: verse six says, having gifts that differ according to the
- 19:07Speaker 1: grace given to us, let us use them. Let the
- 19:14Speaker 1: Lord work through you according to his matchless grace and
- 19:18Speaker 1: endless mercy. Your part in God's plan will look different
- 19:24Speaker 1: from others, but it will be an integral part, working
- 19:29Speaker 1: together with all the other parts to make Jesus known
- 19:32Speaker 1: throughout the world. That's what it's all about. Making Jesus
- 19:39Speaker 1: known in all of our soul searching and our striving
- 19:45Speaker 1: for answers. The answer right in front of us. First Timothy,
- 19:53Speaker 1: Chapter one, verses fifteen and sixteen says, here is a
- 19:58Speaker 1: trustworthy say that deserves full acceptance. Christ Jesus came into
- 20:04Speaker 1: the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst.
- 20:10Speaker 1: But for that very reason I was shown mercy, so
- 20:14Speaker 1: that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might
- 20:18Speaker 1: display his immense patience as an example for those who
- 20:22Speaker 1: would believe in him and receive eternal life. Our Lord
- 20:30Speaker 1: Jesus came into the world to save sinners, you and me.
- 20:37Speaker 1: The whole reason we were created was to be in
- 20:39Speaker 1: fellowship with the Father and to walk with him all
- 20:43Speaker 1: of our days. Jesus points us back to Him through
- 20:50Speaker 1: his precious blood, the cleansing power that reconciles us and
- 20:54Speaker 1: redeems our lives in him. We live and move and
- 21:02Speaker 1: have our being Without him. Nothing was made that has
- 21:09Speaker 1: been made. The person God made you to be is
- 21:15Speaker 1: wrapped in the beautiful covering of Christ Jesus. You can
- 21:22Speaker 1: live out his divine calling on your life by simply
- 21:26Speaker 1: abiding in him. He will never lead you astray. His
- 21:33Speaker 1: presence will be with you wherever you go. You can
- 21:37Speaker 1: trust Him to work through you in every good way.
- 21:43Speaker 1: Softly and tenderly. Jesus is calling, calling for you and
- 21:50Speaker 1: calling for me. Receive his calling tonight, as you rest
- 21:57Speaker 1: securely in the presence of the Holy Spirit, receive the
- 22:02Speaker 1: purpose He has for you. Gracious God, please impress your
- 22:09Speaker 1: loving will on the life of this listener tonight. Speak
- 22:14Speaker 1: your words of truth into their heart, mind, and soul,
- 22:20Speaker 1: that they will awaken with a renewed sense of joy
- 22:23Speaker 1: and purpose. Let there be such an awakening in their
- 22:28Speaker 1: spirit that they will not be able to deny who
- 22:31Speaker 1: they were created to be. How lovely is the work
- 22:35Speaker 1: of your hands, O Lord, and how beautiful is the
- 22:39Speaker 1: life of this beloved child. Bless them and keep them
- 22:44Speaker 1: in the name of Jesus. Amen. The apostle Paul said
- 22:51Speaker 1: these encouraging words in Ephesians chapter four, verses one through three.
- 22:58Speaker 1: I Therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to
- 23:03Speaker 1: walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which
- 23:06Speaker 1: you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience,
- 23:13Speaker 1: bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the
- 23:17Speaker 1: unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. His
- 23:23Speaker 1: exhortation to walk in a manner worthy of the calling
- 23:28Speaker 1: is an invitation to take that first step of obedience
- 23:35Speaker 1: with all humility, gentleness, patience, and love. You are called
- 23:41Speaker 1: to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond
- 23:44Speaker 1: of peace. Sleep deeply in the bond of Peace, held
- 23:50Speaker 1: fast by the Holy Spirit of God. In Him, you
- 23:57Speaker 1: are kept safe and secure. He watches over you as
- 24:03Speaker 1: you sleep. He works through you to bring renewal and
- 24:08Speaker 1: replenishment of all that is lacking. He made you in
- 24:13Speaker 1: his image, a bearer of His light, love and glory.
- 24:21Speaker 1: You reflect His Son, the light of the world, in
- 24:28Speaker 1: everything you do and say, think and believe. You have
- 24:33Speaker 1: the opportunity to be an example of Christ and your
- 24:37Speaker 1: sphere of influence. You can be absolutely sure of your
- 24:43Speaker 1: role in this life. You only need to abide in
- 24:46Speaker 1: the one who says this is the way you should go.
- 24:52Speaker 1: You can trust God to guide you in all things.
- 24:57Speaker 1: His way is perfect, and his plans for you. You
- 25:00Speaker 1: are good. Truly, You are God's workmanship, created in Christ
- 25:09Speaker 1: Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance
- 25:13Speaker 1: for you. All it takes is a willingness to step
- 25:18Speaker 1: into His plan fully equipped by the Holy Spirit and
- 25:23Speaker 1: led by Jesus on the narrow path. Each faithful step
- 25:29Speaker 1: you take, no matter how small, adds up to a
- 25:34Speaker 1: culmination of good works that point to the Savior. So
- 25:41Speaker 1: thank you, my friend, for your faithful service to God.
- 25:46Speaker 1: Thank you for being exactly who He made you to be.
- 25:51Speaker 1: Thank you for abiding in Christ, Heavenly Father. As your
- 25:59Speaker 1: child's sleep and the loving presence of your spirit, Please
- 26:03Speaker 1: fill them with a deep and lasting peace. Let them
- 26:08Speaker 1: continue to feel your presence as they start a new
- 26:11Speaker 1: day and seek to do your will. Bless them Lord
- 26:17Speaker 1: with a clear understanding of who you made them to be,
- 26:21Speaker 1: that they will live for you as an example of Jesus,
- 26:24Speaker 1: your Son. For it is in his name we pray
- 26:29Speaker 1: and remember all the things you've taught us through your word. Tonight. Amen,
- 26:37Speaker 1: thanks again for listening to this sleep story Tonight. My
- 26:41Speaker 1: hope is that you've been greatly encouraged to seek God
- 26:45Speaker 1: and his perfect will for your life. I pray you
- 26:50Speaker 1: get the rest that is needed to carry on the
- 26:53Speaker 1: tasks you've been given, and that you feel refreshed when
- 26:57Speaker 1: you wake up in the morning. Let me share our
- 27:02Speaker 1: Bible passage from Ephesians chapter two, verse ten, again, for
- 27:07Speaker 1: we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good
- 27:12Speaker 1: works which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
- 27:20Speaker 1: God bless you and keep you as you continue to
- 27:24Speaker 1: abide in Him. Let's listen again to this sleep story
- 27:31Speaker 1: about becoming who God made you to be. As we
- 27:36Speaker 1: begin our story, please take a moment to readjust the
- 27:40Speaker 1: covers if needed, and make yourself even more comfortable. Take
- 27:48Speaker 1: a slow, deep breath in and release it. Allow your
- 27:57Speaker 1: breathing to settle into a eddy rhythm, lulling you into
- 28:02Speaker 1: a peaceful state of relaxation. Listen to our focus verse
- 28:09Speaker 1: again from Ephesians two, verse ten. It says, for we
- 28:16Speaker 1: are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works
- 28:22Speaker 1: which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
- 28:29Speaker 1: Let these words flow over you as a confirmation of
- 28:33Speaker 1: who you are in the Lord. Allow your mind to
- 28:39Speaker 1: settle on the word workmanship for just a moment. You
- 28:46Speaker 1: are God's workmanship, the work of his hands. He is
- 28:54Speaker 1: the master craftsman of your life. He formed you in
- 28:58Speaker 1: his image. Other Bible translations describe workmanship as masterpiece or handiwork,
- 29:09Speaker 1: and certainly you are a masterpiece of God's design. You
- 29:16Speaker 1: are a living example of his handiwork in all of
- 29:22Speaker 1: God's creation. You are fashioned with a purpose and a plan.
- 29:29Speaker 1: First John, chapter two, verse seventeen says he who does
- 29:35Speaker 1: the will of God abides forever, My friend, You were
- 29:41Speaker 1: created to do the will of God, to walk in
- 29:44Speaker 1: his ways, and to bring him glory. What an amazing calling.
- 29:52Speaker 1: It's tempting to look for our purpose outside of God's parameters.
- 29:58Speaker 1: Yet when we view his boundaries as loving, kind, and good,
- 30:04Speaker 1: we are more than happy to remain within his will. Remember,
- 30:11Speaker 1: his will is called good, pleasing, and perfect. Let those
- 30:18Speaker 1: three words sink deep in your heart. Tonight, good, pleasing,
- 30:24Speaker 1: and perfect. Find contentment in the loving parameters that God
- 30:31Speaker 1: has placed around you. Let them be a protective guard
- 30:36Speaker 1: rail of peace and assurance. Psalm seventy three, verse twenty
- 30:43Speaker 1: eight cents. As for me, the nearness of God is
- 30:48Speaker 1: my good. I have made the Lord God my refuge.
- 30:55Speaker 1: Hear those peaceful words again, The nearness of God is
- 31:00Speaker 1: my good. I have made the Lord God my refuge.
- 31:07Speaker 1: Dear friend, the nearness of God is your good. His
- 31:12Speaker 1: boundaries are loving and protective. His plans are for you,
- 31:18Speaker 1: not against you. Please allow me to pray over you, Lord, God,
- 31:26Speaker 1: how we seek your loving presence tonight. As the responsibilities
- 31:31Speaker 1: of the day fade into the background and your word
- 31:35Speaker 1: becomes clear to us, we sense your perfect peace surrounding
- 31:40Speaker 1: us like a refuge from the world. Please, God, speak
- 31:45Speaker 1: to this listener tonight, instilling in them a deeper sense
- 31:50Speaker 1: of security in who you created them to be. Help
- 31:56Speaker 1: them release every false notion of who they think they
- 31:59Speaker 1: are and embrace every true statement of who you say
- 32:05Speaker 1: they are. Most of all, Lord, help them abide in
- 32:10Speaker 1: your son, never shraying from his finished work in their lives.
- 32:17Speaker 1: We commit this meditation to you, seeking your will, your way,
- 32:22Speaker 1: and your truth in the precious name of Jesus. Amen
- 32:30Speaker 1: Isaiah Chapter forty five, Verse nine asks does the clay
- 32:36Speaker 1: say to the potter? What are you making? We ask,
- 32:42Speaker 1: clay in the hands of the potter ask similar questions.
- 32:49Speaker 1: I encourage you to rest in the potter's hands tonight.
- 32:56Speaker 1: Imagine a skilled yet gentle potter sitting above his pottery wheel,
- 33:02Speaker 1: taking a lump of clay in his hands and working
- 33:04Speaker 1: out the impurities. He spends time needing it, making it pliable,
- 33:11Speaker 1: and preparing it to become a noble vessel. Then, as
- 33:17Speaker 1: he places the clay on the center of the wheel,
- 33:21Speaker 1: the wheel spins around and around, and the potter applies
- 33:25Speaker 1: pressure to the lump of clay. The skillful potter uses
- 33:31Speaker 1: his hands against the force of the spinning wheel to
- 33:34Speaker 1: mold and shape the loan. This process is known as
- 33:39Speaker 1: throwing pottery or wheel throwing. Once the desired shape of
- 33:46Speaker 1: the pot is made and it has hardened to a
- 33:49Speaker 1: leather like consistency, the potter then trims away the excess,
- 33:55Speaker 1: the parts of the vessel that don't belong. As followers
- 34:01Speaker 1: of Jesus, we too are refined by God as he
- 34:05Speaker 1: trims away what doesn't belong. In John chapter fifteen, verses
- 34:12Speaker 1: one and two, Jesus said, I am the true vine,
- 34:18Speaker 1: and my father is the gardener. He cuts off every
- 34:22Speaker 1: branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch
- 34:25Speaker 1: that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will
- 34:29Speaker 1: be even more fruitful. My friend, the pruning process isn't
- 34:36Speaker 1: always comfortable, but it is fruitful. Without it, we would
- 34:42Speaker 1: carry all kinds of excess that would burden us and
- 34:46Speaker 1: weigh us down. My hope for you to night is
- 34:51Speaker 1: that you will allow the Father to trim away the
- 34:54Speaker 1: things that don't belong, allow his gentle, loving hands to
- 35:01Speaker 1: remove the burdens you've been carrying. Heavenly Father, please hold
- 35:08Speaker 1: this beloved child in the palm of your hands as
- 35:12Speaker 1: a skilled potter who fashions beautiful vessels. Help them know
- 35:19Speaker 1: they are valuable in your sight, created in your son
- 35:23Speaker 1: for good things. As the sleep. Lord, fill their minds
- 35:27Speaker 1: with soothing thoughts of intricate patterns carved on earthen vessels,
- 35:33Speaker 1: designed with the heavenly purpose. Please whisper your divine purpose
- 35:39Speaker 1: for them, telling them of the wonderful works You've planned
- 35:43Speaker 1: for them to do. Remind them that these noble things
- 35:48Speaker 1: were fashioned in their hearts before even one of their
- 35:51Speaker 1: days came to be. Most of all, Lord, remind them
- 35:57Speaker 1: of their place in the body, the body of Christ.
- 36:02Speaker 1: Let them know that they are secure in faith, hope,
- 36:06Speaker 1: and love. I pray these things in the precious name
- 36:10Speaker 1: of your son Jesus. Amen. Now rest quietly in the
- 36:18Speaker 1: stillness of this moment. Let the words of the scriptures
- 36:24Speaker 1: surround you as a potter's hand surround the clay. Isaiah
- 36:32Speaker 1: sixty four, verse eight says, but now o Lord, You
- 36:37Speaker 1: are our father. We are the clay, and you are
- 36:42Speaker 1: our potter. We are all the work of your hand.
- 36:50Speaker 1: Jeremiah chapter eighteen, verse six says, Behold, like the clay
- 36:56Speaker 1: in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand.
- 37:03Speaker 1: As the imagery of God's hands working everything out for
- 37:07Speaker 1: His glory flows over you, rest and peaceful adoration of
- 37:13Speaker 1: your creator. You are the work of his hands. The
- 37:20Speaker 1: power belongs to God, not us. In this there is
- 37:25Speaker 1: great assurance that He is in control and He holds
- 37:30Speaker 1: us securely. The person God made you to be is
- 37:36Speaker 1: a gift, a gift to the world around you. You
- 37:41Speaker 1: have been given a specific role in this life, and
- 37:44Speaker 1: there is no one just like you. God breathed life
- 37:51Speaker 1: into you and at the same time equipped you for
- 37:55Speaker 1: every good work He planned for you before the beginning
- 37:59Speaker 1: of time. You can rest in this knowledge and find
- 38:04Speaker 1: peace in God's provision. You can have hope in the
- 38:09Speaker 1: one who has created you in this time and place.
- 38:14Speaker 1: For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus, for
- 38:19Speaker 1: good works which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk
- 38:24Speaker 1: in them. What hope, what joy? What purpose? Know that
- 38:35Speaker 1: the Lord he is God. It is he who made us,
- 38:40Speaker 1: and we are His My friend, You are his. You
- 38:48Speaker 1: are a vital part of His creation, his body, the
- 38:52Speaker 1: body of Christ. The rest of the world needs what
- 38:58Speaker 1: you have to offer. They really do. Even when you
- 39:04Speaker 1: aren't sure of what your gifts are, you can trust
- 39:08Speaker 1: that God has given you specific talents to be invested
- 39:12Speaker 1: in the lives of people. As you sleep to night,
- 39:18Speaker 1: I pray that God will waken his gifts in you,
- 39:22Speaker 1: instilling in you a renewed excitement to use your talents
- 39:26Speaker 1: for the kingdom of God. Romans chapter twelve, verse six says,
- 39:35Speaker 1: having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us,
- 39:40Speaker 1: let us use them. Let the Lord work through you
- 39:46Speaker 1: according to his matchless grace and endless mercy. Your part
- 39:53Speaker 1: in God's plan will look different from others, but it
- 39:56Speaker 1: will be an integral part, working together with all the
- 40:00Speaker 1: other parts to make Jesus known throughout the world. That's
- 40:06Speaker 1: what it's all about, making Jesus known. In all of
- 40:13Speaker 1: our soul searching and our striving for answers, the answer
- 40:18Speaker 1: right in front of us. First Timothy chapter one, verses
- 40:25Speaker 1: fifteen and sixteen says, here is a trustworthy saying that
- 40:30Speaker 1: deserves full acceptance. Christ Jesus came into the world to
- 40:35Speaker 1: save sinners, of whom I am the worst. But for
- 40:41Speaker 1: that very reason I was shown mercy, so that in me,
- 40:45Speaker 1: the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense
- 40:50Speaker 1: patience as an example for those who would believe in
- 40:53Speaker 1: him and receive eternal life. Our Lord, Jesus came into
- 41:01Speaker 1: the world to save sinners, you and me. The whole
- 41:07Speaker 1: reason we were created was to be in fellowship with
- 41:10Speaker 1: the Father and to walk with him all of our days.
- 41:17Speaker 1: Jesus points us back to Him through his precious blood,
- 41:22Speaker 1: the cleansing power that reconciles us and redeems our lives.
- 41:29Speaker 1: In him. We live and move and have our being
- 41:36Speaker 1: Without him, nothing was made that has been made. The
- 41:43Speaker 1: person God made you to be is wrapped in the
- 41:46Speaker 1: beautiful covering of Christ Jesus. You can live out his
- 41:53Speaker 1: divine calling on your life by simply abiding in him.
- 42:00Speaker 1: He will never lead you astray. His presence will be
- 42:04Speaker 1: with you wherever you go. You can trust Him to
- 42:08Speaker 1: work through you in every good way. Softly and tenderly.
- 42:16Speaker 1: Jesus is calling, calling for you and calling for me.
- 42:24Speaker 1: Receive his calling tonight as you rest securely in the
- 42:28Speaker 1: presence of the Holy Spirit, receive the purpose He has
- 42:33Speaker 1: for you. Gracious God, please impress your loving will on
- 42:40Speaker 1: the life of this listener. To night. Speak your words
- 42:45Speaker 1: of truth into their heart, mind, and soul, that they
- 42:50Speaker 1: will awaken with a renewed sense of joy and purpose.
- 42:56Speaker 1: Let there be such an awakening in their spirit that
- 42:59Speaker 1: they will not be able to deny who they were
- 43:02Speaker 1: created to be. How lovely is the work of your hands,
- 43:07Speaker 1: O Lord, and how beautiful is the life of this
- 43:10Speaker 1: beloved child. Bless them and keep them in the name
- 43:14Speaker 1: of Jesus. Amen. The apostle Paul said these encouraging words
- 43:23Speaker 1: in Ephesians chapter four, verses one through three. I therefore,
- 43:30Speaker 1: a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in
- 43:34Speaker 1: a manner worthy of the calling to which you have
- 43:37Speaker 1: been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing
- 43:43Speaker 1: with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity
- 43:47Speaker 1: of the spirit in the bond of peace. His exhortation
- 43:55Speaker 1: to walk in a manner worthy of the calling is
- 43:58Speaker 1: an invitation to take that first step of obedience. With
- 44:05Speaker 1: all humility, gentleness, patience, and love. You are cold to
- 44:11Speaker 1: maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
- 44:18Speaker 1: Sleep deeply in the bond of peace, held fast by
- 44:21Speaker 1: the Holy Spirit of God. In him, you are kept
- 44:28Speaker 1: safe and secure. He watches over you as you sleep.
- 44:35Speaker 1: He works through you to bring renewal and replenishment of
- 44:39Speaker 1: all that is lacking. He made you in his image,
- 44:45Speaker 1: a bearer of His light, love and glory. You reflect
- 44:52Speaker 1: His Son, the light of the world. In everything you
- 44:59Speaker 1: do and say, think and believe. You have the opportunity
- 45:04Speaker 1: to be an example of Christ and your sphere of influence.
- 45:11Speaker 1: You can be absolutely sure of your role in this life.
- 45:15Speaker 1: You only need to abide in the one who says
- 45:19Speaker 1: this is the way you should go. You can trust
- 45:23Speaker 1: God to guide you in all things. His way is perfect,
- 45:29Speaker 1: and his plans for you are good. Truly, you are
- 45:36Speaker 1: God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works
- 45:41Speaker 1: which God prepared in advance for you. All it takes
- 45:47Speaker 1: is a willingness to step into his plan, fully equipped
- 45:51Speaker 1: by the Holy Spirit and led by Jesus on the
- 45:55Speaker 1: narrow path. Each faithful step you take, no matter how small,
- 46:03Speaker 1: adds up to a culmination of good works that point
- 46:07Speaker 1: to the Savior. So thank you, my friend, for your
- 46:13Speaker 1: faithful service to God. Thank you for being exactly who
- 46:18Speaker 1: He made you to be. Thank you for abiding in Christ,
- 46:27Speaker 1: Heavenly Father. As your child sleeps in the loving presence
- 46:31Speaker 1: of your spirit, Please fill them with a deep and
- 46:35Speaker 1: lasting peace. Let them continue to feel your presence as
- 46:40Speaker 1: they start a new day and seek to do your will.
- 46:46Speaker 1: Bless them Lord with a clear understanding of who you
- 46:49Speaker 1: made them to be, that they will live for you
- 46:52Speaker 1: as an example of Jesus, your son. For it is
- 46:56Speaker 1: in his name we pray and remember all all the
- 47:00Speaker 1: things you've taught us through your word. Tonight. Amen, thanks
- 47:07Speaker 1: again for listening to this sleep story tonight. My hope
- 47:11Speaker 1: is that you've been greatly encouraged to seek God and
- 47:15Speaker 1: his perfect will for your life. I pray you get
- 47:21Speaker 1: the rest that is needed to carry on the tasks
- 47:24Speaker 1: you've been given, and that you feel refreshed when you
- 47:27Speaker 1: wake up in the morning. Let me share our Bible
- 47:32Speaker 1: passage from Ephesians chapter two, verse ten again, For we
- 47:38Speaker 1: are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works
- 47:43Speaker 1: which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
- 47:50Speaker 1: God bless you and keep you as you continue to
- 47:54Speaker 1: abide in him. Let's listen again to this sleep story
- 48:01Speaker 1: about becoming who God made you to be. As we
- 48:06Speaker 1: begin our story, please take a moment to readjust the
- 48:11Speaker 1: covers if needed, and make yourself even more comfortable. Take
- 48:18Speaker 1: a slow, deep breath in and release it. Allow your
- 48:28Speaker 1: breathing to settle into a steady rhythm, lulling you into
- 48:33Speaker 1: a peaceful state of relaxation. Listen to our focus verse
- 48:40Speaker 1: again from Ephesians two, verse ten. It says, for we
- 48:46Speaker 1: are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works
- 48:52Speaker 1: which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
- 49:00Speaker 1: Let these words flow over you as a confirmation of
- 49:03Speaker 1: who you are in the Lord. Allow your mind to
- 49:10Speaker 1: settle on the word workmanship for just a moment. You
- 49:17Speaker 1: are God's workmanship, the work of his hands. He is
- 49:25Speaker 1: the master craftsman of your life. He formed you in
- 49:29Speaker 1: his image. Other Bible translations describe workmanship as masterpiece or handiwork,
- 49:39Speaker 1: and certainly you are a masterpiece of God's design. You
- 49:46Speaker 1: are a living example of his handiwork in all of
- 49:52Speaker 1: God's creation. You are fashioned with a purpose and a plan.
- 50:00Speaker 1: First John chapter two, verse seventeen says he who does
- 50:06Speaker 1: the will of God abides forever. My friend, you were
- 50:12Speaker 1: created to do the will of God, walk in his ways,
- 50:16Speaker 1: and to bring him glory. What an amazing calling. It's
- 50:23Speaker 1: tempting to look for our purpose outside of God's parameters.
- 50:28Speaker 1: Yet when we view His boundaries as loving, kind, and good,
- 50:34Speaker 1: we are more than happy to remain within his will.
- 50:40Speaker 1: Remember his will is called good, pleasing, and perfect. Let
- 50:48Speaker 1: those three words sink deep in your heart tonight, Good, pleasing,
- 50:55Speaker 1: and perfect. Find contentment and the loving parameters that God
- 51:02Speaker 1: has placed around you. Let them be a protective guard
- 51:06Speaker 1: rail of peace and assurance. Psalm seventy three, verse twenty
- 51:13Speaker 1: eight says, as for me, the nearness of God is
- 51:18Speaker 1: my good. I have made the Lord God my refuge.
- 51:25Speaker 1: Hear those peaceful words again, The nearness of God is
- 51:30Speaker 1: my good. I have made the Lord God my refuge.
- 51:37Speaker 1: Dear friend, the nearness of God is your good. His
- 51:43Speaker 1: boundaries are loving and protective. His plans are for you,
- 51:48Speaker 1: not against you. Please allow me to pray over you,
- 51:55Speaker 1: Lord God, how we seek your loving presence Tonight, As
- 52:00Speaker 1: the responsibilities of the day fade into the background and
- 52:04Speaker 1: your word becomes clear to us, we sense your perfect
- 52:09Speaker 1: peace surrounding us like a refuge from the world. Please, God,
- 52:15Speaker 1: speak to this listener tonight, instilling in them a deeper
- 52:20Speaker 1: sense of security in who you created them to be.
- 52:26Speaker 1: Help them release every false notion of who they think
- 52:29Speaker 1: they are and embrace every true statement of who you
- 52:35Speaker 1: say they are. Most of all, Lord, help them abide
- 52:41Speaker 1: in your son, never straying from his finished work in
- 52:45Speaker 1: their lives. We commit this meditation to you, seeking your will,
- 52:51Speaker 1: your way, and your truth in the precious name of Jesus.
- 52:57Speaker 1: Amen Isaiah Chapter forty five, Verse nine asks does the
- 53:06Speaker 1: clay say to the potter? What are you making? We ask,
- 53:13Speaker 1: clay in the hands of the potter ask similar questions.
- 53:20Speaker 1: I encourage you to rest in the potter's hands tonight.
- 53:26Speaker 1: Imagine a skilled yet gentle potter sitting above his pottery wheel,
- 53:32Speaker 1: taking a lump of clay in his hands and working
- 53:35Speaker 1: out the impurities. He spends time needing it, making it pliable,
- 53:41Speaker 1: and preparing it to become a noble vessel. Then, as
- 53:47Speaker 1: he places the clay on the center of the wheel,
- 53:51Speaker 1: the wheel spins around and around, and the potter applies
- 53:55Speaker 1: pressure to the lump of clay skillful potter uses his
- 54:01Speaker 1: hands against the force of the spinning wheel to mold
- 54:05Speaker 1: and shape the loan. This process is known as throwing
- 54:10Speaker 1: pottery or wheel throwing. Once the desired shape of the
- 54:17Speaker 1: pot is made and it has hardened to a leatherlike consistency,
- 54:22Speaker 1: the potter then trims away the excess, the parts of
- 54:26Speaker 1: the vessel that don't belong. As followers of Jesus, we
- 54:32Speaker 1: too are refined by God as he trims away what
- 54:37Speaker 1: doesn't belong. In John chapter fifteen, verses one and two,
- 54:44Speaker 1: Jesus said, I am the true vine, and my Father
- 54:49Speaker 1: is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me
- 54:53Speaker 1: that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear
- 54:57Speaker 1: fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.
- 55:04Speaker 1: My friend, the pruning process isn't always comfortable, but it
- 55:09Speaker 1: is fruitful. Without it, we would carry all kinds of
- 55:14Speaker 1: excess that would burden us and weigh us down. My
- 55:20Speaker 1: hope for you tonight is that you will allow the
- 55:23Speaker 1: Father to trim away the things that don't belong, allow
- 55:29Speaker 1: his gentle, loving hands to remove the burdens you've been carrying.
- 55:36Speaker 1: Heavenly Father, please hold this beloved child in the palm
- 55:40Speaker 1: of your hands, as a skilled potter who fashions beautiful vessels.
- 55:48Speaker 1: Help them know they are valuable in your sight, created
- 55:52Speaker 1: in your son for good things as the sleep. Lord
- 55:57Speaker 1: filled their minds with soothing thoughts of innate patterns carved
- 56:02Speaker 1: on earthen vessels designed with the heavenly purpose. Please whisper
- 56:08Speaker 1: your divine purpose for them, telling them of the wonderful
- 56:12Speaker 1: works You've planned for them to do. Remind them that
- 56:17Speaker 1: these noble things were fashioned in their hearts before even
- 56:21Speaker 1: one of their days came to be. Most of all, Lord,
- 56:27Speaker 1: remind them of their place in the body, the body
- 56:30Speaker 1: of Christ. Let them know that they are secure in faith, hope,
- 56:36Speaker 1: and love. I pray these things in the precious name
- 56:40Speaker 1: of your son Jesus. Amen, Now rest quietly in the
- 56:48Speaker 1: stillness of this moment. Let the words of the scriptures
- 56:55Speaker 1: surround you, as a potter's hand surround the clay. Isaiah
- 57:02Speaker 1: sixty four, verse eight says, But now, o Lord, you
- 57:08Speaker 1: are our father. We are the clay, and you are
- 57:13Speaker 1: our potter. We are all the work of your hand.
- 57:20Speaker 1: Jeremiah chapter eighteen, verse six says, behold, like the clay
- 57:27Speaker 1: in the Potter's hand. So are you in my hand.
- 57:34Speaker 1: As the imagery of God's hands working everything out for
- 57:38Speaker 1: His glory flows over you, rest and peaceful adoration of
- 57:43Speaker 1: your creator. You are the work of His hands. The
- 57:50Speaker 1: power belongs to God, not us. In this there is
- 57:56Speaker 1: great assurance that He is in control and He holds
- 58:00Speaker 1: us securely. The person God made you to be is
- 58:07Speaker 1: a gift, a gift to the world around you. You
- 58:11Speaker 1: have been given a specific role in this life, and
- 58:15Speaker 1: there is no one just like you. God breathed life
- 58:21Speaker 1: into you and at the same time equipped you for
- 58:26Speaker 1: every good work He planned for you before the beginning
- 58:29Speaker 1: of time. You can rest in this knowledge and find
- 58:35Speaker 1: peace in God's provision. You can have hope in the
- 58:39Speaker 1: one who has created you in this time and place.
- 58:45Speaker 1: For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus, for
- 58:49Speaker 1: good works which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk
- 58:55Speaker 1: in them. What hope, what joy? What purpose? Know that
- 59:05Speaker 1: the Lord he is God. It is he who made us,
- 59:10Speaker 1: and we are his My friend. You are his. You
- 59:19Speaker 1: are a vital part of his creation, his body, the
- 59:23Speaker 1: body of Christ. The rest of the world needs what
- 59:28Speaker 1: you have to offer. They really do, even when you
- 59:35Speaker 1: aren't sure of what your gifts are, you can trust
- 59:38Speaker 1: that God has given you specific talents to be invested
- 59:42Speaker 1: in the lives of people. As you sleep tonight, I
- 59:48Speaker 1: pray that God will waken his gifts in you, instilling
- 59:53Speaker 1: in you a renewed excitement to use your talents for
- 59:57Speaker 1: the kingdom of God. Romans chapter twelve, verse six says,
- 1:00:05Speaker 1: having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us,
- 1:00:10Speaker 1: let us use them. Let the Lord work through you
- 1:00:16Speaker 1: according to his matchless grace and endless mercy. Your part
- 1:00:23Speaker 1: in God's plan will look different from others, but it
- 1:00:27Speaker 1: will be an integral part, working together with all the
- 1:00:31Speaker 1: other parts to make Jesus known throughout the world. That's
- 1:00:37Speaker 1: what it's all about, making Jesus known in all of
- 1:00:43Speaker 1: our soul searching and our striving for answers, the answer
- 1:00:49Speaker 1: right in front of us. First Timothy chapter one, verses
- 1:00:55Speaker 1: fifteen and sixteen says, here is a trust worth the
- 1:01:00Speaker 1: saying that deserves full acceptance. Christ Jesus came into the
- 1:01:05Speaker 1: world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst.
- 1:01:11Speaker 1: But for that very reason I was shown mercy, so
- 1:01:14Speaker 1: that in me, the worst of sinners Christ Jesus might
- 1:01:19Speaker 1: display his immense patience as an example for those who
- 1:01:23Speaker 1: would believe in him and receive eternal life. Our Lord,
- 1:01:31Speaker 1: Jesus came into the world to save sinners, you and me.
- 1:01:37Speaker 1: The whole reason we were created was to be in
- 1:01:40Speaker 1: fellowship with the Father and to walk with him all
- 1:01:44Speaker 1: of our days. Jesus points us back to Him through
- 1:01:50Speaker 1: his precious blood, the cleansing power that reconciles us and
- 1:01:55Speaker 1: redeems our lives in him. We live and move and
- 1:02:02Speaker 1: have our being Without him, nothing was made that has
- 1:02:10Speaker 1: been made. The person God made you to be is
- 1:02:16Speaker 1: wrapped in the beautiful covering of Christ Jesus. You can
- 1:02:23Speaker 1: live out his divine calling on your life by simply
- 1:02:26Speaker 1: abiding in him. He will never lead you astray. His
- 1:02:34Speaker 1: presence will be with you wherever you go. You can
- 1:02:37Speaker 1: trust Him to work through you in every good way.
- 1:02:44Speaker 1: Softly and tenderly. Jesus is calling, calling for you and
- 1:02:51Speaker 1: calling for me. Receive his calling tonight, as you rest
- 1:02:58Speaker 1: securely in the presence of the Holy Spirit, receive the
- 1:03:02Speaker 1: purpose He has for you. Gracious God, please impress your
- 1:03:09Speaker 1: loving will on the life of this listener. Tonight, Speak
- 1:03:14Speaker 1: your words of truth into their heart, mind, and soul,
- 1:03:20Speaker 1: that they will awaken with a renewed sense of joy
- 1:03:24Speaker 1: and purpose. Let there be such an awakening in their
- 1:03:28Speaker 1: spirit that they will not be able to deny who
- 1:03:32Speaker 1: they were created to be. How lovely is the work
- 1:03:36Speaker 1: of your hands, Oh Lord, and how beautiful is the
- 1:03:40Speaker 1: life of this beloved child. Bless them and keep them
- 1:03:44Speaker 1: in the name of Jesus. Amen. The apostle Paul said
- 1:03:52Speaker 1: these encouraging words and Ephesians chapter four, verses one through three,
- 1:04:00Speaker 1: for a prisoner, for the Lord, urge you to walk
- 1:04:04Speaker 1: in a manner worthy of the calling to which you
- 1:04:07Speaker 1: have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience,
- 1:04:13Speaker 1: bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the
- 1:04:17Speaker 1: unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. His
- 1:04:24Speaker 1: exhortation to walk in a manner worthy of the calling
- 1:04:28Speaker 1: is an invitation to take that first step of obedience.
- 1:04:35Speaker 1: With all humility, gentleness, patience, and love. You are called
- 1:04:41Speaker 1: to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond
- 1:04:45Speaker 1: of peace. Sleep deeply in the bond of peace, held
- 1:04:51Speaker 1: fast by the Holy Spirit of God. In Him, you
- 1:04:57Speaker 1: are kept safe and secure. He watches over you as
- 1:05:04Speaker 1: you sleep. He works through you to bring renewal and
- 1:05:08Speaker 1: replenishment of all that is lacking. He made you in
- 1:05:14Speaker 1: His image, a bearer of His light, love and glory.
- 1:05:22Speaker 1: You reflect His Son, the light of the world. In
- 1:05:28Speaker 1: everything you do and say, think, and believe. You have
- 1:05:34Speaker 1: the opportunity to be an example of Christ and your
- 1:05:37Speaker 1: sphere of influence. You can be absolutely sure of your
- 1:05:43Speaker 1: role in this life. You only need to abide in
- 1:05:47Speaker 1: the one who says this is the way you should go.
- 1:05:52Speaker 1: You can trust God to guide you in all things.
- 1:05:57Speaker 1: His way is perfect and his plans for you are good. Truly,
- 1:06:05Speaker 1: you are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do
- 1:06:10Speaker 1: good works which God prepared in advance for you. All
- 1:06:17Speaker 1: it takes is a willingness to step into His plan,
- 1:06:21Speaker 1: fully equipped by the Holy Spirit and led by Jesus
- 1:06:25Speaker 1: on the narrow path. Each faithful step you take, no
- 1:06:31Speaker 1: matter how small, adds up to a culmination of good
- 1:06:36Speaker 1: works that point to the Savior. So thank you, my friend,
- 1:06:43Speaker 1: for your faithful service to God. Thank you for being
- 1:06:48Speaker 1: exactly who He made you to be. Thank you for
- 1:06:53Speaker 1: abiding in Christ, Heavenly Father. As your child sleeps in
- 1:07:00Speaker 1: the loving presence of your spirit. Please fill them with
- 1:07:04Speaker 1: a deep and lasting peace. Let them continue to feel
- 1:07:10Speaker 1: your presence as they start a new day and seek
- 1:07:13Speaker 1: to do your will. Bless them Lord with a clear
- 1:07:18Speaker 1: understanding of who you made them to be, that they
- 1:07:22Speaker 1: will live for you as an example of Jesus, your son.
- 1:07:26Speaker 1: For it is in his name we pray and remember
- 1:07:30Speaker 1: all the things you've taught us through your word. To night. Amen,
- 1:07:37Speaker 1: thanks again for listening to this sleep story to night.
- 1:07:41Speaker 1: My hope is that you've been greatly encouraged to seek
- 1:07:45Speaker 1: God and his perfect will for your life. I pray
- 1:07:51Speaker 1: you get the rest that is needed to carry on
- 1:07:53Speaker 1: the tasks you've been given, and that you feel refreshed
- 1:07:58Speaker 1: when you wake up in the morning. Let me share
- 1:08:02Speaker 1: our Bible passage from Ephesians, chapter two, verse ten again,
- 1:08:08Speaker 1: for we are God's workmanship created in Christ to Jesus
- 1:08:12Speaker 1: for good works which God prepared beforehand, that we should
- 1:08:17Speaker 1: walk in them. God bless you and keep you as
- 1:08:23Speaker 1: you continue to abide in Him. Let's listen again to
- 1:08:30Speaker 1: this sleep story about becoming who God made you to be.
- 1:08:36Speaker 1: As we begin our story, please take a moment to
- 1:08:40Speaker 1: readjust the covers if needed, and make yourself even more comfortable.
- 1:08:48Speaker 1: Take a slow, deep breath in and release it. Allow
- 1:08:58Speaker 1: your breathing to settle and a steady rhythm lulling you
- 1:09:03Speaker 1: into a peaceful state of relaxation. Listen to our focus
- 1:09:10Speaker 1: verse again from Ephesians two, verse ten. It says, for
- 1:09:16Speaker 1: we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good
- 1:09:21Speaker 1: works which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
- 1:09:30Speaker 1: Let these words flow over you as a confirmation of
- 1:09:33Speaker 1: who you are in the Lord. Allow your mind to
- 1:09:40Speaker 1: settle on the word workmanship for just a moment. You
- 1:09:47Speaker 1: are God's workmanship, the work of his hands. He is
- 1:09:55Speaker 1: the master craftsman of your life. He formed you in
- 1:09:59Speaker 1: his image. Other Bible translations describe workmanship as masterpiece or handiwork,
- 1:10:09Speaker 1: And certainly you are a masterpiece of God's design. You
- 1:10:16Speaker 1: are a living example of his handiwork in all of
- 1:10:22Speaker 1: God's creation. You are fashioned with a purpose and a plan.
- 1:10:30Speaker 1: First John, chapter two, verse seventeen says he who does
- 1:10:36Speaker 1: the will of God abides forever. My friend, You were
- 1:10:42Speaker 1: created to do the will of God, to walk in
- 1:10:45Speaker 1: his ways and to bring him glory. What an amazing caller.
- 1:10:53Speaker 1: It's tempting to look for our purpose outside of God's parameters. Yet,
- 1:10:59Speaker 1: when we view His boundaries as loving, kind, and good,
- 1:11:04Speaker 1: we are more than happy to remain within his will.
- 1:11:10Speaker 1: Remember his will is called good, pleasing, and perfect. Let
- 1:11:18Speaker 1: those three words sink deep in your heart. Tonight, good, pleasing,
- 1:11:25Speaker 1: and perfect. Find contentment in the loving parameters that God
- 1:11:32Speaker 1: has placed around you. Let them be a protective guardrail
- 1:11:36Speaker 1: of peace and assurance. Psalm seventy three, verse twenty eight cents.
- 1:11:45Speaker 1: As for me, the nearness of God is my good.
- 1:11:50Speaker 1: I have made the Lord God my refuge. Hear those
- 1:11:56Speaker 1: peaceful words again, The nearness of God is my good.
- 1:12:02Speaker 1: I have made the Lord God my refuge. Dear friend,
- 1:12:09Speaker 1: the nearness of God is your good. His boundaries are
- 1:12:14Speaker 1: loving and protective.