774 A Stranger They Will Not Follow, A Guided Christian Meditation on John 10:1-3 with the Recenter With Christ app

The purpose of this podcast is to help you find more peace in and connect with the true source of peace, Jesus Christ.

Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization.
u can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes.

Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation:

Breathe and direct your thoughts to connecting with God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate.

Scripture for Meditation

NABRE
3 When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. 5 But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.” 6 Although Jesus used this figure of speech, they did not realize what he was trying to tell them.

KJV
4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.

Reflection on Scripture:

As we know, Jesus is the shepherd. We are the crazy sheep. Those who respond to the shepherd are the sheep of the shepherd. We hear the voice of that shepherd and respond. This analogy works if we look deeper also. From the perspective of the sheep they choose to trust the master. They choose to overcome their fear and respond to His words of calm. They think that it is a natural thing for them to be loved and protected. Of course they don't need to worry too greatly for predators because predators don't ever overcome them. The sheep that have put their trust in the shepherd may even think themselves quite clever.

Yet at the end of the day it is the wisdom of the shepherd that taught the sheep. The sheep would not have anyone to trust if it wasnt for the wisdom of the Shepherd. The shepherd has patience and has given protection. All the things that the sheep have learned to assume is just the normal way of things, are actually the agency of the shepherd. The decision of the shepherd is what makes the relationship meaningful. If the shepherd was uncaring or unreliable then the sheep would not trust that person.

The sheep do not trust a stranger because there is nothing trustworthy for them to see. The only reason we can even try and follow God’s commands is because he is powerful enough to create a universe, he was wise enough to create a law and then a new law that would bless us, and ultimately he had the love enough to help us overcome our failures. It is the wisdom and agency of the shepherd that makes it even possible for the sheep to listen. The sheep would not even be alive without the shepherd.

Meditation of Prayer:

Pray as directed by the Spirit.

Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him.

Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm:

I invite you to sit in silence feeling patient for your own faults and trials.

Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life:

This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast

Final Question: If you consider the invitation and command to persevere in the faith, what change in your life does that bring to your mind?

FIND ME ON:
Download my free app: Recenter with Christ
Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com
Voicemail - (602) 888-3795
Email: jared@christianmeditationpodcast.com
Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast
Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast
Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast
Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

NIV
1 Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

772 He Calls For All His Own Sheep By Name, A Guided Christian Meditation on John 10:1-3 with the Recenter With Christ app

The purpose of this podcast is to help you find more peace in and connect with the true source of peace, Jesus Christ.

Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization.

Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes.

Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation:

Breathe and direct your thoughts to connecting with God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate.

Scripture for Meditation

NIV
1 Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

RSV
Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber; 2 but he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens; the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

Reflection on Scripture:

One thing we can get caught up in while doing devotional reading is the idea that we need a profound and unique insight in order to make a devotional meaningful. I know I have encountered many clever and nifty thoughts reading devotionals. Although this can be fun, none of that should take us away from the simplest idea that is the central core of the gospel of Jesus Christ. An all knowing loving God, chose to love you before you were even created. In that love he also created a method by which we can learn and grow and be redeemed.

The life mission of Jesus Christ is the outpouring of that love and it is offered to you. We are his sheep. He is both the shepherd and also the gate by which we come in and out. He is the way but he also shows us the way. There is a door specifically designed for us sheep. A door and a path that if we use, we will find safety. We can complicate it but ultimately there is no important message that can ease our burden than that. Anything you are facing in this world is a temporary challenge. God does not shout down answers at us from heaven but has shown us the way to live through the example of Jesus’ life. He shows us how to overcome challenge with love and patience. He shows us strength in the face of overwhelming odds. He shows us that good will always win over evil.

If you are listening to scripture and responding to it then you are following the good Shepheard. I encourage you to continue in that walk. The path he has laid out will guide us to victory and safety. He is your loving savior and will never leave you or forsake you.

Meditation of Prayer:

Pray as directed by the Spirit.

Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him.

Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm:

I invite you to sit in silence feeling patient for your own faults and trials.

Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life:

This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast

Final Question: If you consider the invitation and command to persevere in the faith, what change in your life does that bring to your mind?

FIND ME ON:
Download my free app: Recenter with Christ
Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com
Voicemail - (602) 888-3795
Email: jared@christianmeditationpodcast.com
Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast
Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast
Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast
Twitter - @ChristianMedPod