Cultivate Connection - Christ Centred Meditation

Where have you been focusing your gaze? Today we look at the story of the Israelites as they fled Egypt. Exodus 14:13-16, 21-23 (NASB) In that moment they had a choice, to focus on the enemy coming towards them, or turn and see the miracle of salvation which God was doing in front of them. Have you set your sights on the one who has made you to overwhelmingly conquer in all things? Romans 8:35-39

This week's meditation comes from Psalm 23 (The Passion Translation). From the lowest valleys to the highest peaks, no matter where His path leads us we will always have more than enough for He is our good shepherd; our best friend. We couldn't be in better hands than His.

Hebrews 1:1-3 (NASB) talks about how Jesus is the exact representation of God. His life on earth displayed to us what The Father is like. In the same way Jesus received the spirit of God descending upon Him like a dove in Mark 1:9-11 (NASB) we now have access to the same spirit on our lives through the death of Christ. He made a way for us to now represent the Father in our own lives in the same way He did.

The first few words of the bible tell us God is creative; He created the heavens and the earth. Ephesians 2:10 says we are the handiwork of God. The same God who formed the heavens and the earth formed you as well. Give thanks today for all that you are, created in His own image.

As believers seeing the impossible made possible is to be a normal part of our everyday lives. Jesus tells us in Mark 9:14-29 all things are possible to him who believes. When life tells us over and over again what we face is impossible, it is easy to let unbelief take hold and become normal. Like the father in the above scripture, we too need to cry out, "help my unbelief." Placing our belief not in the miracle we need, but instead in The One who releases miracles. When we believe Jesus is who He says He is, then we have entered into a new normal; the world of endless possibilities.

As a kid you likely loved to play hide and seek or go on Easter egg hunts. While keeping our hearts turned towards God, let us ponder the thought that God is not hiding things from us, but hiding things for the joy of discovery. It's His good pleasure to interact with His children. Proverbs 25:2 speaks about God concealing matters and kings searching them out. In Matthew 13:10-17 Jesus is explaining to his disciples how some will hear yet not understand and some will see yet not perceive for their hearts have become dull.

This week's meditation focuses on two scriptures, Psalm 55:22 and 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. No matter who you believe you are, no matter who others say you are, the truth is you are His beloved. May we stand firm on the unshakable ground God has placed us upon this week.

This week's meditation is out of Isaiah 26:3, keeping in perfect peace as we focus on Him. What is your gaze fixed upon? When Moses sent representatives from each of the twelve tribes to spy out the land, each man experienced the same land, but only two came back with a positive report. What gave these two men the ability to see what God laid out before them? May we fix our gaze on the goodness of God and the things He has for us this week.

This week's meditation comes out of Romans 8:14-17. We were once slaves living under the banner of fear but are now led by the Spirit, adopted into His kingdom as sons and daughters of God. Let's choose to cry out “Abba! Father!” today.

This week's meditation comes out of Psalm 62. There's no better place to be than within the impregnable castle of Gods goodness. He is our everything, the foundation which cannot be shaken. May you enter into His court today and find yourself in the safest place you can be.

I wanted to take a moment to say thank you for listening to these meditations, hopefully they speak to you in a deep, powerful way. It is my pleasure to be able to share them with you. We're going to meditate on two bits of scripture from the book of Mark. The parable of The Rich Young Ruler and Blind Bartimaeus. One man had perfectly good vision, yet could not see Jesus for who He really was. The other was blind, but in the spirit knew the true identity of Jesus. May you draw near to Him today as you cry out all the more. Mark 10:17-22 & Mark 10:46-52 (NASB)

First place in this sense is not about a ribbon or a trophy. It's about a man named Jesus whom everything is held together. Because all things have been created through Him and for Him, it is He who will come to have first place in everything. This week's meditation comes out of Colossians 1:13-20.

For God is sheer beauty, worthy of our praise. Come before Him with joyful singing and enter His courts with praise. This week's meditation comes out of Psalm 11. I also read from Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices That Transform Us.

Meditating on 2Corinthians 4:15-18

Meditating on Mark 11:22-25

This week's meditation comes out of John 14:26-27. We are created to be well and whole, living from a place of peace. On our own, we cannot accomplish this. Luckily for us we have been given a friend, The Spirit of Truth, the Holy Spirit.

This week's meditation comes out of 1 John 4:7-19 where we learn of God's love. "God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him." To understand the true nature of love is to truly understand God.

Meditating on the beginnings of Psalm 119 out of The Message version. Being drawn into a single minded pursuit of God and allowing the Holy Spirit to search the vaults of our heart.