1 00:00:23,934 --> 00:00:26,253 Speaker 1: Well, hey, they're friends. Just a quick heads up that 2 00:00:26,414 --> 00:00:29,654 Speaker 1: I am taking a tiny little break and I'm also 3 00:00:29,734 --> 00:00:32,494 Speaker 1: getting ready for our lint series which begins in the 4 00:00:32,534 --> 00:00:36,254 Speaker 1: middle of February. So this is a replay of one 5 00:00:36,293 --> 00:00:39,814 Speaker 1: of my favorite scriptures. I do hope that you'll settle 6 00:00:39,854 --> 00:00:43,214 Speaker 1: in and enjoy it. God has something new for us 7 00:00:43,293 --> 00:00:44,894 Speaker 1: every time we hear his word. 8 00:00:45,293 --> 00:00:56,934 Speaker 2: So here you go, life audio. Well, hey they're friends. 9 00:00:57,174 --> 00:01:01,054 Speaker 1: I'm Jody Nisnick, and welcome to our new Year's series. 10 00:01:01,254 --> 00:01:03,214 Speaker 2: It's just a little space. 11 00:01:02,934 --> 00:01:06,694 Speaker 1: To reflect on the goodness of God and how He 12 00:01:06,934 --> 00:01:10,774 Speaker 1: is leading us as we enter into this new season together. 13 00:01:11,574 --> 00:01:13,974 Speaker 1: We're going to take a quick break for a word 14 00:01:14,054 --> 00:01:16,694 Speaker 1: from our sponsors, and then we'll be right back for 15 00:01:16,813 --> 00:01:23,254 Speaker 1: our meditation. Today we are going to be doing our 16 00:01:23,294 --> 00:01:28,014 Speaker 1: meditation and slightly differently than a traditional guided lectio divina, 17 00:01:28,774 --> 00:01:31,934 Speaker 1: and I'm going to be guiding you through our meditation 18 00:01:32,174 --> 00:01:35,374 Speaker 1: with some prompts and giving you some space to reflect 19 00:01:35,814 --> 00:01:39,694 Speaker 1: on these prompts as we go along. Each time I pause, 20 00:01:39,814 --> 00:01:42,774 Speaker 1: I'm going to give you a minute, so that'll help 21 00:01:42,814 --> 00:01:45,334 Speaker 1: you know how to pace yourself. You can always hit 22 00:01:45,334 --> 00:01:47,294 Speaker 1: the back button to get some more time if you 23 00:01:47,334 --> 00:01:49,614 Speaker 1: need to or simply pause it until you're ready to 24 00:01:49,654 --> 00:01:53,254 Speaker 1: move forward. Now, if you're new to the podcast, well, 25 00:01:53,294 --> 00:01:56,614 Speaker 1: first of all, welcome, We're so glad you're here. And second, 26 00:01:56,614 --> 00:01:58,774 Speaker 1: I want to encourage you head into the show notes 27 00:01:58,814 --> 00:02:02,534 Speaker 1: so that you can download the free Lectio Divina journal 28 00:02:02,694 --> 00:02:05,654 Speaker 1: that I've created for you. It will tell you about 29 00:02:05,734 --> 00:02:08,654 Speaker 1: the normal meditation method that we use in this podcast 30 00:02:09,054 --> 00:02:11,694 Speaker 1: and also give you some space to capture notes as 31 00:02:11,733 --> 00:02:15,614 Speaker 1: you do this meditation. Today, we are going to be 32 00:02:16,014 --> 00:02:20,254 Speaker 1: meditating on all of Psalm thirty two and we're going 33 00:02:20,293 --> 00:02:24,254 Speaker 1: to be reading from the message translation. So with that, 34 00:02:24,894 --> 00:02:29,413 Speaker 1: let's go ahead and get started. As always, the first 35 00:02:29,454 --> 00:02:32,814 Speaker 1: thing we want to do is just settle in with. 36 00:02:33,014 --> 00:02:34,614 Speaker 2: Some deep breaths. 37 00:02:35,694 --> 00:02:39,854 Speaker 1: These deep breaths just help us signal to our heart, 38 00:02:39,934 --> 00:02:43,974 Speaker 1: our mind, our body to be present here right now. 39 00:02:44,894 --> 00:02:48,574 Speaker 1: So as you breathe in, just ask the Lord to 40 00:02:48,654 --> 00:02:52,894 Speaker 1: help you be mindful of his presence with you. And 41 00:02:52,934 --> 00:02:57,173 Speaker 1: as you exhale, take a quick scan and notice. If 42 00:02:57,214 --> 00:03:00,894 Speaker 1: there's anything that feels tight, go ahead and relax that 43 00:03:02,413 --> 00:03:05,853 Speaker 1: and also take a quick mental scan and if there's 44 00:03:05,934 --> 00:03:09,134 Speaker 1: anything that feels heavy or burdensome to you right now, 45 00:03:10,254 --> 00:03:16,374 Speaker 1: just ask the Lord to hold it for you. Continue 46 00:03:16,413 --> 00:03:20,374 Speaker 1: taking deep in and out breaths as you do. Let 47 00:03:20,413 --> 00:03:26,014 Speaker 1: me pray for us, Gracious Lord, thank you for space 48 00:03:26,294 --> 00:03:30,294 Speaker 1: set aside to hear your word. We pray that, by 49 00:03:30,334 --> 00:03:33,494 Speaker 1: the power of your spirit, your word would become living 50 00:03:33,574 --> 00:03:37,734 Speaker 1: and active in our lives. Guide and lead us. Lord, 51 00:03:38,734 --> 00:03:42,654 Speaker 1: help us to see what you have for us, Help 52 00:03:42,734 --> 00:03:46,654 Speaker 1: us to have that conversation with you. Lord. Would you 53 00:03:46,894 --> 00:03:52,174 Speaker 1: use this time to lead us closer to you? We 54 00:03:52,254 --> 00:03:59,814 Speaker 1: pray that you would do this in Jesus' name. Amen. Well, 55 00:03:59,894 --> 00:04:02,854 Speaker 1: the first time I am going to read the entire 56 00:04:02,974 --> 00:04:06,494 Speaker 1: passage to you, just so you can hear this psalm 57 00:04:07,374 --> 00:04:10,494 Speaker 1: know where it's going. And then the second reading I 58 00:04:10,534 --> 00:04:12,974 Speaker 1: will break it down and will pause and do some 59 00:04:13,014 --> 00:04:17,734 Speaker 1: reflection questions as we go. So this is Psalm thirty two, 60 00:04:18,894 --> 00:04:26,094 Speaker 1: and today we're reading from the message translation. Count yourself lucky. 61 00:04:27,454 --> 00:04:32,094 Speaker 1: How happy you must be you get a fresh start, 62 00:04:33,174 --> 00:04:41,453 Speaker 1: Your slate's wiped clean. Count yourself lucky. God holds nothing 63 00:04:42,254 --> 00:04:47,974 Speaker 1: against you, and you're holding nothing back from Him. When 64 00:04:48,014 --> 00:04:52,933 Speaker 1: I kept it all inside, my bones turned to powder, 65 00:04:53,613 --> 00:04:59,094 Speaker 1: My words became day long groans. The pressure never let up. 66 00:05:00,654 --> 00:05:05,254 Speaker 1: All the juices of my life dried up. Then I 67 00:05:05,414 --> 00:05:10,254 Speaker 1: let it all out. I said, I'll make a clean 68 00:05:10,494 --> 00:05:16,493 Speaker 1: breast of my failures to God. Suddenly the pressure was gone, 69 00:05:17,254 --> 00:05:23,294 Speaker 1: my guilt dissolved, my sin disappeared. These things add up. 70 00:05:24,374 --> 00:05:29,094 Speaker 1: Every one of us needs to pray when all hell 71 00:05:29,214 --> 00:05:34,214 Speaker 1: breaks loose, and the damn bursts will be on high 72 00:05:34,254 --> 00:05:42,534 Speaker 1: ground untouched. God's my island hideaway, keeps dangers far from 73 00:05:42,574 --> 00:05:50,054 Speaker 1: the shore, throws garlands of Hosannas around my neck. Let 74 00:05:50,053 --> 00:05:53,294 Speaker 1: me give you some good advice. I'm looking you in 75 00:05:53,334 --> 00:05:57,854 Speaker 1: the eye and giving it to you straight. Don't be 76 00:05:58,053 --> 00:06:02,214 Speaker 1: ornery like a horse or a mule that needs bit 77 00:06:02,454 --> 00:06:09,054 Speaker 1: and bridle to stay on track. God defires are always 78 00:06:09,094 --> 00:06:16,214 Speaker 1: in trouble. God affirmers find themselves loved every time they 79 00:06:16,334 --> 00:06:26,214 Speaker 1: turn around. Celebrate God. Sing together everyone, all you honest hearts, 80 00:06:27,254 --> 00:06:42,613 Speaker 1: raise the roof. Now, as I read the second time, 81 00:06:42,854 --> 00:06:46,534 Speaker 1: We're going to take a few opportunities to pause, and 82 00:06:46,574 --> 00:06:52,334 Speaker 1: I'll give you some reflection questions to consider. So this 83 00:06:52,494 --> 00:07:00,214 Speaker 1: is Psalm thirty two. Count yourself lucky. How happy you 84 00:07:00,334 --> 00:07:08,294 Speaker 1: must be you get a fresh start, your slates wiped clean. 85 00:07:10,014 --> 00:07:18,174 Speaker 1: Count yourself lucky. God holds nothing against you. And you're 86 00:07:18,294 --> 00:07:25,654 Speaker 1: holding nothing back from him. So take a moment to 87 00:07:25,734 --> 00:07:31,614 Speaker 1: consider what would your life be like without Jesus, And 88 00:07:31,734 --> 00:07:36,694 Speaker 1: thank God for how through Jesus he has given you 89 00:07:37,814 --> 00:08:44,614 Speaker 1: a clean slate. Continuing with first three. When I kept 90 00:08:44,654 --> 00:08:51,854 Speaker 1: it all inside, my bones turned to powder, My words 91 00:08:51,973 --> 00:08:59,854 Speaker 1: became day long groans. The pressure never let up. All 92 00:08:59,894 --> 00:09:06,134 Speaker 1: the juices of my life dried up. Then I let 93 00:09:06,174 --> 00:09:10,853 Speaker 1: it all out. I said, I'll make a clean breast 94 00:09:10,894 --> 00:09:17,534 Speaker 1: of my failures to God. Suddenly the pressure was gone, 95 00:09:18,014 --> 00:09:26,454 Speaker 1: My guilt dissolved, my sin disappeared. These things add up. 96 00:09:27,574 --> 00:09:32,214 Speaker 1: Every one of us needs to pray when all hell 97 00:09:32,333 --> 00:09:36,614 Speaker 1: breaks loose and the damn bursts will be on high 98 00:09:36,614 --> 00:09:45,213 Speaker 1: ground untouched. God's my island hideaway, keeps danger far from 99 00:09:45,254 --> 00:09:55,294 Speaker 1: the shore, throws garlands of Hosannas around my neck. So 100 00:09:55,414 --> 00:09:58,814 Speaker 1: take a moment now to consider a time when you 101 00:09:59,134 --> 00:10:03,614 Speaker 1: were hiding from God and others and how it felt. 102 00:10:04,814 --> 00:10:08,854 Speaker 1: And when you returned to God and stopped hiding from others, 103 00:10:09,374 --> 00:10:13,454 Speaker 1: how did that feel? And as you consider both of 104 00:10:13,494 --> 00:11:17,734 Speaker 1: these scenarios, thank God for his mercy. And now bringing 105 00:11:17,774 --> 00:11:21,934 Speaker 1: it forward to today, is there any place in your 106 00:11:22,054 --> 00:11:25,494 Speaker 1: life that you feel like you are hiding from God 107 00:11:25,774 --> 00:11:31,294 Speaker 1: or others, and if so, what's holding you back from 108 00:11:31,333 --> 00:12:37,574 Speaker 1: bringing it to the light. Continuing with verse eight, let 109 00:12:37,614 --> 00:12:41,574 Speaker 1: me give you some good advice. I'm looking you in 110 00:12:41,734 --> 00:12:46,614 Speaker 1: the eyes and giving it to you street. Don't be 111 00:12:46,814 --> 00:12:51,414 Speaker 1: ornery like a horse or mule that needs bit and 112 00:12:51,614 --> 00:12:57,733 Speaker 1: bridle to stay on track. God defires are always in trouble. 113 00:12:59,254 --> 00:13:05,654 Speaker 1: God affirmers find themselves loved every time they turn around. 114 00:13:07,494 --> 00:13:16,534 Speaker 1: Celebrate God. Sing together everyone, all you honest hearts, raise 115 00:13:16,654 --> 00:13:22,014 Speaker 1: the roof. Ask God if there's any place in your 116 00:13:22,054 --> 00:13:25,014 Speaker 1: life where you're being ornerary, you like a horse or 117 00:13:25,054 --> 00:13:29,774 Speaker 1: a mule and resisting him. And if He reveals something 118 00:13:29,814 --> 00:13:32,973 Speaker 1: to you, ask him for help. And if nothing comes 119 00:13:32,974 --> 00:13:36,054 Speaker 1: to mind, ask him to help you stay tender and 120 00:13:36,254 --> 00:14:40,934 Speaker 1: responsive to his leading. Verse ten says that god defires 121 00:14:41,014 --> 00:14:45,534 Speaker 1: are always in trouble and God affirmers find themselves loved 122 00:14:45,854 --> 00:14:46,974 Speaker 1: every time. 123 00:14:47,414 --> 00:14:48,254 Speaker 2: They turn around. 124 00:14:49,974 --> 00:14:52,294 Speaker 1: So take a moment to praise God for the truth 125 00:14:52,334 --> 00:14:58,094 Speaker 1: that you are loved every single time you turn around. 126 00:14:59,414 --> 00:15:02,294 Speaker 1: And if there's a place that God has shown you 127 00:15:02,614 --> 00:15:06,214 Speaker 1: that you need to turn around, ask Him for his help. 128 00:15:06,254 --> 00:16:12,694 Speaker 1: But remember you will be received with love. Now as 129 00:16:12,694 --> 00:16:16,134 Speaker 1: I read Psalm thirty two to you one final time. 130 00:16:16,374 --> 00:16:18,494 Speaker 1: I'm going to read it all the way through again. 131 00:16:19,814 --> 00:16:23,094 Speaker 1: This time ask the Lord to help you receive these words, 132 00:16:23,934 --> 00:16:29,774 Speaker 1: resting in his goodness and his love for you, resting 133 00:16:29,814 --> 00:16:33,494 Speaker 1: in the truth that you are fully forgiven through Christ, 134 00:16:34,334 --> 00:16:38,654 Speaker 1: and that He receives us every single time we turn 135 00:16:38,734 --> 00:16:43,854 Speaker 1: to him. So this is our final reading of Psalm 136 00:16:44,214 --> 00:16:51,934 Speaker 1: thirty two. Count yourself lucky. How happy you must be 137 00:16:53,174 --> 00:16:59,134 Speaker 1: you get a fresh start, your slates wiped clean. Count 138 00:16:59,174 --> 00:17:06,533 Speaker 1: yourself lucky. God holds nothing against you, and you're holding 139 00:17:06,614 --> 00:17:11,454 Speaker 1: nothing back from Him. When I kept it all inside, 140 00:17:12,254 --> 00:17:19,053 Speaker 1: my bones turned to powder. My words became day long groans. 141 00:17:19,813 --> 00:17:23,974 Speaker 1: The pressure never let up. All the juices of my 142 00:17:24,054 --> 00:17:29,774 Speaker 1: life dried up. Then I let it all out. I said, 143 00:17:30,813 --> 00:17:33,854 Speaker 1: I'll make a clean breast of my failures to God. 144 00:17:35,454 --> 00:17:42,573 Speaker 1: Suddenly the pressure was gone, My guilt dissolved, my sin disappeared. 145 00:17:44,454 --> 00:17:48,413 Speaker 1: These things add up. Every one of us needs to 146 00:17:48,494 --> 00:17:53,574 Speaker 1: pray when all hell breaks loose, and the dam bursts 147 00:17:54,614 --> 00:18:01,494 Speaker 1: will be on high ground untouched. God's my island hide away, 148 00:18:02,813 --> 00:18:07,774 Speaker 1: keeps danger far from the shore, throws garlands of hosannas 149 00:18:07,853 --> 00:18:13,014 Speaker 1: around my neck. Let me give you some good advice. 150 00:18:14,494 --> 00:18:18,094 Speaker 1: I'm looking you in the eye and giving it to 151 00:18:18,293 --> 00:18:23,374 Speaker 1: you straight. Don't be ornery like a horse or mule 152 00:18:24,134 --> 00:18:28,774 Speaker 1: that needs bit and bridle to stay on track. God 153 00:18:28,853 --> 00:18:35,494 Speaker 1: defires are always in trouble. God affirmers find themselves loved 154 00:18:36,454 --> 00:18:46,294 Speaker 1: every time they turn around. Celebrate God. Sing together everyone, 155 00:18:46,574 --> 00:18:57,814 Speaker 1: all you honest hearts, raise the roof. Oh Lord, thank 156 00:18:57,853 --> 00:19:02,894 Speaker 1: you for the truths of Psalm thirty two. Lord, would 157 00:19:02,934 --> 00:19:08,454 Speaker 1: you help us to remember to be happy about what 158 00:19:08,534 --> 00:19:12,494 Speaker 1: you have done for us. I love the exuberance that 159 00:19:12,534 --> 00:19:16,054 Speaker 1: this Psalm starts with, count yourself lucky, how happy you 160 00:19:16,174 --> 00:19:22,294 Speaker 1: must be, And I think sometimes we forget how amazing 161 00:19:23,094 --> 00:19:26,254 Speaker 1: the fact is is that you have wiped our slate clean, 162 00:19:26,373 --> 00:19:30,934 Speaker 1: that you've given us a fresh start through you. So Lord, 163 00:19:31,094 --> 00:19:36,573 Speaker 1: would you right now help us to count ourselves lucky, 164 00:19:37,214 --> 00:19:41,854 Speaker 1: to find joy in our salvation. And Lord, if there's 165 00:19:41,974 --> 00:19:46,374 Speaker 1: anything that has been pressing in in our life, any 166 00:19:46,534 --> 00:19:50,254 Speaker 1: sin that has been trying to consume us, would you 167 00:19:50,414 --> 00:19:55,094 Speaker 1: help us to push back that darkness by bringing that 168 00:19:55,373 --> 00:20:01,134 Speaker 1: sin into the light, by knowing that you will receive us, 169 00:20:01,694 --> 00:20:06,333 Speaker 1: that you always receive us, and that you are just 170 00:20:06,454 --> 00:20:10,814 Speaker 1: waiting on us to come to you. So, Lord, help 171 00:20:10,934 --> 00:20:15,934 Speaker 1: us to continue to be sensitive and tender to your leading. 172 00:20:16,893 --> 00:20:20,053 Speaker 1: We don't want to be like the horse or the mule. 173 00:20:20,174 --> 00:20:23,093 Speaker 1: We want to be tender to you, and so would 174 00:20:23,134 --> 00:20:27,813 Speaker 1: you help us to that. Lord. We thank you for 175 00:20:27,934 --> 00:20:31,774 Speaker 1: this beautiful psalm and the reminders in it, and we 176 00:20:31,813 --> 00:20:35,374 Speaker 1: thank you for who you are, and we thank you 177 00:20:35,494 --> 00:20:40,694 Speaker 1: for your son who died for our sins so that 178 00:20:40,734 --> 00:20:44,214 Speaker 1: we could have the slate wiped clean. And we pray 179 00:20:44,254 --> 00:20:52,613 Speaker 1: this in Jesus' name. Amen. Well, friends, just a few 180 00:20:52,694 --> 00:20:55,573 Speaker 1: quick things before we close. I just want to remind 181 00:20:55,614 --> 00:20:59,214 Speaker 1: you that we've created a special series of guided reflections 182 00:20:59,254 --> 00:21:03,094 Speaker 1: to help you enter into this new year with intention. 183 00:21:03,773 --> 00:21:05,614 Speaker 1: I know we're a few weeks in, but I just 184 00:21:05,614 --> 00:21:09,174 Speaker 1: want to encourage you it is not too late to 185 00:21:09,254 --> 00:21:12,854 Speaker 1: spend some time looking back over the last year and 186 00:21:13,054 --> 00:21:16,214 Speaker 1: assessing where you are in the present and asking God 187 00:21:16,293 --> 00:21:20,174 Speaker 1: how he wants you to move forward. So this series 188 00:21:20,214 --> 00:21:23,814 Speaker 1: of reflections, we're calling it a guided retreat, but you 189 00:21:23,853 --> 00:21:25,694 Speaker 1: can do it over a few mornings, you can do 190 00:21:25,773 --> 00:21:28,813 Speaker 1: it over a long afternoon, or you can do it 191 00:21:28,853 --> 00:21:31,734 Speaker 1: over a full day. However it works in your schedule. 192 00:21:32,214 --> 00:21:36,494 Speaker 1: You'll find a link to the retreat information in the notes. 193 00:21:37,054 --> 00:21:38,933 Speaker 1: I do want to remind you that there is a 194 00:21:39,014 --> 00:21:42,413 Speaker 1: small cost for this, but if for some reason that's prohibitive, 195 00:21:42,773 --> 00:21:43,333 Speaker 1: just let me know. 196 00:21:43,773 --> 00:21:44,894 Speaker 2: I'll make sure you get one. 197 00:21:45,734 --> 00:21:47,893 Speaker 1: I also want to give a quick shout out to 198 00:21:48,054 --> 00:21:51,573 Speaker 1: our partner, Life Audio. If you go to lifeaudio dot 199 00:21:51,614 --> 00:21:56,534 Speaker 1: com you'll see all their other Christian podcasts. And I 200 00:21:56,574 --> 00:21:58,654 Speaker 1: also want to say thank you to those who have 201 00:21:58,773 --> 00:22:02,654 Speaker 1: left reviews recently. I read every single one of them 202 00:22:02,694 --> 00:22:05,813 Speaker 1: and they are so deeply encouraging to me. So thank you, 203 00:22:05,974 --> 00:22:12,894 Speaker 1: and please keep reviewing and sharing the podcast. Finally, thank 204 00:22:12,974 --> 00:22:17,374 Speaker 1: you for joining me on so much more because we 205 00:22:17,494 --> 00:22:21,533 Speaker 1: really do believe Jesus has so much more to say 206 00:22:21,534 --> 00:22:25,454 Speaker 1: to us, and we are creating space to listen.