1 00:00:35,675 --> 00:00:40,635 Speaker 1: Welcome to Abides Daily Christian Meditations. I'm Tyler Boss. Today's 2 00:00:40,715 --> 00:00:43,915 Speaker 1: meditation is brought to you by our partners at Life Audio. 3 00:00:44,235 --> 00:00:46,475 Speaker 1: If you go to lifeaudio dot com you will find 4 00:00:46,555 --> 00:00:50,075 Speaker 1: dozens of other faith centered podcasts in their network. They've 5 00:00:50,075 --> 00:00:53,915 Speaker 1: got shows about prayer, Bible study, parenting, and more. Head 6 00:00:53,915 --> 00:00:57,795 Speaker 1: over to lifeaudio dot com now, and remember you can 7 00:00:57,835 --> 00:01:01,555 Speaker 1: have full access to our meditations commercial free. Just text 8 00:01:01,635 --> 00:01:05,075 Speaker 1: abide to two two four three three for twenty five 9 00:01:05,115 --> 00:01:09,355 Speaker 1: percent off. Now receive his piece as we meditate and 10 00:01:09,435 --> 00:01:10,435 Speaker 1: abide in Christ. 11 00:01:13,035 --> 00:01:21,875 Speaker 2: Welcome to this Abide Meditation. I'm Chloe. Practicing solitude can 12 00:01:21,995 --> 00:01:28,395 Speaker 2: strengthen your connection to community. When Jesus retreated for time 13 00:01:28,515 --> 00:01:34,915 Speaker 2: alone and prayer, he emerged from those times encouraged and fortified, 14 00:01:35,715 --> 00:01:39,595 Speaker 2: ready to teach and heal and minister to his community. 15 00:01:41,595 --> 00:01:44,515 Speaker 2: Does time alone with God tend to leave you feeling 16 00:01:44,635 --> 00:01:52,195 Speaker 2: stronger or more isolated? Rest for a moment and take 17 00:01:52,275 --> 00:02:01,875 Speaker 2: some deep breaths as you consider that sometimes Jesus didn't 18 00:02:01,955 --> 00:02:06,915 Speaker 2: retreat by himself. Sometimes he took a few close friends 19 00:02:06,955 --> 00:02:13,275 Speaker 2: with him to spend time in prayer. They practiced solitude together. 20 00:02:15,195 --> 00:02:20,875 Speaker 2: Mark's Gospel says Jesus took with him Peter and James 21 00:02:20,915 --> 00:02:25,355 Speaker 2: and John and led them up a high mountain by themselves, 22 00:02:26,435 --> 00:02:35,955 Speaker 2: and he was transfigured before them. Take another deep breath 23 00:02:36,955 --> 00:02:44,635 Speaker 2: and imagine that experience, a light from heaven transforming their vision, 24 00:02:46,675 --> 00:02:53,315 Speaker 2: Jesus radiant and dazzling, and God's voice coming out of 25 00:02:53,355 --> 00:03:01,275 Speaker 2: the clouds to say, this is my beloved son. Imagine 26 00:03:01,315 --> 00:03:04,115 Speaker 2: how it must have shaped the faith of Peter and 27 00:03:04,315 --> 00:03:09,275 Speaker 2: James and John, how it must have bound them together 28 00:03:09,395 --> 00:03:14,475 Speaker 2: in spiritual friendship. Have you been able to take times 29 00:03:14,515 --> 00:03:23,515 Speaker 2: of retreat with friends. God wants to give you transformative 30 00:03:23,555 --> 00:03:30,635 Speaker 2: experiences in community. As you seek His face, whether alone 31 00:03:30,955 --> 00:03:34,795 Speaker 2: or with other believers, you can draw near to God 32 00:03:34,915 --> 00:03:39,555 Speaker 2: in peace, fondness, and rest away from the distractions of 33 00:03:39,635 --> 00:03:49,715 Speaker 2: everyday life. Pray with me, Heavenly Father, Sometimes I feel 34 00:03:49,835 --> 00:03:58,875 Speaker 2: so alone. I want to follow you and to seek 35 00:03:58,915 --> 00:04:05,195 Speaker 2: your face and prayer and solitude and in silent contemplation. 36 00:04:06,515 --> 00:04:11,715 Speaker 2: But I also want companions on the journey. Help me 37 00:04:11,795 --> 00:04:16,995 Speaker 2: to resist isolating myself and to nourish relationships that help 38 00:04:17,075 --> 00:04:23,435 Speaker 2: me grow in holiness. Help me to seek out those times, 39 00:04:24,235 --> 00:04:28,035 Speaker 2: those places, and those people who will help me to 40 00:04:28,195 --> 00:04:34,795 Speaker 2: draw near to you and Jesus' name, I pray Amen. 41 00:04:37,915 --> 00:04:41,875 Speaker 2: Hold your hands open in front of you, ready to 42 00:04:41,955 --> 00:04:48,315 Speaker 2: receive whatever God has to give. Ready to class hands 43 00:04:48,355 --> 00:04:55,235 Speaker 2: with the friends God will bring you. Breathe deeply and 44 00:04:55,475 --> 00:05:09,195 Speaker 2: ask God to fill you. God promises to love you 45 00:05:09,315 --> 00:05:15,795 Speaker 2: with a never ending love. Confess to the Lord anything 46 00:05:15,835 --> 00:05:19,835 Speaker 2: that might be hindering your relationship with him now in 47 00:05:20,115 --> 00:05:33,795 Speaker 2: full assurance of forgiveness. Nothing in this world can separate 48 00:05:33,955 --> 00:05:38,315 Speaker 2: you from the love God God has for you. And 49 00:05:38,515 --> 00:05:43,155 Speaker 2: God's love is at work in you now, changing you, 50 00:05:44,075 --> 00:05:54,595 Speaker 2: conforming you to His image. God. I long for people 51 00:05:54,595 --> 00:05:58,475 Speaker 2: who are willing to seek your face with me, to 52 00:05:58,595 --> 00:06:04,355 Speaker 2: retreat in prayer and be transformed by your spirit. Help 53 00:06:04,435 --> 00:06:06,915 Speaker 2: me to be that kind of friend to the people 54 00:06:07,035 --> 00:06:12,155 Speaker 2: You've put in my life. Help us to deepen our 55 00:06:12,155 --> 00:06:18,595 Speaker 2: relationships as we practice solitude and prayer together. Yes, I 56 00:06:18,675 --> 00:06:21,835 Speaker 2: know I still need times that I just you and me. 57 00:06:23,235 --> 00:06:25,755 Speaker 2: Help me not to be afraid of those times alone, 58 00:06:26,515 --> 00:06:33,635 Speaker 2: because you are with me. In Jesus' name, I pray Amen. 59 00:06:36,435 --> 00:06:41,915 Speaker 2: God calls you to a full life flourishing in community, 60 00:06:43,355 --> 00:06:52,675 Speaker 2: practicing disciplines like silence, solitude, prayer, and service. There you 61 00:06:52,835 --> 00:07:01,515 Speaker 2: will be transformed until next time. May you abide in 62 00:07:01,635 --> 00:07:02,035 Speaker 2: Christ