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Aug 5, 2018

 


Bible verse for meditation:
1 Corinthians 15:9-11
KJV9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.11 Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.  NABRE9 For I am the least of the apostles, not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been ineffective. Indeed, I have toiled harder than all of them; not I, however, but the grace of God [that is] with me. 11 Therefore, whether it be I or they, so we preach and so you believed.
What does this scripture mean to you?Has it had a different effect this reading as compared to times past?How does this scripture make you feel?
Continue breathing deeply as you ponder this meaning.
Meditation on scripture / bible verse meditation:
This scripture is made more interested considering that the most prolific human writer for the New Testament was Paul, yet here he called himself the least of the apostles and not even fit to be called apostles. This is not because he doesn’t believe in his own call. When Paul contends with other people who claim to be apostles without having been called, he declares his call and defends it. The sentiment he expresses here is something I think we all feel at times. He is expressing his awareness of his own human failings while also recognizing the power of God.
As I have mentioned before I am a hospital chaplain. Part of my work involves visiting people in the hospital during the last moments of life. This week I visited a woman who was dying and had no visible consciousness. Her large catholic family was silently gathered around the bed. Their grieving was complicated by the fact that this woman was relatively young but she was dying because of complications from a life of drug abuse. I stood by her bedside gently stroking her arm and consoling the family regarding God’s sovereignty and that we can never know the hearts of others regarding their faith. 
As I looked down on her to pray. I saw her shaved head from where they had attempted life saving surgery that did not work and saw her face shrouded in the veil of death. This common thought returned: that could easily have been me in that bed. I haven’t used drugs but none of us are impenetrable from the effects of sin. I could have made other choices in my life. By the grace of God I am what I am. And now I hope that her life blesses you with this insight and by the grace of God she is what she is. 
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 being patient for your own faults and trials. 
Meditate and Visualize Positive Change in Your Life:Implement the kind of change you want to see in your life.  Length, Intensity, Modality, Freshness, Conclusion:2 People who have dedicated artistic talent to help move the podcast along. Schedule  Christianmeditationpodcast.com/contact
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Final Question: What could you do in your life to search for God with all your heart. 
Final thought -The doors of life swing on small hinges. Not only have choices in your life brought you to where you are, more importantly the choices you make today tomorrow and the next day will greatly influence your tomorrow. As we yield to God through faith He can make far more of our lives than we can. This day resolve to allow God to change your life. It may require large decisions or many small ones but I know that if we follow him and allow him to Guide us we will see him work miracles in our lives. 
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