So Much More: Scripture Meditation (Lectio Divina)

God’s faithfulness isn’t dependent on our actions; it’s rooted in God’s unchanging character. This meditation on Deuteronomy 7:6-9 reminds us that God is faithful even when we falter. In this passage, we’re reminded that God chose and rescued Israel—not because they were deserving, but because He loved them. In the same way, God chooses and rescues us, not because we deserve it, but simply because of His great love for us. Whatever you’re facing right now, this passage will remind you that God will always be faithful to you. You can trust in His unfailing love, no matter your circumstances. This meditation invites you to reflect on how God has been faithful to you in the past and will create space for you to rest in His faithfulness today. God is faithful. Here are some additional helpful links: Learn more about Scripture meditation and download a FREE Scripture Meditation Journal here. You can find out more about me, Jodie, at http://www.jodieniznik.com/ Follow me on Instagram @jodieniznik Follow me on Facebook @JodieGNiznik Join my Monday email newsletter here, where I send links to the newest meditation every Monday morning. Find out more about my partner, Life Audio, at lifeaudio.com. Download FREE sample chapters from my Bible studies here. The entire meditation text is as follows: Deuteronomy 7:6-9, NLT 6 For you are a holy people, who belong to the Lord your God. Of all the people on earth, the Lord your God has chosen you to be his own special treasure. 7 “The Lord did not set his heart on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other nations, for you were the smallest of all nations! 8 Rather, it was simply that the Lord loves you, and he was keeping the oath he had sworn to your ancestors. That is why the Lord rescued you with such a strong hand from your slavery and from the oppressive hand of Pharaoh, king of Egypt. 9 Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

God’s grace is a gift—freely given and completely undeserved. In this guided meditation from Ephesians 2, we reflect on God’s unearned kindness, favor, and forgiveness that flows abundantly into our lives. God is grace. Ephesians 2:4-5, 8-10 (NLT), reminds us that: God, rich in mercy, loved us even when we were dead in our sins. We are saved by His grace, not by anything we’ve done. We are God’s masterpiece, created for the good works He prepared for us. This meditation invites you to pause and reflect on how you’ve experienced God’s grace in your life. How has His unearned kindness, favor, and forgiveness shaped your story? And what does it mean that you are His masterpiece? Take a moment to rest in this truth: Because of God’s grace, you are loved, you are redeemed, and you are created with purpose. Here are some additional helpful links: You can find out more about me, Jodie, at http://www.jodieniznik.com/ Follow me on Instagram @jodieniznik Follow me on Facebook @JodieGNiznik Learn more about Scripture meditation and download a FREE Scripture Meditation Journal here. Join my Monday email newsletter here, where I send links to the newest meditation every Monday morning. Find out more about my partner, Life Audio, at lifeaudio.com. Download FREE sample chapters from my Bible studies here. The entire meditation text is as follows: Ephesians 2:4-5, 8-10, NLT 4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this guided Scripture meditation, we reflect on and rest in God’s mercy and compassion as revealed in Psalm 103:8-12. In this new series, God Is, we take time to remember who God is and dwell on His incredible attributes. Today, we reflect on the truth that God is merciful. Psalm 103 reminds us that God is “compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.” As you meditate on this passage, may you experience the depth of His mercy—a mercy that removes our sins as far as the east is from the west. Let this meditation be a time to quiet your heart, reflect on God’s love, and embrace the richness of His mercy. Here are some additional helpful links: You can find out more about me, Jodie, at http://www.jodieniznik.com/ Follow me on Instagram @jodieniznik Follow me on Facebook @JodieGNiznik Learn more about Scripture meditation and download a FREE Guided Scripture Meditation Journal here. Join my Monday email newsletter here, where I send links to the newest meditation every Monday morning. Find out more about my partner, Life Audio, at lifeaudio.com. Download FREE sample chapters from my Bible studies here. The entire meditation text is as follows: Psalm 103:8-12, NIV 8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious,slow to anger, abounding in love.9 He will not always accuse,nor will he harbor his anger forever;10 he does not treat us as our sins deserveor repay us according to our iniquities.11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,so great is his love for those who fear him;12 as far as the east is from the west,so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This guided Scripture meditation will help you reflect on God’s mercies, both past and present. Lamentations is a beautiful reminder that God's love never ends, and His mercies are new every morning. “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.” (Lamentations 3:22-23, NLT) In this end-of-year meditation, we’ll: • Reflect on God's faithfulness and mercy over the past year.• Acknowledge our hopes and prayers as we step into the new year.• Rest in the promise that God’s mercies will meet us afresh in every new moment and day. I pray this meditation helps you start the new year with a heart full of trust, gratitude, and anticipation for all that God will do. Here are some additional helpful links: Learn more about Scripture meditation and download a FREE Scripture Meditation and Lectio Divina Journal here. Join my Monday email newsletter here, where I send links to the newest meditation every Monday morning. Find out more about my partner, Life Audio, at lifeaudio.com. Download FREE sample chapters from my Bible studies here. • You can find out more about me, Jodie, at http://www.jodieniznik.com/ • Follow me on Instagram: @jodieniznik• Follow me on Facebook: @JodieGNiznik• Join my Monday email newsletter and receive links to new meditations every week. Join here• Learn more about Scripture meditation and download a FREE Lectio Divina Guided Meditation Journal here. • Find out more about my partner, Life Audio, at lifeaudio.com.• Download FREE sample chapters from my Bible studies here. The entire meditation text is as follows:Lamentations 3:22-26, NLT 22 The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. 23 Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. 24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” 25 The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. 26 So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

The fourth week of Advent invites us to reflect on joy—true joy—and how we experience it. Get your FREE Unhurried Advent Guide here. This 25-day guide is filled with Scripture meditations, devotional readings with reflective questions, and contemplative imagery—all designed to help you slow down and savor the Advent season. Created in collaboration with Unhurried Living, a ministry I’m confident you’ll love. Joy is the focus of this final week of Advent.What I love about joy is that it weaves through all the themes of Advent: We have joy because Jesus is our sure hope. We have joy because Jesus is the Prince of Peace. We have joy because God is love, and Jesus reveals this to us. At the heart of it all, we have joy because of Jesus—our Savior, who came to us that first Christmas morning. In this meditation, we’ll explore how we can know more joy.John 15:9-12 ties joy to a somewhat surprising source—obedience and love. Jesus tells us that true, overflowing joy comes when we follow his command to love one another as he has loved us. As you meditate on this passage, may you rest in God’s love for you and discover the deep, overflowing joy that comes from loving as Jesus loves. Get your FREE Unhurried Advent Guide here. Here are some additional helpful links: Did you love today’s calming music by Simon Wester? If so, head here to find links to his music. I have his Spotify playlist on repeat. You can find out more about me, Jodie, at http://www.jodieniznik.com/ Follow me on Instagram @jodieniznik Follow me on Facebook @JodieGNiznik Learn more about Scripture meditation and download a FREE Lectio Divina Scripture Meditation Journal here. Join my Monday email newsletter here, where I send links to the newest meditation every Monday morning. Find out more about my partner, Life Audio, at lifeaudio.com. Download FREE sample chapters from my Bible studies here. The entire meditation text is as follows: John 15:9-12, NLT 9 “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. 10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! 12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

The third week of Advent invites us to reflect on love—real love—and what it looks like in our lives. Get your FREE Unhurried Advent Guide here. This 25-day guide is filled with Scripture meditations, devotional readings with reflective questions, and contemplative imagery—all designed to help you slow down and savor the Advent season. Created in collaboration with Unhurried Living, a ministry I’m confident you’ll love. What is love?The world often says love is a feeling—but feelings change. God tells us that love is so much more. God is love. And his love is eternal, unchanging, and steadfast. He demonstrated this love by sending his Son, Jesus, to take away our sins. There is no greater love than the love of God. But God’s love isn’t something we receive for ourselves alone. Part of knowing God’s love is the call to give it away—to love one another as he has loved us. Yet, this can feel especially hard during the holidays, when we might face the challenge of loving difficult people in our families and communities. This meditation will guide you to contemplate love: God’s love for you and his invitation to love others. May you know and experience real love this Advent season. Get your FREE Unhurried Advent Guide here. Here are some additional helpful links: Did you love today’s calming music by Simon Wester? If so, head here to find links to his music. I have his Spotify playlist on repeat. You can find out more about me, Jodie, at http://www.jodieniznik.com/ Follow me on Instagram @jodieniznik Follow me on Facebook @JodieGNiznik Learn more about Scripture meditation and download a FREE Lectio Divina Scripture Meditation Journal here. Join my Monday email newsletter here, where I send links to the newest meditation every Monday morning. Find out more about my partner, Life Audio, at lifeaudio.com. Download FREE sample chapters from my Bible studies here. The entire meditation text is as follows: 1 John 4:7-10, NLT 7 Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. 8 But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. 10 This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This second week of Advent invites us to reflect on the theme of peace—a peace that became possible through the arrival of Jesus. Get your FREE Unhurried Advent Guide here.This 25-day guide is filled with Scripture meditations, devotional readings with reflective questions, and contemplative imagery—all designed to help you slow down and savor the Advent season. Created in collaboration with Unhurried Living, a ministry I’m confident you’ll love. Jesus brought peace. Peace in our relationship with God, peace into our lives, and peace into the world. The peace He offers isn’t a distant, someday-when-life-is-perfect kind of peace. It’s a peace we can experience right now—in the middle of the mess. I love how Alan Fadling, from Unhurried Living and one of the contributors to the Unhurried Advent Guide, puts it:“Anything we can do in anxiety, we can do better in peace.” This doesn’t ignore the fact that real life is often messy and difficult. But imagine if there were an undercurrent of peace flowing through your life instead of anxiety. How would that change the way you live, love, and respond to your circumstances? Today, we’re meditating on the announcement of Jesus’s birth to the shepherds. In this extraordinary moment, God gives them (and us) the profound gift of peace. As you listen to this meditation, I invite you to step into the shepherds’ shoes and wonder: What would it have been like to witness this moment? More importantly, how might Jesus be inviting you to embrace His peace this Advent season? I’m praying that this meditation helps you pause, reflect, and receive the peace Jesus offers. Get your FREE Unhurried Advent Guide here. Here are some additional helpful links: Did you love today’s calming music by Simon Wester? If so, head here to find links to his music. I have his Spotify playlist on repeat. You can find out more about me, Jodie, at http://www.jodieniznik.com/ Follow me on Instagram @jodieniznik Follow me on Facebook @JodieGNiznik Learn more about Scripture meditation and download a FREE Lectio Divina Scripture Meditation Journal here. Join my Monday email newsletter here, where I send links to the newest meditation every Monday morning. Find out more about my partner, Life Audio, at lifeaudio.com. Download FREE sample chapters from my Bible studies here. The entire meditation text is as follows: Luke 2:8–14, NLT 8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This first week of Advent focuses on the theme of hope—a hope made tangible through the arrival of Jesus. Get your FREE Unhurried Advent Guide here. This 25-day guide is full of Scripture meditations, devotional readings with reflective questions, and contemplative imagery—all designed to help you slow down and savor the Advent season. Created in collaboration with Unhurried Living, an amazing ministry I’m confident you’ll love. Why do we have hope? As believers, our hope isn’t anchored in fleeting desires or wishful thinking. Instead, it is rooted in God’s faithfulness. Did you know Jesus fulfilled more than 300 prophecies with His first coming—prophecies that were written centuries before His birth? These fulfilled prophecies assure us that God faithfully keeps his promises. And that means, just as Jesus came once, He will come again. This is our sure hope. This week’s meditation is one of the prophecies that Jesus fulfilled. It is from the book of Isaiah and was written hundreds of years before Jesus’s birth. It speaks clearly of Jesus as the Light who shines in our darkness. Just like us, the people in Isaiah’s times struggled. While our struggles may differ, we know the weight of darkness in our lives and world. We, too, need the light of hope to break through. And Jesus is that light. No matter what you’re facing this season, let this passage remind you of your sure hope in Christ—the One who entered into our darkness to bring His glorious light. I’m praying this meditation helps you rest in His unshakable hope today. Get your FREE Unhurried Advent Guide here. Here are some additional helpful links: Did you love today’s calming music by Simon Wester? If so, head here to find links to his music. I have his Spotify playlist on repeat. You can find out more about me, Jodie, at http://www.jodieniznik.com/ Follow me on Instagram @jodieniznik Follow me on Facebook @JodieGNiznik Learn more about Scripture meditation and download a FREE Lectio Divina Scripture Meditation Journal here. Join my Monday email newsletter here, where I send links to the newest meditation every Monday morning. Find out more about my partner, Life Audio, at lifeaudio.com. Download FREE sample chapters from my Bible studies here. The entire meditation text is as follows: Isaiah 9:2, 6, NIV 2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This guided meditation and prayer from Psalm 103 guides us to pause and praise God for his unwavering faithfulness. Get your FREE Praying with The Psalms Journal here. Psalm 103 is often called a “salvation-history” Psalm. It beautifully recounts God’s faithfulness through the ages, telling the story of how he saved and redeemed his people over and over. At its core, this Psalm reminds us: if God did it before, he will do it again. He is trustworthy, he is good, and he is worthy of our praise. In this season of thanksgiving, take a few moments to be guided into gratitude. You can follow along with a FREE printed guide for this meditation and the entire Praying with the Psalms series here. Advent is coming. Get your free Advent guide here. This guide was made in partnership with Unhurried Living and contains weekly Scripture meditations, daily devotionals, reflection questions, and more. All to guide you through the Advent season at an unhurried and gracious pace. Get your Advent guide here: https://www.unhurriedliving.com/advent2024 Here are some additional helpful links: You can find out more about me, Jodie, at http://www.jodieniznik.com/ Follow me on Instagram @creatingspaceforgod Follow me on Facebook @JodieGNiznik Learn more about Scripture meditation and download a FREE Lectio Divina Scripture Meditation Journal here. Join my Monday email newsletter here, where I send links to the newest meditation every Monday morning. Find out more about my partner, Life Audio, at lifeaudio.com. Download FREE sample chapters from my Bible studies here. The entire meditation text is as follows: Psalm 103:1-5, NIV 1 Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 2 Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— 3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.   Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This guided meditation and prayer from Psalm 86 will help you stand strong by remembering and relying on God’s character and strength.   Get your FREE Praying with The Psalms Journal here.   Psalm 86 is a heartfelt prayer from David, who cried out to God while facing unjust attacks from his enemies. Though David confronted ruthless foes who sought to take his life, this prayer serves as a reminder that we all have enemies—whether external challenges, difficult people, or internal struggles such as sin patterns or negative thought cycles.   The Psalm encourages us to remember that God is greater than any enemy we could face.   Whatever "enemy" you may be confronting today, be encouraged that God is bigger and stronger. As you meditate on Psalm 86, allow these truths to deepen your trust in Him and strengthen your heart to walk faithfully in His ways.   You can follow along with a FREE printed guide for this meditation and the entire Praying with the Psalms series here.   Advent is coming. Get your free Advent guide here. This guide was made in partnership with Unhurried Living and contains weekly Scripture meditations, daily devotionals, reflection questions, and more. All to guide you through the Advent season at an unhurried and gracious pace. Get your Advent guide here: https://www.unhurriedliving.com/advent2024   Here are some additional helpful links: You can find out more about me, Jodie, at http://www.jodieniznik.com/ Follow me on Instagram @jodieniznik Follow me on Facebook @JodieGNiznik Learn more about Scripture meditation and download a FREE Lectio Divina Scripture Meditation Journal here. Join my Monday email newsletter here, where I send links to the newest meditation every Monday morning.   Find out more about my partner, Life Audio, at lifeaudio.com. Download FREE sample chapters from my Bible studies here. The entire meditation text is as follows: Psalm 86:11-15, NIV 11 Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. 12 I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. 13 For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths, from the realm of the dead. 14 Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God; ruthless people are trying to kill me— they have no regard for you. 15 But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.