So Much More: Scripture Meditation (Lectio Divina)

Are you worn out? Burned out? Feeling exhausted or bone-weary? If so, Jesus invites you to come to him, and he will help you find life again.He will help you find the rest you need. Not the rest that comes from a good night’s sleep or a delightful nap, although those are good and needed. No, Jesus is offering you the kind of rest that is found deep in the soul.The kind that no one can take away from you. That can help you face any situation. We are meditating on this promise of Jesus from Matthew 11 using the Lectio Divina Scripture meditation method. Settle in, breathe deep, and see where the Spirit guides you. Once you’ve meditated on the passage, then listen in to the conversation I have with Bonnie Gray, soul care coach and author, on her book “Breathe” and how the Lord helped Bonnie learn how to cope with her own anxiety and depression through breathing, breath prayer and lectio divina. (releases Wednesday 2/15)You can find Jodie at http://www.jodieniznik.com/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/creatingspaceforgod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JodieGNiznikDownload your free Lectio Divina Guided journal at http://www.jodieniznik.com/connect-1 Are you looking for a new Bible Study? Check out Jodie’s Real People, Real Faith series and download free sample chapters here: http://www.jodieniznik.com/studies The exact passage we meditate on is:Matthew 11:28-30, NIV28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” And in the final reading, I use the Message translation:Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

A significant life is more simple than you think. In a culture where bigger is seen as better, it’s easy to wonder if your quick prayer between meetings or the short note you text a friend means anything in God’s Kingdom. Rachael Adams, author and host of the Love Offering Podcast, found herself questioning her significance, when the Lord led her to take a deeper look at his Word to discover where true significance is found. In God’s Word, Rachael discovered that contrary to how she was feeling, every little thing could go a long way in God’s hands. This discovery led her to write her devotional, A Little Goes a Long Way: 52 Days to A Significant Life. If you’re wondering how to live a significant life – this conversation is for you. Some highlights from our conversation: Rachael starts by telling us about her journey to discovering significance – and she shares honestly how she still wrestles with this today.Racheal shares some of the little things God helped her notice in Scripture. Like how he created us from dust (a very little thing), how he took Abraham in his very old age and brought a huge nation forth from him, and how Jesus’ whole life was small by our standards, yet he accomplished more than we could imagine.God often works in small ways and with small things. There are also times he does big miraculous things. Both are good as long as God is the one leading.We discuss Ephesians 2:8-10 and why Rachael loves this passage, and how God helped it come to life for her again when she meditated on it.We talk about some “little practices” to try that can help us move toward living a significant life: a little meal, a little invitation, and a little letter.Rachael encourages us to keep doing whatever God is calling us to do. And then sge closes with a beautiful prayer.You can connect with Rachael and get her devotional at: https://rachaelkadams.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rachaeladamsauthor/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachaeladamsauthor/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Do you wonder what God has called you to do? These verses are for you.Years ago, when I wondered what God was calling me to, these verses helped me take a deep breath and stop fretting. God had already created good work for me before I was even born. I didn’t need to hunt around to find it or create it. I only needed to follow God. He would let me know the next step at the right time. He has been faithful in showing me the next steps. He will do the same for you. Whether he’s called you to something small or big, behind the scenes or public. It is significant work because God prepared it in advance for you to do. And God takes even the little things and makes them go a long way. We will meditate on this passage using the Lectio Divina Scripture meditation method. As you allow the Spirit to lead, you may be surprised by what he has for you. Once you’ve listened to this Scripture Experience podcast, head over to the next episode and listen to the interview with author Rachael Adams. We discuss living a significant life by leaning into the little things, inspired by her devotional, A Little Goes a Long Way: 52 Days to a Significant Life. You can find Jodie at http://www.jodieniznik.com/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/creatingspaceforgod/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JodieGNiznikDownload your free Lectio Divina Guided journal at http://www.jodieniznik.com/connect-1 The exact verses read in this podcast are printed here for your use:Ephesians 2:8-10 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

A spacious life sounds lovely, doesn’t it?But it can also feel unattainable.I mean, how are we supposed to live spacious lives and still get everything done? The truth is you will never get everything done. And another truth is - there is a different way to live.A way of life that honors the boundaries God has graciously set for us. Ashley Hales, author of Spacious Living: Trading Hustle and Hurry for the Goodness of Limits, helps us think through a different way to live. Ashley Hales is a writer, speaker, and host of the Finding Holy podcast. She is the author of Finding Holy in the Suburbs and A Spacious Life her writing has been featured in Christianity Today, Books & Culture, and The Gospel Coalition. If you’re longing to leave hustle and hurry behind, start here. GREAT NEWS! IVP is generously giving So Much More listeners 30% off and free shipping on Ashley’s new book, A Spacious Life, with the code MUCHMORE until February 15, 2023 at https://www.ivpress.com/a-spacious-life Some highlights from our conversation: Ashley reminds us that limits are good. They were established at creation – before Adam and Eve sinned. The truth is: God always intended for us to have limits. Discovering and honoring them brings freedom and peace.Ashley finds it fascinating that another word for sin is trespass,which means to go beyond. Sin is ultimately moving beyond our good limits.Ashley shares her personal story of discovering limits through the disorienting season of the pandemic, a job change, selling their home, and moving.One of the things she discovered in this disorienting season is that God is most concerned with our formation. Helping us become more the people he’s created us to be.A spacious life is not a perfectly curated life. And a spacious life isn’t something you will have some day after you’ve accomplished everything. The invitation to spacious living is for now, no matter what season you are in.Ashley shares why Psalm 18 is important to her and how this verse reminds her that spacious living start with God’s gracious rescue.Ashley gives a few practices that can help us start living in our limits. She suggests we start with a time of short silence in the presence of God. She also suggests community because our limits are exposed in community and healed in community. You can connect with Ashley at: https://aahales.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/aahalesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aahales/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aahales Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Does your life feel hurried?Are you hustling from one thing to the next? Or worse, does it feel like you’re drowning in deep water.Struggling to take the next breath? If so, you aren’t alone.That’s exactly how David felt when he penned Psalm 18. The good news is, when David cried out to the Lord, the Lord rescued him.God pulled him out of the deep water and brought him to a spacious place. God may not immediately change your circumstances, but there is a promise for you in this passage. God is inviting you to live differently. To order your life in a way that leads to spaciousness and rest. As you meditate on this invitation from God, allow the Spirit to help you notice something from these words that applies to your life. Once you’ve listened to this Scripture Experience podcast, head over to the next episode and listen to the interview with Ashley Hales, author of A Spacious Life. We discuss how to trade hustle and hurry for the goodness of limit. You can find Jodie at http://www.jodieniznik.com/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/creatingspaceforgod/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JodieGNiznikDownload your free Lectio Divina Guided journal at http://www.jodieniznik.com/connect-1 The exact verses read in this podcast are printed here for your use:Psalm 18:16-19, NIV16 He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. 17 He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. 18 They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support. 19 He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Are you tired of holding it all together? Does it feel like a storm is raging, ready to crash in on you?And what will happen when that storm becomes real?Will it level you? Or are you prepared to withstand it? Jesus has wise words for us on how to stay standing no matter the circumstances.He offers us three simple practices. Simple, but not easy. Join Alli Patterson and I as we discuss the three essential practices that can help us stand strong no matter the circumstances. Alli is graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary, a teaching pastor, and the author of How to Stay Standing: 3 Essential Practices for Building a Faith That LastsSome highlights from our conversation: Ali had a true desire to live a good life. In fact, she believes most of us do. So she set out to build her life like the world told her – do well in school, get a good job, and get married. Unfortunately, she had cracks in her foundation that gave way to her life crumbling around her. She woke up one day wondering, how did I go from being a "good person" one day to allowing myself to do what I never thought I would? As her life sat in ruins, she had to make a choice if she would trust God and take a risk on Him or continue trusting in herself. She chose God. She started with telling the truth and this allowed her to find peace with God. As her life was slowly rebuilt from the rubble, God showed her how he really wanted her to build her life – by focusing on him. Luke 6 tells us there are wise and foolish builders. They both heard the words of Jesus. But the foolish builder didn’t put them into practice. Ali shares why putting Jesus’ words into practice matters and how he can help us start repairing cracks in our foundation. Ultimately, a life built on the solid foundation of God is a life of rest and peace. Storms will come, but with God as our foundation we will be ready to endure them. You can connect with Alli and get her book at https://theallipatterson.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theallipatterson/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theallipatterson/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What happens when the storms sweep through your life?God promises us that storms will come, but they don’t have to take us out.When we build our life on God, as the solid foundation, he promises that we will not be shaken. As you meditate on these words, allow the Spirit to help you notice what he wants you to notice. God has something specific for you in these words. We will enter this passage prayerfully and expectantly using the Lectio Divina Scripture meditation method. Once you’ve listened to this Scripture Experience podcast, then head over to the next episode and catch the interview with Alli Patterson. Alli is a pastor and the author of, How to Stay Standing. She helps us understand the importance of building our lives on a solid foundation. You can find Jodie at http://www.jodieniznik.com/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/creatingspaceforgod/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JodieGNiznikDownload your free Lectio Divina Guided journal at http://www.jodieniznik.com/connect-1 The exact verses read in this podcast are printed here for your use:Luke 6:46-49 46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47 As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. 48 They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

You are not an accident. You did not happen by chance.Sadly, many of us believe these heartbreaking lies.The truth is: God was involved in every aspect of your creation. He knew you - and loved you - before you were even born.We need to reframe our thinking about ourselves. When we understand whom God created us to be – and when we start to grasp his love and grace – then we can live the life God is inviting us to. One that is abundant, full, and even restful.In this podcast, James Bryan Smith and I discuss how understanding the good and beautiful you we’ve been created to be leads to flourishing. James Bryan Smith is the author of the Good and Beautiful Series, which includes: The Good and Beautiful God, The Good and Beautiful Life, The Good and Beautiful Community, and now his new book, The Good and Beautiful You: Discovering the Person Jesus Created You to Be. He is a theology professor at Friends University in Wichita, Kansas, and is the director of the Apprentice Institute for Christian Spiritual Formation.James is also an ordained minister with the United Methodist Church and has served in various capacities in local churches. And he hosts the Things Above Podcast. Great News! You can get 30% off and free shipping on the entire Good and Beautiful series – including The Good and Beautiful You - at the link below with the code MUCHMORE until February 2, 20023https://www.ivpress.com/the-good-and-beautiful-you Some highlights from our conversation:James Bryan Smith previously thought “The Good and Beautiful” series was complete until a friend suggested he needed one more book. Hear how this happened and why James agreed with his friend.James ends each chapter with a soul-training practice. The first one is called Holy Leisure. James and I discuss why he placed this practice first and why it’s a foundational practice for the concepts he unpacks in the book.We discuss the false narrative that we are an accident. James tells us what the true and biblical narrative is and why this matters so much when we are seeking to live restful lives.James says, “It’s unavoidable and not a sin to want to be wanted, to love to be loved, and to desire to be desired.” We talk about this truth, why it’s not narcissistic, and how these deep longings are met through our Triune God.We talk about one of my favorite subjects – the finality of the cross. James unpacks this wonderful truth for us and helps us let go of the false thinking that we must confess each and every one of our sins to be forgiven. If this is a new concept to you – listen to it multiple times. This will give you deep and lasting freedom – and that freedom will release you from much of the anxiety you might feel in your relationship with the Lord.Here’s how you can connect with James Bryan Smith and listen to his podcast:Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Official.JamesBryanSmithTwitter: https://twitter.com/jamesbryansmithPodcast: https://apprenticeinstitute.org/things-above-podcast/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

God designed every detail about you – from the color of your hair to the texture of your toenails.He knows if cilantro tastes like soap or not.And if you recharge best when you’re alone or at a party. Sometimes we wonder if God made a mistake when he wove together our DNA. Psalm 139 assures us he didn’t. God not only created you and knows you, but he also deeply loves you.Perhaps you need to be reminded of this truth. Take a few minutes to meditate on Psalm 139:1-6 and contemplate how God created you and watches over you. As you let the Spirit guide you, you may be surprised what he has for you in this passage. We are meditating on Psalm 139 using the Lectio Divina method – a simple way to prayerfully hear God’s Word. Once you’ve listened to this Scripture Experience podcast, then head over to the next episode and catch the interview with James Bryan Smith, professor, minister, and author of “The Good and Beautiful You.” You can find Jodie at http://www.jodieniznik.com/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/creatingspaceforgod/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JodieGNiznikDownload your free Lectio Divina Guided journal at http://www.jodieniznik.com/connect-1 The exact verses read in this podcast are printed here for your use.Psalm 139:1-61 You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.4 Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.5 You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Are you living a full AND yet still restful life? Most of us aren’t.We view rest as something out there. Something we get to enjoy once everything else is done. Of course, everything never gets done and so we never really rest. This leads to burnout.Which is exactly what Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, a busy physician and mother, experienced. She counseled her patients to rest and take good care of themselves, but realized she wasn’t taking her own advice. This started her journey of discovering and researching about rest.She quickly realized rest was more than just a good night of sleep. In fact, she came to understand that there are seven different types of rest: physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, social, sensory and creative.Are you feeling a little weary as you enter into the new year? Perhaps you need to rest a little differently?Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith is a Board-Certified internal medicine physician, speaker, and award-winning author. She is the author of numerous books including her bestseller Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity, including insight on the seven types of rest needed to optimize your productivity, increase your overall happiness, overcome burnout, and live your best life.Some highlights from our conversation:Dr. Saundra discovered that rest happens through restorative activities. We need to discover where we are depleted and then pour back into our lives accordingly.What do we do if we are truly burned out? Focus on one area where we are truly depleted. Find a manageable and repeatable activity that is restorative and start incorporating that into your daily life.Dr. Saundra and I talk about her belief that science and Scripture are not mutually exclusive from one another – they work together to give a better picture of health and wellness.Dr. Saundra shares that practicing Sabbath is what helped come back from burnout.We also talk about the medical system and how rest isn’t taught, practiced or encouraged for medical professionals. The impact is more doctors leaving the field and less entering into it.We discuss meditation and what some of the positive impacts are for those who meditate – better sleep, better focus, and the ability to be more attentive to the present versus lost in the past of fretting over the future.Dr. Saundra shares why she loves Isaiah 30:15, the Scripture we meditated on this week, and how it had become a life verse for her.Finally, she encourages us that rest results in gifts. Her book outlines 7 kinds of rest – that yield 12 different gifts. You can access the rest quiz at: https://www.restquiz.com/quiz/rest-quiz-test/You can connect with Dr. Dalton Smith at https://ichoosemybestlife.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdaltonsmith/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrSaundraDaltonSmithTwitter: https://twitter.com/DrDaltonSmith Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.