So Much More: Scripture Meditation (Lectio Divina)

This week’s podcast is a Guided Lectio Divina Scripture meditation for the fourth week of Advent focused on Love.   Jesus is love – and through him, we can be more loving toward others.   This guided meditation may be particularly timely for you. I know it is for me. We always hear that this is the most wonderful time of the year and while that may be true, it’s also a time of added stress. And stress impacts how we love others.   If you’re feeling low on love, take a few deep breaths and listen to this meditation. Love is a fruit of the Spirit, and the Spirit is ready to empower us to love as Jesus is inviting us to.   The full meditation passage is as follows: John 15:12-17, NIV My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other. If you’re interested in Entering a New Season Guided Retreat, you can find more information here. Join my Monday email newsletter here. Learn more about Lectio Divina and download your free Lectio Divina Journal here. You can find Jodie at http://www.jodieniznik.com/ Instagram @creatingspaceforgod Facebook @JodieGNiznik Download free sample chapters from my Bible studies here.   Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This week’s podcast is a Guided Lectio Divina Scripture meditation for the third week of Advent focused on joy.   Jesus is where we find true and lasting joy.   In this passage, Jesus ties our joy to something a bit surprising … obedience. At first glance, this doesn’t feel joyful, does it?   That’s because we have a skewed take on the word obedience. We believe obedience is being told to do something we don’t want to do, like cleaning our room or eating our broccoli.   But I want to encourage us to look at obedience in relationship to Jesus a little differently. Jesus is 100 percent trustworthy, fully loving, and always good. And Jesus sees all and knows all. This means his call to obedience is always for our good. So, instead of broccoli – it’s like chocolate.   The other thing to notice about obedience is it starts with relationship. Jesus invites us to abide, or remain, in him. Obedience flows out of our connection to God.   As you meditate on Jesus’s words this week, I pray the Spirit will lead you toward a deeper relationship with him and the true joy we find in Christ.   The full meditation passage is as follows: John 15:7-11, NIV If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. 9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.   If you’re interested in Entering a New Season Guided Retreat, you can find more information here. Join my Monday email newsletter here. Learn more about Lectio Divina and download your free Lectio Divina Journal here. You can find Jodie at http://www.jodieniznik.com/ Instagram @creatingspaceforgod Facebook @JodieGNiznik Download free sample chapters from my Bible studies here. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This week’s podcast is a Guided Lectio Divina Scripture meditation for the second week of Advent focused on the peace Jesus offers us.   In John 14, Jesus said he was leaving the disciples with his peace – not just fleeting tranquility for a moment but enduring peace for a lifetime.   And because of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence in our lives today, we also have access to this same peace of Christ.   As we face the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it’s easy to let our peace slip away. Whether it’s unmet expectations, difficult loved ones, or simply the pressure of more to do in less time, stress can become the norm for our holiday season. Yet, Jesus longs for us to exchange our stress for his peace.   As you meditate on Jesus’ words, I pray you find the peace of Christ for your day and week.   The full meditation passage is as follows: John 14:25-31, NIV   25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. 28 “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. 30 I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, 31 but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me. If you’re interested in Entering a New Season Guided Retreat, you can find more information here. Join my Monday email newsletter here. You can find Jodie at http://www.jodieniznik.com/ Instagram @creatingspaceforgod Facebook @JodieGNiznik Download free sample chapters from my Bible studies here. Learn more about Lectio Divina and download your free Lectio Divina Journal here. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This week’s podcast is a Guided Lectio Divina Scripture meditation for the first week of Advent focused on hope. Jesus is our true and lasting hope. Without hope, we become disillusioned – troubled with fear and anxiety about the future. Yet, Jesus tells us, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” We find hope in trusting Jesus with our future. We find hope in believing that this life is not all there is. We find hope that someday, “There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:4) Hope is an appropriate place to start Advent. We are a people who need hope. I pray you find hope as you meditate on Jesus’ words through this Christian meditation. The full meditation passage is as follows: John 14:1-6, NIV “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.   If you’re interested in Entering a New Season Guided Retreat, you can find more information here. Get you FREE Fruit of the Spirit Guided Meditation Journal: here  You can find Jodie at http://www.jodieniznik.com/ Instagram @creatingspaceforgod Facebook @JodieGNiznik Download free sample chapters from my Bible studies here. Learn more about Lectio Divina and download your free Lectio Divina Journal here. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This week’s podcast is a Guided Lectio Divina Scripture meditation on the Fruit of the Spirit of Self-Control. *** You can find out more about The Entering a New Season Guided Retreat here  Christ’s death and resurrection give us freedom. Freedom from earning favor with God. Freedom from trying to earn our salvation.   Yet our freedom isn’t well used when choose sin instead of God’s better way.   Self-control is the ability to say no to sin and yes to God. We know we can’t do this in our own strength, which is why self-control is a Fruit of the Spirit. We need to consistently walk with the Spirit so that we are able to lay aside the temptations to sin and choose God instead.   As you meditate on our passage this week, allow the Spirit to guide you into what he has for you.   The full meditation passage is as follows: Galatians 5:13-16, NIV 13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” k 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. 16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.   If you’re interested in Entering a New Season Guided Retreat, you can find more information here. Get you FREE Fruit of the Spirit Guided Meditation Journal: here  You can find Jodie at http://www.jodieniznik.com/ Instagram @creatingspaceforgod Facebook @JodieGNiznik Download free sample chapters from my Bible studies here. Learn more about Lectio Divina and download your free Lectio Divina Journal here. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This week’s podcast is a Guided Lectio Divina Scripture meditation on the Fruit of the Spirit of Gentleness.   Jesus was gentle.   Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 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.” (Matthew 11:28-29)   This means that gentleness is a proper use of power. We all have power over something or someone. So the question becomes: Are we gentle in how we exert influence, or are we self-assertive and self-interested? Do we trust God and allow him to be in control, or do we assert ourselves and our agenda?   Gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit because it requires us to lay aside our agenda and our desires - and we need God’s help to do this well.   We could use a little more gentleness in our world today.   As you meditate on this passage, allow the Spirit to guide you into the Fruit of the Spirit of gentleness.   The full meditation passage is as follows: Colossians 3:11-14. NLT 11 In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us. 12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.   Get you FREE Fruit of the Spirit Guided Meditation Journal: here  You can find Jodie at http://www.jodieniznik.com/ Instagram @creatingspaceforgod Facebook @JodieGNiznik Download free sample chapters from my Bible studies here. Learn more about Lectio Divina and download your free Lectio Divina Journal here. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This week’s podcast is a Guided Lectio Divina Scripture meditation on the Fruit of the Spirit of Faithfulness.   What is faithfulness?   Faithfulness, at its core, is believing and acting like God is exactly who He says He is. Even when we face opposition, we can still choose to be faithful. Trusting that God is with us. And that there is a day coming when all that is wrong will be made right.   One way we remain faithful is by drawing courage from those who remained faithful in the past. Hebrews 11 catalogs some of the faithful – and now they form this great cloud of witnesses that cheer us on in our present struggles. They remind us that if they were able to remain faithful in the midst of their own uncertainty and challenges, then so can we.   Yet, we still need God’s help to walk in faithfulness. This is why it is a Fruit of the Spirit. As you listen to this meditation in Hebrews 12:1-3, allow the Holy Spirit to guide you to what he has for us – and trust him to cultivate the fruit of faithfulness in your life. He will do it.   The full meditation passage is as follows: Hebrews 12:1-3, NIV Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.   Get you FREE Fruit of the Spirit Guided Meditation Journal: here  You can find Jodie at http://www.jodieniznik.com/ Instagram @creatingspaceforgod Facebook @JodieGNiznik Download free sample chapters from my Bible studies here. Learn more about Lectio Divina and download your free Lectio Divina Journal here. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This week’s podcast is a Guided Lectio Divina Scripture meditation on the Fruit of the Spirit of Goodness.   Are you feeling weary?   You aren’t alone. It’s easy to get discouraged when it feels like the good work we are doing isn’t getting the results we hoped for. Or the relationship isn’t getting better. Or it just feels like we keep hitting dead ends.   Take a moment to breathe, reflect on, and remember the goodness of God through this guided meditation on Galatians 6. As you meditate, allow the Holy Spirit to guide you to what he has for us – and trust him to cultivate the fruit of goodness in your life. He will do it.   Remember: God’s timing isn’t always our timing. But his timing is perfect and good. We will reap a harvest in his good timing, so don’t give up my friend. Keep walking in the good works God is calling you to.   The full meditation passage is as follows: Galatians 6:9-10, NIV 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.   Get you FREE Fruit of the Spirit Guided Meditation Journal: here  You can find Jodie at http://www.jodieniznik.com/ Instagram @creatingspaceforgod Facebook @JodieGNiznik Download free sample chapters from my Bible studies here. Learn more about Lectio Divina and download your free Lectio Divina Journal here. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This week’s podcast is a Lectio Divina guided Christian meditation on the Fruit of the Spirit of Kindness.   Words have power. They can tear down or build up; heal or wound. We’ve all experienced destructive words and the deep wounds they leave behind. And hopefully, we can also recall words that have been spoken to us in kindness and love. Words that have encouraged us to be brave and take a leap of faith or to persevere when times feel challenging.   How do we use our words? Are they full of kindness and love – or do they tend to be critical and harsh?   Thankfully kindness is a Fruit of the Spirit, which means God longs to help us speak words of kindness.   As you meditate on this passage from Ephesians, allow the Holy Spirit to guide you to what he has for us – and trust him to cultivate the fruit of kindness in your life. He will do it.   The full meditation passage is: Ephesians 4:29-32, 29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. 30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.   Get you FREE Fruit of the Spirit Guided Meditation Journal: here  You can find Jodie at http://www.jodieniznik.com/ Instagram @creatingspaceforgod Facebook @JodieGNiznik Download free sample chapters from my Bible studies here. Learn more about Lectio Divina and download your free Lectio Divina Journal here.   Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This week’s podcast is a Lectio Divina guided Scripture Meditation on the Fruit of the Spirit of forbearance. Forbearance means patient self-control, restraint, and tolerance. Does anyone else need more forbearance in their lives? I know I do! Thankfully, forbearance is a Fruit of the Spirit, which means God longs to help us. One way we can cultivate a heart bent toward forbearance is by meditating on God’s unending forbearance with us. God extends grace upon grace to us. He never tires of us, never gets impatient with us and never gets worn out by us. Scripture says that he extends new mercy to us every morning – which means he extends it to us moment by moment and day by day. His mercy is always there for us, always new. What a gift. If God can love me like this, perhaps I can extend more loving forbearance to others. As you meditate on this passage from Lamentations, allow the Holy Spirit to guide you to what he has for us – and trust him to cultivate the fruit of more grace and forbearance in your life. He will do it.   The whole meditation passage is as follows: Lamentations 3:21-26, NIV 21 Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: 22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” 25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; 26 it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.   Get your FREE Fruit of the Spirit Guided Meditation Journal here  You can find Jodie at http://www.jodieniznik.com/ Instagram @creatingspaceforgod Facebook @JodieGNiznik Download free sample chapters from my Bible studies here. You can learn more about Lectio Divina and download your free Lectio Divina Journal here. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.