So Much More: Creating Space for God (Lectio Divina and Scripture Meditation‪)‬ Jodie Niznik - Lectio Divina and Scripture Meditation Instructor

This guided Christian meditation in John 11 reminds us that Jesus is with us in our pain and grief.

Get your FREE Peace, Be Still Guided Meditation Journal here.

 

Often life just doesn’t make sense.

Pain, death, disease, evil.

We believe God is bigger than all of these things, so why do they still happen.

I identify with Mary when she runs out to meet Jesus after her brother, Lazarus, died. She said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

Mary is asking why. This is normal—but getting stuck there is detrimental.

Becoming fixated on why can breed fear and anxiety as they lead to wondering when something else bad will happen, or if this pain will ever end.

We rarely receive answers to our why questions.

What we do receive is exactly what Jesus offered Mary—his presence, his compassion, and his empathy.

Jesus grieved with Mary’s family and community.

Just as he grieves with us when we are in pain.

If you’ve been wrestling with why Jesus allowed something in your life, I’m praying he will use this meditation to comfort you with the reminder that he is with you and he loves you.

 

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Here are some additional helpful links:

Listen to last week's meditation here

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 whole meditation text is as follows:

John 11:32–37, NIV

32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 “Where have you laid him?” he asked.

“Come and see, Lord,” they replied.

35 Jesus wept.

36 Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”

37 But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?
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This guided Christian meditation in Luke 10 reminds us that we can turn away from distraction and worry to embrace Jesus’s better way.

Get your FREE Peace, Be Still Guided Meditation Journal here.

 

You are worried and upset about many things.

Jesus said this to Martha over 2000 years ago.

Yet these words are also for us today.

Martha was distracted with preparing to host her loved ones. It caused her to be upset and worried—and perhaps a little disgruntled since she was the only one doing the work.

Jesus helped her reframe her anxiety with these words, “few things are needed—or indeed only one.” He then reminded Martha that there was a better choice than the one she was making.

If you’re feeling pulled apart by all that demands your attention, then this meditation is for you. There is a better way.

Jesus invites us to walk and work with him at his pace.

A pace that trusts God to help us accomplish what truly needs to be done and let the rest go.

 

Get your FREE Peace, Be Still Guided Meditation Journal here.

 

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:

Luke 10:38-42, NIV

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.
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This guided Christian meditation in Isaiah 43 will bring you peace as you remember that God will see you through any difficult situation you face.

 

Get your FREE Peace, Be Still Guided Meditation Journal here.

 


When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you.

When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down.

Isaiah 43:2 The Message


I find a lot of comfort in these words. God will not let go of us.

He will never leave us nor forsake us.

But, I’ll be honest, I wish this verse said something more like—you won’t get in over your head, you won’t face rough waters, you won’t feel like you’re in the flames.

We don’t get a free pass from suffering. But we do get the assurance that God will help us through whatever comes.

This is why Jesus reminds us, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

In this meditation, you will be guided to name a situation that is currently causing you anxiety. Then, with the Spirit, you will be guided to notice how God is with you in the midst of whatever you are facing. As you are comforted with this truth, I pray you will exchange your current fear or anxiety for the peace God is offering.

 

Get your FREE Peace, Be Still Guided Meditation Journal here.

 

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 whole meditation text is as follows:

Isaiah 43:1-3, Christian Standard Bible

Now this is what the Lord says—

…

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by your name; you are mine.

2 When you pass through the waters,

I will be with you

and the rivers will not overwhelm you,

When you walk through the fire,

you will not be scorched

and the flame will not burn you.

3 For I am the Lord your God,

the Holy One of Israel, and your Savior.
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This guided Christian meditation in Proverbs 3 will bring you peace as you remember God is with you even when life doesn’t make sense.

Get your FREE Peace, Be Still Guided Meditation Journal here.

Why?

It’s a question we ask God a lot.

And a question for which we rarely get satisfactory answers.

Spinning in the unanswerable question of why can bring fear and anxiety.

This meditation will give you space to acknowledge your questions and release them to God. Then, turn to God in trust. Because as Proverbs 3 reminds us, that is where the path gets straight, and the next steps become clear.

 

Get your FREE Peace, Be Still Guided Meditation Journal here.

 

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:

Proverbs 3:5-6, Christian Standard Bible

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

and do not rely on your own understanding;

6 in all your ways know him,

and he will make your paths straight.
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This guided Christian meditation in 1 Peter 5 will give you hope and peace in the midst of the fear and anxiety that difficult seasons bring.

Get your FREE Peace, Be Still Guided Meditation Journal here.

When hardship or suffering enters our lives, one reason we begin to feel anxiety is because we have no idea when the hard season will end.

This unknown space becomes a breeding ground for the enemy’s lies.

Lies that 1 Peter says are intended to devour us. Devour. Meaning that the enemy wants to consume us and render us ineffective.

1 Peter exhorts us to stand firm against his attack and to remember that God cares for us so we can give our worries and anxieties to him.

If you’re struggling with anxiety and fear because you’re in a difficult season, I believe this meditation is for you. I’m praying God will use His Word to give perspective or reframing to whatever you’re enduring.

And may you remember that you are not alone. God cares deeply for you.

Get your FREE Peace, Be Still Guided Meditation Journal here.

 

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 whole meditation text is as follows:

1 Peter 5:6–9, New Living Translation

6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.
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This guided Christian meditation in 1 Samuel will give you space to remember how God sees you, regardless of how you view yourself.

Get your FREE Peace, Be Still Guided Meditation Journal here.

Rejection not only stings, but it also lingers.

Rejection threatens to identify us as unworthy or unwanted, which can create anxiety and fear. If we truly start to believe these lies, then we’ll shrink back, cease, and get small. We stop being who God created us to be.

King David may have been one of the greatest kings who ever lived, but he had to overcome being overlooked.

In this meditation, we will remember that God looks at our hearts.

If you’re fearful or anxious because you feel rejected, this week’s mediation will encourage you to remember …

God sees your heart.

God sees the very best of you.

God sees who he made you to be.

God sees you covered in the righteousness of Christ.

 

Get your FREE Peace, Be Still Guided Meditation Journal here.

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 whole meditation text is as follows:

1 Sam 16:6-12, NLT

6 When (Jesse and his sons) arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab (the oldest son) and thought, “Surely this is the Lord’s anointed!”

7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

8 Then Jesse told his son Abinadab to step forward and walk in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “This is not the one the Lord has chosen.” 9 Next Jesse summoned Shimea, but Samuel said, “Neither is this the one the Lord has chosen.” 10 In the same way all seven of Jesse’s sons were presented to Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any of these.” 11 Then Samuel asked, “Are these all the sons you have?”

“There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied. “But he’s out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.”

“Send for him at once,” Samuel said. “We will not sit down to eat until he arrives.”

12 So Jesse sent for him. He was dark and handsome, with beautiful eyes.

And the Lord said, “This is the one; anoint him.”
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