A Meditation for The New Year

The Hope of The World - Resurrection Sunday “He is risen! He is risen indeed!” The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said." - Matthew 28:5-6 On Easter Sunday, all sorrow of holy week is turned to joy and praise. H oly Week reveals contrasts: the crucifixion and the resurrection, death and life, sin and salvation, sorrow and hope. Pause for a few moments and breathe in this holy exchange…. Breath in salvation/Exhale sin Breathe in freedom/Exhale bondage Breathe in hope/Exhale sorrow Breathe in faith/Exhale doubt Breathe in LIFE --------------- Thank you for joining us on this Holy Week journey. We hope your spirit has been encouraged and filled with renewed hope. If you have enjoyed our podcast, please subscribe and rate us. And if you know someone who would benefit from listening, please share it with a friend. The Daily Still Meditations are written and hosted by Cindy L. Helton, with production from Soundgood Media.

On this Holy Saturday the Lord Jesus Christ lays in the tomb after his death on the cross. But God is always at work behind the scenes and beyond what we can see or imagine. And so we wait in hope of the glorious resurrection. "Wait on the mercy of your Lord Jesus Christ." - Jude 21 What are you waiting for in your life and hoping to be true? "I wait quietly before God…for my victory comes from him." - Psalm 62:1 NLT If Jesus did not give up on us and abandon us before going to the cross, He will certainly not abandon us now. God will never leave you or forsake you, even in the silence. For He has said, “I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]!” Hebrews 13:5 - The Amplified Bible Faith looks up in hope to the God who keeps His promises. Be with us now Lord, in the waiting. The Daily Still Meditations are written and hosted by Cindy L. Helton, with production from Soundgood Media.

On Good Friday we look at the cross and remember the price Jesus paid, as He took our sin upon Himself. "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53:5 NIV As Jesus continued his journey through passion week, His throne would be a cross, and his crown would be made of thorns. Jesus could have chosen to stop the journey before the cross, but He didn’t." God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners." NLT Romans 5:8 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him." John 3:16-17 The Daily Still Meditations are written and hosted by Cindy L. Helton, with production from Soundgood Media.

The Last Supper, shared by Jesus and His disciples, is commemorated on this Holy Thursday also known as Maundy Thursday. This meal was rich in symbolic meaning. We are all invited to come together as one family, to the table of our Lord. Matthew 26:26-30 (NIV) - "While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, 'Take and eat; this is my body.' Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.'" This night would end with Jesus going to the Garden of Gethsemane, where he would ultimately be betrayed, arrested, and deserted by his disciples. You are invited to remain with Jesus in the garden of prayer where He prayed to the Father. “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” - Matthew 26:42 The Daily Still Meditations are written and hosted by Cindy L. Helton, with production from Soundgood Media.

Matthew 26:6-13 NIV – (Jesus Anointed at Bethany) "While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”  This extravagant act symbolized Jesus was Christ, a title meaning “anointed one.” Anointing the head of Jesus was symbolic of anointing a King. God sees the desire and motives of our hearts. And every act of love, faith, sacrifice and obedience is recognized and remembered by our Creator. Also on this day, the Jewish leaders plot against Jesus, and Judas agrees to betray Him. "Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over." Matthew 26:14-16 Jesus was betrayed by a friend in his inner circle. We have all felt the sting of betrayal. And we have all stumbled, wandered and betrayed our Lord in one way or another. In this space, allow the Holy Spirit to search your heart… The Daily Still Meditations are written and hosted by Cindy L. Helton, with production from Soundgood Media.

On Holy Tuesday, the religious leaders tried to discredit Jesus' power and ultimate authority. But Jesus clearly states his deity and authority in John 14:6. He is the way, the truth and the life. He died so that we can have personal access to the Father. Jesus invites us to trust in Him. Silence and solitude is a place of resting and trusting in God. We invite you to pause for a few moments of silent reflection. "Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Put your hope in the Lord. Travel steadily along his path." - Psalm 37:7&24 The Daily Still Meditations are written and hosted by Cindy L. Helton, with production from Soundgood Media.

On Monday of Holy Week, Jesus tells his disciples – “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, 'May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' and it will happen. You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.” - Matthew 21:21-22 Jesus suffered so all people, his entire creation, could be set free. Lift up your prayers, in faith, for yourself, your family, your community and the world. "Save me, O God. I pray to you, O Lord, in the time of your favor; in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation.
 Answer me, O Lord, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me. Do not hide your face from your servant, answer me quickly, for I am in trouble. Come near and rescue me.
 I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. 
Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and all that move in them." - Psalm 69 As you walk with Jesus on his way to the cross, ask Him to help you see His great love and mercy for you more clearly. The Daily Still Meditations are written and hosted by Cindy L. Helton, with production from Soundgood Media.

Today we offer an encore Palm Sunday Meditation from our Holy Week Series. This meditation focuses on Psalm 121, known as a Psalm of Ascent. These Psalms were sung by Hebrew pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem and possibly while ascending the steps of the Temple. It’s remarkable to note, that Jesus and His disciples would have prayed and sung these same scriptures. "I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." Psalm 121:1-2 “Faith is the gaze of a soul…upon a saving God.” - A.W. Tozer The Daily Still Meditations are written and hosted by Cindy L. Helton, with production from Soundgood Media.

Happy New Year from The Daily Still Podcast!   Today’s meditation creates some space to refocus as a new year begins. You may want to pause and journal these prompts: As we begin a brand new year, where do you find yourself? What hopes do you have? What burdens are you carrying? What was life giving for you in the past year? What would you do differently?   Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30 NLT, Matthew 11:28-30 The Message   Hosted and written by Cindy Helton, Spiritual Director  Produced and edited by Soundgood Media  

Merry Christmas from The Daily Still! Today's meditation helps prepare our hearts in anticipation of Christ’s birth. The stories and scriptures may be familiar, but there is always more to ponder. This meditation focuses on Mary’s story and her faithful “yes” to the mystery of God. As you listen, consider with fresh insight the courage of Mary. Consider the fear she must have experienced, the vulnerability and disbelief. Ponder her consent and surrender in saying “yes” to the mystery of the Incarnation. And consider, “Where are you being invited to say 'Yes' to divine appointments in your life?”    Find a quiet space, take several deep breaths, perhaps light an advent candle, and become aware of God with you.    Scripture references are taken from The Gospel of Luke, Chapter 1 NIV