Start with Love | Guided Lent Scripture Meditation Mark 12:28–31

This guided Christian meditation on Psalm 136 will help you stop ruminating on lies and instead dwell on God's faithful and enduring love. Get your FREE Peace, Be Still Guided Meditation Journal here. Unhelpful thoughts easily get stuck in our minds, like a broken record that plays over and over again. This kind of thinking wakes us up at night, distracts us during the day, and makes us physically sick. It does us no favors! And the worst part is, it’s not even real. They’re lies. Lies aimed to keep us bound and stuck. It’s not easy to break the pattern of ruminating in destructive thinking. It takes consistent and steady effort to identify the lies and replace them with the truth. Psalm 136 is a great place to start. Over and over again, the truth His faithful love endures forever is repeated. When you discover yourself stuck in a lie, try repeating this phrase instead. I pray this meditation will help you know more of God’s faithful and enduring love for you and that it will alleviate some of the fear and anxiety that’s been rolling around in your mind.   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: Psalm 136:1-16, CSB 1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His faithful love endures forever. 2 Give thanks to the God of gods. His faithful love endures forever. 3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords. His faithful love endures forever. 4 He alone does great wonders. His faithful love endures forever. 5 He made the heavens skillfully. His faithful love endures forever. 6 He spread the land on the waters. His faithful love endures forever. 7 He made the great lights: His faithful love endures forever. 8 the sun to rule by day, His faithful love endures forever. 9 the moon and stars to rule by night. His faithful love endures forever. 10 He struck the firstborn of the Egyptians His faithful love endures forever. 11 and brought Israel out from among them His faithful love endures forever. 12 with a strong hand and outstretched arm. His faithful love endures forever. 13 He divided the Red Sea His faithful love endures forever. 14 and led Israel through, His faithful love endures forever. 15 but hurled Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea. His faithful love endures forever. 16 He led his people in the wilderness. His faithful love endures forever. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This guided Christian meditation in Matthew 6 will give you peace as you embrace the truth that you are valued and cared for as a friend of God. Get your FREE Peace, Be Still Guided Meditation Journal here. Many of us have been tricked into believing we are valued for what we do, not who we are. And this creates deep anxiety. And in some of Jesus’s final words, Jesus made sure we knew that we are valued because we are God’s friends. And as friends of God, we have been chosen by Him. We are loved by Him. We matter to Him. That’s the foundation of our lives. As you listen to this meditation, I pray that you will be reminded that you are loved because you are a friend of God. And even when you fall short, because we all will, you will not let the enemy use that to create fear and anxiety in your life, but you will release this shortcoming and turn back to God in love. Because, as a true friend, you have nothing to worry about.   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: John 15:14–17 NLT You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. 16 You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This guided Christian meditation in Matthew 6 will remind you that you matter to God and he will take care of you. Get your FREE Peace, Be Still Guided Meditation Journal here. It’s easy to let worry consume our thoughts and energy. So easy. It can be difficult to trust that God will help us through what we’re facing. But today, for this moment, I want to invite you to take a lesson from the birds. Breath deep. See how God takes care of them. They’re going to be ok. So will you. As you listen to this meditation, I’m praying the Lord helps you lay aside whatever you’re carrying and rest in his capable care today. 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 out 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: Matthew 6:25–27, NIV 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This guided Christian meditation in Mark 4:35-42 will help you exchange fear and anxiety for the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding. Get your FREE Peace, Be Still Guided Meditation Journal here. Jesus fell asleep in the middle of a raging storm. The disciples saw the waves crashing in, and as the water filled the boat, they became fearful, even accusatory. They woke Jesus and demanded an answer. Jesus, don’t you care if we drown? Jesus calmed the storm with these power-packed words. Peace. Be Still. Words spoken over nature, but also spoken over our hearts. As you listen to this guided meditation, you will be given space to talk to God about what is bringing you fear and allow him space to calm your fears with his peace and stillness. Here are some 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 out 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 passage we meditated on in this episode is: Mark 4:35-42, NLT 35 As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” 36 So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). 37 But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. 38 Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” 39 When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. 40 Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” 41 The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!” Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

He has risen! He has risen, indeed. Prepare your heart for the glory of Easter as you meditate on the resurrection of Jesus. You can download your Lent Guide here. It has the meditation passage and reflection questions printed out for you. Here are a few additional helpful links: You can find Jodie at http://www.jodieniznik.com/ Instagram @creatingspaceforgod Facebook @JodieGNiznik Learn more about Scripture meditation and download your free Lectio Divina Scripture Meditation Journal here. Join my Monday email here, where I send out 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. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This is a guided meditation for Holy Saturday to help you prepare your heart for Easter as you meditate on this silent day of waiting and wondering. We are meditating on Luke 23:50-56. You can find the passage and reflection questions in the free lent guide. You can download your Lent Guide here. Here are a few additional helpful links: You can find Jodie at http://www.jodieniznik.com/ Instagram @creatingspaceforgod Facebook @JodieGNiznik Learn more about Scripture meditation and download your free Lectio Divina Scripture Meditation Journal here. Join my Monday email here, where I send out 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. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This guided Scripture meditation for Good Friday will help you prepare your heart for Easter as you meditate on the somber and hard day of Jesus’s journey, his crucifixion. We are meditating on Matthew 27:27-56. You can find the entire passage in the Free Guided Lent Journal.  You can download your Lent Guide here. Here are a few additional helpful links: You can find Jodie at http://www.jodieniznik.com/ Instagram @creatingspaceforgod Facebook @JodieGNiznik Learn more about Scripture meditation and download your free Lectio Divina Scripture Meditation Journal here. Join my Monday email here, where I send out 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. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This is a guided Scripture meditation for Maundy Thursday. Prepare your heart for Easter as you meditate on Jesus’s actions and words from the Thursday before his crucifixion. You can find out more about Lent through my free Lent Guide here. This passage is printed in its entirety in the Lent Guide.  Here are a few other helpful links: You can find Jodie at http://www.jodieniznik.com/ Instagram @creatingspaceforgod Facebook @JodieGNiznik Learn more about Scripture meditation and download your free Lectio Divina Scripture Meditation Journal here. Join my Monday email here, where I send out 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. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This is a guided prayer for the seventh week of Lent. Get your FREE lent guide here.   Our meditation passage (released on 3.25.24) was from Luke 22:54-62. In this account, Peter denied his association with Jesus three times. And then he was slammed with realizing what he had done and leaves the scene weeping bitterly. In this guided prayer, we begin by recognizing that Jesus is currently interceding for us (Romans 8:34), and so we ask Jesus to pray for our faith to be strengthened as he prayed for Peter. We then take a moment to sit in sadness over our sin and confess the areas we are tempted to sin. We then ask God to grant us the strength to resist temptation. And finally, we end with a moment to receive God’s great love for us.   Here are some helpful links: You can find out more about Lent through my free Lent Guide here. You can find Jodie at http://www.jodieniznik.com/ Instagram @creatingspaceforgod Facebook @JodieGNiznik Learn more about Scripture meditation and download your free Lectio Divina Scripture Meditation Journal here. Join my Monday email here where I send out 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. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Get your free Lent guide here. Peter gets a bad rap for denying Jesus. And perhaps he should. But if we focus on the denial, we miss Peter’s bravery. When Jesus was arrested, Peter followed Jesus to his trial. He went straight into the enemy camp. He witnessed Jesus being mistreated as the trial unfolded. And then, when he was asked if he knew Jesus, he faltered. At that moment, it seemed easier to deny association than to get thrown into the fray with Jesus. Three times he made the choice to preserve his life instead of risk the association. And on that third time, something breathtaking happened: Jesus and Peter locked eyes. I can hardly imagine the moment. Jesus was not only Peter’s closest friend but also his Rabbi. His respected and beloved teacher. What was in Jesus’s look? As you listen to this meditation, you will be guided to consider this question. And I’ll help you reframe what you might think was in Jesus’s eyes to see his love for Peter and us. You’ll also have space to see where the Spirit leads you as we engage with the Scripture in an imaginative prayer experience. Here are some additional links to help you learn more about me and to help you create space for God in your life: Get your free Lent guide here. If you missed last week’s meditation on Jesus and Peter praying in the garden, you can find it here. You can find Jodie at http://www.jodieniznik.com/ Instagram @creatingspaceforgod Facebook @JodieGNiznik Learn more about Lectio Divina and download your free Lectio Divina Journal here. Join my Monday email here where I send out links to the newest meditation every Monday morning. Download free sample chapters from my Bible studies here. The passage meditated on in this episode is: Luke 22:54-62, NLT Peter Denies Jesus 54 So they arrested him and led him to the high priest’s home. And Peter followed at a distance. 55 The guards lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat around it, and Peter joined them there. 56 A servant girl noticed him in the firelight and began staring at him. Finally she said, “This man was one of Jesus’ followers!” 57 But Peter denied it. “Woman,” he said, “I don’t even know him!” 58 After a while someone else looked at him and said, “You must be one of them!” “No, man, I’m not!” Peter retorted. 59 About an hour later someone else insisted, “This must be one of them, because he is a Galilean, too.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.” 62 And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.