Growing Closer to God with Guided Meditation
Welcome to the new season of the podcast, now titled "Growing Closer to God with Guided Meditation"!
Join your host, Pastor Robert Young, as we embark on a journey of spiritual exploration and renewal. This podcast is designed to help you deepen your faith and find inner peace through calming, reflective, and transformative meditative practices inspired by scripture.
Our Evolution
While the podcast, formerly known as Not Your Parent's Religion, focused in Seasons 1 and 2 on correcting misinformation and myths about religious beliefs and the teaching of Jesus Christ, the program has evolved. In Season 3, we began drawing closer to God with guided meditations, exploring all the details of why and how to meditate, and discussing the Biblical origins of Christian meditations.
With over 30 years of experience in Church planting and mentoring other Pastors, and 30+ years of training leaders in evangelism/discipleship, Pastor Young is here to guide you through these moments of stillness and connection with God.
What to Expect in Season 4
We are excited to return with Season 4 starting Sunday, October 5. We will continue to offer a structured weekly schedule:
- Sundays: Our weekly guided meditation episode.
- Monday through Friday: Daily devotions and reflections that expand on the topic of the Sunday meditations.
- Wednesdays: Audio episodes of our House Church series. This series reflects the Bible's teaching that believers should gather together for corporate worship, fellowship, encouragement, and even admonishment.
For those seeking an enhanced experience, we are adding video versions of the meditations and devotions to our Patreon page. These videos are designed to give you a more immersive experience as you meditate on the Father, His teachings, and His presence.
Tune in each week as we lead you on this path to connecting more deeply with God.
Growing Closer to God with Guided Meditation
The Jesus No One Talks About Series Pt. 4: Jesus Experienced Loneliness | Friday Devotion
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Loneliness can make the world feel smaller and God feel far away. We begin with one of the rawest lines in Scripture, Matthew 27:46, where Jesus cries, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Instead of rushing past the ache, we slow down and name what many of us carry in silence: the feeling of being abandoned, unseen, and unheard.
We imagine Jesus on the cross, eyes searching and heart breaking under the weight of isolation, and we take seriously the mystery that he experiences the silence of God so we would never face it alone. That means your loneliest moment is not proof you have been discarded. It may be the very place where Christ meets you, not from a distance, but from shared experience. If you have been searching for Christian encouragement, prayer for loneliness, or a simple devotional practice that speaks to real life, you will find a steady path here.
Then we move into a short, guided reflection with one clarifying question: “Where do I feel alone that Jesus is already present?” We close with an affirmation you can carry throughout the day, “I am never alone. Jesus has been where I am,” and a prayer asking Jesus to draw near in every place that feels empty, quiet, or abandoned. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more people can find hope when the silence feels loud.
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Scripture And The Cry Of Jesus
Pastor Robert YoungToday's scripture is coming from the book of Matthew, chapter twenty-seven, verse number forty-six. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Loneliness And God’s Silence
Pastor Robert YoungThis is a means of entering the deepest human emotion. Loneliness. He feels abandoned, unseen, and unheard. He experiences the silence of God so that we would never face it alone. He meets us in it. Now imagine Jesus on the cross, his eyes searching, his heart breaking, and feeling the weight of isolation. Now picture him turning his face toward you in your lonely places, not from a distance, but from shared experience.
Guided Reflection On Feeling Alone
Pastor Robert YoungLet's take three minutes to reflect on the following question. Where do I feel alone that Jesus is already present?
Affirmation For The Rest Of Today
Pastor Robert YoungRepeat this affirmation with me now and throughout your day. I am never alone. Jesus has been where I am. Let's say it again. I am never alone. Jesus has been where I am.
Closing Prayer For Nearness
Pastor Robert YoungOur closing prayer. Jesus, thank you for entering the depths of loneliness so you can meet me in mine. Draw me near in every place that feels empty, quiet, or abandoned. Amen.