Christian Meditation for A Bigger Life with Pastor Dave Cover
Christian Meditation can help refocus your mind and recalibrate your body to get the stress, anxiety and anger out of your heart and out of your body. Spend about 23 minutes to "be still" with God as each episode uses a different biblical image to e...
Recent Episodes
What About the God of Vengeance? | Psalm 94
21:40 | 04-27-2021
Worshiping God means worshiping him for who he really is. Our lives become more anchored horizontally when we anchor them vertically to the true God. Worshiping God in Spirit and truth, as Jesus puts it in https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%204%3A23-24&version=NIV (John 4:23-24). But if you read through the Psalms, you’ll soon run into Psalms like Psalm 94 that talk about God being a “God of vengeance.” We relatively comfortable moderns have a particularly hard time with this view of God. How could God be loving and be a God of vengeance? But most Christians in the world throughout history would have the opposite problem: “How could God be loving and not judge all this evil?” In her excellent book, https://www.amazon.com/Confronting-Christianity-audiobook/dp/B081S7C287/ref=sr_1_2?crid=CEEKTDPODASX&dchild=1&keywords=confronting+christianity+by+rebecca+mclaughlin&qid=1619019028&sprefix=confronting+Christianity%2Caps%2C186&sr=8-2 (Confronting Christianity), https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/profile/rebecca-mclaughlin/ (Rebecca McLaughlin) writes: “The idea of the wrath of God seems alien to us—a psychologically damaging relic from a bygone era. But just as we cannot absolve people of moral accountability without also erasing their ability to love, so God’s love and God’s judgment cannot be pulled apart. Think of the anger you feel when you see school children shot, women raped, or people beaten because of the color of their skin. Think of your anger at the slave trade, the Holocaust, and global sex trafficking. When you analyze that anger, its root is love. ...And the more we love, the more easily our anger is kindled. We rush to defend our children from the least attack because we love them: anyone who harms them inspires our fury. ...Imagine that this kind of love-motivated anger is so deeply entrenched in the heart of God that your own commitment to justice is like a drop in the ocean.” But this Psalm turns it back on ourselves and helps us see God’s grace in our lives to transform us out of evil into his blessing. Psalm 94 ESV 1 O LORD, God of vengeance, O God of vengeance, shine forth! 2 Rise up, O judge of the earth; repay to the proud what they deserve! 3 O LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked exult? 4 They pour out their arrogant words; all the evildoers boast. 5 They crush your people, O LORD, and afflict your heritage. 6 They kill the widow and the sojourner, and murder the fatherless; 7 and they say, “The LORD does not see; the God of Jacob does not perceive.” 8 Understand, O dullest of the people! Fools, when will you be wise? 9 He who planted the ear, does he not hear? He who formed the eye, does he not see? 10 He who disciplines the nations, does he not rebuke? He who teaches man knowledge— 11 the LORD—knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath. 12 Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O LORD, and whom you teach out of your law, 13 to give him rest from days of trouble, until a pit is dug for the wicked. 14 For the LORD will not forsake his people; he will not abandon his heritage; 15 for justice will return to the righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it. 16 Who rises up for me against the wicked? Who stands up for me against evildoers? 17 If the LORD had not been my help, my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence. 18 When I thought, “My foot slips,” your steadfast love, O LORD, held me up. 19 When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul. 20 Can wicked rulers be allied with you, those who frame injustice by statute? 21 They band together against the life of the righteous and condemn the innocent to death. 22 But the LORD has become my stronghold, and my God the rock of my refuge. 23 He will bring back on them their iniquity and wipe...
When the Glass Is Half-Empty | Psalm 90
27:59:00 | 04-22-2021
We all get into a funk. We’re disappointed. Frustrated. Experiencing the pains of life’s fragile realities. Some of us bend that direction more than others, but we all bend under that weight at times. And in those times it’s all too easy to start sinking in the quicksand of complaining, grumbling, blaming. We start living in the fog cloud of living for ourselves. And we become even more miserable. The way out is to worship the Forever God. That’s why this only Psalm in the Bible ascribed to Moses is so helpful. Moses was a glass-half-empty guy. And this is a glass-half-empty Psalm that’s so helpful in filling our cup and getting us out of our own funk if we understand it. Let’s talk about it and pray it together here. Psalm 90 ESV A PRAYER OF MOSES, THE MAN OF GOD. 1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. 2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. 3 You return man to dust and say, “Return, O children of man!” 4 For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night. 5 You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning: 6 in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers. 7 For we are brought to an end by your anger; by your wrath we are dismayed. 8 You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. 9 For all our days pass away under your wrath; we bring our years to an end like a sigh. 10 The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away. 11 Who considers the power of your anger, and your wrath according to the fear of you? 12 So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. 13 Return, O LORD! How long? Have pity on your servants! 14 Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. 15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, and for as many years as we have seen evil. 16 Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to their children. 17 Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands! Follow Dave Cover on Twitter https://twitter.com/davecover (@davecover) Follow A Bigger Life on Twitter https://twitter.com/abiggerlifepod (@ABiggerLifePod) This podcast is a ministry of https://www.thecrossingchurch.com/ (The Crossing), a church in Columbia, Missouri, a college town where the flagship campus of the University of Missouri is located. Like this content? Make sure to share it with others and leave us a rating, so others can find it too.
What’s Your Image of Prayer? | Mark 1:35-37 and Matthew 6:6
25:11:00 | 04-20-2021
Question: When you think of the word prayer, what image comes to your mind? When you think to yourself, “Should I pray right now?” or “I’m going to pray,” what do you imagine doing? What do you imagine when you imagine praying? Too often my image is negative, like somebody boring doing something boring. But then when I read descriptions in the Gospels of Jesus praying, I get intrigued. Because Jesus obviously saw prayer as the best part of his day! Something worth sneaking in. Why? Let’s look into it in this episode. Mark 1:35–37 NIV Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” Luke 5:15–16 NIV Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Matthew 6:6 NIV But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Follow Dave Cover on Twitter https://twitter.com/davecover (@davecover) Follow A Bigger Life on Twitter https://twitter.com/abiggerlifepod (@ABiggerLifePod) This podcast is a ministry of https://www.thecrossingchurch.com/ (The Crossing), a church in Columbia, Missouri, a college town where the flagship campus of the University of Missouri is located. Like this content? Make sure to share it with others and leave us a rating, so others can find it too.
Should You Really Pray for That? | Luke 22:39-44
29:21:00 | 04-15-2021
How do you know when it’s OK to pray for something? What kind of prayers are out of bounds? Do you sometimes not pray for something because you figure you should err on the side of not offending God with your request? I think that’s a mistake. Here’s why. Luke 22:39–44 NIV Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he…withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. Philippians 4:5-7 NIV The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 1 Peter 5:6-7 NIV Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Hebrews 1:14 NIV Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? Matthew 18:10 NIV “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.” Follow Dave Cover on Twitter https://twitter.com/davecover (@davecover) Follow A Bigger Life on Twitter https://twitter.com/abiggerlifepod (@ABiggerLifePod) This podcast is a ministry of https://www.thecrossingchurch.com/ (The Crossing), a church in Columbia, Missouri, a college town where the flagship campus of the University of Missouri is located. Like this content? Make sure to share it with others and leave us a rating, so others can find it too.
Seeing the Bigger Bigger Story in Psalm 89 | Psalm 89
27:59:00 | 04-13-2021
Psalm 89 shows us that the drama of our lives takes place in the bigger story of God’s redemption and restoration of this world through the perfect Son of David, Jesus the Christ. But that story is even bigger yet, because there’s an even bigger drama taking place in the spiritual realm that parallels the human drama. And Psalm 89 shows us that as well. Let’s talk about it in this episode. Psalm 89 ESV 1 I will sing of the steadfast love of the LORD, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations. 2 For I said, “Steadfast love will be built up forever; in the heavens you will establish your faithfulness.” 3 You have said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn to David my servant: 4 ‘I will establish your offspring forever, and build your throne for all generations.’” 5 Let the heavens praise your wonders, O LORD, your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones! 6 For who in the skies can be compared to the LORD? Who among the heavenly beings is like the LORD, 7 a God greatly to be feared in the council of the holy ones, and awesome above all who are around him? 8 O LORD God of hosts, who is mighty as you are, O LORD, with your faithfulness all around you? 9 You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise, you still them. 10 You crushed Rahab like a carcass; you scattered your enemies with your mighty arm. 11 The heavens are yours; the earth also is yours; the world and all that is in it, you have founded them. Follow Dave Cover on Twitter https://twitter.com/davecover (@davecover) Follow A Bigger Life on Twitter https://twitter.com/abiggerlifepod (@ABiggerLifePod) This podcast is a ministry of https://www.thecrossingchurch.com/ (The Crossing), a church in Columbia, Missouri, a college town where the flagship campus of the University of Missouri is located. Like this content? Make sure to share it with others and leave us a rating, so others can find it too.
Seeing Jesus in Psalm 89 | Psalm 89
19:39 | 04-08-2021
Centuries before Jesus was born, the Psalm of the Old Testament told of him. Jesus told his disciples that everything would be fulfilled that was written about him in the Psalms (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2024%3A44&version=NIV (Luke 24:44)). So whenever we read the Psalms we should look for Jesus. And we clearly find him in Psalm 89. When you praise the Jesus seen in Psalm 89, your life will become larger, filled with the promise of all that God is for you in Christ. Psalm 89 ESV 1 I will sing of the steadfast love of the LORD, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations. 2 For I said, “Steadfast love will be built up forever; in the heavens you will establish your faithfulness.” 3 You have said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn to David my servant: 4 ‘I will establish your offspring forever, and build your throne for all generations.’” 5 Let the heavens praise your wonders, O LORD, your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones! 14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you. 15 Blessed are the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O LORD, in the light of your face, 16 who exult in your name all the day and in your righteousness are exalted. 26 He shall cry to me, ‘You are my Father, my God, and the Rock of my salvation.’ 27 And I will make him the firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth. 28 My steadfast love I will keep for him forever, and my covenant will stand firm for him. 29 I will establish his offspring forever and his throne as the days of the heavens. 33 but I will not remove from him my steadfast love or be false to my faithfulness. 34 I will not violate my covenant or alter the word that went forth from my lips. 35 Once for all I have sworn by my holiness; I will not lie to David. 36 His offspring shall endure forever, his throne as long as the sun before me. 37 Like the moon it shall be established forever, a faithful witness in the skies. 52 Blessed be the LORD forever! Amen and Amen. Follow Dave Cover on Twitter https://twitter.com/davecover (@davecover) Follow A Bigger Life on Twitter https://twitter.com/abiggerlifepod (@ABiggerLifePod) This podcast is a ministry of https://www.thecrossingchurch.com/ (The Crossing), a church in Columbia, Missouri, a college town where the flagship campus of the University of Missouri is located. Like this content? Make sure to share it with others and leave us a rating, so others can find it too.
Will You Praise God Forever? | Psalm 89
21:08 | 04-06-2021
The word “forever” has always intrigued me. Most of the time it’s used in songs or poetry it’s a lie. The Beatles’ Strawberry Fields Forever? Or “Love you forever and forever”? But when the Psalms in the Bible use that word it’s actually a promise that can be kept. God’s covenant promise. And suddenly we’re invited into a much bigger story. “Forever” is repeated a lot in Psalm 89. It’s summoning you into a life-filling promise of God’s forever steadfast love and faithfulness and righteousness and justice. Psalm 89 ESV 1 I will sing of the steadfast love of the LORD, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations. 2 For I said, “Steadfast love will be built up forever; in the heavens you will establish your faithfulness.” 14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you. 15 Blessed are the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O LORD, in the light of your face, 16 who exult in your name all the day and in your righteousness are exalted. 52 Blessed be the LORD forever! Amen and Amen. Follow Dave Cover on Twitter https://twitter.com/davecover (@davecover) Follow A Bigger Life on Twitter https://twitter.com/abiggerlifepod (@ABiggerLifePod) This podcast is a ministry of https://www.thecrossingchurch.com/ (The Crossing), a church in Columbia, Missouri, a college town where the flagship campus of the University of Missouri is located. Like this content? Make sure to share it with others and leave us a rating, so others can find it too.
Killing Little Jesus | Hebrews 1:1-3
26:35:00 | 04-01-2021
What comes to your mind when you think of Jesus? What image? What imagination? How do you feel toward that Jesus? How much do you want that Jesus to be Lord/King of your life? See, I don’t think the problem for most of us is that our sin is too big for us to resist it. I just think our Little Jesus is too small to not resist. So today I want to have a conversation with God through a passage in the Bible to kill your Little Jesus. Because the real Jesus in this biblical passage is far greater than we can ever imagine, and far too great to ever want to resist. So let’s have a conversation with God. Hebrews 1:1–3 NIV In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. Follow Dave Cover on Twitter https://twitter.com/davecover (@davecover) Follow A Bigger Life on Twitter https://twitter.com/abiggerlifepod (@ABiggerLifePod) This podcast is a ministry of https://www.thecrossingchurch.com/ (The Crossing), a church in Columbia, Missouri, a college town where the flagship campus of the University of Missouri is located. Like this content? Make sure to share it with others and leave us a rating, so others can find it too.
Redeeming Your Desire for Greatness and Glory | Psalm 85
21:46 | 03-30-2021
Do you sometimes think that your desire for greatness and glory is pride? Do you sometimes feel guilty for that as if somehow that's an inordinate desire that you need to confess as pride? The desire for greatness and glory is actually not the same as pride. Pride is in fact a virus that hijacks that desire. But the desire for greatness and glory is God given. It's what God intended for you as part of humanity because it's what God intended in creating humanity in his image (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%201%3A26-28&version=NIV (Genesis 1:26-28)). In actuality, the gospel is God restoring us to greatness and glory (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%208%3A16-21&version=NIV (Romans 8:16-21)). One of the ways that we live a bigger life is to develop a biblical vocabulary for prayer that keeps us in this bigger story — keeps our lives in the narrative of the gospel. And Psalm 85 is a great psalm for that. Listen in with me and let’s see how. Psalm 85 ESV 2 You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin. 4 Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us! 6 Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? 7 Show us your steadfast love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation. 8 Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly. 9 Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land. 10 Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other. 11 Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky. 12 Yes, the LORD will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. 13 Righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps a way. Follow Dave Cover on Twitter https://twitter.com/davecover (@davecover) Follow A Bigger Life on Twitter https://twitter.com/abiggerlifepod (@ABiggerLifePod) This podcast is a ministry of https://www.thecrossingchurch.com/ (The Crossing), a church in Columbia, Missouri, a college town where the flagship campus of the University of Missouri is located. Like this content? Make sure to share it with others and leave us a rating, so others can find it too. 6zKz514N345XO0VoCGrH
How to Pray Using a Psalm | Psalm 80
19:17 | 03-25-2021
Let’s say you want to have a conversation with God using a Psalm. You open to Psalm 80. You start reading and quickly realize it doesn’t really resonate with you. Honestly, you don’t think you understand much of what you’re reading. So what can you do? One option is to just close your Bible and do something else because that didn’t work. Another option is to use https://www.amazon.com/Biblical-Theology-Study-Hardcover-Comfort/dp/0310450403/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=2PDUXKI85PZEM&dchild=1&keywords=niv+biblical+theology+study+bible.+zondervan%2C+2018&qid=1615915078&sprefix=zondervan+theoloog%2Caps%2C208&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyOVNOR0NWNlFWT1JDJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNjM1ODY2WlhBWjZFSVJDQjA3JmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA1MTYxNzJURFFMTjFGVUNMOVgmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl (a good study Bible) that will help explain what you don’t understand. But a third option is the best one: just focus on what you do understand. You’re not doing a Bible study. You’re just wanting to have a conversation with God. So find words and phrases in the Psalm that do resonate with you and stop and use your imagination and pray using those words. Change “we” and “us” to “I” and “me.” Psalm 80 is filled with great phrases you can use to have an awesome conversation with God. Let’s do it. Psalm 80:1–4 ESV 1 Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock. You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth. 2 Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh, stir up your might and come to save us! 3 Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved! 4 O LORD God of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers? Psalm 80:7–8 ESV 7 Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved! 8 You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it. Psalm 80:17–19 ESV 17 But let your hand be on the man of your right hand, the son of man whom you have made strong for yourself! 18 Then we shall not turn back from you; give us life, and we will call upon your name! 19 Restore us, O LORD God of hosts! Let your face shine, that we may be saved! Numbers 6:25–26 NIV The LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace. Psalm 67:1 ESV May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us. 2 Corinthians 4:6 NIV For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. Follow Dave Cover on Twitter https://twitter.com/davecover (@davecover) Follow A Bigger Life on Twitter https://twitter.com/abiggerlifepod (@ABiggerLifePod) This podcast is a ministry of https://www.thecrossingchurch.com/ (The Crossing), a church in Columbia, Missouri, a college town where the flagship campus of the University of Missouri is located. Like this content? Make sure to share it with others and leave us a rating, so others can find it too.