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
Praying to Align What I Feel with What is Real | Prayer on Psalm 43 |
28:40 | 10-08-2020
We don’t always feel what is real. But our feelings are still real to us. They are how we feel. So God gives us Spirit-inspired prayers like Psalm 43 to help us express our darker feelings honestly to God and to ourselves. And as we do, prayers like Psalm 43 help us to come back to a place of joy and hope as we align what we feel more with what is real. Try it with this episode of A Bigger Life. Psalm 43:1–5 ESV 1 Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause against an ungodly people, from the deceitful and unjust man deliver me! 2 For you are the God in whom I take refuge; why have you rejected me? Why do I go about mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? 3 Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling! 4 Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God. 5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. Follow Dave Cover on Twitter @davecover. Like this content? Make sure to share it with others and leave us a rating, so others can find it too. To learn more, visit ourhttps://www.thecrossingchurch.com/ ( website) and follow us onhttps://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( Facebook),https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/ ( Instagram), andhttps://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo ( Twitter) @TheCrossingCOMO. Social Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO) Instagram:https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( )https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/ (https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/) Twitter:https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo ( https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo)
Praying to Pay Attention to Who God Is? | Prayer on Psalm 50
29:52 | 10-06-2020
Sometimes the reality of who God is comforts us. Sometimes it sobers us. Both are absolutely essential for a life lived with God. We need to be reminded who God really is. Psalm 50 is one of those psalms. It appeals to our imagination in order to wake us to the reality of both the beauty and the burn of God’s shining presence over all his creation.. But first we read from the New Testament: 1 Peter 5:6-11 NIV 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. Psalm 50:1-12 ESV 1 The Mighty One, God the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. 2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth. 3 Our God comes; he does not keep silence; before him is a devouring fire, around him a mighty tempest. 4 He calls to the heavens above and to the earth, that he may judge his people: 5 “Gather to me my faithful ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!” 6 The heavens declare his righteousness, for God himself is judge! Selah 7 “Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, I will testify against you. I am God, your God. 8 Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you; your burnt offerings are continually before me. 9 I will not accept a bull from your house or goats from your folds. 10 For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. 11 I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine. 12 If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are mine.” Psalm 50:14-15 ESV 14 “Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High, 15 and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.” Psalm 50:22-23 ESV “Mark this, then, you who forget God, lest I tear you apart, and there be none to deliver! The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!” Follow Dave Cover on Twitter @davecover. Like this content? Make sure to share it with others and leave us a rating, so others can find it too. To learn more, visit ourhttps://www.thecrossingchurch.com/ ( website) and follow us onhttps://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( Facebook),https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/ ( Instagram), andhttps://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo ( Twitter) @TheCrossingCOMO. Social Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO) Instagram:https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( )https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/ (https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/) Twitter:https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo ( https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo)
How Should I Pray After I’ve Sinned? | Prayer on Psalm 51
33:01 | 10-01-2020
I’m comforted by the fact that the Holy Spirit inspired prayers in the Bible that help me express my need for God to forgive me of my sin. Where can I turn in the Bible in times of personal guilt, especially after I’ve so willfully sinned? Psalm 51 is one of those prayers. For 3,000 years it has perhaps been the most read and prayed psalm of all God’s people. Which shows us that sin and our desire for forgiveness is something we all have in common as our greatest need. Thankfully the Holy Spirit has met that desire and need! This episode will talk about some of the key verses in this psalm and lead you in a time of prayer for forgiveness and renewal. Psalm 51:1–4 ESV A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. 1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Luke 18:9–14 NIV 9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ 13 But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ 14 I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” 1 Timothy 1:15 NIV Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. Psalm 51:9–12 ESV 9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Psalm 51:17 ESV The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Follow Dave Cover on Twitter @davecover. Like this content? Make sure to share it with others and leave us a rating, so others can find it too. To learn more, visit ourhttps://www.thecrossingchurch.com/ ( website) and follow us onhttps://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( Facebook),https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/ ( Instagram), andhttps://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo ( Twitter) @TheCrossingCOMO. Social Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO) Instagram:https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( )https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/ (https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/) Twitter:https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo ( https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo)
Praying to Abide in Jesus | Prayer on John 15
21:54 | 09-24-2020
Sometimes Jesus uses poetic, imaginative language to illustrate his relationship with us, especially in the Gospel of John. These are great places in Scripture to use for prayer. In John 15 Jesus uses the highly imaginative language of a grape vine and branches and fruit. Imagine this as you think about your life. Only Jesus is the True Vine that gives Life. He’s the True Vine. There are lots of other imitation “vines” out there that fool us into thinking they have life, but they in fact are nothing and they make our lives nothing but nothing. But Jesus says if we abide in him as our True Vine, his LIfe flows into us and our lives flourish with Life. Praying this passage is a great way to abide in Jesus today. John 15:1–5 ESV I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:8–9 ESV 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. John 15:11 ESV These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. Follow Dave Cover on Twitter @davecover. Like this content? Make sure to share it with others and leave us a rating, so others can find it too. To learn more, visit ourhttps://www.thecrossingchurch.com/ ( website) and follow us onhttps://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( Facebook),https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/ ( Instagram), andhttps://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo ( Twitter) @TheCrossingCOMO. Social Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO) Instagram:https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( )https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/ (https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/) Twitter:https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo ( https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo)
How to Imagine a Deeper Relationship with Jesus | Prayer on John 10
19:26 | 09-22-2020
Sometimes Jesus uses poetic, imaginative language to illustrate his relationship with us, especially in the Gospel of John. These are great places in Scripture to use for prayer. John 10 is particularly one of those places where Jesus gives us imaginative language to help us grasp his good and loving purpose for us as our “Good Shepherd.” This is a rich passage from which to pray that will help you deepen your appreciation for all that Jesus is for you and why you should trust and follow him. John 10:10–11 NIV 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:14–15 NIV 14 I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. John 10:27–30 NIV 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one. Follow Dave Cover on Twitter @davecover. Like this content? Make sure to share it with others and leave us a rating, so others can find it too. To learn more, visit ourhttps://www.thecrossingchurch.com/ ( website) and follow us onhttps://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( Facebook),https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/ ( Instagram), andhttps://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo ( Twitter) @TheCrossingCOMO. Social Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO) Instagram:https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( )https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/ (https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/) Twitter:https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo ( https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo)
Reset and Re-calibrate Your Perspective Through Prayer | Prayer on Psalm 54
25:07 | 09-17-2020
Every day I need to recenter my perspective by remembering my neediness for God, and remembering to put my trust in him. That sounds so basic, yet most problems in our life first stem from getting off center from basic truths. This is a short basic psalm to help you pray a short prayer to re-verticalize your perspective and recenter your life on the solid foundation of your need for God and who God is for you. Psalm 54:1–7 ESV 1 O God, save me by your name, and vindicate me by your might. 2 O God, hear my prayer; give ear to the words of my mouth. 3 For strangers have risen against me; ruthless men seek my life; they do not set God before themselves. Selah 4 Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life. 5 He will return the evil to my enemies; in your faithfulness put an end to them. 6 With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you; I will give thanks to your name, O LORD, for it is good. 7 For he has delivered me from every trouble, and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies. Follow Dave Cover on Twitter @davecover. Like this content? Make sure to share it with others and leave us a rating, so others can find it too. To learn more, visit ourhttps://www.thecrossingchurch.com/ ( website) and follow us onhttps://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( Facebook),https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/ ( Instagram), andhttps://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo ( Twitter) @TheCrossingCOMO. Social Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO) Instagram:https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( )https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/ (https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/) Twitter:https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo ( https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo)
How to Pray as a Meditation on Who You Are in Christ | Prayer on Galatians 2:20
18:42 | 09-15-2020
Prayer is also a form of meditation. For years, I have found Paul’s self-descriptive words in Galatians 2:20 to be a powerful prayer/meditation for me. It focuses on who I am in Christ, what my life story truly is now, and my basis for confidence in God’s love for me. This episode will help you make this powerful verse your own prayer and meditation. Galatians 2:20 NIV I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Follow Dave Cover on Twitter @davecover. Like this content? Make sure to share it with others and leave us a rating, so others can find it too. To learn more, visit ourhttps://www.thecrossingchurch.com/ ( website) and follow us onhttps://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( Facebook),https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/ ( Instagram), andhttps://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo ( Twitter) @TheCrossingCOMO. Social Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO) Instagram:https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( )https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/ (https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/) Twitter:https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo ( https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo)
How to Pray When You’re Burdened | Prayer on Psalm 55
18:57 | 09-10-2020
On a scale of 1-10, King David’s fear and anxiety was at an 11 in this psalm. The African theologian Athanasius (AD 296–373) once observed, “The other Scriptures speak to us, but the Psalms speak for us.” That’s what we’re doing in this podcast. Letting the Psalms speak for us as we draw near to God in prayer. Whatever it is right now that is stressing you on a scale of 1-10 (or even an 11), this episode will help you throw it all onto God and keep it out of your body. Psalm 55 ESV 4 My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen upon me. 5 Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror overwhelms me. 12 For it is not an enemy who taunts me— then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me— then I could hide from him. 13 But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend. 14 We used to take sweet counsel together; within God’s house we walked in the throng. 16 But I call to God, and the LORD will save me. 17 Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice. 18 He redeems my soul in safety from the battle that I wage, for many are arrayed against me. 19 God will give ear and humble them, he who is enthroned from of old, Selah 22 Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; 22 ...But I will trust in you. Follow Dave Cover on Twitter @davecover. Like this content? Make sure to share it with others and leave us a rating, so others can find it too. To learn more, visit ourhttps://www.thecrossingchurch.com/ ( website) and follow us onhttps://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( Facebook),https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/ ( Instagram), andhttps://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo ( Twitter) @TheCrossingCOMO. Social Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO) Instagram:https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( )https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/ (https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/) Twitter:https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo ( https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo)
How to Pray When You’re Afraid
24:52 | 09-08-2020
King David had lots of reasons to be fearful and worried and anxious in his life. And I’m thankful for that, personally, because the Holy Spirit used those times to inspire him to write psalms that have been so helpful to me in my own worries and fears. Psalm 56 is a particular psalm I come back to again and again because there are some specific phrases David prays that help me trust God with my worries and fears. And I think these will help you as well. Psalm 56 ESV 3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. 4 In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? 8 You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book? 9 Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call. This I know, that God is for me. 10 In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise, 11 in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me? 11 For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life. Follow Dave Cover on Twitter @davecover. Like this content? Make sure to share it with others and leave us a rating, so others can find it too. To learn more, visit our website and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @TheCrossingCOMO. Social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo
How Do We Pray Through Rumors Against Us? | Prayer on Psalm 59
19:49 | 09-03-2020
There are times when people are spreading rumors about us. Maybe at work. In our extended families. Our church. Among our friends. And these times can be emotionally draining. We’re not sure how to begin to defend ourselves. We toss at night with worry and anxiety. But the first things we need to do in these times is to take all of it to God. That’s what David did 3,000 years ago when writing Psalm 59. Psalm 59 ESV ...OF DAVID, WHEN SAUL SENT MEN TO WATCH HIS HOUSE IN ORDER TO KILL HIM. 1 Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; protect me from those who rise up against me; 2 deliver me from those who work evil, and save me from bloodthirsty men. 3 For behold, they lie in wait for my life; fierce men stir up strife against me. For no transgression or sin of mine, O LORD, 4 for no fault of mine, they run and make ready. Awake, come to meet me, and see! 5 You, LORD God of hosts, are God of Israel. Rouse yourself to punish all the nations; spare none of those who treacherously plot evil. Selah 6 Each evening they come back, howling like dogs and prowling about the city. 7 There they are, bellowing with their mouths with swords in their lips…. 10 My God in his steadfast love will meet me; God will let me look in triumph on my enemies. 16 But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress. 17 O my Strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love. Follow Dave Cover on Twitter @davecover. Like this content? Make sure to share it with others and leave us a rating, so others can find it too. To learn more, visit ourhttps://www.thecrossingchurch.com/ ( website) and follow us onhttps://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( Facebook),https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/ ( Instagram), andhttps://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo ( Twitter) @TheCrossingCOMO. Social Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO) Instagram:https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( )https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/ (https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/) Twitter:https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo ( https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo)