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
Where's God in the Crisis? | Prayer on Ephesians 1
26:41 | 04-14-2020
This crisis is causing a lot of concern and changes. In all the chaos, it can seem like everything is out of control. Where's God? We can find him in prayer. Join in ashttps://www.thecrossingchurch.com/staff/dave-cover/ ( )https://www.thecrossingchurch.com/staff/dave-cover/ (Pastor Dave Cover) discusses and prays throughhttps://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+1%3A15-21&version=NIV ( )https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+1%3A15-21&version=NIV (Ephesians 1.15-20 NIV): 15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+1%3A15-21&version=NIV#fen-NIV-29224a (a)] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. Interested in more content like this? Scroll down for related content, including a sermon onhttps://www.thecrossingchurch.com/media-feeds/the-god-who-sees-you/ ( )https://www.thecrossingchurch.com/media-feeds/the-god-who-sees-you/ (The God Who Sees) and another episode titledhttps://abiggerlifepodcast.captivate.fm/episode/a-prayer-on-psalm-16-8-11 ( )https://abiggerlifepodcast.captivate.fm/episode/a-prayer-on-psalm-16-8-11 (What It Means to Think Vertically and Not Just Horizontally) over Psalm 16.8-11. 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/ ( )https://www.thecrossingchurch.com/ (website) and follow us onhttps://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( )https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO (Facebook),https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/ ( )https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/ (Instagram), andhttps://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo ( )https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo (Twitter) @TheCrossingCOMO. Notes 0:30 - Praying through the pandemic 1:10 - Hope in God 2:10 -https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+1&version=ESV ( )https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+1&version=ESV (Ephesians 1 NIV) 4:25 - Lord Jesus Christ 6:30 - God's blessings 8:00 - God's plan 12:00 -https://www.thecrossingchurch.com/media-feeds/there-is-a-god-and-youre-not-him/ ( )https://www.thecrossingchurch.com/media-feeds/there-is-a-god-and-youre-not-him/ (Sovereignty of God) 13:20 - Allegiance to King Jesus 15:50 - Our story and Paul's prayer 18:20 - Pray 26:00 - Subscribe. Rate. Share. Follow Dave Cover on Twitter @davecover. Social Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( )https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO (https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO) Instagram:https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( )https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO (https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO) Twitter:https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo ( )https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo (https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo) Scripture Ephesians 1 NIV:https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+1&version=ESV ( )https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+1&version=ESV (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+1&version=ESV) Related The God Who Sees...
How to Pray Confidently in an Uncertain World | Prayer on Psalm 23
17:51 | 04-09-2020
During these challenging times of uncertainty and fear,https://www.thecrossingchurch.com/staff/dave-cover/ ( )https://www.thecrossingchurch.com/staff/dave-cover/ (Pastor Dave Cover) observes how people are rediscovering the value of prayer and recovering the hope of Christ. Join in as he discusses and prays through https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+23&version=ESV (Psalm 23 ESV): The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+23&version=ESV#fen-ESV-14238a (a)] 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+23&version=ESV#fen-ESV-14239b (b)] for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+23&version=ESV#fen-ESV-14240c (c)] I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+23&version=ESV#fen-ESV-14242d (d)] goodness and mercy[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+23&version=ESV#fen-ESV-14242e (e)] shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+23&version=ESV#fen-ESV-14242f (f)] in the house of the Lord forever.[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+23&version=ESV#fen-ESV-14242g (g)] Follow Dave Cover on Twitter @davecover. Interested in more content like this? Listen tohttps://abiggerlifepodcast.captivate.fm/episode/a-prayer-on-psalm-16-8-11 ( )https://abiggerlifepodcast.captivate.fm/episode/a-prayer-on-psalm-16-8-11 (What It Means to Think Vertically and Not Just Horizontally), a prayer overhttps://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalms+118%3A8-11&version=ESV ( )https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalms+118%3A8-11&version=ESV (Psalm 16.8-11). 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/ ( )https://www.thecrossingchurch.com/ (website) and follow us onhttps://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( )https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO (Facebook),https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/ ( Instagram), andhttps://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo ( )https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo (Twitter) @TheCrossingCOMO. Notes 0:30 - Morning prayer 1:15 - Psalm 23 ESV 1:50 - ER scene 2:55 - Reinvesting in how to pray in a sick world 4:20 - Psalm 23.1: God's focus on us and provision 6:05 - Psalm 23.2: satisfaction and rest in God 7:05 - Psalm 23.3: restoration and righteousness in Christ 9:20 - Psalm 23.4: God’s comfort, protection, and sovereignty over all 11:50 - Psalm 23.5: abundance and care in the presence enemies 13:05 - Psalm 23.6: steadfast, constant goodness and mercy Social Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( )https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO (https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO) Instagram:https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( )https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO (https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO) Twitter:https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo ( )https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo (https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo) Related What It Means to Think Vertically and Not Just Horizontally:https://abiggerlifepodcast.captivate.fm/episode/a-prayer-on-psalm-16-8-11 (...
Prayer on Ephesians 3:14-19 | How to Pray Like Paul
13:56 | 04-07-2020
Drawing from Paul's prayer for the Ephesians,https://www.thecrossingchurch.com/staff/dave-cover/ ( Pastor Dave Cover) examines what a spirit-filled prayer is like. He explores how to approach Christ and draw near to him. Join in as Dave discusses and prays throughhttps://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+3&version=NIV ( )https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+3&version=NIV (Ephesians 3 NIV), focusing on verses 14-20: 14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+3&version=NIV#fen-NIV-29267a (a)] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Follow Dave Cover on Twitter @davecover. Interested in more content like this? Listen tohttps://abiggerlifepodcast.captivate.fm/episode/what-it-means-to-be-alive-in-christ-ephesians-2-1-10 ( )https://abiggerlifepodcast.captivate.fm/episode/what-it-means-to-be-alive-in-christ-ephesians-2-1-10 (Walking With Christ), a prayer overhttps://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+2%3A1-10&version=ESV ( )https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+2%3A1-10&version=ESV (Ephesians 2.1-10). 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/ ( )https://www.thecrossingchurch.com/ (website) and follow us onhttps://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( )https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO (Facebook),https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/ ( Instagram), andhttps://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo ( )https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo (Twitter) @TheCrossingCOMO. Social Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( )https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO (https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO) Instagram:https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( )https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO (https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO) Twitter:https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo ( )https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo (https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo) Related Walking With Christ:https://abiggerlifepodcast.captivate.fm/episode/what-it-means-to-be-alive-in-christ-ephesians-2-1-10 ( )https://abiggerlifepodcast.captivate.fm/episode/what-it-means-to-be-alive-in-christ-ephesians-2-1-10 (https://abiggerlifepodcast.captivate.fm/episode/what-it-means-to-be-alive-in-christ-ephesians-2-1-10)
Walking With Christ | Ephesians 2:1-10
19:25 | 04-02-2020
A new episode of A Bigger Life podcast is loaded every Tuesday and Thursday. If you’ve ever felt that you needed to learn to pray more, now would be a good time. These are unprecedented, uncertain times. And a very powerful way to pray is to pray through scripture. In our last couple of episodes we looked at how to think vertically about our lives and our circumstances rather than merely horizontally. We said that to think vertically we have to look at our lives and our circumstances through the lens of the reality of who God is. So last time we looked at Psalm 118:1 which says “Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.” When we pray scripture, one of the things we’re doing is choosing to believe God‘s word about God. About who God really is. Then we said to have a vertical view of our day we can pray v. 24 — “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Because of who God is we can have this view about today. Right now. God has made it. He has a purpose for it and we can trust in his goodness and his steadfast love for us. So we can rejoice and be glad in it right now by trusting who God is. That’s looking at the horizontal circumstances of our life vertically. Another great place to do that in the New Testament is in Ephesians two. The first three verses describe the dystopian reality of what it means to be without Christ. But this is reality. Deadness. Dark spiritual forces dominating a person’s mindset and behavior in ways we don’t see. Ephesians 2:1-3 ESV “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.” But then the apostle Paul describes reality for those who are “in Christ” – but it too is a reality that we don’t “see.” We have to see it by trusting God‘s word – by thinking vertically. By trusting the promise of God to us in his word. Ephesians 2:4-7 “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,” Like Psalm 118:1 this is who God is. Meditating on who God really is. Trusting God's word when he tells us who he is. And who God is toward us! Great love with which he loved us v. 5 “even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.” in spite of our rejection of him in our sin — by his great love toward us he made us alive together in/with Christ. All by his grace. v. 6 “and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,” in heaven – not a place but a realm that is the perfect and visible presence and rule and blessing of God. Like Eden was on earth. Like the earth will be when Christ returns. We are in that realm now because we are with/in Christ now. Paul says we are citizens of heaven now in Philippians 3:20. Skip to v10... Ephesians 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Because of the riches of his mercy – because of his great love with which he loved us — because of his grace — because he made us alive together in/with Christ — raised us up in/with Christ — and seated us in/with Christ in the realm of heaven now – we ARE his creation. This is who we are in reality now. In Christ. For the purpose of good works – good works God has made/prepared beforehand for us. All we have to do is walk into them. Today. God has made beforehand good works for us today to walk into. “This is the day the Lord has made“ for us! Someone has rightly said... “God will never let you live one day short of the...
How to Pray Like Jesus | Psalm 118
20:26 | 03-31-2020
Today’s discussion and prayer is on Psalm 118. We know that Jesus immersed himself in this particular psalm because he quotes two separate verses from it on two separate occasions in the gospels (v. 22 in Matt 21:42, and v. 26 in Matt 23:39). No doubt Psalm 118 was a place Jesus spent much time in personal meditation and prayer. We should do the same. We know that Jesus quoted from the Old Testament frequently throughout his ministry, but did you know that he referenced the Psalms more than any other book? The Psalms were integral in Jesus's prayer life. They were inspired by the Holy Spirit for our sake, to enrich our own prayer lives. The foundational promise and call to response in this psalm is in the first verse, which is also repeated verbatim in the last verse. Psalm 118:1 ESV “Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” This is a must-have belief for anyone hoping to experience the reality of who God is in their life. To see our horizontal circumstances through the vertical reality of all that The I AM is for us in Christ. Join in ashttps://www.thecrossingchurch.com/staff/dave-cover/ ( )https://www.thecrossingchurch.com/staff/dave-cover/ (Pastor Dave Cover) prayers throughhttps://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+118&version=ESV ( )https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+118&version=ESV (Psalm 118), focusing onhttps://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+118%3A24&version=ESV ( )https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+118%3A24&version=ESV (verse 24): This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. We need to remind ourselves why we should have joy, love, and appreciation dominate our emotions every day. Other verses discussed and prayed through in this episode: Psalm 118:6–7 ESV The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? The LORD is on my side as my helper. Psalm 118:22 ESV The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. Psalm 118:25 ESV Save us, we pray, O LORD! Psalm 118:26 ESV Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD! Psalm 118:28–29 ESV You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you. Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! Interested in more content like this? Listen to the prayer over Psalm 16.8-11 on Why You Shouldn't Look Ahead in Life. 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 https://www.thecrossingchurch.com/ (website) and follow us on https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO (Facebook), https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/ (Instagram), andhttps://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo ( )https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo (Twitter) @TheCrossingCOMO.
What It Means to Think Vertically and Not Just Horizontally | Psalm 16:8-11
15:47 | 03-26-2020
There are two ways to look at life: horizontally and vertically. Lots of people have a horizontal perspective, but Pastor Dave Cover challenges us to look vertically for a more joyful, fulfilling life. Join in as he discusses and prays throughhttps://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalms+118%3A8-11&version=ESV ( )https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalms+118%3A8-11&version=ESV (Psalm 16.8-11): I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Interested in more content like this? Listen to the prayer over Psalm 16.1-8: What Turned My Prayer Life Upside Down. 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/ ( )https://www.thecrossingchurch.com/ (website) and follow us onhttps://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( )https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO (Facebook),https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO ( )https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO (Instagram), andhttps://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo ( )https://twitter.com/thecrossingcomo (Twitter) @TheCrossingCOMO.
What Turned My Prayer Life Right-Side Up | Psalm 16:1-6
12:17 | 03-24-2020
A new episode of A Bigger Life podcast is loaded every Tuesday and Thursday. If you’ve ever felt that you needed to learn to pray more, now would be a good time. These are unprecedented, uncertain times. And a very powerful way to pray is to pray through scripture. When Dave Cover was in college, he developed a small practice that turned his prayer life upside down, or actually right-side up. It was a watershed moment. To this day he thinks about his life as "pre-that moment and post-that moment. ... Before that moment my walk with God was learning things about God. But after that it was getting to know God." In this prayer podcast, Dave shares that small practice with us: praying scripture back to God. He teaches us how to do it by example. He focuses on Psalm 16:1-6, an ancient prayer among ancient prayers which Jesus said were written by the Holy Spirit (Mk 12:36). Dave offers fresh insights on this Psalm and guides us through praying it back to God.