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: Jesus Exposes Motives | Thursday Devotion
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A clean outside can hide a crowded inside, and Jesus refuses to let us settle for appearances. We open with Matthew 23:25, where Jesus warns about polishing the cup while the interior stays full of greed and self-indulgence. It’s a short passage with a long echo, especially for anyone tired of performative faith and ready for real spiritual growth.
We talk about how Jesus sees beneath the surface: he knows when questions are traps, when motives are impure, and when hearts are closed. But we also hold onto this crucial nuance: even his sharpest words are invitations to repentance. Every “woe” is meant to wake us up, every confrontation is an act of mercy, and every exposure is aimed at redemption. That changes how we receive conviction, not as humiliation, but as healing.
Then we slow the pace and make it practical with a guided, three-minute reflection question: “What motive is Jesus gently bringing to the surface in your life?” We follow it with a simple affirmation you can carry through the day and a closing prayer asking Jesus to shine light, realign what’s misaligned, open blind spots, and lead us into renewal. If you’re searching for a Christian devotional, a prayerful reset, or a way to examine your heart with honesty and hope, this is for you.
Subscribe for more Scripture-based reflection, share this with a friend who needs a reset, and leave a review telling us what motive you’re inviting Jesus to heal.
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Scripture Reading And Warning
Pastor Robert YoungToday's scriptural thought is coming from the book of Matthew, chapter 23, verse 25. Woe to you, for you clean the outside of the cup, but inside you are full of greed and self-indulgence.
Jesus Sees The Real Motives
Pastor Robert YoungJesus saw beneath the surface. He knew when questions were trapped, when motives were impure, and when hearts were closed. But even his harshest words were invitations to repentance. Every woe was a call to wake up. Every rebuke was a chance to turn back. Every confrontation was an act of mercy. He exposed them to redeem.
Three Minutes Of Motive Reflection
Pastor Robert YoungLet's take three minutes to reflect on the following question. What motive is Jesus gently bringing to the surface in your life?
Affirmation For Inner Transformation
Pastor Robert YoungRepeat this affirmation now and throughout your day. Jesus reveals my motive so he can heal and transform my heart. Again, Jesus reveals my motives so he can heal and transform my heart.
Closing Prayer For Realignment
Pastor Robert YoungOur closing prayer. Jesus, shine your light on my motives. Where I am misaligned, realign me. Where I am blind, open my eyes. Lead me into repentance and renewal. Amen.