Getting Closer to God Using Meditation

Joseph Pace

Description

We all need to get closer to God.
This method will help us on that journey.
let's get started.
Can we get closer to God? Yes, and this method is a powerful way to do it. Try it you will like it.

Sujets

• Religion
• Christianisme
• Christian Living
• Personal Growth
• Philosophie et théologie
• God

Informations

• Publié par: WestBow Press
• Date de parution: 11 juin 2023
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781973699675
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

ENDORSEM ENTS
There is nothing more important in the Christian life than spending quality time with the Lord daily, and then living out what He teaches us every day of our lives. In the midst of the busy world, we live in, such a practice is often ignored, neglect, or rushed. I am thankful for Joe Pace’s efforts in this book to help us develop a habit of absorbing God’s Word through mediating on concentrated devotion. May all of us grow through the practices shown forth in this work. We cannot help but be encouraged b y it!
Dr. Daniel R. Heer inga
Senior Pastor First Baptist Church Pickens , SC
This book is very practical and will be a great tool and help to every Chris tian.
Rev. Scott Wi llis
Pastor, Mountain View Baptist Ch urch
Pascal said, “There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of each man which cannot be satisfied by any created thing but only by God the Creator, made known through Jesus Ch rist.”
In his book, the author helps the reader focus on issues of the heart through scripture and personal reflection. If you desire to grow closer to God and to know His purpose for your life, you must be willing to let God speak into your life through His Word. The Biblical truths shared and the spiritually probing questions asked in this book will lead you to a closer walk with God and a better understanding of your purpose according to God’s perfect will for your life.
James 4:8(NLT) is a promise to you. It says, “Come close to God, and God will come close to you”.
May this book bring you closer to God.
Rev. Rick H ayes
Associational Missions Strate gist
Pickens Twelve Mile Baptist Associa tion
One of the missing ingredients in most Christians life today is that we don’t spend adequate time in a quiet place and time to hear from GOD. I believe Joe Pace is right on target calling all Christians and the church to make it a priority to get alone with GOD and mediate on HIS Word as we claim HIS promises and keep HIS commandm ents.
I know that if we will take to heart and apply these truths to our lives it will make a difference in us personally and as a church and the kingdom of GOD.
Dr. David Galla more
PASTOR ROCK SPRINGS BAPTIST CH URCH
EASLEY S. C.
“Rev. Joe Pace” because he is a preacher, “Preacher Joe” because he is my church’s pastor, and just “Joe” because he is a friend. Whatever name you know him by, his over 50 years in ministry has allowed him to learn a thing or two about getting closer to God. Time spent in quiet meditation and prayer is something woefully lacking in the life of most Christians. The principles taught here will help the reader develop a deeper and more meaningful relationship with God. And that’s one of the main desires of a Christian, isn’t it? It sure shoul d be.
Tomas B. Ha nnah
Minister of Music Shady Grove Baptist Ch urch
GETTING CLOSER TO GOD USING MEDITATION
 
 
 
JOSEPH PACE
 
 
 
 
Copyright © 2023 Joseph Pace.
 
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
 
This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.
 
WestBow Press
A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan
1663 Liberty Drive
Bloomington, IN 47403
www.westbowpress.com
844-714-3454
 
Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.
 
Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.
Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.
 
Scripture quotations marked HCSB are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
 
Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
 
Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
 
Interior Image Credit: Joe Pace & Diana Grove
 
ISBN: 978-1-9736-9966-8 (sc)
ISBN: 978-1-9736-9967-5 (e)
 
Library of Congress Control Number: 2023909870
 
WestBow Press rev. date: 06/09/2023
CONTENTS
Dedication
Acknowledgements
Introduction
1Wise Men Seek the King
2The Messiah’s Herald
3The Temptation of Jesus
4The Sermon on the Mount
5How to Give
6Do Not Judge
7A Man Cleansed
8The Son of Man Forgives and Heals
9Commissioning the Twelve
10John the Baptist Sends Messengers to Jesus
11Lord of the Sabbath
12The Parable of the Sower
13John the Baptist Beheaded
14Defilement Comes from Within
15The Pharisees and Sadducees Seek a Sign
16Jesus Transfigured on the Mount
17Who Is the Greatest?
18Marriage and Divorce
19The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard
20Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King
21The Parable of the Wedding Banquet
22A Warning Against Hypocrisy
23The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times
24The Parable of the Ten Virgins
25The Plot Against Jesus
26Judas Hangs Himself
27Jesus Has Risen
 
 
GETTING HELPFUL HINTS TO AID US TO GET CLOSER TO GOD USING MEDITATION
I need to get closer to God.
Perhaps you need to also.
LET’S LOOK AT ONE WAY THAT COULD GREATLY HELP.
JOSEPH PACE
DEDICATION
THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED TO MY WIFE LOUISE AND DAUGHTER MICHELE.
AND TO OTHERS WHO HELPED ME GROW IN FAITH.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I wish to thank Stephen Rice, Georgette Gallo, Leandra Drummy and all the staff at
WESTBOW, and those who endorsed my book.
INTRODUCTION
There are few who would dare say they are close to the Lord. Sad but true. Do we desire to get closer to Him? This book with God’s blessing can help us get closer to Him.
Let’s get started now.
FIRST, get in a private place, such as a room or somewhere outside where it is quiet as possible.
Use your phone to play soft easy instrumental music OR play soft falling water or the sounds of a creek, OR maybe no sound may help.
Get comfortable.
Be Still
Relax- YOU MAY RELAX-
Slowly START AT THE TOP OF YOUR HEAD
Then your HANDS,
Next your ARMS,
Then your MID SECTION,
Relax your LEGS comple tely,
AND now your FEET.
Relax
Now F ocus
Free your mind of all thoughts
Listen or read a thought from the Meditations on Matthew.
THINK ON A THOUGHT FROM MEDIATIONS ON MATTHEW
Dwell on one thought at a time, and take as much time as you need before going on to the next medita tion.
No hurry just deeply dwell on that meditation.
Think, pray, dwell on just that thought.
SAY EACH MEDITATION THREE TIMES AND CONTINUE SLOWLY.
You may desire to write down notes as you mediate or after you do so.
You may desire to read the whole chapter before you meditate.
Underline words that jump out at you may help.
MAYBE EVEN CLOSE YOUR EYES.
I am using the Holman Christian Standard Version for the first 10 chapters to help everyone better understand in simple English.
ASK YOURSELF, “GOD WHAT ARE YOU SAYING TO ME AS I MED IATE?
MATTH EW 1
The Genealogy of Jesus Ch rist
1 The historical record of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abr aham:
From Abraham to D avid
2 Abraham fathered I saac,
Isaac fathered J acob,
Jacob fathered Judah and his brot hers,
I have left out verses 3-14, you may desire to read those for yourself, they are part of the family tree of Jesus’ earthly father Jo seph.
15 Eliud fathered Ele azar,
Eleazar fathered Mat than,
Matthan fathered J acob,
16 and Jacob fathered Joseph the husband of Mary,
who gave birth to Jesus who is called the Mes siah.
17 So all the generations from Abraham to David were 14 generations; and from David until the exile to Babylon, 14 generations; and from the exile to Babylon until the Messiah, 14 generat ions.
The Nativity of the Mes siah
18 The birth of Jesus Christ came about this way: After His mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, it was discovered before they came together that she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit. 19 So her husband Joseph, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her secr etly.
20 But after he had considered these things, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her is by the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”
22 Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the pro phet: