Resting in the Word

Welcome to episode 4 of Resting in the Word, a guided meditation podcast to help heal your spirit and quiet your mind. A place where you can find peace and comfort without judgment. Today we explore the three main benefits of meditating to scripture, and then relax to ten minutes of meditation highlighted with words of peace from the Bible. Join teacher, writer and host Connie Minnell and begin Resting in the Word. (Note: Do not listen to while driving, as this podcast is created with soothing words and music to help you sleep.) Today's scripture in order of appearance: Colossians 3:15 (KJV) Psalm 4:4 Living Bible (TLB) Psalms 49:3, Psalms 19:14, Psalm 136:26, Psalm 29:11, (KJV) Psalm 71:20-21 New International Version (NIV) Numbers 6:24-26 English Standard Version (ESV) 2 Corinthians 13:10-12 (NIV) John 14:27 (KJV) Philippians 4:6-7 American Standard Version (ASV) Luke 8:48 (KJV) +++++++++++++++++++++++++ Copyright Information (Licensing agreements available upon request by appropriate entity) All words, including words on graphic art (but excluding Bible verses,) are my own and may not be used in any part written or spoken without my permission. ~Connie Minnell Music Used by Permission: Across The Waters © 2017 Jewelbeat Music Library Sleeping Stars © 2017 Rebecca Reads Recordings Scripture Used by Permission: American Standard Version (ASV) Public Domain English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. King James Version (KJV) Public Domain New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Scripture quotations marked (TLB) are taken from The Living Bible copyright © 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

If you reached the point of exhaustion and can't sleep, you need today's show. We'll look closely at the old saying, “The Lord helps those who help themselves.” Because if that's true, then how much do we need to rely on our own strength and how much should we turn over to God? Life is busy, you love it that way and so do I! It keeps us on our toes. But sometimes things just get TOO busy. Sometimes the old brain just won't shut off, and sleep seems like it will never. Ever. Come. It's time to look outside of yourself for a source of strength. In 1 Chronicles we are told to "Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually." (1 Chronicles 16:11 King James Version (KJV)) But no matter how many times we tell ourselves that, we still think we have to do it all ourselves. Just like in that old saying "The Lord helps them who helps themselves"? I've heard that all my life, and even used it a few time myself in the past, but I won't be saying it anymore.... I assumed it was from the Bible; it sounds like something out of Proverbs, doesn't it? In fact, the Bible says just the opposite. Proverbs says, "Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe." (Proverbs 28:26, New International Version, NIV) God wants us to trust in him, to rely on Him, and on His wisdom; He wants to carry all of our burdens, all we have to do is ask Him to come into our lives and give our troubles over to Him. In Psalms 46 God tells us to listen to him in the stillness but it's easy to let our egos think that maybe this time God wants us to handle it on our own. That's like trying to replace the infinite peace of the universe on a starlit night with the white noise of a sound machine on your bedroom nightstand. With that white-noise machine there's no communication going either way: the noise just cancels out our thought. To listen to what God wants to say to us, we have to hear His words in the stillness, and that's when we know that He is God; we are not. So next time you hear that saying "God helps those who help themselves," you can remember that you know the truth: God helps those who cannot help themselves, and that includes all of us. Scriptures of Comfort and Strength: Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (1Peter 5:6-7 King James Version, KJV) Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30 (KJV) I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. Psalm 18:1-3 (KJV) And in that day thou shalt say, O Lord, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me. Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. Isaiah 12:1-2 (KJV) Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? There is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:28-31 (KJV) You whom I took from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest...

God has placed the scripture in our lives to help us find the truth. It may not always be the truth that our spirits want to hear, but it's the truth that God wants to reveal to us so that we can allow His healing to begin in our lives. Whatever struggles you have experienced today, ask God to show you His truth in the matter. If you're reading this, then you may be having trouble sleeping too. I'm sorry. I know how exhausted you feel right now. I'm on this journey to find a good night’s sleep right along with you. As I said in the post, “Introduction,” I struggled with sleep issues. I tried everything, but nothing helped long term. I'd been grappling with this problem for over four years. I worked too much, was consumed by stress and anxiety, and was only getting about three or four hours of sleep a night. I blamed it my job, the chronic pain, headaches, lousy diet, little exercise; you name it. With truth comes understanding and the ability to make decisions that can improve our lives. But the truth is not always easy to find, or easy to accept. Welcome to Resting in the Word, a podcast designed to help heal your spirit and quiet your mind as we meditate upon some of the most calming verses from the Holy Scripture. I'm the host, Connie Minnell, and today's show will focus on truth. A few years ago there was an energetic little 6-year-old girl at the school where I taught. When she became feverish and tired, here parents thought she just had a bad case of the flu. But as her symptoms were worsening, even after weeks of doctor visits, the doctor ran more specific tests. It was only after that that the parents found out the sweet child with the big smile was suffering from a form of childhood cancer. That truth was devastating for the parents to hear. Of course, even if that truth is something the patient doesn't want to hear, it's a truth that doctors must find before being able to cure or relieve the condition. And that adorable little six-year-old? She is now a healthy, cancer-free, teenager. Sometimes the truth that's hardest to hear can be that which saves us. God has placed the scripture in our lives to help us find the truth. It may not always be the truth that our spirits want to hear, but it's the truth that God wants to reveal to us so that we can allow His healing to begin in our lives. Whatever struggles you have experienced today, ask God to show you His truth in the matter. I'm on this journey to find a good night’s sleep right along with you. As I said in episode 1, “Introduction,” I struggle with sleep issues. I’ve tried everything, but nothing helped long term. I've been grappling with this problem for over four years. Back then, I was much sicker than I thought and was only getting about three or four hours of sleep a night. I blamed it on stress, chronic pain, and headaches, lousy diet, little exercise; you name it. Now even though the stress, headaches, and health were somewhat improved after I retired from teaching, I was still struggling to get a good night's sleep. I tried listening to audiobooks, music, anything to take my mind off trying to sleep. Nothing helped. Where was the peace I was looking for? What I needed to hear was scripture. Something that blessed my spirit as much as it blessed my sleep. And that’s what this new podcast is about, blessing your spirit as it blesses your sleep. Please feel free to listen to the short podcast by clicking on the “play” button above. And get ready to be blessed with the soothing words of scripture set to soft, meditation music. In this crazy world, we can all use a few more blessings in our lives, so I pray the following restful moments will bless you as much as they have me! Sometimes the truth that's hardest to hear can be that which saves us. Meditation Scripture as read on podcast Listed in order: Jeremiah 29:11-12 New International Version (NIV); Jeremiah 29:13 King James Version (KJV); Proverbs 30:5 English Standard Version (ESV); Proverbs...

Welcome to Episode 1 of Resting in the Word, a scripture meditation podcast created to refresh the spirit and relax the mind. This show is designed for anyone who struggles to find a restful night's sleep but is also looking for more than just healing the body. Here you're given a choice to meditate upon the inspirational words that can and will change your life. Resting in the Word is created to help you enjoy all the mental, physical and spiritual health benefits that come with finally getting the rest your body so desperately needs. You begin with the soothing sounds of music, along with your host, Connie Minnell, who will guide you through a personal time of spiritual reflection. Then, as you gently move into the relaxing meditation, you allow all the benefits of the divinely inspired word of God,words of peace and grace, to come to rest in your spirit. As the weeks go by, you will find that this is as much a journey of faith for me as it may become for you, so I humbly ask for your words or prayers of encouragement for Resting in the Word. In return, I will also be praying for you. If you like what you hear, please tell someone else. You never know how you can bless another person's life just by sharing what you know. If they don't know what a podcast is or how to access one, just send them to my website at restingintheword.org, and they can listen there. -------------------- Note: This podcast is created to help you relax and sleep, please do not listen to while driving or other activities that require your full attention.