Growing Closer to God with Guided Meditation
Religion & Spirituality
About
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.
Episodes
- Walking in The Grace God Provides: Renewing the Mind With God's Power | Wednesday Devotion
This episode explores transforming thought patterns through spirit-led renewal and surrender, rather than self-help. It includes a guided reflection on surrendering thoughts for God to renew the mind, offering practical faith-based support…
- Walking in The Grace God Provides: Obedience Empowered by God, Not Forced by Us | Tuesday Devotion
This episode discusses obedience as a joyful response to God's love, empowered by His Spirit, rather than a forced effort. It contrasts gritted-teeth religion with Spirit-empowered discipleship, emphasizing that obedience flows from gratit…
- Walking in The Grace God Provides: Responding in Willing Surrender | Monday Devotion
This episode discusses "working out your salvation" as a response to God's work, shifting the focus from self-effort to trust and cooperation with grace. It explores how God provides desire and transformation, and encourages listeners to i…
- Honoring Mothers Brings A Promise Of Goodness: Encore Episode
This episode reflects on the meaningful impact of maternal love, honoring mothers, grandmothers, and mother figures. It draws on Ephesians 6:2–3 and Proverbs 31:26–28 to discuss spiritual grounding, gratitude, and practical ways to show ap…
- Guarding Your Heart & Mind Series: God's Power is Made Perfect in Our Weakness | Friday Devotional
This devotional explores 2 Corinthians 12:9, discussing how God's grace and power are sufficient in our weakness. It encourages listeners to rely on God's strength instead of their own when feeling inadequate, offering guided reflection an…
- Guarding Your Heart & Mind Series: God Strengthens Us When Our Strength Fails | Thursday Devotional
This episode, part of the "Guarding Your Heart & Mind Series," explores the concept of God strengthening individuals when their own strength fails, drawing from Isaiah 40:29. It includes a guided reflection and prayer for those experiencin…
- Guarding Your Heart & Mind Series: God Works in Us What We Cannot Produce | Wednesday Devotional
This episode discusses spiritual growth and obedience based on Philippians 2:13, emphasizing that God works within believers, providing both the desire and power to follow through. It explores the concept of a partnership with God in Chris…
- Guarding Your Heart & Mind Series: God Gives Us a New Heart, Not a New To Do List | Tuesday Devotional
This episode, titled "God Gives Us a New Heart, Not a New To Do List," from the podcast "Growing Closer to God with Guided Meditation," explores the biblical passage Ezekiel 36:26. It discusses the idea of spiritual transformation as a res…
- Guarding Your Heart & Mind Series: God's Grace Does What We Can't | Monday Devotion
This episode discusses God's grace as a transformative force in believers' lives. It focuses on how grace helps overcome limitations and fosters a new way of living, rather than relying solely on human effort for self-improvement.
- Guarding Your Heart and Mind Series: Deep Dive with Dan & Sheila
This episode features Dan and Sheila discussing Pastor Robert Young’s "Guarding Your Mind" argument. They explore how modern humanism, despite promoting positive goals, can subtly undermine faith by emphasizing self-reliance over divine in…
- Protecting Your Peace Series: Choose Stillness | Thursday Devotion
This episode, "Protecting Your Peace Series: Choose Stillness," focuses on finding peace through intentional stillness and Christian mindfulness. It offers practical advice on integrating quiet moments into daily life to reset thoughts and…
- Protecting Your Peace Series: Guarding Your Heart & Mind | Wednesday Devotion
This episode of Growing Closer to God with Guided Meditation provides a guided Christian meditation and prayer for releasing anxiety and cultivating gratitude. It explores how gratitude can reshape focus and offers an anchoring affirmation…
- Protecting Your Peace Series: Jesus Gives Peace the World Can't | Tuesday Devotion
This episode of "Growing Closer to God" focuses on finding peace through faith. It discusses common sources of worldly peace and offers a Christian reflection and affirmation to counter anxiety.
- Protecting Your Peace Series: God is Your Peace | Monday Devotion
This episode of Growing Closer to God with Guided Meditation features Pastor Robert Young discussing how peace comes from God, drawing from Isaiah 26:3. The discussion focuses on spiritual protection and managing anxiety through faith, att…
- Protecting Your Peace Series: Deep Dive with Dan & Sheila
This episode of "Growing Closer to God with Guided Meditation" features a deep dive with Dan and Sheila on protecting peace from modern sensory overload. They discuss building internal stability, setting boundaries for technology and news…
- All Night Prayer? Daily Devotion | Friday
This episode discusses night prayer and daily devotion, focusing on identity and encountering God. It references the biblical story of Jacob to explore themes of wrestling with God and receiving a new name.
- All Night Prayer? Daily Devotion | Thursday
This episode explores night prayer and daily devotion, emphasizing the importance of stillness and listening to sharpen spiritual hearing. It guides listeners to shift from striving to intimacy, transforming prayer into a relationship mark…
- All Night Prayer? Daily Devotion | Wednesday
This episode discusses prayer as an exchange of weakness for strength, highlighting how God provides support during difficult times. It offers practical reflections and an affirmation for spiritual and emotional challenges.
- All Night Prayer? Daily Devotion | Tuesday
This episode discusses prayer as a sanctuary for honest expression and surrender, drawing from Psalm 77. It guides listeners in acknowledging their feelings and engaging in contemplative prayer practices.
- All Night Prayer? Daily Devotion | Monday
This episode discusses the importance of extended prayer for gaining clarity in decisions and situations, referencing Jesus' all-night prayer before choosing the Twelve. It suggests that unhurried prayer can help settle thoughts and clarif…
- All Night Prayer? Deep Dive with Dan & Sheila
This episode explores the concept and benefits of night prayer, drawing on biblical examples and insights from Pastor Robert Young. It discusses how night prayer can lead to spiritual alignment, courage, and a deeper connection with God, e…
- Discernment as a Lifestyle | Daily Devotion (Saturday)
This episode discusses discernment as a learned skill, not a rare gift. It explores practical ways to train spiritual senses through daily habits like scripture reading, prayer, and journaling, as well as weekly rhythms such as digital res…
- Discernment is Impossible Without the Holy Spirit | Daily Devotion (Friday)
This episode discusses how the Holy Spirit guides individuals in everyday discernment. It emphasizes recognizing divine guidance, such as nudges and warnings, and responding with trust based on John 16:13.
- Discernment is Anchored in Scripture | Daily Devotion (Thursday)
This episode of "Growing Closer to God with Guided Meditation" features Pastor Robert Young discussing how believers can use scripture as a primary filter for truth. He explains a framework for discernment, focusing on testing messages, fr…
- Discernment vs Suspicion | Daily Devotion (Wednesday)
This episode examines the distinction between discernment and suspicion in daily decisions. It uses James 3:17 as a compass for understanding true wisdom, contrasting fear-driven suspicion with spirit-led discernment that brings clarity an…
- Discernment Test the Spirits | Daily Devotion (Tuesday)
This episode explores spiritual discernment, providing a practical framework based on 1 John 4:1. It guides listeners on how to identify lasting spiritual fruit and measure claims against Scripture, concluding with a guided reflection and…
- The Danger of Outsourcing Your Discernment | Daily Devotion (Monday)
This episode discusses the dangers of outsourcing discernment and relying on others for spiritual guidance. It offers a path to develop a personal connection with God through Scripture, prayer, and the Holy Spirit.
- How To Recognize Truth When Everything Feels Urgent | Meditation on Discernment
This episode of "Growing Closer to God with Guided Meditation" discusses recognizing truth in a world of urgent information. It focuses on discernment using scripture, confession, breathwork, and worship to filter messages and resist decep…
- Daily Devotion: God's Peace is Given, Not Earned | Thursday
This episode discusses how to receive God's peace, drawing from John 14:27. It explores the shift from striving to openness and its impact on stress and daily practices for finding peace.
- Daily Devotion: Letting Go of Mental Clutter | Wednesday
This episode focuses on a guided meditation practice for releasing mental clutter and anxiety. It encourages listeners to identify and surrender worries, finding peace through faith.
- Daily Devotion: Living the Renewed Life | Tuesday
This episode explores a restorative practice of stillness and trusting God with Pastor Robert Young. It discusses inviting God into everyday moments and finding peace through a slower pace and focused reflection.
- Renew Your Mind Day 30 | God Will Carry It To Completion
This episode of "Renew Your Mind Day 30" discusses reframing completion as the beginning of a deeper change, cultivating peace through faithful practices. It explores maintaining peace and truth, emphasizing daily spiritual rhythms and tru…
- Renew Your Mind Day 29 | You Were Never Meant to Carry it Alone
This episode, "Renew Your Mind Day 29," from the "Growing Closer to God with Guided Meditation" podcast, discusses how seeking help and connection, rather than isolation, is crucial for healing. It explores concepts from Pastor Robert Youn…
- Renew Your Mind Day 28 | Week Four Wrap-up
This episode discusses renewing the mind by shifting focus to eternal perspectives, referencing biblical teachings on citizenship and pilgrimage. It explores how this shift can impact responses to stress, measures of success, and prayer, g…
- Renew Your Mind Day 27 | Who Will You Tell?
This episode discusses the concept of being "not of the world" as described in John 17. It explores how this framework informs identity and mission, and what sanctification looks like in daily life.
- Renew Your Mind Day 26 | Raised Incorruptible
This episode, "Renew Your Mind Day 26 | Raised Incorruptible," from the podcast "Growing Closer to God with Guided Meditation," explores themes of transformation and incorruptibility from 1 Corinthians 15:51–58. It discusses how the promis…
- Renew Your Mind Day 25 | Pilgrims of a Better Desire
This episode, "Renew Your Mind Day 25," from the podcast "Growing Closer to God with Guided Meditation," explores 1 Peter 2:11–12, focusing on reframing daily choices and pursuing a steady fellowship with God.
- Renew Your Mind Day 24 | Eagerly Awaiting
This episode discusses renewing the mind through guided meditation, drawing on biblical promises of transformation. It explores how a focus on future hope can reshape present experiences of pain and aging, offering practical steps for cult…
- Renew Your Mind Day 23 | Getting An Upgrade
This episode, "Renew Your Mind Day 23 | Getting An Upgrade," from the "Growing Closer to God with Guided Meditation" podcast, discusses 2 Corinthians 5:1-10. It explores the fragility of human bodies and the promise of an eternal home thro…
- Renew Your Mind Day 22 | Just Passing Through
This episode is titled "Renew Your Mind Day 22 | Just Passing Through" from the podcast Growing Closer to God with Guided Meditation.
- Renew Your Mind Day 21 | Week 3 Wrap-up
This episode focuses on worship as a central practice for a clear, grounded, and joyful life. It discusses how turning attention to God can reframe identity, simplify decisions, and restore peace, and explores making worship a daily rhythm.
- Renew Your Mind Day 20 | Worship Shapes How You Live
This episode discusses how worship can be integrated into daily life through intentional choices and reflections. It explores finding meaning in small acts and returning to one's faith throughout the day.
- Renew Your Mind Day 19 | Worship is Gratitude
This episode, "Renew Your Mind Day 19 | Worship is Gratitude," discusses how to foster gratitude to quiet the mind and cultivate joy and peace, drawing inspiration from First Thessalonians 5:18. It also explores practical ways to incorpora…
- Renew Your Mind Day 18 | Worship is Surrender
This episode discusses worship as surrender, drawing from Psalm 46:10. It focuses on releasing control, addressing fears, and trusting God through guided contemplation and affirmations.
- Renew Your Mind Day 17 | Worship Renews the Mind
This episode focuses on renewing the mind through worship. It explores a worship practice based on Romans 12:2 to help center thoughts and find clarity.
- Renew Your Mind Day 16 | Worship Begins with Awe
This episode, "Renew Your Mind Day 16 | Worship Begins with Awe," from the podcast "Growing Closer to God with Guided Meditation," explores the idea that worship starts with awe. It discusses how intentional silence can enhance prayer and…
- Renew Your Mind Day 15 | Worship is Your Identity
This episode, "Renew Your Mind Day 15 | Worship is Your Identity," from the podcast "Growing Closer to God with Guided Meditation," explores worship as an identity based on 1 Peter 2:9. It includes guided practices of confession and praise…
- Renew Your Mind Day 14 | Dual Citizenship
This episode, "Renew Your Mind Day 14 | Dual Citizenship," explores five shifts for living with "heaven's instincts" in a world of "noise, climbing, and control." It discusses themes of origin and authority, service as a path to impact, ki…
- Renew Your Mind Day 13 | New Standard of Justice
This episode of Growing Closer to God with Guided Meditation examines Ephesians 2:8–9, highlighting salvation as a gift of grace through faith. It contrasts worldly expectations of performance with God's generosity, asserting that acts of…
- Renew Your Mind Day 12 | New Standard of Thinking
This episode, "Renew Your Mind Day 12," from the podcast "Growing Closer to God with Guided Meditation," focuses on renewing the mind. It examines resisting conformity and embracing transformation by applying Romans 12:2, discussing how cu…