How to Cultivate True Greatness | Guided Lent Scripture Meditation Matthew 20:20-28

This is a guided prayer for the fourth week of Lent.

Get your FREE lent guide here.

Our meditation passage (released on 3.11.24) was Matthew Mark 12:28-31. In this account, Jesus reminds us that love is the most important command.

In this guided prayer, we begin by thanking God for his love and asking him to help us receive his love. Then we ask God to help us notice how he may be inviting us to love him differently. And finally, we ask God to help us know how he is inviting us to love someone practically today or this week.

May God grant you the courage to love well today, this week, and moving forward.

Here are some helpful links:

You can find out more about Lent through my free Lent Guide here.

You can find Jodie at http://www.jodieniznik.com/

Instagram @creatingspaceforgod

Facebook @JodieGNiznik

Learn more about Scripture meditation and download your free Lectio Divina Scripture Meditation Journal here.

Join my Monday email here where I send out links to the newest meditation every Monday morning.

Find out more about my partner Life Audio at lifeaudio.com.

Download free sample chapters from my Bible studies here.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This guided Scripture meditation for Lent leads us to consider how we love God and love others.

Download your free guided Lent journal here.

The Old Testament Law was complex. There were 613 laws that Jews were required to follow. Religious leaders in Jesus’ day liked to debate which of these laws were more important than the others. When Jesus received this question, he summed up the entire law simply. In fact, he used just one word: love. Love God and love others.

This guided meditation will give you space to consider how God may be inviting you to love him and others in new ways.

This is our fifth Lent meditation. You can find out more about Lent, where it originated, and how Christians traditionally practice it through my free Lent Guide here.

Here are some additional links to help you learn more about me and to help you create space for God in your life:

You can find Jodie at http://www.jodieniznik.com/

Instagram @creatingspaceforgod

Facebook @JodieGNiznik

Learn more about Lectio Divina and download your free Lectio Divina Journal here.

Join my Monday email here where I send out links to the newest meditation every Monday morning.

Download free sample chapters from my Bible studies here.

The passage meditated on in this episode is:

Mark 12:28–31, NIV

28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ n There is no commandment greater than these.”

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This is a guided prayer for the fourth week of Lent.

Get your FREE lent guide here.

Our meditation passage (released on 3.4.24) was Matthew 20:20-28. In this account, Jesus flips greatness on its head and unpacks the kingdom principle that the way up is really down.

In this guided prayer we will take a moment to identify some of the desires we have – and realize not all our desires are bad. We will then ask the Lord to help us notice where we are tempted to try to control the outcome and force things to happen in our way and according to our will. Finally, we will ask the Lord to help us reorder our desires according to his kingdom principles.

Here are some helpful links:

You can find out more about Lent through my free Lent Guide here.

You can find Jodie at http://www.jodieniznik.com/

Instagram @creatingspaceforgod

Facebook @JodieGNiznik

Learn more about Scripture meditation and download your free Lectio Divina Scripture Meditation Journal here.

Join my Monday email here where I send out links to the newest meditation every Monday morning.

Find out more about my partner Life Audio at lifeaudio.com.

Download free sample chapters from my Bible studies here.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This guided Scripture meditation for Lent leads us to consider where true greatness is found.

So, what does makes someone great?

Power. Influence. Authority. Wealth. Accomplishments.

We know these things don’t really make us great, yet we still desire them. We still strive after them. And we even convince ourselves we will use all this greatness for the good of the Kingdom.

And then, Jesus flips greatness upside down. The way up is really down.

To be great is to serve.

To lower ourselves.  

To open our hands.

To be great is to be like Jesus, the King and the Creator. The One who really did have it all and was truly great.

And he laid it all down to serve us, you and me.

This is the measure of greatness.

And it isn’t easy.

As you listen to this week’s meditation, know that I’m praying for you to embrace God’s definition of greatness for your life. His way is not our way, but His way is always the better way.

This is our fourth Lent meditation. You can find out more about Lent, where it originated, and how Christians traditionally practice it through my free Lent Guide here.

Here’s some additional links to help you learn more about me and to help you create space for God in your life:

You can find Jodie at http://www.jodieniznik.com/

Instagram @creatingspaceforgod

Facebook @JodieGNiznik

Learn more about Lectio Divina and download your free Lectio Divina Journal here.

Join my Monday email here where I send out links to the newest meditation every Monday morning.

Download free sample chapters from my Bible studies here.

The passage meditated on in this episode is:

Matthew 20:20-28, CSB

20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons approached JESUS with her sons. She knelt down to ask him for something. 21 “What do you want?” he asked her.

“Promise,” she said to him, “that these two sons of mine may sit, one on your right and the other on your left, in your kingdom.”

22 Jesus answered, “You don’t know what you’re asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?”,

“We are able,” they said to him.

23 He told them, “You will indeed drink my cup, but to sit at my right and left is not mine to give; instead, it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”

24 When the ten disciples heard this, they became indignant with the two brothers. 25 Jesus called them over and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in high positions act as tyrants over them. 26 It must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave; 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This is a guided prayer for the first week of Lent.

Get your FREE lent guide here.

Our meditation passage (released on 2.26.24) was Matthew 16:21-26. In this account, Peter thought he was protecting Jesus when he tried to stand in the way of his coming death. Peter had no idea that his good intentions would thwart the plans of eternity.

In this guided prayer we will take a moment to identify situations we desire to control, remember how God has been faithful in the past, and finally seek to receive God’s love and perspective about the situations we’re facing.

Here are some helpful links:

You can find out more about Lent through my free Lent Guide here.

You can find Jodie at http://www.jodieniznik.com/

Instagram @creatingspaceforgod

Facebook @JodieGNiznik

Learn more about Scripture meditation and download your free Lectio Divina Scripture Meditation Journal here.

Join my Monday email here where I send out links to the newest meditation every Monday morning.

Find out more about my partner Life Audio at lifeaudio.com.

Download free sample chapters from my Bible studies here.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Peter thought he was protecting Jesus, his friend and his Rabbi. He had no idea that his good intentions would play into the hands of the enemy and thwart the plans of eternity.

We often have good intentions as we try to make something happen. It seems reasonable – even good from our perspective.

Yet God sees and knows infinitely more than we do.

And his ways are not our ways.

If Peter’s plan had succeeded, he would have rescued Jesus from a moment of pain but created a lifetime of loss for everyone else.

As you listen to this week’s meditation, I’m praying you find a little God perspective to help you endure whatever you are facing.

This is our third Lent meditation. You can find out more about Lent, where it originated, and how Christians traditionally practice it through my free Lent Guide here.

Here are some additional links to help you learn more about me and to help you create space for God in your life:

You can find Jodie at http://www.jodieniznik.com/

Instagram @creatingspaceforgod

Facebook @JodieGNiznik

Learn more about Lectio Divina and download your free Lectio Divina Journal here.

Join my Monday email here where I send out links to the newest meditation every Monday morning.

Download free sample chapters from my Bible studies here.

The passage meditated on in this episode is:

Matthew 16:21–26, NLT

From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead.

22 But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!”

23 Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. 25 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. 26 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This is a guided prayer for the first week of Lent. Get your FREE lent guide here.

This week our meditation passage (released on 2.19.24) was Matthew 14:22-33. In this account, Peter walked on water. He was brave and bold when he stepped out of the boat. But the wind kicked up and distracted him from Jesus. When Peter took his eyes off Jesus, Peter let fear consume him and started to sink.

In this guided prayer we will take a moment to identify what situations are making us fearful, confess our fears to God, and then receive God’s love and courage to help us choose to have faith over fear.

Here’s some helpful links:

You can find out more about Lent through my free Lent Guide here.

You can find Jodie at http://www.jodieniznik.com/

Instagram @creatingspaceforgod

Facebook @JodieGNiznik

Learn more about Scripture meditation and download your free Lectio Divina Scripture Meditation Journal here.

Join my Monday email here where I send out links to the newest meditation every Monday morning.

Find out more about my parter Life Audio at lifeaudio.com.

Download free sample chapters from my Bible studies here.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This guided Scripture meditation is for Lent. You can get your FREE lent guide here

In Matthew 14:22-33, Peter walked on water. He was brave and bold when he stepped out of the boat. But the wind kicked up and distracted him from Jesus. When Peter took his eyes off Jesus, fear consumed him and he started to sink.

What changed? Peter changed. Jesus remained the same. He did not move. And he was present and ready to help Peter as soon as Peter cried out to him.

As you move through this guided meditation you will be invited to let the Holy Spirit lead you to what he has for you and to reflect on areas where God is inviting you to trust him more.

What is Lent? Lent is the roughly 40-day period before Easter in the Christian calendar. Traditionally, Lent is a season set aside for repentance and renewal. I like to think of it as a spring cleaning for my soul - a time to reflect on how much I need Jesus in my life and imagine what life would be like without him.

You can find out more about Lent, where it originated, and how Christians traditionally practice it through my free Lent Guide here.

Here’s some additional links to help you learn more about me and to help you create space for God in your life:

You can find Jodie at http://www.jodieniznik.com/

Instagram @creatingspaceforgod

Facebook @JodieGNiznik

Learn more about Lectio Divina and download your free Lectio Divina Journal here.

Join my Monday email here where I send out links to the newest meditation every Monday morning.

Download free sample chapters from my Bible studies here.

The passage meditated on in this episode is:

Matthew 14:22-33, CSB

22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 After dismissing the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. Well into the night, he was there alone. 24 Meanwhile, the boat was already some distance from land, battered by the waves, because the wind was against them. 25 Jesus came toward them walking on the sea very early in the morning. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and they cried out in fear.

27 Immediately Jesus spoke to them. “Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter answered him, “command me to come to you on the water.”

29 He said, “Come.”

And climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me!”

31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand, caught hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”

32 When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 Then those in the boat worshiped him and said, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This is a guided prayer for the first week of Lent.

Get your FREE lent guide here. 

This week our meditation passage (released on 2.12.24) was Matthew 14:13-21. In this account, Jesus feeds the 5000 with food that was meant for one meal. In our meditation, we focused on the concept of scarcity versus abundance and trusting God to provide even when we can’t see how he will do it.

This guided prayer will lead you into a few peaceful moments with God as you confess your need for him and ask him to help you trust him more.

You can find out more about Lent through my free Lent Guide here.

You can find Jodie at http://www.jodieniznik.com/

Instagram @creatingspaceforgod

Facebook @JodieGNiznik

Learn more about Lectio Divina and download your free Lectio Divina Journal here.

Join my Monday email here where I send out links to the newest meditation every Monday morning.

Download free sample chapters from my Bible studies here.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This guided Scripture meditation is for the first week of Lent.

Get your FREE lent guide here.

In this account from Matthew 14, Jesus demonstrated that in His hands, what seems insufficient becomes more than enough. This serves as a beautiful reminder to trust in God's abundant provision in our own lives.

As you move through this guided meditation, you will be invited to let the Spirit lead you to what he has for you and to reflect on areas where God is inviting you to trust him more.

Lent is the roughly 40-day period before Easter in the Christian calendar. Traditionally, Lent is a season set aside for repentance and renewal. I like to think of it as a spring cleaning for my soul - a time to reflect on how much I need Jesus in my life and imagine what life would be like without him.

The origin of Lent can be traced back to the 4th Century, and the forty days are an echo of Jesus’ forty days in the wilderness. There are several common practices Christians tend to adopt during Lent: fasting, prayer, generosity, and intentionally taking on a spiritual practice.

You can find out more about Lent through my free Lent Guide here.

Here are some additional links to help you learn more about me and to help you create space for God in your life:

You can find Jodie at http://www.jodieniznik.com/

Instagram @creatingspaceforgod

Facebook @JodieGNiznik

Learn more about Lectio Divina and download your free Lectio Divina Journal here.

Join my Monday email here where I send out links to the newest meditation every Monday morning.

Download free sample chapters from my Bible studies here.

The passage meditated on in this episode is:

Matthew 14:13-21, NIV

13 (Jesus) withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”

16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.

18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.