Welcome to the Daily Still podcast, a place to pause.

Here we create space to listen for the whispers of God.

I'm your host Cindy Helton, and I believe one of the greatest gifts you can give to yourself is room to be still.

This week's meditation continues with the sermon on the Mount.

If you haven't listened to last week's meditation on the beatitudes, you might want to

go back and start there.

The Sermon on the Mount is a collection of sayings and teachings of Jesus

as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew. Large crowds followed Jesus throughout the region of

Galilee, where he healed many people physically, emotionally, and spiritually. One day as the crowds gathered, Jesus went up

on the mountainside and sat down to teach. The crowds began pressing in, wanting to hear

the teacher and perhaps be healed by the rabbi.

This is the scene we find ourselves in as we reflect on Matthew 5, 13 through 16.

As you settle in, imagine Jesus looking into the crowd with eyes that penetrate each heart

as if they are the only one there.

Wherever you are today, God is there with you.

The eyes of the Lord are on you.

His ears are listening to the meditations of your heart and your desire to know and be known.

So find a quiet space. Take several slow, deep breaths. And now, let's settle in and begin.

Dear Lord, help us to hear your voice clearly.

Make yourself so real to us that we experience personally the excitement of your presence. Highlight the things you want to teach us.

Whisper to our spirits.

Illuminate our path.

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