You're listening to Encounter, a simple daily podcast to help you find the sacred in the ordinary.

We have 100 meditation episodes on this podcast, but we're excited to announce the launch of the

Encountering Peace mobile app

where you can hear the entire library of more than 500 seasonal and topical meditations.

I encourage you to download the Encountering Peace mobile app today

where all of the meditations are free as they should be.

The scripture we will use as the foundation for meditation is often misquoted out of context.

It may be familiar to you. It's the passage where Jesus tells his disciples that when two or more gather together,

God is there.

We often use that passage to promote praying together, no matter the size of the gathering.

But actually, the passage is dealing with how to approach and comfort someone caught in sin.

It's a statement of how the church gathers together in the authority of Jesus in order to keep the church healthy. But have you ever

been nervous about confronting someone else's wrongdoing by yourself? Well, this meditation from Matthew chapter 18 is about the

presence of God being particularly near when his people gathered to meditate on repentance.

Jesus is telling us of the importance of gathering, praying, and meditating as a group to bring healing

to those in darkness. So start now by taking a moment to settle and to still your heart.

Begin to center your thoughts now on gathering in the divine presence.

These next 15 minutes are a retreat for you to be guided into the presence of the Shikina glory of God.

So just rest here now, healing in the presence of God the Father, Matthew chapter 28, and as I lead us, respond simply, Lord God, you are here with us.

And may God richly bless the reading and hearing of His word.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.

For Lord God, you are here with us.

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