The Meditation Mandate

03/16/2026

02/04/2026

God’s Fountain of Youth

Humans have always been fascinated by the idea of living forever. For centuries, stories have been told about a magical spring called the Fountain of Youth. Legend says that anyone who drinks from it or swims in its waters will instantly become young again, losing their wrinkles and gaining back the energy they had as a child. While most people today know this is just a fairy tale, the story tells us a lot about how much people value being young and healthy.

Many people think the story started in Florida with a Spanish explorer named Juan Ponce de León. In 1513, he sailed to the Americas, and for a long time, history books claimed he was looking for the Fountain of Youth. However, modern historians believe this might not be true. Ponce de León was likely looking for gold and new land to claim for Spain. The story about the Fountain was probably added later by writers who wanted to make his journey sound more like an adventure.

Even before Ponce de León, other cultures had similar stories. Thousands of years ago, the ancient Greeks wrote about "Water of Life" in far-off lands. There were also legends in the Middle East and Asia about hidden springs that could cure any disease. It seems that no matter where people lived, they all dreamed of a way to stop getting older.

The reason the Fountain of Youth is still a popular story is because it represents a wish we all have: to stay healthy and active. Getting older can be scary because it means the body gets weaker. The Fountain represents hope. It’s a "reset button" for life.
In a way, this connects to the "Present-Moment" idea. Often, people are so worried about getting older in the future or missing their youth from the past that they forget to enjoy where they are right now. The Fountain of Youth is a dream about staying in the "perfect" moment forever.

Even though we aren't hacking through jungles looking for a magic pond anymore, people are still searching for the Fountain of Youth in other ways. We see it in:

• Creams and Lotions: Companies sell "anti-aging" products that promise to hide wrinkles.
• Healthy Eating: People follow strict diets hoping to live past 100.
• Technology: Scientists are studying DNA to see if they can actually slow down the aging process in a lab.

The Fountain of Youth might be a myth, but the feeling behind it is very real. Whether it is a magical spring or a new scientific discovery, humans will likely always look for a way to stay young. However, the best way to feel young might not be a magic drink, but simply staying curious and making the most of every day we have.

In the Bible, the book of Ephesians gives clear instructions on how families should treat one another. In Chapter 6, verses 1 and 2, it says: "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 'Honor your father and mother'—which is the first commandment with a promise." This passage is unique because it doesn't just give a rule to follow; it attaches a specific reward to it.

The "promise" mentioned is that things will go well for you and that you may enjoy a long life on the earth. While the Fountain of Youth is a myth people chase to stay young, this scripture suggests a different path to a full and lasting life. Honoring your parents means showing them respect, listening to their wisdom, and valuing their role in your life.

From a spiritual perspective, this creates a sense of peace and stability. When we live in harmony with our families and show respect to those who raised us, we avoid many of the stresses and conflicts that can wear a person down. God’s promise shows that living a life of respect and kindness isn't just "the right thing to do"—it is actually a key to a blessed and enduring future.

Exodus 20:12 (NIV)
“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.”

Proverbs 3:1-2 (NIV)
“My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.”

Bob Maas
Wimberley, Texas

12/04/2025

My greatest example of perseverance is Jesus Christ, my Lord, Savior, and Friend. Even at the cross, Jesus never stopped trusting God to do what was right.

There was a time when all it took for me to give up was a little pain, rejection, fear, or disappointment. Now, I have learned that most of the time, God simply desires that I be still and silent, maintain my focus of attention on Him, remain aware of what is happening from His perspective, and trust Him.

Some time ago, for a few brief moments, I saw the moon block out the brightness of the sun during a solar eclipse, and it felt very eerie to me. However, I had no doubt that everything would return to normal when the eclipse was over.

So it is with the darkness I experience when God is seemingly not shining brightly in my life. All I have to do is keep centered on Him and quietly wait for His return. Just as dark clouds may obscure the sun, I know it is shining somewhere in the same way God is always watching over me.

I pray that the Lord will remind me of this the next time I am faced with a difficult trial.

Psalm 30:4-5�"Sing the praises of the Lord, you His faithful people; praise His holy name. For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning."

Hebrews 12:3�"Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

12/02/2025

I am so grateful for God’s light that exposes the darkness in my life. At first, when I started following Jesus, all the Lord had to use was a small candle to expose the sin. With each new revelation of my self-centered habits and behaviors, He started using more and more light.

There are two things I have discovered in this ongoing process. God has no limit to the brightness with which He can shine and my problems are always within my ego; they are never out there in someone, some place or something else.

I used to like to blame other people and things so that the focus of His light would be outside instead of in me. I’ve given up on that because the problems are always internal. I still find my ego rising within me, but then I simply surrender to the Lord and I experience His peace and joy.

I always know when He is shining the light a little brighter because I get irritated, grouchy or angry. I am appreciative to God for purifying my heart by shining His light and transforming the way I think and reason.

Romans 12:2
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

2 Corinthians 7:1
“Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”

12/01/2025

Just when I think my ego is under control, it doesn't take long to discover that it was just dormant for a while.

I am grateful that the Lord has shown me that I don't have to fight it anymore. When I do, I am only helping it get the exercise it needs to gain strength and become more and more powerful.

Instead, all I have to do is direct my thoughts to my Heavenly Father and the awareness of His presence takes away the struggle and gives me peace.

Anxiety, fear, worry, stress, irritations and frustrations have become wonderful alarm signals to warn me that my mental activity is nearing a precipice of trouble and peril. If I should go over the cliff, I can still redirect my thoughts and He will bear me up on the wings of an eagle.

But what is even more encouraging is that if I fall to the bottom, He is there to pick me up and set me back on the right path because His love never fails.

Deuteronomy 32:10-11
"In a desert land He found him, in a barren and howling waste. He shielded him and cared for him; He guarded him as the apple of His eye, like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them on its pinions."

Psalm 145:14
"Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made. The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down."

11/28/2025

For many years, I made my plans and set my goals as though I understood what was best for me. I considered the pros and cons and did my best to eliminate adverse outcomes because I didn't want them to interfere with the good I was planning to accomplish.

I would ask God to bless my endeavors because that made me feel like I was getting His approval. Now I realize how foolish and presumptuous I was. What I was doing was nothing more than a fantasy. The only person I was fooling was myself.

I am so grateful that the Lord’s light shone brightly and exposed the darkness of my ways. Once again, His truth set me free. Now, I am focused on simply abiding in Him and trusting the Lord to direct my steps, one by one.

Psalm 139:23-24
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Colossians 2:6-7
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

Bob Maas
Wimberley, Texas

11/27/2025

I am eternally grateful that Jesus came to give me abundant life and teach me how to live God’s way instead of man's way. Everything is provided for me to nurture my existence in Him. The Lord reveals it through His life and teaching.

His death on the cross is the most excellent demonstration in human history that God loves me, my family, my friends, and everyone else. His resurrection from the dead assures me that no circumstance or situation will ever happen that can separate me from Him.

My old nature, the one I was born with when I came into the world, has been conditioned by my senses, and for many years, I thought that reality was in the material and physical things surrounding me.

However, since I started following Jesus, I have been in a transition that has been gradually helping me see that the true and eternal things are spiritual. I am increasingly independent of tangible things and rely on my Heavenly Father, His Word, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus to support me in all my activities.

I thank God for guiding me into this incredible experience of living continually in His presence, one moment at a time.

Matthew 6:25
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?"

Luke 12:15
"Then he (Jesus) said to them, 'Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

Bob Maas
Wimberley, Texas

11/26/2025

One of the challenges of living by grace is learning the difference between freedom and responsibility. For a long time, I clearly understood that because of grace, no matter what kind of sin I was confronting, God’s grace was more than sufficient to forgive.

On the other hand, I learned after several years of following Jesus, grace was also the dynamic that gave me the motivation and power to obey the commands to which Jesus expects me to follow.

I was frustrated for many years when I couldn’t do the things that God required of me. Now I thank Him for the understanding that the only way I can walk with Jesus is through brokenness and the cross. Brokenness makes me more submissive to God’s ways and the cross enables me to die to myself and trust God.

My ego has to continually die so that Christ, who lives in me, will be able to carry out His own commands. Obedience is not difficult when I abide in Christ and His words abide in me because through Him I have the strength I need to live victoriously over sin.

Romans 5:15
“But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!”

1 Corinthians 15:10
“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.”

Bob Maas
Wimberley, Texas

11/25/2025

Wherever I look, I see people with many different kinds of needs. Some of them are close to death and others are recovering from surgery. Some need God’s guidance and others are seeking help for their loved ones to be rescued from addictions.

The list goes on and on but one thing is certain; our heavenly Father knows every one of these needs before I ask Him to take care of them. After Jesus ascended to heaven to be with His Father, the apostles recognized that they had two important things to which they had to give their highest priority. Nothing was more essential to them than prayer and the ministry of the word.

The wonderful thing about those two ministries is that I can always find time to do them if I make them the highest priority in my life. When I am focused on those two activities I discover that I am also dwelling in continual fellowship with the Lord. Nothing is more important than that.

Matthew 6:7-8
“And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”

Acts 6:2-4
“So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, ‘It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word’.”

Bob Maas
Wimberley, Texas

11/24/2025

Early on in my walk with the Lord, many of my problems arose out of my discontentment. What I believed was a perceived need was nothing more than a carnal desire.

Instead of trusting God to provide something, I would go in debt. All that did was put me in bo***ge to banks and financial institutions. One of the greatest lessons I ever had was when I learned the secret of being content with what I had.

Now, when I think I need something, all I have to do is talk with the Lord about it. If I have peace and the money to purchase it, I look for the best bargain. If I have peace but not enough money, I wait until He provides it or I have the cash.

If I don't have peace I don't get it.

I thank God for meeting all of my real needs through Jesus Christ.

Colossians 3:15
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."

Hebrews 13:5-6
"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.' So we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?'"

11/21/2025

No matter what is happening around me, I can always find comfort by knowing who I am in Christ. The same powerful spirit that brought Jesus back to life is with me, surrounding me with hope.

When something difficult occurs, I simply focus on the good things I know about how God can help me, and my heart fills with His peace and joy. His protection enables me to face each day without fear, reminding me of the abundant life I have in Him.

God's love acts like a shield, helping me to stay strong against negativity. I believe that everything will ultimately work out for the best. I am grateful that every morning when I wake up, I know I’m not alone as I start a new day.

Psalm 5:11-12
“Let all who take refuge in You be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread Your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. For surely, O Lord, You bless the righteous; You surround them with Your favor as with a shield.”

Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Bob Maas
Wimberley, Texas

11/20/2025

When something breaks down or goes wrong, I sometimes have thoughts of blame. Even when I don't have all the facts, my mind engages in negative reasoning, imagining worst case scenarios.

In those situations I depend on the Lord to help me realize that no matter what is happening, He is with me. My awareness of His presence enables me to put everything in a positive perspective and experience His peace and joy.

The calming effect of knowing He will make every situation work for a positive outcome is beneficial. What, just moments before, seemed like a problem becomes a simple ordinary event.

I am grateful that the fellowship I have with the Lord grows increasingly more delightful in every adversity because he enables me to live in His reality.

James 1:2-4
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, a whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

1 Peter 4:12-13
"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed."