Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Meditating On God's Word

  

©     What Does It mean to Meditate on Scripture?


Meditate means:  to think, reflect, contemplate one’s thoughts on, to reflect or ponder over a thought…. A discourse intended to express or ponder on the Author’s reflections.

Hebrews 4:12-13 says “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”  God’s word is alive an active – We need to first understand that meditation is first and foremost a living, growing relationship with Christ through the transforming power of His Word.  Meditating on scripture is not an intellectual study, it is pondering over the Author’s words.  This spiritual exercise involves the following components:

©     Select a Section of Scripture.

©      Read The Passage Several Times.

     Read with your spirit, not just your mind.  What do I mean by this?  Let the Spirit guide your thoughts.  Wait upon him as you read the verse over and over.
©     Mark Verses Or Words That Stand Out to You.

     As you read, the Holy Spirit will cause certain verses or words to stand out to you with special meaning.  Put a mark by these verses or words so that you can come back to them.
©     Focus/Emphasis On One Word at a Time.

     There is a vast world of truth and meaning in each word of Scripture, because “all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”  II Tim 3:16

      By focusing on each word in the sequences of the verse, we expand our understanding of its meaning and increase our ability to think God’s thoughts after Him.  “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”  Is 55:9

     Where possible and appropriate, personalize the passage.  This is done by using the words I, my and me rather than he or they.
©     Use Scripture to Talk With God.

      Lord your word says “in all things give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning me, so Lord while I am in this situation I am choose to thank you for it.  Your word also says you will use all things (including this) for the good of those who love you and are called according to your purpose.  Lord, I do love you and I chose right now to trust that you will use this very thing for my good.  Your word also says that heaven and earth will pass away before your word passing away – your word is truer than anything I am feeling or experiences right now.  I am choosing to believe your Word over my feelings or experiences.
©     Some Verses To Meditate on:

Phil 4:8  “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.”

Romans 12:2  “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

1 Peter 1:13- 16  “Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.  As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.   But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

IS 26:3-4  “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.  Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD , the LORD , is the Rock eternal.

Lam 3:21-22  “Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Matt 22:37  “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.”

2 Tim 1:7  “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

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