"And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at eventide . . . " (Gen.24:63). (See also, Ps. 104:34).
James H. Cagle: Meditation is something we decide and determine to do like we would any other responsibility. It’s not something we find time to do, but something we make time for. (Google image, Issac meditating in field)
Meditation is settling down at a regular time and in a place where we’ll not be disturbed and there purposely directing our thoughts, revolving our mind along the truths we’ve read in God’s Word for the express purpose of coming to a clearer understanding of the Word and a clearer revelation of the person of God.
Through meditation we come to great understanding and can then speak with wisdom (Ps. 49:3).
Throughout Scripture people have meditated at different times of the day and night because they knew the value of meditating and did it on a regular basis.
Meditating on Scripture is still part of the formula for spiritual growth (Joshua 1:8; Ps. 1; 1 Tim.4:15).
Nothing can take the place of meditation. There’s no spiritual success without it. This mental exercise is essential for spiritual power.
The Holy Spirit will not do our thinking for us, but will help guide and enrich our thoughts when we’re thinking right thoughts and our thoughts are on the right track.
Meditation and concentration are similar but different functions of the mind. Concentration affords us the power to focus on that which our minds have picked up for meditating on.
Concentration affords us the power to focus without distraction while our mind holds aloft for meditation that which we examine by turning it over with the fingers of our mind.
We meditate when we select a certain truth as food for thought and hold those thoughts until they take root in our heart.
(My emphasis added. Used by permission)
“You shall not go out with haste . . . ” Is. 52:12
Oswald Chambers- "As we go forth into the coming year, let it not be in the haste of impetuous, forgetful delight, nor with the quickness of impulsive thoughtlessness. But let us go out with the patient power of knowing that the God of Israel will go before us.
Our yesterdays hold broken and irreversible things for us. It is true that we have lost opportunities that will never return, but God can transform this destructive anxiety into a constructive thoughtfulness for the future. Let the past rest, but let it rest in the sweet embrace of Christ.
Leave the broken, irreversible past in His hands, and step out into the invincible future with Him."
From My Utmost for His Highest
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A Different Kind of Diet
I recently discovered
A different kind of diet;
I hope that when you read about it
You will want to try it.
It nourishes your spirit,
Gives your face a special glow;
It reaches deep into your soul
So peace and joy will grow.
Just set aside ten minutes
On your calendar each day,
For time alone with Jesus
To worship Him and pray.
Cast all your cares upon Him;
He’ll lighten up your load.
With Him in charge of all you do
You’ll walk a smoother road.
Soon you’ll find you’ll crave more time
Instead of wanting less.
A diet of God’s daily Word
Is guaranteed to bless.
©Frances Gregory Pasch
(Used by permission)
An excerpt from my book:
Double Vision: Seeing God In Everyday Life Through Devotions and Poetry.” LPC
Let's pray-
Father, help us decide and determine to make time to meditate like any other responsibility; as something very important to us.
Help us settle down at a regular time and in a place where we'll not be disturbed, and purposely directing our thoughts along the truths we read in Your Word.
May we come to a clearer understanding of You through our meditation process, and begin to speak with wisdom. May we remember that nothing can take the place of meditation, as no spiritual success happens without it.
Cause us to select certain truths as food for thought and to hold those thoughts until they take root in our hearts.
We ask this in Jesus' name for His glory and His plan for us.
Amen.
{As our church will be participating in praying and fasting from Jan. 7th to the 26th, I will add a past post of mine on prayer to each post till then}.
#105 Fasting Strengthens Prayer
Dr. Wesley L. Duewel: "Fasting is so closely related to prayer that it adds its blessing in many ways. Much of your praying will be without fasting, just as much of your prayer does not involve prayer wrestling or prayer warfare."
Today's Bible verses-
Ps. 1:1, 2) (NKJV) "Blessed is the man who walks
not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in
the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the
scornful; (v. 2) But his delight is in the law of the
LORD, and His law he meditates day and night."
Prov. 2:5-7, 10, 11 (NKJV) "Then you will understand
the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
(v. 6) For the LORD gives wisdom: from His mouth
come knowledge and understanding; (v. 7) He stores
up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to
those who walk uprightly. (v. 10) When wisdom enters
your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul,
(v.11) Discretion will preserve you; and understanding
will keep you."
Ps. 77:11, 12 (NKJV) "I will remember the works
of the LORD; Surely I will remember your wonders
of old. (v. 12) I will also meditate on all Your work,
and talk of Your deeds."
Today's quotes-
~ David McCasland- "To ponder something is to concentrate and think deeply about it. After the events leading to the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, followed by the appearance of angels and the shepherds who came to see the Messiah, 'Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart' (Luke 2:19).
New Testament scholar W. E. Vine said that ponder means 'to throw together, confer, to put one thing with another in considering circumstances' (Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words)."
When we struggle to understand the meaning of what's happening in our lives, we have Mary's wonderful example of what it means to seek God and His wisdom.
When we, like her, accept God's leading in our lives, we have many new things about His loving guidance to treasure and ponder in our hearts."
(Taken from Our Daily Bread®, ©12/24/2018 by Our Daily Bread Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. www.odb.org).
Today's question-
How can we honor Christ in the season we're in?
God gives us grace for the season we find ourselves in. We aren't to say, "I can't, because . . . " to what He asks us to do, as He provides what we need, if we'll ask.
Giving time to meditate on how we can be obedient, no matter what we're going through, we'll find answers to obey God's call on our lives, and to honor Him.
Our restlessness in our present state hinders God's grace to help. Good character flows out of sound doctrine if we'll move into the gifts of the Spirit. We're to make "the Jesus thing" look good!
The Word of God is transformative; it can make our hearts pure, give us clear consciences and a vibrant faith! The challenge is to prove it with the changes in our lives!
Walk out your vocation to honor God. Stir up the Spirit within you to change how you're living, so what you say, do and think will honor the Lord Jesus.
Upcoming posts-
Can We Know God Hears Our Prayer?
3rd- Thursday's message from a post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
Conversion Day
5th- Saturday's post by Walt Huntley
#1 The Sign of Prayer
8th- Tuesday's posting- THE PATH OF PRAYER by Samuel Chadwick
#2 What God Thinks About Prayer
10th- Thursday's post by Samuel Chadwick
Jean's blog (Click to see snippets of the 7 recent posts)
Helpful ways the Lord helped me in my marriage.
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