Sunday May 7 2017

Christian Meditation Part 3

Ankle deep or Ocean bottom deep? Where are you personally in your Christian walk??

Rick Warren of Saddleback Church said if you know how to worry you know how to Meditate!

 Joshua 1:8 (NASB)
⁸  "This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.
 
lectio divina a 4th Century AD of Monastic Religious Orders.

1 Lectio  (reading) Open your bible and read a portion of scripture you are interested in.
2 Meditatio Personal pondering and review of what you already understand.
3 Oratio Praying and asking God for a deeper understanding and a personal application of the truth.
4 Contemplatio  Contemplation, being still before God and allowing him to speak to us.

Meditation or Prayer (A time for complete silence)

Our thoughts determine our behavior and so what we think about is very important!

It takes serious effort! You select a verse and reflect on it over and over in your mind.

 Philippians 4:8 (NASB)
⁸  Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. 


Dr Bruce Demarest Writes "A quieted heart is our best preparation for all this work of God. Meditation refocuses us from ourselves and from the world so that we reflect on God's Word. His nature, his abilities, and His works so we prayerfully ponder, muse, and (chew) the words of Scripture the goal is simply to permit the Holy Spirit to activate the life giving Word Of God"  

 Psalm 1:1-3 (NASB)
¹  How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
²  But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.
³  He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.
 
Today's Verse
James 5:16
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”