Meditation is Vital<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pastor Don Carpenter<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chew Your Cud! \/ 2 Corinthians 10:4\u20135<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Hebrew word translated “meditate” speaks of what a cow does after grazing all day. As she chews the cud over and over again, she extracts every nutrient. In other words, to meditate means to ponder a section of the Word day and night, extracting more from its inexhaustible supply each time (Jon Cursor).<\/p>\n\n\n\n We are to memorize God\u2019s word for the transformation of our minds. These verses are telling us to read it, teach it, speak it, and live it. We are to do this in the morning, night, through our day. The way to do this is have the Word stored in your heart. When you are presented with certain situations through your day, the Holy Spirit will pull these words out of your memory bank for you to help you asses the options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n MEDITATION \u2014 the practice of reflection or contemplation. The word \u201cmeditation\u201d or its verb form, \u201cto meditate,\u201d is found mainly in the Old Testament. The Hebrew words behind this concept mean \u201cto murmur,\u201d \u201ca murmuring,\u201d \u201csighing,\u201d or \u201cmoaning.\u201d This concept is reflected in Psalm 1:2<\/a>, where the \u201cblessed man\u201d meditates on God\u2019s law day and night. The psalmist also prayed that the meditation of his heart would be acceptable in God\u2019s sight (Ps. 19:14<\/a>). Joshua was instructed to meditate on the Book of the Law for the purpose of obeying all that was written in it (Josh. 1:8<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Greek word translated as \u201cmeditate\u201d occurs only twice in the New Testament. In Luke 21:14<\/a> Jesus instructed His disciples not \u201cto meditate beforehand\u201d in answering their adversaries when the end of the age comes. The word may be understood in this passage as the idea of preparing a defense for a court appearance. Paul, in 1 Timothy 4:15<\/a>, urged Timothy to meditate, or take pains with, the instructions he gives. The idea of meditation is also found in Philippians 4:8<\/a> and Colossians 3:2<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meditation is a lost art for many Christians, but the practice needs to be cultivated again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ronald F. Youngblood, F. F. Bruce, and R. K. Harrison, Thomas Nelson Publishers, eds., Nelson\u2019s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1995).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tonight as we begin our Series \u201cChew Your Cud: Learning Biblical Meditation\u201d we will discover, not how to empty our minds like the eastern practice of transcendental meditation, but how to focus our thoughts and bring them into captivity. Thought control is vital to be able to live a successful Christian life. Too often we focus on the do, do, do, rather than the mindset behind the actions. If we force ourselves to STOP!\u2026 WAIT…… THINK….. THINK AGAIN…. THINK ANOTHER TIME\u2026 let that thought sink deep into our very being, we will be able to spiritually get the nutrition out of the spiritual meals we are eating. I found a great definition of Biblical Meditation:<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Meditation is the activity of holy thought, consciously performed in the presence of God, under the eye of God, by the help of God, as a means of communion with God.”<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Tonight we will take a Biblical Survey and discover together why Meditation is Vital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meditation Draws Us Into an Intimacy With God<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Psalm 19:14<\/a> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Let the words of my mouth, And the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022\tFilter every thought to be acceptable like a living sacrifice to God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022\tFocus on God as your strength<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022\tFocus on God as your redeemer<\/p>\n\n\n\n Psalm 63:5\u20136<\/a> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; And my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n When I remember thee upon my bed, And meditate on thee in the night watches.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022\tTake emotional satisfaction in your relationship with God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022\tPraise should flow from a constant meditation on the sweet person of God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022\tMeditation should be the go to discipline if you cannot sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Psalm 104:33\u201334<\/a> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Meditating on God\u2019s Character Helps Us Serve Him Wholeheartedly.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 Samuel 12:23\u201324<\/a> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way: <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Vine\u2019s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words To See, Perceive<\/p>\n\n\n\n ra?ah (?????, 7200), \u201cto see, observe, perceive, get acquainted with, gain understanding, examine, look after (see to), choose, discover.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022\tThis is more than considering God\u2019s immensity or power, but also His personal dealings with you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022\tWhat has God done with you today? How has His hand been manifest in the last few hours? <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022\tHe is working out our good all the time. We must stop and consider that on purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2 Timothy 2:7<\/a> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Meditating on God\u2019s Word Brings Stability.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Psalm 1:1\u20133<\/a> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Blessed is the man That walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor standeth in the way of sinners, Nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n But his delight is in the law of the LORD; And in his law doth he meditate day and night. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, That bringeth forth his fruit in his season; His leaf also shall not wither; And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022\tMeditation in God\u2019s Word will train your palate to desire the good stuff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022\tMeditation in God\u2019s Word will train the believer to delight in it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022\tMeditating in God\u2019s Word should become an obsession.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022\tMeditating in God\u2019s Word will bring stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Psalm 119:48<\/a> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; And I will meditate in thy statutes.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Psalm 119:97\u201399<\/a> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n MEM. O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: For they are ever with me. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n I have more understanding than all my teachers: For thy testimonies are my meditation.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The concept of meditation, or thinking on purpose, is all through out the Bible. In our externally focused society, we often skip right over this concept. In 2020, God has providentially given the world some time to stop and reflect on purpose. Tonight we have learned that meditation will foster a deeper intimacy with God, a stronger passion for God and a greater understanding of God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Consider the difference between a strong and a weak cup of tea. The same ingredients water and tea are used for both. The difference is that the strong cup of tea results from the tea leaves\u2019 immersion in the water longer, allowing the water more time to get into the tea and the tea into the water. The longer the steeping process, the stronger the cup of tea. In the same way, the length of time we spend in God\u2019s Word determines how deeply we get into it and it gets into us. Just like the tea, the longer we are in the Word, the “stronger” we become. That is why Meditation is Vital!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Exported from Logos Bible Software, 2:14 PM December 26, 2020.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Meditation is Vital Pastor Don Carpenter Chew Your Cud! \/ 2 Corinthians 10:4\u20135 The Hebrew word translated “meditate” speaks of what a cow does after grazing all day. As she chews the cud over and over again, she extracts every nutrient. In other words, to meditate means to ponder a section of the Word day … Continue reading Meditation is Vital<\/span>