GROW UP Part 2
"MEDITATION"
2 Peter 3:18 (NKJV) but
grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be
the glory both now and forever. Amen.
Intro: My discipleship process… Last week: quiet time, time alone
with God listening to Him… Devotional reading; Scripture guided prayer…
Today: Meditation, the Key to Success in
Life.
Joshua 1:8 (NKJV)
This Book of the
Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and
night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For
then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Psalms 1:2-3 (NKJV) But his delight is in the
law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a
tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season,
whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.
WHAT IS MEDITATION?
More than just
reading the Bible. Goal is quality, not quantity.
ILLUSTRATION: Hot dog eating contest!
Difference
between a hot dog eating contest and savoring a real Chicago dog!
We meditate to hear God’s voice!
Isaiah 30:21 (NKJV) Your
ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever
you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.
Matthew 4:4 (NKJV)
But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not
live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”
(Deuteronomy 8:3)
John 10:27 (NKJV) My
sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
We are not
talking about transcendental meditation as practiced by the Cosmic humanists of
our day. They believe in clearing your
mind and letting a spirit guide (demon) put his thoughts into your head,
leading to inner enlightenment and Nirvana.
We believe in focusing our heart and mind
on the Lord and His Word.
Psalm 63:6 (NKJV) When
I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches.
Psalm 77:12 (NKJV) I
will also meditate on all Your work, and talk
of Your deeds.
Psalm 119:15 (NKJV) I will meditate on Your precepts, and contemplate Your
ways.
Psalm 119:23 (NKJV) Princes
also sit and speak against me, but Your servant meditates on Your statutes.
Psalm 119:27 (NKJV) Make
me understand the way of Your precepts; so shall I meditate on Your wonderful
works.
Psalm 119:97 (NKJV)
Oh, how I love Your
law! It is my meditation all the day.
Psalm 119:99 (NKJV) I have
more understanding than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation.
Psalm 119:148 (NKJV) My
eyes are awake through the night watches, that I may meditate on Your word.
Psalm 143:5 (NKJV) I
remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I
muse (ponder) on the work of Your hands.
Psalm 145:5 (NKJV) I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty,
and on Your wondrous works.
STEPS IN MEDITATION
The
re-processing of material! A cow chewing cud!
1. Read
I Peter 2:2 (NKJV)
as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you
may grow thereby,
Read like any
other book…
A true story…
I Timothy 4:13,15 (NKJV) Till
I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Meditate
on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be
evident to all.
Read the Word, listen to the Word, study
the Word, and not just the parts you like.
II Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV) 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
complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
I Corinthians 3:2 (NKJV)
I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now
you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able;
Hebrews 5:12 (NKJV)
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need
someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you
have come to need milk and not solid food.
How do I start? Daily Bible reading. Where are you
struggling? What would you like to know?
2. Memorize
Psalms 40:8 (NKJV)
I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within
my heart.
Psalms 119:11 (NKJV) Your word I
have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin
against You.
Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV)
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than
any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of
joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
How do I start? One verse a week. One passage a month.
One book a year.
Scripture songs…
.
3. Personalize
Isaiah 6:5 (NKJV)
So I said: “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell
in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, The LORD
of hosts."
How do I start? Take any Scripture and put your name in
it.
4. Hear
Matthew 11:15 (NKJV)
He who has ears to hear, hear!
Revelation 13:9 (NKJV)
If anyone has an ear, hear.
Seven churches all commanded to hear!
How do I start? Make an appointment. Remove distractions.
Start with the Word.
Mark 4: open heart, soft heart, no weeds, clean
heart...
Closing: Genesis 24:63
(NKJV) And
Isaac went out to meditate in the field in the evening; and he lifted his eyes
and looked, and there, the camels were coming.
Many of you are
waiting on your camels to come home because on those camels is your promised
bride!
Psalms 19:14 (NKJV)
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your
sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.
Psalms 5:1-3 (KJV)
Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation.
Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I
pray. My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I
direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
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