Bible Meditation
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Series Introduction:
Title: Spiritual Habits
Synopsis:
We are all creatures of habit. We all create systems and processes that shape our lives. We often focus on changing our bad habits but not enough time to establish the good habits of life. Dictionary.com defines a Habit as “an acquired behavior pattern regularly followed until it has become almost involuntary.” So, for us to establish lasting habits that will produce the Spiritual character and destiny we desire, we must walk through the “Seven Steps of Real Life Change.”
“Seven Steps of Real life Change”
“Seven Steps of Real life Change”
“Thinking” (How you think)
” Words” (Determines what you say.)
“Decisions” (Which defines your decisions)
“Actions (Causing actions)
“Habits” (Resulting in habits)
“Character” (That form your character)
“Destiny” (Ultimately determining your destiny.)
These messages on Spiritual Habits will not form Spiritual Habits in you but give you the biblical framework causing you to think, say, and do things that will turn into Spiritual Habits.
Over the next six weeks, we will discuss some fundamental habits that every Christian should have in their life. When we form these habits, they produce spiritual character enabling us to live a victorious Christian life.
Six Spiritual Habits we will discuss in the coming weeks.
Six Spiritual Habits we will discuss in the coming weeks.
Bible Meditation
Payer and Solitude
Sacrificial Servitude
Kingdom Generosity
Faith Community
Worship and Praise
The first and foremost habit that every Christian needs is Biblical Meditation. When I say the word meditation, it provokes all kinds of imagery:(Someone sitting Indian style). Biblical meditation is not bible reading, although it would include bible reading. We have all been told to read the Bible but are not changed by the words we read. It is the proverbial “In one ear and our the other.” We must move to the deeper level of meditation to see real-life change happen.
What biblical meditation is not:
What biblical meditation is not:
It is not a time of emptying your mind: Eastern meditation
It is not a time of transcendence to a different plane of consciousness: New Age meditation
It is not three years of silence in a monastery: Middle Ages meditation
Biblical meditation is transformational.
Biblical meditation is transformational.
Biblical meditation is the willful subjection to God’s Word allowing it to transform your heart and mind into the heart and mind of Christ.
Biblical meditation is the willful subjection to God’s Word allowing it to transform your heart and mind into the heart and mind of Christ.
When Joshua took over for Moses and was going to lead the Children of Israel to conquer the Promise Land, the Lord told him to be strong and take courage and commanded him to do one thing:
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 good success.
Biblical meditation produces the will of God.
Biblical meditation produces the will of God.
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
According to Scripture, every Christian (follower of Jesus) desires to accomplish God’s good, acceptable, and perfect will. The only way that happens is through Biblical Meditation. If you don’t conform your mind to Christ, your actions will never follow.
1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
Where do you get your counsel for life?
Where do you get your counsel for life?
Counsel from the wicked is like:
Counsel from the wicked is like:
Financial counseling from a con artist.Relationship advice from social media.Marriage counseling from pornography.
2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.
Counsel from the word is like:
Counsel from the word is like:
3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.
Biblical meditation produces wisdom.
Biblical meditation produces wisdom.
1 Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! 2 Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, 3 who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! 4 You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. 5 Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! 6 Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments. 7 I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules. 8 I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me!
Seeking the Lord with your whole heart.
Seeking the Lord with your whole heart.
A heart to know the heart of God.
A heart to know the word of God.
Walking in the commandments of the Lord.
Walking in the commandments of the Lord.
Walking in obedience to all of God’s commands.
Walking in faith of the words of God.
Making a habit out of Biblical Meditation
Making a habit out of Biblical Meditation
Define the gap of growth between your life and biblical truth.
Focus on one area of growth at a time.
Pick one word that you want to work on for a year. (Gracious, peace, anxiety, contentment, friendship, worship, humility, giving, etc.)
Biblical meditation is better in a group.
Invite accountability into your growth process.
Celebrate the growth as your heart and mind conforms to Christ.