Wednesday Word – Meditate

There is a quote that states, “If you can worry, you can meditate.” Worry is focusing on what is negative, bringing anxiety and fear, and likely may never happen.

Worry is also defined as thinking about problems or unpleasant things that might happen in a way that makes you feel unhappy or frightened.

Throughout God’s Word we are told to meditate on, study, focus and think upon words of life and truth. The Bible is filled with life giving instructions, wisdom and warnings to protect and guide. When we pray, “Holy Spirit, teach me, lead me, and guide me into all truth,” this empowers the Word of God to come alive.

God’s Word reminds us not to worry or fear, but instead to cast all our care on the Lord, trust and have faith in God. Fear is a spirit that desires to cripple and control us. God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-discipline (or a sound mind). By God’s spirit, we have the fruit of self-discipline that enables us to focus and meditate on God’s Word and the ability to renew our minds.

The Greek word referenced in 2 Timothy 1:7 speaking of self-discipline is sophronismos (so-fron-is-moss) and is a combination of sos, “safe,” and phren, “the mind”; hence, safe thinking. The word denotes good judgment, disciplined thought patterns, and the ability to understand and make right decisions. It includes the qualifiers of self-control and self-discipline.

Meditate – reflect deeply, chew over, ponder, ruminate, think over, focus your mind.

Meditating requires self-discipline and focusing without distractions.

Meditating and “pondering” on God’s Word is what is missing in so many believers lives today. Meditating on the Word over media, especially negative and deceptive thoughts and ideas, is needed for such a time as this. Also, speaking the Word, praying the Word and living submitted to the Word of God is vital to living victoriously in Christ. How can we speak, pray, and live by what is not hidden in our hearts and occupying our minds? Meditation is not only how are minds are transformed, but how spiritual heart surgery is performed.

As we feast daily on a focused Word from God with a desire to not only hear but obey, our spirits thrive. The Word of God is powerful and alive. As we wield our sword of the Spirit along with our shield of faith to quench every lying and fiery dart of the enemy of our soul, we are able to stand strong in a culture that is being seduced by self focus and seductive influences. We overcome and are blessed when we are Word focused.

“God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near.” Revelation 1:3

The following daily devotional on meditating on the Word of God was written by Pastor Larry Stockstill. You can follow his blog at: http://www.larrystockstill.com.

“Meditation is not the process of clearing your mind, but of filling your mind with truth. It is like a rock displacing water in a vessel. Your mind is exposed continually to the doubt, atrocities, filth, and strife of the world around you. Trying to clear out those thoughts is very difficult, but there is a remedy: meditation upon God’s Word.”

“It takes a conscious effort to focus your mind and heart upon the truth of God’s Word. Once you do, however, you will reap the benefits. Joshua 1:8 says, “Study this Book of the Law continually. Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure to obey all that is written in it. Only then will you succeed.””

“Reading the Bible is good, but meditation is life changing, for it involves thinking about a verse until it drops from your mind into your heart. The root word meditate means “to mutter,” or “to utter.” The more you speak the Word, the more it drops into your spirit. As you go about your daily business, speak the Word to yourself. Continually “mutter” it, mulling it over in your mind.”

“Whatever your area of need, select several promises that apply to your situation and memorize them. Then meditate on them all day long (Psalm 119:97). When doubt, fear, discouragement, and strife enter your mind, “think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise” (Philippians 4:8). Your faith will grow, your mind will change, and your way will become successful!”*

After reading this, reflect on the amount of time daily you are meditating on God’s Word in comparison to time spent on social media, watching tv, shopping online, gaming, or just wasting time? If you are meditating or medicating more on any of these, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to help you make a shift today.

As we meditate more on God’s Word, may we all radiate more with the mind, heart, and attitude of Christ.

Your sister in Christ, Joyful Jenny

“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.”
Romans 12:1-2 The Message

*Quoted from daily devotional thoughts by Pastor Larry Stockstill

Other Word references: Psalm 119; Proverbs 4:20-23; Isaiah 55:10-11; Isaiah 40:8; Romans 10:17; Ephesians 6:10-18; John 14:17, 26; James 1:22-25