About Me

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Granbury, Texas, United States
I love God and His people; starting with Yvette, my wife since '77, our family, congregation, community, state, nation, and continuing around the world.

Monday, April 15, 2019

THE BENEFITS OF BIBLICAL MEDITATION


   Unlike many of today’s so called popular meditation methods, meditating on Holy Scripture does not involve attempting to empty one’s own mind while mindlessly making monosyllabic sounds and sitting uncomfortably on floor mats.
   Biblical meditation includes taking time to regularly fill our minds with good things from Scripture while reading the Bible and thinking about what is being read.  This can be accompanied by praying often with a mindset of humility and a willingness to repent; while.. 


not being distracted by physical discomfort or anything else, like phone calls, social media or multi-tasking, etcetera.
    In the Old Testament – under the Old Covenant – it is recorded that the Lord promised Joshua (Joshua 1:6-8) desirable blessings that related to his obedience and daily meditation upon the Law given through Moses.
    In the Book of Psalms, meditating on the word and/or works of God is mentioned a dozen times.

4:4 ….. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. 
63:6  …., I meditate on You in the night watches.
77:6  ….; I meditate within my heart, and my spirit makes diligent search.
77:12  I will also meditate on all Your work, and talk of Your deeds.
119:15  I will meditate on Your precepts, and contemplate Your ways.
119:23  …..Your servant meditates on Your statutes.
119:27  Make me understand the way of Your precepts; so shall I meditate….
119:48  …..I will meditate on Your statutes.
119:78  …..  I will meditate on Your precepts.
119:148  ….that I may meditate on Your word.
143:5  …..; I meditate on all Your works; I muse on the work of Your hands.
145:5  I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty,….

  In the New Testament - under the New Covenant established on better promises - this practice of Biblical meditation still has value for all.
  Philippians 4 says: Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
  Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things.  The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
  1 Timothy 4:13-15, tells a leader to “…. give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.  14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. 15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. 

  In conclusion, be encouraged to not neglect prayer and the Scriptures.  More than relieving our stress, they will bless our lives.