Every Tuesday you are going to encounter the Word of God there. Faith brings answers to prayer, but enduring faith brings answers with character. 4:8). Application Question: When you think about the future, what do you constantly think about? Interpretation Question: In what way have believers died, and how should this affect our thinking? 23:45). But what about prayer after meditation? 15Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Listen to what Moses said to Israel: These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. The prevailing sentiment is that meditation is for mystics and yogis, not for the children of God. One of the best verses to meditate on in this challenging season is Colossians 3:2: Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. And then, as our ears have listened intently and deeply to his words, lets open our own mouths in reverence and joy, savoring the gift, in Jesus Christ, of having Gods ear in prayer. Psalm 119:69-72 More Affliction? Psalm 119:61-64 Companionship This speaks of our eternal security and Christs constant protection of us. Meditating on Gods law, his promises, his works, and his ways trains us to think according to them. The fool in Scripture is a person who says there is no God or does not live for God (cf. Scripture References: Luke 18: 1, Colossians 3: 1, Ephesians 1: 7. Lets take them, each day, as a word from Gods mouth to us. Are you not constantly bombarded with news reports of evil and politicians diverting culture from goodness? Like many, you may picture the caricature of someone seated in the lotus position, eyes closed, hands extended, murmuring a steady stream of Om sounds. We can read first in one translation and then again in another. And therefore, the members of the church miss out on the blessing it brings to our livesthey live with no eager expectation. We can stop to pray during emergencies and on our busiest days because we hope in God and His words by faith, and not solely in what man can see. These circumstances are all part of the decree and plan of God. I was looking for the answer to what the promise David referred to in verse 148. Everything that is the Sons is ours. 2Set your mind on things above, not on things on the (C)earth. He recognizes that this world and his life is not his anymore. Therefore, the wise are people who fear and honor God (Prov. Image: Jurica Koletic / Unsplash / Edits by Rick Szuecs. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. The psalmist begins the Qoph octave with a prayer from the heart. You must be born again, says Jesus, to receive his saving grace, but how does regeneration relate to predestination, justification, and the rest of salvation? With Bill Johnson. And committing to observing Gods law isnt legalism; this is simply how a Christian ought to direct his or her thoughts and prayers. Are these depictions violations of the second commandment? The Lords Supper is not only a look back at the cross, but it is also meant to be a look forward. Such meditation happens by fixing our eyes (Psalm 119:15) on God and his wondrous works (Psalm 119:27; 145:5), pondering him (Psalm 77:12; 143:5) in our hearts (Psalm 19:14; 49:3; 77:6). The very reason many cannot think on things above is because of worldliness. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, thes. Christians dont need mysticism or quiet emptiness for the illumination that comes through repetition. The true God speaks first. Jesus rebuked Peter for not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man (Matthew 16:23; Mark 8:33). God means for his words to inform and shape how we respond to him in prayer. Your thoughts about the future affect how you live today. We find it is even a struggle to stay focused on Him and devoted to Him in our private moments when it is only us and Him! He ultimately wants Gods will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. As I write this devotion, we are in the thick of election season in the United States. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. Romans 8:30 ESV And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. He says, with my whole heart I cry! The previous octave (Tsadhe) was all about how righteous God and His law and His ways are, so it is no wonder that a mere man has little choice but to cry out to God for help. Psalm 119:89-92 Established How to use meditate on/upon in a sentence. Bill Johnson encourages us to always pray aware of who God is. See something we missed? Jesus taught us to pray Give us this day our daily bread, and this prayer makes more sense to be prayed before the day than near the end of it. 1 W. MacDonald, Believers Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. March 1, 2021 Set Your Mind on Things Above How to Live Heavenly Minded Article by Scott Hubbard Editor, desiringGod.org Set aside, for a moment, the day's pressing tasks. Kids addictions to their phones isnt a legislative issue. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. And furthermore, we meditate on theas yet to be fulfilled aspects of Gods promise. Psalm 119:41-44 Answering the Taunter We meditate on Gods written words in light of Gods Word incarnate. Matt. Paul says our thinking should reflect our resurrection in Christ, the one who is seated at the right hand of God and will rule all things. Isaiah 26:3 says, You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. It also can be translated, You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is stayed on you (ESV). But the headlines dont have to dictate your thoughts. And one way to reintroduce it to the church is to consider how it relates to something many of us know much better: prayer. Receive these blessings gladly and share them with others. May we remember to thank Him for every victory! The word set is an active word. However, the concept of steeping our souls in the words of God is very much a Christian practice, and expectation. And it is with his whole heart that he cries out to Yahweh for an answer. From whom are we hidden? Some may say, I am a baby Christian. This is meditation: We. But in order to set, to have a mind that is immovable from the things of God, it takes discipline. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Cor. Meditate on Things Above: Directed by Kerwin Kuniyoshi. Psalm 119:137-140 Zeal + Ignorance = Worthless Religion, Psalm 119:141-144 Assurance of Perseverance, Psalm 119:145-148 Meditate on the PROMISE, Psalm 119:149-152 Be Comforted For God Is Near. When you have to teach something, you cant help but think upon it all the time. See production, box office & company info. Peace that can defeat the anxiety stirred up by the headlines. Paul says, When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. The believer who truly understands this and focuses on Christs second coming and our future glory with him will be consumed with it. For many people, they cant have a heavenly mind because they are consumed with self instead of God. And this reality should affect how we think and live. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. Thomas Manton (16201677) captures it well: Meditation is a middle sort of duty between word and prayer, and hath respect to both. Psalm 119:77-80 May God Supply! He rebukes them for arguing and then bringing their church disputes before the world in civil cases. In return, we will become more like God and not react to the devil but respond to the Father. As mentioned before, this seating reflects our unity with Christ and the authority that comes with it. 6:14). You can find her at JenWilkin.net and on the Knowing Faith podcast. They were to talk about the Word of God everywhere: at home, when walking, when lying down, when getting up. Under God, Over the People! Meditation reveals our true loves. Get the best from CT editors, delivered straight to your inbox! The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. Earl Joh 2014 - 2023 Sermons Online. Unlock Gods power within your weaknesses Discover the power of weakness and how it can lead to greatness in your life. The carnal person may be spiritual, but he only wants things of the spirit that satisfy or glorify him: A carnal person may believe in God and pray for things, but God is only a means to his desires. James 4:3 says, When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.. We linger over it. You don't have to worry about us spamming you or giving away your information. He told the demon to leave in the name of Jesus Christ. Paul was an ambassador walking in the authority of Christ. He was born of the virgin, conceived without the stain of sin by the Holy Spirit, and was perfectly righteous before the Father in every respect, although He was tempted by Satan (Hebrew 4:15). (Joshua 1:8). If fear and anxiety are things you struggle with, lets walk this path together and find help in our NEW 30 Day Devotional. Paul wants this church to develop a heavenly mindset. Episode 66 Book Giveaway! How do you overcome fear and anxiety when you worry about tomorrow? Listen to Philippians 3:2021: But our citizenship is in heaven. Not only choices about how to cast our votes, but choices about our thoughts, words, and actions. For less than $5/mo. So, the what of our meditation is the Scriptures. Subscribe for weekly videos:https://bit.ly/BJMYouTubeFaith brings answers to prayer, but enduring faith brings answers with character. For as he thinks within himself, so he is (Prov. In the episode, Michael and Cuatro discuss how to seek wisdom when you receive contradictory counsel. Paul says we died with Christ and our life is now hidden in Christ. They are rulers with Christ over all things. A person that thinks on the things of God receives life and peace. Matthew 6:33 Verse Concepts Psalm 119:29-32 Shame Shifting Paul said. And how? We should do the same. What are we to meditate upon? 4:7), the kind of peace that only God can give (John 14:27). Our enemy is especially after the believers mind as it concerns the future. Faith brings answers to prayer, but enduring faith brings answers with character. Bill Johnson encourages us to always pray aware of who God is. Most commentaries talk about the watches of the night, but dont talk about the promise mentioned here. Rom. Faith brings answers to prayer, but enduring faith brings answers with character. Discord, wasteful living, and blatant sin will mark our lives as well. Blessed is the man who hungers and thirsts for righteousnessfor he shall be satisfied (Matthew 5:6). Start for FREE. David believes in Yahweh God and has trusted in the promise (see Psalm 119:148) that God would send a messiah to save His people from their sins. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, thes. Christ said, You cannot have two masters, you will love one and hate the other. His works, and your life, appears, then you also will with... 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