God Speaks through Meditation.. Craig Denison Ministries

 God Speaks through Meditation

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

You and I have been given the invaluable gift of communication with God. Last week we learned about the process of making the soil of our hearts soft and receptive to God. This week we’ll learn some different ways to receive the seed of his word. May your communion with God flourish as you engage in continual conversation with your loving, present heavenly Father.

Scripture:“I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.” Psalm 119:15

Devotional:

The spiritual discipline of meditation does for the heart of a Christian what nutrients and good soil do for the seed of a plant. Through meditation the seed of God’s word takes root and produces life-giving, abundant fruit. Richard Foster in his book Celebration of Discipline wrote, “The purpose of meditation is to enable us to hear God more clearly. Meditation is listening, sensing, heeding the life and light of Christ. This comes right to the heart of our faith. The life that pleases God is not a set of religious duties; it is to hear His voice and obey His word. Meditation opens the door to this way of living.”

The Christian practice of meditation is, at its core, ruminating on the word of God. Meditation creates space for the Spirit to speak directly to our hearts and apply God’s word to our lives. When we ruminate on a passage of Scripture like Lamentations 3:22, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end,” we give God space to reveal all the ways in which his mercy and steadfast love are available to us. Meditation creates a pathway for Scripture to go past our minds and affect change within our hearts.

Another powerful aspect of Christian meditation is mulling over the character of God. Sometimes when I feel hopeless I will take a few passages of Scripture about the hope God provides and meditate on them. And in the process of meditating on God’s perfect character my thoughts, perspectives, and emotions come in line with the unchanging nature of my heavenly Father. Meditating on who God is powerfully affects the way we view the world. It’s for this reason Psalm 1:1-3 declares,

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; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. 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.

Take time to meditate on Scripture today. Make space to listen to God and apply the seed of his word. Ruminate on his unchanging, perfect character. May your day be filled with abundant life as you bear the fruit of meditation.

Guided Prayer:

1. Choose a verse or aspect of God’s character to meditate on.

2. Make space to hear from God as you meditate on his word or character. Allow the Spirit to apply God’s word to your life as you meditate. Allow God’s character to lay a foundation for your emotions.

“I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.” - Psalm 119:15

3. Now take note of how the verse or phrase seems to have made an impact in the way you think, feel, or desire to act. Rejoice in the power of God’s word to transform lives and hearts.

Meditation should be a daily practice for Christians. God’s word was never meant to just be understood but to be alive and active in his children. Scripture is meant to direct us into becoming more like Jesus both internally and externally in our actions. Meditating is one of the best tools God has given us in taking the Bible from words on a page to a living and active lifestyle. May engaging in meditation transform your spiritual life into one filled with joy, power and fruit of the Spirit.

Extended Reading: Psalm 1

Exposing the Enemy’s Plan Against You..LYSA TERKEURST

 Exposing the Enemy’s Plan Against You

LYSA TERKEURST 

“For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.” 1 John 2:16 (NIV)

Something I pray on a regular basis is that God will give me a keen awareness of the enemy’s plans and schemes against me. I want to be able to recognize his traps and avoid them.

I believe part of His answer came one day as I studied the story of Satan tempting Eve (in Genesis 3) and our key verse: “For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world” (1 John 2:16).

As I compared these passages, I had a serious epiphany about how Satan goes after us. These verses outline Satan’s three-pronged plan of attack on our hearts. And it’s the same plan we see him using while tempting Jesus in the desert in Matthew 4:1-11! This fact tells me while the enemy may be powerful, he’s also predictable.

Let’s take a closer look at Satan’s plan as revealed in Eve’s story and Jesus’ story:

1. Make them crave some sort of physical gratification to the point they become preoccupied with it.

Satan tempted Eve with fruit, which “was good for food” (Genesis 3:6a, NIV).

Satan tempted Jesus with bread while He was on a fast. (Matthew 4:3-4)

Satan tempts us with whatever physical sense we are too preoccupied by — be it taste, smell, sound, touch or sight. God says that our senses are good. He gave them to us to enjoy within His boundaries. But venture outside God’s intention for them, and they become an attempt to get our needs met outside the will of God.

2. Make them want to acquire things to the point they bow down to the god of materialism. Keep them distracted by making their eyes lust after more and more stuff.

Satan tempted Eve by drawing her attention to what was “pleasing to the eye” (Genesis 3:6a, NIV).

Satan showed Jesus the kingdoms of the world and told Him that He could have it all. (Matthew 4:8-10)

Satan flashes the newer, bigger and seemingly better things of this world in front of us, trying to lure us into thinking we must have them. He tempts us to think: This will make me fulfilled. This will make me happy. And then it wears out, breaks down, gets old and reveals just how temporary every material thing is.

3. Make them boastful about what they have or do. Keep them distracted and obsessed with their status and significance. Choke the life out of them using the tentacles of their own pride.

Satan tempted Eve by promising an increased awareness that would make her become more like God. (Genesis 3:4-5)

Satan tempted Jesus by telling Him to throw Himself off the highest point of the temple and command the angels to save Him. (Matthew 4:5-7) This would have been very impressive and would have raised Jesus’ status and significance in the eyes of the world.

Likewise, Satan tempts us to try and elevate ourselves over others. We wrongly think we have to become something the world calls worthy. This creates a need within our flesh to have people notice us, commend us, revere us and stroke our pride. We then dare to boast about all we are.

Oh, sweet sister, this is where we must stop and remind ourselves that we don’t have to be held hostage by Satan. We are onto him and his schemes. And the enemy’s power is nothing compared to the promises of God. The enemy’s tactics are no match for God’s Truth. God has a good plan for good things.

There was a huge difference between Eve’s response to Satan and Jesus’ response to Satan. Eve dialogued with Satan, and she allowed him to weave his tangled web of justifications. Jesus, on the other hand, quoted Deuteronomy with every temptation as He answered, “It is written …” and He immediately shut Satan down with the Truth of God (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10).

What will our response be?

It’s our choice.

Moment by moment, decision by decision, step by step — will we operate in God’s all-powerful Truth or allow Satan to entangle us in his lies?

Father God, I’m so thankful You haven’t left us defenseless. Your promises are always a perfect match for our problems. The enemy is no match for Your promises. Guide me, equip me, and infuse Your holy confidence within me as I stand firm against the enemy today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Our Inseparable Relationship..Dr. Charles Stanley

Our Inseparable Relationship

Dr. Charles Stanley

Romans 8:31-39

Far too many relationships in today's world are uncertain. Disunity is found in marriages, churches, and international alliances. Yet there's one relationship that is sure and permanent.

The Lord designed people for intimate fellowship with Him. His love toward each of us is evident throughout the Bible. In fact, there is nothing tangible, intangible, past, present, or future that can separate believers from the Father's love. John 10:14 draws a comparison between Jesus and a good shepherd—a man whose ultimate task is providing for and protecting the flock. Christ's character is one of passionate care for His people. First John 4:16 clearly states, "God is love." If we believe the Bible, then we cannot deny this fact about His nature.

We also see evidence of divine love through the Lord's gifts and actions. For example, He created us in His image (Gen. 1:26). He sent His only Son to die in our place, and He forgives us of our sin debt (1 Cor. 15:3). John 15:15 tells us that Christ calls us His friends—and what's more, when we trust in Jesus, God adopts us and considers us His children (Rom. 8:15). He even blesses us with an Intercessor and Helper—the Holy Spirit (John 14:26). The Word is clear: God loves us passionately.

The affection we experience in our families is only a glimpse of the great compassion and care that God has for you. Think about the people you treasure most. Imagine what you would be willing to do if they experienced a need. How much more will our heavenly Father be devoted to you! 

How to Be Compassionate..Aaron D’Anthony Brown

 How to Be Compassionate

By Aaron D’Anthony Brown

“Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive.” (Colossians 3:12-13)

The Meaning of Compassion
Compassion is one of those words we don’t hear all that much these days. Obvious when looking at how we treat those with differing views, especially those from the opposite political party. It’s also one of those words that has a deeper meaning than what immediately comes to mind.

The prefix com means ‘with’ or ‘together.’ Think of words like communicate or community. The noun passion means ‘suffering’ or ‘enduring.’ Think of the film Passion of the Christ. If we combine these two words, then that means compassionate in the etymological sense is defined as ‘with suffering’ or ‘suffering together.’

Through Jesus, we see a past, present, and future example of what constitutes perfect compassion. Through Him, we also recognize our current lack in the area and where we need to improve.

Compassion is not just one to restore civility to the dinner table or our conversations at work and online. Compassion is how we go about living our daily lives in a way that honors and emulates Christ. What a perfect lesson as we head into the Christmas holiday and the new year!

Intersecting Faith and Life:
Calling ourselves compassionate is easy, but living in a way that honestly embodies this concept is much more difficult. However, difficulty is one of the markers of Christian life, as is togetherness, as is suffering. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us, including becoming more compassionate (Philippians 4:13). If that’s the change you want to start making today, here are a few suggestions.

Slow to Speak

“My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.” (James 1:19)

One of the tell-tale signs of a modern-day conversation is how fast each person is to speak, and not just speak, but speak about themselves. Speaking does not have the same power to teach us as listening because, usually, we’re speaking about what we already know. On the other hand, when we choose to listen, we take in information, information we often do not already know.

The slower we can be to speak and the faster we can be to listen, the more we’ll ultimately learn. Furthermore, the greater compassion we’ll be able to share with others. People feel seen and acknowledged when you listen, not just when you speak to them. In fact, speaking to someone and not listening can have the opposite effect. As believers, we want people to be aware of and believe in their worth in Christ.

Listen Intently
While we should be slower to speak and quicker to listen, we shouldn’t aim to listen passively. We should listen intently with the aim of understanding the other person. People who listen just to respond are fostering dissension, not compassion. With greater understanding comes more fruitful discussions and deeper relationships. People feel a sense of belonging in the places where their voice is heard.

Ask Questions
One great way to show you’re listening and to gain understanding is to ask questions. Dig a bit deeper in conversations and show people just how much you really care.

Don’t Rush to Judge
The word judgment means to come to a conclusion. We all judge, despite how many times we claim just the opposite. Living as a Christian requires judgment, namely, discerning between good and evil, virtue and sin. There’s nothing inherently wrong with judging, but where we go astray is rushing to judge. If we hurry to label others, we miss opportunities to serve and be a source of compassion to those in need. Even when we think we have someone figured out, let’s make sure our conclusion has supporting evidence and is not just an assumption.

Be Present
If we are to suffer alongside someone, then we have to be with them in the present. Today, one of our constant temptations is to put off our in-person connections for something electronic like social media. Doing so limits our ability to bear one another’s burdens. Let’s admit the obvious, do we feel more connected when talking to someone online or face to face?

Be Honest
Lying for the sake of not wanting to offend is by no means compassionate nor a behavioral trait of Christ. Compassion requires honesty, especially if we’re hoping to serve someone in a way that brings about change in their lives.

Don’t Flee Conflict

Similar to fearing honesty, being overly non-confrontational is not Christ-like behavior either. While Jesus was not a man who walked town to town scolding everyone who came His way, Jesus was also not the pacifist that some portray Him to be. There’s definitely a balance to strike up between being confrontational and not, but what is important is that we don’t shy away from conflict. The reason we can appreciate the good in life is because we know the bad. The same applies to our relationships.

Further Reading:

• Ephesians 4:32
• Galatians 6:2
• Matthew 9:35-38
• 2 Peter 3:9
• Romans 12:2

4 Questions to Ask When Listening for God's Voice..Cara Joyner

 4 Questions to Ask When Listening for God's Voice

By Cara Joyner

“Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,’ declares the LORD.’” –  Jeremiah 29:12-13.

One of the joys we experience in childhood, although we don’t see as a gift at the time, is that decisions are made for us. We love independence, but most of us can at least appreciate the idea of a person telling us which way to turn when the lines get blurry and a world that once seemed very black and white takes on a surprising shade of grey.

During the years I worked in student ministries, one of the most common questions I heard asked was, “I wish I knew what God wanted me to do…how do I hear from Him?” It’s amazing to be reminded that, at the core, middle and high school students are wrestling with the same thoughts as their parents and grandparents.

I would like to suggest four questions we should consider when seeking the voice of God:

1. Am I willing to hear what He might say?

Do you believe His voice will flow out of His great love for you, even if it’s not the message you wanted to hear? If we aren’t willing to receive what He says, we really cannot proceed.

If that scares you, remember that a God who loves us enough to sacrifice His son, who promises to never leave us, and who is gentle enough to wipe away our tears ( Revelation 21:4). His will is good. Are you willing to hear more?

2. What does scripture say?

The Bible is God-breathed, so it is here where we begin.

We might not be able to flip to the concordance and search “how to know if I should stay in this dating relationship…” or “how to respond when my co-worker says something cruel…”, however, if we develop a habit of abiding in the Word of God, we will know His heart. And when we know his Heart, we will recognize His voice.

In the quest for God’s voice, let the first stop be scripture. The more familiar we are with the heart of God, the more familiar we will be with His voice.

3. What do the people who love you say?

During one particular coffee date I had with a student, we discussed an unhealthy dating relationship she was involved in. I asked her what her family, close friends, and spiritual mentors had to say. The people closest to her, who loved her and wanted the best for her, all warned that staying in the relationship was dangerous and they advised her to end it. We had talked about the reasons behind their concerns for quite a while when she looked at me through teary eyes and said, “I know what they want me to do…I just wish I knew what God wanted me to do.”

The people who love you…the people you trust and respect…what do they say? Have you asked them? Obviously, everyone should not be within your circle for wise counsel. Ask people who have made decisions that you respect, and who love you enough to want what is best for you. Allow their voices to enter the conversation and examine how their input is compatible with scripture and what you know to be true about the heart of God. The Lord frequently uses the voices of others to echo what He is speaking to our hearts.

4. What does the “still, small voice” say?

You know that whisper? That sense of what God is calling us to? In his book, Hearing God, Dallas Willard refers to this as the “still, small voice”. For a deeper discussion about what it means to have a “conversational relationship” with God, as Willard describes it, jump into this thought-provoking piece of writing. I cannot do justice to the understanding he brings to the subject.

I will say this though – it’s hard to imagine hearing the “still, small voice” of God if we don’t make listening a priority. Our lives produce a shocking amount of noise. Our days seem to fill themselves with appointments and activities before we even have a chance to say otherwise. Repeatedly in scripture, Jesus left the noise. He got up earlier than everyone else, went away from the chaos, and was alone with His Father. He prayed and they talked, a habit which scripture tells us He did often.

Are you positioning yourself to hear the still, small voice of a great God who wants so badly to talk with you?

These are our beacons. If we are seeking direction, these questions may or may not lead us to a specific answer, but hopefully they will help us discern God’s voice in the midst of so many others.

A Prayer When You Are Tempted with Jealousy..Emily Rose Massey

 A Prayer When You Are Tempted with Jealousy

By Emily Rose Massey

“Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, [d]and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content” (1 Timothy 6:6-8, ESV). 

Has interaction on social media ever created a heaviness in your heart, perhaps leading you to compare yourself to others? In my life, I seem to get this cloud that forms over me when I scroll through certain social media influencers' profiles. You know, the ones from somewhere in the Midwest with a thriving business, beautiful children, Magnolia-inspired farmhouse decor covering the pristine photos of their adorable home...and the lighting! Perfect lighting in these pictures...every single one of them! Absolutely stunning natural light in these posts! And I want to imitate it, not because I am inspired, but because quite frankly, I am jealous of these strangers on the internet! The cloud that looms over my head is this heaviness that I need to make my life look like this. I start to think I need what they have, and a feeling of "not enough" starts to creep up in my heart.

Recently, the Lord has been showing me through this restlessness how discontented I have become through social media, and that is something I am working through with the Holy Spirit on how I can guard my heart from these types of entanglements that bring distraction and discontentment. My eyes have drifted upon lesser things, and it has affected my heart in a great way. Comparison that leads to envy and jealousy has been a trap of the enemy since creation. The motive behind Adam and Eve’s disobedience was comparison, which led to covetousness, which led to pride, which led to selfishness, which led to ungratefulness for what God had already provided (all rooted in fear).

Are you in fear? Then you are not in faith, believing God at His Word and fully trusting Him that He has given you exactly what you need. Anything that is not of faith is sin (Romans 14:23). When we compare ourselves with another, we are saying we would do a better job planning out our lives than our Creator, the sovereign Most High, acting like Satan who fell and caused Adam and Eve to fall. Whoa, that is a dangerous place to be!

When we are wrestling with these heart issues and sin, we often need a perspective shift, and this won’t come from social media, but the Word of God is what will bring clarity when our minds and hearts become clouded with worldliness that causes us to become jealous of others. 

The Apostle Paul reminds his spiritual son Timothy in his first letter to him to keep his mind on eternal and spiritual matters:

“Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content” (1 Timothy 6:6-8, ESV).

Our Heavenly Father ensures that birds are fed; surely, He will take care of us! If we have food and clothing, we truly don’t need anything else; All else is comfort and gifts from our Father. Any material blessing beyond food and clothing that the Lord graces us with should cause us to worship and rejoice in thankfulness for His rich mercy and love towards us as His children. 

We are all guilty of comparing our lives to someone else’s life at one point or another and allowing it to cause some form of jealousy. The only way out is to repent and renew your mind with the Word of God. Instead of fixating on others’ lives, we must keep our eyes on Jesus and His Word. If you cling to Him and abide in Him, you will remain full of His love, joy, and peace- the only things that will bring true fulfillment and contentment. You won’t want anything else than what He has given you; His perfect, eternal promises and tender, Fatherly care for you will be more than enough. Let’s lift our gaze and thank Him for what He has already so richly provided for us in Christ Jesus. 

Let’s pray:

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for providing everything that I need (not want). You have provided food and clothing, and in this, I need to be content. Contentment with godliness is great gain in Your eyes. I need Your help to find rest in contentment; I need Your help to remain grateful when my eyes wander onto others’ lives causing me to become jealous. I trust that Your plan for my life is best, which includes all earthly possessions that I am given. I fix my eyes upon You and Your Word today. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit that convicts my heart when I become jealous or envious of others. Help me to prioritize my time and create boundaries, especially regarding my social media usage. I want to glorify You in my thoughts and actions. In Jesus’ name, amen.