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

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?

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4 Questions to Ask When Listening for God's Voice (Jeremiah 29:12-13) - Your Daily Bible Verse - February 9

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• PublishedJan 25, 2024

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.

Contend for the Faith..Emma Danzey

 Contend for the Faith

By Emma Danzey

“Dear friends, although I was eager to write you about the salvation we share, I found it necessary to write, appealing to you to contend for the faith that was delivered to the saints once for all.” (Jude 1:3)

The book of Jude was written by Jesus’ brother Jude, who became a believer in Jesus as his Savior after the resurrection. Jude wrote this small yet profound book of the Bible. He cared for the Christians who were being deceived and invaded by false prophets and false teachers. This book is rich in its call to us to contend for the faith. Christianity is under attack daily because Jesus is the Savior, and all who do not follow Him are opposed to Him. In Matthew 12:30, Jesus says, “Anyone who is not with me is against me, and anyone who does not gather with me scatters.”

What Does Contend Mean?

‘Contend’ is not a word that many of us say on a regular basis. Webster’s Dictionary defines contend as a verb, meaning “To strive or vie in contest or rivalry or against difficulties: struggle.” 

Jackie Hill Perry mentions in her study “Jude: Contending for the Faith in Today’s Culture” that contending was done in the time of the ancient Olympics. They were told to struggle for the wreath of victory. In our contending for the faith, this means that there is going to be a real struggle, hard work, focus, and determination. 

A Spiritual Battle

Ultimately, we can only contend well with the help of the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 6:12 says, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.”

On our own, we will tire out, we will become weary, we will fail. However, when we rely on the power and the filling of the Holy Spirit to guide us to live like Jesus today, He will enable us to make decisions we could never make on our own, He will steer us away from sinful behaviors, He will lead us to the lost to share the gospel, and He will help us to grow in the knowledge of the love of God.

A Culture Growing Numb

I fear that we are seeing the effects of a culture that is growing numb to the gospel. People who seemingly “have it all” do not see their need for a Savior. People who can get anything they want delivered to their doorsteps within a few days do not like to grow in patience. People who cannot handle differences of opinion end up folding to make uncommon struggles normalized. People who care more about their sexual preferences than guarding the innocence of children. People who have hatred and racism in their hearts against other people made in God’s image. People who are so self-focused on social media that they miss loving the people around them in real life. People who are so consumed with materialism that they contend for the American dream instead of God’s dream for them. The list can continue. If we are honest with ourselves, we have had some or all of these thoughts or actions in our sinful nature, too.

You might be asking, “Where is Jesus right now?” If you are a believer in Christ, He lives in you. He is actively pursuing people in this lost world, but many are being deceived by false teachers who sneak into the church. We must be on our guard, know the Bible for ourselves, and live in the power of the Holy Spirit to share the gospel with a hurting culture. It is messy, challenging, and tiring. However, we are encouraged to contend for the faith. God has promised eternal life to all who believe in Him and as we are on the earth, living out His purposes for us, He is reminding us that He is real, that He is faithful to keep His promises, and that He is always with us.

Intersecting Faith and Life:

How have you been contending for the gospel of Christ? In what ways can you ask the Holy Spirit to help you live for Him in a culture that is actively against Jesus and His Bible? 

Further Reading:

• Isaiah 40:31
• Jeremiah 17:7 
• Philippians 1:6

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.