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The late Dallas Willard said this about meditation and memorization of Scripture…

As a pastor, teacher, and counselor I have repeatedly seen the transformation of inner and outer life that comes simply from memorization and meditation upon Scripture.

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, page 47

I couldn’t agree more!

To be transformed and look like Christ, memorization and meditation are two important spiritual disciplines. While memorization is an important spiritual discipline to look into, our focus will be on biblical meditation. It is sad that this discipline has been identified with non-Christian meditative systems where the mind, heart, emotions, imaginations and will are directed to not focus on the LORD.

Biblical meditation, commanded by God and practiced by the Godly in Scripture involves filling your mind with God and truth.

8 This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to act in accordance with all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall be successful.

Joshua 1:8 (NRSV)

Our LORD said this to Joshua after Moses, the servant of the LORD died. That is very important for us to understand.

Why? Nothing of the love, of the compassion, of the faithfulness, of the wisdom of the LORD died when Moses died. This is extremely important for Joshua and for us.

For Joshua it was important because he would be the one to lead Israel into the Promised Land and give it to them as the LORD promised them. And Joshua would need every bit of leadership skill and wisdom that the LORD could give him.

1 After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying, 2 “My servant Moses is dead. Now proceed to cross the Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the Israelites. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, as I promised to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and the Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, to the Great Sea in the west shall be your territory. 5 No one shall be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you.

Joshua 1:1-5 (NRSV)

Now for believers under the new covenant of forgiveness in Jesus Christ our need to meditate is important for several reasons. Here are 4:

How can one engage in this ancient discipline to receive such benefits? There are two tried and tested ways.

One is lectio divina. The other I encourage you to try as well is the 7 step meditation process described by Dr. Mark Virkler.

Here is the lectio divina process:

Lectio Divina Bible Study:

1. Start your bible reading with Prayer. Ephesians 1: 17 – 20; Psalm 119: 18; 1 Samuel 3: 9
2. Reading: What does the text say? First, you read the text. At the most basic level, you ask:
   • What is going on in this Bible passage? Sometimes a Bible commentary is helpful to enable you to better understand the context.
   • Gather facts:
   • Setting the context: “ABCs”
     • Author — Who wrote the passage?
     • Background — When did the author live? In what culture?
     • Context — How does the passage fit in with what comes before and after it? What is the biblical authors intent in this passage? Locate and mark any key words, repeated words or phrases, and commands.
3. Meditation: What is God saying to me through the text? At this point, you ask whether there is something that God might want to reveal to you through this passage. Often, it might connect with something in your life.
4. Prayer: What do I want to say to God about the text? After meditating on this passage, you might find yourself fearful of what you feel called to do. If it means standing up for someone who has been mistreated, or even standing up for yourself, this might frighten you.
5. Action: What is God telling me to do, based on my prayer? Finally, you act. Prayer should move us to action, even if it simply makes us want to be more compassionate and faithful.

The 7 step Meditation process:

1. Write: I copy the verse I am meditating on onto a piece of paper or 3X5 card, as instructed to in Deut. 17:18, and keep it with me to meditate on, memorize and mutter throughout the day(s). I also record this verse in my meditation/journal (which can be written, typed or verbally recorded). 
2. Quiet Down: I become still in God’s presence, loving Him through soft soaking music (2 Kings 3:15,16) and/or praying in tongues (1 Cor. 14:14), or putting a smile on my face and picturing Jesus with me (Acts 2:25). I tune to His flowing thoughts, pictures and emotions (Jn. 7:37-39).
3. Reason: Come let us reason together (Isa. 1:18), meaning the Spirit guides my reasoning process. I ask, “Lord, what do You want to show me from this verse?” I tune to flow and revelation from the Holy Spirit bubbles up within me.
4. Speak & Imagine: I ponder the Scripture, personalizing and speaking it to myself softy over and over again until I can say it with my eyes closed. As I repeat the Scripture, I allow myself to see it with the eyes of my heart. I note what the picture is in my mind’s eye as I repeat the Scripture.
5. Feel God’s Heart: While seeing the above picture, I ask, “Lord, what does this Scripture reveal about Your heart toward me?” I feel His heart and journal it out.
6. Hear God’s Rhema: I put myself in the picture of this Scripture in my mind. I ask, “Lord, what are You speaking to me through this Scripture?” I tune to flowing thoughts and flowing pictures (God’s voice and vision) and I record this dialogue in my two-way journaling.
7. Act: I accept this revelation, repenting of any sin that is opposite of it and roaring at any obstacle that stands in the way of implementing it. I then speak it forth and act on it.

Blessings to you as you grow in Christ

Do you know who you are in Christ? Meditate on these identity Scriptures and let God change you life!

I am accepted

John 15: 15 As a disciple, I am a friend of Jesus Christ

Romans 5: 1 I have been justified by faith. God declares me righteous by faith.

1 Corinthians 6: 17 I am united with the Lord and I am one spirit with him.

Ephesians 1: 1 I am a saint, a holy one.

Colossians 1: 13 – 14 I am rescued from Satan’s rule, brought into Christ’s kingdom and forgiven of all my sins.

Colossians 2: 6 I live my life in Christ.

Colossians 2: 7 As I receive the hope, faith and love held out in the gospel, I am rooted, built up in Christ, strengthened in the faith and overflow with thankfulness.

I am Secure

Romans 8: 1 – 2, Philippians 2: 13 I am free from condemnation, free from the law of sin and death. Therefore I can work out my life in Christ and fulfil God’s good purpose.

Romans 8: 28 I know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.

Romans 8: 35 – 39 Nothing can separate me from the love of God present in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 2: 11 My old sinful self has been removed in Christ.

Colossians 2: 12 – 13 I have been buried, raised and made alive with Christ.

2 Timothy 1: 7 I have not been given the spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.

1 John 5: 18 I am born of God and Satan cannot touch me.

Philippians 1: 6 I am confident that God will complete the good work he has begun in me.

I am Significant

2 Peter 1: 4 God has given me his great and precious promises so that I can receive his godly nature.

Philippians 4: 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Hebrews 4: 16 I can come boldly before God’s gracious throne. God will meet my needs lovingly and kindly.

Hebrews 2: 11 Because God has set me apart and made me one with Christ, he is not ashamed to call me brother or sister.

2 Corinthians 5: 17 I am a new creation in Christ

2 Corinthians 5: 18 – 19 God has made me a minister of , as well as committed to me the message of reconciliation.

2 Corinthians 5: 21 Because God made Christ sin on the cross, I can become in Christ the righteousness of God.

“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13: 5 (ESV)

I am so glad that this truth never gets old.

God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit will never leave us nor forsake us no matter what He calls us to do, or what we experience in life.

That kind of commitment humbles us and we do how to respond. It is good to have that kind of awe towards God.

It is good because we will put life and the things from life in perspective.

Things like COVID-19 and our restrictions.

Things like not being able at this time to meet together and socialize.

Things like when we feel overwhelmed and under stress.

God will never leave us nor forsake us.

This means God will be our peace in the midst of the storms of life.

This means God will be our strength and be our support in stressful times.

This means God will be our hope when we see hope draining around us.

I am glad this truth of God never gets old.

Merry Christmas Seine River Church Family!

Now more than ever we need to God’s grace.

Each speaker wants to connect you to the grace, beauty and hope that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. To do this, each has reflected on various Scriptures that unfolds their specific theme. A christmas devotion will be uploaded each day except this Wednesday December 23rd.

Just clink on the links below for the devotion.

• From Psalm 96, We Praise the coming King by Tanner Duncalfe
• From Luke 2: 8 – 20, Glory to God in the Highest by Neil, Shae and Akecia Peters
• From Psalm 67, God’s beautiful face by Neville Macdonald
• From Isaiah 9: 6, Praise God for the Gift of Christ by Pastor Philip Edwards

May each devotion bless you in this 2020 Christmas Season.

16 You did not choose Me but I chose you, John 15: 16 (NASB)

My heart skips a beat as I realize Jesus Christ chose me.

He chose me before I knew him.

He chose me before I did right or wrong.

He chose me before COVID-19 happened and he still chooses me after it is gone.

As I see myself through his eyes, I also see that he chose you. This blessing that he gave me is the blessing that he gave you. You and I are included together in his blessing.

I learned this through a dream God gave me.

In this dream, I brought my two boys to Christ to be blessed. I was holding them in my arms and felt fatherly pride that I could bring them to Jesus for blessing.

After he welcomed us, he took my boys into his embrace. I saw the joy on his face. But all of a sudden I felt left out of his love and joy for my boys. So sharp was the feeling, that I began to turn my back and proceed to walk away.

It was then that he put his hand on my shoulder and said to my spirit, ‘Where are you going?!’

In that moment three things happened…

My feeling of rejection died. I felt part of his team.

I felt deeply connect to him more than ever.

I was not apart from the love and joy he gave my boys. I was included in that love!

When I woke up that feeling of deep connection did not leave me. It now rests in me.

This year many of us have felt excluded. Because of the code red restrictions we have felt excluded. Some more than others. This inequality makes some of us feel rejected and in pain. It makes us feel that some are getting special treatment; that God is playing favourites.

To that our Lord puts his hand on our shoulder and says ‘Where are you going?! I love you with the same love!’

5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:5 (NASB)

Have you ever thought that God takes time to build you?

He created each of your features. With all of your uniqueness. There is no one else that has your fingerprints. You were specially created to be you.

And now our Father is building you to look like Jesus through the difficulties you face. Even boredom. Even ordinary days.

Even when you come to the end of your days, God has plans for you beyond this life!

Let us come back to this truth; God is faithfully completing a work in US!