In His law meditate day and night—this man shall be blessed

This book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth but meditate day and night in it. Then you will make your way prosperous and have good success. Joshua 1:8  

(see also Psalm 1, 19 and 119))

How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statutes!

With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth.

In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches.

I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.

I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word. Psalm 119

I read once that Hebrew mothers would read some Scripture to their little ones while giving them some honey or sweet tasting treat (associating pleasant memory with learning God’s word). Jewish people usually have a ornate small box with Scripture in it attached to the door frames of their houses. Priests wore similar little “Bible boxes” around their foreheads in reference to Deut 6:9.

 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)

Deut 11:21 adds this promise to the command that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land that the LORD swore to your fathers to give them, as long as the heavens are

above the earth.”

Memorization has become harder for me – probably reflective of short term memory problems of getting older. Other hindrances are stress, mind-clutter of anxieties, discouragements, weariness and temptations. These all take their toll in my concentration. This has disappointed me for years because when I was a new Christ-follower, in my busy college years, I always carried memory cards and memorized hundreds of verses. The more often I pulled them our of my pocket, the more I committed to memory, the easier it seemed to be to absorb even more. I genuinely loved doing it and sometimes even made up little jingles or wrote songs which I can still sing today.

In fact, in the 1970’s we sang Scripture songs as part of our corporate worship and could learn much of God’s Word that way.

Some things have helped me:

1. Writing them down, keeping them handy and reading them aloud so I am using eye, hand, voice, ear, and mind to get them into my heart.

2. Intoning or chanting them or singing Scripture in my heart and to one another heart (Eph 5:19).

3. Associating specific words with images like a story board.

4. Repeating a phrase slowly, emphasizing a different word each time.

5. I’m told that slow, deliberate, going over and over style of memorizing tends to work it into long-term memory, rather than short-term.

6. Dallas Willard wrote that the fundamental thing is to direct and redirect our minds constantly to God. The first thing is to keep God before our eyes, as David said. (Psalms 16:8-9)

In this way we can break old habits and replace them so that God becomes the “polestar” of our inward beings. Jesus is the door, life, and way. Receive him, open to him, and direct our attention to him. This is done best by memorizing and meditating on the Gospels. 

It’s best to concentrate on memorizing great passages. It’s actually more important than a “quiet time” because meditation on the Scriptures can fill the day. The law gets in our mouth by memorization and dwelling on it through meditation.

The Hebrew Word for meditation is used in various word pictures:

Strongs #1965: haghah  coo, growl, murmer; speak, roar, chirp…

These are incoherent sounds like mumbling, sighing in delight while eating something delicious or being full of anticipation (like a dog delightfully gnawing a bone). It is used of quiet and calm reflection like the gentle cooing of a dove, or like the slow and imperceptible melting of a lozenge in our mouth. Meditation can involve feeling strong emotion like a lion growling over its prey.

So, be a lion or a cow, because meditation can vary by engaging strong emotion and passion with noisy sounds or it may be peaceful repetition: chew the cud-swallow-regurgitate-repeat-until it passes through all seven stomachs in order to become sweet milk.

(I am indebted to Pastor Steve Humble who testified recently: “I’m no expert, but I am seeing a difference in my thinking and sometimes in my behavior these days.”)

 

Continuing to Prayerfully Read Scripture

Continuing to Prayerfully Read Scripture

By Dwight Cunkle

Read, Listen/meditate, Contemplate God, Obey

In John 13 Jesus washes their feet, predicts his betrayal and the denial of Peter. 

In John 14-16 He prepares his followers to seek for and receive the Promised Holy Spirit. 

Just as Jesus washed their feet, He washes ours. 

Just as they deserted Him, so we have denied and betrayed him by our sins. 

Jesus told them to love one another like Him but that we would not be able love without living in and with Him by the fullness of Holy Spirit.

He says they will be able to work miracles even greater than he did because the Father would also work in them by His Spirit. 

He told them that whoever obeys his commands will be loved by him and his Father and they will come and make their home in him.

He further says that the Holy Spirit will convict the world of sin but bring things from Jesus and make them known to his followers, leading them into truth and oneness with Him and God. 

He told them Holy Spirit will make them powerful witnesses for him.

But He warns them that because of the things Holy Spirit will do in them the world will hate them.

Clearly, Jesus wants them to see their need for and have both faith and desire to receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit. 

Clearly, we have a choice: we cannot be full of the world and full of Holy Spirit.
We cannot be filling ourselves with ourselves and have the fullness of God’s Spirit working in us.

What was the transformation that took place during the 40 days of Christ appearing to them, and the ten days of their preparation for Pentecost? Through sorrow and desolation they became more detached form the world, their agenda’s and themselves. They became hungry and thirsty for more of Him-which could only happen by obeying and asking for, seeking, knocking and receiving the fullness of Holy Spirit.

 Choose a passage from John 13-16, or from Acts 1-4, and read it several times, allowing Holy Spirit to highlight some phrase to you. Meditate and listen to God as you think and pray. Contemplate God just as the disciples were contemplating Jesus as He spoke these words to them, and as they waited in the upper room. What is God asking of you? Do you need to detach from the world and yourself or others and seek to be more filled with Holy Spirit, so you can love and obey him?

John 15:16, 26; 16:13-15, 35

Be filled with Holy Spirit.

WHY PALMS ON PALM SUNDAY?

WHY PALMS ON PALM SUNDAY?

By Jack Zavada

Palm branches are a part of Christian worship on Palm Sunday, or Passion Sunday, as it is sometimes called. This event commemorates Jesus Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem, as foretold by the prophet Zechariah.

The Bible tells us people cut branches from palm trees, laid them across Jesus' path and waved them in the air. They greeted Jesus not as the spiritual Messiah who would take away the sins of the world, but as a potential political leader who would overthrow the Romans. Their shout "Hosanna" meant "save now."

In ancient times, palm branches symbolized goodness and victory. They were often depicted on coins and important buildings. Solomon had palm branches carved into the walls and doors of the temple (1 Kings 6:29). Again at the end of the Bible, people from every nation raise palm branches to honor Jesus (Revelation 7:9).

Today, many Christian churches distribute palm branches to worshipers on Palm Sunday. The people remember Christ's sacrificial death on the cross, praise him for the gift of salvation, and look expectantly to his second coming.

Scripture Reading for Holy Week:

Palm Sunday: Philippians 2:6-11

Monday: Isaiah 42:1-4

Tuesday: Isaiah 49:1-4

Holy Wednesday: Matthew 26:14-16

Maundy Thursday: John 13:12-16

Good Friday: Isaiah 53:1-5

Holy Saturday: Romans 6:3-11

Easter Sunday: John 20:1-9

KEEP THE “MUSIC PLAYING” IN OUR LIVES

KEEP THE “MUSIC PLAYING” 

IN OUR LIVES


Jesus is Alive!

By praying and reading his word daily we can personally feel the effects of his presence and voice in our lives. Jesus appeared to more than 500 people post-resurrection. Because of his resurrection, there are, by some counts, as many as 2 billion Christians in the world today. Here is a list of Jesus’ appearances:
1. Jesus first appears to Mary Magdalene, shortly after his resurrection. See Mark 16:9; John 20:11-18.
2. Jesus appears to the women returning from the empty tomb. See Matthew 28:8-10.
3. Jesus appears to two disciples on the road to Emmaus. See Mark 16:12,13; Luke 24:13-35.
4. He appears to Peter. See Luke 24:34, 1 Corinthians 15:5.
5. He appears to his disciples, in Jerusalem, while Thomas is absent. See Mark 16:14-18; Luke 24:36-49; John 20:19-23.
6. Jesus again appears to his disciples, in Jerusalem. This time Thomas is present. See John 20:24-29.
7. Jesus appears to his disciples on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. See Matthew 28:16; John 21:1,2.
8. Jesus is seen by 500 believers at one time. See 1 Corinthians 15:6.
9. He appears to James. See 1 Corinthians 15:7.
10. He appears to his disciples on a mountain in Galilee. See Matthew 28:16-20.
11. He appears to his disciples, blesses them, and ascends into heaven. See Luke 24:50-53.
12. He also appears to Paul, on the road to Damascus. Acts 9:3-6; 1 Corinthians 15:8.
By George Konig www.konig.org

TIPS FOR PRAYER AND MEDITATION

TIPS FOR PRAYER AND MEDITATION

By Dwight Cunkle

Things that might help in daily prayer and meditation: 
Consider reading the Scripture once the night before, then when you revisit it in the morning something may “pop.”
If needed briefly think about the historical and cultural context to whom the Scripture was addressed.
Keep it simple rather than feel like this is too hard because you may "not be getting anything." You have probably heard God and received from Him many times when reading the Scripture or just thinking (but perhaps not always recognizing when it was God speaking or directing).
Don’t think you have to get something every day. Trust Holy Spirit to reveal Christ’s specific word in you over time instead of feeling pressure to “get” something immediately every time.
You can revisit a previous day. Please avoid looking at other Scriptures during this specific 20-45 minutes. Trust God.
Think in terms of sowing and reaping-how that growth takes time. New ideas may come instantly. New ways of thinking require however long Holy Spirit needs to work in us.
It is said that it takes repetition of 18 days to exchange a new habit for an old one. BUT it takes six months to feel at home in the changes-like they are part of you-in other words to “abide in them.” Be patient with yourself and with God who works in you both to will and to do his good pleasure (Phil 2:13).

Create a daily habit/pattern as "a way that works":
1. Five days a week, 20-45 min daily, praying through the Scripture.  Start with what you are able to do.
2. Give thanks and ask God for the grace as you begin.
3. Think back prayerfully, in the morning or before going to bed. “Discern the spirits” in our thoughts and emotions.
4. Make some notes briefly of your thoughts or responses.
5. Practice consciousness of God during the day
When first waking up consciously learn to wake up mind and spirit. Grow in consciousness of God’s presence and your responses throughout the day. We won't be afraid to think because we become more aware God lives in us.

I believe in the Holy Ghost. 

(Words to Declare over us)

God makes us stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. (2 Cor 1:21-22)

As one of God's elect, I am a stranger to the world, chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by His blood: grace and peace be ours in abundance (1Peter 1:1-3).

I believe in Holy Spirit, the Counselor, who when He comes, convicts the world (and me) of guilt, sin, righteousness and judgment (John 6:18-11)

I believe in Holy Spirit who dwells in me as a temple (1Cor 3:16) and who lives in me and is jealous over me. (James 4:5)

I believe in the Comforter, Counselor, Spirit of Truth, who guides us into all truth, who brings glory to Jesus by taking what is His and making it known to us. (John 16:15) He brings all things to remembrance that Jesus said, and gives me what to say when I testify (Matt 10:19-20).

I believe in the Holy Spirit who is the Anointing and abides in me and teaches me (1 John 2:20, 26), in whom we are baptized into Christ (1 Cor 12:) and are all made to drink of one Spirit (Eph 4:4).

I believe in the one Spirit of God who anoints me with power to do good and to heal in the name of Jesus (Acts 10:38).

I believe in Him who gives me life, leads me and because I have my mind set on the things of the Spirit I have life and peace (Rom 8:6-7)  and am renewed in my mind (Eph 4:24). I am filled with the Holy Spirit (Eph 5:19) and power (Acts 1:8).

He quenches my thirst (Jn 7:37-39), prays in me for the saints according to the will of God (Rom 8:27-28), prophecies through me (1 Cor 14:1-3), gives me strength as I wait on the Lord, quickens my body, enlightens the eyes of my heart (Eph 1:17), gives me revelation from the Father, uses the Word of God as a Sword in my mouth (Eph 6:17) and gives me a NOW word that has proceeding application and power (Mt 4:4).

I am born of the Spirit (Gal 4:28), born from above (Jn 3:7).

I have received the Spirit by faith not by works (Gal 3:2) from Him who supplies the Spirit (Gal 3:5) and since I began in the Spirit (Gal 3:3) I can continue to live in the Spirit and walk in the Spirit (Gal 5:25) for God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts; so, I am no longer a slave but a Son (Gal 4:6-7) and His Spirit bears witness with my spirit that we are children of God. (Rom 8:15-17).

I believe in the Holy Spirit who bears in me spiritual fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Gal 5:22-23).

The Holy Spirit helps me walk in the spirit so I will not gratify the desires of the flesh (Gal 5:16) but I will be led by the Spirit (Gal 5:18).

I believe in the Holy Spirit who gives manifestations of grace through me as He wills, and I earnestly desire spiritual gifts, especially that I may prophesy to the building up of the body in love (1 Cor 14). I also ask Him and He gives through me by the same Spirit words of wisdom and knowledge, supernatural faith, healing and working of miracles, discerning of spirits, tongues and interpretation of tongues (1 Cor 12)

  

I Believe in Holy Spirit