Moment for all Ages Pam Timms

Igniting Your Heart Through Spiritual Disciplines

“Meditating on Scripture” Contemplative Prayer Spiritual Discipline of Meditation

Presentation taken from Richard Foster’s Book Celebration of Discipline

What is Christian Meditation? The ability to hear God’s voice and obey his word. It is that simple.

Biblical Witness The Hebrew word for Meditation is used 58 times in Bible Listening to God’s word, Reflecting on God’s works Rehearsing God’s deeds Ruminating on God’s law We will see changed behavior as a result of our encounter with God

Obedience and Faithfulness Psalmist exclaimed, “Oh how I love the law! It is my meditation all the day. I hold my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word. I do not turn aside from your ordinances for you have taught me. (Psalm 119) The focus of Christian meditation is on obedience and faithfulness. This is why we meditate. To know God, to be repentant and obedient…to grow in faith.

Biblical Witness “Isaac went out to meditate in the evening.” Gen 24:63 “I think of You upon my bed, and meditate on You in the watches of the night.” Psalm 63:6 “My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate upon Your promise.” Psalm 119:148 Old prophet Eli knew how to listen to God and helped Samuel know the word of God Elijah spent days and nights in the wilderness learning to hear the “small still voice of God.”

Biblical Witness Jeremiah discovered the word of God to be a “burning fire shut up in my bones” (Jer 20:9). So many others were close to the heart of God. It wasn’t their special abilities, but they heard God because they were willing to listen. Jesus withdrew to a lonely place to be with God. He communed with God. He attributed his every word to what he heard from God. And God wants us to listen.

Biblical Witness Moses learned how to hear God’s voice and obey God’s word. He spoke to God “Face to Face.” Israelites were not prepared for such intimacy and asked for Moses to speak to them, not God. So this began the line of prophets and judges who brought God’s word. How different if people had desired that intimacy with God. How different if we desired that intimacy with God.

What Happens in Meditation Rev 3:20 “I stand at the door and knock.” Meditation opens the door Meditation creates inner space which allows Christ to construct an “inner sanctuary of the heart.” This sanctuary is “portable” and is brought into all we say and do all day long. Not a once a day practice.

We cannot burn the flame of this internal sanctuary and remain the same! There will be transformation!!

Preparing to Meditate Give some part of every day to meditate on God/scriptures It is a way of life, not just one hour. “Pray without ceasing.” (I Thes 5:17) Our whole day is important to prepare us for meditation Balance of activities, work, rest, enjoy beauty Quiet place, same place, view, no phone, computer or tv Posture: comfortable, chair, back straight, feet on floor, Do not cross legs.

Using all Your Senses Meditating on scripture: written word becomes living word. Not like Bible study to get facts straight Internalizing the Word, to make it real for you. Do not rush, one parable, verse, or word for a whole week! Try to experience it, feel the air, taste the dust, smell the sea. Use your senses! And your imagination. Touch the hem of Jesus garment.

Meditating on Scripture Pick a statement: John 14:27 “My peace I give to you.” We’ve tried for years to make that work in our lives. We’ve done everything we know to do to stay in peace. But instead of trying to figure out how, we put ourselves in the verse. We are the recipient of the peace that Jesus is pouring into us. Brood on that. See yourself opened to flowing peace. We don’t have to figure how to get it, we will have it. And acts of peace will flow spontaneously from within.

Enter Story as Active Participants Not passive observers. How many times have we read the Bible as detached observers not a part of the story? Remember, Christ IS present to teach, heal and forgive us. At one time you are a disciple, a leper, a woman at a well. The whole Biblical story is your autobiography.

Quaker Form of Meditation “Re-collecting” or “centering down” Quiet yourself, center the fragments of your day Hold palms down as symbol of your desire to turn over concerns to God. “I give you my anger for Sally, my anxiety over lack of money for the bills, fear of the doctor’s diagnosis, worry over my children.” Say “Palms down” and release it to God. After a few moments turn palms up to receive from God what you need Sit with God and allow God to commune with you.

Don’t Give Up Going deep in Spiritual life takes time. It is a progression. Our culture will not encourage us to seek a deeper spiritual life. But stay focused. The times of quiet and peace with God will begin to give us new life. Don’t give up. Your task is of immense worth.

Do we want to fire up our spiritual lives? Begin including Spiritual Disciplines In the rhythm of our lives