July 6, I posted this thought on Facebook.
"Meditation has more to do with filling yourself with His thoughts [God’s] than it does emptying yourself of yours."
I know it’s not an original idea, but it sure touched a need out there. For what it's worth, here are some other thoughts on meditation. These thoughts didn’t necessarily originate with me either, but with the exception of the Biblical references I don’t know who to give credit to.
- be still and know that I am God, Ps. 4:4; 46:10
- God spoke in a still small voice, 1 Kings 19:12
- Renew our minds with the word of God, Rom 12:2
- meditate [to chew the cud like a cow] day and night on the Word, Joshua 1:8; Ps 1:2
I meditate, sitting quiet and just being, just being quiet before him. Like Mary sat at the feet of Jesus, I sit listening for Him to speak. My objective is not to empty myself, but to quiet myself. I think there is a difference. I quiet myself and fill myself with God's thoughts. Maybe I read one verse or two and just think on them. Maybe I'm listening to music and thinking about God. Maybe I'm not doing anything but sitting there and enjoying the presence of God that is with me. The neat thing is that as I quiet myself and fill myself with God's thoughts that come from His Word, He fills me with more of Himself. As I let Him fill me and as I obey Him, the undesirable in me is PUSHED out. The more full of God I am, the less full I am of myself.
There is a video teaching titled Be Still and Know that I Am God that deals with meditation and contemplative prayer. It's very good and includes comments and thoughts from Dr. Henry Cloud, Richard Foster, Max Lucado and Beth Moore.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Sincere
Let us draw near with a sincere heart in the assurance that faith brings. – Hebrews 10:22 NET
Sincerity is true, free of hypocrisy and without deception.
The sincere heart speaks without manipulative motives; it is a true and honest expression of thoughts, feelings and emotions. It is also willing to hear the open and honest expression of others. The exchange and communication is of grace with transparent words and open ears.
The sincere faith is certain and convinced that the promises and the work of God are absolutely true and completely sufficient to realize the transformation needed in our lives. It is pure and unadulterated. Its motives are not self-centered; on the contrary its desire is to bring the presence of heaven to earth for the benefit of others and for the glory of God.
Sincere love seeks the pure and perfect motives of God. Its practice is without deceit or hypocrisy, without judgment or guilt. Sincere love demonstrates the desire of God to rescue, redeem and restore his sons and daughters to their original design. It pursues the extension and expansion of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth.
The aim of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience and a sincere faith. - 1 Timothy 1:5 NET
You have purified your souls by obeying the truth in order to show sincere mutual love. So love one another earnestly from a pure heart. – 1 Peter 1:22 NET
Sincerity is true, free of hypocrisy and without deception.
The sincere heart speaks without manipulative motives; it is a true and honest expression of thoughts, feelings and emotions. It is also willing to hear the open and honest expression of others. The exchange and communication is of grace with transparent words and open ears.
The sincere faith is certain and convinced that the promises and the work of God are absolutely true and completely sufficient to realize the transformation needed in our lives. It is pure and unadulterated. Its motives are not self-centered; on the contrary its desire is to bring the presence of heaven to earth for the benefit of others and for the glory of God.
Sincere love seeks the pure and perfect motives of God. Its practice is without deceit or hypocrisy, without judgment or guilt. Sincere love demonstrates the desire of God to rescue, redeem and restore his sons and daughters to their original design. It pursues the extension and expansion of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth.
The aim of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience and a sincere faith. - 1 Timothy 1:5 NET
You have purified your souls by obeying the truth in order to show sincere mutual love. So love one another earnestly from a pure heart. – 1 Peter 1:22 NET
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