Meditation

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.

A Life-style of Worship

Evening, morning and at noon I will pray; in the early hours of the morning I will seek you; I will bless you all day because is is better to be in your house than to live in the houses of the ungodly.

The Psalms express worship as a way of life. When we worship, we exalt Jesus Christ; we worship with our heart's attitude; a pure heart given to God. We worship Him at all times, in all places and in all situations and circumstances because Christ in the only on worth of our worship; Only Jesus deserves our worship. Worship Him daily, not just on Sundays. Worship Him in spirit and in truth.

Worship flows from the heart of a worshiper; it doesn't matter the place or the hour or the situation.

Let's worship Jesus Christ with all our hearts.

An Attitude of the Heart

Worship is placing Christ in the important spot of our lives, exalting his merits, serving him and obeying him with all our hearts; it is thinking of Him first. Worship is Christ-centered.

Worshipping God requires an attitude of the heart that is pure and holy, an disposition that is evident when we respond to the desires of God. "With my whole heart... I will glorify your name," is how Psalm 86 says it. We worship when we submit to God; when move with the Holy Spirit. "You will not reject a humble and repentant heart."

Also, when we seek God more than any other thing, we worship Him. The psalmist said, "How I want to be there! I long to be in [God's Presence]. With my whole being I sing for joy to the living God.."

True worship comes from the deepest part of our heart and soul.

Psalm 51:17; 84:2 GNB

Jesus is the Center

"Lord, how should we worship God?" questioned the woman that talked with Jesus. From the creation of the world this has been the question of humanity and Jesus answered it here.

"God is looking for those that worship him in spirit and truth," responded Jesus.

Worship in spirit and truth relates with at least three areas: worship is centered on Jesus, worship is an attitude of the heart and worship is a lifestyle. When we worship, we exalt Jesus, not the song, the style of music or the singer. Christ is our Lord and Savior and only He is worthy of the praise, worship and honor.

Worship always exalts the Name of Jesus!