Ten Motives to Meditation

1. It stops sin: If we hide God’s Word in our heart it will stop sin at its roots (Ps. 119:11).

2. It starts good: Meditation on the Bible’s practical exhortations and commands reminds us of our Christian duties. What we think about is what we eventually do (Prov. 23:7).

3. It guides and refreshes prayer: Meditation on verses of Scripture opens up new topics and areas for prayer.

4. It turns sleeplessness into a blessing: The Psalmist turned the “wasted” hours of insomnia into a soul-enriching feast (Ps. 63:5-6).

5. It uses time well: It is a far more profitable than, say, watching the TV. It will also make you happier (Ps. 1:1-3)

6. It makes you ready to witness: By filling our hearts with God and His Word we will be much more ready to give an answer to every man that asks a reason for the hope that we have (1 Pet. 3:15).

7. It helps you in fellowship: You can edify others in fellowship because you can propose a verse for discussion and give some thoughts upon it.

8. It increases communion with God: God meets with His people through the Scriptures. A person who never thinks on Scripture will never meet and walk with God.

9. It revives spiritual life: To be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace (Rom.8:6).

10. It has many scriptural precedents and examples (Ps. 19:14; 39:3; 77:12): My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD (Ps. 104:34).

Ten Step Method of Meditation

1. Limit: Set apart no more than 5-10 minutes to begin with, and start with one short verse or part of a verse.

2. Vary: Some days chose a theological verse, others a practical or devotional text.

3. Write: Write the text on a small index card, and put it in a place you will come across regularly (purse or pocket?).

4. Memorize: Memorize the text in 2-3 word blocks by saying it out loud. Set specific times in the day to recall verse (coffee/meal times).

5. Focus: Pick out the key words and look them up in a dictionary (English or Bible). Substitute some words with parallel meanings or even opposite meanings.

6. Question: Interrogate the verse (who, what, where, when, why, how?).

7. Explain: Think about how would you explain the verse to a child or someone with no Christian background.

8. Pray: Use the verse in prayer (worship, confession, thanks, petition).

9. Review: File the cards and every Sunday read them and test your memory of them.

10. Do: Not just an intellectual exercise but let it lead to practice (believe, repent, hope, love, etc.).

Yesterday we considered why we should meditate on Scripture. Today let’s look at how to meditate.

1. Limit 

- Set apart no more than 5-10 minutes to begin with

- Start with one short verse or part of a verse

2. Vary

- Some days chose a theological verse, others a practical or devotional text.

3. Write

- Write the text on a small index card

- Put it in a place you will come across regularly (purse or pocket?)

4. Memorize

 - Memorize the text in 2-3 word blocks

- Say it out loud

- Set specific times in the day to recall verse (coffee/meal times)

5. Focus

- Pick out the key words and look them up in a dictionary (English or Bible)

- Substitute some words with parallel meanings or even opposite meanings

6. Question

- Interrogate the verse (who, what, where, when, why, how?)

7. Explain

- How would you explain the verse to a child or someone with no Christian background

8. Pray

- Use the verse in prayer (worship, confession, thanks, petition)

9. Review

- File the cards and every Sunday read them and test your memory of them

10. Do

- Not just an intellectual exercise but let it lead to practice (believe, repent, hope, love, etc.)

Picture: 2008 © Laurin Linder. Image from BigStockPhoto.com

Here are ten reasons why you should make meditation on Scripture part of your Christian life.

1. It stops sin

If we hide God’s Word in our heart it will stop sin at its roots (Ps. 119:11).

2. It starts good

Meditation on the Bible’s practical exhortations and commands reminds us of our Christian duties. What we think about is what we eventually do (Prov. 23:7).

3. It guides and refreshes prayer

Meditation on verses of Scripture opens up new topics and areas for prayer.

4. It turns sleeplessness into a blessing

The Psalmist turned the “wasted” hours of insomnia into a soul-enriching feast (Ps. 63:5-6).

5. It uses time well

It is a far more profitable than, say, watching the TV. It will also make you happier (Ps. 1:1-3)

6. It makes you ready to witness

By filling our hearts with God and His Word we will be much more ready to give an answer to every man that asks a reason for the hope that we have (1 Pet. 3:15).

7. It helps you in fellowship

You can edify others in fellowship because you can propose a verse for discussion and give some thoughts upon it.

8. It increases communion with God

God meets with His people through the Scriptures. A person who never thinks on Scripture will never meet and walk with God.

9. It revives spiritual life.

“To be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Rom. 8:6).

10. It has many biblical precedents and examples (Ps. 19:14; 39:3; 77:12)

My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD (Ps. 104:34).

Tomorrow: 10 Methods of Meditation

Picture: 2008 © Igor Zohrov. Image from BigStockPhoto.com

In a week when more “Buzz” was added to our lives, I was relieved to read Seven Simple Ways to Disconnect. In summary:

1. Take a social network hiatus.

2. Ignore all calls.

3. Don’t check your email.

4. Spend a day in silence.

5. Refuse to buy anything.

6. Don’t use any electricity.

7. Don’t use transportation.

And, having disconnected, how about reconnecting…with the great Connector of the disconnected. “For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not” (Isa. 30:15).

So why am I writing this? And why are you reading this?