Christian Living

MEDITATION PART 1, 2

by Vern Yamane
06/13/21
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Meditation of Scripture 

or

the Renewing of Your Mind

 Meditation of Scripture

© Vernon Yamane

----------------WHAT IS MEDITATION?-------------
                                 Part 1
Meditation, the Renewing of Your Mind,  is a two part process of memorizing and reflecting on a passage of Scripture.  Meditation includes obeying as well memorization and reflecting on a passage of Scripture. Obedience is implied in the word meditation.  Meditation is the process of first getting a passage of Scripture into your head with memorization.  Once it is there you move it into your heart by reflecting and praying.  Meditation is a spiritual habit that enhances the hearing and understanding of the Word.  During the process of meditation the Holy Spirit will turn on the light bulb  in your head. You will have a Holy aha,
Bad habits are easily acquired.  Good habits require discipline, effort or training habit. habit.  We will cover the first two parts of meditation, memorization and reflecting. Obedience is your responsibility.             
In John 15:7 abiding in Jesus is equivalent to abiding in the Word.
The first part memorization is a mechanical type action that requires a little sweat.  Memorization is the most difficult part of the meditation process.  Most people have trouble with memorizing because it requires effort. Remember no pain, no gain.
The second part reflection or analyzing a portion of Scripture usually takes place automatically and is therefore  a little more easier.
Both parts, memorization and refection can take place during your spare time.  IE down time. If you prepare you can meditate like the Scripture says ‘day and night.’ 
1. Memorize to get the Word into your head.  
 To get Scripture into your head you need to do some planning.  You need have the Scriptures easily accessible for review,   The 3 by 5 Cards are my way that I use   The reason I chose 3 by 5 cards is so I can put it in my shirt pocket to be retrieved while brushing my teeth, waiting for a bus, waiting for a friend, waiting, waiting, waiting.  You get my drift.  Those who drive cars can pull it up to a red light and begin memorizing a passage if it is easily accessible.
2.  Reflect to get the Word into your heart         
Once it is in your head, you can reflect on it and pray it into your heart, Reflecting can take place in your waiting time and non productive time.  IE while you are brushing your teeth, waiting for the traffic light, or waiting for a friend.  Use your imagination.  If you have memorized the Scripture you can reflect on it any time and any place. The reflection part is not a one time deal. You may reflect for years on a passage of scripture.  If you have memorized Scripture the Holy Spirit can bring that passage back to your memory when it is needed.
3.  Apply it yourself
Give Him free access to your heart, mind and emotions.  One of the things that I have learned is to use prayers in this form.  Lord Jesus, I give you permission to do whatever is necessary to correct this, remove this or to make this happen.  If you give Him permission don’t you think He will answer your prayer?

----WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF MEDITATION?—
                                     PART   2
       There Are Spiritual Benefits The most obvious benefit from meditation of the Word is that your spiritual health will improve.  Your love for Jesus and the Word increases.  Your walk with Jesus improves.  Your moral and ethical values change.  You are aware of the spiritual warfare you are in.  Your devotional and prayer life changes.  You know how and what to pray for. As you meditate and reflect on God’s Word, He will gives you understanding of the word through revelation and illumination. 
 As you meditate you will Experience a New Outlook of Life Rom 12:2, 2 Cor. 3:18
-----(2)  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2 KJV
-----(18)  But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18 KJV 
You Will Grow In Your Spiritual Understanding   John 14:26
The Spirit of Truth’s function is to teach and bring back to memory truth that you have heard. If you have memorized Scripture we are cooperating with the Holy Spirit.
-----(26)  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. John 14:26 KJV
-----You Will Grow In Your Awareness Of Your Spiritual Surroundings   Eph. 6:12
The Bible says we are in a spiritual warfare with unclean, evil and wicked spirits.  You learn the evil spirits ‘modis operandi’
-----(12)  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12 KJV
-----(11)  Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. 2 Corinthians 2:11 KJV
-----You Will Grow In Your Knowledge About The Battlefield Cor. 10:3-6,  Phil 4:8 You will learn: How to dismantle strongholds   Cor. 10:3-6
----(3)  For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (4)  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) (5)  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (6)  And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.2 Corinthians 10:3-6 KJV
You Will Learn How to Monitor Your Mind Phil 4:8  
-----(8)  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8 KJV
You Will How To Use the Sword of Spirit Eph. 6:17, Heb.4:12-13,  Jeremiah 23:29
-----(17)  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Ephesians 6:17 KJV
------(12)  For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (13)  Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Hebrews 4:12-13 KJV
-----(29)  Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh therock in pieces? Jeremiah 23:29 KJV
THERE ARE INTELLECTUAL BENEFITS
Your mental focus changes.  Your memory improves and you gain a stronger, more disciplined mind.  A lot of our problems in our walk with Jesus arise from an undisciplined mind.  We just let our mind wander and think whatever it wants to think,  Our mind not Jesus is our Master.  With meditation you begin to acquire a mental Bible that you understand and can use to quote at will.  You can use it anytime you want in witnessing, teaching and encouraging.  If I quote from memory the person does not have time to object.  The Word comes out too fast for him to object because it is a part of my normal conversation.   I don’t spend time flipping the pages looking for a particular verse.  I or rather the Holy Spirit dips into my mind and pulls out the verses I have read or have  memorized. 
THERE ARE EMOTIONAL BENEFITS
Meditation improves your emotional health.  Your emotional focus changes.  Your emotional priorities are changed.  What formerly gave you joy no longer give you joy and satisfaction.  With meditation our mind is restructured.  With a stable, strong, restructured and disciplined mind your emotional stability improves.  You do not as much alternating times of joy and despair.
Meditation and the Old Testament
The Old Testament uses meditation fourteen times in Psalm 1, 19, Joshua 1:1-9,  119:15, 23, 48, 78, 97, 99, 148.  In Psalm 1:2 we are encouraged to meditate upon the law of the Lord day and night, in Psa 1:2 and in Joshua 1:8 meditation and obeying is linked with prosperity and success, it was done while on his bed at night(Psalm 63:6
God’s thoughts are far above our thoughts Isa 55:8-9
Meditation replaces our false misconceptions about God and his ways.(8)  For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. (9)  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9KJV
God’s blessings are on the Word not our words, thoughts, understanding Isa 55:11
            (11)  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent Isaiah 55:11 KJV
Your mind will be transformed or restructured Romans.  12:1-2
The results is that you will know ‘his good, pleasing and perfect will’ for your life. You are thinking God’s thoughts.
            (1)  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (2)  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:1-2 KJV 
 You Will Experience Prosperity Joshua 1:8, Psa 1:1-3
If you practice Joshua 1:7 IE meditation and obedience, prosperity is promised to those who meditate and obey. 

(8)  This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Joshua 1:8 KJV
            (1)  Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. (2)  But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.  (3)  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Psalms 1:1-3 KJV
            (24)  Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: (25)  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. Matthew 7:24-25 KJV
 You Will Experience Drought Resistance and Stability  Psa 1:3,  Matt 7:24-25     
          (3)  And he shall be like a tree- planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Psalms 1:3 KJV  
           (24)  Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: (25)  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. Matthew 7:24-25 KJV