Category: God’s Grace

Is Spiritual Meditation the same as Biblical Meditation??

meditation-2-800x354Are you confused about meditation?

As I read about spiritual meditation I notice the use of the terms God and Holy Spirit in a way that sounds good and maybe even godly.   One article works the reader through a series of steps from centering self to focusing on “God” and the spirit within, to repeating a phrase, to using your imagination to “picture an inner  vision” and finally to the suggestion to buy their CD to help you benefit more.

Is this what David meant when he spoke of meditating in his heart and being still (Psalm 4:4)?

Is the spiritual meditation that is being taught today the same as biblical meditation?

I have studied biblical meditation and even taught on it some. But this past weekend I was challenged to look at biblical meditation in a different way.  Well, maybe not different, as much as simpler.  The suggestion was made to meditate on less for longer.   For example, take the two word verse–Rejoice always (1 Thess 5:16) and meditate on it for several weeks.             

How would “rejoicing always” affect my relationship with God and others?

What would my life look like if I “rejoiced always”?              

In just a few days of doing this I have had to rethink my reactions to a difficult situation.  I encourage you to join me in this challenge to meditate on “rejoice always”.  I would love to heard how this impacts your life.

Sherry

God’s Giving Strategy

Did you notice in my last post that each of the gift giving personalities or strategies were more about the one giving the gift then the recipient?  If I procrastinate, it is because I am not sure what to buy.  If I am a planner, it is because buying early helps me…etc…shopping_2309293b

What about the “perfect gift”?  This too, can be more about how we feel about the person, then what he / she would like.  If I love someone am  I more likely to search for a nice gift?  And, if I am giving out of a sense of obligation, am I more likely to quickly chose a so-so gift? And what about guilt?  If I feel guilty about the relationship, am I likely to buy a gift based on what will make me feel better?

Do we question God about we believe He uses similar giving strategies?  Such as, if God loves someone more then me, is He more willing to forgive, help, or even bless them than me? Does God give to all or just some?

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but will have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him”.  John 3:16-17

The world…God so loved..sent His Son…not to judge…be saved through Him

The world  is all people and it is made up of sinners…“all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23) and apart from Jesus Christ the world is perishing, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord“. (Rom 6:23)

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  Much more then, having now been justified by His blood we whall be saved from the wrath of God through Him”. Romans 5:8-9.

God loves all and shows His love by sending His Son.

He gives the free gift of salvation to all…who believe in His Son. 

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name” (John 1:12)

The question is not God’s love, but our response to His love. Will we accept His gift…

“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift”!

2 Corinthians 9:15