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Is Meditation Scriptural?
from: Rena Wright
Meditate On The Word
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. Romans 10:17
THERE are two ways of introducing a soul into prayer, which should for some time be pursued; the one is Meditation on your Blessings, the other is Reading accompanied with Meditation.
Meditative Reading is the choosing some scriptural truth, and whatever truth you have chosen, read only a small portion of it, endeavoring to taste and digest it, to extract the essence and substance within the word. Proceed no farther while any savor or relish remains in the passage: when this subsides, take up your book again and proceed as before, seldom reading more than half a page at a time, for it is not the quantity that is read, but the manner of reading, that yields us profit.
Those who read fast reap no more advantage than a bee would by only skimming over the surface of the flower, instead of waiting to penetrate into it, and extract its sweets. Speed reading is more for scholastic subjects than divine truths. I am certain, if this method were pursued; we would become gradually habituated to, and more fully disposed for prayer.
Meditation On Your Blessings , is the other method, and is to be practiced at an appropriated season, and not in the time of reading. I believe the best manner of meditating on your blessings is as follows: When, by an act of lively faith, you are placed in the Presence of GOD, recollect some truth wherein there is substance and food; pause gently and sweetly on the times in your life when you knew God’s hand was present in your life.
Though recollection is difficult in the beginning, from the habit the soul has acquired of being dependent on oneself, absent from God. Meditating on God’s blessings and presence in your life, at times when you were undeserving, will render you grateful.
You will become accustomed to having a grateful spirit. It will soon be perfectly easy, and become delightful to abide in the presence of God. Such is the experimental taste and sense of His Presence, and such the value of those graces, which GOD bestows, Whose One Will towards His creatures is to communicate Himself to them!
Is Meditation Scriptural? The word meditation has different, sometimes confusing meanings. Most occult practices begin with meditation, such as seeking to empty the mind of all thoughts. These practices are strictly forbidden in the Word of God.
In contrast, when Christians meditate upon the Word of God, this does not involve a blank mind. It means filling the mind with the Word of God. Scripture clearly tells us in Psalm 1:1-3 that meditation on the Word is approved by God.
In order for the Holy Spirit to effectively open your eyes, strengthen your faith and affect your heart and mind, you must prayerfully focus your conscious, undivided attention upon the words you are reading or studying.
About the author:
Rena Wright is an ordained minister, speaker, and author of Rain Down Blessings. Subscribe to Rena's weekly newsletter, Living In The Spirit, by sending a blank email to: Rena.Wright@gmail.com Rena may be contacted for interviews directly at (214) 432-3577. Individuals may order copies of her book from www.RainDownBlessings.comor www.lulu.com/pray.Book sellers may purchase directly through Ingram or Baker & Taylor. (©2004 R.ena Wright)
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