Fixing Our Thoughts

Learning How to Meditate on Scripture

AUDIO MP3

 

Aug 31, 2014 PM

Pastor Craig Ledbetter

Bible Baptist Church, Ballincollig, Cork, Ireland

www.biblebc.com

 

I.       Introduction (Psalm 19:14)

 

A.    There is so much going on INSIDE our heads: Plans, Worries, Needs, Imaginations, Desires, Memories

 

1.      It is usually a hive a mental activity. And it is usually not very good!

2.      And the modern world is throwing more and more “stuff” into our minds for us to make sense out of, and organise and use.

 

B.     Ours is a messed up generation

 

1.      That does not know itself, not what it believes, nor what to do when things are going wrong

2.      That does not know how to think things through, come to right decisions, and keep commitments

3.      So people collapse – and if not, they turn to coping mechanisms

 

C.    Wouldn’t you like to be able to say these following words with joy?

 

1.      Psalm 57:7  My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.

2.      Psalm 108:1  O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.

3.      Psalm 112:7  He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.

 

D.    Fixed means anchored, safe, stable, under control!

E.     God gave us the secret weapon of Scripture Memorization and Meditation that CAN and WILL repair messed up thinking

 

II.    Lesson

 

A.    The Fountain of God’s Word (Psalm 119:48)  My hands also will I lift up unto
thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes
.”

 

1.      Wisdom                           Psalm 119:97,98

2.      Understanding               Psalm 119:99,100

3.      Peace                               Psalm 119:165

4.      Joy                                   Psalm 63:5

5.      Prosperity                       Psalm 1:2,3

6.      Life                                  Proverbs 16:22

7.      Success                            Joshua 1:8

8.      Faith                                Romans 10:17

9.      Rest                                 Psalm 119:23

 

B.     Only Tapped into by Scripture MEDITATION

 

1.      Reading the Bible gives basic knowledge of God – must start with reading

2.      Studying the Bible learns absolute truths – you have to learn what you are reading

3.      Obeying the Bible blesses you and keeps you out of trouble and in God’s will

4.      Meditating on God’s words changes your life (Proverbs 4:4)

 

C.    What Does it Take to Meditate? The Six ‘D’s to Remember

 

1.      Design Scripture Meditation into your life

 

a.       Make Time (Gen 24:63; Psalm 119:148) part of your schedule – a priority

 

1)      Gen 24:63  And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming.

2)      Psalm 119:148  Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.

 

b.      Make it a Habit, something you just do, from this day forward (Psalm 1:2; Luke 2:19)

 

1)      Psalm 1:2  But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

2)      Luke 2:19  But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

 

2.      Discover – by reading, or remembering a Scripture

 

a.       Choose Carefully what you think about, and what you don’t think about

 

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

2)      Psalm 77:12  I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.

3)      Psalm 143:5  I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands. (that’s why I love astronomy)!

4)      Philippians 4:8  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.

 

b.      Choose a Truth that means something to you

 

1)      Example: Meditate on your Salvation

 

a)      Psalm 86:13  For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.

b)      Hebrews 7:25  Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

 

2)      Example: Meditate on your freedom in Christ

 

a)      2Co 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

b)      Galatians 5:1  Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

 

c.       Choose a Scripture that means something to you

 

1)      Philippians 1:6  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

2)      Philippians 3:13  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

3)      Philippians 3:14  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

4)      Psalm 37:4  Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

5)      Galatians 2:20  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

6)      Psalm 4:8  I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

 

3.      Details

 

a.       Write the Scriptures Down and Memorize them word for word

b.      Use note cards that will fit in pockets, wallets, or purse

c.       Include the reference location

 

4.      Digest – process what God is saying

 

a.       Think about each word

b.      Summarize what the Scripture is saying

c.       Rewrite the verse in your own words on the back

 

5.      Delight

 

a.       List the good and powerful things the verse is saying – at least one, but it should be 2 or 3 things!

b.      Enjoy those 2, or 3 things that are a blessing to you, even if no one else likes it

 

6.      Do it again later, adding another Scripture

 

III. Conclusion

 

A.    What are the Six ‘D’s of Scripture Meditation?

 

1.      ______________

2.      ______________

3.      ______________

4.      ______________

5.      ______________

6.      ______________

 

B.     The following things will happen when you develop a lifestyle of Scripture meditation

 

1.      Your mind will change – it will get fixed

2.      Your heart will calm down – it will get fixed

3.      And your life will experience growth again, like it did when you were first saved!

 

C.    You will find that what you have learned, and memorized and MEDITATED on…

 

1.      Will be used over and over in your Christian life – it will be what the Holy Spirit focuses His work through!

2.      Will be a help not only to you, but to others, that you otherwise would NOT have been able to help

 

D.    Your profiting will be seen by everyone (1Timothy 4:15)