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PHILIPPIANS 4:8-9
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
After completing the meditation (‘Meditate On These Things’) I came across the words below in ‘Healing The Human Spirit’ by Ruth Hawkey (Sovereign Press), which I felt expressed another wonderful aspect of the encouragement to meditate on these things…
What Nurtures the Human Spirit? The Word of God.
It is the Spirit who gives life... the words I have spoken to you are Spirit and they are life.
- John 6:63
God's Word is spirit and life. When I feed on the Word of God I am feeding life into myself. When I sit down to lunch I don't say to my food: “By the way, food, do your best.” I just eat it and assume that it will do its job once it gets into my system. The Word of God is the same — when I take the Word of God into my spirit it becomes life to me, whether I think about it or not. That is why it's important for us to have our spiritual time with the Word of God. I need to meditate on the Word of God. I need to take it in and let it do something within me.
Meditating on it doesn't mean passivity. It means to consult within myself. It is said of Mary that she
... pondered all these things in her heart.
- Luke 2:19
It is interesting that Jesus tells John to take Mary into his house. The Gospel of John is the most meditative Gospel of them all. John evidently sat down with Mary and she shared her heart with him, the things which she had hidden in her heart. What does 'the Light of the World' mean? Mary understood it, because she had pondered it in her heart.*
AND CONSIDER THIS…
But know that the LORD has set apart for Himself him who is godly;
The LORD will hear when I call to Him.
Be angry, and do not sin.
Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still.
Selah
PSALM 4:3-4
GRATITUDE — Brandon Lake — (selected by Annea)
A CLOSING WORD from Derek Prince
Wherever you encounter domination, you can be sure that it is satanic. That is not how God rules people.
(From ‘Pulling Down Strongholds: Mighty Weapons for Spiritual Warfare’)
LISTEN TO THIS MEDITATION HERE…
*Excerpt reprinted by permission.
“HEALING THE HUMAN SPIRIT” by Ruth Hawkey,
copyright 1996, 2004, 2018 Ruth Hawkey
Sovereign World Ltd, Lancaster, England.
All Rights Reserved.
“HEALING THE HUMAN SPIRIT” by Ruth Hawkey,
copyright 1996, 2004, 2018 Ruth Hawkey
Sovereign World Ltd, Lancaster, England.
All Rights Reserved.
COMING NEXT… #542 ACTS 1: THE PROMISE OF THE FATHER
- Published on
PHILIPPIANS 4:8-9
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
I could have named this meditation ’Count Your Blessings’, because there is the sense that it is what we understand by meditate on these things, particularly when we read that in connection with Philippians 4, and that phrase meditate on these things has been used a lot here — to encourage further thought or searching into other related areas touching on The Lord’s Word under consideration, but we can also see that by meditating on the Word of God, we gain insight and a connection with Father God which reveals His goodness and mercy which indeed shows that the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians lists eight qualities of importance on which to meditate — things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, things of good report, with any virtue, and anything praiseworthy — essentially saying concentrate on the positive, eliminate the negative, with no room for Mister in-between! In the Bible numerology, eight signifies a new beginning, meaning that Paul is showing us that by concentrating on such virtues will bring us new life, a refreshing of the spirit that leads to a closer bond with our Lord Jesus.
Meditating on the Lord’s love and compassion towards us cannot help but raise our spirits and bring peace, because these thoughts are borne on the wings of the Holy Spirit to inhabit us in our deepest being. When we have the peace of the Lord within us then His Spirit radiates outward and affects those with whom we have contact. Not only are we uplifted and transformed, but all that we meet can sense the change in us and be raised up themselves even if they know not why!
It is plain that our meditation should always be on Him and on Him alone, and these verses reinforce that essential part of faith. Thank You, Jesus.
Philippians lists eight qualities of importance on which to meditate — things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, things of good report, with any virtue, and anything praiseworthy — essentially saying concentrate on the positive, eliminate the negative, with no room for Mister in-between! In the Bible numerology, eight signifies a new beginning, meaning that Paul is showing us that by concentrating on such virtues will bring us new life, a refreshing of the spirit that leads to a closer bond with our Lord Jesus.
Meditating on the Lord’s love and compassion towards us cannot help but raise our spirits and bring peace, because these thoughts are borne on the wings of the Holy Spirit to inhabit us in our deepest being. When we have the peace of the Lord within us then His Spirit radiates outward and affects those with whom we have contact. Not only are we uplifted and transformed, but all that we meet can sense the change in us and be raised up themselves even if they know not why!
It is plain that our meditation should always be on Him and on Him alone, and these verses reinforce that essential part of faith. Thank You, Jesus.
AND CONSIDER THIS…
Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.
Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.
Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
1 TIMOTHY 4:12-16
BE THOU MY VISION — BBC Songs of Praise
I initially had another song in mind but felt — as this song insisted on being before me — that this beautiful hymn was the right choice now.
A CLOSING WORD from Billy Graham
Make sure of your commitment to Jesus Christ, and seek to follow Him every day. Don't be swayed by the false values and goals of this world, but put Christ and His will first in everything you do.