Verse 14-If we see that a fight is about to begin where things may become violent, it is wise to take our leave and try to cool down before actions take place that we may regret.
A quick explanation is that meditating on the Lord involves worshipping the living God who is outside of our own human soul; wisdom and understanding. Meditation according to Eastern religions invokes the soul within; or some deluded mindset that somehow we have a "spark of divinity" within us; or some goodness of our own that needs to be focused on; some mysterious power or control that we can have over energies somehow controlling our lives and the universe to our benefit.
I would like to add that one who meditates on God's Word is one who reads it often as well as thinking about what it means in relations to the Words of God as a whole. So, to do this one needs to read as much Scripture as is appropriate for the length of time they have been in Christ. The Holy Spirit will guide new believers and seasoned ones to what part of His Word He wishes you to consider at the present time. Follow this lead. It is also good to attempt to do a read through of the whole Bible. Maybe one will read the Gospels through, then Acts/Epistles. Then move on to Psalms or begin in Genesis to read the Pentateuch. Taking the Scriptures a section at a time in this way helps to overcome the large amount of text that is in the Bible.
Finally, I would like to add that one who meditates on the Word is one who has their mind set on God and His ways. Therefore they will view life and circumstances through the lens of known Scripture and recalling to mind or re-reading Scripture to apply to the circumstance.
I agree with the answers here and feel that besides study and thinking deeply on God's word that prayer can be another form of meditation. The healthy kind, not the worldly polluted kind.
T. Levis answer was very good! I only want to add that 'meditation' is something believers have always done, and been encouraged to do, in God's Word.
Satan, the great impostor, tries to counterfeit what God does. Thus we see false religions also practicing their own so-called 'meditation', but their 'meditation is so lame. They 'meditate' on crystals, candles, and every other kind of vanity, for they meditate not in God's Word! Their religions are a sham, a shame, and they are deceived!
Question for everyone. When I read meditation I immediately consider that is everything other then a Christian base. In the back of my head I don't feel or truly think that.
Thank you Kay for your meditations and thoughts! I myself am a member of at least a part of the visible Church. We are many congregations and united and undivided in our love toward Christ as our head and we confess a love toward his doctrines that we read in the New Testament. It is our desire to adorn his doctrines in our lives by grace. We also love one another. It was another brother who has passed into eternity that inspired my recent meditations.
This issue cannot but be on the minds of true believers who are following the Lamb.
It has been my observation for quite a while that when I've tried to find a church - instead of finding Christ exalted, I find, over and over and over again - the church exalting itself!!
There is all kind of talks about how great the church is, how great the pastor is, how great the youth ministry is, how much 'giving' is done to the missions program, how great the choir sings, and on and on and ON!! But....NEVER talk about how great JESUS is!
The church is a candlestick alone. Christ is the true Light.
The church is supposed to hold forth the Head, Jesus Christ! How perverse when the church holds forth itself!
Oh let us walk humbly with Jesus, and follow HIM WHEREVER He may go! Help us to do it, precious Lord!
Thank you for your reply, Marke. What I wrote, believe me, I wrote with such groaning in my heart and spirit. Some days I have such heaviness, such sighing, such crying.
For any true believer, to see our Lord's lovely name used in vain, to see His Word twisted, to see eternal souls so deceived - there is nothing else but to be sad and grieved unto prayer.
Mixed with that is a holy fear! ONLY God's grace and His grace, and mercy and power ALONE makes me to differ from anyone else! How I pray now for that amazing grace to keep me to the end and carry me over the finish line of my race!
I've mostly been enjoying your posts , however you do know that the things of this world are totally irrelevant don't you ? Christians , from all over this planet are spiritual Israel . Rev Ch 11 V 15 , Rev Ch 21+22 . This world is nothing compared to the Kingdom of God Num Ch 14 V 21 .
Praying for Republicans to take power to save us from ungodly Democrats is folly. Both sides are sowing and reaping violence and lawlessness now and justifying it in service of politicial ambitions. Love is growing cold.
Factionalizing the church along worldly political power divides that demonize one side in blind service to the other is the last thing it needs. What is needed is repentance.
Hebrews 10:24-25
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Good post Kay. The biggest problem with the modern church is that, like the church of Laodicea, Jesus stands on the outside and not inside of so many hearts of those who participate in its ongoing work in the world. In other words, many if not most Christians in today's church are not even saved.
Hello Kay. Earlier today I was meditating on how the Church does not need the power or wisdom of the State. The Church is made up of believers that are lambs that love their Shepherd and will follow Him. Glad also to hear your meditations this day.
Quite a few years ago now, I had the blessing of hearing a sermon by a 97-year old preacher from the UK named Arthur Burt. In it, he explained that the problem isn't the world. Sinners behave the way they do because they aren't saved. The issue God has is with those who profess His Holy Name.
The condition of the visible church (generally speaking), is very sad; there is such greed, flattery, self-love, such competition, idolatry, worldliness, secret sin and even open sin; there is compromise; there is adding to the Word of God and there is taking away from it.
There is, in manifold cases, an adulterous union between the church and the state. We say, "God and country" ...but that is false. God has declared that He alone is God, and BESIDE HIM there is NO other. Sometimes I'm tempted to believe that people put the Bill of Rights on par with, if not above, the Bible!
The salt has lost its savor. The church has not been the preserving influence in our society it should be.
It is written, "If MY people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, THEN will I hear from heaven, and forgive their sin, and heal their land."
But where are the prayer meetings in which people are weeping between the porch and the altar, in travail, in intercession, in fervency and in earnestness?
Where are the prayer meetings where we cry out for God's will to come and be done, for His Spirit to be poured out, instead of just praying for our wants?
Where is biblical separation in the visible church? So many are so much like the world, they are almost hard to be distinguished from each other! I've have been saved almost 40 years, and have seen so much not only in our country, but in many other places in the world, and the case of the visible church is desperate.
The church, not the world, is the real problem; this is why we are under the rod of God. The problem is a spiritual one, not a natural one.
4 A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.
Why is America currently being ruled by godless democrats? Because so many Americans are wicked and believe the lies of the wicked and vote for the liars and crooks who lie and cheat their way into power.
I know this is not the same forum to speak about such but kindly check up women wearing manly garments I don't want to be branded a coward so I spake . amen
I looked up adversity definition because I didn't know the meaning. It means difficulties. What does this verse mean by a brother is born for adversity?
Hello my sister it is a pleasure to see and read your postings. I can see that you are all about God's business. I love it because I am the same. Keep in touch ??
God's gift of Good Humour has often blessed me but there is a time for everything and telling jokes to anyone who is hurting is not Healing we Cry with them Rom12:15 and have understanding and Compassion 1Pet3:8 Rebuking can be needed with others and we may be rejected but it's not Love to see anyone in danger and not warn them Some of God's Guidlines for RebukingV15 above Ez3:18-2Tim4:1-4 Jude22.
All Good things Come from God on Proverbs 17 - 4 years ago
Very True JLS God does not tell us to pretend to be Happy when we are hurting as Christians we will be Persecuted just as Jesus and any who followed Him were. Rejoicing Spiritually is having Assurance of Christ within us. We are His Arms Hands Feet and Voice in this Hurting World He tells us to Cry with others to help carry their burdens to have Compassion and to come to Him in Prayer Mat11:28-29.
A Laugh a Day keeps the Doctor away on Proverbs 17 - 4 years ago
Humor is a gift that has helped me cope with life even as a Child and I still give out free Percriptions but I'm not sure if Doctors are very impressed Lol. I was Rebuked as a new Christian Eph5:4 so I asked God to help me Clean up my Act. No more unclean jokes, Blond or Irish ones that hurt some, negative ones about Husbands, Wives or Children. Other Humour can be good Medicine that uplifts us.
Proverbs 17:22 reminds me of how God is near the broken hearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivers him out of them all...the proverb is true. We can not bear a crushed spirit so God delivers us from it. Glory be to God!
Not all the scripture below are totally relevant, but I think they will help:
Matthew 18:15-18
1 Corinthians 5:1-5
1 Corinthians 5:9-13
Galatians 6:1
1 Timothy 1:3-4
1 Timothy 1:20
1 Timothy 5:1-2
1 Timothy 5:19-20
1 Timothy 6:3-5
2 Timothy 4:2-4
Titus 1:10-11
Titua 3:10-11
Philemon 1:8-9
2 John 1:9-11
Rev 2:14
Rev 2:20
When is Church discipline needed for a born again believer in a fundamental Christian Baptist Church; Scripturally speaking?
Thanking you in advance, Bill
I would like to add that one who meditates on God's Word is one who reads it often as well as thinking about what it means in relations to the Words of God as a whole. So, to do this one needs to read as much Scripture as is appropriate for the length of time they have been in Christ. The Holy Spirit will guide new believers and seasoned ones to what part of His Word He wishes you to consider at the present time. Follow this lead. It is also good to attempt to do a read through of the whole Bible. Maybe one will read the Gospels through, then Acts/Epistles. Then move on to Psalms or begin in Genesis to read the Pentateuch. Taking the Scriptures a section at a time in this way helps to overcome the large amount of text that is in the Bible.
Finally, I would like to add that one who meditates on the Word is one who has their mind set on God and His ways. Therefore they will view life and circumstances through the lens of known Scripture and recalling to mind or re-reading Scripture to apply to the circumstance.
Satan, the great impostor, tries to counterfeit what God does. Thus we see false religions also practicing their own so-called 'meditation', but their 'meditation is so lame. They 'meditate' on crystals, candles, and every other kind of vanity, for they meditate not in God's Word! Their religions are a sham, a shame, and they are deceived!
Blessings!
Psalms 119:15,23,48,78,97,99,148 Psalms 19:14, 1Timothy 4:15-16, Psalms 143:5, Psalms 63:6,
Hopefully this is helpful
You also stay encouraged in Jesus! I can sense your love for Him in your posts! Thank you for responding!
Blessings!
Stay encouraged!
This issue cannot but be on the minds of true believers who are following the Lamb.
It has been my observation for quite a while that when I've tried to find a church - instead of finding Christ exalted, I find, over and over and over again - the church exalting itself!!
There is all kind of talks about how great the church is, how great the pastor is, how great the youth ministry is, how much 'giving' is done to the missions program, how great the choir sings, and on and on and ON!! But....NEVER talk about how great JESUS is!
The church is a candlestick alone. Christ is the true Light.
The church is supposed to hold forth the Head, Jesus Christ! How perverse when the church holds forth itself!
Oh let us walk humbly with Jesus, and follow HIM WHEREVER He may go! Help us to do it, precious Lord!
Blessings, Carlton...
For any true believer, to see our Lord's lovely name used in vain, to see His Word twisted, to see eternal souls so deceived - there is nothing else but to be sad and grieved unto prayer.
Mixed with that is a holy fear! ONLY God's grace and His grace, and mercy and power ALONE makes me to differ from anyone else! How I pray now for that amazing grace to keep me to the end and carry me over the finish line of my race!
Thank you again, Marke! Blessings!
Factionalizing the church along worldly political power divides that demonize one side in blind service to the other is the last thing it needs. What is needed is repentance.
Hebrews 10:24-25
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
:)
The condition of the visible church (generally speaking), is very sad; there is such greed, flattery, self-love, such competition, idolatry, worldliness, secret sin and even open sin; there is compromise; there is adding to the Word of God and there is taking away from it.
There is, in manifold cases, an adulterous union between the church and the state. We say, "God and country" ...but that is false. God has declared that He alone is God, and BESIDE HIM there is NO other. Sometimes I'm tempted to believe that people put the Bill of Rights on par with, if not above, the Bible!
The salt has lost its savor. The church has not been the preserving influence in our society it should be.
It is written, "If MY people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, THEN will I hear from heaven, and forgive their sin, and heal their land."
But where are the prayer meetings in which people are weeping between the porch and the altar, in travail, in intercession, in fervency and in earnestness?
Where are the prayer meetings where we cry out for God's will to come and be done, for His Spirit to be poured out, instead of just praying for our wants?
Where is biblical separation in the visible church? So many are so much like the world, they are almost hard to be distinguished from each other! I've have been saved almost 40 years, and have seen so much not only in our country, but in many other places in the world, and the case of the visible church is desperate.
The church, not the world, is the real problem; this is why we are under the rod of God. The problem is a spiritual one, not a natural one.
4 A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.
Why is America currently being ruled by godless democrats? Because so many Americans are wicked and believe the lies of the wicked and vote for the liars and crooks who lie and cheat their way into power.
Could you list them, please?