Ten Factors Of Meditation (Part 1)

A. INTRODUCTION

1. Command. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou shalt observe to do according to all that is written therein, for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success" (Joshua 1:8).

2. Results.

a. So we will do God’s will.

b. So we will prosper/grow.

c. So we will be successful/accomplish.

3. Definition. "To focus one’s thoughts, (ponder), to plan or project in the mind (intend), to engage in contemplation (reflect)" Webster.

David Factor . . . Considering God’s creation & majesty.

Mary Factor . . . Pondering Jesus

St. Paul Factor . . . Focus on excellence.

St. John Factor . . . Thinking on the cross.

Timothy Factor . . . Meditate on your gifts & calling.

Joshua Factor . . . Thinking on principles of Scriptures.

Asaph Factor . . . Considering God when in trouble.

Korah Factor . . . Contemplating God’s intimacy.

Malachi Factor . . . Meditating on God’s names.

Haggai Factor . . . Thinking through our moral failures

B. THE DAVID FACTOR: CONSIDERING GOD’S CREATION

"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight O Lord, my strength, any my redeemer" (Psalm 19:14).

1. Creation shows God. "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork" (Psalm 19:1).

2. Creation is God’s voice. "The voice of the Lord is upon the water" (Psalm 29:3).

3. Questions to guide meditation. Who created the world? What did He create? When did He create? Why did He create? How did He create?

C. MARY FACTOR: PONDERING JESUS

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

1. Intention. What do you remember? "Mary kept all these things . . . in her heart" (2:19).

2. Remember everything. His mother kept all these saying in her heart" (2:51).

3. Complete person. "In her heart" (2:51). The heart is the intellectual emotional, and volitional capacity, and the center of self perception and self direction.

D. THE ST. PAUL FACTOR: FOCUS ON EXCELLELNCE

1. Example. "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 2:5).

2. Focus on two worlds. "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth" (Col.3:1,2).

3. Excellence. "This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reach forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil.3:13,14).

4. Content. "Think on these things" (Phil. 4:8).

St. Paul check list for meditation

Is it true?

Is it noble?

Is it just?

Is it pure?

Is it of good report?

Is there any virtue in it?

Is there anything praise worthy in it?

E. THE ST. JOHN FACTOR: THINKING ON THE CROSS

"Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the children of God" (I John 3:1).

1. To think deeply on how much God loves you. "God’s love was manifested by sending His Son" (I John 4:9 ELT).

2. To consider the quality of God’s love. Agape love is "self sacrificing" love.

3. To focus on the source of that love. "The Father " loves us as His children.

4. The focus on the act of love. "While we were sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom.5:8).

5. Considering the recipient of God’s love. John thought of himself "As the disciple whom Jesus loved" (John 13:23).

6. The results of God’s love. Jesus was called a Nazarene, we are called "children of God."

7. The outcome of God’s love. "That we should be called the children of God, and we are" (I John 3:1).

F. THE TIMOTHY FACTOR: MEDITATING ON YOUR GIFT/CALLING

1. Consider you tools. "Do not let your youth stop you from fulfilling your calling for God, but be an example by your words, love, faith, purity and good spirit. Keep on preaching and teaching doctrine. Don’t neglect the spiritual gifts God has given you . . . meditate on your calling and gifts, give yourself totally to them" (I Tim. 4:12-15 ELT).

2. Meditate on God who gave them. "To everyone of us is given gifts according to the gift of Christ . . . and he gave some . . ." (Eph. 4:7,11).

3. Meditate on God’s choice. "Dividing (gifts) to everyone individually as He wills" (I Cor. 12:11).

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart: