The Meditation Of My Heart

The Meditation of my Heart

Introduction

Share- thoughts concerning what God is showing me- in hopes of encouraging others going through trials.

This has been one of the most difficult periods of times in my life- yet one of the most spiritually fruitful.

God- closing the gap between what I know/what I live.

Listened to- Responding Well in a Season of Pruning

Jn 15:2 (NASB95) “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.

Heb 12:6 (NASB95) For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines ...

Meditations of My Heart

Psa 19.1-2

Sometimes I go out in my backyard and look at the trees/bushes, the beauty of the sky, the birds diving for fish in the lake, squirrels scurrying about.

Reminds me of the beauty/greatness of God’s creation- therefore- power, sovereignty, goodness of- Creator.

It speaks to me about- glory of God- produces gratitude.

Psa 19.7-11

There is great reward in understanding our God, His attributes/character, who He is, His love, mercy.

Allow His Word to shape the way you live life.

Psa 19.12-13

It is hard to-

see our own faults,

look at our own hearts objectively, judge our sin.

We have developed an elaborate system of self-justification.

Psa 139:23–24 (NASB95)

23Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts;

24And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.

Psa 19.14

This verse- memorized- practice the reality of in my life.

We understand God wants us to watch what we say-

Ja 3:5 (NASB95) So also the tongue ... See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! (Ja 1.26)

Equally important- allow God deal w/meditations- heart.

He wants my inward/hidden meditations to honor Him.

This includes things I think about/rehearse in my mind.

This also includes self-talk- mumbling to myself.

Not just talking about difficulties we have w/others, but-

thoughts about ourselves-

I am no good

I always do everything wrong

I will never amount to anything

thoughts about God-

He does not care about me

I have disappointed Him- no help for me

God is out to get me- when will the axe fall

rehearsing my mistakes/short comings over/over

Can be anything- draws our attention away- God/truth.

I want my heart meditations to bring glory to God and release His joy in my life.

I must learn- judge my thoughts w/truth and reject lies.

Word of God-major weapon in purifying my meditations.

2 Cor 10.3-5

I want to take- inward meditations of my heart/thought life- captive and bring them into alignment w/truth.

Phil 4:8 (NASB95) Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

The more we fill our hearts/minds w/God/His Word, the-

less we will be anxious over the affairs of life,

better our response to life will be, and

more peace/joy we will experience.

Philippians 4:6–7 (NASB95)

6Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

7And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

My declaration-

God’s peace is guarding my heart/mind.

Never forget- we are in a spiritual battle for- heart/mind.

Jn 10:10 (NASB95) “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

The Value of Repentance (Rom 2.4)

I am learning to look at my-

short-comings, mistakes, sins- go to God, repent, and receive His forgiveness- leave it there.

There are times I go over things I have done wrong, my failures- over/over again in my heart meditations.

When I do- never receive- peace comes w/repentance.

Repentance is not just sorrow and turning from sin- there must be a turning to God-

laying ourselves at His feet (repent),

leaving our sin with Him, and

receiving God’s forgiveness.

Pro 28:13 (NASB95) He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.

Repentance brings refreshing from God-

Act 3:19 (NASB95) “Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;

Life of David

I have drawn great comfort from the life of David- not to excuse sin or justify foolish decisions/mistakes.

David as a man-sinned, made mistakes, shortcomings-

Acts 13:22 (NASB95) ... ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My heart, who will do all My will.’