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How Does Christian Meditation Compare to Other Forms of Meditation?
How Does Christian Meditation Compare to Other Forms of Meditation?
Traditional Forms of Meditation vs. Christian Meditation
Christian meditation is based on the Word of God.
It is the Word of God that saves, delivers, instructs, and
empowers, believers to live a successful life.
There are some key differences between
traditional forms of meditation and Christian meditation:
Meditation on the Living Word of God
The Bible is the foundation and source of life for every Christian believer. The truths of the scriptures are the object of their meditation. Meditating on God’s Word manifests success. The Word of God is full of living power. (Hebrews 4:12) God’s Words are spirit and they are life. (John 6:63) It is through His words that God spoke creation into existence.
“In the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
— John 1:1
Christian believers focus their meditation on God Most High.
In traditional meditation, the focus is on self. The object of focus may be referred to as the “higher self” or spiritual self. A physical item, such as an idol may be used as a representative object to focus on. Or a word or sound may be the object of focus while practicing traditional meditation.
Meditation Power with the Word of God
Meditation, for the Christian believer, is practiced so that their hearts and minds can be filled with biblical truths. It is a way to renew their minds and be transformed into the image of Christ. It helps them become more like Christ daily.
The Christian meditator fills their thoughts with the promises of God, and the ways of God, by meditating on His Word. Revelation of His truths connects and draws them closer into fellowship with the living God. Then, action taken on revealed biblical truths, manifests success and prosperity in their lives.
The traditional meditator seeks to empty their thoughts by focusing on a simple mantra until they have cleared their consciousness of all thought as much as possible. The goal is to achieve peace and relaxation.
Reaching and tapping into one’s higher self may result in a greater conscious level of peace, awareness, and relaxation. Yet even at the peak of one’s highest level, they are nothing without God.
“In Him we live, and move, and have our being.”
— Acts 17:28
It is God, the creator of the heavens and earth, who is the source of all; the beginning and the end. The Word of the Lord endures forever. It is in Him that we live and move and have our being. It is with God that all things are possible and it is with God that nothing is impossible.
Now that you know this: Why not open the Word of God and meditate on His promises and allow them to manifest in your life?
God bless you always,
Brenda
P.S. Image credits go to Sias van Schalkwyk
Happy In the Skin I’m In – 3 Things to Consider for a Happier You as the Clock Keeps on a Ticking!
Happy In the Skin I’m In – 3 Things to Consider for a Happier You as the Clock Keeps on a Ticking!
You Can Be Happy In the Skin You Are In!
Happiness shouldn’t be based on physical appearance.
Sure, everybody wants to look good…
but some people let themselves get worked into a frenzy over it.
They soon find they cannot be happy unless they look a certain way.
Are you happy in the skin you’re in?
The condition of the physical body tends to mess with people’s minds way to often; especially in today’s society. But, don’t forget that your spirit, the condition of your heart, should take priority over your flesh.
Have you bought into the lie that you need your body or face to look a certain way in order to be happy? If so, well then no better day than today to flush that lie down the toilet!
Let’s take a look at three things you might want to consider for a happier you – while the clock keeps on a ticking.
The Body Changes – We Are All Aging
The body is constantly changing and aging, that is just a fact of life. And another fact is that we have all been born with a unique set of physical features, which may or may not be considered beautiful by today’s standards.
Sure, you can fight it. You can get fit and strong as possible and that’s great. You can have procedures and surgeries if you want. But I don’t care how good you make that body look, it is only temporary and doesn’t change your internal clock or the condition of your heart.
We are living in a corruptible vessel.
“Let it (our adorning) be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.”
— 1 Peter 3:4
If You Need to Shape Up and Clean Out – Then Do it
Now, by all means, take care of yourself and keep your body healthy. Be a good steward with the body you have been given. If you think you need to shape up, tone up, or detox, then go right ahead.
Do the best with what you have, but don’t beat yourself up over it. Remember, your joy is in the Lord – not in numbers on a scale or lack of wrinkles on your face. God looks at the heart, so go ahead and be happy even when your body is going through changes.
Set Your Affection on Things Above
The world is going to constantly be pointing out your flaws and dragging down your perspective. Don’t let that happen to you. Aim higher for more of God’s presence and let Him clean up your perspective. You’ll find you are a much happier you if you do.
Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”
Why aren’t we to set our affections on earth? Because everything on earth is only temporary and going to pass away.
If we hunger and thirst after righteousness and the things of God, we’ll stop judging ourselves by weight, wrinkles, and facial features. We’ll stop beating ourselves up and in fact, start discovering a contentment that brings true happiness and joy.
Aim higher: Set your sights on God’s truths begin to see yourself the way He sees you. Set your affection on things above and you’ll be blessed with many blessings including contentment, peace, joy, and happiness. 🙂
May your heart be beautiful, may you live happy, and enjoy a life of growing prosperity!
God bless you always –
Cheers,
Brenda
Biblical Prosperity – An Abundance of Spiritual Blessings!
Biblical Prosperity – An Abundance of Spiritual Blessings!
Have You Claimed Your Rich Inheritance?
Biblical Prosperity is an important topic for Christians.
God desires to do good things for His children and produce good fruit in their lives.
His blessings on our lives bring glory and honor to Him.
So let’s take a look at what the Bible says about prosperity.
What is Biblical Prosperity and why is the abundant life based on spiritual prosperity?
Biblical Prosperity – Blessed with Spiritual Blessings
God has left all His children a great inheritance and we can see this by reading His will. And what God has provided, He did abundantly. There is no need for His children to divide up a little, because there is more than enough to go around.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.”
— Ephesians 1:3
See what I mean? It says ‘ALL’ spiritual blessings in heavenly places. I don’t know about you, but ‘all the spiritual blessings in heavenly places’ sounds like abundance to me!
And notice these blessings have already been provided and this is prosperity that we can walk in NOW, not later. We can tap into this spiritual prosperity by asking God to give us the spirit of wisdom and revelation into His will.
Pray that God opens the eyes of your heart and His Word comes alive in your life.
“The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.”
— Ephesians 1:18
As children of God we are made alive together and seated together with Christ in heavenly places. Once we see life from God’s perspective, and realize we are prosperous right now with every spiritual blessing, our life and future outlook becomes changed forever.
Spiritual Prosperity – The Foundation of an Abundant Life
The kingdom of God is a spiritual one and the foundation of our prosperity, as kingdom citizens, starts in heavenly places; an area that we can’t physically see or touch. As children of God we have been given all spiritual blessings in Christ.
Yes, if we want to transform our world and manifest financial prosperity and success we have to observe natural laws. But first we must seek to obey spiritual laws that have power to bring even greater riches in our lives. Then by combining the natural and spiritual laws we can find ourselves with growing prosperity; spirit, soul, and body.
‘The riches of the glory of the inheritance of the saints’ is the great treasure for God’s children. It is the great prosperity –the abundance of God. We are made righteous and sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. We have love, joy, peace, hope, and more…
Biblical prosperity starts with spiritual prosperity first. From there God gives each of us the unique abilities to prosper in life in ways that will bring glory to Him.
Live like King Uzziah, who as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper. (2 Chronicles 26:5)
The truth is: Biblical prosperity is the abundant life. We can have all spiritual blessings when we find our place in Christ! Why not choose to live the great adventure, and the great prosperity that is available in Christ? We can have an abundant and prosperous life in Christ as we continue to pursue and chase after Him…
Are you enjoying the riches of the glory of your inheritance? If not, ask God to open the eyes of your heart and reveal how you are blessed right now with every spiritual blessing.
May the eyes of your understanding be enlightened and your life full of growing prosperity!
Be blessed to be a blessing –
Cheers,
Brenda
My Own Little World by Matthew West – Christian Music Video
My Own Little World by Matthew West – Christian Music Video
“My Own Little World” by Matthew West
from the album “My Own Little World”
Matthew West plays his new song “My Own Little World” live on Air 1 Radio.
“My Own Little World” Song Lyrics:
In my own little world it hardly ever rains
I’ve never gone hungry, always felt safe
I got some money in my pocket, shoes on my feet
In my own little world, population: me
I try to stay awake during Sunday morning church
I throw a twenty in the plate but I never give ’til it hurts
And I turn off the news when I don’t like what I see
Yeah, it’s easy to do when it’s population: me
What if there’s a bigger picture?
What if I’m missing out?
What if there’s a greater purpose?
I could be living right now
Outside my own little world
Stopped at a red light looked out my window
I saw a cardboard sign said, “help this homeless widow”
And just above that sign was the face of a human
I thought to myself, God, what have I been doing?
So I rolled down the window and I looked her in the eye
Oh, how many times have I just passed her by?
I gave her some money than I drove on through
And my own little world reached population: two
What if there’s a bigger picture?
What if I’m missing out?
What if there’s a greater purpose?
I could be living right now
Outside my own little world
My own little world
Father, break my heart for what breaks Yours
Give me open hands and open doors
Put Your light in my eyes and let me see
That my own little world is not about me
What if there’s a bigger picture?
What if I’m missing out?
What if there’s a greater purpose?
That I could be living right now
I don’t want to miss what matters
I wanna be reaching out
Show me the greater purpose
So I can start living right now
Outside my own little world
My own little world
My own little world
“Master, which is the greatest commandment in the law?
Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God
with all your heart, and with all your soul,
and with all your mind.
This is the first and great commandment.
And the second is like it,
you shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
— Matthew 22:36-39
Enjoy this song and God bless!
Cheers,
Brenda
Godly Humility – How Can a Humble Heart Put You On the Road to Destination Greatness?
Godly Humility – How Can a Humble Heart Put You On the Road to Destination Greatness?
A Life of Humility that Leads to God’s Richest Blessings!
Humility needs to take root in the heart first…
and then it will begin to grow and expand
into every area of life.
Humility has to be taught to us by God
and is not generally something we easily learn.
“I believe the first test of a truly great man is his humility.”
— John Ruskin
Power to Change
Humility changes the way we see God and helps us submit our heart to Him. It changes the way we view others and gives us a servant’s perspective. Humility is not denial of self, but it is an embracing of God’s Word within us. It allows us to lay aside our personal wants and needs and adopt His desires and goals for our lives.
“Be clothed with humility: for God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.”
— 1 Peter 5:5-6
Humbling ourselves under God’s hand allows Him to raise us up to greatness at the proper time. Keep in mind; greatness from our perspective is different from God’s. God is more interested in our humility than He is of our ‘great’ works.
Do you want to be blessed? Then develop a servant’s heart.
“Whoever, wishes to be great among you shall be your servant.”
— Jesus Christ (Matthew 20:26)
Destination Greatness
When we humble ourselves before God, we gain new strength and insight. God prepares us for greatness and blessing. He will often allow intense pressures and adversity to humble us and refocus our thoughts so that we begin to think the way He thinks. Pain, embarrassment, and criticism are like safety checks to keep us from becoming proud and arrogant.
When facing challenges, we have a choice. We can either be hardened by our circumstances or humbled by them. If we choose to be humbled, we will gain God’s perspective and quickly discover that He is guiding us to victory (spiritually and physically).
Don’t be fooled though; if we choose to have a hard heart, we open the door to bitterness and close-mindedness. And remember, God resists the proud. Pride and rebellion are the opposite of humility and they separate us from God.
God says He hates a proud look and a proud heart is a sin. (Proverbs 6:17, 21:4) Pride is not only dangerous it is destructive and does not fit who we are in Christ. Humility transforms us into the image of Christ and empowers us to stand strong through the storms of life.
Many people view humility as a sign of weakness, but it is not. It is a sign of strength and spiritual maturity.
How Do We Gain Godly Humility?
It starts with a commitment to study God’s Word and a willingness to submit to Him. Then God will begin to show each of us individually the steps we must take in our lives to gain true humility. God develops humility within us through the power of His Spirit.
Humility is not something we practice in church or to impress others. It must reflect our lifestyle and who we are deep inside.
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
— Micah 6:8
In our love for God, we must be careful to walk humbly before Him. When we begin to understand the greatness of God’s love, humility will become our first choice. To bring God glory and honor simply because we love Him is at the heart of true humility.
Needless to say: Living a life of humility may not be easy, but it certainly leads to God’s richest blessings.
May you humble yourself and experience all the abundant goodness God has for you and enjoy a life of growing prosperity!
God bless you –
Cheers,
Brenda
Hold Us Together by Matt Maher – Christian Music Video
Hold Us Together by Matt Maher – Christian Music Video
“Hold Us Together” by Matt Maher
from the album “Alive Again”
Matt Maher performs “Hold Us Together” on the Glory Revealed Tour featuring Mac Powell from Third Day, Mike Donehey from Tenth Avenue North, Jason Crabb and more…
“Hold Us Together” Song Lyrics:
It don’t have a job, don’t pay your bills
Won’t buy you a home in Beverly Hills
Won’t fix your life in five easy steps
Ain’t the law of the land or the government?
But it’s all you need
And love will hold us together
Make us a shelter to weather the storm
And I’ll be my brother’s keeper
So the whole world would know that we’re not alone
It’s waiting for you knocking at your door
In the moment of truth when your heart hits the floor
And you’re on your knees
And love will hold us together
Make us a shelter to weather the storm
And I’ll be my brother’s keeper
So the whole world would know that we’re not alone
This is the first day of the rest of your life
This is the first day of the rest of your life
‘Cause even in the dark you can still see the light
It’s gonna be alright, it’s gonna be alright
This is the first day of the rest of your life
This is the first day of the rest of your life
‘Cause even in the dark you can still see the light
It’s gonna be alright, it’s gonna be alright
Love will hold us together
Make us a shelter to weather the storm
And I’ll be my brother’s keeper
So the whole world would know that we’re not alone
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, you shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is none other commandment greater than these.”
— Mark 12:30-31
Enjoy and Have a Great Day!
With love in Christ,
Brenda
How Can Christian Meditation Guide You Into the Secret Place of the Most High God?
How Can Christian Meditation Guide You Into the Secret Place of the Most High God?
Abundant Power is Available when You Meditate on the Living Word of God!
Christian meditation is based on a desire…
to commune with,
to have relationship with, and
to be united in love with God.
Have you ever wondered how some believers manage to dwell in the presence of, in that secret place of, the most High God?
Meditation on God’s Word turns our minds away from the everyday affairs of life and toward Him. Blessed are those who discover and tap into the abundant divine power available in the living Word of God!
Our Place By The Father
There is a place by the Father God for every believer. We need to find our place and live in it. The Word of God tells us who we are, where our place is, and how to live in it. In the presence of God we can be shaped and transformed into His image.
“He that dwells in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”
— Psalm 91:1
Through meditation in God’s Word we are able to dwell in the secret place of the most High God.
Christian meditation is at the heart of the Gospel and should also be for every believer. We were created for relationship and love, not only with each other but supremely with God. As believers we are one with the Lord, just as Jesus said “I and the Father are one.” (John 17:21-23)
“That they all may be one; as you, Father, are in Me, and I in You,
that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe
that You have sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me
I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
I in them, and You in Me, that they may be made perfect in one;
and that the world may know that You have sent Me,
and have loved them, as You have loved Me.”
— John 17: 21-23
A Spiritual Connection to God
Christian meditation is way of experiencing God beyond what the mind can grasp. Meditation allows the nourishing richness and revelation of God’s love to flow into the deep places of our heart.
“Be still, and know that I am God.”
— Psalm 46:10
Meditation provides a way to connect into the heart of God’s love and acceptance. It is our spiritual connection to the One who is our heart’s true home. When we meditate on the Word of God, we are able to step into the blessings He has provided for us and experience spiritual refreshment and intimacy with Him.
In meditation, our relationship with God deepens. And as we rest in our relationship, He works His love in our heart, drawing us deeper and closer to Him. As His light shines on us, we become more and more the person we were created to be.
It is no secret: Christian meditation on the Word of God strengthens our relationship with Him and has the power to transform our lives. Begin meditating on God’s Word today, and start strengthening your relationship with Him.
Are you ready to move yourself into the secret place of the most High God through Christian Meditation?
God bless you always,
Brenda
Forgiven by Sanctus Real – Live on K-Love Christian Radio
Forgiven by Sanctus Real – Live on K-Love Christian Radio
“Forgiven” by Sanctus Real
from the album “Pieces of a Real Heart”
Featured live on K-Love Radio Station
Song lyrics:
“Well the past is playing with my head
And failure knocks me down again
I’m reminded of the wrong
That I have said and done
And that devil just won’t let me forget
In this life
I know what I’ve been
But here in your arms
I know what I am
I’m forgiven
I’m forgiven
And I don’t have to carry
The weight of who I’ve been
Cause I’m forgiven
My mistakes are running through my mind
And I’ll relive my days, in the middle of the night
When I wrestle with my pain, struggle with my pride
Sometimes I feel alone, and I cry
When I don’t think and I don’t feel like I belong anywhere
When I don’t measure up to much in this life
Oh, I’m a treasure in the arms of Christ ‘cause…”
We serve a loving and merciful God!
“Who is a God like you, that pardons iniquity,
and passes by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage?
He does not retain his anger forever, because He delights in mercy.
He will turn again, He will have compassion upon us;
He will subdue our iniquities; and will cast all their sins into
the depths of the sea.”
— Micah 7:18-20
Enjoy this song and have a wonderful day!
God bless you –
Cheers,
Brenda