presence of God
Christian Meditations – What Does Prayer Have to Do With Christian Meditation?
Christian Meditations – What Does Prayer Have to Do With Christian Meditation?
How do Prayer and Meditation Relate to Each Other?
Christian meditation is time devoted to being in the presence of God and consuming God’s Word.
There are many forms of meditation and prayer is one of them.
In general, meditation on God’s Word primarily involves hearing from God and prayer is primarily about speaking to God.
Prayer is often defined as spiritual communion with God.
“Prayer is the most important tool for your mission in the world. People may refuse our love and message, but they are defenseless against our prayers.”
— Dr. Rick Warren
God’s desire is to have close fellowship with us, His children. And like all relationships that involves a commitment of time and two-way communication.
In His Presence Through Christian Prayer and Meditation
From the earliest of days, prayer has been an essential part of meditation for Christians. Those who practice a deep, contemplative form of prayer often speak of it as a sense of “being one with the Lord” or being consumed in God’s love. But they don’t necessarily think of it in terms of meditation.
We see in the scripture that the psalmist used meditation as an approach to God and prayed that the meditation of his heart be sweet (104:34) and acceptable to God (19:14). His meditation also led him to a deeper and greater understanding of God’s Word (Psalm 49:3).
Christians sometimes think of meditation as quiet prayer, a prayer without petition, since the Lord already knows our needs. (Matthew 6:8) This might involve prayer that includes biblical confession of God’s Word. Praying God’s Word is praying His will.
Spiritual Discipline of Christian Prayer and Meditation Taps Into the Supernatural of God
The practice of praying God’s Word is at the same time meditating His Word. The spiritual and physical discipline needed for regular prayer and meditation will soon become almost effortless with daily practice.
Eventually we notice a life of living deliberately in the presence of God always; throughout the waking day.
“What blessed excitements those have who are much alone with Christ!… Such a man never has a cold heart or a slack hand who is much in meditation with his Lord Jesus.”
— Charles H. Spurgeon
As we tap into the realm of the supernatural God provides, through prayer and meditation, we live a victorious life because we are connected to the life force and power of God.
Do yourself a favor: Be the success God created you to be. How? By daily staying consumed and tapped into His presence, power, and love through prayer and meditation in the Word of God!
God bless you always,
Brenda
Confess Success – God Declares You Prosperous and Successful! Do You?
Confess Success – God Declares You Prosperous and Successful! Do You?
Why Not Agree with God and Confess His Good Success on Your Life?
Prosperous success requires –
having a mindset that strives for success.
God wants you to be successful in all that you do.
God declares you prosperous and successful…
so begin to agree with God’s Word.
Be a person of the Word; speak the Word.
Think and Imagine Success
If we want to stay in a place of growing prosperity and constant success we must diligently seek God and His presence at all times. (Ecclesiastes 8:12) The thoughts and images that we allow God’s Word to create inside of us are powerful forces that cause us to succeed in every part of life – spiritually, physically, and financially.
“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest 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
Meditating and thinking on God’s positive, life-filled words have the power to change your life.
Speak Success
Having prosperous success means regularly speaking and confessing God’s Word. His word will manifest results, but we have to speak it. We can’t expect a life of growing prosperity while we constantly speak the opposite of God’s Word and confess things such as; ‘Nothing I ever do works out.’
“Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways.” — Job 22:28
Keep in mind: As you regularly speak God’s words of truth, your negative thoughts of doubt will gradually fade.
Confess and Declare Success
Take time daily to confess and declare over your life the same things that God declares over you. The following is a sample confession to get you started:
‘I declare the good success of God on my life. I confess that I have a spirit of faithfulness, wisdom, diligence and giving. I give bountifully and I reap bountifully. I am blessed coming in and blessed going out. God has given me power to be successful. The light and favor of God are shining on me and I am victory minded in everything I do. I am a winner, an overcomer, and I triumph and live successful to the glory of God. Everything I put my hand to prospers. Success is overtaking me in Jesus’ name.’
Believe me. Once you start to keep God first place in your life, you can expect His blessings. God declares you successful, so begin to agree with the Word of God, observe to do it and make your way prosperous.
May you declare the success of God on your life and live in growing prosperity!
Be blessed to be a blessing –
God bless you always –
Cheers,
Brenda
What Are 3 Key Mistakes Christians Make When Meditating God’s Word?
What Are 3 Key Mistakes Christians Make When Meditating God’s Word?
Overcome Obstacles that Try to Keep You From Time in His Divine Presence
Christian meditation is a valuable time that opens up truths and leads us into the great mysteries of God.
As children of God we should have a heart to seek wisdom and understanding of the Lord’s ways.
“My mouth shall speak of wisdom, and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.” — Psalm 49:3
There is great wisdom in the Word of God just waiting to be revealed… but we have to do our part to discover it.
When Christians begin to meditate, they often make these 3 key mistakes:
1. Meditation Becomes a Religious Chore
First off, Christian meditation should not be looked at as a religious chore. We should look at it as an exciting time that keeps us blessed, happy, peaceful, successful, and prosperous even in times of trouble; because we are tapped in the power of God.
Once we make it a chore, our heart is no longer in it and we are no longer open to receiving. This essentially defeats the purpose to begin with.
So always remember what a blessing and privilege it is to spend time alone with the King of kings; God Himself. It is a gift to spend time in the power of His divine presence.
2. Lack of Flexibility When Meditating
The second mistake that many Christians make is jumping into meditation with a strict, fixed schedule. This can be a setup for failure if flexibility is not included in the mix.
We all know life is constantly showing up with the unexpected. And unfortunately, an unexpected interruption in a strict meditation routine will become an easy excuse to stop meditating all together. Allow yourself to be flexible with time and method, especially when getting started.
3. Failing to be Consistent When Meditating
The third mistake is failing to be consistent in the long run. Meditation can be practiced in different forms. So start with one or two ways that feel comfortable for you. Begin with a simple method and schedule that will allow you to be consistent.
The goal is to make meditating God’s Word a habit. That way, the Word of God will be built up in us and help us stand strong when the storms of life blow through. It is not about waiting to meditate as soon as a need arises in our life.
If you are a believer that has not yet made meditation a regular part of your life, well there is no better day than today to get started. If you are already meditating on God’s Word regularly, then keep at it and be consistent. The more time spent in meditation the easier it becomes.
In conclusion: Meditation enables us to purposefully take the time to draw near and make a connection to God. Do not let these common mistakes get in your way. We are well rewarded for the little effort meditating takes!
Are you ready to commit to daily Christian meditation in the empowering, living Word of God?
God bless you,
Brenda
What Gives Us the Right to Enter God’s Presence?
What Gives Us the Right to Enter God’s Presence?
We enjoyed guest ministers, Mark and Trina Hankins, last night at our church. They’ll actually be ministering to us three nights in a row.
They taught on what seems to be a taboo message that freaks people out a little. And frankly, I think the only reason that is, is because it’s not talked about enough. The blood of Jesus.
Mark Hankins taught on the things connected and associated with the power that is available in the blood that Jesus paid on the cross. His main reference was in Hebrews 10:19-22 and how because of the blood we can boldly access the throne of God.
We have boldness to enter into the Holiest by the blood of Jesus. Hebrews 10:19
The price Jesus paid covers more than forgiveness & our salvation. The blood also pays for freedom from a sin consciousness and freedom from the curse (such as poverty, sickness, and depression). Our faith in the blood is the currency that pays for these freedoms.
What Christ did is perfect and the blood alone has done everything. Perfect.
But our access to it (which is by faith) can be imperfect.
In the Old Testament only the high priest was able to enter the throne room and he did it in fear. We now have a better covenant and not only have access to the Holiest, but we are told to go boldly.
Our conscious (inner voice, reminding us of past sins) can shut down our heart and keep us from entering into the presence of God. Our heart needs to be open to fully move into His presence.
It’s the blood of Jesus and the Holy Spirit working together that opens up our heart and has a magnetic like pull to take us into the presence of God.
Hebrews 10:22 tells us to draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith.
Have unshakeable assurance that God, our Father, is eager to see us. When we show up He is happy to see us. :0) He wants to fellowship with us!
God wants us to draw near to him, but we have to do the “drawing near”. Mark Hankins reminded us that God has not moved. We are the ones who have drawn back.
We are to go boldly to the throne of God to obtain mercy and grace for help in time of need (Heb 4:16). If we don’t get bold and go, we’ll continue to carry our own burdens. And we have to be bold; because the devil is doing everything he can to distract us!
Like any will, that is only available to the inheritors after a death, God’s will in the New Testament became available after the death of Jesus.
The apostle Paul says that as believers we have a massive inheritance! Everything He gave to Jesus is ours. Equal possession with equal position.
If the enemy can hinder us to take our position, he can take our possession.
You have to take your position to take your possession and prosper. Open your heart to the fellowship of the Father. And don’t be satisfied with an intellectual relationship.
God is our Father. He wants and desires us to come to Him. He wants to fellowship and have a close relationship with us. And because of the price Jesus paid we have the right to be in the presence of God.
How do we know if we have been in His presence? If we have joy.
You cannot access His presence without being changed and come out with joy. In His presence is the fullness of joy!
I pray that we all may purpose to spend more time in His life changing presence!
God bless you,
Brenda
P.S. The Mark Hankins Ministry is online at www.MarkHankins.org. A large selection of Mark Hankins Resources can also be found on Amazon. My mom is a big fan of Trina Hankins music ministry.