What Is on Your “Must Do List”?
In the days just before Jesus faced Calvary it was written: “He said, `I must go to Jerusalem…” (Matthew 16: 21). Thus, summarily He said there was something He “must” do. For Him, and for us it was imperative that He must go.
Jesus was definitive as to why He must go to Jerusalem. It was to “suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and be raised the third day” (Matthew 16: 21). Not an easy assignment, but a critical one. Jesus was laser-focused on going. He was saying He must die that we may live.
Peter, who insisted that He not go. Later in Gethsemane Peter resisted Jesus’ arrest. Often one’s best friend becomes his biggest obstacle in following Jesus. Hence, it becomes Jesus or me. In being an obstacle the friend is indirectly living out, “It is me of Jesus, you choose.”
Here is the clincher. Jesus said,“If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way” (Matthew 16: 24). Most people don’t grasp the seriousness of this calling. Giving up our own way is challenging. Such is demanding, but rewarding. Think of an occasion of having done so as a result of commitment. Remember the sense of fulfillment? You win by losing.
Giving up our own way is contrary to the concept of Jesus. We want gain without pain.
Some indirectly teach it’s all about me. Jesus wants me healthy, wealthy, and happy. He wants His followers well or rich. and if you aren’t all those things, they don’t have enough faith or they aren’t sending them enough money. Farcically they are teaching Christianity is designed for you to get everything you need and want. NOT!
By way of contrast Jesus is the paramount example of true commitment.. He was willing to stay committed to His mission because He realized the reward was worth the effort. Make sure the things on your “Must List” are worth the effort. What is the payoff?
The ultimate reward is said to be Jesus will reward us along with His angels (Matthew 16: 27). This teaches us there are degrees of rewards in heaven. All who trust Him are saved. However, the extent of faithfulness thereafter will determine one’s rewards in heaven. The nature of the reward is unspecified. Whatever it is it will be worth it because of the one who gives it, Jesus.
“Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works” (Matthew 16: 24 – 27).
Work It Out
“But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance” Timothy 4: 7 – 9.
In an attempt to defend themselves against physical exercise some extract part of this text in their defense: “…bodily exercise profits a little…” True, but…
This is a relative term meaning compared to spiritual exercise it is of little importance. Most persons readily agree spiritual exercise is vital because not only of the benefits here and now, but those of eternal benefits.
Bodily exercise profits a little because it has some value. Many know the health benefits of exercise and devote themselves to it. Exercise gyms, physical trainers, and personal workouts are popular. It is to be encouraged.
Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Being physically active can improve your brain health, help manage weight, reduce the risk of disease, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve your ability to do everyday activities.
A total of 150 minutes of physical exercise a week can lower your blood pressure and reduce the likelihood of a heart attack, or a stroke.
Exercise is essential in order to gain these benefits, so JUST DO IT!
Admitting the benefits of physical exercise, turn now to spiritual exercise and “exercise yourself toward godliness.” The word godliness comes from the old English word Godlikeness; it means to have the character and attitude of God. This is a worthy goal, much more so than the potential attainments of physical exercise.
Spiritual development and physical development share some similarities. With each, growth only comes with exertion and proper feeding.
This modern translation makes the contrast between physical and spiritual discipline evident.
“Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”
The Greek word “discipline” is “gumnazo.” The word “gymnastics” comes from it. The word “discipline” pictures a person going to the gym to work out. It is not a physical workout referred to, it is spiritual discipline: “for the purpose of godliness.” “Eusebeia” the Greek word referred to means “good/practice towards God” and refers to the duties we owe to Him.
Regular Bible study, meditation, prayer, Christian fellowship, and prayer are good spiritual exercises.
Christians are to discipline themselves for the purpose of Godliness. Again, JUST DO IT!
Christian Meditation – Part Three
The following is gleaned from a number of sources as to why we should meditate.
It makes sense. If God wants us to meditate, He has made it beneficial for our minds. Meditating is literally a transformation of the mind, and Scripture teaches us that it changes our hearts as well.
Scripture calls us to meditate. No, it does not determine our salvation or our morals, but it does show our heart to the Lord. When we meditate on His Scriptures, we are following the writings of some of the greatest leaders in our faith. From Moses, David, Joshua, Luke, and Paul, we can find that meditation is obedience to Scripture.
We meditate because we want to be more like Jesus. Jesus is the ultimate representation of God, and we want to imitate Jesus. And there are many ways to become more like Jesus. As Christians, we can meditate to follow Scripture, to build up the church, to be obedient to God, and for wholesome benefits that bring us closer to the Father.
There are spiritual benefits to meditation.
The first benefit is peace. Our spirits find peace when we meditate on the works of God. For example, meditating on the fact that God is for you and not against you, will remind your spirit that there is peace in Him.
Spiritually speaking, meditating on God allows us to grow in intimacy with Him. The more time we spend thinking about and dwelling on His character, the closer our spirit will be with Him. In this, we will spiritually find intimacy with the Lord.
When we meditate on God’s trustworthiness, we will find that our spirit is more trusting in Him. This goes for all characteristics of God. When we meditate on who He is, the more our spirits will connect with Him.
The Mental Benefits:
Scientists have been proving for years the mental health benefits of meditation. Consider pondering God’s love, faithfulness, His creation, etc. This type of discipline transforms your mind when you meditate on God’s good attributes. It can actually change the way you think.
The Lord knows our bodies because He created them. This is why there are even health benefits when we choose to fixate our minds and meditate on Him.
The Scripture teaches us that we should mediate. A strategy related to what it entails is included in the Post regarding meditation. The experience of many shows the benefits of doing it. Therefore, in order to be obedient to the teaching of Scripture and enjoy the benefits resulting from meditating, why not do it?
Christian Meditation – Part Two
Don’t let Eastern meditation frighten you away from Christian meditation. The two are diametrically different. Eastern meditation is an esoteric practice that requires instruction by gurus and special techniques for controlling one’s breathing, repeating mantras, descending inward, going into yourself. The Bible’s picture of meditation is of focusing your thought on the Lord and/or His word. It involves these steps which can be modified.
-Silence. It is expedient to rule out as most interference as possible in order not to be disrupted and diverted. Turn off devices that might provide distraction.
“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen…” (Matthew 6: 6).
-Reading. The current reading of a brief passage is advantageous. If not, call to mind a well known verse or brief passage. The essential point is to bring to mind a biblical truth.
-Meditating. Meditating has been described like a bird that has one note and keeps chirping it over and over. Ask yourself “What is God saying in this passage?” How does it relate to me? What does it call on me to become and how to apply it? Focus is essential. Discipline your mind not to wander. “Be still, and know that I am God…” (Psalm 46: 10).
“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful” (Joshua 1: 8).
-Prayer. Don’t get so absorbed in what you are praying about that you forget who you are praying to. As a part of your prayer time read the passage phrase-by-phrase asking Him how He wants you to apply it.
-Contemplating. Pause and think through how God wants you to incorporate the principle in your life. Tell Him your commitment to carrying through the passage in your daily life and ask His help in doing so.
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you” (Isaiah 26: 3).
Give yourself time to grow in this discipline. By doing so you will become more comfortable in the practice and it will become more enriching.
Then pray, “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer” (Psalm 19: 14). The text mentions both the “words of my mouth,” and the “meditation of my heart.” It is appropriate to softly speak the Scripture out loud as well as to quietly meditate on it.
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4: 8).
Christian Meditation – Part One
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things” Philippians 4: 8.
Meditating on the Scriptures is vital practice for maturing in the Christian life. As one anonymous writer said, “The Bible is not meant merely to inform but to transform.”
What is meditation? Consider this depiction of it by Thomas Brooks, a seventeenth-century church leader: “Remember that it is not hasty reading but serious meditation on holy and heavenly truths, that makes them prove sweet and profitable to the soul. It is not the mere touching of the flower by the bee that gathers honey, but her abiding for a time on the flower that draws out the sweet. It is not he that reads most but he that meditates most that will prove to be the choicest, sweetest, wisest and strongest Christian.”
Theologian J. I. Packer describes it this way: “Meditation is the activity of calling to mind, and thinking over, and dwelling on, and applying to oneself, the various things that one knows about the works and ways and purposes and promises of God… It is an activity of holy thought, consciously performed in the presence of God, under the eye of God, by the help of God, as a means of communion with God.”
Eastern meditation has frightened many Christians away from Christian meditation. Eastern meditation focuses on the inner self. Christian meditation focuses on the Lord and Scripture. That is a big difference. While avoiding the former form the latter form has been neglected.
Meditation involves finding a quiet place of solitude, getting alone and allotting time to do it. It is often simple but significantly selecting a Bible truth and concentrating on it by repeating it to yourself over and over. This allows the truth to be absorbed, leading to it becoming an instinctive truth and practice.
As a guide to what to meditate on consider the aspect of the text: “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things” Philippians 4: 8.
To establish the practice, select a text related to any one of these principles and focus on it over and over. Repetitiously think on what it means.
As you develop in the art you will find it to be a blessing and enriching.
Once more read this Post to enhance your understanding – – – and just do it.