Meditation

We encounter moments of challenge or discomfort every moment of our life and meditation is the key to remain strong and fruitful during each trying circumstances. Each day as we read the Word, we must ask God to show us by His Spirit what a passage means and how we can apply His words to our life. We act as we receive whatever action He impresses on our minds.

Meditation is focusing on God’s Word, learning more and increasing our thirst for Him. By doing so, we will reap the spiritual benefits of increased discernment and a clear sense of purpose.

God is always with us. No matter how difficult the challenge we may be facing, God will always sustain us.

Psalm 145:1 - 5
I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no-one can fathom. One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendour of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works.

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Trust

Faith is as much the rule of temporal as of spiritual life.

It is only as we learn to trust in God for the supply of all our daily need that we shall live above the world.

We are not to be idle, that would show we did not trust in God.
We are not to be imprudent or rash; that were to trust chance, and not the living God
We are to rely simply and entirely upon the Lord at all times.

Trusting in God always

Be you a man with living principles within; never bow to the varying customs of worldly wisdom.

Walk in your path of integrity with steadfast steps, and show that you are invincibly strong in the strength which confidence in God alone can confer.

We have no care, for he careth for us; we have no troubles, because we cast our burdens upon the Lord.

Psalms 62:8
Trust in him at all times.

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Do you need a miracle ?

Then believe it, confess it and receive it!
If you don't have enough faith yet to believe for the miracle you need, then you can get it. "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Rom. 10:17). So start filling the ears of your heart with the Word until faith for your miracle is born.

That's what the woman did who had the issue of blood. She believed in her heart that Jesus would heal her. Then she spoke her faith out loud. Then she acted on that faith--and she received her miracle. It wasn't Jesus' decision. No. She made it happen. She took her faith and drew on the power of God. That's why Jesus said, "Daughter, your faith has made you whole" (Matt. 9:22).

You have that same opportunity. God's power is always present everywhere. Your faith will bring it into your life, body or circumstances. So reach out to Jesus. Believe, confess and receive your miracle today.

Romans 10:10
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

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Be encouraged

Courage comes from trusting God. It comes from believing what God says regardless of what the circumstances look like. Courage comes from faith!

Discouragement comes from fear and unbelief.

It comes when you listen to the devil's lies about what God is not going to do for you.
We must shake off discouragement and rise up with courage! We must quit looking at our own abilities and failures and limitations and start looking to God. We must rise up in the Name of Jesus and the power of His Spirit and establish the kingdom of heaven upon earth.
If you've been discouraged lately, stop listening to Satan's lies. Stop receiving evil reports.
Once you begin to realize who you are and what you've been given by the power of God, you'll quit letting the devil run all over you.

God commands that you be strong and courageous.

Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

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The powerful WORD

God's word

is a light to our dark path in a morally uncertain world.
is our standard for right and wrong, righteousness and evil.
delivers us from all sorts of destructive practices that can ruin our lives.

Psalm 119:133
Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.

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The wicked and the righteous

The wicked fear

the triumph of goodness, holiness, and righteousness.
not being in control.
death's overtaking them.

The righteous

desire the triumph of goodness, holiness, and righteousness.
offer their lives to be controlled by the Holy Spirit of God.
recognize death is an enemy, but one that has been conquered by their Savior.

Proverbs 10:24
What the wicked dreads will overtake him; what the righteous desire will be granted.

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Anger and foolishness

Responding quickly to aggravation, threat, insult, or difficulty suggests strength to many folks today. However, responding hastily out of anger is foolish. This response seldom produces the desired long term effect and nearly always compounds the problems that need to be addressed. Patiently dealing with frustrating and painful situations shows understanding and is nearly always more fruitful in the long run.

Proverbs 14:29
A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly.

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World without God

So often, those of us who have received the blessings of faith and the guidelines of the Word of God do not fully appreciate them.

Can you imagine what it is like to try to define one’s worth, clarify one’s values, and establish one’s sense of purpose without a standard of truth?
Imagine what it would be like to be lost without a map and without a compass?

Remember what it was like to wake up in an unfamiliar place as a child in the pitch black darkness totally disoriented? We don't have to worry about that now, do we?

God's Word light our dark paths and show us the way home!

Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

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The way I live my life

Every person gives evidence to personal beliefs and priorities by the way he or she lives. As Christians, we should be like salt and light, which simply cannot be ignored.

It is like adding salt to soup, the improved taste is obvious, and when we bring light into a darkened room, we shall see the difference.

Our character, conduct, and conversation should make a statement about the importance of God, the necessity of Jesus Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit.

To achieve that we begin by reading and studying the Word of God. Through His Word, God reveals Himself and this will affect the way we lead our daily lives.

Matthew 5: 13 - 16
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

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Praying in God's Way

Prayer is an ongoing communication with the Father, which involves listening, speaking, and acting on what we hear.
God has promised to answer HIS children’s prayers, but HE often waits before responding. HE does so for many reasons.

Sometimes HE answers our first request
Many times it takes several petitions before HE responds.
In certain situations, we have to keep asking before God gives HIS answer.

Jesus calls us to a lifestyle of “asking, seeking, and knocking”

• God has to make us ready for what HE wants to give. We may have some attitudes or behaviors that are not right. (James 4:3) He will deal with them before HE gives us His response.

• God may use delays to test our faith or to deepen our relationship with HIM. When there is no response from HIM, HE wants us to keep seeking HIM and conversing with HIM

• God’s timetable often does not match ours. HE knows what HE wants to accomplish in our spiritual lives and in our relationship with HIM. We can trust that the time between our request and HIS reply will be put to good use by HIM.

LUKE 18:1-8
The Parable of the Persistent Widow
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.' For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!' And the Lord said, Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?

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The tests

Many of the struggles in our lives are not simple accidents! Many of them are not put there by God. Our challenges often come from Satan. He always stalks about looking for the best scheme to knock us out of our commitment to and relationship with God . Placing ourselves firmly in the hands of the Lord and using his tools of warfare will help us defeat our enemy who has already been humiliated by Jesus and the cross.

Let us ask God to strengthen us and help us to stand against our foe

Ephesians 6 : 10 - 11
Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.

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Do not be anxious

Anxiety seems to be everywhere these days.

What makes you feel anxious?
What do you worry about?
- Finances?
- Conflict at work or with your neighbors?
- Problems with your family or your health ?
Is existence meaningless?
- Are you concern over frustration with a meaningless existence ?

Anxiety has many causes, with the following being of prime concern to everyone of us.-- guilt, fear, and lack of friendship.

Guilt can cause anxiousness.
Such feelings of guilt may come from unresolved past conflicts or from following outdated moral codes. To overcome this problem we need to recognize our past problems or relax our moral codes.

What's Your Greatest Fear?
Fear of death is perhaps humans' greatest fear
Fear of circumstances -- from the small to the distressing can bring anxiety.
How do we overcome fear ?
Jesus said HE could replace fear with peace – the peace of mind and heart.
We could use faith to relieve circumstantial fear. This will greatly help to keep you calm.

Lack of friends can make you anxious.
We need close friends. We need good friends.
God is your best friend who is ‘faithful and righteous’. HE never lets you down and HE is your best adviser.

Faith in God can help treat causes of anxiety like guilt, fear, and lack of friendship.

I find peace and joy in chaotic times by relying on the promises of Christ and beginning a personal relationship with Him. Jesus said,

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid

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Death

Death is not a popular topic--even among believers. In fact, many of us are just scared of it.

Believers talk about having eternal life. Yet when the devil tries to threaten their earthly survival with sickness or calamity, they panic.

Why?
Because believers need to learn to look at death through God's eyes. Even though their spirit has been made immortal, they have not renewed their minds to include that truth. If they had, when the devil tried to threaten their earthly survival, they would not panic.

The Word of God says that you, as a born-again believer, are never going to see death (John 8:51). Jesus has been your substitute. He suffered death, so you wouldn't have to. And when He was raised, Hebrews 2:14-15 says, "He destroyed him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And delivered them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage."

Hebrews 2:9
"But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man."

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Wisdom

When you are facing a problem, please ask God for wisdom.

God's wisdom is the key that will unlock every door in your life.
Stop wasting time asking God for things that you think you need. Instead, spend more time listening to what God has to say about your situation.

James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

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Our past

We must thank God for the new life that He has infused into our being.

We were dead because of the misdeeds and sins in which we walked, following the course of this world, following the commander-in-chief of evil, the spirit that now energizes all who disobey.

Among these lost people - we once lived in the passions of our flesh. We followed the desires of our body and the passing whims of our mind. We were by nature doers of evil doomed to destruction, like the rest of mankind.

It is by God’s undeserved kindness that we are saved!

Ephesians 2 : 1-3
DEAD IN SINS

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P E A C E

Is your life in chaos? Are you filled with anger, fear and desperation ?

All these came to an end once I gave control of my life to Jesus. I was overwhelmed with peace beyond description. This peace carried me through the most difficult time I had ever faced.

Remember you have hope in Jesus. Turn to HIM today and ask for HIS help and guidance.

John 14 : 27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

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Exclusive membership

The symbol is special! It signifies you belong to the organization.
As you wear it, you are aware of all it represents and of who it says you are. By wearing this symbol or logo, you are more conscious of how you act. I am talking of membership to clubs !!

As a follower of Jesus I wear a distinguishing mark as well. I wear His love. My actions reflect Jesus to the world around me.

Wear the love of Jesus as your distinguishing mark as His follower.

John 13 : 35
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

This love is unselfish, compassionate, unconditional. It is a love that picks us up just where we are in life and carries us further than we could ever go on our own.

He gives us His love so we can give it away in the same unselfish, compassionate, unconditional way He gave it to us. He tells us this love will be our trademark. It will distinguish us as followers of Jesus.


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HE heals

We are wounded as we travel along this journey of life. God understands our need and He provides the healing for the wounds of our spirit.

We can trust God to heal us today

Broken hearted
God can heal my broken heartedness. God is there to join up my heart when it is broken. HE heals my aching heart

Being a captive
God heals problems of addition, bitterness, anger and our other habits that hold us hostage. God will set you free

In mourning or despair
God helps us in times of despair and we can call on HIM for help and healing.

Isaiah 61 : 1
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,

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My dream

Dreams can get lost.
When I am faced with problems related to finances, career, business or even in relationship, I turn to God for wisdom and this is often the beginning of a seed to a new dream.

Dreams take time to build.
To build that dream you must be prepared to persevere. It is a task not for the faint-hearted! It takes faith, faith in yourself and in God who plants the seed of dreams in the first place.

If you have no dreams left, ask God to put a new dream in your heart.

To have that dream, you will need to know

what you want and be specific about it
how to make that dream come true
how to be prepared for it
how to be patient
how to prioritize and manage your time efficiently

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Poor words and bad timing

How many times have you said just the "wrong" thing?

Jesus words on this topic are indeed convicting :
"Out of the abundance of the heart does the mouth speak."

In other words, poor words and bad timing in our speech are more issues of our heart than issues of social skills and decorum.

Let us ask God to purify, mend, and re-focus our heart on his will and passions.

Proverbs 10:32
The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.

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Know HIS motive

God wants us to be His holy children, even before the world began. God paid the huge price, the sacrifice of his Son Jesus, for our adoption into his family.

What is God's motive in doing this?

His desire and delight in loving us.

Ephesians 1:4-5
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.

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Expiry date

People turn their backs to God’s call for salvation. Some may be too proud to respond to God’s call. Just wonder how long would God continue to knock on the door before HE stops. Worse still, you may fail to recognize the knock for what it is.

John 6 : 44
No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day

Romans 1:18-19, 28-32
I believe God’s offer of salvation can expire, too, much like canned food or a packet of sweets . While it’s not always the case, the Bible does not teach that the call to salvation will be offered repeatedly. The Apostle Paul in writing to the church at Rome hints at what can happen when an unbeliever ignores God’s call upon his life: “For the wrath of God,” he wrote, “is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them…And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.”

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Meditation

Do you ever have trouble believing the Word of God?
Not just agreeing with it mentally, but really believing that what it says will work for you?

There are times when the promises in the Word astound our mind. There have been times when we felt so defeated and the circumstances around us looked so bad that it was tough for us to believe we were " more than a conqueror" even though we knew God said we were.

What do you do when your mind staggers like that at the promise of God?

Just meditate on that promise.

Scriptural meditation simply means thinking about and reflecting on the Word of God. It means pondering a particular scripture and mentally applying it to your own circumstances again and again until that scripture permanently marks your consciousness.

Genesis 15:5-6
"And [God] brought [Abram] forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness."

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Waiting patiently

We do not like to wait. Yet God blesses those who do. (Proverbs 8:34)

Act calmly
We must not complain and grumble. God will help us achieve this.(Galatians 5:22)
We must have trust. God likes those who are steadfast in seeking HIM. We must be obedient and live our lives according to His plan and purpose.

Anticipate
We must expect that God will do what He has promised. He always keeps His word.

Be patient
If the answer does not come soon enough as expected, we are to remain calm. We must continue to remain calm, if we are placed in a situation when an opportunity is about to pass us by, or the pressure to respond seems almost too great. We need courage to fulfill this commitment.

Psalm 130:1 - 8
Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD; O Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared. I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins

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Think before making that conclusion

Before we become depressed or angry with God about things or circumstances, which occur in our lives there are some things we should consider. We should consider the spiritual implications of those incidents and circumstances.
Is it possible that in the long term
there will be personal spiritual benefits as a result of the incident or circumstance?
there will be spiritual benefits for others as a result of the incident or circumstance?

If those benefits are not immediately discernable ask God to reveal how He may bring good from the incident or circumstance.

Once we have identified the possible spiritual benefits from the bad things or circumstances that occur in our lives we will then be much better prepared to walk with God through those things. Always remember that God loves you and wants the very best for your life and that no matter how bad something may be God can bring good from it. The key to His bringing about the good is our loving Him and seeking His will and purpose to be brought about in our lives.

Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose..

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In times of difficulties

When difficulties arise, mediate on the Lord’s sufficiency and His will, and you will be strengthened and refreshed. Always focus your mind and spirit on God is a good discipline for all believers to follow. Call on God and draw on His help and claim victory to your problems.

Our main resource for mediation is God’s Word. David has a trusting relationship with God He drew on God’s past and present delivering power to help him in his fight with Goliath (1 Samuel 17:37) When he encountered King Saul’s threats and advances, he believed on God’s protection as he called upon God as his refuge and fortress (Psalm 91:2) He called upon God’s presence and comfort to fill his mind and heart when he experienced loss of his loved ones (1 Samuel 30:3 - 6)

Psalm 145:1 - 13
I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no-one can fathom. One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendour of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds. They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. All you have made will praise you, O LORD; your saints will extol you. They will tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, so that all men may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendour of your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations.

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Free from sins

We can be forgiven of our sins and can be purified of any stains of sin!! We can be made clean and new again. That is God’s grace and perfect sacrifice for our sins

Let us now ask God to forgive us of any lack of passion to love and to forgive others. Ask God to teach us how to forgive others in the same way He has so graciously forgiven us.

1 John 1 : 9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

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What is faith ?

You have faith in your friends or colleagues because they have demonstrated themselves to be trustworthy. How much more should you have faith in God who has demonstrated His faithfulness and trustworthiness many times over ??

However, God promises can only become a reality only when we act upon them and claim them in faith. Be assured that God’s promises are faithful and true.

Hebrews 11 : 1
What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead

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Facing uncertain times

Everyday we try hard to maintain some degree of control in our day and in our plans. This measure of control can be shaken at times. God knows we will face uncertainty in our lives. HE offers encouragement and instruction. In order not to be shaken, we have to bring God into focus daily as we begin each day. Walk with Him step by step through whatever our day holds. His presence will not only enrich our ordinary steps today, but will also hold us steady through the uncertain steps of the days ahead.

Psalm 16 : 7 - 8
I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken

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