Bible Meditation - The Christian's Secret to Success
Bible Meditation - The Christian's Secret to Success
By Princess Surjopolos
Did you know that the Bible contains the secret to your success as a Christian? There may be many who believe that a Christian must lack ambition or take a vow of poverty in order to please God. But that's not really what the Bible teaches. It is true that Christians should have their priorities right and put God first in everything they do. But did you know that God wants His people to experience prosperity? Did you know that God desires His people to have "good success"?
There's a reason the Bible uses the phrase GOOD SUCCESS and not just "success." There are many different types of endeavors and/or people who are successful but that doesn't make them good! God wants His people to have "good success" because we are to reflect HIS goodness in a way that He receives all the glory. And that's where the Bible's "secret to success" comes in.
There's a fantastic promise that God made to Joshua in the Bible: "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way PROSPEROUS, and then you will have GOOD SUCCESS." (Joshua 1:8 NKJV - emphasis mine).
In this passage of Scripture, God makes a deal with Joshua. In the preceeding verse, He challenges Joshua to be strong and courageous. He doesn't want Joshua to back down from His promises of a better future. He wants Joshua to be bold and fearless in his pursuits. Next, God tells Joshua EXACTLY what to do in order to prosper and have good success. Joshua needs to meditate on God's Word day and night.
If Joshua is willing to obey, then he will make his own way prosperous and will have good success. But someone might say, "Well, that's great for Joshua but how can that 'secret to success' apply to me in my life?" I'm glad you asked! When we study the Bible in context and rightly divide the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:5), we can see that the same principle applies to all of God's people in both the Old and New Covenant periods. Let's take a look at a few more Bible verses:
"Blessed is the man [ANY man or woman] who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; BUT HIS DELIGHT IS IN THE LAW OF THE LORD, AND IN HIS LAW HE MEDITATES DAY AND NIGHT. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; AND WHATEVER HE DOES SHALL PROSPER." (Psalm 1:1-3 NKJV)
"Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers." (3 John 1:2 NKJV)
"MEDITATE on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all." (1 Timothy 4:15 NKJV)
Based on these types of Bible verses, we can see clearly that it is God's will for His people to progress, prosper and have good success - in direct proportion to the prospering and growth of their soul. Daily meditation on God's Word is designed to benefit our soul, as well as our spirit. Likewise, God's "good success" applies to us in the natural realm and in spiritual matters. The Bible is clear that it is good for us to be in good health and to prosper "in all things" - which includes every area of our life.
This is where Bible meditation comes in to help us. Bible meditation helps us in the following ways: to grow, to believe, to have faith and renew our minds. Bible meditation also helps us, by faith, "to see" the unseen; it helps us to visualize the future that God has for us and helps us to match our outlook to the will of God.
However, make no mistake - this isn't an issue of salvation or spiritual maturity. Practicing Bible meditation is a daily discipline for any Christian, which requires a proactive choice on our part. This is something that God cannot (and will not) do for us. This is something we must do for ourselves. This is why He gave Joshua the command to do it.
So what exactly is "bible meditation"?
Webster's New Word dictionary defines "meditation" as follows:
[The] act of meditating; deep, continued thought;
Solemn reflection on sacred matters as a devotional act;
Oral or written material, as a sermon, based on meditation.
However, the Bible takes things a step further to reveal that meditation is more than just a quiet mental exercise. When God spoke to Joshua about meditation, the Hebrew word used in Scripture is ×"Ö¸×'Ö¸×" (HAGAH) which means literally TO MURMUR with pondering (Strong's concordance). According to the Bible, meditation is a mental exercise combined with VERBAL EXPRESSION. It involves pondering and audibly SPEAKING OUT the Word and promises of God. And our key to receiving the success God that promises involves: a) DOING IT; and b) DOING IT DAY & NIGHT!
3 Easy Tips to Incorporate Bible Meditation Into Your Life
Make a list of 5 to 10 Bible verses or promises that you want to meditate on.
Print them out on paper and read them aloud during your devotional times.
Consider using pre-recorded Bible verse programs to play at various times during your day or night to help you HEAR and focus on the Word of God (Romans 10:17).
Make meditating on Bible verses a regular part of your daily routine and take the action steps that God shows you take - for then YOU will make your way prosperous and then YOU will have success! Reading, hearing and speaking out Bible verses on a daily basis can bring life, hope and guidance into all your situations. The Bible says that a man will be filled by the fruit of his mouth (Proverbs 13:2) - so speak well and "eat" well!
(c) 2011 Princess Surjopolos. All rights reserved.
Princess Surjopolos is the creator of "Self-Talk from the Scriptures" Bible affirmation programs. These programs combine the effectiveness of "positive self-talk" with the power and inspiration of promises from the Bible.
Each CD features approximately 50 minutes of Bible verse readings with soothing instrumental hymns in the background. The listener can enjoy hundreds of Bible affirmations while walking, relaxing or retiring for the night.
These programs are being enjoyed by Christians of all ages and walks of life from all over the world. Try one yourself for FREE! Visit http://www.BeRenewed.com for more information or contact Princess to claim a free sample (while supplies last).
(c) Copyright 2011, Princess LaVear Surjopolos. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
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