October 15 Philippians 4:1-9 Meditate on          

19^th Sunday after Pentecost

Meditate and live out the good and great things of God.

Psalter reading Psalm 23

A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever. 

Psalm 23:1-6 NKJV

1Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved. 2I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3Anda I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life. 4Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 6Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8Finally, 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. 9The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.  Philippians 4:1-9 NKJV

When we think of meditation we often think of Eastern non-Christian practices.  But meditation is to get away from everything and everyone and devote yourself to asking God to help you understand the depth of it.  This is seem as a devotion a time where we use a scripture or a book with meditations and spend time for what is often called a quiet time.

Philippians gives us a list we can use as a source of meditation.

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

To meditate on the words find a Biblical definition of the words and spend time with God asking Him to help you discover the deeper meaning and how you can live them out.

When we clutter our minds with so many horrible or bad things it is harmful.  I knew a lady who watched the news channels all day long and had to increase her depression medicine.  But when she got a DVD of the Bible she watched that some and was able to decrease her depression medication.

What are you “meditating” on?  What is your mind thinking about?  When you see trouble and terrible things do you concentrate on how terrible it is?  I have found if I use those as prayer requests I can become part of the solution rather than becoming part of the problem.  When I hear a siren I immediately pray for those going to help and those they are going to help.  

Become part of the solution and do not be overwhelmed by the problems!