The law of thy mouth is better for me than thousands of gold and silver pieces…If thy law had not been my delight, then I would have perished in my affliction…O, how I love thy law! It is my meditation all day. Thy commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever mine (with me)…How sweet are Thy words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! From Thy precepts I get understanding; therefore, I hate every false way…The unfolding of Thy words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple…Those who love thy law have great peace, and nothing causes them to stumble. Ps 119:72,92,97,98,103,104,130,165 (NAS)
Heed instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it. Blessed is the man who listens to me, WATCHING DAILY at my gates and WAITING at my doorposts. For he who finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord. Prov. 8:33-35 (NAS)
Guard my words as your MOST PRECIOUS POSSESSION. WRITE THEM DOWN…and keep them deep within your heart. Prov. 7:2,3 (TLB)
WRITING = FORCED MEDITATION
“A short pencil is better than a long memory”
“When I get out a pen and write, my sermon will double in content and revelation” E. Gruen
DIGGING FOR GOLD FROM GOD’S WORD
- PRAY…asking the Holy Spirit to illuminate what the Father wants to specifically speak at this time. Ask for heart understanding – not mere head knowledge.
- READ…until you sense a particular word or phrase catching your attention. It will almost seem to stand out in bold print.
- STOP…and ponder-mentally chew – on what this word or phrase is saying to you. Keep in mind that you’ve just been reading.
- WRITE…insight the Holy Spirit gives. God is speaking a personal word just for you which will build faith, hope, and love as you meditate. Without writing down what is being revealed, this precious insight from the Lord will be easily forgotten and lost. The following are some guidelines to make your “nugget” of revelation meaningful: (One nugget may be a thought – the next might be a prayer)
- Work with what God is speaking and condense it to one or, at the most, two lines on a sheet of notebook paper. This is part of the meditation process and will help to make it life to you just as chewing food assimilates it into your system. It will also be more easily meditated upon throughout the remainder of the day.
- Rephrase the verse in your own words, but make it say the same thing.
- Apply it directly to your life – “I need to…” “Lord, help me to…”
- Look for progressions and sequences within a verse or a few verses and number them in recording your thought – (Example: “God’s way is 1] 2] 3]”)
- REVIEW…especially when discouraged. Your spirit will be lifted as you recall the Lord’s personal words encouragement from prior days. Be blessed over and over!
