It is My Meditation All the Day

O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. Psalm 119:97

What's on your mind the most? If it's not God's word, whatever it may be, it is in the way and place of God's word.

I, myself, have been deficient in my understanding of the concept of "meditation," not wrong, but not comprehensive. I've said in the past that meditation is constantly pondering the application of the word of God, and it is certainly that too! That was far, but not far enough. I have since come to understand that "meditation" is the totality of one's contemplation of the word of God including: study, prayer, confession, fasting, fellowship, & ministry. Meditation on the word of God is Christianity. Every one of the other 6 fore mentioned major concepts fall under or within the context of meditation. In other words, meditation is the capital enterprise in the devotional life of the Christian in concept and in practice.

Meditation in eastern mysticism is to empty one's mind to become one with his experience of all things, but meditation in Christianity is to fill your mind with the word of God to interpret all things you experience. Meditation is to never let the word of God leave your mind. Psalm 1 states it, "But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night" (Psa 1:2). His word does not leave me, in calmness, in confusion, in calamity, or in controversy. Meditation means no matter the circumstances I abide/dwell/keep His precepts in my words, thoughts and deeds; the outward results are that I keep His peace, possess His power, speak His praise.

When God's peace, power, and praise leave your character or continence, it is a result of failing to meditate on His word. When your mouth can't help cursing, when your mind can't find contentment, when your madness won't let you control yourself, when you are so messed up that you can't be consoled and calm, it is a result of failing to meditate on His word.

Meditation means to keep God's word on your mind. The CONTENT of "meditation" is to EXPRESS INEXPRESSIBLE (O how), EMOTION FOR GOD'S WORD (love I thy law) which ENGULFS ONE'S WHOLE LIFE (it is my meditation all the day).

You cannot maintain what you are not passionate about. You can fail to be excited about something that is benefiting you because you don't perceive its benefit. However, you cannot be excited about something you don't perceive is benefiting you. This passion comes from God's word at work in your life perpetuating an ever-increasing love for His word. Spurgeon put it this way, "The psalmist meditated in God's word because he loved it, and then loved it the more because he meditated in it." I will state it again in the most succinct way that I believe it can be stated: Meditation on the word of God is Christianity.

Thanksgiving in Prayer

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving (Psalm 100:4)

There are four aspects to devotional prayer. Someone created an acrostic that is very helpful in remembering all four aspects: A.C.T.S. "A" stands for "adoration"; "C" stands for "confession"; "T" stands for "thanksgiving," and "S" stands for "supplication."

The greatest facilitator of peace through prayer is not partition but thanksgiving; it is not leaving what concerns you at the altar, but the attitude in which you approach the altar. Thanksgiving means that one prays to God not with a comprehensive list of what He has done. That is impossible! Rather, one prays with an attitude of thanksgiving, particularly thanking God in relationship to your partitions. By thanking God in prayer, the believer will realize the joy, peace, and contentment of God by appreciating God’s grace and mercy; that is, expressing gratefulness for receiving so many good things and yet not experiencing so many not so good things that could have occurred. As a youth, I remember the elders praying, “Lord, I thank you that things are as well as they are.” Thanksgiving in prayer is to approach the throne of God with respect for His sovereignty, supremacy and sufficiency. Simply put, it is to understand that whatever you need or whatever you are going through is exactly what you need at that very moment. If it were not than God would never have allowed it to be. As Paul put it, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” This does not at all preclude expressing one’s subjective partitions, as such flows out of the desires of your heart; however, thanksgiving is the appropriate disposition by which subjects are to come in to the presence of the King to express those desires. It is to recognize the words of Paul in Romans 8, “For we know not what we should pray for as we ought.” I often say to my congregation the most important posture in prayer is not on your knees, but recognizing that He is God and you are not.

How much more effective is a child’s appeal to his parents, when he or she approaches them with genuine respect of whatever their final decision is and sincere gratitude for their loving-kindness as parents. This, to say the least, exhibits love, wisdom, maturity, responsibility, and submission.

I was talking to a lady about being thankful to God in prayer. She said, “I am always thankful. In fact, I thank God for giving me what I am asking for in advance.” I refrained from laughing at such a ridiculous notion. I said to her, “you cannot know what God is going to do. You can only truly thank someone for what they have done. Advanced thanksgiving is neither a logical or biblical concept. That is neither respect nor gratitude to God but an attempt at manipulating God.

While often we come to God in some sense of discomfort, feeling as though we really need what we are requesting, the surprise is often the comfort that results from simply thanking Him for what we already have or what He has protected us from. One should not pray about tomorrow without thanking Him for today. Thanksgiving in prayer often results in discovering that one's circumstance is not as intense as it appeared prior to prayer. One should not ask for more without thanking Him for what he already has. One should not pray for His help without first thanking Him for having kept him thus far. We should not only think about, but pray about, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, and whatsoever things are of good report.

At all times especially in prayer we must, “Be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endures to all generations.” After expressing genuine thanksgiving, one will always leave prayer time with joy, peace, and contentment, and no doubt having prayed more fervently, effectually and thus effectively.

THE VIRTUEOUS WOMAN - Her Victory (Prov. 31:28-31)

The problem of humanity is that which we want, we don’t know how to obtain it; and we don’t know what it takes to get what we want, and when we find out what it takes, we don’t want what it takes. We want victory without the distance. We want the strength without the discipline. We want the win without the race. We want the crown without the cost.

WHAT DO WOMEN WANT??? Women like to be praised. Yet today they are often repulsed and repelled by that which is praiseworthy. It amazes me how some women today will revel in not being able to cook, clean, or boast about not submitting to her husband, yet a woman wants to be praised as a mother and a wife.

Ironically, it seems that a woman virtually cannot live without a man and/or a woman who cannot have children often feels incomplete as a woman. This is not a negative thing as feminism has tried to frame it; rather, it is by design. A woman was created to be a wife and a mother; she is designed to be a wife and a mother. Therefore her greatest reward is found in being a submissive wife and a consummate mother. Whatever psychology you hold about the functionality of life that is acceptable, logical, rational, and in concert with the world is contrary to God. Only functioning as you've been created and designed to function will bring you the greatest fulfillment and satisfaction. The praise a woman desires is wrapped up in the packaging of wifeliness and motherhood.

First, the virtuous woman is praised by her matured children. That is, they have now become adults and what she has helped them to become: disciplined, prudent, honorable, ethical, and skilled, speaks well of her as a mother. The proverbist writes, "...he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him ...and she that bare thee shall rejoice." (Prov 23:24 & 25.) This is the reward of all of the long hard years of diligence and a wonderful fulfillment that can only be experience when it is done.

Secondly, she is praised by her husband. While this no doubt is inclusive direct tribute expressed by her husband, its primary meaning refers to her contribution to his life: his name, his home, his accomplishments would all be impossible without her. Yet she does not rave or boast in this fact, but she simply knows her contribution and rejoices in the fruit of her labor with a quiet spirit and the existential reward of fulfillment.

Thirdly, she is praised by other women. Another important area of reward is found amongst her peers. Just as men find tremendous nobility in excelling among other men, so does women find honor in excelling among women. “Excelling” is a term that indicates not vain-glory, but the ability to provide leadership to other women. Rest assured there is no virtue that does not result in mentoring others.

Fourthly, she is praised because she fears the LORD. Her virtuous life is a result of knowing her created purpose and how she has been fashioned by God to carry it out. She is a continue worshipper, not a fanatical cultural Christian, full of popular religious rhetoric, but frequently and subtly speaking of God as her guide, strength, and her master. This is what gets her through everyday and gets her to the wonderful rewards of life.

Fifthly and finally she is praised by her own works in the gates. It is one thing for your family to speak well of you or your peers to speak well of you; however, the virtuous woman is praised by the chief authorities of the community. Not because she has sought such, but because she sought to please God by submitting to and honoring her husband, diligently rearing her children, and teaching other women her ways. Thus her “homework” has ascended as a sweet smelling savor and rendered her praiseworthy, winning her the praise of all.

THE VIRTUEOUS WOMAN Pt III - Her Value (Prov. 31:23-27)

A person will never maintain what they do not value. It’s funny how many women today try to front like they cook, clean, and comb hair, while trying to get a man, but they don’t seem to understand what it took to get his attention is what it takes to keep his attention. Yet women often value being praise but they don’t value praise worthy stuff. This woman was not only taught what to be, she was taught what to do; this woman was not only taught what to do, she was taught what was important. We’ve looked at her virtues: valuable, trustworthy, helpful, industrious, resourceful, and nurturing; we’ve looked at her vigilance: prudent, reserved, thorough, productive, charitable, protective, and elegant. Her vigilance flows from her virtues, and her virtue flows from her values. This woman valued what God says is valuable: Her husband’s adornment (v23), tasteful (v24), progressive (v25), discrete (v26), and a homemaker (v27.) Her values are a means of help to her husband.

Supportive: If the husband is nobody and nothing then the wife is nobody and nothing; because, he wares her as his adornment everywhere he goes. If he is nobody to you (respectable), then he will be nobody to others. If he is nobody to you, he will be nobody to your children. The indication in the passage is that her husband is known at the gate or as a community authority, because of her contribution to his life. Whatever a man may be, his wife aught to make him all the more improved in it.

Tasteful: She likes nice things. Not merely self-adornments, but her taste is wholesome (home, husband, and kids.) Every man longs to say when others come to his home and experiences its beautiful sights and sounds, its wonderful aromas and taste, and its touch and feel, my wife does this. The home is the outward symbol of what a woman does inwardly for her husband. If the home is a mess and a wreck, it exposes the fact that she has little help for him if any.

Progressive: The old saying goes, behind every good man is a woman telling him what to do. It is often the woman that truly keeps a man moving forward, reminding a man of what he said and what he is supposed to be doing to accomplish his vision. She wants to get there as much, if not more than he does; because, she is a benefactor of his blessings promised by God in his vision.

Discrete: A woman makes her home, her family, with her mouth, the way she carries herself, and how she interacts with others. Most of the time nobody knows what’s going on in the four walls of your home until the wife is telling it. Yet this woman is careful not to kill the character of her husband nor her home with words.

Homemaker: Women are naturally concerned about what people think, yet today’s woman doesn’t seem to understand that her family is her true beautification. She should not be primarily known for her career but her home. Who her family is and how they look, and how she cares for her husband and children tells it all.

THE VIRTUEOUS WOMAN Pt II: Her Vigilance (Prov. 31:16-22)

This passage has been aptly deemed by classical Christianity, “The Virtuous Woman” or “A Good Woman.” And I’ve heard women who solicit accolades from others, wanting them to declare her as a good mother or a wonderful wife. Yet she fails at the motherly purpose and she lacks the magic of a wife full of wonder.

A good woman makes a house feel homely, she makes groceries into savory meals, she makes a husband and children feel like family. She keeps the whole thing together and running smoothly. She does not highlight family flaws, she covers them. She does not make wounds, she heals them. She makes boo-boos feel better with a kiss.

This woman has been taught what is right and good and how to function in a way that will prosper and benefit her life. Somebody once asked me a riddle, “What woman in the bible ate herself out of house and home?” The answer is Eve… because she functioned in chaos and disorder… but not the virtuous woman. This woman has zeroed in on what is important.

The fact of the matter is nothing can be good if there is not first a defined purpose and secondly a pursuit of that defined purpose.

Let’s look at her vigilance: First, she is “prudent,” a wise business woman, not at all a homemaker by the world's inferior perception and conception. Home is primary but not preventative in excelling outside of the home. She recognizes that the things which are good for her family are good for others as well. Secondly, she is “reserved.” She does not spend her strength foolishly. She reserves herself for her family and that which is beneficial to them. Thirdly she is “thorough.” She does not do things half heartedly or carelessly. She is concerned that whatever she provides to people are of the highest quality. Fourthly, she is “productive.” She is skilled and able to create goods. Fifthly, she is “charitable.” She’s kind and giving. Every child is treated as her child. She is utterly hospitable. She embraces the pains of others as problems for her attention. She is “protective. “ She gives diligence to the safety and well-being of her family. Finally she is “elegant.” She loves finery. She is no personal slouch. Her hair and her wear is always together.

Simply put the virtuous woman functions at optimal capacity, motivated by love for God, love for family and love for being a mother and wife in keeping with her design.

Adoration in Prayer

Enter… into his courts with praise (Psalm 100:4)

There are four aspects to devotional prayer. Someone created an acrostic that is very helpful in remembering all four aspects: A.C.T.S. “A” stands for “adoration”; “C” stands for “confession”; “T” stands for “thanksgiving,” and “S” stands for “supplication.”

One always approaches a king with adoration. Adoration is praising God, raving about His character, qualities, His mighty works of creation and redemption. Effective devotional prayer starts with praise. In adoration the believer realizes the presence of God. Some would crassly say “it is to usher in the presence of God.” In some sense that is true, if we mean it ushers the presence of God in to our mind; that is, it brings us into a greater awareness of His presence. One verse that helps our understanding of the function of adoration in prayer says, “But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.” (Psalm 22:3) This means when God’s adoration is in one’s mouth and mind, God’s presence is in our mind and heart.

I was talking to a fellow who was boasting about the “King in You”, which are the words and sentiments of a popular song today. The idea is because we are “royalty” of a sort we should have high self-esteem. It’s good for selling records, but hardly conveys any biblical truth. I went on to tell the young man, I’m not concerned about the king in me (if in fact there is any such thing at all), but about living in the presence of THE KING. That is what adoration is all about; we come into his presence through an awareness of Him fostered by praise. It is impossible to be in the conscious, realized presence of God and think highly of one’s self. Peter, who at first was filled with self, after having fished unsuccessfully, expressed to Jesus his objection the command to cast his net again. Yet Peter heeding Jesus’ instruction and drawing in a tremendous catch, realized he was in the presence of God thus “He fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” (Luke 5:8). One can only think highly of self, because the king is not present.

We know that God is omnipresent as it were and we constantly dwell in His domain; however, in adoration God comes to dwell in your domain (i.e. your mind and heart). It is like living in a kingdom and having the king himself to come to your house. Adoring God is the first and most prime aspect of prayer, for it engages the mind and heart of the believer and brings about an awareness of who God is and who you are, His perfections and your short-comings, His power and your own weaknesses, his divine sufficiency and our human dependency. This is where prayer must start. Prayer is a place of great humility; after all, we are in the presence of our King and humility starts with adoration. One elder of my youth use to say in the opening of his prayer, “Father we come as an empty pitcher before a full fountain.” I often say to my congregation, the most important part of praying is to realize He is God and you are not! That happens in adoration.

THE VIRTUOUS WOMAN - Part 1: Her Virtue

Proverb 31:10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

In a time where women are taking their queue from the world and that in stark opposition to God’s word, Christians need to proclaim His truths clearer, louder, and more frequently. A true woman is what God’s says she is and nothing more or less. She is the helper to her husband, a compliment to his life, and his most valuable possession. This has less to do with who her husband is, than it has to do with what God made her to be. This kind of woman is no accident; somebody has prepared her for a husband.

This passage has been aptly deemed by classical Christianity, “The Virtuous Woman” or “A Good Woman.” It is a proverb written by a mother to her son, describing a woman like herself as the kind of woman he should marry. Today, many women are told the opposite of what the bible affirms as true, good, and right before God. They are told that they should not have to live up to their husband’s mother’s standards; they are told that they are not their husband’s possession; they are told that they have a right to their own life, vision, and goals; they are told they have as much say-so in the direction of the family unit as does their husband. Yet how wrong and anti-biblical is such talk.

This passage, though speaking much about a type of woman is centered on a man. It is warning to a man. It is instruction to a man. It adorns a woman in beautiful character for a man. It describes a woman at optimal function that is valuable to a man. It describes a woman as having endured vigorous preparation for a man. Paul affirms this in the New Testament, "For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man (1 Corinthian 11:8-9). The goodness of this woman is a product of understanding, accepting, and remaining in her God-ordained purpose. In verses 10-15 she is found having 5 traits in the eyes of her husband: 1) supremely valuable – she is his most treasured possession, 2) absolutely trustworthy – she acts in the context of his intention and pleasure, 3) extremely helpful – she makes him a better man directly and indirectly, 4) capable and skillful – she is able to produce things of value good for her family and others, 5) Resourceful and thrifty – she is frugal, not at all wasteful or destructive, and 6) Nurturing – she works to optimize the family in all areas.

In short, the virtuous woman has been prepared to be a wife to her husband, a mother to her children, and a model woman for other women.