Lately, I've been having an increased desire to draw closer to the Lord. It’s not that I feel far away from Him, but rather that I want to continue to deepen and develop our relationship! Just like with any relationship, spending quality time together will help cultivate our bond. So, this summer, I have committed to getting to know Him better! To do that, I am doing several things. Besides attending a Bible study, where I am jumping into the Bible and enjoying the fellowship of other women as we study, I am also learning to meditate on the Word.

In Kathy Howard’s recent book “Fed Up With Flat Faith” she encourages her readers to “feast on the Word”. She explains that just as we nourish our bodies with healthy food on a daily basis, so we must also nourish our hearts and souls through Scripture. By doing so, we have the incredible blessing of connecting with our Father as He satisfies our spiritual hunger. She suggests developing a plan, which I have done. Each day, I am reading a scripture verse and its surrounding passage and then meditating on what it means. I’m not just reading it, I’m savoring it, absorbing it, pondering it, writing about it, praying it and then applying it to my life. Though this is a daily practice I have committed to this summer, I am also going to share one of my journal entries for the scripture each week in a post called Friday's word. Won’t you join me each week as I take this journey to a deeper relationship with Him? 


Here is my process, followed by my first journal entry:

  • Choose a verse and surrounding passage
  • Look it up and read it in at least two versions
  • Read the associated devotional, if applicable (I’m going through the NIV Women’s Devotional Bible 2)
  • Choose a word or phrase that jumps out at you
  • Think, ponder, absorb (Take time here)
  • Write out thoughts and ideas regarding the word or scripture
  • Pray
  • Apply

Verse: Matthew 5:5

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” (NIV)

“God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.” (NLT)


Word & My Thoughts:  Meek

  • Bendable, adaptable to God and to life.
  • Not stubborn to my own ways or plan.
  • Yielded to God’s ways and plan.
  • Able to “shift gears” when God asks.
  • Less of self and selfishness.
  • More of Christ and others.
My Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

Help me to be more adaptable to your ways. I want to bend and to be yielded to you. Lesson my rigidity and tendency to be stuck in my ways and open my eyes and heart to yours. Thank you for your Word and instilling in me the desire to draw closer to you.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.


18 Comments

  1. Love your process of getting closer to the Lord! Sometimes we tend to use the excuse that it's too much work to try to read the Word and draw from it, but this system seems to simplify it. I love journaling, too! I've kept a journal (not every day, but when I feel God speaking or want to share from my heart) for over 26 years!! That's a LOT of writing! I've always written in a journal by hand. That way I can take my journal anywhere and add to it as I feel the urge. Wishing you much success in growing closer to our Lord and Savior, as you delve into His Word!

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  2. Hi Ann! Thanks for your encouragement. I'm excited about this new system to meditate on God's word...to savor and absorb it! I have found that so often, writing really solidifies my thoughts and helps me to come to a deeper meaning than simply reading. I can't wait to see what God is going to show me!


    Blessings, Joan

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  3. Thank you for reminding me of Kathy Howard. It's been too long since I last visited her blog and read. Such a woman of God. Wise words that also help me Joan. I certainly don't want flat faith but to continue to grow closer in my relationship with the Lord. I love what you're doing to nurture that.


    Blessings and love,
    Debbie

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  4. Thanks for sharing this post on meditating. It reminds me so much of Joshua 1:8,

    This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

    Have a blessed weekend!

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  5. Thanks, Debbie! Just a few minutes ago I went through my second scripture verse and this process to meditate on the word. I was such a nice, peaceful time...I sat in my garden (it's the only time today I'll be able to as it is going to be hot!) and pondered on "treasures in heaven". As I finished, I found myself already looking forward to my next time alone with the Lord! What a blessing!


    In Him, Joan


    P.S. Yes...Kathy is a wonderful teacher, full of wisdom and God's grace!

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  6. I love that verse! I think that in our culture, people often think of "meditation" as emptying the mind of all thoughts. But in actuality, it is filling it with God's Word and breathing it in as we ponder its meaning. Rather than rushing through scripture, it is such a joy to simply savor it, word by word!


    Blessings, Joan

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  7. Sylvia R @ sylvrpen.comJune 28, 2013

    Yes! Really good, all of this!

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  8. Thanks, Sylvia! I've already found this to be so helpful...and I've only been doing it for 2 days!


    Blessings, Joan

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  9. charlotte71June 28, 2013

    Sounds like a very good plan. Thank you for sharing it. I'm sure it will be an encouragement to others to do something similar. There is nothing more important than being near to the Savior.
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

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  10. Thanks, Charlotte! There are so many things that we can do to draw closer to our Father...and we can never go wrong by delving into the Word! What a blessing it is that he gave it to us!


    Blessings, Joan

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  11. Love this! Love your heart, your spirit, your passion! His word is a rich feast, indeed!

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  12. Thanks, Valerie! I am enjoying this rich feast! What a joy it is that God desires to to come into a deep and fulfilling relationship with Him!


    Blessings, Joan

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  13. Hi Joan! Your sprayer is so beautiful and heartfelt, how could God not listen?? Your efforts are going to be rewarded, I am sure of that. You don't want 'flat falth', and that is a great image to share.


    Thanks!


    Love, Ceil
    evangelize2me.blogspot.com

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  14. Thanks, Ceil! It is so rewarding to be able to have a relationship with the Lord! He is an awesome, God, isn't He?


    Blessings, Joan

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  15. Elizabeth StewartJune 30, 2013

    I love stopping here from Barbie's and getting to "peek" in on your devotions. It blessed me!

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  16. I'm so glad you were encouraged, Elizabeth! "Peek" anytime! :-)


    Blessings, Joan

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  17. Meditation on His Word on a daily basis is so vitally important to our spiritual health. Thank you for sharing your process with us. I need to get out my journal and start writing down my thoughts on scripture. I journal a lot electronically, but there is something about the old pen and paper.

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  18. As I have been going through this process, God has been blessing me with better understanding of His word and a closer relationship with Him. It is exciting to share this time with Him!


    Blessings, Joan

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