438. Celebrating God's Grace, Meditate on God's Word

How often do we really think about what we think about? Research says we have thousands of thoughts every day. Many are unhelpful and determine how we feel and respond to things! Join Rusanne Carole as she explores the importance of meditating on God's Word. It is alive and holds the power to give us abundant life no matter what we face in our world!   **** Welcome to Celebrating God's Grace, a Women World Leader's Podcast, where each Friday we talk about God's grace and share how good He is and how we can encourage each other in our journey. Don't forget to join us each Monday where our founder & Co-CEO, Kimberly Hobbs, interviews women from all over the world – women of God who have a story to share – and how God has shown up in their life. And Wednesdays, where our Co-CEO and Bible Teacher, Julie Jenkins, brings us a study of God's Word and its application to our lives. Today, I felt called to chat about Meditating on God's Word. How often do we actually think about what we think about? We know that how we feel truly affects how we feel, even how we act or respond to things. But how hard is it sometimes to mediate on the good things, especially if we are walking through challenges and tough seasons in our lives.  Studies vary about how many thoughts we have in any given day but there is agreement there are thousands! Studies also suggest that 70-80% of the thoughts we have daily are negative – and a high percentage are often the same repetitive thoughts as the day before! Thought Zapper. Thought Tracker The Bible specifically calls us to meditate on things that are wholesome, godly and of a righteous nature. (Philippians 4:8) TPT – "Keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honourable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind." What are we allowing our minds to constantly focus on? What do we constantly find ourselves thinking about on an average day? In this text Apostle Paul exhorts us to develop a Christian thought life. But how do we do that? We prioritize it. We chose it. We pray to have it. We practice it. Daily.. and then again each day. If the Holy Spirit lives within us, we have the power through Him and the Word of God to change the way we think. Will it happen overnight? Will it be easy? I think we all know the answer to that, but we have been given the path for a changed mind. It's about deciding to embark upon the journey and remembering God sees your heart. The goodness of God, the Word of God and the work of Christ on the Cross are all rich subjects for us to meditate on. This is why David says in Psalm 77:12 (ESV) "I will ponder all your work and meditate on your mighty deeds." Hebrews 4:12 tells us "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart". It has a power inherent to itself. Jesus likened the Word of God to seed in Matthew 13. Seed, like the Bible, is not dead, but living and it has the ability to bring forth more life abundantly. When is the last time you have simply meditating on what God has done? And read and pondered His Word in a particular area. I can find myself focusing on what I want God to do rather than spending time thinking about what He has done! At this time in my life, I would very much like to purchase a home for me and my youngest son to live in. He has additional needs and the security of a place of our own would bring me a lot of comfort, security, and peace. God knows this! I have a chose – to mediate and think things like: "Lord, will I ever find a place to buy that I can afford and will meet the requirements of my family? Father, it's so hard with the way things are now in the world – increase in prices, interest rates, etc" Of course, it's cool to bring all my concerns to him and have a REAL chat with him and all on my mind. But what would be better to do with my time and energy would be to meditate on His Word and promises and speak them over my life! I encourage you to do the same. Right now if you can pause the podcast, grab a pen & paper or your computer and write or type a negative thought or concern that is on your mind. It's the one that keeps popping in – invited or uninvited but it just keeps visiting the space on our daily thoughts. Will this child ever grow up be independent? What is going to happen to my child with the mental illness issues, the addiction, the anxiety? Is my marriage going to make it? The diagnosis is tough and I am in pain every day: physically, mentally and emotionally. I'm finding it difficult to find a job? A friend? I encourage you to find Scripture on a subject you might find your mind may go to the negative vs the positive. For example, if it's your future you are worried about find Scripture on God's promises about not worrying and how He has a good plan and purpose for your life – to focus on today and not too far ahead and certainly not in the past but on the here & now. I have yet to have a concern and not be able to find a promise and good Word on the subject that may be filling my head with things He would not have me focused on. Don't we love and serve a God that thought of everything! Praise Him.   Let us pray: Lord, thank you for your Word. Powerful, true, alive! There is nothing in Your Word that would ever bring anything but life, abundant life. Let us have a new and fresh desire to read Your Word, to study Your Word, to believe Your Word. Let it penetrate our heart and mind. Allow what we read to be like seeds planted deep down in the soil of our hearts and soul to be watered and nurtured to bring a harvest in our lives and others around us. Teach us. Correct us. Show us the beautiful mysteries and wisdom behind all that Your Word has for us and our lives. Amen Thank you for listening to WWL's podcast. Join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday as we explore together God's extravagant love & your courageous purpose. Visit our website at www.womenworldleaders.com to submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event, and support the ministry.  From His heart to yours, we are WWL. All content is copyrighted by WWL and cannot be used without written consent.