Letting Christ Transform You From The Inside Out

Worship: Encountering God in Christian Meditation

What is Christian Meditation

Many people speak today about meditation, where they completely empty their mind and allow whatever is on the outside to come in.  Sometimes they do focus on a specific word or phrase that their teacher (guru) gives them.  I like to meditate, but I do it in a different manner than what is traditionally practiced.  I actually try to focus on something that has to do with the character of God or Christ. Listening Prayer by Leanne Payne, Into Abba's Arms by Sandra Wilson, and Homesick for Eden by Gary Moon are books that help us meditate on God.

Mike Shreve is a Christian who used to be a yoga teacher (guru) and very devout practicer of Kundalini meditation.  He has some interesting books on his website at http://www.thetruelight.net.  Read his testimony of how he came to Christ. It is amazing! (If you enjoyed the movie, "Eat, Pray, Love", you might find his story quite interesting!)

When you first begin to sit and contemplate God in meditative prayer, you can start with 5 minutes at a time.  This whole concept might seem very strange to you, especially if your time with God was primarily academic. Don't get discouraged. Just try a little at a time.  Be happy with any progress you make.  The rewards will be worth your patient perseverance!

Some Ideas Rearding How To Meditate:

In Colossians 3:1-4 it says the following:  "Since then you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."  

• Using the scripture above as your guide, focus your mind on some aspect of the things that are above the earth. This includes the things in God's environment (heaven) as well as Christ, God and their Holy Spirit. This principle will get your focus off of earthly things that distact you or might be causing anxiety and will position you to hear God's voice. The goal in focusing on "things above" is to connect with God, not to worship the various items in heaven.Here are some scriptural examples of what to focus on that is "above". I recommend that you read the scripture out loud until all your distractions are gone from your mind. Then be still and listen for God's voice.
1. Revelation 1 and 1 Timothy 6:15- The Resurrected Christ as a Being of Light, Christ as God (our blessed and only ruler) and as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, - Paints an amazing picture of the risen Christ; the alpha and omega (the beginning and the end).
2. Ezekiel 9 and 10 - God, on his throne of sapphire. God's throne moves like a chariot all over the sky. The Cherubim, 6 winged creatures with eyes all over their bodies (their eyes sort of remind me of peacock feathers), carry God and His chariot.
3. Exodus 28:15-29, Revelation 21:1-17 - God, the Master Artist and Designer - Focus on Heaven's Color and Beauty as testimonies to God's artistic character.  The Use of Precious Stones in the Bible contains scriptures that colorfully illustrate the descriptions of Heaven's walls, decorated with precious stones, as well as other colorful things.
4. Job 38 - God's power in nature - Focus on God's hand in nature...lightning...bringing forth the constellations (Orion, the Bear and the Pleiades).
5. 1 Timothy 6:15 - talks about God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light. 
6. 2 Kings 6:15-18 - Focus on God's Protection. This scripture talks about God's Army of Spiritual Beings All Around Us - In this scripture, Elisha prays for his fearful friend to be able to "see" the protection of God.  And...God "opens His eyes" and enables him to see the "hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha".
   Note: The whole concept of "light" is very fascinating.  As humans we can only see a small percentage of the light spectrum.  Try visiting some web sites that discuss the Electromagnetic Spectrum. You will be amazed to learn more about the other types of light and the fact that there is "SO MUCH" that exists that we can't see!!!
• Praise God out loud, using the Psalms as your guide. The Psalms are filled with the songs of King David.  When we spend time praising God for who he is, something truly changes within us. Saying your praises out loud is powerful. It scatters everything in your environment that isn't healthy or necessary and helps you to focus on the goodness, power and wisdom of God.
• Contemplate Your Last 24 hours (or more) and share your gratitude with God. Thankfulness and Gratitude also can be the focus of meditative prayer.  Thankfulness for what God has done for you personally.
• Meditate on different characteristics of God:  Shepherd, Counselor, Teacher, Father, Sovereign Ruler, Creative Designer, Genius, Gardener. The Who Is God? section of this site discusses this as well.

Who I Am In Christ

Here's are links to two audio files that recite scripture to you. These files are almost identical. These things are TRUE. As you are reframing your view of God in Worship, it is pimportant to reframe your view of yourself. You are a new creation in Christ, meant to live a "transformed" life. Listen to these audio files.

Remember, something isn't true just because you believe it. Rather, it is true because God says it (AND you believe it).

How To Know If It's GOD You Are Hearing:

In Gary Moon's book, Homesick for Eden, which is referenced above, one of his patients asked him the following question:
"I actually believe that God wants to spend time with me and talk with me.  But, when I spend time with Him, how do I know that it is His voice that I am hearing?"

Gary tells her about a pastor (Reverend Peter Lord) who mentioned this at a seminar he attended.  He said the following:

How do you know you are listening to station WGOD, instead of WSIN.
1. Become aware of your emotions after "hearing the communication".
2. If you feel "driven", "guilty" , "anxious", "fearful", or "condemned", the chances are pretty great that you heard from WSIN.
3. If you feel "invited", "peaceful", "calm", "loved", or perhaps "gently convicted", it is more likely that you heard from GOD."

Remember, the Holy Spirit's job, one of many, is to help us gently be convicted of our sin so that we will let God change us from within our hearts.  The Spirit is a counselor.

If God is described as a gentle shepherd (Isaiah 40) in Scripture, why would he start acting like a cattle driver?