Once we have identified those areas God is leading us to work on, we need to understand the underlying needs from which this issues stem. Is it a desire to be loved that is causing this problem? Is it a lack of trust in God? Is it a need for attention? Is it selfishness? Is it a combination of these or other aspects? This is what I think the Lord was trying to tell us when he said:
The Goodness of God: His love and kindness, good intentions, and plans towards us (including the way in which he disciplines us).
The Wisdom of God: His knowledge of what was, is, and is to come. His knowledge of the things that are hidden in our hearts, even from ourselves. His knowledge of our past and future and what He wants for us. His way of thinking and making decisions that include this knowledge that escapes our understanding.
The Power of God: His ability to perform and bring to pass that which he has purposed. His control over ever situation, at every time, everywhere, in every way. His omnipresence.
These three can then be applied to each area of your life to produce change in our hearts. This list is by no means an exhaustive list of God's character. This could not be done in such a short essay. For a better study on God's character, let me suggest a book called "The Attributes of God."
My small group and I are going through it at the moment and it has proven to be a very beneficial study.
If you would like to start meditating but need guidance, let me suggest that you start by looking at the sermon of the Mount (Matthew 5-7). If you read these few chapters carefully, you will notice that they do not speak specifically about our behavior but of the attitudes of the heart. Inspect your actions and your heart and identify one or two of the areas mentioned in this sermon that the Lord would have you improve upon. This should not be hard to do. You probably already know what they are because the Lord has been convicting you about them. Then dig a little deeper and try to understand what your heart is looking for. Once you understand that, just meditate on the attributes of God that will minister to that need.
Romans 12:2, Philippians 4:8, Isaiah 26:3, Proverbs 4:23-26, Romans 12:1-2, Proverbs 17:22, Deuteronomy 4:9, Deuteronomy 6:6-9
-G
"Consider well the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established and ordered aright." Proverbs 4:26, AMPOnce the underlying heart issue is identified, then we can start to meditate on those attributes of God that address that need. Even though all the different aspects of God should be studied and meditated upon, I have found that there are three major areas of the character of God that I tend to focus on. I do not know if these would help everyone in the same way they help me, but they certainly do seem to address most of my heart problems. They are:
The Goodness of God: His love and kindness, good intentions, and plans towards us (including the way in which he disciplines us).
The Wisdom of God: His knowledge of what was, is, and is to come. His knowledge of the things that are hidden in our hearts, even from ourselves. His knowledge of our past and future and what He wants for us. His way of thinking and making decisions that include this knowledge that escapes our understanding.
The Power of God: His ability to perform and bring to pass that which he has purposed. His control over ever situation, at every time, everywhere, in every way. His omnipresence.
These three can then be applied to each area of your life to produce change in our hearts. This list is by no means an exhaustive list of God's character. This could not be done in such a short essay. For a better study on God's character, let me suggest a book called "The Attributes of God."
My small group and I are going through it at the moment and it has proven to be a very beneficial study. If you would like to start meditating but need guidance, let me suggest that you start by looking at the sermon of the Mount (Matthew 5-7). If you read these few chapters carefully, you will notice that they do not speak specifically about our behavior but of the attitudes of the heart. Inspect your actions and your heart and identify one or two of the areas mentioned in this sermon that the Lord would have you improve upon. This should not be hard to do. You probably already know what they are because the Lord has been convicting you about them. Then dig a little deeper and try to understand what your heart is looking for. Once you understand that, just meditate on the attributes of God that will minister to that need.
Romans 12:2, Philippians 4:8, Isaiah 26:3, Proverbs 4:23-26, Romans 12:1-2, Proverbs 17:22, Deuteronomy 4:9, Deuteronomy 6:6-9
-G
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