Joy in God through Scripture – Part 2 Exceeding Joy in God Series [6] Selected Scriptures June 9, 2013 Pastor Paul K. Kim

FIVE WAYS TO LET THE WORD OF CHRIST DWELL IN US RICHLY Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom. Colossians 3:16 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. Psalm 119:97 and take... the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, Ephesians 6:17

FIVE WAYS TO LET THE WORD OF CHRIST DWELL IN US RICHLY Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom. Colossians 3:16 HEARING (Romans 10:17) Hearing the Word from preaching, teaching, or reading of the Word. READING (Revelation 1:3) Reading the Word on your own with a plan and consistency. STUDYING (Acts 17:11) Studying the Word personally/as a group, digging into God's truths. MEMORIZING (Psalm 119:9, 11) Memorizing God's Word to have the Sword of the Spirit readily available for defeating the devil in various circumstances. MEDITATING (Psalm 1:2, 3) Meditating on God’s Word--thinking of its meaning and application in your life—to discover the transforming power of the Word in you.

What Is Meditation? Meditation is the activity of calling to mind, thinking over, dwelling on, and applying to oneself the various things one knows about the works and ways and purpose and promises of God. It is an activity of holy thought, consciously performed in the presence of God, under the eye of God, by the help of God, as a means of communication with God. Its purpose is to clear one's mental and spiritual vision of God, and to let his truth make its full and proper impact on one's mind and heart. It is a matter of talking to oneself about God and oneself. It is, indeed, often a matter of arguing with oneself, reasoning oneself out of moods of doubt and unbelief into a clear apprehension of God's power and grace. - J. I. Packer

HOW TO MEDITATE ON THE WORD OF GOD 1.Meditate on the Word with YOUR EYES & MOUTH: Chew it by seeing what it says and saying it to yourself. 2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. Psalm 1:2-3  See what it says by reading it over and over.  Mutter each word with emphasis and hear the meaning by it.  See what it says by seeing what it does NOT say.

HOW TO MEDITATE ON THE WORD OF GOD 1.Meditate on the Word with YOUR EYES & MOUTH: Chew it by seeing what it says and saying it to yourself. “but his delight is in the law of the Lord...” (v.2a)  See what it says by reading it over and over.  Mutter each word with emphasis and hear the meaning by it.  See what it says by seeing what it does NOT say. But his DELIGHT—not mere duty—is in the law of the LORD. But his delight IS—not was/not will be/but IS now—in the law of the LORD. But his delight is in THE LAW OF THE LORD—not the law of man but the law of GOD, my Creator/ABBA, the Sovereign Source of my exceeding joy.

HOW TO MEDITATE ON THE WORD OF GOD 2.Meditate on the Word with YOUR MIND & HEART: Chew it by reflecting on it with questions & musing on it with emotions. “and on his law he meditates day and night...” (v.2b)  Ask, “what”, “when”, “how”, and “why” questions; ask, “Am I like this?”; “Do I want this?”  Ask fitting questions for understanding and feeling deeper.  Muse on the questions that come naturally to your mind— chew on it until “juice” comes out.

“and on his law he meditates day and night...” (v.2b)  Ask, “what”, “when”, “how”, and “why” questions; ask, “Am I like this?”; “Do I want this?”  Ask fitting questions for understanding and feeling deeper.  Muse on the questions that come naturally to your mind— chew on it until “juice” comes out. What -- To delight in the law of the LORD, he meditates on it; How -- he meditates on it day and night; Why – because by doing so, he bears fruit without withering or running on empty—he is effective in all he does! Do I want this?: Yes, I want this vitality and fruit too, Lord... Really! What does it look like to chew on it day and night?: it will require “deliberate planting”—a lifestyle that centers around Scripture. Also, it involves both designated time/effort and spontaneous time/effort throughout the course of each day. Is this chewing worth the time and effort?: yes, it is because of verse 3— the benefit is so much—not withering, fruit-bearing, succeeding with wisdom, etc. Would you convince my heart, LORD? Change me!

HOW TO MEDITATE ON THE WORD OF GOD 3.Meditate on the Word with YOUR WILL & LIFE: Chew it by applying every part of your heart and every arena of your life. “He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers...” (v.3)  Ask “SPACE” questions and SUBMIT to it: “let it to me according to Your Word, Lord.”  Ask questions for personalization—applying it on every part of your heart (inner being) and life (outer being); ask honest questions without dodging the convictions of the Spirit.  Ask questions for your own obedience/actualization: “how do I transplant myself near by streams of water?”; “what must be changed?”; “what is my first step in obeying the Lord?”

“He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers...” (v.3) The promise/benefit is NOT “quick fix” but fruit in “its season”—so, I must be patient, consistent, and reliant in the Word. I want to unhurriedly DELIGHT— not to treat it like “homework”... I submit to Your way, Lord. Personalizing/applying every part: Lately, I’ve been drained and running low... without being refreshed/renewed by Your Word: I rush and too distracted in the Word... forgive me. But I want this—help me, Lord! The problem is not with activities/busy season but with my lack of deliberate planting/prioritizing my time alone with You, Lord—an unhurried, attentive, quality time. In order to transplant my lifestyle by streams of the Word, I must carve out my “prime time” for the Lord; in so doing, what distractions shall I get rid of, Lord? Anything else, Lord? I will set aside my time with Your Word each day at _____________; I will get rid of these distractions: ________________________; I will ask my friend ________________ to hold me accountable and support/encoruage me when I am discouraged. Lord, I give You my heart and my everyday life—be the CENTER of my inner and outer being!

4 D’S IN FIGHTING FOR JOY IN GOD THROUGH SCRIPTURE 1) DESIRE for the Word More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Psalm 19:10  Whet your appetite by reminding yourself about the benefits of God’s Word in your life (Psalm 19:10-11; 2 Tim. 3:16-17).

Ten Benefits of God’s Word 1. Strengthens faith (Rom. 10:17). 2. Supplies the Spirit (Gal. 3:5). 3. Sustains life (1 Pet.1:23-25; John 6:63; 20:31) 4. Gives hope (Rom. 15:4). 5. Leads to freedom (John 8:32; 17:17). 6. Key to answered prayer (John 15:7). 7. The source of wisdom (Col. 3:16). 8. Gives crucial warnings (Psalm 19:10-11). 9. Defeats the devil (1 John 2:14). 10. The source of great & lasting joy (Psalm 119:97).

4 D’S IN FIGHTING FOR JOY IN GOD THROUGH SCRIPTURE 1) DESIRE for the Word More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Psalm 19:10  Whet your appetite by reminding yourself about the benefits of God’s Word in your life (Psalm 19:10-11; 2 Tim. 3:16-17).  Hang around with “thirsty” people who delight in the Word.  Read good Christian books and biographies that stir thirst for God’s Word (e.g., The Pursuit of God by A. W. Tozer, Knowing God by J. I. Packer, Desiring God by John Piper, biographies on Hudson Taylor, Jim Elliot, Amy Carmichael, etc.).

4 D’S IN FIGHTING FOR JOY IN GOD THROUGH SCRIPTURE 2) DECISION for the Word I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Psalm 16:8  Make decision as your commitment to God-centered living [i.e., = Word-centered living] (Psalm 16:8; Matt 6:33).  Make decision on the FOUR THINGS: (1) time, (2) place, (3) reading plan [use CW Quiet Time List], and (4) starting date.  Make the decisions realistically—start with baby steps.

4 D’S IN FIGHTING FOR JOY IN GOD THROUGH SCRIPTURE 3) DETERMINATION for the Word 6 They set a net for my steps; my soul was bowed down. They dug a pit in my way, but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah 7 My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast! I will sing and make melody! Psalm 57:6-7  Face what you may need to “sacrifice” in order to actualize your decision (Psalm 57:6-7; 86:11).  Make determination for right posture before and during your time in the Word.  Make determination for protecting the time/treasuring the Word of God.

4 D’S IN FIGHTING FOR JOY IN GOD THROUGH SCRIPTURE 4) DISCIPLINE for the Word...Train yourself for godliness (1 Tim 4:7b)  Don’t merely “try” to delight in the Word—TRAIN yourself to delight in the Word (1 Tim 4:7b; 1 Cor.9:24-27).  Plan two weeks as an initial training program (like training for a marathon); It takes most energy and adjustment in the first two weeks of any new desired rhythm.  Train with a friend for accountability and encouragement (esp. during the first 2 weeks of a new “training season”).

THREE PRACTICAL QUESTIONS FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE 1.In what ways am I convinced more of my need to let the Word of God dwell in me richly for joy in God? How do I approach it as a delight not just a discipline? 2.What realization and practice of meditation will I use to [re]kindle my desire and delight in God’s Word? 3.Which one of the 4 D’s do I need to focus on in fighting for joy in God through Scripture this week? What is my first step for action?