Meditation: “God’s Spirit utilizing every faculty of my heart and mind, bringing forth revelation which ushers in transformation.”
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Seven Steps in Biblical Meditation
Available as a free downloadable bookmark (shown at right).
Write: I copy the verse I am meditating on onto a piece of paper or 3X5 card, as instructed to in Deut. 17:18, and keep it with me to meditate on, memorize and mutter throughout the day(s). I also record this verse in my meditation/journal (which can be written, typed or verbally recorded). - Quiet Down: I become still in God’s presence, loving Him through soft soaking music (2 Kings 3:15,16) and/or praying in tongues (1 Cor. 14:14), or putting a smile on my face and picturing Jesus with me (Acts 2:25). I tune to His flowing thoughts, pictures and emotions (Jn. 7:37-39).
- Reason: Come let us reason together (Isa. 1:18), meaning the Spirit guides my reasoning process. I ask, “Lord, what do You want to show me from this verse?” I tune to flow and revelation from the Holy Spirit bubbles up within me.
- Speak & Imagine: I ponder the Scripture, personalizing and speaking it to myself softy over and over again until I can say it with my eyes closed. As I repeat the Scripture, I allow myself to see it with the eyes of my heart. I note what the picture is in my mind’s eye as I repeat the Scripture.
- Feel God’s Heart: While seeing the above picture, I ask, “Lord, what does this Scripture reveal about Your heart toward me?” I feel His heart and journal it out.
- Hear God’s Rhema: I put myself in the picture of this Scripture in my mind. I ask, “Lord, what are You speaking to me through this Scripture?” I tune to flowing thoughts and flowing pictures (God’s voice and vision) and I record this dialogue in my two-way journaling.
- Act: I accept this revelation, repenting of any sin that is opposite of it and roaring at any obstacle that stands in the way of implementing it. I then speak it forth and act on it.
Our hearts burn within as He walks with us opening Scriptures to us (Lk. 24:32).
We are transformed as we look, and see what Jesus is doing (2 Cor. 3:18).
The Holy Spirit guides the above process, leading to more or less emphasis on any of the various steps, according to God’s wishes for the present moment and the personal needs one has. So we remain dependent upon Him throughout. For example, I may need more or less time to quiet myself in His presence or more or less time in Spirit-led “reasoning,” or more or less time in speaking it, or feeling God’s heart in it, or doing two-way journaling about it, or roaring at the enemy to get his lies out of my head and his hands off my being. So I allow the flow of the Holy Spirit to guide me through the steps of this meditation process.
A beautiful example of meditating upon Luke 2:25-38 (the story of Simeon and Anna in the temple).
Linda - What an amazing experience, Lord. I am still overwhelmed with what I felt. I saw Simeon holding Jesus as an infant, worshipping God for the fulfillment of a promise that God had given him. While he’s holding baby Jesus, his old friend Anna walks up and sees him holding Jesus, weeping and worshipping, and Anna knows immediately that this is what she had been praying and fasting for all her life. Anna goes and wraps her right arm around baby Jesus as Simeon is still holding him then her left hand is extended toward heaven as she worships too. I am a bystander but I walk over and ask permission to hold Jesus. Mary and Joseph nod and I sob as the most wonderful gift ever is placed in my arms. Thank You, Lord. I love You.
Jesus - You are welcome, beloved. I said the same thing when I held you in My arms when you were born anew!
How to Meditate on a Topic (Utilize the free software, e-Sword)
- Be led by God to the topic: God will show you the topic He wants you to explore, by bringing it to your consciousness through thoughts, the comment of a friend or a book, or a presenting need in your life which demands the revelation and power of God to overcome (Jn. 16:13).
- Be cleansed by His blood: Approach your meditation time by drawing near to the Lord, repenting of all sins and asking for and receiving the cleansing of His blood (Heb. 10:22).
- Be humble and teachable: Ask for the Holy Spirit to reveal truth to you (Eph. 1:17,18). Be willing to discover and embrace His truth, no matter what it costs (reputation, pride, ego, job, financial security, etc.).
- Be fearless: Some churches will excommunicate, fire or shun a person who disagrees with the church’s belief. Thus fear hinders many from pursuing truth. Put your whole trust in God to sustain you, even if you are shunned or rejected by organized religion.
- Be whole-hearted in your search: Seek the Lord with your whole heart (i.e. presenting all your faculties to the Lord to fill and to use) and you will find Him (Jer. 29:13). Ask the Holy Spirit to guide and fill your heart and then tune to flowing thoughts, flowing pictures, flowing emotions.
- Let the Holy Spirit guide you in the use of the following Bible tools:
- A good concordance such as Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance and the King James Concordance (gives you every verse where a specific Hebrew or Greek word is used).
- Some good Bible dictionaries such as Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries, Brown – Driver – Briggs Dictionary, Vines Complete Bible Dictionary of New Testament Words, Vines Complete Dictionary of Old Testament Words.
- Miscellaneous analytical tools such as Nave’s Topical Bible, and Manners and Customs of the Bible, etc.
- Interpretive tools such as exegetical commentaries, expository commentaries and devotional commentaries.
- Receive counsel: Wisdom and safety come from receiving counsel, input and confirmation from the 5-fold team God has given to you (Prov. 11:14; Eph. 4:11; 2 Cor. 13:1).
Most of the above tools (plus many more) are available electronically in the free software, e-Sword. Our online college course, BIB390 Biblical Research Methods from Christian Leadership University provides excellent training on how to research a topic using these tools.
An Example of the 7 Step Meditation Process
Meditation: “God’s Spirit utilizing every faculty of my heart and mind,
bringing forth revelation which ushers in transformation.”
- Write: I copy the verse by hand onto a piece of paper or 3X5 card (Deut. 17:18) and keep it with me to meditate on, memorize and mutter throughout the day(s). I also record this verse in my meditation/journal (which can be written, typed or verbally recorded).
Isaac went out to meditate in the field toward evening (Gen. 24:63).
- Quiet Down: I become still in God’s presence, loving Him through soft soaking music (2 Kings 3:15,16) and/or praying in tongues (1 Cor. 14:14), or putting a smile on my face and picturing Jesus with me (Acts 2:25). I tune to His flowing thoughts, pictures and emotions (Jn. 7:37-39).
Used the Sea of Galilee Quieting Exercise, picturing myself together with Jesus and tuned to flow.
- Reason: I reason together with God (Isa. 1:18), meaning the Spirit guides my reasoning process (i.e. through flow). “Lord, what do You want to show me about any of the following: the context of the verse, the Hebrew/Greek definitions of the key words in the verse, any cultural understandings?” (“How to Meditate on a Topic” above details these steps.)
Meditation is a lifestyle that I have ordained. Do it in the evening. It is better than watching TV. As you do it, I can and will bring the choicest provisions of life to you. In this case, Isaac lifted up his eyes and saw the gift of his future wife who was being brought to him by his servant. His servant had discovered her in a distant land through a divine appointment. I also bring good gifts to you from distant places while you honor Me by making meditation your lifestyle. For when you honor Me by inviting Me into your everyday life, I honor you by bringing to you divine appointments. Honor Me with your lifestyle. Let your lifestyle be one of ongoing meditation.
- Speak & Imagine: I ponder the Scripture speaking it to myself softy over and over again until I can say it with my eyes closed. As I repeat the Scripture, I allow myself to see it with the eyes of my heart. I note what the picture is in my mind’s eye as I repeat the Scripture.
I see Isaac walking in a field in the evening and pondering as he walks along. I see Jesus at his side, speaking with him.
- Feel God’s Heart: While seeing the above picture, I ask, “Lord, what does this Scripture reveal about Your heart toward me?” I feel His heart and journal it out.
Mark, I love to walk with you in the cool of the day. This was My original design. This allows you to hear My thoughts and receive My wisdom, My counsel and My blessing. It is My desire to love you and care for you and provide for you and this is one key way I can do that if you allow Me to. Come experience My heart toward you in the cool of the day. Come meditate in the cool of the day.
- Hear God’s Rhema: I put myself in the picture of this Scripture in my mind. I ask, “Lord, what are You speaking to me through this Scripture?” I tune to flowing thoughts and flowing pictures (God’s voice and vision) and I record this dialogue in my two-way journaling.
Mark, there is SO much I want to reveal to you and I do it as we take these walks together in the cool of the day. You see, this was My pattern in the Garden of Eden. I chose for it to be our pattern also, that we walk together down the road of life. Will you come to Me in the cool of the day and meditate in My presence, allowing Me to minister grace to you on a daily basis? You can ponder the specific needs and situations you are surrounded by and present them to Me and I will give you revelation and insight as to how to best handle them and respond to them. I will do this daily if you will walk with Me daily. You will experience ideas and understanding beyond your natural ability. You will accomplish beyond your natural giftings.
- Act: I accept this revelation, repenting of any sin that is opposite of it and roaring at any obstacle that stands in the way of implementing it. I then speak it forth and act on it.
Lord, I accept this awesome invitation from You, my Lord and my Redeemer. What a gracious gift You have offered me, and all I have to do is say yes, and we walk together. I receive Your life and fullness into my heart and life. Lord, what an amazing offer You are making. I roar at every false belief that I can do it on my own. That is a lie from satan. I renounce humanism and rationalism. Get out of my life, now! I choose to die daily and come alive only to Jesus, who is my life.
Lord, I will walk with You and talk with You in the cool of the day and I will present to You the issues I am facing and ask for Your wisdom and insight on them. I thank You, Lord, for Your gracious wisdom, revelation and strength which flow so freely!!!
Our hearts burn within as He walks with us opening Scriptures to us (Lk. 24:32).
We are transformed as we look, and see what Jesus is doing (2 Cor. 3:18).
Let’s Begin Meditating and Enjoying Life-transforming Revelation & Empowerment
Select one verse a day to meditate on. (It could be that some days you want to continue to meditate on the verse from the previous day.) Copy the above “7 Step Meditation Process” into your word processor and insert into it the Scripture you are meditating on for the day along with the revelation God gives you.
You could begin with the verses on meditation listed below and then move on to verses or topics which interest you. If you want more verses on the topic of meditation, refer to the Scriptures in the file “Meditation – Hebrew and Greek Definitions” for an additional 40+ verses. For topical lists of verses to meditate on, use the “Bible search” feature, available as part of the free software, e-Sword, and search for words that deal with the topic(s) you want to explore in-depth.
Since revelation promotes transformation, I recommend meditating in areas where you are seeking change. If I desire to move into God’s miracle-working power, I would meditate on the words for power and healing, and compassion. If I need to discover the many ways He heals, I will meditate on all the verses in the Bible which speak of health, heal, healed, healing. If I need improved interpersonal relationships, I will meditate on the “one another” commands in the New Testament. Additional meditation topics and resources are suggested at the end of this file. (Note: you can explore my meditations on the above keywords by typing them in the search bar at www.cwgministries.org).
I will stay with a topic until the revelation is complete, the enemy has been roared at and is defeated, and I am a living testimony of God’s grace in that area. Then the Holy Spirit will move me on to the next area where I need revelation, transformation, and breakthrough. This is the process of life. This is the way we are called to live, so do not miss out on life! Since I am a teacher, I consolidate each year of God’s revelation and transformation to me into a training book in order to easily pass it on.
Blogs On Meditation and Using the Eyes of Your Heart as You Approach God
- How to Meditate on Scripture & Receive Life-Transforming Revelation
- Hebrew and Greek Definitions of Meditation
- Does the Bible REALLY Say “Study to Show Yourself Approved”?
- Western Study Versus Biblical Meditation
- 7 Step Meditation Process Explored
- 7 Step Meditation Bookmark (shown at right)
- Can AI SPEED UP My Discoveries from Scripture?
- Healing Scriptures for Meditation
- 4 Keys to Hearing God’s Voice
- What Does the Bible Teach about Visualization?
- You Can See Visions! They Are a Pathway to God
- Poised Before Almighty God
- Lord, When Is “Priming The Pump” Acceptable and Unacceptable?
- Initiative - Should I Take It? by Charity Kayembe
- Help! I Have Trouble Seeing Vision!
- Protestantism's 500-Year-Old Bitter Root Judgment and Inner Vow (a chance to repent)
- Training Your Child to Encounter Jesus - Godly Imagination & Visions
- How to Receive Revelation Knowledge
Books And Courses On Meditation And Spiritual Formation
- Hearing God Through Biblical Meditation book
- Meditation: How to Study the Bible in the Presence of God ebook
- The Art of Biblical Meditation Interactive Online Course from School of the Spirit
- Training Package - 4 Keys To Hearing God's Voice (One key is to use vision)
- Training Package - Hear God Through Your Dreams (Dreams utilize imagery)
- Book - Am I Being Deceived? (Difference between New Agers and Christians)
- Book - Secret Place (Examples of God painting beautiful scenes during prayer times)
- Divine Healing Toolbox CD/DVD Set (using vision while praying for healing)
- Training Package - Prayers That Heal the Heart (Inner healing prayer utilizes vision)
- Sound Doctrine Through Revelation Knowledge by Mark and Patti Virkler – an alternative to traditional hermeneutics.
- The Great Mystery – Christ in You by Mark and Patti Virkler – Explores all New Testament verses that describe what Jesus provides for you through His indwelling Spirit.
- How to Walk by the Spirit by Mark and Patti Virkler – Explores Scriptures concerning the heart
- Intimacy with the Holy Spirit by Mark and Patti Virkler– Explores Scriptures concerning the Holy Spirit
- How Do You Know? by Mark and Patti Virkler – Explores hundreds of verses which reveal God’s prescribed methodology for discovering truth.
© 2013 Mark & Patti Virkler – Original source can be found at www.cwgministries.org/meditation
Permission given to freely distribute in its entirety, provided all hyperlinks remain intact.
