The Art of Meditation - Psalm 103

Do you read the Bible but sometimes wonder how to get more out of it?  The key is to MEDITATE on a passage.  This does not mean the Eastern practice of clearing your mind, but rather the practice of thinking deeply about something specific.
 
Here are 4 tips on how to think deeper, and then my “practice” meditation on Psalm 103.

1. Pause and think when a passage stands out and gets your attention
2. Personalize the passage
3. Ask questions of the passage
4. Look up definitions of words (in English and/or in the original language)

 
 
“Let all that is within me praise (bless) his holy name.”
SEE:  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%20103&version=NIV
 
 
The psalm writer is talking to himself.  Why does he need to do that?  He’s giving instructions to his own soul (mind, will, emotions).  Another version says “let all that I am praise him,” which would include his body.
 
What does “his holy name” mean?  “Holy” means there is no other name like it anywhere.  A name represents a person, so there’s no other person like Him anywhere.  That truth brings a feeling of awe with it.
 
Why do I praise Him?  Remember what he’s done.
-        He has forgiven ALL you’ve done.
-        He has healed ALL your sicknesses.
-        What else?
-        He has delivered you from the WORST situations.
-        And to top it all off he does it with lovingkindness (which is like putting a crown on your head).
-        And if that wasn’t enough –
-        He satisfies your desires with good things.  This renews me so I become like a young person again!
 
How do I know this is what the true God is like?
He revealed it to Moses, and through all his actions he revealed it to all the people of Israel.
 
What else do we know about God’s character?
-        works justice for those who are oppressed
-        compassionate and merciful
-        slow to anger
-        rich in unfailing love
-        will not constantly accuse and harbor grudges
-        not harsh – doesn’t punish us as we deserve
 
Who gets all these wonderful benefits?
Those who fear him. *
 
What are these blessings?
-        Loves us greatly -  as great as the distance from earth to heaven!
-        Blots out record of our sins – as far as east from west (east and west never meet!)
-        Treats us like a tender and compassionate Father treats his dear children
-        Understands our weak and mortal nature
-        Extends this salvation even to our children and grandchildren
 
All these wonderful truths make me want to praise him!
 
*NOTE: To fear him is to hold him in reverent awe.

MY HEALING FROM AN OVARIAN CYST

On July 27, 2024 I was rushed by ambulance to the hospital with intense abdominal pain from an unknown cause. 

 

But wait. Flashback to the day before.  I had written in my journal: “During my quiet time with God, I got a picture of a stronghold.  It was a concrete castle ruins covered over in vines so I couldn’t see it. I kept stubbing my toe on it and not knowing why I was stumped.  So I asked God what stronghold should I focus on tearing down?  I heard him say “fear.”            … Now back to my story…

 

After a CT-scan and other tests, the doctors told me that I had a cyst on my right ovary that measured 15 cm. across.  They showed me the image – it covered the entire width of my abdomen.  It took 3 days in the hospital for the powerful pain and nausea drugs to calm my system so I could go home.

 

I prayed for God to show me what to do, because the recommendation was that I see an oncologist surgeon to remove the cyst and any other involved organs.  They couldn’t know if it was malignant until after the surgery.

 

A day or so later I saw an ad on TV for a “Healing is Here” Conference in Colorado. I recognized the name Andrew Wommack and felt drawn to go to it.  Now, spontaneous trips out-of-state when I’m in the midst of a health crisis are NOT in line with my natural temperament!  Nevertheless, within a few days I was flying to Woodland Park, Colorado along with my daughter Laura.

 

God spoke various things to me during the conference, and I went forward for prayer several times.  I left Colorado feeling better than when I had arrived.

 

Back home I took a turn for the worse, however, and was soon on high-powered pain killers 24 hours a day, barely able to eat or even take care of myself.  During that time I was intently listening to the “Healing Journeys” testimonies from Charis Bible College, to Andrew Wommack’s videos on “God Wants You Well,” and I read Spirit, Soul, and Body by Andrew.  Finally, God gave me assurance to go ahead with surgery and to ask people to partner with me in prayer over every aspect of the operation and my recovery.

 

In the night before surgery I had an experience with God. I felt him come close to me and lay his hand on my hair, like I was a tiny child, and as he touched me I felt something happening in my body. I asked him what it was, and he said, “I am taking away the knee-jerk reaction of fear – now you will have a choice.” A delicious calm feeling enveloped my as he said, “You are safe.”

 

The successful surgery with no complications happened on September 4^th.  No cancer was found at that time.  Two weeks later I got the final conclusive lab report that the large 2.2 pound cyst that had been removed was completely benign.  Praise God for his grace and healing!

 

I am now fully recovered, able to continue all my previous activities, and happily in school as a part-time student at Charis Bible College (Austin Extension Campus). 

 

Lorraine Mahan, Austin, Texas

10/17/2024

Are You Satisfied?

“With long life I will satisfy them and show them my salvation.” (NKJV Ps. 91:16)

I looked out over my yard on this beautiful fall day and saw a pile of mulched leaves I had spread on a garden bed. And I thought “how satisfying” it was.  

Satisfy.  That is a very human word.  It means “enough.”  Now for a radical statement: Whatever our length of life on earth, it can be “enough” for us.  That is a promise to those who call on the Lord in times of trouble, who trust in him to protect them, that they will not die before they see the salvation of the Lord and accomplish the purpose for which they were put on the earth.

For the Lord says: "I will rescue those who love me.  I will protect those who trust in my name.  When they call on me, I will answer. I will be with them in trouble.  I will rescue and honor them.  I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation." (NLT Ps. 91:14-16) 

The Psalmist says elsewhere, prophetically about Jesus, “a body thou hast given me.” and “I come to do your will, oh God.”* Jesus did God’s will with his body.  We can also think of our bodies as a gift from God to do his will on the earth.  –That certainly puts a different lens on our daily life here! 

God is not against our being satisfied.  He just knows that a lot of things we try to stuff into our empty minds and souls to satisfy them, will not satisfy.  And he knows what will. 

He has a plan for each of us which will “satisfy” our deep longing for significance, for making a difference in this world, for legacy.  And we can only find it through laying down our own plan to satisfy ourselves, and listen for His plan. 

What is your plan for me today, Lord?  My soul feels “satisfied” right now watching nature in my yard and drinking this cup of coffee.  But you are leading me in new directions.  I have to hold these things loosely.  Speak, Holy Spirit; I am listening.

 

                                                *Psalm 40:6-8 and Hebrews 10:5-7

ldmahan 10/22/2024