Unlock The Power of Memorization and Meditation
A contemplative spiritual discipline to change your life
I have never been good a memorizing scripture.
Yet, I have always been amazed by people who can memorize vast chunks of the Bible. I have always marveled at that ability.
I used to think it was a gifting. I thought only some people could do it while the rest of us didn't at all.
It turns out I was wrong. As I have gotten older, I have started practicing memorization with meditation. And perhaps, this is what I have been missing all along.
Over the last couple of years, I have seen considerable changes in my walk with God by stepping into this practice. Because of this, I wanted to share it with you today.
A Supernatural Story
In high school, before I had a relationship with God, two older ladies were in our church. They both had developed brain cancer at different times. One when I was a freshman and the other when I was a junior.
It was sad as they had both taught my grade of Sunday school for several years. In two separate instances, we had gone to visit.
The first older lady, we were sitting with her and she was reciting the Book of Romans, word for word. We could follow along with her from chapters one through five before she became tired.
With the second lady, she was doing something similar. She was reciting different verses from the letter of the Apostle Paul.
I've never forgotten these experiences. I learned they had devoted themselves to the scriptures at both of their funerals. They were reading day and night, memorizing and meditating on the scriptures.
As I have gotten older, I have understood the depth that this brought them in their relationships with God. And strive to do the same.
Scripture Memorization
I have learned over the years that the benefits of memorizing scripture significantly impact how we do things in life. And it is a Kingdom principle that we must strive to achieve.
Yet, so many Christians believe what I used to feel. They think that a few have the ability, and they aren't one of them.
The truth is, we are all called to memorize scripture:
"Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God." - Colossians 3:16
When we memorize scripture, it dwells within us. This dwelling is part of what the Apostle Paul calls renewing our minds in Romans 12:2. It is an essential part of our walk with God.
How to Memorize Scripture
I have had many people try and help me with scripture memorization. However, the only way that has ever worked for me is as follows:
Write down the scripture you want to memorize on an index card.
Keep that index card with you all day long.
Set reminders or notifications on your phone three to four times a day to review the scripture.
When you examine the scripture. Read it silently to yourself. Then read it out loud three times.
Thank God when you study the scripture and ask him to write it on your heart.
This entire process takes less than five minutes. After a few days, you can recite the scripture with help from the index card. After a week or two, you will have it memorized.
I tend to revisit the verse regularly for about a month. After that, it's always with me. And this is an easy way to memorize scripture.
Scripture Meditation
I dove deep into understanding spiritual practices when I first became a Christian. While I grew up in the church, I never understood why people did different things.
However, when it came to meditation, many people in my immediate sphere of influence looked at the reflection as a purely 'pagan' or non-Christian spiritual practice.
However, over the years, I realized they couldn't have been more wrong. What I have found about meditation is that it is an excellent Christian spiritual discipline that aids in prayer and draws us closer to the will of God.
"I shall remember the deeds of the Lord; I will certainly remember Your wonders of old. I will meditate on all Your work, And on Your deeds with thanksgiving." - Psalms 77:11-12
In your times of mediation, the Holy Spirit will speak to you in unique ways, whether it is on mediation, a word God has given you, or a situation in your life.
However, meditating on scripture will help you to understand how that scripture applies to your life. And it will help you know God's promises and his will for you.
How to Mediate on Scripture
Meditating on scripture does not have to be a complicated process. I have found that it is a simple way to experience exponential growth in your walk with God. And this is how you can do it:
Read the scripture passage out loud.
Write down the passage in your journal or on a piece of paper.
Break down the passage. If there are multiple sentences, read each one and consider what God might be showing you in that sentence.
When God shows you something in the scripture, thank him for what he shows you and ask him to apply it to your life.
Write down what you learned or understood from the passage.
Read the passage out loud again.
Pray through the passage at the end of your time.
You can set aside some extra time to experience Scripture mediation. If you don't have time constraints, it will help you to slow down your mind and create space for God.
In these moments of mediation, I have found answers to burning questions. And in other times, I have received the peace I needed in difficult times.
It can be an impactful experience that will enhance your relationship with God. These experiences will help you find the deeper waters of your faith and will pour out to others.
Final Thoughts on Scripture Memorization and Meditation
The goal of memorization and scripture meditation isn't to increase our "holy value." What it is meant to do is to help us connect with God in new and different ways.
Growing in our relationship with God will help us know him better and experience who he is better. When we do these spiritual disciplines out of love for him, it allows us to submit our lives to him even more.
I want to give you one more thing before you go regarding scripture memorization and meditation. I mentioned it earlier, but I think it is worth exploring.
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." - Romans 12:2
One of the best ways to renew our minds is to memorize and meditate on scripture. This one practice has changed my life and helped me understand God's will in my life.
So, today, I want to encourage you to find a section of scripture to meditate on, then pick one Bible verse to memorize. Spend time this week doing these things and see how it changes your walk with God.
J.R. Heimbigner is a #1 Bestselling Author on Amazon who loves helping people grow in their faith and help writers become authors. You can connect with him on Medium, his website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Substack!
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