Four questions about meditation and the steps to help you start.

The Scriptures talk a great deal about meditation, especially in the Books of Wisdom like Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Job. But what does meditation mean, what happens when I do it, what are the benefits and how do I do it? www.bible.org defines meditation this way:

"Meditation in the Bible means reflective thinking on biblical, truth so that God can speak to us through Scripture and through the thoughts that come to mind as we are reflecting on the Word, but that must also be filtered by the Word."

What Is Meditation?
In other words, meditation is the practice of taking a verse or many verses and then contemplating, deliberating and mulling over those verses and their implications for our lives in the course of a few minutes, a day, or longer. As we consider the biblical truth, God's voice has the opportunity to enlighten us on how that truth applies to our lives.

What Happens When We Meditate?
Meditation has the potential to bring ongoing transformation to our lives over time. Paul exhorts us in Romans 12:2, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will." As we meditate on specific passages in God's word, the truths of that passage become resident in our minds and once "in residence" they influence our thinking and our actions.

Consider, for instance, Micah 6:8. "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" Think of all the biblical truths packed into that one verse and the many implications it has for our lives. I would encourage you to meditate on that one verse this coming week as a test drive for how God's word can become resident in your life over the course of the week. Meditate on it, pray on it, and act on it as situations present themselves.

What Are The Benefits Of Meditation?
Scripture mentions many ways that meditation helps us live out our Christian lives in ways that please God:

• It focuses our minds (Ps 119:15)
• It helps us better understand (Ps 119:27)
• It helps us remember God's faithfulness to us (Ps 143:5)
• It facilitates worship (Ps 1:2)
• It helps us apply God's Word (Titus 3:3-4)

All of these allow the Word of God to take up residence in our hearts and lives, adjust our mindset to God's thinking, and help us live out the truths on a daily basis.

How Do I Start?
A simple way to facilitate meditation is to take the verse, or verses, from the Men's Daily Devotional for the day and print them out for the car, your desk at work and wherever you spend your time. And ask Jesus to transform your mind, thinking and life as you meditate on his eternal word.

"Worry is focused thinking on something negative. Meditation is doing the same thing only focusing on God's word instead of your problem." Rick Warren, author, speaker, and pastor of Saddleback Church.