Study, Pray & Meditate on Scriptures
Jan 24, 2023Today’s Task Reading:
When we are experiencing a difficult time, the right thing to do is go to God’s word. There are five ways we can use God’s word to deal with the stresses of life: We can hear it, read it, study it, memorize it, and meditate on it.
Hearing scriptures builds up our faith (Romans 10:17). Unfortunately, we all have the challenge of overcoming selective hearing. If we don’t care for the message we are hearing, we tend to ignore it. If we like the message we are hearing, we tend to receive it. Nevertheless, if we are God’s followers, we will know His voice and follow it (John 10:27). Yet, we need to be careful and avoid speaking words of doubt and unbelief because it prevents God’s from operating in our lives (Matthew 13:58). So we need to make sure we speak the truth by following the Holy Spirit that guides us to all truth (John 16:13-14).
Reading scriptures opens our eyes to God’s truth (Psalm 119:18). The Bible Project helps us to read the Bible using animation and words. It summarizes the Bible into stories, which makes it very easy to understand and follow.
Studying scriptures allows God to reveal Himself to us. Unfortunately, when we are disobedient, we tend to distance ourselves from God. Think about how Adam and Eve hid from God after they ate from the forbidden tree (Genesis 3:8). Yet when we make efforts to seek God, we will find him (Jeremiah 29:13). Since we have so many distractions that pull us away from studying scriptures, it can be hard to stay focus. To prevent distractions, we can do things, such as turn off our phone, hide the TV remote, turn off the internet, and go into a private place to better study.
Memorizing scriptures helps us hide God’s Word in our hearts (Deuteronomy 6:6). So when we are feeling down, the scriptures in our hearts encourages us and builds our faith. Some tips to help us memorize scriptures are singing them to a song. There are so many artists out now that are recording scriptures to song. Find an artist that we enjoy and learn the scriptures.
Meditating on scriptures helps us apply them to our lives. When meditating on scriptures, we should continually think about what is truth, what is right, what is pure, what is lovely, what is admirable, what is excellent and what is praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). These acts of meditation renews our mind (Romans 12:2).
These methods are known to alleviate the adverse health effects of stress because our mind is thinking on good things. When we set aside time for the Lord, we will get restoration for our soul. God strengthens us and prepares us for the day ahead.
Today’s Prayer:
God, You reign forever and ever in the heavens and on earth. We are so thankful for You. You deserve all the glory, honor, and praise. Let Your kingdom come and will be done in our lives. We get stressed sometimes. Help us to relieve our stress with scriptures. We want to use all the tools that You have provided for us to live in peace. Thank you for giving us the tools to de-stress in Your word. Thank you for reminding us that in every stressful situation, we can always use our energy for something better. Give us knowledge, wisdom, and understanding we need to de-stress effectively when needed. Help us to take the necessary steps to de-stress. We ask You to forgive us for all our debts, trespasses, and sins as we forgive our debtors and those who have trespassed and sinned against us. Lead us not into temptation. Help us to be equipped with the full armor of God as You deliver us from evil. For Yours is the Kingdom, Power, and Glory. In Jesus Name, I pray. Amen.
Today’s Scriptures: Romans 10:17, John 10:27, Matthew 13:58, John 16:13-14, Psalm 119:18, Genesis 3:8, Jeremiah 29:13, Deuteronomy 6:6, Philippians 4:8, Romans 12:2
Romans 10:17 New King James Version (NKJV)
17 So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.John 10:27 New King James Version (NKJV)
27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.Matthew 13:58 New King James Version (NKJV)
58 Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
John 16:13-14 New King James Version (NKJV)
13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.Psalm 119:18 New King James Version (NKJV) 18 Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law.
Genesis 3:8 New King James Version (NKJV)
8 And they heard the [a]sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the [b]cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.Footnotes:
Genesis 3:8 Or voice Genesis 3:8 Or wind, breezeJeremiah 29:13 New King James Version (NKJV)
13 And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.Deuteronomy 6:6 New King James Version (NKJV)
6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.Philippians 4:8 New King James Version (NKJV)
Meditate on These Things
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.Romans 12:2 New King James Version (NKJV)
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. They are used by permission. All rights reserved.
Today’s Task
To destress, we will write a scripture that we can hear, read, study, memorize, and meditate on when stressed. Please share the scripture that you will hear, read, study, memorize, and meditate on when stressed here and/or your favorite social media platform. Please tag @4everVernice
Join me on this journey!  If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the progress of getting on top of things, if you feel led you can join me in this journey. I’m sharing each step as I go, not as an expert, but as someone navigating this path too. This free 21-Day Tax Transformation Challenge starts Dec 1st, and we’ll take each small step together, encouraging each other along the way. It’s amazing how even the smallest actions can lead to breakthroughs when we’re in it together.
