C. BOSTIAN DISCIPLINE THE WAY TO SUCCESS 13 3/5/99

Ps 119:15-16

15I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.

16I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

Ps 1:1-6

1Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. 4The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. 5Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6For the LORD knows the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

John 8:31-32

31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

IN ORDER TO PRACTICE THE DISCIPLINE OF MEDITATION WE MUST EMBRACE TWO DISCIPLINES THAT WE HAVE ALREADY STUDIED: THE DISCIPLINE OF SIMPLICITY AND THE DISCIPLINE OF STUDY. THE DISCIPLINE OF SIMPLICITY INVOLVES THREE THINGS.

INVESTMENTS.

WHEN THE DISCIPLINE OF SIMPLICITY IS AT WORK IN OUR LIFE THERE WILL BE A REDUCTION OF STRESS AND A SILENCING OF THE NOISE AND CLUTTER THAT OFTEN PREOCCUPIES AND DISTRACTS THE BELIEVER SO THAT HE CANNOT HEAR FROM GOD. WHEN WE EXERCISE THE DISCIPLINE OF SIMPLICITY WE WILL POSITION OURSELVES TO HEAR FROM GOD AND MUCH OF THAT HEARING WILL TAKE PLACE WHEN WE MEDITATE ON GOD'S WORD.

THERE IS ANOTHER PREREQUISITE TO THE DISCIPLINE OF MEDITATION THAT WE HAVE ALREADY DISCUSSED SEVERAL WEEKS AGO AND THAT WAS THE ORDERING OF OUR MIND THROUGH THE DISCIPLINE OF STUDY, AND PRIMARILY THROUGH RECEIVING THE WORD OF GOD. THE BIBLE IS THE CHRISTIAN'S INTELLECTUAL FOUNDATION.

2 Tim 2:15

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

-DISCIPLINE YOURSELF TO BE IN CHURCH SO YOU CAN HEAR THE

WORD.

-DISCIPLINE YOURSELF TO MAKE TIME TO READ THE WORD.

-DISCIPLINE YOURSELF TO STUDY THE WORD FOR YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING.

NOW, ONCE YOU ARE PRACTICING THE DISCIPLINES OF STUDY AND SIMPLICITY YOU WILL BE ABLE TO MOVE ON TO THE THE DISCIPLINES OF MEDITATION AND SOLITUDE DOES YOUR LIFE HAVE A CENTER, A POINT OF FOCUS FROM WHICH ALL THE PURSUITS AND PLANS OF YOUR DAY RADIATES? IMAGINE YOUR LIFE AS A SPOKED WHEEL SUCH AS MIGHT BE FOUND ON A BICYCLE. WHAT IS THE HUB TO WHICH THE SPOKES ARE ATTACHED?

• WHAT IS YOUR WORK ETHIC, YOUR ENTERTAINMENT, YOUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER PEOPLE, YOUR HOME LIFE, YOUR SPIRITUAL LIFE, ETC. ANCHORED TO?

FAR TOO MANY OF US ARE WITHOUT A CENTER, A HUB OF LIFE. WE LIVE AT THE SURFACE OF LIFE NEVER TRACING BACK TO THE CENTER OF OUR BEING. THE CENTER OF LIFE IS THE SPIRIT OF MAN.

1Thes 5:23

23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Prov 4:23

23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

IF THE CENTER OF OUR BEING, OUR HUMAN SPIRIT, IS IGNORED WE BECOME FRAGMENTED AND DISORGANIZED. THINK AGAIN, FOR A MOMENT, OF THE WHEEL. WHAT WOULD THAT WHEEL LOOK LIKE IF THE HUB WERE REMOVED, LEAVING NO ANCHOR FOR THE SPOKES? THIS IS THE PICTURE OF A LIFE WHERE THE SPIRIT IS NOT NURTURED AND STRENGTHENED. THAT LIFE WILL SPIN INTO DISARRAY AND DISORGANIZATION. NO AMOUNT OF PRESSURE ON THE RIM WILL RESTORE ORDER. THE HUB MUST BE STRENGTHENED AND THE SPOKES FASTENED. WHEN THE WHEEL OF LIFE HAS A STRONG HUB THERE WILL BE FORWARD MOMENTUM THAT WILL CARRY US THROUGH TRYING DAYS AND WEARING EXPERIENCES.

Rom 5:1-5

1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh

not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

TWO OF THE DISCIPLINES THAT STRENGTHEN OUR SPIRIT, THE CENTER OF OUR BEING, ARE MEDITATION AND SOLITUDE, OF WHICH MANY OF US KNOW LITTLE OR NOTHING AND YET THE BIBLE ATTACHES MANY PROMISES WHEN THESE 2 DISCIPLINES ARE PRACTICED IN OUR LIVES.

JOSHUA 1:8 DO NOT LET THIS BOOK OF THE LAW DEPART FROM YOUR MOUTH; MEDITATE ON IT DAY AND NIGHT, SO THAT YOU MAY BE CAREFUL TO DO EVERYTHING WRITTEN IN IT. THEN YOU WILL BE PROSPEROUS AND SUCCESSFUL.

PSALMS 1:1-3 BLESSED IS THE MAN WHO DOES NOT WALK IN THE COUNSEL OF THE WICKED OR STAND IN THE WAY OF SINNERS OR SIT IN THE SEAT OF MOCKERS. BUT HIS DELIGHT IS IN THE LAW OF THE LORD, AND ON HIS LAW HE MEDITATES DAY AND NIGHT. HE IS LIKE A TREE PLANTED BY STREAMS OF WATER, WHICH YIELDS ITS FRUIT IN SEASON AND WHOSE LEAF DOES NOT WITHER. WHATEVER HE DOES PROSPERS.

NOW ITS VERY IMPORT FOR US TO RECOGNIZE THAT OUR MEDITATION IS ON THE WORD OF GOD! SOME CHRISTIANS ARE DEEPLY SKEPTICAL OF THE PRACTICE OF MEDITATION BECAUSE OF THE WAY THAT IT IS SO CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH RELIGIOUS PRACTICES OF THE EAST. YET THERE ARE PROFOUND DIFFER-

ENCES!

1. EASTERN MEDITATION PRACTICES FOCUS ON EMPTYING THE MIND, CREATING AN OPENING FOR INVASION BY SPIRITUAL FORCES OF DARKNESS. CHRISTIAN MEDITATION FOCUSES ON INTERNAL-IZING THE WISDOM OF GOD AS IT IS REVEALED IN HIS WORD.

WATCHMAN NEE: THE SPIRITUAL MAN: IT IS THE LAZY PERSON WHO REFUSES TO BEAR THE RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE HE EXPECTS TO BE MOVED PARTLY OR WHOLLY BY GOD ONLY FROM A PASSIVE STATE. IF MAN DOES NOT USE HIS INTELLIGENCE NEITHER WILL GOD, BECAUSE TO DO SO WOULD BE CONTRARY TO THE PRINCIPLE OF GOD’S OPERATION. EVIL SPIRITS WILL DO SO HOWEVER; THEY NEVER HESITATE TO SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY TO INVADE MAN’S MIND. IT IS THEREFORE MOST FOOLISH FOR ONE TO ALLOW HIS MIND TO SINK INTO A STATE OF PASSIVITY BECAUSE THE ENEMY SPIRITS ARE ON THE PROWL SEEKING WHOMEVER

THEY MAY DEVOUR.

ONE OF THE MAJOR FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTES TO THE ENEMY BUILDING A STRONGHOLD IN YOUR LIFE IS THE PRACTICE OF A PASSIVE MIND. A PASSIVE MIND CAN BE DEFINED AS A MIND UNUSED FOR THE GLORY OF GOD. IT’S A BLANK MIND THAT BECOMES THE CESSPOOL OF THE ENEMY’S THOUGHTS AND IMAGINATIONS. SO AVOID EMPTYING THE MIND WHEN YOUR MEDITATE.

2. EASTERN MEDITATION TEACHES PEOPLE TO DETACH FROM THEIR PHYSICAL WORLD. FOSTER WRITES, "THERE IS AN EMPHASIS ON LOSING OUR PERSONHOOD AND MERGING WITH THE COSMIC MIND.... PERSONAL IDENTITY IS LOST... THERE IS NO PERSONAL LOVING GOD TO BE ATTACHED TO OR TO HEAR FROM." CHRISTIAN MEDITATION, BY CONTRAST, LEADS US TO BECOME ATTACHED TO OUR LOVING HEAVENLY FATHER AND TO FILLED WITH THE

PRESENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

OUR CHRISTIAN MEDITATION MAY ALSO BE FOCUSED ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST WHO WAS GOD'S WORD SENT IN PERSON. JOHN 1:14 TEACHES US THAT "THE WORD BECAME FLESH AND MADE HIS DWELLING AMONG US. WE HAVE SEEN HIS GLORY, THE GLORY OF THE ONE AND ONLY, WHO CAME FROM THE FATHER, FULL OF GRACE AND TRUTH." SO THAT NONE OF US COULD MISS HIS MESSAGE, GOD CAME INTO THE WORLD AND LIVED AMONG US SPEAKING HIS WISDOM IN THE LIFE OF JESUS CHRIST.

John 6:45-58

45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

46 Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father. 47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. 48 I am that bread of life. 49 Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. 50 This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. 51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. 52 The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? 53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. 54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. 56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. 58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that

eateth of this bread shall live for ever.

John 6:63

63It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

OUR MEDITATION MUST BE GUIDED BY THE INFORMATION FROM THE WORD OF GOD. SOME MAY QUESTION, "PASTOR, IF I HEAR AND READ THE BIBLE AS YOU TAUGHT A FEW WEEKS AGO, HOW IS IT THAT I MUST MEDITATE ON IT?" BECAUSE MEDITATION IS THE PROCESS BY WHICH THE WORD REACHES THE CORE OF OUR BEING CHANGING NOT ONLY THE SURFACE WAYS IN WHICH WE ACT, BUT ACTUALLY REFORMING THE INNER WAYS IN WHICH WE THINK.

Ps 119:97-105

97O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.

98Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. 99I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. 100I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. 101I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word. 102I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me. 103How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. 105Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

*ILL.- WE READ OF AREAS WHERE THERE IS A GREAT DRYNESS, A DROUGHT. THEN WE SEE ON THE NEWS THAT THOSE AREAS HAVE HAD CLOUDBURSTS OF RAIN WHEN 4-5" FALL IN A VERY SHORT TIME, HOWEVER, THE DROUGHT CONTINUES. WHY? MOST OF THE WATER COULDN'T PENETRATE THE HARD, BAKED EARTH. IT SIMPLY RAN OFF AND WAS LOST IN THE SEA. A DROUGHT IS RELIEVED BY

LONG, SOAKING RAINS.

Deut 32:1-2

OFTEN OUR EXPOSURE TO THE WORD OF GOD COMES LIKE CLOUDBURSTS. WE READ A CHAPTER OF THE BIBLE EARLY IN THE MORNING. WE COME TO CHURCH AND HEAR MESSAGES FROM THE WORD. WITHOUT MEDITATION, MOST OF THE "WATER OF THE WORD" WILL SIMPLY RUN OFF OF OUR LIFE WITHOUT IMPACT. BUT WHEN TAKE TIME TO THINK ABOUT WHAT WE HAVE READ OR HEARD, TO WRESTLE WITH HOW IT APPLIES TO OUR LIFE, AND WITH HOW WE CAN IMPLEMENT IT - WE ARE CHANGED INWARDLY.

1 Tim 4:13-16

13Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

14Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. 15Meditate upon these

things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

16Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

WE HAVE NOT ADEQUATELY UNDERSTOOD THE WORD OF GOD UNTIL WE CAN RESTATE BOTH THE FACTS AND THE MEANING IN OUR OWN WORDS. THAT IS THE PURPOSE OF MEDITATION! WE ARE

INTERNALIZING TRUTH.

BOTH OF OUR TEXT PASSAGES ATTACHED A PROMISE FOR THOSE WHO MEDITATE IN THE WORD OF GOD. JOSHUA WROTE ".....THEN YOU WILL BE PROSPEROUS AND SUCCESSFUL." THE PSALMIST WROTE "....HE IS LIKE A TREE PLANTED BY STREAMS OF WATER, WHICH YIELDS ITS FRUIT IN SEASON AND WHOSE LEAF DOES NOT WITHER. WHATEVER HE DOES PROSPERS." WHEN THE WORD OF GOD IS INTERNALIZED IT BRINGS ORDER AND ORGANIZATION TO OUR LIVES THAT MAKES PROSPERITY AND SUCCESS MUCH MORE LIKELY. THUS, THE INTERNALIZED WORD OF GOD WILL PRODUCE A LIFE OF TRUE WEALTH--- ---HONESTY, FIDELITY, DILIGENCE, RESPECT FOR OTHERS, SUBMISSION TO AUTHORITY, APPLICATION OF OURSELVES FOR THE LONG TERM REWARD, AND OTHER ADMIRABLE CHARACTERISTICS.

IN OUR DAY AND AGE WHEN SO MUCH OF THE VALUE SYSTEM OF THE WORLD IS RESISTANT TO GODLINESS, MEDITATION BECOMES EVEN MORE IMPORTANT AS A DISCIPLINE WE MUST PRACTICE. WE MUST COUNTERACT THE PROPAGANDA OF THIS PRESENT WITH THE ETERNAL TRUTH OF THE WORD STORED DEEP AT THE CENTER OF OUR PERSON. WHEN THE LIES THAT OWNING MORE MATERIAL POSSESSIONS IS BEING DRUMMED INTO OUR HEADS BY THE ADS THAT ARE ALL AROUND US, WE NEED TO BE CENTERED ON WHAT JESUS TAUGHT US ABOUT HAVING OUR TREASURES IN HEAVEN. WHEN THE SENSUALITY OF OUR TIME WOULD HAMMER INTO OUR BRAINS THAT WE MUST BE EXPERIENCING PLEASURE RIGHT NOW, WE MUST REACH INTO OUR CENTER AND FIND THE VALUE OF THE WORD OF GOD THAT TEACHES US TO BE A HOLY PERSON.

I Jn 4:1

1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Heb 4:12

12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

WHEN WE PRACTICE THE DISCIPLE OF MEDITATION WE MUST NOT THROW OUT THE NEED FOR DISCERNMENT, IN FACT WE NEED IT MORE THAN EVER BEFORE. NOT EVERY THOUGHT THAT POPS UP INTO YOUR MIND IS FROM GOD. THE BASIC DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE OPERATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND WICKED SPIRITS CAN BE SUMMARIZED BY THESE 3 POINTS:

1. ALL SUPERNATURAL REVELATIONS, VISIONS OR OTHER STRANGE OCCURRENCES WHICH REQUIRE THE TOTAL CESSATION OF THE FACULTIES OF THE MIND, OR ARE OBTAINED AFTER IT HAS CEASED FROM WORKING ARE NOT FROM GOD.

2. ALL VISIONS WHICH ARISE FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT ARE CONFERRED WHEN THE BELIEVER’S MIND IS FULLY ACTIVE. IT NECESSITATES THE ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT OF THE VARIOUS FUNCTIONS OF THE MIND TO UNDERSTAND THESE VISIONS. THE WORKING OF EVIL SPIRITS WORK IN JUST THE OPPOSITE WAY.

3. ALL WHICH FLOWS FROM GOD AGREES WITH GOD’S NATURE AND THE WORD OF GOD.

MEDITATION ALLOWS GOD THE OPPORTUNITY THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT TO PUT GOD’S WORD IN OUR HEART. AS WE READ GOD’S WORD AND THINK OVER GOD’S WORD, THE HOLY SPIRIT DROPS THAT WORD DOWN INTO OUR HEARTS AND IT BECOMES REVELATION AND LIFE GIVING TO US. THIS IS THE WAY THAT GOD EXPRESSES HIS THOUGHTS TO US IN THE DEPTH OF OUR BEING, IN OUR HEAR OR IN OUR SPIRIT. REMEMBER THAT GOD’S THOUGHTS ARE NEVER CONFUSED, PUZZLING OR COMPULSORY. BUT THAT’S NOT SO WITH EVIL SPIRIT. SOMETIMES IDEAS FLASH INTO A PERSON’S BRAIN WITH LIGHTING SPEED. THEY ENABLE HIM TO UNDERSTAND OR TO DISCOVER SPECIAL MATTERS. THEY MAY ARRIVE IN THE FORM OF A SUGGESTION URGING HIM TO DO THIS OR TO DO THAT. OFTEN THESE UNSUSPECTING THOUGHTS COME TO AN INACTIVE OR PASSIVE MIND. WHEN THE MIND BECOMES PASSIVE ITS EASY FOR THE ENEMY TO INTERJECT HIS NONESENS-ICAL NOTIONS TO HIM. 1. YOU ARE GOD’S SPECIAL VESSEL. 2. YOUR WORK WILL SHAKE THE WHOLE WORLD. 3. YOUR SPIRITUAL USEFULNESS IS UNLIMITED. OR 4. YOU ARE MUCH MORE SPIRITUAL THAN THE REST. NOW MOST OF US CAN LAUGH AT THESE SUGGESTIONS BY THE ENEMY BUT MANY YOUNG SAINTS FALL INTO THIS BAIT OF PRIDE. THAT’S WHY ITS SO IMPORTANT TO MAINTAIN AN ACTIVE MIND WHEN YOU MEDITATE ON GOD’S WORD. THE CHILD OF GOD MUST ALWAYS RESIST FLASHING THOUGHTS THAT DEMAND HIM TO TAKE ACTION RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THAT IS NEVER FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT AND IT IS NOT THE NATURE OF A PATIENT GOD.

NOW, THERE ARE SOME POTENTIAL DANGERS TO THE WRONG KIND OF MEDITATION BUT THERE ARE ALSO SOME POWERFUL BENEFITS AND PROMISES FOR THOSE WHO EXERCISE THEMSELVES IN THE DISCIPLINE OF MEDITATION. LET’S LOOK AT A FEW MORE SCRIPTURES THAT ENCOURAGE US TO MEDITATE.

Ps 4:4

4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart

upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

Ps 23:2-3

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside

the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the

paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Ps 46:10-11

10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen,

I will be exalted in the earth.

11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

BEFORE I CLOSE LET ME JUST TOUCH ON THE OTHER PART OF THIS DISCIPLINE... THE ASPECT OF SILENCE AND SOLITUDE. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE LEARN TO BE ALONE WITH GOD! HIS MOST INTIMATE MESSAGES TO OUR SPIRIT ARE CARRIED BY THE WHISPERS OF HIS HOLY SPIRIT. THIS IS PROFOUNDLY ILLUSTRATED BY THE EXPERIENCE OF THE PROPHET OF ELIJAH WHO SOUGHT A WORD FROM GOD. IN A GRIPPING ACCOUNT FOUND 1 KINGS 19, THE PROPHET RETREATS FROM A PLACE WHERE HE HAS EXPERIENCED A GLORIOUS VICTORY OVER THE PAGAN GODS. HE IS SHAKEN TO THE CORE OF HIS BEING AND NEEDS TO RE-CENTER, TO MAKE SENSE OF IT ALL. HE PRAYS EARNESTLY. THERE WAS AN EARTHQUAKE AND A BLAST OF A GREAT GALE OF WIND. BUT GOD WAS NOT HEARD IN THE WIND OR THE EARTHQUAKE, HE WAS HEARD IN A WHISPER. TO THOSE OF US WHO HAVE SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCES NURTURED IN EXUBERANCE, SILENCE AND SOLITUDE DO NOT COME EASILY. WE TEND TO WHAT TO SING, MOVE, AND SPEAK OUT WHEN WE SENSE THE SPIRIT OF GOD TOUCHING US. MANY TIMES SUCH A RESPONSE SHORT CIRCUITS OUR LINE OF COMMUNICATION WITH THE LORD. WE WOULD DO WELL TO SILENCE OUR LIPS AND OUR HEART SAYING LIKE SAMUEL, "SPEAK, LORD. YOUR SERVANT IS LISTENING."

1 Sam 3:7-10

7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him. 8 And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child. 9 Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

LEARN TO SET ASIDE TIMES OF 30 MINUTES WHEN NO ONE IS WITH YOU, WHEN NO TAPE IS PLAYING, NO NOISE IS INTRUDING. TAKE THAT TIME, NOT TO READ NOR SPEAK, BUT RATHER TO LISTEN IN FOCUSED ATTENTION ON THE WORDS OF YOUR FATHER.

WOULD YOU BE EFFECTIVE FOR GOD, SUCCESSFUL AND PROPEROUS FOR HIS GLORY? WOULD YOU BE A PERSON OF STABILITY AND STEADINESS, IN TOUCH WITH GOD AND YOUR OWN EMOTIONS? TAKE A LESSON FROM THE HOLY SCRIPTURE AND FROM THE GIANTS OF FAITH WHO'VE WALKED BEFORE US. MAKE SPACE IN YOUR LIFE WHERE ONLY GOD AND YOU WALK TOGETHER, WHERE YOU CREATE SILENT SPACES LISTENING KEENLY FOR HIS VOICE.

THE QUAKERS USE THE TERM - "CENTERING DOWN." BY THAT PHRASE, THEY SPEAK OF THE SKILL OF PULLING A FRAGMENTED LIFE AND MIND BACK INTO ORDER AROUND THE ESSENTIALS. THIS IS SUCH A VITAL SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE. DON'T NEGLECT IT. STRENGTHEN THE SPIRIT- THE HUB OF YOUR BEING. ENGAGE YOURSELF IN THE DISCIPLINE OF MEDITATION AND SOLITUDE REGULARLY.

HEAR THE CALL OF THE WORD TO [PSALM 46:10] "BE STILL, AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD; I WILL BE EXALTED AMONG THE NATIONS, I WILL BE EXALTED IN THE EARTH." (NIV) FOSTER OFFERS SUGGESTIONS FOR PREPARING TO MEDITATE. THEY ARE SIMPLE, NOT LAWS THAT BIND, BUT HELPS TO GET STARTED.

1. MAKE A SPECIFIC TIME, AN APP'T THAT IS KEPT BETWEEN YOU AND GOD.

2. FIND A PLACE FREE OF INTERRUPTIONS, WITHOUT A TELEPHONE, AND PREFERABLY AVAILABLE EACH TIME YOU MEDITATE.

3. ASSUME A POSTURE OF ATTENTIVENESS, YET ONE IN WHICH YOU CAN REMAIN FOR A TIME WITH COMFORT.

THEN, LISTEN AND WAIT FOR HIS PRESENCE.