“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” (Josh.1:8 ESV) 

Meditate: to think about over and over; to think seriously and deeply about something; reflect, consider, contemplate, deliberate, focus, muse, ponder, ruminate. 

 Meditate day and night 

“But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” (Psalm 1:2 ESV)

Meditate on all God has done

“I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.” (Psalm 143:5 ESV)

“I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.” (Psalm 77:12 ESV)

“On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.” (145:5 ESV)

Meditate on what God has promised

“My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise.” (Psalm 119:148 ESV)

Meditate for a heart of wisdom and understanding

“My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding.” (Psalm 49:3 ESV)

“Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.” (Psalm 119:97-99 ESV)

Therefore…

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14 ESV)

“I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.” (Psalm 119:15 ESV)

“May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord.” (Psalm 104:34 ESV)

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Phil. 4:8 ESV)

Quotes:

“I'm convinced that the man who has learned to meditate upon the Lord will be able to run on his feet and walk in his spirit. Although he may be hurried by his vocation, that's not the issue. The issue is how fast his spirit is going. To slow it down takes a period of time. - Charles Stanley

“When we find a man meditating on the words of God, my friends, that man is full of boldness and is successful.“ - Dwight L. Moody

“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” (Col. 4:2 ESV) 

Pray about everything and don’t be anxious

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Phil 4:6 ESV)

When you pray, believe that you have received what you ask for 

“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24 ESV)

“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” (Matt. 21:22 ESV)

 Pray with confidence 

“And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.” (1 John 5:14 ESV)

The Spirit helps us when we don’t know what to pray for as we ought

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” (Rom. 8:28 ESV)

 Therefore…

 “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chron. 7:14 ESV)

 “When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.” (Psalm. 37:14 ESV)

 “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” (Jer. 33:3 ESV)

 “Pray without ceasing…” (1 Thess. 5:17 ESV)

 Quotes:

 “Prayer is simply a two-way conversation between you and God.” - Billy Graham

 “We have to pray with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties.” - Oswald Chambers

 “Our prayers may be awkward. Our attempts may be feeble. But since the power of prayer is in the one who hears it and not in the one who says it, our prayers do make a difference.” – Max Lucado

“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” (Psalm 91:11 ESV)

Angels are sent from God to guard, guide, and help 

“Behold, I send an angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared.” (Exo. 23:20 ESV)

“Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place.” (Acts 8:26 ESV)

“My God sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.” (Dan. 6:22 ESV)

“But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said…” (Acts 5:19 ESV)

 God’s powerful angels are usually unseen

“Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lordopened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” (2 Kings 6:19 ESV)

Angels may appear in dreams

“But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” (Matt. 1:29 ESV)

Angels are mighty and powerful 

“And that night the angel of the Lord went out and struck down 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians. And when people arose early in the morning, behold, these were all dead bodies.” (1 Kings 19:35 ESV)

 Angels obey God’s voice and do His Word

 “Bless the Lord, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word!” (Psalm 103:20 ESV)

 Angels minister help to those who are to inherit salvation

“Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?” (Heb. 1:14 ESV)

 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear God

“The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.” (Psalm 34:7 ESV)

Angels are fellow servants not to be worshipped 

“Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” (Rev. 19:10 ESV)

“Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind…” (Col. 2:18 ESV)

Angels praise God

“Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his hosts!” (Psalm 148:2 ESV)

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!’” (Luke 2:13-14 ESV)

Therefore…

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” (Heb. 13:2 ESV)

Quotes:

“What a loving God we serve! Not only has He prepared a heavenly dwelling for us, but His angels also accompany us as we transition from this world to the next.” – Dr. David Jeremiah

“As created beings, angels are not to be worshipped, glorified, or adored in and of themselves. The angels were created to worship, glorify, adore, and obey God.” – Tony Evans

“Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27 ESV)

Declaring the “whole counsel of God” is what made Paul “innocent” of anyone’s choice to turn away from the truth. When Paul first arrived in Ephesus, he found some disciples who had heard of John the Baptist and did not yet know of the completed ministry of Jesus or the coming of the Holy Spirit. Paul brought them up to speed by presenting Jesus to them, and baptized them “in the name of the Lord Jesus.” 

“And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” On hearing this,  they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 19:4-5 ESV)

Paul shared the complete gospel 

“Paul shared “the whole counsel of God” (ESV) or “the whole will of God” (NIV) or “the whole purpose of God” (NASB) in that he spoke the complete gospel. He had given the whole truth about God’s salvation which included the “mystery of God”, which is God’s extending His plan of salvation to Gentiles as well as Jews. 

“For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, show the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power.” (Eph. 3:1-7 ESV)

“Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures…” (1 Cor. 15:1-4 ESV)

Therefore…

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” (Rom. 1:16 ESV)

Quote:

“It is fashionable in some academic circles to exercise scholarly criticism of the Bible. In so doing, scholars place themselves above the Bible and seek to correct it. If indeed the Bible is the Word of God, nothing could be more arrogant. It is God who corrects us; we don’t correct Him. We do not stand over God but under Him.” - R.C. Sproul

“Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.” (Acts 20:31 NIV) 

Warning: A statement telling of or an indication providing evidence of impending danger, difficulty, or misfortune.

A Godly warning is an act of love 

When driving along a country road you may come across warning signs such as, “Dangerous Curves Ahead” or “Watch for Rocks on Road”. These signs are there to warn you of danger ahead and to prevent accidents, even death. Warning people of danger is both a duty and a kindness. Notice in the passage at top that Paul says that he warned the Ephesians “with tears.” He said that because he loved them! Not warning people of dangers you are aware of makes you complicit if something bad happens to them. The Bible, both in the Old and New Testaments, is filled with many warnings. There are more than a hundred in the New Testament, alone. When you warn people, attitude is everything! Always do it carefully and lovingly. The verse below says to warn others like you would a brother.

“Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.” (2 Thess. 3:15 ESV) 

The following are just a few of the many warnings found in the New Testament

Biblical warnings 

• Deceivers: “For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward.” (2 John 1:7-8 ESV)

• Forces of evil: “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Eph. 6:12 ESV) 

• Works of the flesh: “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Gal. 5:19-21 ESV)

• Worldliness: “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” (1 John 2:15-17 ESV) 

• Unrighteousness: “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” ( 1 Cor. 6:9-11 ESV)

• False doctrines: “If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.” (1 Tim. 6:3-5 ESV)

• Devisiveness: “I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.” (Rom. 16:17 ESV)

• Unequally yoked: “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” (2 Cor. 6:14-18 ESV)

• The way to God: “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” (John 14:6 ESV)

Therefore…

“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” (Eph. 6:13 ESV)

Quotes:

“I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.” – Jesus Christ (Rev. 3:11)

“More than 100 verses in the New Testament tell us to warn others. It’s part of our responsibility as followers of Jesus.” – Rick Warren

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matt. 5:16 ESV)

We are created in Christ for good works

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Eph. 2:10 ESV)

“Who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” (Titus 2:14 ESV)

Faith without works is dead

“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” (James 2:14-17 ESV)

“For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.” (James 2:26 ESV)

Show your faith by your works 

“But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” (James 2:18 ESV)

Therefore…

“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you.” (Prov. 3:27-28 ESV)

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” (Col. 3:23-24 ESV)

“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” (Heb. 3:16 ESV)

“For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.” (Heb. 6:10 ESV)

“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.” (1 Tim. 6:17-19 ESV)

Quote:

“This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” – Jesus Christ (John 6:29)

“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” (Col. 3:14 NIV)

Love defined

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” (1 Cor. 13:4-5 NIV)

Love is the greatest

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” ( 1 Cor. 13:13 NIV)

Love must be sincere 

“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.” (Rom. 12:9 NIV)

Whoever lives in love lives in God

“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” (1 John 4:16 NIV)

“No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” (1 John 4:12 NIV)

Bear with each other in love

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” (Eph. 4:2 NIV)

Love covers a multitude of sins

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8 NIV)

Therefore…

“May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.” ( 2 Thess. 3:5 NIV)

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.” (Prov. 3:3-4 NIV)

“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.” (Psalm 143:8 NIV)

“Do everything in love.)

(1 Cor. 16:14 NIV)

Quote:

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” – Jesus (John 15:12 NIV)

“Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with… patience.” (Col. 3: 12d NIV)

Love is patient

“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant.” (1 Cor. 13:4 ESV ESV)

Patience is a fruit of the Spirit

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.” (Gal. 5:22 ESV)

The Lord is patient toward you 

“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” ( 2 Oeter 3:9 ESV)

Be patient in tribulation

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” (Rom. 12:12 ESV)

With patience, bear with each other in love

“With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.” (Eph. 4:2 ESV)

“And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.” (1 Thess 5:14 ESV)

Therefore…

“Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” (James 5:6-8 ESV)

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.” (Psalm 37:719 ESV)

“Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.” (Eccles. 7:8 ESV)

Quotes:

“Humility and patience are the surest proofs of the increase of love.” - John Wesley

“Some of your greatest blessings come with patience.” - Warren Wiersbe

“What then are we to do about our problems? We must learn to live with them until such time as God delivers us from them. We must pray for grace to endure them without murmuring. Problems patiently endured will work for our spiritual perfecting. They harm us only when we resist them or endure them unwillingly.” - A. W. Tozer

“Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with… gentleness...” (Col. 3: 12c NIV)

Gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Gal. 5:22-23 ESV)

The wisdom from above is gentle

“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:17 ESV)

Answer questions about your faith with gentleness 

“But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15 ESV)

“And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.” (2 Tim. 2:24-26 ESV)

Be gentle and show perfect courtesy to all people

“To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.” (Titus 3:2 ESV)

Restore transgressors with gentleness

“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” (Gal. 6:1 ESV)

“With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.” (Eph. 4:2 ESV)

Therefore…

“But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.” (1 Tim. 6:11 ESV)

“You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great.” (Psalm 18:35 ESV)

Quote:

“The very first thing which needs to be said about Christian ministers of all kinds is that they are "under" people as their servants rather than "over" them (as their leaders, let alone their lords). Jesus made this absolutely plain. The chief characteristic of Christian leaders, he insisted, is humility not authority, and gentleness not power.” - John Stott