Knowledge Wellness

SCRIPTURE | WHAT IT SAYS

24 Meanwhile, a Jew named Apollos, an eloquent speaker who knew the Scriptures well, had arrived in Ephesus from Alexandria in Egypt. 25 He had been taught the way of the Lord, and he taught others about Jesus with an enthusiastic spirit and with accuracy.

• Acts 18:24,25 NLT

 WHAT IT MEANS

Knowing something well is not only accurate intellectual knowledge that can be articulated eloquently, it is also experiential knowledge. Being taught a way implies not only the process of understanding a concept, but mastering its application. Knowledge that impacts our own personal experience empowers us to communicate it’s message with accuracy AND enthusiasm.

“There can be no knowledge without emotion. We may be aware of a truth, yet until we have felt its force, it is not ours. To the cognition of the brain must be added the experience of the soul.” (Arnold Bennet)

WHAT IT MEANS FOR ME

How would I assess the state of what I know and communicate about God’s word? In what ways has His word brought practical change? What is one thing I need to apply?

Glued Gaze

MEDITATION SCRIPTURE | WHAT IT SAYS

24 Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom,
    but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.

• Proverbs 17:24 NLT

MEDITATION | WHAT IT MEANS

The quality of your life is influenced by the quality of your focus. The quality of your focus is determined by the direction and duration of your gaze. The wandering eye of a fool moves constantly, aimlessly away from one trivial thing to another.  The sustained gaze of someone wise dwells upon weightier matters with intensity and purpose.

MEDITATION | WHAT IT MEANS FOR ME

How would I assess the quality of my focus? Where has my gaze been directed? What can I do to sustain my focus on wisdom?

Are You Catching Your Drift?

MEDITATION | WHAT IT SAYS

3 Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips. 4 Don’t let me drift toward evil or take part in acts of wickedness. Don’t let me share in the delicacies of those who do wrong.

• Psalm 141:3,4 NLT

MEDITATION | WHAT IT MEANS

A drift angle is the amount of distance been the desired course and the actual course. The more subtle the drift angle, the longer it takes before it’s recognized that something is off course. When we drift spiritually, it’s usually not perceived. If we are watchful, it usually begins with our stomach and mouth, with what we communicate and consume.

MEDITATION ON WHAT IT MEANS FOR ME

How would I assess what I’ve been communicating and consuming? Am I on course or am I drifting? Why or why not?

How Heavy is Your Promise?

MEDITATION SCRIPTURE | WHAT IT SAYS

I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness; for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name.

• Psalm 138:2 NLT

MEDITATION | WHAT IT MEANS

A promise is only as good as the name of the one who promised it. If it’s made by someone with a reputation for being unreliable, the promise is probably empty. If it’s made by someone with a reputation for being counted upon, even when it’s difficult, the promise carries much greater weight.

MEDITATION ON WHAT IT MEANS FOR ME

What is the promise in your life that gives you hope? Who is backing your promise? What promise do you have from God?

Battle Ready

MEDITATION SCRIPTURE | WHAT IT SAYS

22 Afterward the prophet said to King Ahab, “Get ready for another attack. Begin making plans now, for the king of Aram will come back next spring.“

• 1st Kings 20:22 NLT

MEDITATION | WHAT IT MEANS

When it comes to warfare, recognizing the unrelenting nature of an adversary is crucial. When there is a preparedness that comes from proactive planning, victory is more likely.

MEDITATION ON WHAT IT MEANS FOR ME

How do I view my spiritual adversary? How would I assess my preparedness for spiritual warfare? What plan do I have in place to fight this spiritual battle?

Captive Eyes

MEDITATION SCRIPTURE | WHAT IT SAYS

Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.

• Proverbs 17:9 NLT

MEDITATION SCRIPTURE ON WHAT IT MEANS

The crossroads in a relationship is almost always at the fault line: where one in the relationship is wronged by the other. What is done with the fault at that crossroad will determined our relationships’ quality and continuation.

Someone’s fault against us is like a powerful “focus magnet” that’s difficult to turn our attention away from. Forgiveness removes the power of that fault to capture our attention. Our focus is released from it’s captivity.

“There are no lasting relationships without forgiveness.” If a fault is dwelt upon, holding onto it will eventually separate close friendships. Forgiveness removes the toxic elements that pollute the environment, creating an atmosphere where love can prosper.

MEDITATION ON WHAT IT MEANS FOR ME

Is there a wrong that’s been done against me that has captured my attention? What must be done and said so that  the fault can be forgiven?