Creekside Church || Wasilla, AK
07.27.25 || HEARING GOD'S VOICE pt2 || Meditating & Memorizing
Weekly Sermon Notes
Locations & Times
Creekside Church || Wasilla, AK
2201 S Knik-Goose Bay Rd, Wasilla, AK 99654, USA
Sunday 9:00 AM
Sunday 11:00 AM
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INTRODUCTION…
- Last week we talked about the importance of READING and REAPING God’s word, both for breadth and for depth. I gave you a challenge to READ a chapter a day and to REAP at least a one verse this week…how did you do?
- I am continuing to work through Ephesians (DNA)…goal is to listen to whole book on audio every day, then REAP some specific verses that jump out at me while I'm listening to it.
- I am doing this both personally and with a couple of guys. It has been good to listen to scripture for me. I spend a lot of time in the REAPING end of the pool so to just listen to the whole book of Ephesians has really been encouraging to me this week.
- Today we are going to add to our spiritual habits...MEDITATING & MEMORIZING God’s Word. As you add these two disciplines to your bible Reading and Reaping, you will enhance your ability to hear God’s voice through His Word, maturing you as a disciple.
- Last week we talked about the importance of READING and REAPING God’s word, both for breadth and for depth. I gave you a challenge to READ a chapter a day and to REAP at least a one verse this week…how did you do?
- I am continuing to work through Ephesians (DNA)…goal is to listen to whole book on audio every day, then REAP some specific verses that jump out at me while I'm listening to it.
- I am doing this both personally and with a couple of guys. It has been good to listen to scripture for me. I spend a lot of time in the REAPING end of the pool so to just listen to the whole book of Ephesians has really been encouraging to me this week.
- Today we are going to add to our spiritual habits...MEDITATING & MEMORIZING God’s Word. As you add these two disciplines to your bible Reading and Reaping, you will enhance your ability to hear God’s voice through His Word, maturing you as a disciple.
1. MEDITATE ON GOD’S WORD…
—> A Couple of Guiding Verses on Meditating on God’s Word…
PS 119:15 “I will meditate on your precepts and think about your ways.”
PS 19:14 "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, Lord, my rock and my Redeemer."
—> What is Christian Meditation?
Christian meditation is not about emptying the mind (Eastern mysticism), but filling it with God’s truth. It has been defined as: “Deep thinking on the truths and spiritual realities revealed in Scripture for the purposes of understanding, application, and prayer”. It is chewing, savoring, and digesting the God’s Word.
—> Why Is This Type of Meditation Important?
- Meditation is the bridge between Hearing God’s Voice (Reading/Reaping the Bible) and Prayer (which we will talk about next week). When we meditate on God’s Word we move from simply ‘inputing’ to digesting what we have read leading to transformation…
- The verse we read last week in Joshua emphasizes this process of meditation...
--- Meditation → Obedience → Blessing
JOSH 1:8 “This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to meditate on it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do.”
—> Biblical Meditation in Action
COL 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”
PS 1:1–2 “How happy is the one who does not walk in the advice of the wicked or stand in the pathway with sinners or sit in the company of mockers! 2 Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night.”
-- PS 119 Meditation is repeated as the posture of a soul in love with God’s Word
PS 119:23 "Though princes sit together speaking against me, your servant will think about your statutes;"
PS 119:27 "Help me understand the meaning of your precepts so that I can meditate on your wonders."
PS 119:97-99 "How I love your instruction! It is my meditation all day long. 98 Your command makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is always with me. 99 I have more insight than all my teachers because your decrees are my meditation."
—> Why Do We Struggle with Meditation?
We are addicted to noise. Meditation requires us to slow down, which feels unproductive in our hurried world. We are distracted by so many things and we don’t carve out intentional time to meditate on what God says to us in His Word
—> What Are Some Of The Rewards of Meditation?
Meditation...
- Ignites prayer with meaningful words and promises
- Makes Bible reading/reaping fruitful and memorable
- It can fuel spiritual growth and help aide in emotional healing
- As we slow down and meditate it can prepare us to meet the day with a gospel-centered mindset…having the mind of Christ
—> How to Meditate…an Extension of REAP
1. Carve out a specific time and place each day when you are least likely to be interrupted or distracted to get alone and read, reap and meditate on God’s Word.
2. Pray and ask God to help you with your meditation. Ask the Lord to draw you closer to Him, open your eyes to His truth, help you apply that truth in your life, and transform you as you meditate on God’s Word.
PS 119:27 "Help me understand the meaning of your precepts so that I can meditate on your wonders."
3. Choose a verse that stood out during your reading or your reaping and sit with it for 5–10 minutes: read it slowly, repeat it out loud, write it down. (This is what I love about my journal)
4. Ask questions: What does this say about God? What is it asking of me? How does this point to Jesus? Is there a command to obey, a principle to follow, a sin to confess, a promise to believe?
5. Let it move you to worship and prayer. Consider how you can apply the passage to your life today in practical ways, and ask God to help you follow through in obedience to what He shows you.
—> A Couple of Guiding Verses on Meditating on God’s Word…
PS 119:15 “I will meditate on your precepts and think about your ways.”
PS 19:14 "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, Lord, my rock and my Redeemer."
—> What is Christian Meditation?
Christian meditation is not about emptying the mind (Eastern mysticism), but filling it with God’s truth. It has been defined as: “Deep thinking on the truths and spiritual realities revealed in Scripture for the purposes of understanding, application, and prayer”. It is chewing, savoring, and digesting the God’s Word.
—> Why Is This Type of Meditation Important?
- Meditation is the bridge between Hearing God’s Voice (Reading/Reaping the Bible) and Prayer (which we will talk about next week). When we meditate on God’s Word we move from simply ‘inputing’ to digesting what we have read leading to transformation…
- The verse we read last week in Joshua emphasizes this process of meditation...
--- Meditation → Obedience → Blessing
JOSH 1:8 “This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to meditate on it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do.”
—> Biblical Meditation in Action
COL 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”
PS 1:1–2 “How happy is the one who does not walk in the advice of the wicked or stand in the pathway with sinners or sit in the company of mockers! 2 Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night.”
-- PS 119 Meditation is repeated as the posture of a soul in love with God’s Word
PS 119:23 "Though princes sit together speaking against me, your servant will think about your statutes;"
PS 119:27 "Help me understand the meaning of your precepts so that I can meditate on your wonders."
PS 119:97-99 "How I love your instruction! It is my meditation all day long. 98 Your command makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is always with me. 99 I have more insight than all my teachers because your decrees are my meditation."
—> Why Do We Struggle with Meditation?
We are addicted to noise. Meditation requires us to slow down, which feels unproductive in our hurried world. We are distracted by so many things and we don’t carve out intentional time to meditate on what God says to us in His Word
—> What Are Some Of The Rewards of Meditation?
Meditation...
- Ignites prayer with meaningful words and promises
- Makes Bible reading/reaping fruitful and memorable
- It can fuel spiritual growth and help aide in emotional healing
- As we slow down and meditate it can prepare us to meet the day with a gospel-centered mindset…having the mind of Christ
—> How to Meditate…an Extension of REAP
1. Carve out a specific time and place each day when you are least likely to be interrupted or distracted to get alone and read, reap and meditate on God’s Word.
2. Pray and ask God to help you with your meditation. Ask the Lord to draw you closer to Him, open your eyes to His truth, help you apply that truth in your life, and transform you as you meditate on God’s Word.
PS 119:27 "Help me understand the meaning of your precepts so that I can meditate on your wonders."
3. Choose a verse that stood out during your reading or your reaping and sit with it for 5–10 minutes: read it slowly, repeat it out loud, write it down. (This is what I love about my journal)
4. Ask questions: What does this say about God? What is it asking of me? How does this point to Jesus? Is there a command to obey, a principle to follow, a sin to confess, a promise to believe?
5. Let it move you to worship and prayer. Consider how you can apply the passage to your life today in practical ways, and ask God to help you follow through in obedience to what He shows you.
2. MEMORIZE GOD’S WORD…
—> A Guiding Verse on Meditating on God’s Word…
PS 119:11 "I have treasured your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you."
—> Why Bother Memorizing?
- Do you ever wish you had the perfect Bible verse ready in the moment you need it? Both for yourself and for others? Knowing God’s word through memorizing it is something I think we all know would be a good thing to do but few of us do it enough…I’ve been challenged this week about that very issue. David Mathis in his book “Habits of Grace” challenges us to rethink memorizing scripture not just as long-term storage, but as today’s nourishment
- Memorization is Present Grace, Not Just Future Armor...There is a common misconception that memorizing scripture only for emergencies…but the truth is: it shapes our minds and heart now— it is today’s “daily bread” as Jesus prayed “give us this day our daily bread” from Matt. 6:11 in the Lord’s Prayer. Memorization is a tool for transformation now:
ROM 12:2 "Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind”
- This is an important concept…the renewing of our mind. We see this concept throughout scripture and memorizing is one way we can ‘renew our mind’
—> You Have the Mind of Christ…
- Paul says...
1 COR 2:16 “16 For who has known the Lord’s mind, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.”
- By memorizing God’s Word, we train our thoughts to echo His.
- Paul encouraged the christians in Philippi...
PHP 2:2-5 “2 make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. 4 Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others. 5 Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus…”
- a mind of humility and love and selflessness and unity.
—> Memorizing Scripture will Change You…
- It tunes you to God’s frequency:
COL 3:2 “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
- Memorizing scripture will help conform us to Jesus. If we would be changed into Christlikeness, we must steadily see him. This happens in the word.
- It helps you in your battle over temptation and sin
PS 119:9-129 "How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping your word.I have treasured your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you. 12 Lord, may you be blessed; teach me your statutes."
- It shapes your reactions, emotions, and words cultivating humility and an others centered attitude
1 PET 3:8 “Finally, all of you be like-minded and sympathetic, love one another, and be compassionate and humble”
- It helps you when you need to give comfort or counsel for people you love
PROV 25:11 “A word spoken at the right time is like gold apples in silver settings.”
- It will equip you in sharing the gospel with others and your own heart. When his word is in your heart it give you words to give glory to God, communicate with him and enjoy his presence in a much fuller way
—> Meditation + Memorization = Heart Change
- There are people who memorize scripture for other reasons than life change. Let’s be clear…Memorizing scripture doesn’t make you automatically spiritual or mature. In John 5:39–40 Jesus rebuked religious leaders who memorized Scripture but missed the Savior
--- THE GOAL IS NOT ACCUMULATION BUT COMMUNION.
- This is why memory without meditation is fruitless; you need both…they work together.
- In your memorizing…take time to ponder, feel, and pray through what you memorize. “Taking the text to heart is primary”—more than just rote repetition. I have found memorizing to be challenging but when you work through a passage and commit it to memory, saying it over and over (which sometimes feels fruitless), the repetition will eventually burn those truths into your head and heart…The work pays off and will bear fruit if we do more than just memorize
—> Practical Tips for Scripture Memory
1. Diversify your picks – Books, chapters, or gospel verses
2. Take it with you – On your phone, sticky notes, listen in the car .
3. Turn your text into prayer – This deepens insight and devotion.
4. Memorize in light of the gospel – Don’t miss Jesus in the text
—> A Guiding Verse on Meditating on God’s Word…
PS 119:11 "I have treasured your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you."
—> Why Bother Memorizing?
- Do you ever wish you had the perfect Bible verse ready in the moment you need it? Both for yourself and for others? Knowing God’s word through memorizing it is something I think we all know would be a good thing to do but few of us do it enough…I’ve been challenged this week about that very issue. David Mathis in his book “Habits of Grace” challenges us to rethink memorizing scripture not just as long-term storage, but as today’s nourishment
- Memorization is Present Grace, Not Just Future Armor...There is a common misconception that memorizing scripture only for emergencies…but the truth is: it shapes our minds and heart now— it is today’s “daily bread” as Jesus prayed “give us this day our daily bread” from Matt. 6:11 in the Lord’s Prayer. Memorization is a tool for transformation now:
ROM 12:2 "Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind”
- This is an important concept…the renewing of our mind. We see this concept throughout scripture and memorizing is one way we can ‘renew our mind’
—> You Have the Mind of Christ…
- Paul says...
1 COR 2:16 “16 For who has known the Lord’s mind, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.”
- By memorizing God’s Word, we train our thoughts to echo His.
- Paul encouraged the christians in Philippi...
PHP 2:2-5 “2 make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. 4 Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others. 5 Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus…”
- a mind of humility and love and selflessness and unity.
—> Memorizing Scripture will Change You…
- It tunes you to God’s frequency:
COL 3:2 “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
- Memorizing scripture will help conform us to Jesus. If we would be changed into Christlikeness, we must steadily see him. This happens in the word.
- It helps you in your battle over temptation and sin
PS 119:9-129 "How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping your word.I have treasured your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you. 12 Lord, may you be blessed; teach me your statutes."
- It shapes your reactions, emotions, and words cultivating humility and an others centered attitude
1 PET 3:8 “Finally, all of you be like-minded and sympathetic, love one another, and be compassionate and humble”
- It helps you when you need to give comfort or counsel for people you love
PROV 25:11 “A word spoken at the right time is like gold apples in silver settings.”
- It will equip you in sharing the gospel with others and your own heart. When his word is in your heart it give you words to give glory to God, communicate with him and enjoy his presence in a much fuller way
—> Meditation + Memorization = Heart Change
- There are people who memorize scripture for other reasons than life change. Let’s be clear…Memorizing scripture doesn’t make you automatically spiritual or mature. In John 5:39–40 Jesus rebuked religious leaders who memorized Scripture but missed the Savior
--- THE GOAL IS NOT ACCUMULATION BUT COMMUNION.
- This is why memory without meditation is fruitless; you need both…they work together.
- In your memorizing…take time to ponder, feel, and pray through what you memorize. “Taking the text to heart is primary”—more than just rote repetition. I have found memorizing to be challenging but when you work through a passage and commit it to memory, saying it over and over (which sometimes feels fruitless), the repetition will eventually burn those truths into your head and heart…The work pays off and will bear fruit if we do more than just memorize
—> Practical Tips for Scripture Memory
1. Diversify your picks – Books, chapters, or gospel verses
2. Take it with you – On your phone, sticky notes, listen in the car .
3. Turn your text into prayer – This deepens insight and devotion.
4. Memorize in light of the gospel – Don’t miss Jesus in the text
3. NEXT STEPS FOR YOU…
LAST WEEKS CHALLENGE: read a chapter a day, reap at least one passage a week
THIS WEEKS CHALLENGE: As you read and reap…take an additional 5 minutes a day this week…
1. Pick one verse from your reading plan that speaks to your life and meditate on it deeply…
2. Journal your thoughts and then
pray it back to Jesus as a prayer
3. Then take that verse—write it down, repeat it all day, reflect on it, put it in your heart, let God’s word change your mind.
4. Ask God to conform your thoughts to Christ’s as you hide His Word in your heart.
—> CONCLUSION: A MIND MOLDED BY GOD AND HIS WORD
God has made His thoughts known—don’t just read them; reap them, meditate on them and memorize them.
LAST WEEKS CHALLENGE: read a chapter a day, reap at least one passage a week
THIS WEEKS CHALLENGE: As you read and reap…take an additional 5 minutes a day this week…
1. Pick one verse from your reading plan that speaks to your life and meditate on it deeply…
2. Journal your thoughts and then
pray it back to Jesus as a prayer
3. Then take that verse—write it down, repeat it all day, reflect on it, put it in your heart, let God’s word change your mind.
4. Ask God to conform your thoughts to Christ’s as you hide His Word in your heart.
—> CONCLUSION: A MIND MOLDED BY GOD AND HIS WORD
God has made His thoughts known—don’t just read them; reap them, meditate on them and memorize them.
RESPOND, REFLECT & COMMUNION
I would like to give you a chance to respond to God…
-- What did God reveal about who he is to you today in our time in God’s word?
-- What did God reveal about what he has done or is doing in our time in God’s word?
-- What did you learn about who you are as we looked at these stories today?
-- What did you learn about what you are supposed to do?
—> Let's take a minute to thank Him, respond to Him, confess our sins to Him, examine our hearts before we take communion...
—> WHAT IS JESUS SAYING TO YOU TODAY?
—> WHAT IS JESUS ASKING YOU TO DO?
I would like to give you a chance to respond to God…
-- What did God reveal about who he is to you today in our time in God’s word?
-- What did God reveal about what he has done or is doing in our time in God’s word?
-- What did you learn about who you are as we looked at these stories today?
-- What did you learn about what you are supposed to do?
—> Let's take a minute to thank Him, respond to Him, confess our sins to Him, examine our hearts before we take communion...
—> WHAT IS JESUS SAYING TO YOU TODAY?
—> WHAT IS JESUS ASKING YOU TO DO?