A Fresh Word
July 19, 2020
Big Picture
In today’s generation, we have more believers in church who believe the word of God without actually having an actively growing relationship with God’s word. This has led to a growing sense of hopelessness, especially this year, when many are viewing their hardships with a higher view than their expectations of what God has for them. God is not done with 2020! His promises will still come to pass. As we continue our “Fresh” series, this week Pastor Christina Hanfere expounds on the importance of pursuing a lifestyle that prioritizes God’s word. By selectively being in an environment that promotes godly counsel and influence, along with a habitual practice of biblical meditation and application, we can receive the blessed life that God promises.
Sermon Recap
In Psalm 1:1-2, we find a blueprint and specific instructions on how to attain a blessed life. The Hebrew word “Blessed,” used in this passage is, “Ashar” which means contentment, harmony, joy, and to be straight with God. The blessed man is first identified by what he does not do, particularly as one “who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers” (Ps 1:1). Who is your company, your counsel, or your influence? The answer will greatly reveal what is being strengthened in your life. We are not to be too closely associated with those who do not have a biblically centered worldview (2 Cor 6:14). Instead of consulting with culture or public opinion, we should seek godly counsel and influence. More importantly, we should seek God’s word.
Studies have shown that people who engage in Scripture reading at least four times a week see a significant drop in depression, addiction, and spiritual stagnancy; while increasing their likelihood to share their faith exponentially. This comes as no surprise, for we read in Hebrews 4:12 that, “The word of God is alive and active,” with the power to transform all areas of life. This explains why the second indication to a blessed life, is someone “whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night” (Ps 1:2). The measure for our delight is our hunger and drive to commit to that which we delight in. It is measured simply by how much we actually meditate on God’s word. Unlike other worldly views of meditation, which involve emptying the mind, the Bible describes meditation as filling the mind with God’s word. This is accomplished in three distinct ways.
Meditation is repetition. It involves repeatedly taking our knowledge of God’s truth and writing them on our hearts (Ps 45:1). It allows for what the mind has heard and understood to be grasped by the heart.
Meditation is memorization. By committing Scripture to memory, we are able to store it as a spiritual deposit to easily retrieve immediately when in need (Deut 6:6).
Meditation means application. If we are not applying God’s word, then we are simply not progressing. Mere accumulation of knowledge will not provide the substantive growth that only application can.
Every fresh season of our lives will require a fresh word and we cannot barely coast on last week’s “Verse of Day.” We have to prioritize an active relationship with God’s word and be selective in our associations.
Pastor Christina Hanfere
Christina Hanfere co-pastors Overflow City Church, with her husband Pastor Paul Hanfere, in the heart of downtown Silver Spring, which is located only 7 miles away from the Washington D.C. Capitol. She is also a certified life-coach, pre-marital counselor, and heads the discipleship program at OCC.