Meet My Friend: MR. MAP - Part One
"O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.” - Psalm 119:97 (KJV)
When my three sons were young children, I wanted them to have a sincere interest for the Word of God. I wanted them to know that life doesn't consist of an incessant investment in indulgence. Consider what the Lord Jesus said, "Man shall not live by bread alone but every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" Matthew 4:4b (KJV)
At that season in their lives, I wanted to take advantage of their minds and hearts while they were still pliable and soft - the perfect conditions for the Spirit of God to work. When the head and heart are hard like dried cement, it's difficult to repent.
So in order to assist my sons, God graciously gave me a tool to teach them the discipline of developing a relationship with God according to the Scriptures. That tool and tutor is MR. MAP.
Each letter in the term “MR. MAP” reflects five disciplines that will direct and develop a dedicated disciple of the Lord. Following MR. MAP provides practical ways that will point you toward the purposes and the power of God’s Word in your life.
M= Memorization
R= Reading
M=Meditation
A=Application
P= Prayer
Similar to physical fitness, spiritual fitness requires dedication and development. One does not become physically fit via osmosis but is instead rewarded with physical fitness by being obedient to an order of disciplines (exercises). Coincidentally, you need a personal trainer who is proficiently knowledgeable and rich in experience! Likewise being spiritually fit demands a devotee (you) and a Divine Trainer (Holy Spirit). Our Lord Jesus sent us our Divine Trainer that would convince us, control us, and call us to confront the sin in our lives.
“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.”John 16: 7-8 (KJV)
When we submit to the influence of the Holy Spirit, we can run His race and position ourselves consistently on the victory platform rather than in the ditch of defeat.
Unfortunately, in the body of Christ, disciplined disciples are the exception rather than the rule. I encourage you to make it a point not to be a disciple that is deficient in discipline. Consider what the absolute infallible Scripture records with respect to discipline.
"And whatsoever ye do , do it heartily , as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ" Colossians 3:24 (KJV)
As Aristotle once said, "We are what we repeatedly do: Excellence then is not an act but a habit."
If we are honest with ourselves, a good number of us are not in a good place with our spiritual fitness. We have been resting in the reclining chair of complacency, apathy, indifference and in some cases ignorance. We are getting obese from greasy grace and consequently slipping into a carnal coma!
"And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed." Romans 13:11 (KJV)
Let's stop sitting on a couch that is in compliance with our carnal nature. Toss the potato chip bag of past accomplishments and disappointments. As servants of God we either strive for the excellence that is for His glory or we are stagnant and smell of carnality.
Join me again next week as we investigate each of the different components to MR. MAP and how they can direct you on a path to spiritual victory.
For the Glory of God,
PBKSR