PURPOSELY LIVING A BLESSED LIFE THROUGH THE MIND, THE HEART & THE MOUTH

Introduction

In the Beginning, the Word
Living a Blessed Life through the Mind, the Heart, and the Mouth begins by applying the Word of God to our minds and sowing it in our hearts by speaking it out of our mouths. If one were to study and reflect on the Word of God, the individual would soon come to know, learn, and understand that it is full of promises to live a blessed life. With the Word of God in our hearts, on our minds, and spoken out of our mouths, we will live and possess a blessed life, a life that is fulfilled. The Word reassures us that if we do what it says, we will live an abundant life. Jesus said that “The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows]” (John 10:10 AMP). Take Joshua 1:7–8 (AMP), for example. It says, “Be strong and very courageous, be careful to obey all the law (the word) my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this ‘Book of the Law,’ the word depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so you will be prosperous and successful.” In other words, for one to be prosperous and to live a successful life means to have an abundant life, a blessed life. Not only does Joshua 1:7–8 tell us what and how to meditate on the Word of God, but when to meditate on it—day and night.
Most of us understand and associate the art of meditating with Eastern religions and practices. One well-known form of meditation involves chanting statements of their beliefs while relaxing and being tranquil and calm. But believe it or not, Christians are the ones who should be meditating on the Word of God as it is stated in Joshua 1:8. The term “meditate” here means to ponder and mutter God’s Word. To ponder a thing means to think and concentrate on something over and over again. Now, to mutter something, is slightly different. It means to say something, key words, softly over and over to oneself. “Day” and “night” we know are terms that refer to time, but I believe metaphorically, they also symbolize something else here. The term “day” can also mean or represent youth and new beginnings. The scripture would then mean we should study, ponder, and mutter the Word during our youth or in the new beginning of new life experiences. Night does not always mean in the evening time. It can also symbolize adversity, trouble, wickedness, late adulthood (like the elderly), and/or evil. The scripture would then mean that we need to meditate on the Word of God when facing life troubles, challenges, and uncertainties.
James 1:16–21 (ASV) tells us,

Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good thing given, and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures. This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.

I love this portion of the Scriptures because God reminds us that we are first loved, and that every good and perfect gift comes from him, even the promises of a blessed life. Then the Word goes on to tell us that God will not change, like so many things in life have or will from one moment to the next. We live in a world that is constantly changing. Sometimes we find ourselves having to adapt quickly and being flexible to be able to flow and function in this life. However, there are two points here I would like to draw attention to. The first one is that God chose to give us birth through the word of truth, the spoken word of truth. It is a blessing that God chose to rebirth—or shall I say give us new lives—through his Word. Jesus himself said that the Word is alive and active.
Let’s examine in this book how God will birth or rebirth new lives, blessed lives for us through the self-fulfilling power of his Word. When the Word of God is humbly accepted in our minds, spoken from our mouths, and sown in our hearts, a rebirthing process begins in our lives. These three functions must operate with God’s Word to begin a blessed new life. To humbly accept the Word means to accept the Word without reasoning, reservation, skepticism, or by challenging it. Rather, we must fully trust in it. Accepting the Word of God in our minds, hearts, and speaking it out of mouth; is when we begin acting like God intended for us to act when he created us and the world.