Meditation. Not all modern Christians are comfortable with the concept. Meditation is, in my experience, one of the keys to regularly experiencing the manifest presence of God.

Philippians 4:8: Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things.

Whatever things are true... What things are true?

Jesus said to him, "I am .. the truth" (John 14:6) My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. (1 John 3:18)

Jesus is true. Love in action is true.

Whatever things are noble: Luke 8:15: But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.

What is noble? A heart that receives and keeps the word of God is noble.

Whatever things are just: Psalm 8:23: Defend the poor and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and needy. Psalm 97:2: Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.

What's just? Defense of the defenseless. Justice is a foundation of the very throne of God.

Whatever things are pure: Proverbs 22:11: He who loves purity of heart And has grace on his lips, The king will be his friend. Gracious speech, a clean heart and friendship with God are pure.

Whatever things are lovely: Psalm 84:1: How lovely is Your tabernacle, O Lord of hosts! The dwelling place of God is lovely!

What is the dwelling place of God? 1 Corinthians 6:19: ... your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God..

Whatever things are of good report... What things are of good report? Proverbs 15:30 says: "The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, And a good report makes the bones healthy." (Bones are often a symbol for the soul in scripture - see Proverbs 16:24). So, any enlightening revelation that makes your soul healthy is of good report.

What are things of virtue? Well.. 2 Peter 1:5-8 says: 5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.

So, faith, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love are all aspects of virtue.

What is praiseworthy? Well, that one is easy ... Revelation 5:12 says: 12"Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!"

So, I encourage you to meditate (think deeply in serious contemplation) about: Jesus, truth, an open heart, the defenseless, the throne of God, gracious speech, your own body as the dwelling place of God, anything that makes your soul healthy, all the virtues listed above and, of course, the worthiness of Jesus. If you have not tried it before, you may be surprised at how close you feel God draw to you as you draw nearer to Him.