What kind of nutrition are you getting as a new babe in Christ? Yesterday, I was babysitting two young children of a new Christian single parent mom, but I wasn't really doing the babysitting. The DVD player was already babysitting when I got there, having the full attention of the two little minds.
TV's and DVD's all have the ability to capture the mind of anyone who is in the room. That is why it can be a tool for good or for evil. In this case, I couldn't see much good as the DVD was about sexy mermaids, etc. If I were to shut it off, I would have had to face two very angry children who would take out their anger on the walls, the furniture, me, and whatever else could be found. Truly they have a ways to go in living the new life in Christ which their mother is struggling to find! I wonder how they could have any appetite for spiritual things on the Sabbath day or at worship times as they are being fed entertaining fantasy programming .
What is the nourishment for our spiritual life that we need every day so that our spiritual experience can grow and not starve to death as new and old Christians? God has provided the BEST for us, not just in the realm of physical food for good health, but also spiritual food for growth in grace, and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. All He asks of us is to be partakers of this grace, this special food He has prepared for us. What is the BEST food for our spiritual health? God's word, the Holy Bible.
As a baby Christian, you were born again by the "milk" of the word of God so that you could start growing up into Christ:
1Pe 1:23 "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever."
1Pe 2:2 "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby."
As an older Christian you are to be nourished no longer with the milk of the word, but with the "meat" of the word of God which is the word of righteousness, not "fantasy" books or TV, or fables and traditions of men:
Heb 5:12-14 "For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."
As you eat this word, joy will come to your heart. Why? Because the word of God actually feeds you and helps you in your daily living. Have you ever gone to a church service and then come home feeling empty? That is because the Word of God was not preached under the power of the Holy Spirit, and there was nothing there to feed you and give you what you really needed for life.
Jeremiah, whose name is a sign and means, "Jah (the Lord) will rise," found great benefit in eating the word of God, not literally, but spiritually:
Jeremiah 15:16 "Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts."
What are we to do with the word of God so that we will truly be benefitted? We are to EAT the Word of God. The more you eat the word of God, the more you will want to eat it. By eating it, you will be changed into Christ's image. The Holy Spirit will dwell in you as you receive the word of God and believe, and ask for His indwelling Spirit to enable you to keep the word of His promises.
Matthew 4:4 "But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."
God bless you as you choose the BEST food for spiritual life and growth.
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