How many of you have probably uttered this phrase? If you are in America reading this(recently discovered I had some overseas readers) you probably have never really been truly 'starved'. We are blessed with an abundance of food much of which we eat way too much of and gain weight or it ends up in the dumpster. We never really are needy like some people in Third World nations. There are soup kitchens here in America though but no one eating porridge with their fingers out of a bowl that I hear of. Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Those blessings really do flow and we are oh so grateful for three meals a day, snacks, expensive coffee drinks, and more.
A different kind of hunger is for the word of God. Once again in America, a Christian nation, Bibles can be found in abundance but how many people really get into the word of God on a daily basis? If you do not read it and study it you are starving yourself spiritually. What good does a bathtub and bar of soap do if you do not get in it, turn on the water, and bathe? Likewise, what good is your Bible if it is not read? Many Bibles are wonderful dust collectors.
There is a saying I heard once that 'going into a church won't make you into a Christian any more than going into a garage will make you into a car.' You have to study. Would you want a surgeon to operate on you unless he studied his medical school books and completed his five year residency?
The word is referred to as "milk" and as "meat". God is called the "bread of life" in John 6:35. Just like a human baby needs to eventually be weaned off the baby bottle or their mothers' breast, we too, need to grow up and become spiritually mature and eat "meat" and things that will help us grow and get stronger. 1 Corinthians 3:2(NIV) says 'I gave you milk, not solid food, for you weren't yet ready for it. Indeed you are still not ready.' Hebrews 5:12(NIV) also carries this theme when it says 'in fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again.You need milk, or solid food!'
Start today to feed the inner man the word of God daily so you have strength to face the challenges life brings your way. You can indeed be strong in the Lord if you get prepared by knowing His word.
'Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be filled.' (Matthew 5:6)
PRAYER: Lord you are so wonderful,patient, and kind. I often times find myself getting caught up in life and or forgetting you till Sunday for one hour. I know I cannot stay spiritually strong unless I pick up and read my Bible. Help me not make excuses any more. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Click on link to hear a worship song which goes along with this devotion.
Click on link to hear a worship song which goes along with this devotion.
Also check out this great Christian family film concerning Freedom of Religion in America.Movie is Last Ounce of Courage.
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