| Word and Thoughts |
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"Are You Hungry?"
The goal of this article is to spur on believers to realize the importance of
regular, balanced meals in God's Word. Can you imagine if your best friend
walked up to you, clearly excited and informed you that she had just
become a Christian and had started a brand new diet where she now only
has to eat once or twice a week?
Forgive me, but like you, I’d be more than a bit concerned. And I am concerned.
I'm very concerned that so many in the body of our Lord Jesus Christ do not
comprehend the importance of the Word of God, the Bible, in their daily, moment by
moment lives. The word “Father” implies a very vital relationship, but no quality,
intimate relationship is sustained through contact only one or two hours a week. But
does God change? Now that we have Christ, the Living Word of God, can we
neglect God’s written Word? Not according to Him. He is the same yesterday, today
and forever and His written Word is just as important for our lives today as it was
four thousand years ago.
Who are we listening to - God or people?
The Israelites who refused to believe God’s promises fell in the desert. It
was not God’s will this happened; it was theirs. Yet according to God’s Love such
events were used to be a warning for us, that we might not fall from the faith in
Christ we have started with. (Read Hebrews chapters 3 and 4 - or even better, read
the whole Book of Hebrews, it’s great!) But just how important IS reading,
meditating on and living God’s Word?
Here’s a very small bit of what GOD has to say about His Word:
1. Let’s look at the words God spoke to Joshua just after Moses died.
“Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do
according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from
it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou
goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt
meditate therein day and night, {{note: it doesn’t say to meditate on Oprah or
the ten o’clock news}} that thou mayest observe to DO according to all that is
written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt
have good success.” Joshua 1:7-8
What amazes me is the concept I now hear way too often in the church, “But that’s
the Old Testament, the Old Covenant, now we just have Jesus.” This scares me,
because it does not take much to know what God and Christ Jesus thinks of this
thinking. (Just read His Word….) Ignorance is one thing; ignorance to God’s Word
brings unneeded destruction and pain in our lives, but how can the pastors and
shepherds of the flock, if they are heeding God’s Word at all, even consider such
thoughts? There are many reasons, some innocent, some sinister, that people are
not taught the importance of God’s Word. Whatever the reason, let’s forget that
thinking and agree with God’s thinking - His Word is vitally important to our lives.
2. Here is what our Master and Lord Jesus has to say about the written
Word of God:
“Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they
which testify of Me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life….For had ye
believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe
not his writings, how shall ye believe My words?” John 5:39,40;46,47
“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to
destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earthy pass, one jot
or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever
therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he
shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and
teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
Matt. 5:17 - 19
“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he
that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest
myself to him…. Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep
my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our
abode with him.” John 14:21, 23
3. Why read God’s Word? Christ is the Living Word of God. As we spend
time in God’s Word, we spend time with Christ.
“In the beginning, was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was
God. The same was in the beginning with God…. And the Word was made flesh,
and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of
the Father,) full of grace and truth.” John 1:1-2,14
4. We are to meditate on that which is good. Where else can you find such
good in a book - or anywhere? It’s not in the news, not on MTV - or even Disney,
whose subtle preaching is often contrary to God’s Word. When we focus on God’s
Word, we can discern between right and wrong.
“Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are
lovely, whatsoever things are of good report: if there be any virtue, and if there be
any praise, think on these things.” Phil. 4:8
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be
perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Tim. 3:16-17
“For the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword,
piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit and of the joints and marrow,
and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Heb.4:12
Take time today to learn about God. GET HUNGRY for more of the
good things of God’s Word. So many get involved in fantasy and other
“escapes.” If they would fill their hearts and begin to force feed themselves on
God's Word, they would discover that the tastes they previously trained themselves
in would change. When you’re full of a five course steak dinner, you’re not too
hungry for cow manure. Sorry, but I really see it that way. I forced myself to read
God’s Word instead of fantasy and fiction - not that I don’t read those and haven’t,
nor that I’m saying it’s a sin, but the apostle Paul said, “Everything is permissible for
me, but not everything is beneficial.”
I pray for each of you reading this that you will hunger after what is good for you.
That you will develop that hunger for God until nothing else will satisfy you.
Yup. I confess. I’m addicted. I can’t get enough of God - and He and His Word are
SO very satisfying!
God’s grace, love, JOY and peace to you today.
In His Love,
Christa
The goal of this article is to spur on believers to realize the importance of
regular, balanced meals in God's Word. Can you imagine if your best friend
walked up to you, clearly excited and informed you that she had just
become a Christian and had started a brand new diet where she now only
has to eat once or twice a week?
Forgive me, but like you, I’d be more than a bit concerned. And I am concerned.
I'm very concerned that so many in the body of our Lord Jesus Christ do not
comprehend the importance of the Word of God, the Bible, in their daily, moment by
moment lives. The word “Father” implies a very vital relationship, but no quality,
intimate relationship is sustained through contact only one or two hours a week. But
does God change? Now that we have Christ, the Living Word of God, can we
neglect God’s written Word? Not according to Him. He is the same yesterday, today
and forever and His written Word is just as important for our lives today as it was
four thousand years ago.
Who are we listening to - God or people?
The Israelites who refused to believe God’s promises fell in the desert. It
was not God’s will this happened; it was theirs. Yet according to God’s Love such
events were used to be a warning for us, that we might not fall from the faith in
Christ we have started with. (Read Hebrews chapters 3 and 4 - or even better, read
the whole Book of Hebrews, it’s great!) But just how important IS reading,
meditating on and living God’s Word?
Here’s a very small bit of what GOD has to say about His Word:
1. Let’s look at the words God spoke to Joshua just after Moses died.
“Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do
according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from
it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou
goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt
meditate therein day and night, {{note: it doesn’t say to meditate on Oprah or
the ten o’clock news}} that thou mayest observe to DO according to all that is
written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt
have good success.” Joshua 1:7-8
What amazes me is the concept I now hear way too often in the church, “But that’s
the Old Testament, the Old Covenant, now we just have Jesus.” This scares me,
because it does not take much to know what God and Christ Jesus thinks of this
thinking. (Just read His Word….) Ignorance is one thing; ignorance to God’s Word
brings unneeded destruction and pain in our lives, but how can the pastors and
shepherds of the flock, if they are heeding God’s Word at all, even consider such
thoughts? There are many reasons, some innocent, some sinister, that people are
not taught the importance of God’s Word. Whatever the reason, let’s forget that
thinking and agree with God’s thinking - His Word is vitally important to our lives.
2. Here is what our Master and Lord Jesus has to say about the written
Word of God:
“Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they
which testify of Me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life….For had ye
believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe
not his writings, how shall ye believe My words?” John 5:39,40;46,47
“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to
destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earthy pass, one jot
or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever
therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he
shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and
teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
Matt. 5:17 - 19
“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he
that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest
myself to him…. Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep
my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our
abode with him.” John 14:21, 23
3. Why read God’s Word? Christ is the Living Word of God. As we spend
time in God’s Word, we spend time with Christ.
“In the beginning, was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was
God. The same was in the beginning with God…. And the Word was made flesh,
and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of
the Father,) full of grace and truth.” John 1:1-2,14
4. We are to meditate on that which is good. Where else can you find such
good in a book - or anywhere? It’s not in the news, not on MTV - or even Disney,
whose subtle preaching is often contrary to God’s Word. When we focus on God’s
Word, we can discern between right and wrong.
“Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are
lovely, whatsoever things are of good report: if there be any virtue, and if there be
any praise, think on these things.” Phil. 4:8
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be
perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Tim. 3:16-17
“For the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword,
piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit and of the joints and marrow,
and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Heb.4:12
Take time today to learn about God. GET HUNGRY for more of the
good things of God’s Word. So many get involved in fantasy and other
“escapes.” If they would fill their hearts and begin to force feed themselves on
God's Word, they would discover that the tastes they previously trained themselves
in would change. When you’re full of a five course steak dinner, you’re not too
hungry for cow manure. Sorry, but I really see it that way. I forced myself to read
God’s Word instead of fantasy and fiction - not that I don’t read those and haven’t,
nor that I’m saying it’s a sin, but the apostle Paul said, “Everything is permissible for
me, but not everything is beneficial.”
I pray for each of you reading this that you will hunger after what is good for you.
That you will develop that hunger for God until nothing else will satisfy you.
Yup. I confess. I’m addicted. I can’t get enough of God - and He and His Word are
SO very satisfying!
God’s grace, love, JOY and peace to you today.
In His Love,
Christa
