Expect GREAT things!

Do you? For you, for your life? Or do you expect that the absolute worst will happen for you? That the 'great things' happen to others, not you? I'm not talking about 'pie in the sky' or looking at life through rose colored glasses, but what is your expectation? As I've said before, I'm a silver lining type. I expect that great things will happen. And you know... sometimes it's only a matter of perspective.

Your perspective and your attitude really do determine your view of what's happening in your life. Sometimes great things pass by because we don't see them or don't accept them. If you have missed the first opportunity, a second typically comes our way. Partly this is based in my non baseball view - it's not always three strikes and you're out. We do have second chances. But if you have missed the first, be alert for the next.

The first word in this phrase is expect. Do you expect and I don't mean a drop into lap approach, but do you see the potential, the possible? Do you run to life, or from it? Each day really provides these opportunities because the implied word in this phrase is - now. 'Eventually' certainly isn't a word that anyone would want to hear. Eventually is an undefined time and  now is... now! Now, read the number of times the word is used in scripture. 'Now' is an order, a directive. But it is for now - not, eventually.

I believe that tomorrow may beacon but now is where you are. You have to plan for the future but you live in the now. Why would anyone expect only for tomorrow? When you expect you are involved in your now, you are prepared to see. Perhaps the key question to the phrase is - what. What are you expecting? Is it a 'possible'? Will you recognize 'it'? Know what you expect and you will see the fruit.

Scripture

You have 2 choices: you believe it or you don't believe it. Either it is authority... or it isn't. It doesn't depend on you understanding every thing, it depends on whether you accept it as infallible. Very simple and yet life hangs in the balance - your life. Sometimes it's only an issue of pride - you accepting that the Bible is the living word of God. That it is the Father's love letter to man, showing man all that God promises He will do.

You can't choose which parts of scripture to accept and which to discard. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." (2Timothy 3:16) From that statement you can deduce that scripture is our guide, our manual for living. And yes, there are parts that are hard to understand which requires us to accept that: "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. ... My ways (are) higher than your ways..." (Isaiah 55:8-9)

Also, scripture is not contradictory plus we see that Scripture cannot be broken (John 10:35) Thus, it is trustworthy because it doesn't change with the winds - it is. Granted, we don't always see the how and where of connections and we may think that what is said in one place is contradicted in another, but as we study the apparent contradictions we will find that it doesn't invalidate itself. It is our responsibility to seek understanding so that we don't stand on shifting sands.

As we grow and mature as Christians we discover new things we hadn't seen or understood before. This is one of the reasons that you never outgrow scripture and with each reading you understand more. You read one verse and see how it ties back and confirms a previous prophecy. You begin to understand and appreciate how scripture confirms itself, how prophecies spoken hundreds of years earlier are performed, how God's might and power have always been. And that only scratches the surface.

A Soldier

You do realize that the moment you accept Jesus as Lord you enlist as a soldier in the army of the Lord? You do. Like it or not, in this life you have an enemy that will try to defeat you and defeat all those around you. And... he doesn't play fair. He will use every trick and lie in his arsenal to get you off track and to separate you from other believers. The only good thing is that he is totally uncreative and will use the same old weapons each time. When you learn to see them then you can quickly defeat them. The good news is that 'we win'.

However, we all don't hold the same rank or job in this army. Just like a body wouldn't function very well if it only had noses and mouths and not eyes and ears too, we each have our place, we each have our specialized jobs to do and we're each equipped according to what we need to be effective. Granted we all have some of the same equipment, for example: scripture tells us that we all have a measure of faith. And we all need faith to do our particular job. But I would suggest that the first job we, individually, have is to make certain we
understand our role.

In the secular world a person who joins the military initially goes through 'basic training'. We do the same thing as Christians. And part of the training is to discover and understand our primary equipment. As Christians we discover the equipment in Ephesians 6. One of the more interesting aspects about our equipment is that, except for one piece, it is all designed as defensive in order to protect us. Just as the military won't place a soldier into the battle without intensive training, we shouldn't expect to become involved with the more arduous aspects of our warfare until we are trained.

Simultaneously, we should never expect that we will always sit on the sidelines or be invisible to the enemy. That's why we have our one offensive weapon - the sword, which is the word of God. And that's also why we need to spend time in the word in order to be prepared. The word was what Jesus used to fight satan, and it is our weapon as well. As we train and prepare we will become a 'fit' soldier, able to withstand all the attempts to destroy us. Actually the more I think about this the more I realize that some soldiers are more proficient than others because they chose to prepare.

The hole within

Each one of us is on a quest - at some level of intensity, whether or not we consciously realize it. I would submit that the reason is because there's a hole in all of us - right smack dab in the middle of us. And, that hole can only be filled with something greater than us. The 'lucky' ones are those who have discovered their hole and have searched to find what will fill it. If it isn't filled then there's a kind of emptiness and this sense permeates everything you touch.

In our quest we discover that fame, fortune, prestige will not fill this hole. It may abate the empty feeling for a while but then the emptiness returns. For some, this quest leads them and for some, they simply throw up their hands in frustration and try to escape. Those who engage in the discovery find themselves on a fascinating journey that doesn't end with the discovery... actually, discovery begins it.

Many people try to use philosophy to attempt to fill the hole. Some try to fill it with work, or friends, or family and all of that does help but he hole isn't filled. We may try many different 'things' to fill our hole and while the hole may get smaller... there's still something missing. What's missing, is a personal relationship with the Lord. Without this, you just keep throwing 'things' at your hole to hopefully fill it. But the moment you make Jesus your Lord; you know, you feel the hole filled up.

And yes, it is as simple as that, and as profound. The fun, the exciting, the challenging part is that you've only begun your discovery. Who is this Jesus? What does He want from you? How does this impact on all the other parts of your life? These are just a few of the questions you will be answering in your journey. In a sense the hole still leads you but this time the leading is to understand and appreciate what (the Lord) fills the hole.

Your... you: Part 2

I realize that the phrase sounds strange, but it really isn't. My advice is: 1- never, as in ever, allow someone else to make the decision about who you are, what you do, how you go about doing it! Certainly seek advice or allow those you trust to speak into your life - but the final decision should remain with you. Your you. It really doesn't have to 'make sense'... to anyone but you. And do not apologize for you (unless you are apologizing for what you said/did that hurt someone else and you really do feel sorry).

2- Act your age! Have you ever been told that? What actually does 'act your age' mean? Abiding by an arbitrary standard of age correct behavior? Who sez? I suspect that you have to start with why the phrase is being uttered. Is there something you are saying... or doing... or not saying or doing? Often the phrase is only stated because of the underlying attempt to control and this has absolutely nothing to do with acting your age. But it can interfere with your expression of you.

Number 3 in 'your you' is to appreciate, value, and celebrate you. No, you're not perfect; yes, you make mistakes but each step you take to become who you are gives you more understanding and the journey you are making. Growing may not be easy but it is the only journey of value. I know it may sound counter intuitive but valuing and discovering you frees you to value and discover others. You really can't appreciate someone else until you first start with yourself.

You have a special, unique gift to give the world - something no one else can give/do. That gift is you. Not an attempted mirror of someone else, you! Only you have walked in your shoes which makes you who you are - the good and the bad. On the day you were born the world received a very special, one of a kind gift - you. And you also received a gift - life. What you do with your life determines your gift back. In many respects you are born with a debt - the responsibility to be a positive influence in your world.

Manners

Whatever happened to manners???? Where did please and thank you and you're welcome go? And what happened to a simple acknowledgement of  something received? Why is it so not necessary to sincerely express them? I know I'm giving away my age with these questions but... whatever happened to these 
simple kindnesses? While my questions may sound like sour grapes and while 'yesteryear' may become idealized in one's mind... still, it was a bit more gracious, slightly more gentle and definitely more mannerly.

I remember when I was a child, being corrected when I was impolite or didn't show the proper respect for others. And perhaps that's the underscoring value - respect. No one seems to respect things like... other people's property, others' rights, etc. It's not that you always had to agree with others but how you showed your disagreement was equally important. Respect has to be earned, granted, but it is not acceptable to show disrespect. And 'gentle' and 'kind' were not behaviors to be ignored.

Manners is as much a statement of how you expect to be treated as well as it is a statement of how you believe others should be treated. If you are rude, interrupting, dismissing, etc. then you invite others to treat you in the same fashion. Manners really is a quid pro quo. Manners are also a matter of what you're taught as a child and what you observe in others' behavior. Both play a significant role as to whether or not you also become a mannerly person. It really is the simple things of saying please and thank you, of not interrupting someone who is speaking, and of equally kind, 'respectful' acts.

I'm not certain why we've lost some of the touch of kindness that seemed to no longer to be visible. And while it is important to know these reasons so we can begin to counteract their influence, it really is more personal - what about you? Are you polite? Do you use those words and actions? Are you mannerly? And I'm not talking about the 'random acts of kindness'. Random does not translate into lifestyle.

Works

Do you get caught in 'proving'? Proving defined as a visible demonstration of ... whatever you are wanting (needing) to prove. Reality says that the proving is primarily for yourself - not for others. This can become a block or stumbling stone if you feel that it is mandatory to be able to demonstrate. This also is true for new Christians. When someone gets saved, they can get caught up in wanting others to see their new status. And what's the best proof? Tangible, visible works!

Problem... since we aren't saved by works... what and how do works operate? What is their role? Yes, they are important but they emanate from the internal change. Works are a manifestation, the proof of who you are. James talks about the quality of 'works'. He equates works with faith when he says (2:20), "...faith without works is dead..." Actually chapter 2, versus 14-26 indicates the depth of James thinking about works. 3 different times he says that faith without works is dead. At one point (2:18) he says...I will show you my faith by my works. There is no doubt that works are important... and expected.

Some people will use the words in Ephesians that we are saved by faith (2:8) as a basis for dismissing works. But that wasn't the intent of Paul's comments. He was focusing on the reality that faith is a gift God gives to us. He goes on to say 2:10 - "For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

 There is no question that James emphasizes the importance of faith but he also is pointing out with examples from people's lives that faith 'works' together with works (2:22). Works are meant to demonstrate. Faith is a gift... works are our response. It's as simple as that and as profound. If you are a person of faith then you will be a person of works.

Charity...

some would say, starts at home. But that's only one of the end results of charity - it really begins in the heart and expands outward. Charity has to be expressed. Spiritually, most definitions use love and charity interchangeably. For some reason the secular definition of the two words are related but separated - I will follow the spiritual basis. Charity is defined in scripture in 1 Corinthians 13, which is summed up in verse 13: "And now abide faith, hope, love, these three, but the greatest of these is love." The point being that generosity or altruism can emanate from a variety of  places but it is the heart that is the seat of true charity.

I believe that charity is the visible, tangible manifestation of love - it is love in action. And, it is strong, not weak. 1 Corinthians 13 defines the attributes of love: suffers long, kind, not envious, not parade itself, not puffed up, not behave rudely, not seek its own, not provoked, think no evil, not rejoice in iniquity, rejoices in truth, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things, never fails.... In that listings there are 8 things it does not do and 8 things it does do. So charity is a guide for us in both doing and not doing. Interesting...

It is important to know what charity doesn't do as it is to know what it does do. The two aspects that I've always appreciated is that without love, I am nothing (vs 2) and it never fails (vs 8). But it is also my decision, my choice to act toward others with love. And yes, this isn't always easy especially when we are defending ourselves. 1 Corinthians 14:1 tells us to pursue love. It isn't that love doesn't come 'naturally' to us, but it is a selfless, unconditional basis that we need to pursue.

Charity is far more than merely sending money to a needy 'cause' (fill in the blank). It's when charity becomes personal that you can see love in action. It means something at this point - it no longer is an 'out there' action. And the fascinating point is that the act brings so much to the actor - more than expected. Charity begins.... and ends in the heart.

Covenant

One of the more difficult concepts to try and understand is 'covenant'. What the western world doesn't fully appreciate is the far reaching implications that a covenant covers. A covenant is not like a contract - it's meant to be kept. In contrast, most contracts include an escape clause and death typically ends the contractual relationship. Not so with a covenant - it is not easily discharged but remains in effect from generation to generation - it is inclusive not exclusive. This is why it isn't often entered into - because of the seriousness and the binding power.

Covenants were often entered into for protection and for unification. Covenants weren't always between equally standing parties, and were often initiated by the stronger rather than weaker of the two. Examples: God's covenants with man. He was the one that typically initiated them and always to the preservation, protection, and profit of man. And when God made a covenant - He kept it, which wasn't typically the case with man.

When you seek a definition of 'covenant' you'll discover that Webster has difficulties explaining the word. Webster does use some synonyms to try and explain such as: accord, alliance, compact, treaty, pact - but that only scratches the surface.  You have to turn to scripture to understand the full scope of the word. And it is the covenants that God made with man that are the most crucial. Isaiah (45:23, 55:11) gives us the strongest declaration about God and His word, which applies to His approach about covenants.

If you apply the thinking that is stated in those two versus, you begin to understand the seriousness God has toward covenants but you can also begin to see what He has done for man by covenanting Himself to man. History shows that man breaks covenants with God. Man also breaks contracts with man. Fortunately God never breaks covenants and seeks to restore them when man does. The first covenant God entered into was when Adam and Eve broke His word in Genesis. God is still fulfilling His last covenant created in Jesus - it's there for all to enter into.

Loose ends?

Life is a series of loose ends... was a comment I read. I'm not too certain what the author meant since it must have been a throw away line but I was intrigued. If we accept the comment as accurate then how we live with our loose ends says a great deal about who we are. Do 'loose ends' need tying up or are they suppose to stay... loose? And how do you determine if and which ends need tying? It could end up destroying whatever you are doing if you tie the wrong ends together.?

There are a variety of reasons why you may be facing a loose end: loss of funding or other resources, new information changes what you are doing, etc. But what do you do? Some people would push on regardless, some will be able to quickly adjust and leave the loose end, some like closure and will attempt to find a way to facilitate this. Just as there are a variety of reasons causing loose ends, there are a variety of approaches to deal with it. The least effective tends to be to continue doing what you currently are... regardless.

Again I think it's the how you react to loose ends - but what if you have absolutely no decision-making input, when you aren't 'leader'? How you respond to the person-in-charge again says a great deal about who you are. Your level of personal investment in what you're doing impacts on your reactions. Whatever decision the leader makes, can you offer your suggestions... will you? Equally important is when you are the leader - do you help the rest of the team resolve the pre-mature end?

Loose ends can be very frustrating... especially when you are a 'closure' type. For those who need closure, you may have to develop other coping skills when no closure appears to be forthcoming. The issue really is to know what you can do when there is an abrupt stop in what you are doing. Are you prepared to 'let go' of the work you have already done and switch gears? Loose ends really are a fact of life - you determine how you resolve them.

Tediousness of spirit

was a phrase that caught my eye. It's used in one of Anne Perry's books, but what a phase! I conjures up all sorts of images in one's mind. Without really knowing the author's definition one can speculate as to what this looks like. Somehow I think a tediousness of spirit can be seen, even if the person who is living with it isn't aware that it is.

To me, the phrase implies a neither hot nor cold existence. It's a depth of spirit that focuses on the small, the insignificant rather than the important issues of life. Webster defines 'tedious' as: tiresome because of length or dullness; boring. Some of the synonyms are: drab, dreary, dull, stale, wearying - a perfectly terrible state to be in! The main reason for this is the lifelessness. I can think of nothing worse. Is this how you would describe your situation? If so, there is a remedy.

The relief in all this is that you can change your 'condition', you don't have to stay tedious. It will take courage however, and risk will play a role but it has to be an improvement from lifeless. The grayness of life doesn't have to be yours. So... how do you change? Again it's one of those 'each person has their own way out' but I don't think escape is the basis. The reason is that escape implies that you can get 'caught' again. And escape may or may not deal with the underlying reasons.

Moving from tedious to alive involves a willingness to not necessarily always be 'safe'. Not that you look for danger but you also don't hide in self protection. To be fully alive you need to be fully alert, fully involved in your life. Too often we hide because it's easier than learning something new, meeting someone new. But a life without scraped knees is a life that doesn't risk discovering all that life holds. Bottom line is that both tedious and alive are choices... yours?

It's about sharing...

Alone is a difficult state to be in but being lonely is even worse. Both alone and lonely can occur whether in a crowd or simply by yourself. But I think it's the depth of lonely that is the worse of the 2 states. Lonely is such an isolated place. I'm not sure you find it or it finds you. Regardless, you find yourself cut off from any intimacy, any meaningful relationship. And, the awareness of this can lead you into a sadness that is so deep that it is difficult to breach.

The way out of the isolation of lonely differs with each person. However, I would suggest that the basic problem in any case is the issue of sharing. It is my belief that we all want to share ourselves with significant others - it's just that we want to determine what and how much we share. It's difficult to be in a situation in which you see sharing occurring between others and realize that you don't have that kind of relationship with anyone.

Sharing is risky. Sharing can make you feel extremely vulnerable. And, if your trust in the past has been betrayed then the fear factor increases astronomically. The problem is that there is no other way out of lonely - at some point, with someone, you have to reach out and share again... otherwise you consign yourself to the state you are in. The 'good news' is that you can start small in the sharing dynamic and progress as your confidence grows.

Sharing is really wonderful and comes with a number of other positive 'features'. When you share with someone else, they can be your sounding board and you can work out any problems in your thinking/planning in advance. When you give the other person permission to speak into your life you can discover a great deal about yourself - who and how you present yourself to others. These are only two of the more obvious benefits to sharing. Sharing is an act that you determine when and how you proceed. But is really does make a difference.

In between time...

I've never been particularly fond of 'down' time or the 'in between' time. In between time is defined as that time between 'projects' or the 'down' time. In order to avoid this I have found myself beginning the next project as the last one is winding down... but not always. I suspect I should look at the potential in these times. Perhaps in between times can offer something no other time has.?

Are you, like me, prone to commence on the next (fill in the blank) as the one you are involved with begins to end? Or, do you stand around waiting for the next to drop into your lap? Or do you seek out the next? How do you handle your in between time? For me it's not so much a need to fill my time as it is I am highly goal oriented. And, I must admit, I do love challenges and starting something new always involves challenges at some level. Plus I love the energy that occurs at the start of next - I'm more the developer type than the implementer type. But to repeat, what would down/in between times provide?

As I look at it, these periods of times are times of refreshing, of taking stock, of contemplation. In and of itself - each are important and are needed. My typical MO is to do this during a project time, but this isn't always satisfactory since one's attention is divided. I'm beginning to understand that it's how we utilize these times that's at issue. In between times are important precisely because they have no other focus.

In a very real way, in between time is a gift. The gift is to allow us to step back from our targeted focus so we can look at a larger picture. It's the perspective that we discover during these times that can structure and add meaning to what we do. I've never appreciated 'make do' work and always hoped that what I did has some lasting meaning. During these in between times we can engage in the luxury of this assessment and make whatever adjustments are necessary.

Killers

There are killers that will attempt to take your life. Actually they aren't subtle at all, they blatantly attempt to direct how you look at life. They go under the names of: bitterness, blame, self hatred and a few others. Each are like a slow growing disease taking the joy and peace from your life... if you let them, they control your life. Simply - they are killers. And...if you don't deal with them they become strongholds in your life.

Disappointment seems to be one of the avenues taken to reach one or more of the killers. Seemingly such a 'small' emotion but it's one that packs a huge impact because there are others that it also brings, such as dissatisfaction and frustration. Disappointment is one of those facts of life that if we don't face daily we certainly do face often. As a result it shouldn't have that much power - but it does. How you react to disappointment will affect so many other aspects of life. If it makes you doubtful or hesitant then its first inroad is made. One rarely makes it to bitterness in one leap.

Obstacles - real and imaginary is another avenue. We sometimes see an obstacle as preventing us from doing whatever it is we are planning to do. It may. But it also may be a checkpoint to help us accomplish your goal. But it is those imaginary obstacles that are difficult to combat because they never bring logic to the situation - only a roadblock. Sometimes it is only someone outside the situation that can help you determine whether or not you are facing an obstacle. And, if so, then offer a non-vested interest suggestion.

These are only 2 examples of the avenues to killers.  How we respond to the causes which allows the killers to prevail in our lives is another aspect of character. When we submit to them we allow them control over how we look at the world. And their cancer only grows and is rarely dormant. To become free of the killers and on the road to health will require courage and honesty - but remember that the killers are really cowards and you do have the power to overcome them.

Superlatives...

So do you live a spectacular life or an ordinary one? Perhaps the question is - what are your definitions of those 2 words - spectacular and ordinary? And which are you seeking to experience? What are you willing to pay to attain whichever you want? These are not idle questions, they go to the heart of the life you are leading and the life you want to lead, and what discrepancies there are between them. 


First: is there anything 'wrong' with ordinary? And you should realize that what might seem ordinary to you might seem extraordinary to someone else. Superlatives are really only the frosting on the word but what do they add? What makes them more appealing? Is it the freedom that they seem to imply? Or is it the aura of excitement and 'more'? Why all the questions? Because if you don't know why you want something then your level of commitment to attain it is questionable.

Do you realize that you can lead a relatively ordinary life, extraordinarily? It depends first on your definitions and then on your behavior. What fills your days and how you react to them will help define what your life is. But even the most ordinary of lives can be lived fully and completely but it depends on your attitude. In a very real way it is completely related to what makes you happy, what fills you.

Then again, maybe what is needed is to see and understand the superlatives that already exist in our lives.?. There's an old song that talks about counting your blessings - maybe what we all need to do is to stop long enough to do this. Perhaps in the recitation of our blessings we'll discover our superlatives. Or maybe we'll see that they aren't as important as we initially thought. Superlatives have their place... primarily as frosting.

Bold?

To paraphrase an old saying... "do you boldly go where no one ..."? Does 'bold' describe you...as a Christian? Or do you hide in your closet of political correctness (whatever those words mean)? Do you proudly proclaim? No, I'm not talking about a 'being in your face' approach though it certain doesn't seem to affect non-Christians' behavior. If you know, if you are and believe as a Christian... do you profess it? Or.. only when it's convenient and only to fellow Christians.

My problem is that I don't believe in the smaller case 'c'. I don't believe you can believe in Jesus, calling Him Lord, and be a christian... I think you have no choice but to be a Christian. And yet... I believe there are countless numbers of closet christians. My definition of a closet christian is a person who has had the life changing experience of accepting Jesus as Lord. They've done this publicly and then... they've gone into hiding. Overly critical?

Let me use a quick comparison... do you like/follow professional sports? Do you have a team that you 'support' regardless of their record? Is this something that though you may not paint your body the colors of the team, everyone knows you are a follower? Or maybe there is a form of music or musicians that you really enjoy and let others know? These are types of 'public' professions of what you believe. But... are you less exuberant, less bold about the person of Jesus and who He is for you?

If you are bold, then you are just as excited about sharing who Jesus is and how He participates in your daily life as any fan could be about stating the stats on their favorite team. Boldness, witnessing is simply sharing your experience and what has happened in your life. And this should excite you as much as any sport, any musical group, or any other passion that lights up your life. Jesus didn't do all that He has so you could hide in your closet. He did it so you would share Him with others and become a Christian.

Crisis!

What do you do when a crisis breaks or is about to break - at least from your perspective? Go into panic mode? Many people do head, sometimes prematurely, into panic when they think a crisis is imminent. Panic rarely provides answers though, at best panic gives you a momentary band aid, but only for your own emotions. Do you handle all crisis situations in the same way?

Your crisis MO is important because it's the way you resolve crises that helps give you understanding. Do you begin to take action to counteract the impending crisis before it happens? Or, do you wait till it actually is a crisis and then scramble? Or maybe you are an options/alternative planner an 'if-then' scenario approach? I would suggest that this is the best strategy to crisis resolution. This is a monitoring approach to what is happening in order to make quick and decisive changes when needed. Simply, it's part of the overall plan.

Not all impending, apparent crisis explode into a full blown disaster. Sometimes all you need do is to tweak what is happening, but sometimes it's far more serious and you'll need to 'cut your losses'. However, it is your 'situation assessment' behavior that is most important. Before you throw in the towel or tweak, you need to look at your beginning, your objectives, your methodology, your goal and where you are on the continuum to the goal. All these analyses will lead you in what you need to do, when, and how. Granted, in some cases the analysis has to be very fast but it should never be abandoned because of time. The point here is - did you place monitoring/check points along the path?

Crises do not necessarily need to be reacted to by panic behavior. But if this is your initial reaction then... get the emotion out and then determine what you should do. A crisis may become a way to 'think outside the box', to come to a new and exciting way to goal accomplishment. It also may close the door, at least at this point, to your goal which now opens up your 'schedule' for a different goal.

Starvation

You feed your natural person 2-3 times a day unless you are a 'grazer', in which case you may mini-feed  throughout the day. But what about your spirit man (woman)? Does your spirit need less 'food'? How often, and with what are you feeding your spirit? Specifically, are you feeding your spirit only milk or is there meat?  A different question is: do you expect your spirit to exist on only one meal (probably church) a week? Maybe the question should be: when was the last time you fed your spirit?

Unbelievably, it seems that most people don't think about feeding their spirit or when they do, it is only a momentary passing thought. There are those who feel that going to church once a week fulfills the 'spiritual requirements'. While fellowshipping at church is important, it is not the only way or only time your spirit needs nourishment. Feeding your spirit is incredibly important.

Why? Because you need to grow. It isn't expected that you stay a baby forever. In Hebrews 5:13-14 we are told that we should not still need milk. We are to be skilled in the word of righteousness and this can't happen unless we feed our spirit, so that we: "...have our senses exercised to discern both good and evil." (verse 14). We are suppose to be aiding those who are new Christians to grow and we can't if we haven't grown.

In 2 Timothy (2:15) we are to study to show ourselves approved to God. Study is part of how we feed our spirit. Through study of the word (2 Timothy 3:16), prayer, fellowshipping with other believers - these are some of the ways we feed our spirit. How often? Daily. When you accepted Jesus as your Lord you didn't instantaneously become a mature Christian. It takes time. It takes diligence. You start as a babe in the Lord and as you commit yourself to Him you begin to learn more of Him and more of who you are because of Him. It's a lifelong journey...