Food plays a very important
role in human life. Taking food in the right quantity, time and balance helps
the body produce energy to work, repairs cells and tissues, protects against
and fights infection and to grow. Food
is made up of nutrients- vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, etc. and when these
nutrients are balanced in your food, the body is able to function properly.
Food also brings happiness and peace but the lack of it too can bring anger in
people. In Ex. 16:4-15, God provided balanced food for the Israelites due to
the importance of it to the body- bread
(manna) and protein (quail): but this food could not last because it fed
only the flesh. In John 6, people were following Jesus for food so they
never got filled. Which food endures?
Christian growth
It is very important that the
Christian grows. The Christian needs to
increase in conformity to the character of God as revealed in Christ (Col 3.1,
Eph. 4.22-24). It is something that needs to start as soon as one accepts Jesus
as saviour and Lord and it needs to continue throughout your service to the
Lord upon this earth.
·
1 Peter 2:2 says,
“as newborn babes, desire the pure milk
of the word, that you may grow thereby.” Heb. 5:12-14 talks about
growing into maturity to be teachers
As
Christians we also ought to know that growth can NEVER stop until Christ
comes. Some Christians have made
considerable spiritual growth in their lives but just when they thought they
have come far enough, fall comes. In
Christian growth, there is nothing like retirement. 2 Peter 3:18 says “but grow in the grace and knowledge of our
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”
The above scriptures
point to the fact that the Christian life is not stagnant but grows as humans or plants. It is the duty of every Christian to strive to achieve a
life of total holiness and dependence on God through Jesus Christ (Jn. 6:35)
Spiritual
food that nourishes
Just as the body needs physical food to grow, so the spirit needs spiritual food also to grow. Luke 4:4- Jesus said, "Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God."Because Christian growth is
not stagnant, the Christian should also yearn for food that endures forever (John
6:27). I will talk about three (3) of the spiritual foods that can keep the Christian
in constant growth:
1) Prayer
Definition:
communicating with God or pour content of heart to God (Ps, 62:8; 1sam. 1:15b)
Why
pray:
delight to God (Prov. 15:8); present request to God (Jn. 16:23-24); helps in
warfare) Eph. 6:18); Where to pray: everywhere (1Tim. 2:8); chapel (Lk.
18:10); closet(matt. 6:6). Pray to God only not showmanship; When to pray:
always (Lk. 18:1,1Thess. 5:17); How to pray: like Lord’s prayer (Lk.
11:1-13, Matt. 6:7-16) - Adoration, confession, Thanksgiving, supplication
(ACTS)
Hindrances
to prayer: lack of faith (Jam. 1:5-7); Sin (Is. 59:1-2); forgive
others (mk. 11:25-26); using request on pleasure (Jam. 4:3); not take good care
of spouse (1Pet. 3:7)
Answers
to prayer: No (Jam. 4:3); Yes (2kings 20:1-6); Wait (Dan. 10:10-14)
2) The
Bible
The Bible is a supernatural
book. The Bible is actually food for your spirit! In Matt. 4, Jesus countered
the deception of Satan with the right use of the word. Heb. 4:12 says the word
is sharper than a double-edged sword (which makes it good for spiritual
warfare). The Christian needs to find time to read, understand and apply the
word of God to his life. Read the word of God daily and obey it.
Importance: You become approved workman (2Tim. 2:15); good
for correction, etc. (2Timothy 3:16-17); encourages us (Rom15:4); Types of
study: Book study; Verse study; Character study; Word study; Topical study;
How to Study: Pray and ask God for guidance; choose and read verse; Ask
what the passage says (observe); what passage mean (interpretation); passage
lessons to me (Application).
NB: study
the bible for correction; bible interprets itself; do not use bible helps to
establish doctrine. Make conscious effort to obey what you read. In fact your
entire life should be in agreement with the word of God.
3) Fasting
Defn:
Abstain from food and drink for spiritual purposes (Esther 4:3, Ex.34:28; 2Sam.
1:12; Dan. 1, 10:1-3).
Importance: brings
Lord’s comfort (matt. 9:14-15); solves greater problems(Esther 4:3); Resist
devil (matt. 4); gives confidence to do God’s will; kills desire of flesh to
sin; healing (matt. 17:15-21); cleanses body of toxins.
How
to:
ask why fast; make schedule; prepare; bring request on d-day at timely
intervals; end fast gradually; expect results after.
NB:
Avoid detraction, no cheat, no injustice, keep good facial expression (matt.
6;17-18), do good when opportunity comes.
In
Matthew 28:19-20, we are called to task as the Lord’s workmanship (Eph. 2:10).
We can only perform if we hold onto these three foods.
Results
of good spiritual food
The effect of the spiritual
food to your life can be manifested in three main areas: hunger for God's
Word, confidence, and obedience. The work of the Holy Spirit
and God's grace within us, help us to grow and start to display evidence of
Christian growth. Key Characteristics of a growing Christian can be revealed as
follows:
1. You have assurance of Salvation
2. You are filled with the Holy Spirit and
manifesting the gifts
3. Active prayer life
4. Good bible study habits i.e yearning
for; studying and applying it to one’s life
5. Sharing Christ with others in word and
lifestyle.
6. You have a victorious Christian life
Conclusion: Satan
wants to hinder each of us from growing as we ought to (1Pet. 5:8) and He knows
that spiritual maturity is his worst enemy. The only way to defeat him is to
take in the right spiritual food in the right content/ quantity and at the
right time. As we continue feeding on the food that endures, and
exercising in/using them (witnessing, obey, sharing/ teach others and serving
in the vine yard), we will grow into maturity to give a good account of our
stewardship when Christ appears (2cor. 5:10).
Eat the food that endures and
you will grow in the Lord. Amen!
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