A defining quality of rebelutionaries must be that we are students of the Word. There are enough “Minute-A-Month” teen bibles crammed with more cartoons, beauty tips, and party-mix recipes than Scripture, to convince us that serious bible reading and study is not expected of us. One of the greatest ways we can rebel against low expectations is to be students of God’s Word as teenagers.
Feeding Our Souls On God’s Word
We don’t know about you, but as 18-year-old guys we not only have an intense, constant hunger for all things edible, but we also strive to feed that hunger in an equally intense and constant way. We are acutely and painfully aware when we miss a meal or any one of the dozen snacks we scatter throughout the day.
This takes on special significance once we start viewing God’s Word as food for our souls—or as Charles Spurgeon liked to put it, “the daily bread of the true believer.” Our hunger for God’s Word and our diligence in satisfying that hunger should be even greater than our diligence in fulfilling our physical appetite. Why? Because the consequences of spiritual hunger are far greater.
How Spiritual Hunger Affects Our Souls
Think about how physical hunger affects us. Our bodies are forced to compensate for inadequate nutrition by curbing physical and mental activity. Hunger deprives us of our initiative and ability to concentrate, leaving us in a state of apathy. Not only that, but antibodies and other proteins diminish in the bloodstream causing a weakening of our immune system and greater vulnerability to infectious disease.
Isn’t it scary to realize that the same kind of things are happening to our souls when we fail to feed on God’s Word? Spiritual hunger curbs our spiritual activity, energy, and focus. It makes us apathetic and weakens our spiritual immune system making us much more vulnerable to temptation.
Whenever we miss meals we are quick to use it as an excuse when we struggle to perform our best: “I missed lunch today so I’m having trouble thinking straight,” we say. But how seldom do we make the connection between our poor performance, say, resisting temptation, and missing our devotions that morning.
Priorities Move Other Things Around
Our physical bodies are important, but they pale in comparison to the value and worth of our souls. Jesus said that one soul is more valuable than the entire physical world (Mark 8:36), so you’d think that we’d make feeding our souls at least just as much of a priority as feeding our physical bodies.
Unfortunately, when I (Brett) find myself getting busy I can easily let a day slip by, or even several days, with little more than a few spiritual nibbles here and there. But if I miss breakfast, on the other hand, it doesn’t matter what’s going on, you can be sure that I will make up for it first chance I get. You see, our priorities move other things around, they don’t get shoved aside by other things.
Even a person whose schedule makes it nearly impossible for them to have devotions first thing in the morning can show that God’s Word is a priority by turning to it the minute they have some free time. The “blessed” man from Psalm 1 shows his right priorities by how he delights to meditate on God’s law. He takes a text and carries it with him all day long; and when he can’t sleep, he’s thinking about the Word of God. [Note: See Charles Spurgeon’s commentary.]
The Ceiling Is Where The Floor Ought To Be
If we’re honest with ourselves we’ll admit that even though spending extended periods of time reading and meditating on God’s Word goes way beyond what is expected by our culture, it is really only the basics of what is necessary for a healthy relationship with God. It’s really true that “the current ceiling for students is much closer to what the floor ought to be.”
This is why going through the motions doesn’t cut it. Reading our Bibles every day just to feel good about ourselves or to be “better than the average teenager” accomplishes nothing. Snatching up a Proverb here and there may prove helpful in a purely practical way, but we must ask ourselves: Is our delight in the law of God (His will, His word)? Do we study God’s Word? Do we make it our best companion and hourly guide? If not, we are starving our souls.
“Is That Your Soul Rumbling?”
Wow, great post. It is so true! When I oversleep, or otherwise skip my devotions, I can easily see the effect in my life. Same with when I just read for a few minutes out of a sense of “duty” or such.
I love the resource section!
Thank you SO MUCH for saying what you did about the “Bibles” full of cartoons and beauty tips. I am so glad to find a fellow teenager who agrees with me about that issue.
And, boy, is it easy to come up with great excuses for NOT reading the Bible – “I ran out of time cause I needed to be studying for my physics test”; “Well, I had to be at the SAT testing center by 7:30″…. we always have a million other things to do, don’t we? I read Richard Carlson’s advice in his book, “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff: Simple ways to keep the little things from taking over your life” (which by the way, I recommend, though with a few disclaimers) – “Remember, when you die, there /will/ still be unfinished business to take care of.” I honestly struggle with letting the “small stuff” take over, and not keeping first things first. But I know that all I have to do is actually “make” time for my devotions. There are so, so many extraneous activities that could easily just be pushed aside (is reading Calvin & Hobbes all that vital to my happiness, let alone my spiritual health?!) Keeping my room spotless should NOT be ahead of devotions on my to-do list!
Also, Kyle, I wholeheartedly agree – when I first spotted those at the Christian bookstore, I stood there in amazement trying to come up with one decent justification for why anybody would do that to God’s Word. o.O
Anyway, thanks guys! I needed that encouragement.
This post is just what I needed. I must admit that I have not had my devotions in quite some time now. Sometimes, just as you said Brett, I do my devotions out of a sense of duty and to make myself feel better. There have been times, though, where I have honestly desired to have my devotions and be in the word of God, but I need to be doing it every day not just every couple of weeks. Today, I missed devotions (no excuse) and yet, while reading my lunch, I jumped right into a mystery: I think something there isn’t right. This was a excellent post. Thanks for putting it up! 🙂
Wonderful post!
I am very thankful for my parents, who have instilled in me a love for God’s Word from an early age. From the time we could read, we were expected to have daily devotions, and when I got a little older, I began following the read-through-the-Bible yearly plan with the rest of my family. We also have family devotions on a very regular basis, usually going through books of the Bible a chapter at a time. From the time we were quite small – even before we could read – mom taught us Bible verses set to song. We learned our ABC’s singing a different verse from the Bible for each letter. We were given longer portions as we grew, and now I’m focusing on memorizing a whole book! Thanks Mom and Dad!
Having a quiet time really does make a difference. It changes my entire outlook on the day, if I just take the time to feed on God’s Word before starting my busy schedule. Thank you for this challenge to be Rebelutionary in the way we study God’s Word.
Hey,
This is my first time to this site, but I like the look of it so far. Thnx for what you’re doing.
Excellent article, Brett!!! Thank you so much!
I especially appreciated your closing emphasis that “going through the motions doesn’t cut it”; an especially good reminder for those of us who have grown up in Christian homes and could easily take pride in lengthy Bible reading while getting virtually nothing out of it. I was challenged to ask myself, “Where is my heart? What do I make time for on my busiest days? Where do I turn when I get a moment of free time?”
“…the ceiling is where the floor ought to be!” Does that ever put it into perspective!
HO-LY COW.
That was… incredible…
Thank you so much for that article. It is just what I’m needing right now. It sure puts things into perspective and gives you a totally new way to look at you spiritual hunger.
Thank you
Hm… my tummy’s rumbling…
Is my soul? I sure hope so.
Ouch, what a wonderful and terribly convicting post. I really needed that today. I have been guilty of pushing aside devotion/quiet time in the morning. Or just reading a Psalm to say I did it, but without praying or meditating over it…. Just reading Scripture isn’t enough. We must soak it up and immerse ourselves in it. I liked the connection you made between our lack of resistance to temptation and whether or not we did our devotion that day. I can definitely testify to that.
Thank you!
This was a very thought provoking post, Brett. I know that the key to my life is spending time in the world, and that Satan throws countless distractions my way to detour me from that. As Christians, we need to be spending a lot of time in the Word, in order to better equip us in the ways of life. What better way to do that than begin each day submersed in Him? Anyway, just something very much worth remembering!
Thank you for taking the time to write this post. I’ve been deeply struggling in this area for a few months and God has used this article tremendously in my life to bring me back to the Word. God is using you significantly in His kingdom-don’t ever give up!
~Haley
A true and keen reminder.
This article rebukes me for oftentimes reading the Bible for habit’s sake or for self-satisfaction. Even enjoying the Bible is not an incomplete reason for reading. We must indeed feed upon the Word.
As a youth group leader, I am also reminded to be careful in choosing materials for our young people. While some colorful, “marketed” study materials may more easily appeal to teenagers, they convey wrong values about the Bible. I should remember to keep them focused on the Word.
Thank you once again for another encouraging article.
Keep shining for Him 🙂
Yes, thank you for the encouragement!
Thank you for rebuking me about my habit of letting my Quiet times slide when I am busy. There is no excuse for me not to fill myself with the glories of my God and His truth each and every day.
“There are enough “Minute-A-Month” teen bibles crammed with more cartoons, beauty tips, and party-mix recipes than Scripture, to convince us that serious bible reading and study is not expected of us.”
Amen!
This article was very well written. Thank you for bringing this subject up!
“One of the greatest ways we can rebel against low expectations is to be students of God’s Word as teenagers.”
–Amen, guys. Thanks for the exhortation.
Quote of the weekend……
A defining quality of rebelutionaries must be that we are students of the Word. There are enough “Minute-A-Month” teen bibles crammed with more cartoons, beauty tips, and party-mix recipes than Scripture, to convince us that serious bible reading a…
Wow…that was really good – and timely.
A few friends and myself have a time of (what we like to call) “Chocolate” (aka. Biblical Fellowship/accountability) on Sunday mornings before the service, and a few weeks ago, I asked my friends to pray for me because I felt like God was challenging me to grow in my Bible times/prayer times with Him. I would sometimes skip a few days, and when I DID sit down to pray/read the Bible, I was doing it many times just to “go through the motions”. I would spend maybe 15 minutes on this most VITAL part of my day, whereas I would spend maybe 2 hours or more a day EATING FOOD! One of the “reasons” I was doing this was because I felt “other things” seemed more important, and I would keep thinking about doing them throughout my Bible times, instead of focusing on God. Really, however, these things really weren’t all that important and were mostly just time-wasters…things that I WANTED to do, but were really nowhere as vital as my times with God!!!
But I think my friends’ prayers (along with my own) and commitment to make God the priority has been making an astounding difference. For the past few weeks I have been having the BEST times in the Word and prayer, and it seems like I don’t want to stop now…I just can’t seem to get enough!
One night myself and several friends were discussing what Paul meant when he said to “pray without ceasing”. We were talking about how we OBVIOUSLY have to do other things than just sit in a chair and pray all day (as much as we might like to do that), but how we can maintain an attitude of prayer all throughout the day…and one of my dear friends said something that she heard as a quote once, it went something like: “Our prayer times shouldn’t interrup our lives; our lives should interrupt our prayer times.”
I thought that was a very good quote.
Thanks again for posting this.
~Lady Tai
The whole analogy comparing the Bible to food is amazing, and as old as the Bible itself:
Ps. 119:103
Duet. 8:3
Job 23:12
Jer. 15:16
1 Peter 2:2
Heb 5:11-14
The Psalms and the Hebrews passages are particularly good. This list I got out of my Bible, a Thompson Chain Reference, which is, thankfully, on the other side from the “Minute-a-Month” teen Bibles.
A spiritual hunger for the Word is central to the Christian life. Prayer and the Word are the tools of communication that we use to get to know God. Knowing God is what eternal life is all about. (John 17:3) But it would be to much to say that the Word is eternal life since Jesus is the only way (John 5:39)
One of my friends showed me the airplane illustration. It is a sketch of a single engine airplane from the front. On the left propeller blade is written “Prayer”. On the other blade is “Word”. In the center, on the hub, is “Jesus Christ”. “God” is in the cockpit, and my name is at the bottom of the engine. When good communication is going on between God and me, the propeller blades of prayer and the Word spin quickly and steadily, supplying thrust to power the spiritual plane of our relationship. We move forward together and stay aloft together.
If prayer and the Word a cut back, the plane loses speed and altitude. If I have unconfessed sin in my life, it puts a hindrance in the relationship, like a block in the fuel lines. My prayer and study times will be less fulfilling, feel more dutiful and less of a priviledge. But confessing sin will eliminate any barrier between God and me. (1 John 1:9) The fuel will flow uninhibited and the plane will regain altitude. (This confessing of sin is not to be confused with salvation. Salvation is once for all. All my sins are already paid for. But if I admitt each individual trespass, it will strengthen my relationship with God.)
I have to talk to and listen to my friends for our relationship to move forward. I have to communicate with God for our relationship to move forward.
It is interesting that this post and this illustration should come in such quick succession. Maybe God is reprimanding me for my recent laziness toward him. Maybe God actually likes to talk with me and is using this blog to tell me being to busy for Him is not acceptable. Hmm. Maybe the depression and irratibility I have been feeling are related.
God bless you,
S. Clark
Thanks for bringing up this important topic! Jeremiah 15:16 seems especially fitting (considering your analogy 🙂 ), “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.”
Just wanted to add something on this point:
“Even a person whose schedule makes it nearly impossible for them to have devotions first thing in the morning can show that God’s Word is a priority by turning to it the minute they have some free time.”
While there are certainly times and seasons in our lives when this is true, I think it is incumbent upon us who say that seeking the Lord is our first priority to do whatever we can to make sure that our schedule reflects that claim. We can fill our daily planner with all sorts of good and worthy activities and causes, but ultimately it is abiding in Christ, and His abiding in us, that will bring forth fruit much fruit in our lives (John 15:5).
You’ve put your finger on the problem I think the majority of Christian teenagers struggle with. For me personnaly, it’s served as a reminder. But so have so many other articles and books. I still can’t do it (and most of the time I don’t want to, to be honest). What’s the solution?
I remember reading in a book some-one recommending tithing our time to the Lord. He meant spending two hours a day in prayer or studying the Word of God. Not all in one go, but as often as one could sneak time in every day. That’s my aim.
Thanks guys—I needed that little reminder. 😉 God bless!
I thought the “minute-a-month” Bible was made up for that Jiffy & Lou.
Amen! I can’t count how many times I have tried to get the youth at my church to feel this way about Bible study! Having been homeschooled by two very sold-out-for-the-Lord parents and taught from the very beginning that God’s Word is the most valuable treasure of any kind, I have been frustrated when others don’t seem to get it!
Does anyone have any advice as to how I could impress upon my peers at church that the Bible needs to be real in their personal lives? I have tried just comming out and saying it, but they seem to just turn me off as “preaching” to them even though that is not my intention at all, and I try not to let it come across as such. If anyone has dealt with this and could help me it would be much appreciated!
Thanks so much Alex and Brett, this post is soooooo encouraging! It helps to know that there are indeed others of my generation with higher standards.
–Brianna
Thanks!!!!!! This is just what I needed.
This hits me where it hurts. Today I was wondering “how can I come to God again, apologizing again for my failure to seek Him daily?” I don’t have a choice: swallow my pride and admit how little I honor him, cry out that I desperately need his grace and help, … and start again.
This is a tough one!!! You’re absolutely right, if some people are able to lay down their lives for the Bible, Christ, and all they stand for, we should by all means be able to lay down our magazines, our schedules, our ‘busy days’, maybe chop off 20 minutes of computer time each day. Thankyou for this reminder. Being something I’ve been battling with lately, and only winning 60/40, it’s a powerful reminder.
Another issue that you could maybe address sometime (and maybe you have already, I’m not sure) is dealing with wanting total joy in the Lord and not having it. It actually ties in closely to this topic. Sunday morning comes along, and I never dread going to church, but I don’t have absolute joy. The worship is usually fine, and the preaching is fantastic, but I don’t have a deep desire to go to church. Going to that place does not excite me as it should. I want that, and I’m sure there are so many of us who do have that longing. I enjoy reading God’s word, but I don’t feel excited every morning to pick up my Bible. Perhaps, building it into my routine better would whet my appetite? I–to use your analogy in this context as well–have a hunger for that joy, which gives me a hunger for God’s word. This is something I will definately pray about.
Thankyou again,
in Christ,
Sheila
Thanks so much for this post. I really appreciated it. It was encouraging for me. I too, unfortunately, have and do let my devotions slip from time to time and I have felt the negative impact it has on my life. So thanks again for the post. It has really helped.
A sister in Christ
Y’all are amazing.
About the magazine Bibles- what astounds me is that they think they have to make the Bible exciting! Isn’t it exciting enough already? By putting in ‘beauty tips’ and ‘cartoons’ (which aren’t bad in themselves) they are taking attention away from the main point.
anyway, I just wanted to say y’all are amazing! God is using you in so many ways!
Great article, Brett. Isn’t it amazing how if we miss a meal, we can’t do anything until our hunger is satisfied, but when we skip devotions, we think we’ll get along grand without our spiritual “food”?
Good point about “going through the motions” too. You really feel the difference when you really eat, or just shove down something to keep you going. So often I get satisfied with just reading my Bible or whatever for a few minutes, even though I haven’t really communicated with God.
Thanks for that timely reminder!
Brianna-
Other than the occasional insightful analogy (such as this one), I think the best way to encourage & inspire your brothers and sisters in Christ to pursue His Word more is by your own example. A spirit of hunger and thirst for the Lord is contagious! 😀
God bless you,
Bess B.
Simon: I agree about the Bible’s extensive use of food and drink as a shadow of the glory of God that is found in His Word. Truly amazing!
Thank you for this post. Teenagers do not hear this enough. We CANNOT hear it enough. You just posted an excerpt from John Piper’s message from the 2004 Desiring God Conference- Sex and the Supremacy of Christ. I just happened to listen to both of his messages for the bazillionth time (they are two of my all-time favorites!) from the conference over the weekend. In doing so, I was reminded of the overall theme of that conference, which actually ties into this post, too:
The conference was to provide a solid foundation for sex in a Christian’s life. The purpose of sex, the purity of sex, the distortions of sex, the goodness of sex, etc. Piper, in both sermons, focuses on the aspect of sexual impurity and ties everything together by stressing that the solution to this problem is to KNOW GOD. He argues that if we know this God and His supremacy in all things– if we truly know His character– sex (and every other aspect of life!) will fall into place where it should. Over and over and over he stressed the importance of knowing God by “swim[ing] in the Bible.”
So, I second his encouragement. Let’s read our Bibles to fulfill the cry of this verse:
Let us know; let us PRESS ON to know the LORD;
his going out is sure as the dawn;
he will come to us as the showers,
as the spring rains that water the earth. -Hosea 6:3
You know, I think this is something in which the Lord is speaking to me. My pastor preached on being thristy for the Lord and him being your living water yesterday, and my bible study today was the same thing!!
I wonder what the Lord is trying to say? I spend time with the Lord (and not using a watered down Bible either) but I know the Holy Spirit, and when something is repeated, it means something!
Wow, I really needed that…I think I’ll be coming back to read this post again. Thanks!
Amen. It’s something we all need to do more of.
This hits the spot on some questions a kid was asking of a youth co-leader of mine. She said she thought our expectations were too high and that we always wanted them to be perfect Christians. We told her that we didn’t expect anything except for them to understand what GOD expects of them. She said that she thought she was fine with God and we asked her if God should lower His standards and expectations for her. She said she didn’t know. I linked this article to our youth forum and I hope she’ll read it, but even if she doesn’t, than I hope any of the others will and it will connect with them.
Thank you for such a well written article. I’m glad you all are sticking up for high expectations. It is needed.
A couple days ago I decided to look at the Rebelution after browsing for soccer shoes on the internet for a while. The first thing I saw was this and I thought “yikes here I go, again. Do I have to be reminded every day? What does looking at shoes have to do with my spiritual life?” So I got off and went and had a good quiet time and am just now coming back to read it more thoroughly. Thanks.
Your entry on the hungry soul is very timely for me. I just read Psalm 107, and it speaks of such a soul. In fact, it speaks of four different kinds of people, and how God brings each to the same place. Two of these speak of hunger. One kind of person is lost in desert wastes, hungry and thirsty:
“Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in; hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them. Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He led them by a straight way till they reached a city to dwell in. Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of men! For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.” (vs. 4-9).
Think of that: “For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.” And what greater good is there than God Himself?
The other kind of person is one who rejects food:
“Some were fools through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities suffered affliction; they loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death. Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction. Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of men! And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!” (vs. 17-22)
How dependent we are on God to bring us to that place where we see our true need, and how dependent we are on Him to fulfill that need!
One more thing. As I meditate on Psalm 107, I see it is very rich in regard to hunger and need. Here is a treasure chest just waiting to be opened:
“He turns rivers into a desert, springs of water into thirsty ground,
a fruitful land into a salty waste, because of the evil of its inhabitants.
He turns a desert into pools of water, a parched land into springs of water.
And there he lets the hungry dwell, and they establish a city to live in;
they sow fields and plant vineyards and get a fruitful yield.
By his blessing they multiply greatly, and he does not let their livestock diminish.
When they are diminished and brought low through oppression, evil, and sorrow,
he pours contempt on princes and makes them wander in trackless wastes;
but he raises up the needy out of affliction and makes their families like flocks.”
Right hunger is a virtue. Notice the contrasting parallelism: the ground does not yield food or water because of the “evil” of the inhabitants. By contrast, the ground yields both food and water to the hungry. In this contrast, evil = not hungering aright. Also, right hunger produces action: they establish a city, sow fields, plant vineyards, etc.
Other verses come to mind: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” and “Blessed are the poor in spirit…”
We are too easily satisfied with the “food” of this world. Our hunger is wasted on destructive things. We are lulled into a false “richness” of worthlessness. But, blessed are those who hunger for the right things, blessed are they who are impoverished and needy in spirit.
Hey, guys, I love your website, and I’m excited to read your new book. I know that you are both 18 years old, and I was just wondering if you will be attending college soon, and if so, where. Just wondering! Thanks.
Great stuff! Keep itup. It never ceases to amaze me how insensitive we are to our spiritual well-being.
I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the sword of the spirit, the bible, is the only weapon mentioned of the armor of God.
(1st John 2:14b – NIV) I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
What was the tactic Jesus used when confronted by the Devil? He quoted scripture…in fact, He was and is scripture! (John 1:14) I believe He used scripture against the enemy to show us how to approach spiritual combat. He came to set an example that we should do as He did for us. (John 3:15) So how well do you use the weapon God gave you?
Hey,
This is great! I’m pretty much new to this site,but I already love it.
It is great how you compared our physical hunger to our spiritual hunger.I have never heard it quite that way. It was great!!!!!!!
I feel like I’m just saying what everyone else said. But I felt like I needed to express my gratituded to you for doing what you feel is right,and what God is telling you to do.
And to thank you for having the courage to stand up and “Do Hard Things”.
I’m feel kinda wierd saying these things to perfect strangers.But thank you!
God’s children are not strangers to one another! We are all brothers and sisters in his name! 🙂
Sheila
Sheila- Amen! We come from all places, and are all different, but we are one in Christ!
Yes, that’s a really good post! specially about priorities… we forget so often!
With you on the Quest,
Frodo
I wholeheartedly agree!!! More Christians need to develope a hunger for God’s word.
How funny! I just posted about bread/the Word of God and then I found this. I have added a link to my blog, that’s for sure.
my friend and i were just talking about this, and I agree. When I don’t spend enough time reading the Bible and thinking about what I read in the morning or whenever, it messes up my day and I feel icky-run down and grumpy. I will pray for you guys, that your spiritual hunger gets easier to notice…and that you feed it right away 🙂
First post I’ve read here. Amazing. Thank you so much. God bless you.
[…] About food, apparently you abstain from food to declare your dependence on God, the provider of your everything. In this article, comparing physical hunger and spiritual hunger show us parallels we can draw. […]
You’re not the only ones who sometimes put physical hunger before spiritual hunger, thanks for the reminder.
P.S
Nice analogy It’ something I can relate to well.
Once again, Brett and Alex, another incredible post!!!!
I will always notice when I skip lunch, and, just recently, I have also begun to notice when I skip my devotions, too.
For the first time in a while today, I was unable to do my devotions at my normal time (in the morning) and I felt guilty as I sat playing a game on my laptop. I shamfully ran up to my room, grabbed my Bible, my highlighter and pencil, “Do Hard Things” and several other devotionals.
It’s a little scary! Once you get so used to doing devotions, and loving it, (REALLY loving it!) you can’t do without at least some form of “spiritual nibble”, as you so tastefully put it!
As always, thanks for another masterpeice to add to my mental inventory!
I need to spend more time with God. It’s so simple to say but so much harder to do. I have a hunger a better relationship with God but I fail to satisfy this hunger. It seems that every time I have time to read my Bible or pray, I think of a thousand other “better” things to do.
I’m not against Bibles with advice, beauty tips, etc.; they actually sometimes help me make the first step of opening my Bible. At the same time, I need to get more involved in my quiet time with God.
I just get so…bored.
How do we become hungry for the Word of God, why is it that I don’t hunger after it like I do many other things. I believe that it is necessary for my spiritual health, so I do study the Word, but there are many other things I’d rather do. I hope that my desire for the Word will grow.
Floyd and Melissa: I think at first you may just have to do it. Make yourself. Invest the time. Possibly get an accountability partner to hold you accountable. God says that if we seek Him with our whole heart we WILL find Him. Just keep trying and I almost guarantee you that after a while you will begin to LOVE just being and enjoying God. In fact you will depend on it. It will be all you want to do. UNtil that time, just be faithful to read the word and pray that He would be the desire of your hearts. Its what God wants to be!
PTL
whoa… talk about intense! keep it up guys!
I just wanted to thank you so much for putting this up, it was really encouraging. Sometimes when I read the bible it would satisfy me but lately it doesn’t and I’m learning I need to spend more time in prayer and in the word because God want’s to do something important with me. Thank you so much.
“For my own part, I tend to find the doctrinal books often more helpful in devotion than the devotional books, and I rather suspect that the same experience may await others. I believe that many who find that ‘nothing happens’ when they sit down, or kneel down, to a book of devotion, would find that the heart sings unbidden while they are working their way through a tough bit of theology with a pipe in their teeth and a pencil in their hand.” ~~ C. S. Lewis
I have a tendency to skip over the details of my devos or wait till youth group.
I’ve recently been really reading Gods word and applying it (trying)
on my churchs quiz team, we often get into debates (on the bus to Michigan or Chicago) about doctrinal issues…….I think it really strengthens us to discuss our faith with other believers. If you only discuss it with non beleivers, I think it can also make you weaker. Not all the time but some times.
Thanks for all the posts and for all the encouragement 🙂
God is really useing you guys!
Love your sis in Christ
David Bendele:
I find C.S. Lewis so…real.
wow! by the way, my 2 favorite ways to “feed” my soul are: listening to Christian rappers, such as Shai Linne, trip lee, and Lecrea. another and even better way, (the absolute best, nothing surpasses it) reading god’s word! that is the ultimate spiritual food! i am trying to make a habit of that being a daily occurence, and am currently reading through the proverbs. i had never realized before how even though it was written more than a thousand years before i was born, how much it can relate to my everyday life!
Thank you. I’ve read this about a year if not two years ago and kind of went through the “motions” of feeding my soul. Since I read this the first time I’ve thought about it a lot but I needed the reminder.
I figured out that at first, I wasn’t too excited about reading the Bible. However, after I began studying God’s Word, I started hungering for Him. It’s kind of like the Bible is my drug. I read it once and I got addicted. Now I can’t stop reading what God has to say!
How much of your health is attributed to our genes or good wholesome attitude?
Good story on a good man.
He’s been around here nearly 50 yrs? Your picture shows him to look like he’s only in his 50’s!
Great post at The Rebelution: Feeding Our Hungry Souls. I was checking continuously this blog and I am impressed! Very useful info specially the last part 🙂 I care for such information a lot. I was seeking this particular information for a long time. Thank you and good luck.
I read the book start here doing hard things , i love it and in the book i read about this girl talking about how we need to give are problems to God because he we will fight are battle for us.Jesus is soooo good he loves us so much.Im tired of living the same so im giving it to the king of kings
JESUS.
This is intense.
http://www.136p.com/plus/view.php?aid=65636