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| "People
need more than bread for their life; they must feed on
every word of God." MATTHEW
4:4 (NLT) |
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| Talking
about gaining weight around the new year, when diet and
excercise-related resolutions are still going strong,
is risky-business, I know. But let me explain... |
| While
many of us are hitting the treadmills to sweat off that
last pesky helping of Aunt Edna's award-winning stuffing,
I want to invite you to sit down to the most fantastic
spread you've ever seen...and stuff
your face! What's on the menu? God's
Word. |
| If
you haven't noticed, God has a whole heap of words —
and they're not the bland, tasteless "bran flakes
and saltine crackers" types. We're talking flavor-filled,
anti-Atkins®
words, packed with all the good stuff that spiritual-dieters
should avoid like an all-you-can-eat buffet. The kind
that pack on the pounds with every mouth-watering spoonful.
Alright, you get the point... |
| In
this month's study, let's take a look at three important
steps toward feeding on God's Word and putting on some
spiritual weight in the coming year. |
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Click
the shovel icon if you ever want
to "dig deeper" into any of the
points below. |
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| 1 |
| STOP
SNACKING. |
dig
deeper » |
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| "He
should keep it with him all the time and read
from it every day of his life."
DEUTERONOMY
17:19 (NCV) |
| There
are times when I get so wrapped up in my work
during the day that I completely forget to
eat. Sure, I might have a granola bar or a
bag of chips here and there, but without regular
meals, I get to the end of the day and suddenly
realize that I'm famished, my head's pounding,
and I'm completely sapped of all energy. |
| "Spiritual
snacking" has the exact same effect.
When all we do is pop little pieces of God's
Word at infrequent intervals, we end up spiritually
malnourished — weak in our witness,
feeble in the face of temptation, and generally
lazy toward the things of God. |
| To
be healthy, well-nourished disciples of Jesus,
filled with spiritual energy and poised to
do His will, we must make feeding on His Word
a daily priority...Read more |
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| Action
Step: Find a Bible
reading plan that breaks down
the entire Bible into daily chunks.
Spend just 15 minutes a day in
the Word, and after a year, you'll
have read through the Bible cover
to cover! |
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| 2 |
| DIGEST
IT. |
dig
deeper » |
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| "This
Book of the Law shall not depart from your
mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and
night, that you may observe to do according
to all that is written in it. For then you
will make your way prosperous, and then you
will have good success."
JOSHUA
1:8 (NKJV) |
| What
do you think would happen to your body if
all you did was roll food around in your mouth
to get the taste, but never actually swallow
it? I think it's pretty obvious... |
| In
the same way, unless we take the time to chew,
swallow, and truly digest God's Word, our
spiritual life will be drained of the nutrients
necessary for survival, just like our physical
life. |
| How
do we digest the Word? By meditating
on what we read in the Scriptures. What does
God mean when He says to "meditate"
on the Bible "day and night"? Find
out |
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| Action
Step: Choose one
scripture verse that you want
to memorize, then write it down
on three or four different index
cards. Tape these cards wherever
you'll see them the most: the
bathroom mirror, your computer
at work, etc. Repeat the process
every week or so! |
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| 3 |
| WALK
IT OUT. |
dig
deeper » |
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| "Now
that you know these things, you will be blessed
if you do them."
JOHN
13:17 (NIV) |
| Unless
we actually get out and do what the
Word says, all the Bible studies
and church services in the world are meaningless
— mere head knowledge that ultimately
makes us spiritually overweight, lazy, and
ungrateful. |
| In
Philippians 2:17 (NIV),
the Apostle Paul talks of his willingness
to be "poured out like a drink offering
on the sacrifice and service of your faith..."
Likewise, we must be equally willing to pour
out on others the blessing of God's Truth
by obediently walking out
what His Word tells us to do...Read
more |
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| Action
Step: On the same
index card as your memory verse,
write down your own specific
"action step" for how
you plan to "walk out"
the principle which that verse
teaches. As you meditate on that
verse during the week, ask God
for opportunities to act on the
Word He is instilling in your
heart. |
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THE
CONCLUSION:
There
is absolutely nothing on the planet that has the
power to transform our lives like the Word of
God! It's one thing to agree with
that statement mentally, but it's something completely
different to get a true revelation of it in your
heart of hearts. When the revelation comes, hunger
is born. And with the hunger comes passion, desperation,
and a deep, life-changing realization that you
simply cannot live without God's Word...
In
the coming year, let me challenge you to take
small steps every day to begin feeding
on God's Word...and whatever you do, don't
give up if you have a few "off days"!
There will definitely be times when you struggle
with feelings of boredom, confusion, or downright
laziness, but don't let the devil deceive into
thinking that you're a failure who might as well
give up. That's a lie! Keep pressing
forward, and you'll be amazed at the daily transformation
God's Truth brings in your life!
"If
you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.
And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall
make you free." JOHN
8:31-32 (NKJV) |
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| • |
The
Holy Bible, New Living Translation. Copyright ©
1996 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. All rights reserved. |
| • |
New
Century Version.
Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Word Publishing,
a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved. |
| • |
The
Holy Bible, New International Version®.
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International
Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing
House. All rights reserved. |
| • |
The
New King James Version. Copyright © 1982, Thomas
Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved. |
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|
 USE
THIS STUDY
within PC Study Bible |
| To
integrate this study into your PC Study Bible library: |
| 1 |
Click
on the file below. |
| 2 |
select "Open" or "Run" in
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Follow
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| 1 |
STOP
SNACKING.
Why consistency (and a plan) is crucial for your
spiritual growth. |
| 2 |
DIGEST
IT.
What it really means to meditate on God's Word. |
| 3 |
WALK
IT OUT.
Don't just consume the Word. Do what it says! |
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| • |
Acts
20:32 |
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John
17:17 |
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John
6:63 |
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Job
23:12 |
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1
Peter 2:2 |
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John
8:31 |
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Proverbs
30:5 |
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2
Timothy 3:16 |
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| • |
What
is your all-time favorite meal? |
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What
do you think it means to "feed" on
God's Word? |
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If the Bible were your only nourishment, which of
the following terms would describe you? |
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Well-nourished
and happy |
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Average
but hungry |
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Skin
and bones |
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Barely
hanging on |
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Break
into groups of 2's or 3's and discuss what steps
you each plan to take in '04 to feed more on God's
Word. |
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And
commit to keep each other accountable during the
coming months! |
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Read
the Scriptures together under "related verses," then
pray as a group for God's help to make His
Word a higher priority in 2004. |
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