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Spiritual Growth

/ Mike Farley / Leave a comment

In Hebrews 5:11-14 the writer scolds the people he was addressing by calling them lazy, unskilled and telling them they they should be teachers by now but instead they still require milk. He was calling them out because they had plenty of time to become teachers but instead they were still like babies. We can read something like that and look down on them or we can look at ourselves and ask am I growing?

We should be growing in Christ. Peter says in 2 Peter 3:18 that we should be growing in grace. Paul says in Philippians 1:9 that we should love more and abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight. The Bible over and over again says that we should be growing spiritually and if we are not then we should figure out why and do something about it. But what does it mean to grow spiritually?

Spiritual growth is just like any other growth. We have to remember when we came to Christ we were born again meaning that we had all sorts of new things to learn and grow in. I have two analogies that might help.

If you go to the gym and you are just starting out then you are probably picking up everything you can in any way you can. You are trying out every machine they have and curling in the squat rack. You don’t know any better you are just figuring it out. Your routine might be jog for a few minutes, then curl, maybe do some bench press then go home. Now you are going to see some results because you are using muscles you don’t normally use. They are getting use so they grow even if just a little. Now if you have been going to the gym for a few months or years and still do this you not have additional growth because what worked for your muscles when you were starting out does not work once you get going. You need to mature in your workout in order to continue to produce results.

How about an instrument. I have tried to play everything except a wind instrument (sans the harmonica which may not count) and I can give you a little something on most of them, and by a little a mean a little. Really just enough for you to think I know what I am doing but I cannot really play. I know enough to pretend. I have never put in the work to develop that skill. If I had then maybe I could play but as it stands after all my “years of practice” I am on par with a two-week student. As someone said I don’t have 4 years of practice I have two weeks of practice 104 times (only the same two weeks over and over again).

Spiritual growth is the same way. If you do not use the new muscles beyond the initial workout they don’t get bigger. If you don’t use your spiritual gifts, don’t read your Bible, don’t worship from a joyful heart, don’t pray, and don’t fellowship then you don’t grow. God desires for us to grow spiritually. It is His desire for His children to mature and become more like Christ.

A second part to this is when you start pulling out pieces of what it takes to grow. When you start taking out individual pieces of what is required for spiritual growth you stop growing to your full potential and develop a spiritual limp. You might know all sorts of things but are not sharing it and teaching others so you limp around in a circle. You might worship with a joyful heart but have no love for those in need. There are a few combinations and I am sure you know someone with a spiritual limp. Maybe you even have one. I realized the other day I have one. The important thing again is that we notice these things and then take actions to correct them.

So if you are not growing then you need to evaluate why and fix the problem. It might be hard or uncomfortable but it is worth it.

Just a thought,

Mike

Potential Fears of Discipleship.

/ Mike Farley / Leave a comment

In Matthew 10:24-42 there are a handful of potential fears that a disciple of Jesus could have. To summarize they are ridicule because if they spoke against Jesus they will speak against you (v25), revealing because everything from their deeds to ours will be revealed (v26), discomfort because Jesus calls us to speak what He shows us (v27), death because there will be those who desire to take the life of the believer (v28), and finally, family rejection because those who do not understand your new devotion to Christ can reject you because they do not know the new you (v35&36).  Jesus calms almost all of these fears by saying don’t fear and which is easier said than done, however, the key to not fearing is found in verse 25 where Jesus says that it is enough for a disciple to become like his teacher. If we look at the life of Jesus we then have an example of how to conquer these fears and that is by relying on God’s power. The greatest example of this would be Jesus praying in the garden before His crucifixion. In that moment of His greatest trial, Jesus went to prayer so our response to times of trial whether persecution, rejection, or just fear should be to seek God in prayer to ask for strength. If the goal of discipleship is to be more like Jesus, then it must be accomplished by moving in His strength and power. This is not a mimicking although there is a time for that but instead true reliance on His power and strength.

 

Just a thought,

Mike

Counting the Cost

/ Mike Farley / 2 Comments

In Luke 14:28-32 Jesus speaks of counting the cost to be a disciple and while I am not actually going to be discussing that topic I think the advice He gives is pretty sound and useful for other areas because after all, He is Jesus and Jesus does not give bad advice. If you are wondering if we are allowed to take His advice out of its context I would say in this instance yes. Let me explain… If I were to tell you that proper air pressure in your car tires is good for getting the best possible gas mileage and for decreasing the risk of an accident would that advice also apply to a truck? What about a motorcycle? The answers are yes and yes. The advice is solid advice and can be applied to anything with tires actually. In the same way, the advice Jesus gives about counting the cost of being a disciple applies to other situations and we can feel comfortable saying this because Jesus actually used nonspiritual examples on why we count the cost.

So what cost am I counting? Why do I bring this up? Well as I may have said (I am not sure) my wife and I are in the process of becoming foster parents and let me tell you this is not for the faint of heart. There is quite a bit of money involved, a ton of paperwork, many probing questions, and a bunch of time. Then there is the fact that all along the way there have been things to discourage us. If it were not for the fact that we believe that God has called us to do this I would have stopped.

The hardest parts though are the spiritual parts. We have rarely felt like we were under such a spiritual attack as we are since starting this process. I mean everything from money being stolen out of our bank (we got it all back but grr), to the “new” car needing $650 worth of work, to crazy out of nowhere arguments, and of course full frontal “you’re not good enough” feelings. I am honestly tired. I am so tired that I can hardly express how tired I am. To top it off I have a math class I am taking right now and I do not have the patience to understand what 1√5 means or why I care.

What does this have to do with counting the cost? Well at the outset of this process we knew this was what God was calling us to, but we had no idea how hard it would be and we are not even done yet. What I do know (and did know) is that if God is calling us then we would pay any cost because it is always worth it. When God is calling you to something it is always worth the cost and there will always be a cost. You just need to settle that in your mind. Service to God will cost you something. David said in 2 Samuel 24:24 when he was offered free items “No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” What it cost you depends on your relationship with God. Maybe it is money, maybe time, maybe pride, maybe risk, or maybe… Whatever it is the cost is the part you pay to be more like Christ because after all that is what the Father is doing. He is trying to mold you into the image of His Son. I like the way the King James reads 2 Cor 3:13 “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

If God is calling you to something then count the cost if you can. Knowing that it will cost you more than you expect but it also worth whatever the cost is.

Just a thought,

Mike

Q&A – Define a minister

/ Mike Farley / Leave a comment

I was recently asked to detail the biblical concept of being a “minister.” This is what I came up with

As ministers of the gospel we must remember that we are forgiven servants of Christ, sent as ambassadors, working in and acting out of love, pleading with people to be reconciled to God, we are not above the people we are called to minister to but instead come along side of those who are in need. It must always be remembered then that first we are forgiven. This reminds us that we did not start off from a position of greatness but needed rescuing ourselves. Second, we are ambassadors of Christ. He is Lord and it is His message that is to be proclaimed. Third, we are to work in and out of love not lording over those who need grace. Jesus is the only one who had the right to lord over anyone and He chose not to. Instead, He died on the cross in order to free us from our sins. Fourth, and this ties back into being ambassadors we are to plead with people to be reconciled to God. God has done all the work, and He has completed the heavy lifting. It is now to those who are at odds with Him to turn and receive what He offers. Fifth and finally, we are to come alongside those who are in need and not live so far from them that they cannot hear the message. We are to be in but not of the world but all too often we instead sit hidden from the world as if the stain might get back on us. Christ came in the flesh and dwelt among us so we should not hide from the world.

Just a thought,

Mike

2 Peter 1:3-4

/ Mike Farley / Leave a comment

Much energy has by been used by Christians in praying to receive power from God to overcome sin and live a godly life. Peter writes in his second epistle in 1:3 that we have everything required to live a life for God. A believer need not struggle for the power to live a godly life any more than Adam had to struggle to take his first breath. Adam’s breath was given to him by God and the power to live a life for God comes from God. God did not expect those who were in sin to suddenly turn and by their own might obey Him but because of His glory and goodness, He called us and equipped us for that very life. Peter continues in verse 4 by contrasting the natural life and the divine life. He says that we as believers now share in the divine nature and escape the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires. This by default contrasts the two lives first our original life characterized by evil desires and second God’s divine life that is goodness and love. We are given, because of God’s love, the one thing that makes godly living possible that is Christ in us. His nature has become our nature not that we become gods but that God has come to empower us to live for Him.

Just a thought,

Mike

Colossians 1:10

/ Mike Farley / Leave a comment

It is God’s desire for His children to walk with Him in fellowship and in the works He has prepared ahead of time for them. Verse 10 of Colossians if read on its own starts with something that has the potential to strike fear into the heart of the believer “walk worthy of the Lord.” This can cause one to instead of walking in joyful fellowship walk on eggshells wondering if they are pleasing the God they serve. However, we read in verse 9 that Paul says that when you are filled with the knowledge of God’s will then you will walk worthy of Him, pleasing Him, bearing fruit, and growing in the knowledge of Him. Fruitful ministry and growth in Christ does not come on its own apart from first receiving Him. A servant of God in ministry can no more have a successful ministry apart from Christ then a car can move without an engine. It is Jesus that gives fruitfulness when we walk with Him, and it is in walking with Him that we know more of Him. The cycle continues because as we know more of Him and are constantly filled with Him we go and are fruitful in the things that He has called us to.

So today as you go about your ministry whether it be a pastor, missionary, evangelist, dad, mom, teacher, police officer, server, or what have you. Remember first to connect with the God who loves you so. Before you attempt to reach those who are hurting and needing that love make sure you have received it because you cannot give what you do not possess.

 

Just a thought,

Mike

Confessions of the Older Brother

/ Mike Farley / 1 Comment

Confession from the older brother of the prodigal son.

I knew it. I just knew it. That little brat took his portion of the inheritance from our father and then ran off. I knew he was going to waste it too. He wastes everything. He is so ungrateful! I stay here working night and day like a slave to please our father and he gets to run off and have a party. I am so mad! Seriously who does he think he is? Was he up at dawn to feed the animals? No. Was he out in the field sweating every day? No. He was never there to do the hard things. He was never there to do the dirty work. When a guest would come who would prepare the feast? Me. Mr. Fun gets to run around and do as he pleases and I am left holding the bag and doing the work. And now this.

He just shows back up. Just comes home like a hero who was sent off to war. Well, how nice to see you again little brother. Have you come home to collect my inheritance as well? Was it not enough to blow yours? Do you need a little extra for a fix? Let me guess “oh father I have sinned against you and I am so sorry, just let me be a servant.” Boohoo. If he was my kid I would give him something alright. A boot right in the backside. See ya sucker thanks for stopping by. But no, dad just stands there hugging him and kissing him. Seriously? That’s what makes me so angry.

Don’t get me wrong I am plenty mad at my brother but what makes me so angry is I knew this was going to happen. I knew my father was going to forgive him and just love on him. I love my father and he is such a great man. He is so kind, loving, generous, patient, and giving. Not just to me and my lazy brother but to everyone. If there is ever anyone who is in need my father will help. He never says no to someone who comes to him. I love my father so much and I saw how much it hurt him when my brother ran off. I try to please my father all the time hardly asking for anything. I seek to do what he wants because I love him but my brother gets lavished with affection for being a screwup.

*******

Ok, I took some liberties but I have been thinking about the older brother. Mostly because I realized the other day that I have slipped into being the older brother. I am no saint to be sure but I try very hard (problem) and I desire to please my Father (good thing). In the midst of my laboring (problem), I know some people who have and are wasting their gifts. I have found myself becoming a little bitter (problem). What makes me upset is I am busting my but to do right (problem), act right (problem), and be good (problem) because I love God (good thing). I want to please my Father and rejoice only in Him (good thing) but I don’t understand why it has to be so hard. People I know who are wasting their gifts are able to do all sorts of things I am not because I am trying to seek His kingdom (good thing).

Here is the kicker, though – I know God is standing at the ready to receive them and give them His love. Oh, that is the frustrating part. It is frustrating because I know that I cannot just blow it off and go do what I want because that would be willingly sinning. So I get to stand and watch people get what they want knowing they will turn to God and get blessed. That is the thing about serving a loving and generous God.

Don’t get me wrong. Like I said I am no saint, and to top it off I know I am wrong. I know verses like Romans 14:4 say do not judge another man’s servant. Or Matthew 7:3 where Jesus says I should remove the plank from my eye. I know full well that I am wrong. So what do I do?

First, I need to confess my sin. Then I need to ask God to change my heart. To help me be more focused on who He wants me to be. Finally, I have to receive the goodness and love I know He has. I think a big first step is realizing that I am wrong and that God can course correct me. I don’t want to feel this way and I am getting better but I thought it would be best to share a real struggle because I know I am not alone in these types of feelings. We know we should not have them and we know we are wrong but we get stuck because as a Christian we should not be like this. Part of the problem is that as a Christian I have to be able to admit I struggle and fail. That is why I need a great Savior. 

We can go on pretending that everything is fine and we don’t have envy or jealousy or bitterness but that does not actually fix the problem that just pretends it’s not there. However, God knows the heart so if you are struggling with these things then God knows so why not just confess it and let Him heal you?

 

Just a thought,

Mike

 

Chapter Nine – Missing the Point

/ Mike Farley / Leave a comment

This is a rough draft from chapter nine of my new book. It is a Bible study through the Gospel of Mark.

 

Chapter Nine – Missing the Point

When deciding what to look at in chapter 9 we are faced with a what at first appears to be a series of different situations and incidents. There is the transfiguration, the demon that could only come out by prayer and fasting, Jesus’s second prediction of His death, a conversation about who is the greatest, others casting out demons in Jesus’s name, and a series of warnings from Jesus. These things on their own present a difficulty when trying to decide what gets the little time together we have. However, there is a common theme that runs through most of these incidents. If you saw it at first, then, to be honest, you did better than I because I had to read and reread a few times. In most of these events, someone missed the point.

At the transfiguration, Peter missed the point by wanting to make three tabernacles. He wanted to make one for Moses, one for Elijah, and one for Jesus. I am not sure but it would seem that his hope was the other two would stay awhile. Peter made the mistake of putting these three on the same level. He foolishly thought the Messiah was about the same as the previous prophets. In Peter’s mind, as well as others of his time, Moses and Elijah were two of the greatest people to ever live. Moses because he led the children of Israel out of Egypt and then later the Law was given through him. Elijah because he was a mighty prophet. So mighty of God in fact that he was taken to heaven by chariots of fire. For them to come and speak to Jesus must have been a sight and only reinforced to Peter that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. The problem, as we said, is that Peter put these three on the same plain. Jesus however, is greater. The Father Himself actually corrected Peter by declaring “This is my beloved Son; listen to Him.”

Peter foolishly thought these three were the same but how many times have we foolishly placed things on the same level as Jesus? How many times have we missed the point and thought something was as big as God? A job. A death. A new child. A tragic loss. A debt we cannot pay. A new marriage. A failed marriage. A wayward child. There are good and bad things we put on the same plain as God. We elevate these things and build dwellings for them to stay and take up a place of high importance in our lives. Just like Peter we need to be corrected and reminded that Jesus is the beloved Son and it is to Him that we must listen.

                This is my beloved Son; listen to Him. Mark 9:7

The next one to miss the point was the father of the possessed child. If there is anyone who gets a little extra sympathy from me, it is a distraught parent. I cannot imagine having to see your child go through something that you cannot fix. Seeing them suffer and knowing there is nothing you can do to fix the situation. Knowing that your child is hurting and you cannot take it away crushes you as a parent. This man did what he could, and he took the child to the disciples but they were not able to do anything. Enter Jesus. The man comes before Jesus and says “if you can do anything have compassion on us.” Have you ever reached a point like that? To just cry out to God and say “can you do something?”

The man for all his love for his child missed a point, though. It was not a question of if Jesus could do something. Instead, the question was did the man believe? The man questioned Jesus’s ability when in this case it was his faith that was in question by Jesus. Jesus was able to and did cast out the demon. He tells the disciples after that they could only do this by prayer and fasting. There is a common misunderstanding that surrounds this section of Scripture. I have heard people say to others that they do not have the faith to be healed and some site this verse as proof of their claim (that enough faith is needed) but there is a problem. The problem is that it is not the father who needed deliverance but the son. The faith of the son was not in question but that of the one bringing the petition to Jesus. In the same way, we should not be so quick to question the faith of the infirmed if we are praying to God for them. If we interpret this section correctly we should see the man is acting as the intercessor for another and his faith is questioned. The question we should ask ourselves is not do others have enough faith but do we?

I do believe! Help my unbelief. – Mark 9:24

The last thing I want us to look at is the way the disciples missed kingdom greatness. The disciples had been arguing among themselves about who was the greatest in the kingdom but when Jesus asked them what they were talking about they had nothing to say. This is one of those things in the Bible that transcends time and culture. You do not really need to know about the historical setting or cultural nuisances in order to understand that the disciples wanted to know who was the best. This is not a specific issue to the disciples but a fundamental flaw inherent in all people. It is the desire to be important and to be known. In our day with cell phones, social media, blogs, and streaming video we can be famous for just being famous. We have people who are famous in our day just because they are on TV or just because they make on-line videos. They do not actually do anything nor have they studied for years to learn something they are simply famous because they are. It is very odd. That is just how it has come to work in the world and because it feeds our natural desire to be important and known we allow it hoping someday we will be known. In God’s kingdom, it does not work this way, though.

Jesus says that those who want to become great in the kingdom must serve. If you want to be exalted, you must be humble. If you want to be first you must be last. It is contrary to the way things work in the natural but in reality it should be. If Jesus has come to bring God’s kingdom, then we should understand that it is different than what we have. Jesus uses a child as the example of what we must be like. A child while loved does not have much to offer. They are dependent on the parent for everything. We must be like a child and be dependent on God. Not seeking our own but trusting in our Father for direction, provision, and instruction. A child thinks they know more than they do but as any parent can tell you their child is not as smart as they think they are. You and I are not as smart as we think we are. We think we know a great many things but God knows all things. To be great then in the kingdom then is to understand your place and serve those who God puts in your life. There are no famous people in the kingdom of heaven except God alone.

If anyone wants to be first, he must be last of all and servant of all. – Mark 9:35

 

Questions:

  1. How do you think Peter missed the point in putting Moses and Elijah on the same level as Jesus?
    1. Moses and Elijah are important in Israel’s history but not as important. What do we do things that are not as important as God?
  2. Are there things you have put on the same level as Jesus?
    1. How can we better prioritize these things in our lives?
  3. The father went to Jesus because he knew he could not do it himself, have you gone to Jesus for things that were beyond you?
    1. Do you ever wonder if God cares?
  4. Jesus asked the father if he believed; do you believe when you pray?
    1. The father confessed his need for his faith to be strengthened, have you ever acknowledged a lack of faith?
  5. What was wrong with the disciples wanting to be great?
    1. Do you desire greatness?
  6. What does it mean to be humble?
    1. What is the difference between true humility and false humility?

The Beatitudes Part 2

/ Mike Farley / Leave a comment

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy

Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. It’s funny how this works but I think it goes back to you reap what you sow. When you sow mercy you reap mercy. It’s odd that when you give of yourself and act in merciful kind ways how good you feel, it almost seems selfish in a way. You do good and you feel good, so you want to do more good things. If we could remember that then we would see more mercy come to us in times of need and want. A friend of mine and his wife are always giving of themselves and it seems that when something happens to them (negatively) there is always either someone there to help them or God delivers a miracle to them. That is what this is talking about they are merciful so in return they receive mercy.

Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God. What an amazing reward, to think that someone who is good enough and keeps themselves pure enough will see God. If only I could be good enough and keep my heart pure then I could see Him, but unfortunately, I am not good enough. Actually, none of us are. Paul tells us in his letter to the Romans that all have fallen short of the glory of God. That means that none of us can see Him on our own. But in the same letter, Paul tells us that we (Christians) have been buried with Him (Jesus) in baptism and raised in newness of life. We are now in Christ (for you died and your life is hidden with Christ in God) because of this we can be that one who is pure of heart and get to see God. That is a wonderful thing.

Blessed are the peacemakers, not blessed are the backbiters who pretend to be at peace and then gossip about someone else. Any husband or wife can tell you there are times when you are right but you hold your tongue and let the other person unload their stress. Often times the other person ends up apologizing. When you are the stronger one (not letting people run over you) but strong enough to say I want peace and I will work towards that process then you will see things change. You will see how things seem to come together, the trick of it though is to have peace. You cannot be a peacemaker without having peace in the first place. You have to be at peace with God and yourself before you can help someone else or a situation become peaceful. The reason is because the person or the situation will stress you out. It will push you beyond what is comfortable, but if you have peace then you can overcome that and become a peacemaker.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake. This one always makes me smile because a paraphrase is something like “happy are those who get beat up for liking good”. That’s right if you follow Christ then there will be times when someone attacks you for it. Jesus Himself said it “they will hate you because they hate Me” (paraphrase) it might not seem fair to your right now, but think about Jesus on the cross was that fair? It was not fair, but He gave Himself for you, maybe in you devoting your life to Him someone who picked on you and made fun of you will come to Him later on. We don’t know what will be the outcome of our life but we do know how He told us to live it. It is not an easy life but by His strength we can.

Just a thought,

Mike

The Beatitudes Part 1

/ Mike Farley / Leave a comment

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy

Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven

Behold the Beatitudes! First for clarification beatitudes basically means happiness. The idea is that if you do these things you will have happiness or be blessed. We should also point out real quick that blessing does not mean material wealth. This is not a get rich quick scheme by Jesus. They seem so simple but I believe that if we sought after them with more fervency than we do, we would do well because after all Jesus says “Blessed are…” Let me also clarify these eight things will not save you, but they will help you grow from babes in Christ needing only milk to mature Christians who are able to eat meat (Hebrews 5:12).

Blessed are the poor in spirit, because when we are poor in spirit and weak, Christ is strong in us. The more we are weak and do not rely on our strength but lay ourselves aside we allow Christ to move in us. How many times have you held onto something and said: “I can do this, I will show how strong I am.” We have to rely on the Lord and His strength to work in us, we have to reach the place where we say “Lord I cannot do this I need your help”.

Blessed are those who mourn because they shall be comforted by the Comforter. Mourning is not just when someone passes; I believe we should also mourn for this generation, this nation, and the people of God who have walked away from Him. We should weep and lament over what has happens to some 3,5000 unborn children a day. We should not stop weeping because we got a new TV or video game or what have you. We need to continue to mourn over the things that God Himself mourns over. Put aside your differences with your brother or sister or neighbor. Stop arguing with the Catholics or Protestants; unite in prayer against the true enemy.

Blessed are the meek, but meekness is not weakness. Too many times people do not want to be meek because they think that it is a weakness, but it is the opposite. Meekness is power under control. Christ demonstrated amazing meekness before the cross when he said that at His word there would be twelve legions of angels to rescue Him, that is somewhere in the vicinity of 60,000 angels. That is a lot of power at His disposal but He chose to not use it, instead, He chose to endure that which was placed before Him. Pride says “do it, show them what you’ve got” meekness says “hold back, show them what Christ has”. No meekness is not weakness it is a greater strength than you or I can truly comprehend because it requires us to lay aside our pride.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. Have you ever been hungry? So hungry that food is all you can think about, a hunger that possesses your thoughts and takes over your rational thinking? When we get that way there is only one thing we want; to be full. God is asking us for that same feeling here. He wants us to be hungry for Him and His righteousness. The great thing is that if we are hungry for Him we will be filled with Him, it is not a maybe, it is not something that might happen if things work out that way, no it is a promise. YOU WILL BE FILLED. We know the outcome so the question begs why are we not full? I think it is because we are not hungry enough. I think we are born hungry for Him, but we were just fed the wrongs things growing up. We thirst for truth like pure milk and are given a half and half, we are hungry for righteousness and get a righteousness/selfish combination instead. It’s funny to me that it has to be done this way, the enemies of God can’t give us a straight lie because we would not accept it if it were a flat out lie. Instead, they need to sprinkle some truth in it first; let us taste that part of it then hit us with the rest. What we have to do is relearn to eat the good stuff only. Have you ever tried to stop eating junk food? Let’s use fast food as an example. When you first stop you don’t like the taste of the other food, it’s not as sweet or salty or fried but you push on and continue to eat it and after awhile it is the good, so good you don’t remember what the fast food tastes like. Then one day you eat the fast food again and it’s tasty alright but then you have a stomach ache, and you feel drained and weak. You don’t have the energy you had when you ate the good food and it was a waste of time and energy eating the garbage. Truth and lies are the same way. Eat the truth be hungry for the truth and the lies of the enemy will become bitter and turn your stomach, but first, you have to eat from the true vine.

 

To be continued…..