Spiritual obesity

Never go shopping on an empty stomach. That is what they say when you go to the Supermarket. It makes you buy what isn't really required. However that principle doesn't apply when you come into the presence of the Lord. There should be an unquenchable hunger within. Why? Jesus said it was the source of being happy (Matt.5:6.Ps.42:1.)Notice however what would produce such happiness, righteousness! If you accept the statement of Jesus would you say that many of the Disciples of Jesus are happy and satisfied?

Most people imagine that happiness requires lots and lots of things before and more than righteousness. When you read the warnings the Lord gave to Israel through Moses it is evident He saw materialism as a great danger. Read Deuteronomy 8:11-14,17. To conquer the promised land had its dangers and battles. The greatest and most long lasting threat was not combat but Mammon. The trappings of wealth would make them self satisfied, spiritually lazy and obese. Such attitudes makes a person, family, community or nation forget God and what He has done and promised.


Spiritual Obesity is a western world curse, especially within a Church scene. Forty years after the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ Jesus certain facets of the Church were 'fat, self satisfied and content in their materialism. It is highlighted by the church of Laodicea. (Revelation 3:14-18) Result...pride, forgetfulness, arrogance etc. Today the Church is obese in materialism; prosperity doctrine, emotionalism, self achievement (all for God’s benefit mind you --- ha!) Affluence has robbed the church of its health and stamina in righteousness, justice, stewardship and mission. It is unrighteous I the Lord's eyes.
Why?
No hunger for God. Filled with ‘junk food.’ How would you define 'junk food?' Doing good, holding interesting activities and building impressive buildings or projects to their own ego rather than doing the Lord's will or worship. Jesus has a 'Cafe' where He offers spiritually and morally healthy and nourishing food. There is a high admittance cost for Jesus said 'If anyone comes after me they must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow.' Matthew 16:24.


There’s a spiritual ‘dietary’ battle going on. The World wants to stuff us with things that dull our hunger senses. God endeavours to change our ‘eating’ habits. We should pray that God would make us hungry. When that happens we are on the verge of some new taste sensations. As the Bible puts it, Taste and see that the Lord is gracious. 1 Peter 2:3 Ps.34:8.119:103
Some hesitate to taste new foods. Others have few inhibitions. What then are the gourmet dishes of Heaven?
Bread...John 6:35.(Jesus)
Water...John 4:14 (Holy Spirit).
Milk...1 Peter 2:2.
Meat...Heb.5:12-14. Honey...Ps.19:9-11 . 119:103.(Word)

How and where do we find the Jesus ‘Café!'
His invitation comes wrapped in the good news of the cross. Unattractive on the outside it may seem but when you embrace the invitation it takes you into communion with God and an ever increasing hunger for Him. Paul in Phil. 3:8. says it all, I want to know Him!. How can I hunger for God? I personally doubt the long term success of well presented, well prepared programs aimed at motivating an obese church. Only when we feel the prodigal’s hunger pangs that humble us and drive us back to the Father will we become a trim, slim, health and attractive disciple and church.

Don’t confuse hunger for activity for God. Nor is it religious observances.
Hunger is when you desire, in whatever circumstance surrounds you, is... “Father, be glorified in and through me.”
When you fail your prayer is “Father forgive me and make me a testimony of your grace.”
When faced with all the latest philosophies about life your prayer is... “Father teach me Your Word.”

I find it interesting that many church growth proponents look to the American scene for inspiration. Why beats me. It is obese in materials, resources, concessions and ego. I believe the place to look is the suffering Church in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Their situation is grim under persecution and lack yet they remain faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ. The Church is hungry and poor but its heart is satisfied with the grace and power of the Lord Jesus. Such a fellowship of Faith is well pleasing to the Lord and an offence to the World. May its influence increase!

Ray (the hungry) Hawkins

The Importance of the Bible - to me #4.

Life’s True diet

Television is obese with shows about chefs, foods from around the world and eating competitions. Then the news comes on about famine and food shortages in other regions and tribes. What Jesus said applies to both realms. ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ Matthew 4:4.

Here is another reason why I convinced about the Bible and committed to its author, Jesus. You may live on the richest foods yet in God’s sight you are not living. Alternatively, you may be constantly hungry yet in the Lord Jesus’ eyes you are alive. The difference is diet. Not as the World considers food but from Christ Jesus’ perspective.

To come alive to God, to grow strong in knowing Him, to mature in serving Him and to be healthy to worship the Lord God Almighty requires a special diet. Jesus lived it out as well as outlined it. True life is feeding upon every word from the mouth of God.  This raises a problem. There are many religious and so called spiritual books and program which are really poisonous to the soul and spirit. How can you determine the real and the healthy from the bogus?

Consider the long term outcome of prolonged indulgence in any spiritual diet. Will it bring you to a personal understanding with the Living God? Will it simply satisfy for the moment but in life’s tough times leave you powerless?  Will the promoted recipes for living actually lead you to a fruitless and hopeless end? So many diet programs, whether spiritual or gastronomic are designed simply to make the authors rich.  

 

The Bible claims to offer food fare with an eternal guarantee. Do we know any who have tasted it and lived a fulfilled life, regardless of their earthly circumstances? Actually the Bible is filled with those who have tasted and found God’s word satisfying, fulfilling and energizing. The most notable of these is none other than Jesus. The record of His life is testimony to the nourishment of God’s word for top level living under adverse conditions. Since then the testimonies of those who have taken on board Jesus’ menu for life bear testimony in life and death to its value. Their stories fill books, magazines and DVD’s.

Life may burn up our emotions, deaden our souls and corrupts our spirits. How then can we be satisfied and overcome such inner pangs? By what has been prepared by our Heavenly Chef, the Holy Spirit. He serves it to us when we read or hear the Word of God. The hunger of the heart is satisfied! God has a word which guides the searching of the mind into meaning. It provides hope about God’s grace, forgiveness and acceptance. God’s word has something for you to devour and to be filled when dealing with everyday situations. The Bible is described as milk for the spiritually new born. It is bread and meat for the maturing. It never has a used by date and is fresh every time we go for a ‘meal.’  The Psalmist gives a wonderful invitation: ‘O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusts in Him.’ Psalm 34:8.

Ray (ever satisfied by God’s Word) Hawkins