Verse of the Day 11/23

Through the Bible - Ezekiel 30-31, 1 Peter 3

 

Good morning,

One of the things that I'm looking forward to and thankful for this Thanksgiving is to see my grandaughter Layna.  We've seen her a few times during the year and even though we've seen her by using "Skype" I'm sure we'll be surprised by her growth.  Earlier in the year when we saw her I was amazed at how quickly she downed a glass of milk from her sipper cup.

 

Babies don't need to be taught to "crave" milk, in fact they cry out for it.  The growth that they show is also evidence that this craving has been fulfilled.

 

In 1 Peter 2, Peter is telling us that it should be the same with our spiritual growth.

 

 1 Peter 2:2  Like newborn babies you should crave (thirst for, earnestly desire) the pure (unadulterated) spiritual milk, that by it you may be nurtured and grow unto [completed] salvation,   ³Since you have [already] tasted the goodness and kindness of the Lord.^{(A)  Amplified Bible}

or from the NLT

1 Peter 2:2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.   NIV

 

Have you come to times in your spiritual journey where you don't have the desire for God's Word, where you don't feel like you are growing, that you are stuck in a rut?  John Piper refers to it as "spiritual fatalism" if you feel that it's "just who I am" and "I'll never be able to change".

 

These verses actually give us a command to long for and desire God's word, to  "crave" the nourishment that you receive from Him.  How does that work?

 

John Piper quoted a poem from John Bunyan and said that "It's one of the best statements I have ever heard about the difference between the law and the gospel. You'll see how it relates.

Run, John, run, the law commands
But gives us neither feet nor hands,
Far better news the gospel brings:
It bids us fly and gives us wings.

In other words in the old covenant God gave commandments, but by and large did not give the divine enablement that overcomes the deadness and depravity and rebellion of the heart. But in the new covenant, which God set up at the cross of Christ, God gives even harder commands, but he also gives the power we need to fulfill them (Romans 8:4–6), through faith (1 Thessalonians 1:3; 2 Thessalonians 1:11). "

Other religions can give commands to live by, true Christianity is the ownly one that gives us commands and provides the means to achieve them.  Christ living in us through the Holy Spirit.

 

Piper noted that "spiritual milk" comes from but is not limited to the Word, it is the growth that comes from taking it and applying it.  I'm reminded of the goal of "Feed the Hunger".  It is the goal to provide food for the hungry at the same time providing the tools for teaching.  Those that are involved in carrying this out experience growth in several ways. Starving people are fed, they grow physically and spiritually, and those who serve  grow spiritually, encouraging and challenging  others to do the same.  We can be the "feet and the hands" to help the hungry or save unborn children.

 

If you are working with "Feed the Hunger" or another cause, may your prayer be that of Augustine,   "O love that ever burnest and art never quenched!  O Charity, my God, enkindle me! ....  Grant what thou commandest and command what thou wilt."

 

If you feel that you've been in a rut.  Seek Him, God's Word provides the command and His Spirit provides the means for our growth if we will allow Him.  Follow where the Spirit leads you.  Join the cause, for Christ.

 

In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

1 Peter 1:21-2:5

 

21 Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory.

 

22 You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.

 

23 For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. 24 As the Scriptures say,

 

"People are like grass;
their beauty is like a flower in the field.
The grass withers and the flower fades.
25 But the word of the Lord remains forever."

 

And that word is the Good News that was preached to you.

 

2 So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. 2 Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, 3 now that you have had a taste of the Lord's kindness.

4 You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God's temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor.  NLT