Good News » Matthew 6:11

Man Vs. Food

admin — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 20:40:56 +0000

Do you recognize the names Joey Chestnut, Takeru Kobayashi, or Patrick Bertoletti? Although they may not be featured on magazine covers or network TV programs, they are celebrities. They are the world’s top competitive eating stars and are all Major League Eaters.

Major League Eating is the world body that oversees all professional eating contests. It is governed by the International Federation of Competitive Eating and helps to develop, publicize and execute world-class eating events. MLE conducts approximately 80 events annually throughout the U.S. Participants in these contests devour unbelievable amounts of food. One world-class eater managed to finish a 24” pizza in 15 minutes. Another “inhaled” 34.75 Beef Brisket BBQ sandwiches in 10 minutes and another ingested a 22-ounce Slurpee in 9 seconds. Wow!

In a world where there is so much starvation, the fact that Americans consider these gluttonous events entertainment probably does not speak well of our country – but that’s a discussion for another blog.

The fact is, gluttony is rampant. Over-indulgence can lead to health problems like acid reflux, digestive distress or obesity. Eating food is necessary for our survival. The key is to eat in moderation and ingest only what our bodies can comfortably handle.

Gluttony is also rampant among Christians but it goes beyond food. I’m referring to the practice of “overeating” when it comes to Biblical truths; trying to take in too much knowledge at one time. Studying God’s Word is necessary for our survival. The key is moderation and ingesting only what we can learn and actually apply to our lives.

Wanting to know as much as possible about God and His Word is commendable. It is what we feed on and how we grow spiritually. However, the truth is that we can only “digest” small amounts.

I have been blessed to attend many conferences where the speakers were excellent Bible teachers and expositors. At these conferences there are normally morning, afternoon and evening sessions, complete with wonderful praise and worship services. It is a veritable spiritual buffet! It feels great, but the truth is it is difficult to retain all of the information. At one conference I was so “full” after the morning session that I really needed to get alone and meditate on what I had heard. But I continued to gorge myself that day and for the rest of the conference. So although it felt great, I’m not sure what I actually took away that made a life-changing difference. Of course all of these conferences offer books, tapes, CD’s & DVD’s so that attendees can take the messages home with them. But even those have to be studied in small doses in order to make life-changing differences.

It is possible to stand under a waterfall, get soaking wet, and still be thirsty. The key is to open your mouth and take a little water in. Obviously you won’t be able to swallow the whole waterfall, but the amount that your mouth can hold will be enough to quench your thirst.

You’ve heard the old adage, “Don’t’ bite of more than you can chew”. This holds true in spiritual matters as well. Jesus prayed “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11). Focus on what you can take in today that will make a difference in your life. You see it’s not what goes in, but what comes out that counts.

New Every Morning

admin — Mon, 17 May 2010 16:24:20 +0000

“It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is they faithfulness,” Lamentations 3:22-23.

It is exciting to realize that God has something new for us EVERY day. Today is not just a warmed-over version of yesterday. God has new plans, new ideas, new directions.

His mercies are new EVERY morning. They are ready for us when we wake up. We don’t have to make do with the mercies from the day before. Some cell phone providers allow users to roll over unused minutes from one month to another. It’s comforting to know that God doesn’t work that way; He doesn’t have “rollover” mercies.

When the Israelites were in the wilderness, God fed them with manna – it fell on the ground every morning. It is important for us to connect with Him every morning; to get in touch with what He has for us that day. There is something about connecting with God early – at the beginning of the day.

The manna had to be gathered early because when the sun got hot, it melted (Exodus 16:21). We need to connect with God early before the activities of the day press upon us. If we wait until the heat of the day, we won’t have ears to hear Him as easily. Our “manna” will have melted in the heat of the day’s activities.

God is a faithful, stable God. He fed the Israelites EVERY morning. He didn’t forget, or oversleep or run short of manna. He was always there for them. But they did have to go out to gather it. He is the same today. He has a plan to provide for each of us, and that plan will never fail. But we also have a responsibility to stay in close relationship to Him; to go to Him each morning for our daily provision. Jesus prayed “Give us this day our daily bread,” (Matthew 6:11). God has something fresh for us each day.

Isn’t it nice to know that God’s compassions never fail? His tender mercies and loving kindness are always directed toward us. No matter what we’re going through, He sees, He knows, He cares.

Happy New Year!

admin — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 19:23:54 +0000

“What the New Year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the New Year.” – Vern McLellan

A new year always begins with such hope and optimism. It’s a chance for a fresh start, a new beginning filled with resolutions and good intentions. We are bombarded with advertisements for diet plans, exercise equipment, and gym memberships.

Although it is the dead of winter and the weather is bleak and gray, there is still a feeling of newness in the air. The old year has ended and the promise of a new year stretches before us like a brand new, untraveled road. We exchange yesterday’s regrets for tomorrow’s promises. Happy New Year!

As much as we would like to plan each detail of the year and predict its outcome, the reality is that all we really have is this day. Life is doled out to us in 24-hour increments and God set it up that way from the very beginning. Genesis 1:5 says “God called the light Day and the darkness He called Night, and the evening and the morning were the first day.” We live one day at a time because today is all we have. We can’t undo what was done yesterday or get a head start on tomorrow. But we can make today terrific.

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying “today is the first day of the rest of your life.” That’s not only true, it’s encouraging because we can start anew every day.

I do not make New Year’s resolutions; I just work to make the most of everyday, trusting that God will give me what I need for that day. As Jesus taught us to pray in Matthew 6:11 “Give us this day our daily bread” (provision).

At times life can present challenges that make even getting through a 24 hour period seem impossible. I have lived through seasons when I wasn’t even sure how I would survive a day; so I learned to live hour-to-hour and sometimes even moment-to-moment. But I found that God met me in each moment.

It’s easy to be so consumed with getting through the day that we neglect the wonder of the moment. Each moment can be special. As one sage put it, “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.” Practice living in the moment.

“One day at a time–this is enough. Do not look back and grieve over the past for it is gone; and do not be troubled about the future, for it has not yet come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful it will be worth remembering.” – Unknown

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24, ESV).