Time to Feed Yourself!

TEXT:

‘You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food’ – Hebrews 5:12 New Living Translation

THOUGHT:

The day we moved into our house in Saltash, the previous owner was still there finishing off cleaning. In the kitchen she had left 3 apples, explaining that they were for the blackbird. For some time she had been ensuring that every day the blackbird had an apple to eat.

So we continued the tradition and our labour of love was worth it all when the blackbird brought its young to feed them apple. I was thrilled to capture the moment with its beak inside the young one’s mouth.

In this photo the young blackbird waits patiently, not making a sound. It stares at the apple, waiting for its parents to come and feed it. Having grown so much, it looks like it can feed itself, but still it waits. “Feed me” it silently cries, but sooner or later it must learn to feed itself in order to survive!

The Bible encourages every Christian to feed themselves. Jesus said, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’ ¹ Peter urged, ‘Desire the pure milk of the word that you may grow.’ ² Paul was frustrated, ‘I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready.’ ³

Our text from Hebrews reveals that instead of growing into maturity and being able to teach others, believers had either slipped back from maturity or had never grown out of infancy.

The Bible exhorts a believer to:

• Grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ ⁴
• Build yourself up on your most holy faith ⁵
• Add to your faith ⁶

These are all action verses we need to incorporate into everyday Christian living. We can make every excuse as to why we have not or cannot do them, but none are valid because we give so much time and energy to other things. How many times have I heard, “I know I should but…” There is one word for such believers, ‘Repent and do the first works.’ ⁷

It is interesting to note that where the Bible uses the word “Repent”, it usually has an “And” after it.

John the Baptist cried out, ‘Repent and bear fruit worthy of repentance.’ ⁸

Jesus started His ministry with, ‘Repent and believe in the gospel.’ ⁹

The Apostles preached:

‘Repent and be baptized.’ ¹⁰ Baptism is not optional but a step of obedience!

‘Repent and be converted.’ ¹¹

‘Repent and pray.’ ¹²

‘Repent and do works befitting repentance.’ ¹³

Who knows what difficult days lie ahead for our nation, especially now the decision to leave the European Union is in the process of being carried out?

‘Remember now your Creator, in the days of your youth, before the difficult (evil) days come and the years draw near when you say, “I have no pleasure in them.”’ ¹⁴

It is wonderful to listen to preaching and teaching by gifted  ministers, but the same Holy Spirit who inspires them and inspired the Lord Jesus, is ready to help you understand the Bible so that it becomes your spiritual food every day.

 

Sometimes it takes a bit of effort to get some food, but it is always worth it!

How would your faith fare if there was no church to go to, no fellowship with other Christians, just you, your Bible and God?

We are living in momentous times and I am not sure what lies ahead. It is time to feed yourself before those difficult days come, so start today!

Finally success as the young blackbird learns to feed itself!

 

 

1 – Matthew 4:4          2 – 1 Peter 2:2             3 – 1 Corinthians 3:2               4 – 2 Peter 3:18

5 – Jude v 20               6 – 2 Peter 1:5             7 – Revelation 2:5                   8 – Matthew 3:2,8

9 – Mark 1:15              10 – Acts 2:38             11 – Acts 3:19                         12 – Acts 8:22

13 – Acts 26:20           14 – Ecclesiastes 12:1