Buddy’s most favorite place in the whole world (besides being at my side, or so I delude myself) is the local pet food store, Mud Bay in Maple Valley. He goes wild in the car when he realizes we’re near the shop. The regular employees know Buddy and give him treat samples, but his favorite is Brianna. He loves checking out the bags of dog food, bags of snacks, bins of dog bones and treats. For Buddy, it’s a doggie play palace.
I ask, “Are you starving yourself?” because many people are like Buddy: They enjoy a good, tasty meal of food but are starving themselves spiritually. Their bodies are fit but their souls are hungry.
When Satan tried to tempt Jesus in the desert wilderness after He had fasted for 40 days, Jesus counteracted every temptation with the Word Of God.
In response to the first temptation, Jesus told Satan, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the south of God.'”–Matthew 4:4
Jesus was quoting Deuteronomy 8:3.
The first five of ten points:
- Jesus emphasized that knowing God’s Word is vitally important. Just like food, we should be reading the Bible every day and praying for God to guide us. We cannot go six days ignoring the Bible and think that just a few hours on Sunday morning is good enough. You wouldn’t starve yourself all week and expect one meal on Sunday morning would get you through the week. (Above quotes.)
- Jesus used the Bible to counteract all three of Satan’s temptations. The more of God’s you have memorized, the longer your Sword of the Spirit will be to vanquish your spiritual enemies and temptation. The Word of God is the only offensive weapon listed by Apostle Paul in Ephesians 6:17. The other pieces of armor listed are defensive.
- Although we live under the New Covenant (New Testament), we still need the lessons of the entire Word of God. Firstly, Jesus and the apostles quoted from the Old Testament. And, secondly, both apostles Paul and Peter instructed Christians to read the Old Testament writings. “…they were written for our instruction (1 Corinthians 10:11, Apostle Paul).” And “…you should remember the words spoken by the holy prophets… (2 Peter 3:2).” Also, “ALL SCRIPTURE (emphasis mine) is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; … (2 Timothy 3:16, Apostle Paul).”
- God’s Word helps us to become better people, to be progressively sanctified. We are declared righteous in God’s sight by faith, but in order to be light in the World, we need God’s Word to help us become better people. “…like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation (1 Peter 2:2).” Babies frequently yearn for milk, they don’t have it occasionally. It’s their daily diet.
- To obey God, we should read God’s Word. Multiple times we’re commanded to know God’s Word and teach it to the next generation. “These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates (Deuteronomy 6:6-9, Joshua).”
The past six months or so God has revealed to me that I have a lot of contentious thoughts. I debate issues with imaginary people in my mind where I can always win the argument. I’m improving in cutting the thoughts off in mid-stride, but this verse came to me this past week and it’s helped a lot to meditate on it:
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God (Matthew 5:9, Jesus, Sermon on the Mount).”
When this verse comes to mind, it really helps me break free of my argumentative ruminations. I want to be a peacemaker. The verse speaks to one of my core desires: to encourage and uplift people. I feel happier and have more energy, because I’m not wasting my mental energy on contentious or useless thinking. I can now redirect my thoughts toward more creative and productive thoughts. However, the Holy Spirit would not be bringing this verse to my mind if I didn’t know it from reading or hearing it many times till it sank into my subconscious mind.
I had originally planned only 3 points but came up with 10. I’ll post the other 5 next week so that this post isn’t too long.
May God bless you as you read His Holy Word. Please remember that it is a supernatural book and pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance before you start reading.
Thanks for reading my blog. I appreciate your time. Have a great day or evening.
Love from Dawn and Buddy