Are You Starving Yourself? Ten Reasons Not To. (Part 2) Matthew 4:4

 

Buddy is the only dog I’ve ever owned who loves bread. In fact, I’m not sure if he would choose a piece of steak over a piece of bread. I might test him someone soon to see which he would prefer.

God commands us to eat bread, spiritual bread that nourishes our souls:

And Jesus said to Satan, “‘It is written, Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'”–Matthew 4:4

Last week I listed five reasons why we should read the Bible, God’s Word. To shorten the posts, I split the list into two blog postings. Below are the remaining five points:

1. To know right from wrong, we have to study God’s Word. It’s a big book and there is a lot of wisdom in it. If we say we’re Christians but just go about living life based upon what the culture says is right and wrong, and not sifting our decisions and thoughts against what the Bible says, then we’re acting like Adam and Eve, denying what God commands and deciding for ourselves what is right and wrong. We avoid unnecessary harm by obeying God. “How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers (Psalm 1:1-3, King David).”
2. The Scriptures are good for you, mentally and physically. “”Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones (Proverbs 3:7-8, King Solomon).” And, “Come to Me all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Matthew 11:28-19, Jesus).” “Now therefore, O sons, listen to me, for blessed are they who keep my ways…Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates,…all who hate me love death (Proverbs 8:36).” “How blessed are all who take refuge in Him (Psalm 2:12).” “Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him (Proverbs 30:5).”
3. So that you can pray with confidence. God promises to answer our prayers if it’s according to His will. How can you know that you’re praying in accordance with God’s will? Know the Scriptures! “Let my cry come before You, O Lord; give me understanding according to Your word. Let my supplication come before You; deliver me according to your word (Psalm 119:169-170).” And, “This is the confidence which we have before Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him (1 John 5:14, Apostle John).”
4. Knowing the Bible will protect you from false prophets, false teaching and falsehood. “I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints (Jude 3).” “But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; (1 Thessalonians 5:21).”
5. Lastly, because it’s God speaking to us. We should listen to our Lord and Savior. “But know this first of all that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God (2 Peter 1:20).” If you love someone, you want to get to know them better. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind (Matthew 22:37, Jesus quoting Deuteronomy 6:4).”

I hope you are now convinced of the necessity of daily reading God’s Word. May I suggest starting with reading one book of Proverbs for each day of the month? In other words, Proverbs 1 for the first day of the month, Proverbs 2 for the second day of the month, etc. Read Proverbs 31 on a thirty day month either on day thirty with Proverbs 30 or on the first day of the month with Proverbs 1.

If you miss a day or several, just continue with the program. You will find that these proverbs will begin to sink into your heart and when you face a certain situation, the Holy Spirit will bring the proverb to your mind to guide you. He’s done that for me many times.

God bless you richly as you grow in the knowledge of Him and His Word.

Dawn and Buddy

 

Are You Starving Yourself? Ten Reasons Not to. (Part 1) Matthew 4:4

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:

1. 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.)
2. 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.
3. 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).”
4. 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.
5. 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