To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.(Philippians 3:1 – ESV)
Let me tell you something about church life, and people who claim they are not being fed. If a church pastor is using expositional preaching to teach the scriptures in a faithful manner, then it is not that people aren’t getting fed it is that they are choosing not to eat. It may seem as if all our teachers are always hitting the same note because we just don’t seem to get it right away and repetition helps in renewing our mind. Out in the world we get so many signals from other sources and it is easy to have sensory overload. That is why we need to hear “that certain sound” (1 Corinthians 14:8) once again, and again, and again. Just because you have heard it all before doesn’t mean you’ve done any of it, ever.
Situations and seemingly tough circumstances have a way of getting our eyes off the Lord. It is good to be continually brought back to focus; indeed we should always be keeping our focus in check. Those that always want a new thing haven’t as yet discovered the treasures of the old thing. We feel like we have our free pass now we want to travel the highway, but the free pass IS the highway. You do not graduate from this path; you only discover the richness of it.
Now Paul says the same things over and over, many times throughout his epistles, and especially the greetings. However, it is just like preaching which may seem boring to you, because you think you have heard it all before. It is because you do not enter in that you want to tune out. Just because someone else hits a note you’ve heard before doesn’t mean you know the whole song. You may even know the melody, but get yourself some ears so you can hear the harmony. I love to tell the story for those who know it best seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest.
It is like some child who says, “yeah, yeah, I know”, but doesn’t do what you asked. God might make you have to hear it again and again until you get it – hasn’t it worked that way before with certain verses or passages for you? You read them a thousand times, but one day they jump out at you, and I sure hope this is your experience with the Word, I think it ought to be. Be ready to obey and you will be ready to hear.
You know if there were nothing new for us to learn while studying “the same old scriptures”, then our study of them would have been complete long ago. It isn’t, there is more to mine, and more applications, because there are always new situations, for us and for others. We have more trials and more to learn because of them (Psalm 119:71), and we should ask God to open up the Scriptures to us (Psalm 119:18), and He will, as we are opened up to them, ready to receive. If you feel like you are not being fed look again, there is still meat on those old bones.
21 comments:
After I posted this picture, I had to go get some ribs for dinner...mmmm....
JD, Melissa and I sure left there with our portion of food today. God be praised! I was just this evening explaining to her that even though she said she knew the gosples, she should read them as if she had never before. Allowing God to give her out of His Word what He chooses to. And not to look at it like, here we go again, same thing differant day, type situation. But I will also tell her and remind myself of what you wrote here tonight.
On a seperate subject, we found 12 never used small hand bibles (new testiments, psalms, proverbs) just like those you brought to JR. Melissa though he might like to have them. I will leave it up to you, if you want to wait to see if he will need more or want to assume he is going to need them and take them to him, what ever you feel best about. They are here and ready for transport. :) Rest well brother.
Mmmmm.... Baby back ribs!!!
You remember that night we went to Sunny's? You me and... young Loui?
Yeah, I remember...and I want those Bibles for JR for sure...
Ok, just let me know when and we can meet where ever.
As always, a great post.
Some people who say they aren't being fed go into it with an idea of what they want to "eat," and when it doesn't appeal to them, they think it's the offering, and not the one who is supposed to "eat."
I have a friend who left our church because she wasn't beind "fed" by the pastor. It was because he wasn't singing her song.
First of all....you and Paul are mean to talk about Sonny's when there are people who have to travel 1000 miles to get to one! No place to get ribs here and boy does that pic look good.
Down to it, though. If a church is preaching the word, there's no excuse not to get something from it. Even if it's John 3:16, it's still powerful and sharper than any double edge sword.
But having just dealt with the Queen of Picky Eaters over the holiday, I definitely don't want God to see me that way! You're right, though. There's NO EXCUSE for me to hear the Word and not be fed!
I love to tell the story for those who know it best seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest.
Tell it, Man! Tell it!
Whoa... That was some picture; all of the sudden, I need Tums.
But yeah, it's like... who gets tired of chocolate, right? Um, "no thanks, I've had it before; I know all about it." Paleeease!!
Now, that song about "Christmas Shoes," I'm totally done with that and ready to move on.
I don't know that tune, Craver, and no, I don't wanna know...
Paulie is on board with the Bible reading, aren't you, Paulie?
We sure are JD... Infact I have my probably first of many questions for you! Oh first...... We'll have to take Mandi and Cris out to Sunny's when they come visit.... :) Question is...Genesis 1:27 with 2:18 with 2:21,22 (NAS)
It seems as if in 1:27 God created Eve at that point but then in the other passages it states differant. ??
It is a retelling, parts of chapter two are a more detailed explanation of chapter one, not another creation event...the whole of the creation event is explained, and then the more important details of man are given...
I see... Thank you. I'll pass it on.
1/1/07
"It is good to be continually brought back to focus; indeed we should always be keeping our focus in check."
Good things can pull our focus away, even religious duties. Being busy for Jesus can draw us away from sitting at His feet.
Good post JD. Ribs are good eating, but they are messy.
Being busy for Jesus can draw us away from sitting at His feet.
Very true, Don...
"Situations and seemingly tough circumstances have a way of getting our eyes off the Lord. It is good to be continually brought back to focus; indeed we should always be keeping our focus in check."
Ain't that the truth!!!! Very well said, brother. Amen.
Good things can pull our focus away like a picture of a plate of ribs. How cruel.
The Isrealites were provided manna every day, but were tired of God's provision, and wanted to experience ribs. I meet people everyday who go to church for the experience. It is not a matter of being fed, as they don't know what that is, very much like I'm not sure I did for a long time. They are there for a good show, and a familiar emotion. No emotions, no quenching. They are hungry for the experience that their style music brings, and the feeling they get when a preacher tells them that Jesus is going to make them happy and prosperous. Deep down they know it's not true, but it sure makes them feel better to hear it each week.
The Word given to the pastor for his people is like a well balanced meal. Somehow, everyone's addicted to McDonalds, but we saw what happened to the Supersize Me guy. 30 days, and he was about to physically die.
Keep feeding your flock the truth as God leads you! Amen.
Great comment!
Just who is teaching you this stuff, Chris? Yeah, I know...God...praise His name!
"Be ready to obey, and you'll be ready to hear."
Of course, how simple...
Of course, how basic...
As you say, we've heard it before...
Yet there it is right there for all of us...
Make me ready Lord, to obey Your word today, no tomorrow, and give me hungry ears that want to eat those ribs to the bone!
Tom C.
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