Category: New Year, New You: Feed Your Spirit

Remember the milk commercials?  If you didn’t like milk, then they did everything possible to persuade you otherwise.  Before the “Got Milk” campaign, the catch phrase was “Milk does a body good.”  The commercials continually reminded you that drinking milk would lead to stronger bones and muscles.  And to prove it, they showed footage of people whose bodies improved significantly after drinking milk.

If milk strengthens the body, then what strengthens our spirits?  Jesus ends all speculation in the verse cited above – the Word makes us strong.  Notice that the Word will not handcuff us and infuse us with strength; rather, we must put forth some effort.  Jesus said we must read and obey the Word if we want strength.  In other words, if we put the Word in action, then it will anchor us in the storms of life.

Since we’re living in an economic storm, I thought I’d remind you that the Word makes us strong.  God promised to supply our needs (see Philippians 4:19), even in tough times (see Psalm 37:19), so start looking for your bail out.  Thank God for His strength-giving, unchanging, appetite satisfying Word!

Some people try fad diets to lose weight, but many stop as soon as they start.  Why?  Frustration may be the cause.  And, I totally understand.  One co-worker shared his diet with me: several calories one day, a few the next, some foods one day, and others the next.  If I had to remember all of those details, then I’d quit, too!

That’s why I’m glad the Word never changes.  Jesus makes that especially clear in the verse cited above.  That means, every time you open the Bible, Genesis will be the first and Revelation will be the last book.  More importantly, the promises contained therein will never change.  You’ll always be more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37), all things will always work for your good (Romans 8:28), and Christ will always give you strength to do all things (Philippians 4:13)!  The Lord will always be your Shepherd (Psalm 23:1), He’ll always fight our battles (Exodus 14:13), and He’ll always keep us in perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3)!

This recharge is an invitation to celebrate, because God’s Word doesn’t change.  And if it doesn’t change, then it never fails.  No wonder He told Isaiah, “It is the same with my word.  I send it out, and it always produces fruit.  It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it” (Isaiah 55:11, New Living Translation).

Losing weight is one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions.  People employ various means to shed a few pounds: exercising more frequently, acupuncture, gastric bypass surgery, and even starvation diets.  That’s right – some people refrain from eating to lose weight.  Starving may seem like a grand idea, but it’s often more harmful than helpful.  Some of the side effects include slower metabolism, less energy, and an increased desire for food!  Worse, prolonged starvation will ultimately lead to death.

If starving is dangerous for our bodies, then imagine how disastrous it can be for our spirits.  Our spirits starve when we don’t read the Word, and the results can be devastating.  Have you noticed that your days don’t go as smoothly when you don’t read the Word?  Ever noticed that it’s easy to have a bad attitude, say what’s really on your mind, pursue your secret passions, and act hateful when you haven’t read the Word?  Maybe that’s why God encouraged Joshua to study the Word daily.  God knew that we act more like Him when our spirits aren’t starving.

This recharge is a friendly reminder – don’t starve!  Start each day with some heavenly bread.  The Word will become your spiritual Folgers: it will be the best part of waking up!