from fed to feed
"She was able to eat for a year, and he and her son as well; the jar of flour did not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, as the Lord had foretold through Elijah." —1 Kings 17:15-16
The Lord gave Elijah bread and meat, but finally the brook from which he drank ran dry (1 Kgs 17:7). The Lord told Elijah to move on. He was not only to receive food, but to give it. This transition from receiving food to giving it is a major event in a Christian's life. Before multiplying the loaves and fish, Jesus challenged the apostles to do this when He said: "Why do you not give them something to eat yourselves?" (Lk 9:13) After His resurrection, Jesus again told His apostles not only to be fed, but also to feed the sheep (see Jn 21:15, 17).
Are you just reading the teachings in this book? Or are you sharing, preaching, and teaching them? Maybe it's time for you to make the transition from only receiving God's word to giving it. As in Elijah's time, there are so many people starving to receive God's word. They won't live long unless they receive faith. Faith comes through hearing, and hearing by God's word (Rm 10:17, our transl.). "And how can they believe unless they have heard of Him? And how can they hear unless there is someone to preach?" (Rm 10:14)
It's better to give than to receive (see Acts 20:35). Give God's word to a spiritually starving world.
Prayer: Father, open my lips so that may I share anything You give me from Your word. Make me a good steward (see Mt 25:14ff).
Promise: "Your light must shine before men so that they may see goodness in your acts and give praise to your heavenly Father." —Mt 5:16
Praise: After learning a new concept from Jesus' teachings, Mandy makes a habit to share it with at least three people.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape Spiritual Anorexia on audio AV 101-1 or video V-101.)
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, January 4, 2008
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