4 – CHURCH THIEVERY
It's robbery far worse than stealing from the offering plate, to be sure. And the cause of it all, in simple terms is little more than 'scripture snacking'. More than that, this scripture snacking is a very big contributor to the decline of church attendance and service. People don't want to be a part of a long-faced fellowship. It even turns the whole thing hypocritical. The long-faced church people sing “Victory in Jesus”, “When the Role is Called Up Yonder, I'll Be There” and wonder why visitors don't return. To youth, this is even a bigger turn-off.
It's obvious to us all, that continually snacking on foods is very unhealthy. It's also true with scripture. The down-hill spiritual slide goes from the strength scripture FEEDING(1), to scripture READING(2), and then to the unhealthy scripture SNACKING(3). The result of living each day with scriptural snacking, is that Satan has changed the meaning of JOY in our minds and stolen it from our hearts and spirit.
God's Word, scripture says a whole lot about JOY and even a special FULL JOY. I define joy as the ongoing bone-deep sense of well-being, of contentment, understanding my purpose and agenda (according to God's will for today.) To me, true joy seeks to find ways to use my God-given talents and provisions to serve others, with mercy and love, who have broken repentant hearts. Joy is nothing like the flirting with danger in fast cars and evil experiences with people who have no respect for me or their own future.
JOY is best understood, not with words, but when the Spirit of God blesses us each day as we lovingly follow His leading. A famous prophet of the Bible's Old Testament, Jeremiah, had a life far more difficult than most. But look at his words (inspired by God, of course) in chapter 15:16. See how they identify a very strong link between our dietary intake and scripture, as follows: “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.”(did eat = internalized) Take a moment and think about the meanings of joy and rejoicing. How are they different?
Each of us prepare our minds to feed on the dinner table offerings till we're full. A precious verse referring to the purpose of scripture connects it to Christ's teachings and our spirit of joy (i.e. 'Full Joy')
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. John 15:11. Taking a close look at all the parts of that verse is a full course meal of strength and inspiration, in itself. But certainly that's what we should always expect when we open our hearts and minds to what Jesus Christ and His inspired word says to us.
PREPARATION
Scripture snacking (that robs us of our joy), almost always happens when there's little or no PREPARATION before entering God's Word. We all know that to best enjoy a dinner meal, we begin with TABLE GRACE. For the very same reasons we should always begin feeding (not reading or snacking) on scripture with BIBLE GRACE preparation. Inviting the Holy Spirit to plant the scriptures into our heart for strength, purpose, AND JOY, is a wonderful, needed gift from God the Father to us.
When we feed on scripture, with loving preparation, we begin to learn about FULL JOY, and MORE THAN CONQUERORS that steps us above Victory In Jesus. Visitors sense this joy in us & will come back to learn how they can have joy and rejoicing. [~]
Portions of the above are from ReachingYouth.net; SOS – STEWARDS OF SCRIPTURE, by the same author. [~]
