Who Wants a Glass of Milk When You Can Have Steak?

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be that ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. I Peter 2:2

As new Christians, we should desire the milk of the word, the things that help us grow. Just as we wean our children from milk and begin to feed them vegetables and meat, so we as Christians should reach a point where we desire the grown up, meat, the steak of scriptures.

Hebrews 5:14 says: But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

I often wondered why daily devotionals with one scripture verse and a blurb of application did not satisfy me. Everyone else used those devotionals. Then I realized I had been reading a chapter every day from the time I was saved at 15 until I was about 20. That devotion to scripture had gotten me through the Bible several times. A boy got in the way, I'll have to admit, and it was not until after we married and had a child that I resumed my habit.

I didn't say all that to brag on myself, but to encourage you to go deeper in the Word. I want to change the standard devotion format of this site to something deeper, but still be able to share it in a family devotions context. I'd like for you too, to share the things you are discovering through deeper study, through our comments section. We can all learn and grow from each other. Next week I want to begin in Genesis and hopefully go chapter by chapter, yes even the begats, to help us all grow with the meat of the Word. I'd like to use the SOAP model to help us dig deeper.

S - Scripture
O - Observation
A - Application
P - Prayer

Lord Jesus, as we begin this study anew, help us to share the meat of Your Word with one another that we all may grow stronger and be better servants in Your kingdom. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

Feral Barn Cats

But God commendeth (demonstrates) his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ dies for us. Romans 5:8

I love to hold a soft furry kitten in my arms and snuggle my head against it. I love the gentle purr of a contented kitty as I gently stroke its back. But not all my kittens were so loving and tame. My dad’s friend lived on a farm. He had feral barn cats. When I needed a kitten, Dad and I took a box to the farm to retrieve a kitten Dad’s friend had caught. I closed the box and held it on my lap to keep the wild kitten inside for the trip home.

We had a large basement with lots of shelves and tools and dark hiding places. That’s where I took the kitten in the box. Mom placed a bowl of milk for the kitten near the middle of the basement. When I opened the box, the kitten hissed and raised a paw of claws as I tried to reach in. Suddenly, it made a dive for the nearest hiding place. Mom took the box and left me to my kitten. I sat across the basement and called, “Com’on Kitty.” I watched the little eyes peek out from under dusty boxes. The smell of warm milk filled the basement. I hoped it would tempt the kitten to come out. “Here Kitty, Kitty,” I continued to gently call. I patiently waited and watched as the kitten moved from hiding place to hiding place eyeing the milk offered in the open middle of the room. After several hours of waiting and watching the kitten inched out and eased over to the bowl. After a few laps I tried to move in closer but it dashed away to hide again. More waiting, then it came out again. This time I got close enough to touch, but as I reached out my hand it ran back into hiding. Here I was waiting again but, this time I didn’t move away from the milk. A few minutes later, it peeked its head out again. It tip-toed over to the bowl. Watching me, it lowered its head to the milk and began to lap. I eased my hand to its back. There it went again, running back to a box. The kitten eased over to the milk bowl again. Finally, it allowed me to begin lightly stroking his back. I spoke ever so softly, so it would learn my voice. I heard a little purr start up in its throat. I let the petting become a little heavier so it would know the true feel of my hand. When the kitten finished, I picked it up and put it on my lap, still stoking its soft fur. Now I had my kitten I could love and play with.

I think I’m a feral barn cat too. When God wanted me to come to him, I ran and hid. I’d try a little religion on Sunday and then run back to the world. Then one day, I got it. I understood that all God wanted was to show his love for me and fellowship with me. Thank you, Lord Jesus for not giving up on this barn cat. Thank you for saving me.

The Sharp-shinned Hawk

 www.utahbirds.org

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. II Timothy 3:16,17

I heard the call the sharp-shinned hawk this morning. The kids ran out on the deck to look for it. They watched as the hawk called from the top of a tall poplar. Then they suddenly ran back into the house. “What’s wrong?” I asked.

“We heard something way off that sounded weird.”

“Maybe it was the mate calling.”

“No, it was different.”

“Well, sometimes the call of the female sounds a little different.” They went back outside. This time there were two hawks in the top of the tree, watching the open ground and woods around them. The kids watched until the hawks flew off together. Then they needed to know more. They searched their bird book to find when hawks nested. They wanted to know if they were just here for the winter or were they permanent residents. The more they learned the more they wanted to know.

Who would have thought that listening and watching hawks on a cold Saturday morning would have caused so much interest in learning? I don’t know how the knowledge the kids gained from researching hawks will help them, but if nothing else it helped research skills and it was fun. I often find that listening and watching for what God is doing will cause me to search the scriptures to find words of comfort, of peace and instruction.

Lord Jesus, may my eyes be open to the things You are doing in my life, my church, and my community. May it cause me to search the scriptures to know more about You and how I fit into Your plan. Help me to be obedient to those things You are willing to show me. In Your name I pray. Amen.