SUPERNATURAL SUPPLY OF NOURISHMENT

“And not holding fast to the Head, “from whom all the body, NOURISHED and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God” – Colossians 2:19

GOD desires that every member of the Body of Christ enjoys SUPERNATURAL SUPPLY of NOURISHMENT. The Lord Jesus is the One “from whom all the body, NOURISHED and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God” (Col.2:19). Nourishment is all that is necessary for growth, health, and wellbeing – spirit, soul, and body!

NOURISHMENT is strongly connected to NUTRITION. Our level of energy, ability to cope with life's challenges, and even mental attitude are directly linked to the proper intake of the right foods eaten regularly and in proper amounts. The likely consequences of not eating a balanced diet, eating too many sweet or being in hurry and completely skipping meals include: feeling sick, light-headed or depressed; becoming irritated and jumpy, or getting a little shaky. These are the body's ways of showing a lack of nourishment. Optimal health requires optimal nutrition!

The same is true in spiritually speaking. Without sufficient and regular nutrition, the inner life suffers the consequences. The soul longs to be fed, nourished, and energized on a regular basis. When we fail to set aside time to absorb healthy spiritual food and fresh air, unpleasant consequences kick in. The malnourished soul begins to operate in the flesh rather than under the control of God's Spirit. Such a person gets shallow and selfish, more demanding, less gentle, quick to react impatiently, rashly, and angrily – all signs of inner malnutrition.

Three ways to maintaining a healthy level of spiritual nutrition and supernatural nourishment aare:

Regular Diet of God's Word: Just as we must eat food each day, so we must “eat” – read and study – the Scriptures daily. The Lord Jesus says, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Mt.4:4). Our souls must be “NOURISHED in the words of faith and of the good doctrine” (1Tim.4:6). Paul instructed Timothy: “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2Tim.2:15).

Persistent Praying: we need to pray persistently, importunately, and passionately (Jam.5:16-18). In reading the Bible, God speaks to us; in prayer, we speak to Him. Prayer helps us realign our lives to the His timing and direction; and shifts the load off our shoulders, onto His: "Cast your burden on the LORD and He will sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved” (Psa.55:22). The Lord Jesus says: “men always ought to PRAY and not lose heart” (Lk.18:1b). Paul admonished: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Phil.4:6). He also commanded: “PRAY without ceasing” (1The.5:17). Prayer is the Breath of the Spirit that ensures that turns Nutrition into Nourishment!

Quietness: we need quiet time to be still, to meditate on the things of God: “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psal.46:10). Failure to be STILL is failure to KNOW! Such moments of quietness calm our nerves, clear our thinking, and enable us to refocus. After directing Joshua to structure his life around God's truth, the Lord added, “you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success” (Jos.1:8b).

Paul counselled Timothy: “MEDITATE on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all” (1Tim.4:15). The Quiet Time enables us to make deliberate plans “to do according to all that is written” (Jos.1:8). God wants you to: “aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands…” (1The.4:11). Balanced spiritual nutrition, the breath of an effective Prayer life, and Atmosphere of Quietness are three keys to the SUPERNATURAL SUPPLY of NOURISHMENT!