Week 4 "From Snacking To Feasting” Series

James says, don’t just listen… Do what it says!

+Short Drama: from TV, etc. to the word. What’s so too important that you can’t look at it right now? … I don’t have time right now… I’ll get to it later.

Q: How many Dad’s are hear today? How many of you have helped one of your kids or your wife put a toy, a gift, a piece of furniture from IKEA together?

How many of you try to wing it without the instructions, run into problems or extra pieces and decide to hit the instructions written in broken English before giving up?

In this small shift we’re asked to reprioritize our lives to make sure we make time to hear from God.

To make sure we make time to read the instruction manual, the “How-to’s” of building not a toy, gift, furniture but a healthy spiritual life.

David said,

+Psalm 119:105 (NIV)

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

+Psalm 119:103 (NIV)

103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

The Bible claims to be a surgeon’s scalpel, where it cuts… it heals:

+Hebrews 4:12-13 (NIV)

12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Ephesians chapter 6 calls it a sword… a weapon to fight off evil.

Jesus used the Word to battle temptation when tempted by the Devil.

And He said that “man couldn’t live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeded from the mouth of God. That’s how important it is. It’s the sixth and most important food group of all.

For spiritual health. Just like the tribbles we’re surrounded by spiritual food, but our souls are starving to death for a Word from God.

+Maybe one day you open up the Word and it’s the surgeon’s scalpel that works deep in your heart… healing. Then maybe the next day you open up your Bible and it feels like you just took a bite of your favorite fruit, a big scoop of salsa, or a sweet taste of honey. Maybe on another day you open the scriptures and God places a sword in your hand for a battle you’re facing. Another time you read and the light comes on, illuminating the next step in an area of your life. This can only happen when you take the time to feast on the Word of God!

Recap: The shift starting this week: from snacking on the word of God (a little bit here and there)

to Feasting on it.

A regular time feasting on the Word, praying through the words, realizing the Creator is speaking a message just to you… not just bible reading, or even just bible study, it’s God’s word for you… it’s devotional, it’s applicable, it’s practical, it’s essential, it’s immortal.

Pass out the Domino.

Reaffirm our step. + “God, please give me / a greater desire to read Your Word.”

In the Morning pray, “God, please give me a greater desire to read Your Word.”

During the day pray, “God, please give me a greater desire to read Your Word.”

Before bed this week pray, “God, please give me a greater desire to read Your Word.”

Closing Prayer - +Then Closing Credits Star Trek Video