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| My Food and Fat were my Fortitude, my Freedom and my Fortune. It was False, a Forgery, a Flim-flam, a Folly. I Feel Faint from Fearfulness. My life is Forlorn; All is Futile. I must Forgive. And Find my First Faith. I have been denied fairness, reason, justice and appreciation. I have used food and fatness to balance the scales. Table of Contents GOD HAS PROVIDED A REMEDY FOR MY HUMILIATION Become Humble Before God Avoid Sinners Obey God Avoid Self-sufficiency Rely on God's Grace GOD PROVIDES FOOD FOR MY NOURISHMENT The Naive Who Need Wisdom The Spiritually Immature The Mature All People His Flock FOOD IS GOD'S GIFT FOR NOURISHMENT AND PLEASURE Given by God Necessary for Man Gives Physical Strength Revives the Spirit Object of the Daily Prayer Object of Thanksgiving Sanctified by Prayer Principled with Patience Furthers God's Purpose I WILL DEVELOP AN APPETITE FOR SPIRITUAL FULFILLMENT Searching Satisfying Sufficient Spontaneous Sanctifying Spiritual Sublime GOD HAS PROVIDED SPIRITUAL FOOD The Word Jesus Christ CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SPIRITUAL LIFE Priorities Are in Order Companionship with Christ Rebirth Renewed Life Prayer and the Holy Spirit Knowledge of His Will Transformation Obedience to God Peace and Satisfaction Christian Faith and Growth Strength of Character Discipleship Freedom from Anxiety Completeness Fruitfulness Gratitude for Blessings Praise of the Lord I WILL ABSTAIN FROM UNHEALTHY USE OF MY BODY Knowledge of Lack of Wisdom Self-Discipline and Suffering Repentance From Excess Seeking the Holy Spirit Dedication of My Body to God Living As Children of Light I WILL ASK GOD TO RESTORE ME TO HEALTH AND WHOLENESS Perseverance Wisdom Hunger and Satiety Coping with Difficult People Moderate Life Style Being an Example to Others The Good Fast of Christ I WILL ENJOY FEASTING ONCE MORE Refreshment Reconciliation Reunion Restoration Regeneration Responsibility Remembrance Revitalization Reward for Work Rejoicing Reconstitution Recovery Re-creation Resolution Resourcefulness GOD IS IN CONTROL OF MY ENEMY'S FORTUNES The Defeat of Wicked King Ahab The Enemies of Christ GOD IS NEAR ME DURING MY PAIN AND SORROW Thirsting For God Coping with Injustice GOD WILL PROVIDE Your Daily Needs Spiritual Food The Strength of the Messiah We Respond with Thanksgiving Man Cannot Solve His Problems Alone Seize Opportunities When They Come Recovery from Suffering Bible Verses GOD HAS PROVIDED A REMEDY FOR MY HUMILIATION Become Humble Before God Luke 14:7-11 NIV When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: "when someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, 'Give this man your seat'. Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, 'Friend, move up to a better place.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Avoid Sinners Judges 16:4-6; 15-18 NLT Later Samson fell in love with a woman named Delilah.... The leaders of the Philistines went to her and said, "Find out from Samson what makes him so strong and how he can be overpowered and tied up securely. Then each of us will give you eleven hundred pieces of silver." So Delilah said to Samson, Please tell me what makes you so strong and what it would take to tie you up securely" (Note: Samson told her falsehoods three times). Then Delilah pouted, "How can you say you love me when you don't confide in me? You've made fun of me three times now, and you still haven't told me what makes you so strong!" So day after day she nagged him until he couldn't stand it any longer. Finally, Samson told her his secret. "My hair has never been cut," he confessed, "for I was dedicated to God as a Nazirite from birth. If my head were shaved, my strength would leave me, and I would become as weak as anyone else." Delilah realized he had finally told her the truth, so she sent for the Philistine leaders.... Obey God Joshua 6:16-20; 7:1, 5, 6-7, 9, 10-13 NRSV (Joshua is about to defeat Jerico) And at the seventh time, when the priests had blown the trumpets, Joshua said to the people, "Shout! For the Lord has given you the city. The city and all that is in it shall be devoted to the Lord for destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall live because she hid the messengers we sent. As for you, keep away from the things devoted to destruction, so as not to covet and take any of the devoted things and make the camp of Israel an object for destruction, bringing trouble upon it. But all silver and gold, and vessels of bronze and iron, are sacred to the Lord; they shall go into the treasury of the Lord." So the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. As soon as the people heard the sound of the trumpets, they raised a great shout, and the wall fell down flat; so the people charged straight ahead into the city and captured it.... (6:16-20) But the Israelites broke faith in regard to the devoted things...(some of them) took some of the devoted things; and the anger of the Lord burned against the Israelites. (7:1) (The Israelites again battled, but without God's instruction or guidance. They did it on their own, and they were defeated). The hearts of the people melted and turned to water. (7:5) Then Joshua tore his clothes, and fell to the ground on his face before the ark of the Lord until the evening, he and the elders of Israel; and they put dust on their heads. Joshua said, "Ah, Lord God! Why have you brought this people across the Jordan at all, to hand us over to the Amorites, so as to destroy us? (7:6,7).... The Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear of it, and surround us, and cut off our name from the earth. Then what will you do for your great name?" (7:9) The Lord said to Joshua, "Stand Up! Why have you fallen upon your face? Israel has sinned; they have transgressed my covenant that I imposed on them. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have acted deceitfully, and they have put them among their own belongings. Therefore the Israelites are unable to stand before their enemies; they turn their backs to their enemies, because they have become a thing devoted for destruction themselves. I will be with you no more, unless you destroy the devoted things from among you. Proceed to sanctify the people, and say, 'Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow; for thus says the Lord, the God of Israel; you will be unable to stand before your enemies until you take away the devoted things from among you." (7:10-13) Avoid Self-sufficiency Luke 22:31-34 NRSV "Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." And he said to him, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death!" Jesus said, "I tell you, Peter, the cock will not crow this day, until you have denied three times that you know me." Rely on God's Grace 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 NRSV ...Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." So I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong. GOD PROVIDES FOOD FOR MY NOURISHMENT The Naive Who Need Wisdom Proverbs 9:1-5 NLT Wisdom has built her spacious house with seven pillars. She has prepared a great banquet, mixed the wines, and set the table. She has sent her servants to invite everyone to come. She calls out from the heights over-looking the city. "Come home with me," she urges the simple. To those without good judgement, she says, "Come eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed. Leave your foolish ways behind, and begin to live; learn how to be wise." The Spiritually Immature I Corinthians 3:1-3 NLT Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn't talk to you as I would to mature Christians. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in the Christian life. I had to feed you with milk and not with solid food, because you couldn't handle anything stronger. And you still aren't ready, for you are still controlled by your own sinful desires. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn't that prove you are controlled by your own desires? You are acting like people who don't belong to the Lord. The Mature Hebrews 5:12-14 NLT You have been Christians a long time now, and you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things a beginner must learn about the Scriptures. You are like babies who drink only milk and cannot eat solid food. And a person who is living on milk isn't very far along in the Christian life and doesn't know much about doing what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who have trained themselves to recognize the difference between right and wrong and then do what is right. All People Matthew 22:1-14 NRSV Once more, Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet, but they would not come. Again he sent other slaves, saying, 'Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.' But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his slaves, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his slaves, 'The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet. Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, and he said to him, 'Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe? And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, 'Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping aned gnashing of teeth.' For many are called, but few are chosen." His Flock Isaiah 40:11 NKJV He will feed his flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young. FOOD IS GOD'S GIFT FOR NOURISHMENT AND PLEASURE Given by God Psalm 104:24-30 NIV How many are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number--living things both large and small, There the ships go to and fro, and the leviatan, which you formed to frolic there. These all look to you to give them their food at the proper time. When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things. When you hide your face, they are terrified; when you take away their breath, they die and return to the dust. When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth. Necessary for Man Genesis 1:29,30 NIV Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground--everything that has the breath of life in it--I give every green plant for food." And it was so. Genesis 9:1-3 NIV Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth. The fear and dread of you will fall upon all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air, upon every creature that moves along the ground, and upon all the fish of the sea; they are given into your hands. Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything." Gives Physical Strength Acts 9:17-19 NIV Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord--Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here--has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Revives the Spirit I Samuel 30:11,12 NIV (David was in battle against the Amalekites. His men found an Egyptian, left to die by his Amalekite master). They found an Egyptian in a field and brought him to David. They gave him water to drink and food to eat--part of a cake of pressed figs and two cakes of raisins. He ate and was revived, for he had not eaten any food or drunk any water for three days and three nights. (After obtaining a promise from David that he would not be killed or returned to his Amalekite master, he showed David and his small army where the Amalekite camp was, enabling David to defeat them while they were "eating, drinking and reveling" to celebrate their accumulation of plunder). Object of the Daily Prayer Matthew 6:11 NIV "Give us today our daily bread." Object of Thanksgiving I Samuel 9:13,19 NIV (Note: Saul and his servant were looking for Samuel, the prophet, to learn directions for their journey. So they asked some servant girls where to find him) "As soon as you enter the town, you will find him before he goes up to the high place to eat. The people will not begin eating until he comes, because he must bless the sacrifice; afterward, those who are invited will eat...." (They met on the road, and Samuel instructed him) . "I am the seer," Samuel replied, "Go up ahead of me to the high place, for today you are to eat with me, and in the morning I will let you go and will tell you all that is in your heart...." (vs 19) (Later, Samuel told Saul that God had selected him to become the Anointed king of Israel). Sanctified by Prayer I Timothy 4:1,3-5 NIV The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits....(Vs 1) They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. (vs 3-5) Principled with Patience Romans 14:2,3;6-8;13;15-23 NIV One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him (vs 2,3). ...Each man should be fully convinced in his own mind (Vs 5). ...He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord (vs 6-8). Therefore let us stop passing judgement on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way (vs 13). If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died. Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men. Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fail. So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin (vs 15-23). Furthers God's Purposes Ruth 1:6 NIV ...the Lord had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them, Naomi and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home.... (Note: Ruth stayed with Naomi, attracted a family member who married her and preserved the family name and property. They bore a son who would become the grandfather of King David. So Naomi's need for food resulted in the most inportant king and kingdom of Jewish history.) I WILL DEVELOP AN APPETITE FOR SPIRITUAL FULFILLMENT Searching Isaiah 29:8 NKJV It shall even be as when a hungry man dreams, And look--he eats; But he awakes, and his soul is still empty; Or as when a thirsty man dreams, And look--he drinks; But he awakes, and indeed he is faint, And his soul still craves.... Satisfying Isaiah 55:1-3; 6,7 NIV "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost, Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live. (vs 1-3) Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. (vs 6,7) Sufficient Matthew 5:6 KJV Blessed are they who hunger and thirst, for they shall be filled. Spontaneous John 7:37,39 NIV On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified. Sanctifying I Peter 2:2 NLT You must crave pure spititual milk so that you can grow into the fullness of your salvation. Cry out for this nourishment as a baby cries for milk, now that you have had a taste of the Lord's kindness. Spiritual Jeremiah 3:15 Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you on knowledge and understanding. Sublime Colossians 3: 1-4 NIV Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. GOD HAS PROVIDED SPIRITUAL FOOD The Word Psalm 19:7-10 NLT The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight to life. Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair. They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. Jesus Christ John 6:48-51 NIV "...I am the bread of life. Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SPIRITUAL LIFE Priorities Are in Order Matthew 6:33 NIV "But seek first His kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Companionship with Christ John 15:5 NASB "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing." Rebirth John 12:24 NASB "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit." Renewed Life John 6:63 NLT "It is the Spirit who gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life." Prayer and the Holy Spirit Luke 11:13 NASB If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him? Knowledge of His Will Colossians 1:9 NLT So we have continued praying for you ever since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you a complete understanding of what he wants to do in your lives, and we ask him to make you wise with spiritual wisdom. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and you will continually do good, kind things for others. All the while, you will learn to know God better and better. Transformation Romans 12:2 NRSV Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God--what is good and acceptable and perfect. Obedience to God Ephesians 5:9 NIV Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Peace and Satisfaction John 6:35 NASB Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst." Christian Faith and Growth 2 Peter 1:5-8 NLT So make every effort to apply the benefits of these promises to your life. Then your faith will produce a life of moral excellence. A life of moral excellence leads to knowing God better. Knowing God leads to self-control. Self-control leads to patient endurance, and patient endurance leads to godliness. Godliness leads to love for other Christians, and finally you will grow to have genuine love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more you will become productive and useful in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Strength of Character Galatians 5:22 NIV But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Discipleship 2 Corinthians 6:4,6 NLT In everything we do we try to show that we are true ministers of God.... We have proved ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, our sincere love, and the power of the Holy Spirit. Freedom From Anxiety Luke 12:22,23 NASB And He said to His disciples, "For this reason I say to you, do not be anxious for your life, as to what you shall eat; nor for your body, as to what you shall put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing." Completeness Philippians 1:11 NLT May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation--those good things that are produced in your life by Jesus Christ--for this will bring much glory and praise to God. Fruitfulness Psalm 1:3 NRSV They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper. Gratitude for Blessings Psalm 23:5 NRSV You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Praise of the Lord Psalm 22:26 NKJV My praise shall be of You in the great assembly; I will pay my vows before those who fear Him. The poor shall eat and be satisfied; Those who seek Him will praise the LORD. Let your heart live forever! I WILL ABSTAIN FROM UNHEALTHY USE OF MY BODY Knowledge of Lack of Wisdom Luke 7:31-35 NLT "How shall I describe this generation?, Jesus asked. "With what will I compare them? They are like a group of children playing a game in the public square. They complain to their friends, 'We played wedding songs, and you weren't happy, so we played funeral songs, but you weren't sad.' For John the Baptist didn't drink wine and he often fasted, and you say, 'He's demon possessed.' And I, the Son of Man, feast and drink, and you say, 'He's a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of the worst sort of sinners!' But wisdom is shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it." Self-Discipline and Suffering I Peter 4:2 NLT So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you are willing to suffer for Christ, you have decided to stop sinning. And you won't spend the rest of your life chasing after evil desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God. You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy--their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols. Of course, your former friends are very surprised when you no longer join them in the wicked things they do, and they say evil things about you. But just remember that they will have to face God, who will judge everyone..... Repentance From Excess I Corinthians 6:12,13 NLT You may say, "I am allowed to do anything" But I reply, "Not everything is good for you." And even though "I am allowed to do anything," I must not become a slave to anything. You say, "Food is for the stomach, and the stomach is for food." This is true, though someday God will do away with both of them. Seeking the Holy Spirit I Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." Dedication of My Body to God Romans 12:1 NLT And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice--the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask? Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is. Living as Children of Light Ephesians 4:17-24 NIV So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. I WILL ASK GOD TO RESTORE ME TO HEALTH AND WHOLENESS Perseverance James 1:2-4 NIV Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. Wisdom Sirach 18:27-31 NRSV One who is wise is cautious in everything; when sin is all around, one guards against wrongdoing. Every intelligent person knows wisdom, and praises the one who finds her. Those who are skilled in words become wise themselves, and pour forth apt proverbs. Do not follow your base desires, but restrain your appetites. If you allow your soul to take pleasure in base desire, it will make you a laughingstock of your enemies. Hunger and Satiety Psalm 27:7 NLT Honey seems tasteless to a person who is full, but even bitter food tastes sweet to the hungry. Coping With Difficult People Proverbs 25:21,22 NASB If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirst, give him water to drink; For you will heap burning coals on his head, And the Lord will reward you. Moderate Life Style Proverbs 30:8,9 NIV Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the Lord?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God. Being An Example to Others Matthew 5:14-16 NIV "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." The Good Fast of Christ Isaiah 58:6-9 NKJV Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh? Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.' I WILL ENJOY FEASTING ONCE MORE Refreshment Genesis 19:1-3 NLT That evening the two angels came to the entrance of the city of Sodom, and Lot was sitting there as they arrived. When he saw them, he stood up to meet them. Then he welcomed them and bowed low to the ground. "My Lords," he said, "come to my home to wash your feet, and be my guests for the night. You may then get up in the morning as early as you like and be on your way again." "Oh no," they said, "we'll just spend the night out here in the city square." But Lot insisted, so at last they went home with him. He set a great feast before them, complete with fresh bread made without yeast. (Note: the next day the angels destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, while protecting Lot and his family). Reconciliation Genesis 31:54,55 NLT (Note: Jacob and Laban quarreled over many issues, including Rachel and Leah, Laban's daughters) So Jacob took an oath before the awesome God of his father, Isaac, to respect the boundary line. Then Jacob presented a sacrifice to God and invited everyone to a feast. Afterward they spent the night there in the hills. Laban got up early the next morning, and he kissed his daughters and grandchildren and blessed them. Then he returned home. Reunion Genesis 43:11;15; 24-26;29-32;33,34 NLT (Note: the story of Joseph's reunion with his father, brothers and Benjamin) So their father, Jacob, finally said to them, "If it can't be avoided, then at least do this. Fill your bags with the best products of the land. Take them to the man as gifts--balm, honey, spices, myrrh, pistachio nuts, and almonds. (vs 11) So they took Benjamin and the gifts and double the money and hurried to Egypt, where they presented themselves to Joseph. When Joseph saw that Benjamin was with them, he said to the manager of his household, "These men will eat with me this noon. Take them inside and prepare a big feast." (vs 15) The brothers were then led into the palace and given water to wash their feet and food for their donkeys. They were told they would be eating there, so they prepared their gifts for Joseph's arrival at noon. When Joseph came, they gave him their gifts and bowed low before him. (vs 24-26) Looking at his brother Benjamin, he asked, "Is this your youngest brother, the one you told me about? May God be gracious to you, my son." Then Joseph made a hasty exit because he was overcome with emotion for his brother and wanted to cry. Going into his private room, he wept there. Then he washed his face and came out, keeping himself under control. "Bring on the food!", he ordered. Joseph ate by himself, and his brothers were served at a separate table. (vs 29-32) Joseph told each of his brothers where to sit, and to their amazement, he seated them in the order of their ages, from oldest to youngest. Their food was served to them from Joseph's own table. He gave the largest serving to Benjamin--five times as much as to any of the others. So they all feasted and drank freely with him. (vs 33,34) Restoration Luke 15:22-24 NIV "But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate." Regeneration Proverbs 11:25 NLT The generous prosper and are satisfied; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. Responsibility Proverbs 31:14,15 NKJV She is like the merchant ships, She brings food from afar. She also rises while it is yet night, and provides food for her household, and a portion for her maidservants. Remembrance Song of Songs 6:2,3 NIV My lover has gone down to his garden, to the beds of spices, to browse in the gardens and to gather lilies. I am my lover's and my lover is mine; he browses among the lilies. Revitalization John 6:1-14 NIV Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the miraculous signs he had performed on the sick. Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. The Jewish Passover Feast was near. When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. Philip answered him, "Eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!" Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?" Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thougsand of them. Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. When they all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted." So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. Reward for Work Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 NIV Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him--for this is his lot. Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work--this is a gift of God. He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart. Rejoicing I Corinthians 10:31 NASB Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Reconstitution John 2:1-11 NIV On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine." "Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied. "My time has not yet come." His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet." They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now." This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him. Recovery I Timothy 5:23 NIV Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses. Re-creation Psalm 104:13-15 NIV He waters the mountains from his upper chambers; the earth is satisfied by the fruit of his work. He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate-- bringing forth food from the earth; wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread that sustains his heart. Resolution I Samuel 25:3;5-8;10,11;14-28 NRSV Now the name of the man was Nabal, and the name of his wife Abigail. The woman was clever and beautiful, but the man was surly and mean. (vs 3) ...David sent ten young men; and David said to the young men, "Go up to Carmel, and go to Nabal, and greet him in my name. Thus you shall salute him: 'Peace be to you, and peace be to your house, and peace be to all that you have. I hear that you have shearers; now your shepherds have been with us, and we did them no harm, and they missed nothing, all the time they were in Carmel. Ask your young men, and they will tell you. Therefore let my young men find favor in your sight; for we have come on a feast day. Please give whatever you have at hand to your servants and to your son David.' (vs 5-8) But Nabal answered David's servants, "Who is David? Who is the son of Jesse? There are servants today who are breaking away from their masters. Shall I take my bread and my water and the meat that I have butchered for my shearers, and give it to men who come from I do not know where?" (vs 10,11) (Note: David was angry, and was about to take 400 armed men to destroy Nabal) But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife, "David sent messengers out of the wilderness to salute our master; and he shouted insults at them. Yet the men were very good to us, and we suffered no harm, and we never missed anything when we were in the fields, as long as we were with them; they were a wall to us both by night and by day, all the while we were with them keeping the sheep. Now therefore know this and consider what you should do; for evil has been decided against our master and against all his house; he is so ill-natured that no one can speak to him." Then Abigail hurried and took two hundred loaves, two skins of wine, five sheep ready dressed, five measures of parched grain, one hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs. She loaded them on donkeys and said to her young men, "Go on ahead of me; I am coming after you." But she did not tell her husband Nabal. As she rode on the donkey and came down under cover of the mountain, David and his men came down toward her; and she met them. Now David had said, "Surely it was in vain that I protected all that this fellow has in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that belonged to him; but he has returned me evil for good. God do so to David and more also, if by morning I leave so much as one male of all who belong to him." When Abigail saw David, she hurried and alighted from the donkey, and fell before David on her face, bowing to the ground. She fell at his feet and said, "Upon me alone, my lord, be the guilt; please let your servant speak in your ears, and hear the words of your servant. My lord, do not take seriously this ill-natured fellow, Nabal; for as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him; but I, your servant, did not see the young men of my lord, whom you sent. Now then, my lord, as the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, since the LORD has restrained you from bloodguilt and from taking vengeance with your own hand, now let your enemies and those who seek to do evil to my lord be like Nabal. And now let this present that your servant has brought to my lord be given to the young men who follow my lord. Please forgive the trespass of your servant; for the LORD will certainly make my lord a sure house, because my lord is fighting the battles of the LORD and evil shall not be found in you so long as you live. (vs 14-28) (Abigail persuaded David to give up his revenge over the insult of Nabal, reminding him that he would be king some day, and that he should never have this guilt between him and the LORD. David accepted her gifts and her council. Meanwhile Nabal feasted and got drunk. When he recovered from his hang-over, Abigail told him about what happened. He then had a heart attack and died one week later. Then David married Abigail.) Resourcefulness Psalm 36:5,7-9 NIV Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies... How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. GOD IS IN CONTROL OF MY ENEMY'S FORTUNES The Defeat of Wicked King Ahab I Kings 22:1-9; 13-28 NLT For three years there was no war between Aram and Israel. Then during the third year King Jehoshaphat of Judah went to visit King Ahab of Israel. During the visit, Ahab said to his officials, "Do you realize that the Arameans are still occupying our city of Ramoth-gilead? And we haven't done a thing about it? Then he turned to Jehoshaphat and asked, "Will you join me in fighting against Ramoth-gilead?" And Jehoshaphat replied to King Ahab, "Why of course! You and I are brothers, and my troops are yours to command. Even my horses are at your service." Then Jehoshaphat added, "But first let's find out what the Lord says." So King Ahab summoned his prophets, about four hundred of them, and asked them, "Should I go to war against Ramoth-gilead or not?" They all replied, "Go right ahead! The Lord will give you a glorious victory!" But Jehoshaphat asked, "Isn't there a prophet of the Lord around, too? I would like to ask him the same question." King Ahab replied, "There is still one prophet of the Lord, but I hate him. He never prophesies anything but bad news for me! His name is Micaiah son of Imlah." "You shouldn't talk like that," Jehoshaphat said. "Let's hear what he has to say." So the King of Israel called one of his officials and said, "Quick! Go and get Micaiah son of Imlah." (vs 1-9) (The King of Judah and the King of Israel were sitting in their royal robes, sitting on thrones, near the gate of Samaria. All of Ahab's prophets told him that he would win the war). Meanwhile, the messenger who went to get Micaiah said to him, "Look, all the prophets are promising victory for the king. Be sure that you agree with them and promise success." But Micaiah replied, "As surely as the Lord lives, I will say only what the Lord tells me to say." When Micaiah arrived before the king, Ahab asked him, "Micaiah, should we go to war against Ramoth-gilead or not?" And Micaiah replied, "Go right ahead! The Lord will give the king a glorious victory!" But the king replied sharply, "How many times must I demand that you speak only the truth when you speak for the Lord?" So Micaiah told him, "In a vision I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, like sheep without a shepherd. And the Lord said, 'Their master has been killed. Send them home in peace.'". "Didn't I tell you?" the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat. "He does it every time. He never prophesies anything but bad news for me." Then Micaiah continued, "Listen to what the Lord says! I saw the Lord sitting on his throne with all the armies of heaven around him, on his right and on his left. And the Lord said, 'Who can entice Ahab to go into battle against Ramoth-gilead so that he can be killed there?" There were many suggestions, until finally a spirit approached the Lord and said, "I can do it!" 'How will you do this?' the Lord asked. "And the spirit replied, 'I will go out and inspire all Ahab's prophets to speak lies.' 'You will succeed,' said the Lord. 'Go ahead and do it.' "So you see, the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouths of your prophets. For the Lord has determined disaster for you." Then Zedekiah son of Kenaanah walked up to Micaiah and slapped him across the face. "When did the Spirit of the Lord leave me to speak to you?" he demanded. And Micaiah replied, "You will find out soon enough when you find yourself hiding in some secret room!" King Ahab of Israel then ordered, "Arrest Micaiah and take him back to Amon, the governor of the city, and to my son Joash. Give them this order from the king: 'Put this man in prison, and feed him nothing but bread and water until I return safely from the battle! But Micaiah replied. "If you return safely, the LORD has not spoken through me!" Then he added to those standing around. "Take note of what I have said." (vs 13-28) (King Ahab went into battle, but disguised himself, a pattern of Jewish Kings who got themselves killed. He was wounded in battle by a random arrow, and died that evening) The Enemies of Christ Philippians 3:19 NIV ...many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. God is Near Me During My Pain and Sorrow Thirsting For God Psalm 42:3 NASB My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; When shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my food day and night, While they say to me all day long, "Where is your God?" Coping with Injustice Proverbs 20:10 NLT The Lord despises double standards of every kind. GOD WILL PROVIDE Your Daily Needs Matthew 6:25-34 NLT So, I tell you, don't worry about everyday life--whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes. Doesn't life consist of more than food and clothing? Look at the birds. They don't need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are. Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not. And why worry about your clothes? Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you? You have so little faith! So don't worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today. Spiritual Food John 4:31-34 NIV Meanwhile his disciples urged him, "Rabbi, eat something." But he said, "I have food to eat that you know nothing about." Then his disciples said to each other, "Could someone have brought him food?" "My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. The Strength of the Messiah Micah 5:4,5 NIV He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they all will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And he will be their peace. We Respond with Thanksgiving Psalm 136:1,25 NASB Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.... Who gives food to all flesh, For his lovingkindness is everlasting. Man Cannot Solve His Problems Alone Ecclesiastes 1:14,15 NRSV I saw all the deeds that are done under the sun; and see, all is vanity and a chasing after wind. What is crooked cannot be made straight, and what is lacking cannot be counted. Seize Opportunities When They Come Ecclesiastes 11:4 NLT If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done. Recovery from Suffering Psalm 90:14,15 NIV Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble. Foods of Biblical Times Universal subject Guide Page 77 47 listed Bible Verses Table of Contents GOD HAS PROVIDED A REMEDY FOR MY HUMILIATION Become Humble Before God Avoid Sinners Obey God Avoid Self-sufficiency Rely on God's Grace GOD PROVIDES FOOD FOR MY NOURISHMENT The Naive Who Need Wisdom The Spiritually Immature The Mature All People His Flock FOOD IS GOD'S GIFT FOR NOURISHMENT AND PLEASURE Given by God Necessary for Man Gives Physical Strength Revives the Spirit Object of the Daily Prayer Object of Thanksgiving Sanctified by Prayer Principled with Patience Furthers God's Purpose I WILL DEVELOP AN APPETITE FOR SPIRITUAL FULFILLMENT Searching Satisfying Sufficient Spontaneous Sanctifying Spiritual Sublime GOD HAS PROVIDED SPIRITUAL FOOD The Word Jesus Christ CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SPIRITUAL LIFE Priorities Are in Order Companionship with Christ Rebirth Renewed Life Prayer and the Holy Spirit Knowledge of His Will Transformation Obedience to God Peace and Satisfaction Christian Faith and Growth Strength of Character Discipleship Freedom from Anxiety Completeness Fruitfulness Gratitude for Blessings Praise of the Lord I WILL ABSTAIN FROM UNHEALTHY USE OF MY BODY Knowledge of Lack of Wisdom Self-Discipline and Suffering Repentance From Excess Seeking the Holy Spirit Dedication of My Body to God Living As Children of Light I WILL ASK GOD TO RESTORE ME TO HEALTH AND WHOLENESS Perseverance Wisdom Hunger and Satiety Coping with Difficult People Moderate Life Style Being an Example to Others The Good Fast of Christ I WILL ENJOY FEASTING ONCE MORE Refreshment Reconciliation Reunion Restoration Regeneration Responsibility Remembrance Revitalization Reward for Work Rejoicing Reconstitution Recovery Re-creation Resolution Resourcefulness GOD IS IN CONTROL OF MY ENEMY'S FORTUNES The Defeat of Wicked King Ahab The Enemies of Christ GOD IS NEAR ME DURING MY PAIN AND SORROW Thirsting For God Coping with Injustice GOD WILL PROVIDE Your Daily Needs Spiritual Food The Strength of the Messiah We Respond with Thanksgiving Man Cannot Solve His Problems Alone Seize Opportunities When They Come Recovery from Suffering |