Excuses for Not Taking in Spiritual Food...
David Lemmons

I once heard about an individual who had an esophagus hernia or blockage. That hernia was preventing food from getting to the digestive tract and thus to provide the body with needed nourishment. Obviously such a situation is a crisis and must be dealt with quickly. Have you ever thought about things that block our intake of spiritual food? Much of our problem in regard to spiritual nourishment is self-induced. We are not maturing spiritually because we are not taking in the needed spiritual food - God's Word! The reason, in large measure, for our dilemma is that we make excuses for not feeding ourselves with God's word.

IT TAKES TOO MUCH TIME. Some will offer the excuse that Bible study takes too much time. All of us, without exception, have 168 hours in each week. Could we not give just 10% of that time to the Lord? That would be about 17 hours per week. If we figure 5 hours for assemblies. Then if we would devote just one hour per day to Bible study and prayer, we still would have 5 hours for visitation. It only takes 90 hours to read the entire Bible. Let's throw away the excuse: It Takes Too Much Time.

IT IS TOO DIFFICULT. Yes, it is true that the Apostle Peter said that there are "some things hard to be understood" (2 Pt 3:15-16). However, noticing carefully Peter's wording, that very statement implies that the Bible is understandable. In addition, it is implied that the majority of it is not in the Hard To Be category. Many Bible passages teach that God's word can be understood (e.g., Mt 5:6; Jn 7:17; 8:32). The fact that we will be judged by the word of God implies that we can understand it (cf., Jn 12:48). Surely we can throw away the excuse: It Is Too Difficult.

IT IS TOO DISTANT -- DOESN'T RELATE TO MODERN TIMES. There are some very real gaps between the modem student of the Bible and the time and place of its writing. Those events took place thousands of years ago. They took place in a different land. Cultures differ from those of Bible times. There is the language gap (Hebrew & Greek). There were even different plants and animals and the laws were different. A student of the Bible must build bridges over all of those gaps. A helpful scripture is Psalms 119:89 -- "for ever, 0 Lord, thy word is settled in Heaven". Those bridges can be built, though, and we must throw out the excuse: It Isn't Relevant.

IT IS TOO DEMANDING. It is certainly true that it costs something to be a disciple of Christ. Read Luke 14:25-33. In this context, Jesus points out the absolute necessity of "counting the cost". Surely we recognize that anything of great value is costly. Please read 2 Timothy 2:4 and Matthew 16:25-27. We are going to be rewarded according to our works. If we honestly consider the value of that reward, certainly we can dismiss the excuse: It Is Too Demanding!

I'M AFRAID I CAN'T LIVE IT. Read Luke 18:9-14. Notice also that God has not given to us the "spirit of fear", but of power, and love, and a sound mind (2 Tim 1:7-8). Paul says, "I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me." God has not given us any commands which we cannot obey! Let's dump the excuse: I'm Afraid I Can't Live It!

Only when we have decided to do away with all of the excuses and get busy with the study (2 Tim 2:15) will we be able to take in effectively the spiritual nourishment that our souls demand. Let's refuse to make excuses!

Bob Bauers articles are now running in the Auburndale Sun. Encourage your friends and neighbors to read this excellent series.

Ladies interested in attending the Ladies' Day at the Venice congregation on February 3^rd should sign up in the foyer. See Shirley Bauer for more information.

The elders are providing a new publication for your learning and edification. Be sure to pick-up a copy of the "Gospel Gleaner" in the foyer.

Those interested in the coming trip to Freed-Hardeman should see Terri Howell or Julie Littleton for details.

Tonight. . . .
Meet with us at 5:30 in classroom #3 for our weekly prayer session.

Our youngsters meet each Sunday evening at 5:40 for a period of story and song at the front of the auditorium.

Know your Bible, it can make more of a man than all science and philosophy - generation follows generation, yet it lives. Nations rise and fall - yet it lives. Kings, dictators, presidents come and go, yet it lives... by its wisdom man gains dignity, hope, purpose and eternal life.