Must Eat Too!

When someone spends time in the kitchen preparing a nutritious meal, it is generally expected that when the meal is brought to the table, the one doing the preparation will also join in to eat. What would you think about someone who prepared nutritious and tasty meals (other than a restaurant or catering situation), but refused to eat themselves? Would you question why they chose to not receive the benefit? Would you perhaps be hesitant to eat yourself, wondering if there was something wrong with the food? One who prepares meals can bring benefit to others. However, shouldn’t the one doing the preparation accept benefit for themselves as well?

I spend a lot of time on the preparation end of lessons. Including the daily “teEn-MAIL” focuses, I present at least ten lessons per week. But I learned a long time ago I needed to do more than just prepare lessons with others in mind. I also needed some reading just for me; Bible reading other than what is directly linked to lessons I would present. I needed to be nourished myself in order to nourish others. Though I find great personal benefit and satisfaction in it, I don’t just feast at the table with others. I do some eating alone in the “kitchen” as well.

Jesus cautioned the people regarding some of the teachers of that time with the following words.
“(2) ‘The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, (3) so practice and observe whatever they tell you -- but not what they do. For THEY PREACH, BUT DO NOT PRACTICE.’” ( Matthew 23:2-3 ESV)

I appreciate the encouragement I receive from many who from time to time tell me a particular “teEn-MAIL” focus or lesson was just what they needed that day. Often it is what I needed too. Many of the “teEn-MAIL” focuses seem to be generated from my own PERSONAL morning Bible reading. God feeds me, I choose to eat myself, and then decide to share it with others as well.

For us to be prepared to share with others, we need to keep eating ourselves. We need to take God’s Word PERSONALLY, apply it to our life, and live it out. The “Good News” we share becomes much more convincing when we are seen to practice what we preach. May that be the picture of the life of each one of us.

Have a great day PERSONALLY LIVING GOD’S WORD OUT LOUD!
Carl

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