SOAK IT UP (AND EAT IT UP) !!!!!

Word-and-Spirit-fest at the Abbey!

SOAK IT UP!!!!!! The Message Bible: Luke 12:22-32 He continued this subject with his disciples. “Don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or if the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your inner life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the ravens, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, carefree in the care of God. And you count far more.

The Message Bible: Luke 12:22-32 “Has anyone by fussing before the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? If fussing can’t even do that, why fuss at all? Walk into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They don’t fuss with their appearance—but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never even seen, don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?”

The Message Bible: Luke 12:22-32 “What I’m trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don’t be afraid of missing out. You’re my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.

Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions.

THE KEY TO RELAXING IS NOT

ESCAPING REALITY BUT RATHER DISCOVERING

THE LARGER GOD-REALITY!!!

TRUE REALITY NEEDS TO BE

“STEEPED IN” AND

“SOAKED UP”!

We know that intuitively! Baptism is the picture of that process! Acts 8:36-40 As they were going along the road, they came to some water. The official said to Philip, "Look, there's some water. What can keep me from being baptized?”

James 1:21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. Implanated (engrafted) = emphytos = GERMINATE! (only place this word is used)

Water is required for germination!!!

SEEDS IN YOU NEED TO GERMINATE!!!

Romans 1:20 tells us that all of creation declares and reveals Him: His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world in the things that have been made.

GERMINATION:

Mature seeds are often extremely dry and need to take in significant amounts of water before cellular metabolism and growth can resume. The uptake of water by seeds is called imbibition, which leads to the swelling and the breaking of the seed coat. The first part of the seedling to emerge from the seed coat is the root (also called the radical).

Seed germination continued: Germination starts when a seed is provided with water as long as the temperature is appropriate. As seeds imbibe water, they expand and enzymes and food supplies become hydrated. Hydrated enzymes become active and the seed can then produce energy for the growth process. In addition, the water causes turgor pressure to increase in the cells and they are able to enlarge.

If germination occurs in darkness, root growth slows after the shoot emerges and begins to grow. This increases the chance that the seedling will emerge from soil into the light where it will be able to obtain energy. Once a seedling emerges into the light, the plant undergoes dramatic changes such as turning green and producing leaves.

EAT IT UP!!!! Jeremiah 15:16 Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts. Psalm 119:103 How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Ezekiel 2:8 But you, son of man, listen to what I say to you. Do not rebel like that rebellious people; open your mouth and eat what I give you." Ezekiel 3:3 He said to me, "Son of man, feed your stomach and fill your body with this scroll which I am giving you." Then I ate it, and it was sweet as honey in my mouth.

Revelation 10:9 And I went to the angel and said, "Give me the small scroll." "Take it and eat it," he said.

(Eat it UP!)

Digestion: the process of breaking down food by mechanical and chemical action in the alimentary canal into substances that can be used by the body.

And note: “Digestion begins in the mouth.”

I Peter 2:2 Like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation. NLB: “Cry out for this nourishment.” THE WORD HAS NUTRIENTS AND IS DIGESTIBLE!!!!!

II Peter 1:4 …He has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature…

“study” Application of the mental faculties to the acquisition of knowledge

From: “Communion with God Ministries” cwgministries.org

Meditation: God's use of every part of both hemispheres of my brain as He fills and flows out through my heart by His Spirit

“The washing of the water by the word….” (Ephesians 5:26) Soak THAT up!!! Word was never meant to be eaten dry!!!!!!

Stop being “HANGRY”!!!!! (You’re not yourself!)