Matthew 4:4 - Spiritual Food for Really Living.
Matthew 4:4: Spiritual Food for Really Living.
Matthew 4:4 (NIV) Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not
live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of
God.'"
COMMENTARY PEARL
If you want a healthy mind, you must feed your mind with
truth.
We all know the importance of nutrition. Good food and good
calories make you stronger and healthier and give you more energy. Bad
calories and junk food harm your body. The same is true in your thought
life. You must feed your mind not with junk or poison but with truth.
One time I had the privilege of lecturing at Oxford
University, and while I was there, I was invited to go to a meeting of
Oxford Analytica. This is a group youve likely never heard of that
has enormous influence in the world. Every day around 6 a.m., the
leading scholars of Oxford gather in a room to get reports from all
around the world about whats happened in the last 24 hours, from
crop prices rising in China to more unrest in the Middle East. Then
they make the decision about what needs to be said about it. By 11
a.m. a report has been given to groups that pay big bucks for this
information, such as the CIA and major corporations.
Oxford Analytica is founded on the idea that the best leaders
make the best decisions when they have the best information. Even if
you are a good leader, if you dont have the best information,
youre going to make a bad decision.
You need the best information to live the best life that God
wants you to live. That information is right there in the Word of
God.
The Bible says in Matthew 4:4, People do not live by bread
alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God (NLT).
God wants you to make the best decisions and receive his best
for your life. You do that by feeding on the Word of God throughout
your day, every day. [Daily Devotional by Rick Warren:
https://pastorrick.com/devotional/]
COMMENTARY
The Model of Jesus
Jesus memorized and thought about Scripture. Thinking about a
verse and repeating it to ourselves until we remember it is such a
gift of life. For example, we might meditate on Colossians 1:10-11,
"We pray that you will grow to know God better. We want you to be
very strong, in keeping with his glorious power" (NIrV). Just praying
that verse opens the door for the Holy Spirit to reframe our thoughts
and fill us with that strength. Or if we're facing a setback, we can
meditate on 2 Corinthians 4:16: "We do not lose heart. Though outwardly
we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by
day."
No habit will help you more in the spiritual dynamics of
getting healthy than memorizing and meditating on the Word of God. [The
Daniel Plan 365-Day Devotional re Psalm 119:48]
Our adversary, the devil, is constantly trying to get us to
doubt our relationship with Christ and our citizenship in heaven. The
same thing happened to Jesus. No sooner had the Father publicly
declared, "This is my Son," than Satan countered with, "If you are the Son
of God " His strategy hasn't changed; he does the same with us
today.
Jesus' response was simply to say, "It is written " The
Word of God is called the sword of the Spirit because it is our main
offensive weapon against the enemy (Eph. 6:17). Our Savior has given us
the highest example - be ready to speak the Word of God. When
Scripture is in your mouth, on the tip of your tongue, it will defeat the
devil and doubts every time.
Lord Jesus, help me to be ready today when the enemy attacks.
Thank You for giving me Your example in always using the Word of God
to defeat the enemy's lies and tactics. Life is too short to fall
for Satan's deceptions and to be discouraged and sidetracked by his
attacks. Keep me in Your Word, Lord. And keep Your Word in me. [A
Spectacle of Glory by Joni Eareckson Tada and Larry Libby]
In the book of Judges, Delilah kept pestering Samson, saying,
"Tell me the secret of your great strength (Judges 16:6). She just
had to know. In the same way, many people are curious about
Christians who demonstrate strong faith in difficult times. How are they
able to show such confidence in an invisible God? What's their
secret? The answer, of course, is revealed throughout the pages of the
Bible. THE SECRET OF FAITH IS THE FOOD IT FEEDS ON.
As today's Scripture teaches, a person of strong faith lives
"on every word that comes from the mouth of God." Strong faith first
takes in the sweet milk of God's Word - and then cuts its teeth on the
meat. Strong faith feeds on the Bread of Heaven. If you want great
faith, then double-check the condition of your soul. Is it thin and
frail? Weak and emaciated? Get away from the distraction of TV, phones,
and devices and reengage with the Word of Life.
Lord, I have been feeding on the wrong things. Shallow
things. Empty things. Things that won't fill me up and can't help me.
And I seem to lose strength so quickly! I lose my grip on Your
precious truths that have kept me going through the years. Open Your Word
to me. Pour Your life into me. Renew my strength today. [A
Spectacle of Glory by Joni Eareckson Tada and Larry Libby]
ILLUSTRATION
I remember being present some years ago in a church in South
Wales when a debate was held between a university professor and an
ordinary coal miner. The subject was: "Is the Bible true?" The university
professor presented his arguments in a clear fashion, and I remember
feeling quite sorry for the miner as I imagined some of the difficulties
he might face when making his reply. After the professor had
finished, the miner stood to his feet. And for over an hour, I witnessed
one of the most amazing demonstrations of the Holy Spirit at work
that I have ever seen in my life.
The miner began by asking everyone to bow their heads as he
prayed a prayer which went something like this: Lord, I have not had
much education, but You know that I love Your Word and have spent my
life searching its pages. Help me now to say something that will
convince my friends here that Your Word is true. He then proceeded to
demolish the arguments of the professor simply by quoting appropriate
Scriptures without making even a simple comment.
When he finished, there was thunderous applause. The
professor's well-articulated, highly intellectual arguments had been torn to
pieces by the sharp edges of the sword of the Spirit - by that and by
that alone.
O Father, the more I hear, the more I want to hear. For I was
created by Your Word, designed according to Your Word, and I can never
remain content until I am indwelt with Your Word. Teach me even more.
In Jesus name. Amen. [Every Day With Jesus Bible with Selwyn
Hughes devotionals re Proverbs 4:3-4]
CLOSING THOUGHTS
God made us: invented us as a man invents an engine. A car is
made to run on petrol, and it would not run properly on anything
else. Now God designed the human machine to run on Himself. He Himself
is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn, or the food our
spirits were designed to feed on. There is no other. That is why it is
just no good asking God to make us happy in our own way without
bothering about religion. God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart
from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing. C. S.
Lewis in Mere Christianity
Every day I have the honor of sitting down with a book that
contains the words of the One who created me. Every day I have the
opportunity to let him give me a thought or two on how to live. If I don't
do what he says, he doesn't burn the book or cancel my
subscription. If I disagree with what he says, lightning doesn't split my
swivel chair or an angel doesn't mark my name off the holy list. If I
don't understand what he says, he doesn't call me a dummy. In fact, he
calls me "Son," and on a different page explains what I don't
understand. In the Eye of the Storm by Max Lucado [Inspirational SB]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2010/20101230-1956.html
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2005/20050923-1126.html
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo [old, but one of the best]
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Musical Devotional On Christian Living:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcotY5K7T0c
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Discover Bible Studies: http://studies.itiswritten.com/discover/
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: http://www.bibleresearch.info/
ABible.com: http://www.aBible.com
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug Batchelor:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK
Restoring The Power by John Bradshaw:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRogO1SxoZN15Boa7BMon4BouVMdteVaq
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
Last Day Prophecy: His Other Sheep by Pastor Gerald Babanezhad:
https://vimeo.com/162267518
