Nourished by the Word of God

Nourished on the words of the faith. (I Timothy 4:6)

I Tim. 4:6-16; Deut. 8:3; Ps. 119:103; Jer. 15:16; I Pet. 2:2

What Is God Saying?

I Timothy is a letter of encouragement and warning based on a father's love for his son, "To Timothy, my true child in the faith" (1:2). It has become a guide to all ministers, especially younger ones. Paul speaks about four essentials in his advice to young ministers (Chapter 4). You will be a good minister if: (1) you are nourished on the words of faith (I Tim. 4·6); 2) if you train yourselves in godliness (4:7); 3) if you take heed to yourself (4:16); and 4) if you take heed to your teaching (4:16). It is the first of these essentials that has our attention today.

How Does This Apply To Us?

There were many false teachings in Timothy's time, and we have our share, but nothing can stand as a bulwark against false teachings as much as proper nourishment in the words of faith. We are to seek and find spiritual strength from the Word of God. We are not to read it with casual interest. We are to be nourished by it.

Pray With Me

Help me, Lord, to take the nourishment promised in Your Word. As food strengthens my body, let Your Word strengthen my soul.

Let me long for the spiritual food I need, not just what gives immediate and passing pleasure. Help me not to labor for the "food which perishes." Set my desire for food that endures. Nourish me with a vision of Yourself, O Living Word, the nourishment that conquers the anemia of a vacillating faith and raises the soul's resistance to temptation, doubt, fear, and despair. In fellowship with You, I will have spiritual well-being, and Your name will forever have praise from a well-nourished heart.

Through Jesus Christ, the true Bread of Heaven. Amen.

Moving On In The Life Of Prayer

Prayer leads us to the Word, and prayer flows out from the Word. "Nourished on the words of faith," we are more ready to offer the prayer of faith. Nothing is more important than giving our soul regular, repeated, and adequate nourishment from the Word so that we can continue in prayer and grow in prayer.