Devotional, July 18, 1999

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Each week you will be able to read a devotional
thought which we hope you will find
enjoyable and comforting
as well as
insightful and challenging.

There is a story about an old farmer, who foolishly concluded one day that the oats he had fed his mule for years were simply costing him too much. He decided that he would cut his costs, by mixing a little sawdust in with the feed. Each day he would add just a little more sawdust and reduce the amount of oats in the mix.

The farmer carried out his plan for several weeks. The mule didn’t seem to notice the gradual change, so the farmer thought things were fine. He continued to decrease the proportion of oats.

The day came when the farmer fed the mule nothing but sawdust. The mule finished its meal...and fell over dead.

A silly tale, but it serves as a parable with regards to our relationship with God. We foolishly believe that we can cut back on our diet of prayer, worship, and the reading of God’s Word. For most people, this is not a intentional decision, it just happens. The time we could spend or once spent in these spiritual disciplines is consumed doing other things, such as housework, recreational activities, watching TV, etc. The foolish part is that because our lives seem to be going well, we think everything is OK. When in fact our relationship with God is going down the tubes.

Jesus said,

"Where your treasure is,
there your heart will be also."

Paul Thigpen wrote, "We are made to love, and love we will. If we lose our love for God, other loves will fill His place in our hearts." If our love for God is declining, with it goes the inner strength and peace which we so desperately need.

What makes up your spiritual diet?

Prayer, worship, quiet time with God, reading God’s Word?

Are you mixing a little sawdust in with your spiritual diet?

The former provides you with life, abundant and eternal. The later results in falling over dead.

Have a great week!

In Jesus' name, Amen.