Spiritually Hangry by: Leslie Keener

Spiritually Hangry by: Leslie Keener

• Have you ever been so hungry that you could feel it in every part of your body and even your mind?

• Have you ever snapped at a family member or the waitress at a restaurant?

We’ve all been guilty of responding from a place of physical “hanger.”

And once we’ve had our fill and are satisfied, we quietly remind ourselves to never get to that point again. We understand that our biological processes depend on regular nutrition and for the most part (apart from intentional fasting for spiritual purposes) our bodies and attitudes are affected by the lack of sustenance!

I realized something a few years back: my soul and spirit both are affected similarly, by a lack of nutrition. Today, I propose that we oftentimes are spiritually “hangry” as a result of simply snacking on (or maybe even fasting from) God’s Word, even if it’s unintentional.

So I want to talk about the spiritual discipline of diving into God’s Word. Now let’s get things straight: there is absolutely nothing wrong with reading “the verse of the day” or gliding through a particular week having only heard from a teaching pastor at church on Sunday. We ALL have certain times in our lives where this is all that’s going to happen. This blog is certainly not meant to discourage anyone. But it is meant to challenge our current level of satiety or satisfaction in our spirits. I know sometimes when I’m trying to get my ‘daily bread,’ if I’m not careful, I get distracted. This is why I can’t depend solely on my phone to be the source of my bible study. There are too many other colorful alerts and enticing options to get in the way. I challenge you to find a tangible bible in a version you enjoy and throw your phone to the side if you DARE! Now I want to show you in scripture how Jesus Himself can be found ANY day, whether we “feel” Him that day or not.

In Revelation chapter 19, John saw a vision of the return of Christ, and verse 13 records … “His Name is the Word of God.”

John 1:1 says “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

John 1:14 says: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” So Jesus is the Word of God.

I’ll make one more connection to seal the deal here: John 6:35 puts it like this: Jesus replied to them, “I am the Bread of Life. The one who comes to Me will never be hungry, and the one who believes in Me [as Savior] will never be thirsty [for that one will be sustained spiritually]. 

Often times we wonder how to find God or hear from Him here on earth. Some people have heard an audible voice and others sense Him in nature or music or other circumstances. But sometimes it seems as if He is silent. This world is affected by sin and death, whether we like it or not. Although we are not of this world, we are IN IT- but there is a place where He is NEVER silent. He has spoken and written His will into the Word of God. This book is a gourmet meal for your soul unlike any other!

Are you merely grazing on it or are you feasting like it’s Thanksgiving Day? You won’t gain any physical pounds from this “Bread”, but you will gain weight in your soul: like weighted gold! Try to find a version of the Bible you can digest smoothly and enjoy it often: like the feast He meant for it to be. He has prepared a table for us and sometimes we are just straight-up walking past it.

Women of PVC, let’s not pass up his feast for us! Commit to the discipline of digesting His Word every day and let’s get all the way full!

Be a student of your people by: Lorena Saenz

Be a student of your people by: Lorena Saenz

‘Tis the season.

I believe most of us are ready to get out the Christmas decorations. Am I right? We could all use that extra joy a little earlier this year. But looking ahead to this holiday season, we know it will not look like those before it.

Recently, I’ve been diving into the book of Philippians and have had these verses cling to me like a two year old who does not want to let go of his mom:

Philippians 2:3-5

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.

I felt God showing me the value of loving others more than myself. Not the first time this happens but always a timely reminder. Loving others well means being a student of them, and this holiday season I’m taking that to heart. It’s not all about me, not about my wants, but about appreciating those nearest to me who had to put up with me during all the ups and downs this year.

Specifically the words in verse 5 “In your relationships”, brings pictures of my loved ones to mind; those that are my circle, my tribe. To phrase that appropriately for this year, the people I don’t have to wear a mask around because we are together.

I think it’s safe to say that those who are near to us are ‘our people.’ What does it look like for you to be a student of your people? -To learn what they like and what their love language might be.

What would it look like to:

  1. Buy someone you see every day their favorite candy bar.
  2. Bake someone their favorite cake for no reason.
  3. Plan a “girls afternoon” or “date night” in your home for someone.
  4. Maybe send some cookies or a card to someone who has a birthday this holiday season that you won’t see.

 

Doing the little things to love someone goes a long way. This year is going to look different, but I think the social distancing challenges don’t have to hold us back from loving one another intentionally. God has called us to love each other with the same love He has for us.

Have you ever noticed how intentional God is? Does He place a beautiful sunset in front of you? Does that song you really needed to hear come on the radio, at just the right time?

Friend, as Jesus calls us to love him and love others, (Matt 22:38-39) let us do it fiercely as we end this year! Take note of those closest to you: surprise them, encourage them, pray life-giving words over them, and above all, love them well.