What Are You Hungry For? A Feast of Wisdom from the Scriptures 📖🍽️
Pastor Kyle Veach
Today, we're delving into a topic close to every believer's heart, the B-I-B-L-E, or otherwise known as, the Word of God. But before we begin, let's stir up your appetite a bit. Click the link above for the full message - it’s one you don’t want to miss. And don’t forget to like it and share it with others!
Breakfast: The Most Important Meal of the Day 🍳
Ah, breakfast. The aroma of sizzling bacon, the warmth of freshly brewed coffee—it's a ritual of comfort and sustenance for many. Just as we fuel our bodies for the day ahead, our souls crave sustenance too. But let's be honest, sometimes that first meal of the day can feel like a chore. Reading your Bible? It's akin to a spiritual breakfast, essential but sometimes hard to swallow. Yet, just as breakfast kick-starts your metabolism, diving into the Word kick-starts your spiritual growth.
Sometimes we find ourselves craving a quick-fix in our relationship with God - we want to know Him, to understand Him, and to feel Him right now in the most powerful way. A way that, dare I say, is like an Ozempic way of getting to know God. And the reality is, is that because we live in an instant-fix, microwave, Ozempic culture, we often are convinced that there is a fast-lane in getting to know God.
But culture is a lie, there is no fast-lane to anything! Yes, you can cut weight with a shot, but you also have to change your eating habits, your workout habits, and your lifestyle to keep the weight off. Yes, there is a quick way to “google” an answer, but you also have to do your own research to understand if what you’re getting is actual truth. The lie can get us to believe that we are behind, ill-equipped, or unable to understand God's Word because it has been hard for us to engage with in the past. Life is a marathon, not a sprint, and training for a marathon takes time! There is no fast lane.
That’s why reading God’s Word is the most important thing you can do for yourself and for your family - it is a way of learning God’s character and His plans for humanity so that you can know the actual TRUTH.
John 8:31-32 - Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
God’s Word is Truth, and it will set you free. But first, you have to start with reading it. Let me help you out with some tools that I’ve found that help in understanding God’s Word and engaging in reading it daily.
Finding Your Flavor: Choosing the Right Translation đź“š
With a plethora of Bible translations out there, finding the right one can feel like navigating a vast buffet. From the spirit-filled NKJV to the approachable NLT, each translation offers a unique flavor. But don't fret over the menu—grab a study Bible to understand the rich tapestry of God's Word. My favorite Bible to study out of is the New King James Spirit-filled Bible (don’t mix it up with the King James Version - they’re very different as the KJV sounds a lot like Shakespeare! And no one wants to relive reading “Julius Caesar” or “MacBeth” in 10th grade English class - although the Bible can seem like a Shakespearean drama sometimes).
I teach mostly out of the New Living Translation (NLT) on Sunday mornings because it is written at a 6th grade reading level, and I find it approachable for the average person walking through the building. I want to make sure that anyone coming through the doors on Sunday morning can approach the Word of God with ease - nothing is worse than feeling out of the loop or confused when you’re in a new space!
Other translations that I enjoy are the English Standard Version (ESV) - it is the most accurate version, the New International Version (NIV) - it’s the one Kara and I grew up reading, and Kara likes the Christian Standard Bible (CSB) - that is the one that one of her favorite Bible Study plans, She Reads Truth, uses.
Feasting on Faith: Hebrews 11:1-6 🙏
Faith, the cornerstone of our spiritual journey, is beautifully encapsulated in Hebrews 11:1-6. It's not just about believing; it's about diligently seeking God. After all, faith isn't a mere intellectual exercise; it's a vibrant, living relationship with our Creator.
1 Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. 2 Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.
3 By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.
4 It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel’s offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith.
5 It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying—“he disappeared, because God took him.” For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God. 6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
If you receive anything from this message, receive this - that God is wanting the best for us, and His Word is what he’s left us to get to know His heart and His purpose for humanity. So as we seek Him, through seeking His Word, we end up closer and closer to him.
The Heart of the Matter: Transformative Faith ❤️
Ever encountered Bible-smart folks who seem miles away from the heart of Jesus? Yeah, they suck. Pastor Rick Warren bluntly puts it, "The Bible should give us a bigger heart, not a bigger head." It's not about accumulating knowledge; it's about embodying love—the very essence of Christ. Reading your Bible is not just about memorizing verses or being book-smart, or “Bible-smart” - it’s about allowing God’s word to transform your heart, your character, your mind, and your life.
Unpacking the Bible: A Crash Course 📖✨
Let's demystify the Bible, shall we? With 66 books spanning over 1,500 years, it's a literary masterpiece woven by more than 40 authors in three languages. Yet, at its core, the Bible isn't about us—it's a timeless narrative of God's love and redemption through Jesus.
The Bible, with its 66 books, presents a sweeping narrative that spans from the creation of the world to the birth of Jesus, chronicling the journey of humanity and God's redemptive plan. Comprising 39 books in the Old Testament and 27 in the New, it's a cohesive collection where each individual book contributes to the overarching story.
With the New Testament referencing the Old through approximately 300 quotes and over 4,000 allusions, the OT serves as a tapestry of promises made by God, while the NT records their fulfillment in Jesus Christ. This profound text, was written in three languages—Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic—and it stands as a testament to the enduring nature of God's Word, transcending time and culture to speak to each generation.
The Bread of Life: Why Bother with Bible Study? 🍞
So, why should you bother diving into the Word? Well, it's like feasting at a banquet of endless delights. Whether you're hurting, lost, doubting, or anxious, the Bible offers sustenance for every soul craving.
Overflowing Abundance: Romans 15:13 🌊
Picture this: living life not from a place of scarcity but from an overflow of confidence rooted in the Holy Spirit. That's the abundant life Jesus promised—an existence brimming with joy, peace, and unwavering hope — a spiritual abundance that saturates every aspect of our lives. Romans 15:13 beautifully captures this idea:
"I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit."
It's not merely scraping by, limping from Sunday to Sunday, but rather living in such abundance that we pour into our families, our finances, our relationships, with the lavishness of God's grace. Life is too good to offer the world leftovers of God's grace, and God is too good to us to provide anything less than an overflowing, abundant life. Let's embrace this overflow, living out of the abundance of confidence that can only be found in and through the Holy Spirit.
10 Truths About the Bible: Feasting on Spiritual Wisdom 🍽️📜
The Bible is…
A Sword that Pierces: Hebrews 4:12 slices through the soul, revealing our innermost thoughts and desires.
Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
A Light that Shines: Psalm 119:105 guides our steps, illuminating the path ahead.
Psalm 119:105 - Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.
A Mirror that Reveals: James 1:23 reflects the truth of who we are, urging us to embrace authenticity.
James 1:23 - For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror.
A Path to Purity: Psalm 119:9 leads us in the way of righteousness, cleansing our hearts from impurity.
Psalm 119:9 - How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word.
A Meal that Nourishes: 1 Timothy 4:6 feeds our souls with the nourishment of faith and good teaching.
1 Timothy 4:6 - If you explain these things to the brothers and sisters,[a] Timothy, you will be a worthy servant of Christ Jesus, one who is nourished by the message of faith and the good teaching you have followed.
A Seed that Reproduces: 1 Peter 1:23 births us into a new life, rooted in the eternal word of God.
1 Peter 1:23 - For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.
A Fire that Consumes: Jeremiah 23:29 ignites our spirits, burning away impurities with divine fervor.
Jeremiah 23:29 - Does not my word burn like fire?” says the Lord. “Is it not like a mighty hammer that smashes a rock to pieces?
A Defense Against Temptation: Psalm 119:11 fortifies our hearts, shielding us from the wiles of the enemy.
Psalm 119:11 - I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
The Source of Our Faith: Romans 10:17 fuels our belief, sparking faith through the proclamation of the Good News.
Romans 10:17 - So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.
The Truth that Lives Forever: Isaiah 40:8 stands as an eternal beacon of God's unchanging Word.
Isaiah 40:8 - The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.
Digging In: 5 Ways to Approach the Bible 🌱
Start with a Book: Dive into God's story, whether it's Genesis for beginners or Romans for the theologians among us. I recommend starting with one of the “gospels” - gospel means, “good news” and it’s referring to the good news of Jesus found in the four books that detail his life on earth - Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John.
Study a Person: Explore the lives of biblical figures like Ruth, Elijah, or Esther, drawing wisdom from their journeys. I love studying the life of David, and Kara loves studying the life of Moses - you can find a lot of good study books out there on these characters, or you can find a plan on the YouVersion Bible app that follows their story.
Explore a Topic: Delve into themes like grace, anxiety, or integrity, unpacking their significance in Scripture. Again, YouVersion has a great Bible app that provides topical reading plans for a variety of topics and lengths.
Daily Devotionals: Immerse yourself in daily readings from classics like "My Utmost for His Highest" or “Jesus Calling” - check out Amazon for a long list of different kinds of devotionals that often are just a verse a day or small passage a day.
Read Through the Bible: Embark on a transformative journey through the entire Scriptures, discovering new insights with each turn of the page. I am currently reading through the Bible through The Bible Project Bible in One Year, and Kara is reading through The Bible with Nicky and Pippa Gumble - links below!
No matter what you choose! Just start and see how God will transform your mind through his Word.
Bible Resources đź“š
The Bible Project 365 Day Reading Plan on YouVersion
She Reads Truth, He Reads Truth, and Kids Read Truth reading plans
Other Links đź”—
Want to hear more? Check out last week’s message titled, "Who said I love you, First?", a message about God’s love for us by Pastor Kyle Veach from View Church.
Dive deeper into the Word with our online resources.