November 2, 2006
Encouragement for Today
Principle 1
“Taking Our Spiritual Vitamins”
Tracie Miles, Speaker Team Member
Key Verse:
Proverbs 3:7-8, “Do not be wise in your eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” (NIV)
Devotion:
My life is busy. No, it’s stressful. No, wait, I mean chaotic. Okay, I mean it is chaotically, stressfully busy. Can you relate? The days of June Cleaver moms putting on neatly pressed aprons to make cookies in their perfectly tidy kitchens for their boys when they return home from school is a mere black and white memory. The well known cliché of “a woman’s work is never done” is nothing less than the absolute truth. So to assist me in my never-ending need for energy and zest, I recently had the bright idea of taking vitamins.
Little did I realize how beneficial vitamins actually could be! Within a matter of weeks, my nails and hair were longer and stronger, my skin looked better, and I just felt better overall. Even though doctors always tell us that taking vitamins leads to better health and quality of life, I didn’t expect such obvious or immediate results. That experience prompted me to consider what other important things in my life might be deficient and in need of some attention. The first thing that came to mind was my walk with Christ.
I am hesitant to admit, as many of you may be as well, that I often get so busy with “life” that I neglect the quality of life that God intended for me by not being faithful in my commitment to Him every day in every way. I realized I desperately needed some spiritual vitamins. What are spiritual vitamins, you ask? They are anything that nourishes the soul and your walk with Christ, such as prayer, a church family, church involvement, devotions, Christian books, bible studies, or women’s ministry events. The most vital of these vitamins, however, is God’s word. Opportunities to study God’s word and build your relationship with Him are good medicine for our heart and soul, just as vitamins are good medicine for our bodies and bones.
It is not uncommon for devoted Christians to sometimes find themselves wandering through life without clear direction, without purpose, without strength, and without joy. These are times when we are lost in the wilderness. Although we believe in God’s kingdom, we have temporarily lost sight of it. But if we believe God, and not just believe in Him, we can leave the wilderness and find our
Are you in the wilderness and in desperate need of some spiritual vitamins to pump up your energy and zest for the Lord, and in turn your life? Do you hunger for a renewed spirit, a refreshed heart and a rekindled passion for Christ? Or are you basking in God’s glory, but need a spiritual vitamin to keep the spiritual energy flowing? Whatever your situation is, the Lord wants your life to be filled with the joy that only He can provide. You should be taking advantage of the spiritual vitamins that are available to you on a daily basis. There are many ways to stay washed in God’s word, and these things help to nourish our spiritual needs and keep us from entering the wilderness accidentally. When we have a nourished soul and a cheerful heart, we are sure to live a more Christ-like life!
Consider the abundant blessings you could be missing by not making the small effort to take your spiritual vitamins every day! Just as tangible vitamins will improve your physical health, spiritual vitamins will improve your spiritual health. I am waiting in great anticipation to see the changes in my heart and life as a result of faithfully and consistently taking my spiritual vitamins.
My Prayer For Today:
Lord, help me to have eyes to recognize the spiritual vitamins that You bring into my life, and give me the desire to take those vitamins on a consistent basis so that I can become closer to You and insure that I am never too far from Your protective hands. Help me to mature in my knowledge of Your word. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Application Step:
Ask God to open doors for you to partake in new spiritual vitamins, such as new bible study opportunities, fellowship opportunities, or church events. Ask a friend to be your prayer partner so that you can hold each other accountable for spending time in God’s word.
Reflection Points:
Am I actively seeking God’s will in all areas of my life?
Do I always find a reason to explain why I don’t have time to read my bible today, have quiet time, or go to church for a special worship function?
Am I taking advantage of all of the opportunities that I am given to worship God?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 13:14, “The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.” (NIV)
Proverbs 7:2, “Keep my commands and you will live, guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.” (NIV)
Psalm 19:9-10, “The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold, they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.” (NIV)
1 Corinthians 11:26, “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” (NIV)
Proverbs 14:30, “A heart at peace gives life to the body…“ (NIV)
Additional Resources:
A Woman’s Secret to a Balanced Life by Lysa TerKeurst and Sharon Jaynes
The P31 Woman Magazine
A Busy Woman’s Guide to Prayer by Cheri Fuller