Five Star Dining

Ezekiel 44:23

New International Version (NIV)

²³ They are to teach my people the difference between the holy and the common and show them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean.

Where we are being spiritually fed is very important. It seems to have become common practice in the church to be sweet and flowery in the things of God, but teaching life applicable, honest and at times painful lessons is not necessarily the norm anymore.

Our world is being dramatically changed with each generation. Things that weren't even talked about when our grandparents and parents were coming up are being plastered all over in our daily lives. Sex, greed, all kinds of wrong doing are not only openly discussed, but becoming socially acceptable forms of entertainment.

As believers we need to be counteracting that with how we are being fed spiritually and then what we are taking out into the world. It is important to be in a body of believers that speaks the truth, even when it can hurt or offend.

Proverbs 27:6

Amplified Bible (AMP)

⁶Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are lavish and deceitful.

I want to be under the tutelage of individuals who are willing to wound me and my worldly thinking in order to help me achieve all that God has in store for me and in turn, I will be given the tools to do the same for others. That's not to say that the soft side of God needs to be disregarded, because it is equally as important, but we need to get the entire message...not just the comfortable stuff.

I've been a part of church bodies where "religion" came across as more important than relationship. Things were preached that could not necessarily be backed up biblically or rules were put into place that may have only been statutes for one individual's walk. Religious practices should not take precedence over building a strong foundation and personal relationship with God.

Ephesians 4:15

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁵ Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.

I've been blessed to also be a part of church bodies where speaking the truth in love was common and very much seen. My current pastor will often follow a strong statement with the fact that he is being honest because he loves his congregation and wants to see them spiritually succeed. I see it strong amongst our youth leaders. The kids are able to get truth that the world isn't giving them and they are shown genuine love in the process.

I've been at different churches over the past 10 years and I believe each one did serve a purpose. Some to show me what I absolutely didn't want, and some to show me what I absolutely needed. Some to soften my heart in areas that I never considered before and some to strengthen my walk in ways I never knew possible. There is a time and a season and it is important to follow God's lead of knowing when to stay and when to go, but how you are being fed can be the thing that will make or break your Christian walk.

It is important to hear the messages that are difficult to touch (Pornography, homosexuality, fornication, divorce, adultery, the way you live, your attitude towards others, being a sacrificial individual, etc.) and it needs to be matched with messages on God's true love (mercy, forgiveness, blessings, his sacrificial giving, etc).

When we are met with an even balance of love and truth we know that our spirits are dining sufficiently. And it will reflect in our walk which will in turn help to feed others spiritually.

1 Corinthians 3:9-17

New International Version (NIV)

⁹ For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.

¹⁰ By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. ¹¹ For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹² If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, ¹³ their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. ¹⁴ If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.

¹⁶ Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? ¹⁷ If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.

The food that we take in is building a foundation, which can either be good or bad. It is important to know that we are receiving a proper foundation, because later we will have to answer for the foundations that we have also laid in others. If our foundation is cracked and unstable, what kind of foundation will we lay in others?

Test what you are being taught against the word, be sure it adds up. And most importantly get to know the word for yourself. Spending quiet time with God daily in prayer and reading will help guard against receiving spiritual junk food. If you know the word for yourself, it won't be as easy to be thrown on a whim by someone's humanity.

God wants you to receive the best dining available, because you will be inclined to share your meals with others either directly or indirectly. :D