The Spiritual Aviary
By Eddie Smith
What kind of “spiritual bird” have you been?
I am afraid that too many in the church today are just standing around like the proverbial ostrich—they have their heads buried in the sand, spiritually speaking.
They’re almost oblivious to what God or the devil is doing in the earth. Furthermore, their view of Satan seems to be “If I can’t see him, he can’t see me. If I don’t bother him, he won’t bother me.”
Other Christians are flitting around from conference to conference, seminar to seminar like spiritual hummingbirds flitting from blossom to blossom. They are always looking for their next sip of spiritual nectar. They never plug into the body of Christ and meaningfully relate to its members. They’re much too spiritual for that!
Some Christians could be likened to the wise old owl. They are consumed with learning. But Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes, “I have grown and increased in wisdom . . . I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge. Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, . . . but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind” (Eccles. 1:16–17).
Many in the church are so busy studying what God did in the past that they’re not even aware of what He is doing in the present!
As pastor and author Steve Meeks said, “The Bible is not the meat, it’s the menu! The meat is in the street. Too many Christians are eating the menu and not the meat.” Steve means no disrespect to Scripture. He is reminding us that acquiring spiritual knowledge should not be seen as an end in itself. We are to be about the business of extending the kingdom of God!
Finally, there are those Christians who are living as spiritual buzzards. Like scavengers, they look for dead or dying things. Rather than offer joyful, loving encouragement, they continually offer criticism and condemnation. Rather than soar with the eagles, they circle with the vultures. They are a drain on the church and a reproach to Christ.
I want to be like the state bird of Texas, the mockingbird. Mockingbirds are tough. If its nesting, a mother mockingbird will attack an 18-wheel truck that comes within a mile of its nest!
A Holy Spirit filled believer is dangerous to the kingdom of darkness. Be bold! You have overcome them!
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By "prayer coach", Eddie Smith. His newest book, released just this week, How To Be Heard in Heaven: From Needs-Driven to God-Centered Praying is now available at: www.PrayerBookstore.com
Eddie and his wife Alice offer a free 52-week school of prayer at: www.TeachMeToPray.com
(c) Copyright, Eddie Smith, 7814 Colony Point Ct, Houston, TX 77095
(Permission to distribute granted as long as the resource box below the article remains intact.)
What kind of “spiritual bird” have you been?
I am afraid that too many in the church today are just standing around like the proverbial ostrich—they have their heads buried in the sand, spiritually speaking.
They’re almost oblivious to what God or the devil is doing in the earth. Furthermore, their view of Satan seems to be “If I can’t see him, he can’t see me. If I don’t bother him, he won’t bother me.”
Other Christians are flitting around from conference to conference, seminar to seminar like spiritual hummingbirds flitting from blossom to blossom. They are always looking for their next sip of spiritual nectar. They never plug into the body of Christ and meaningfully relate to its members. They’re much too spiritual for that!
Some Christians could be likened to the wise old owl. They are consumed with learning. But Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes, “I have grown and increased in wisdom . . . I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge. Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, . . . but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind” (Eccles. 1:16–17).
Many in the church are so busy studying what God did in the past that they’re not even aware of what He is doing in the present!
As pastor and author Steve Meeks said, “The Bible is not the meat, it’s the menu! The meat is in the street. Too many Christians are eating the menu and not the meat.” Steve means no disrespect to Scripture. He is reminding us that acquiring spiritual knowledge should not be seen as an end in itself. We are to be about the business of extending the kingdom of God!
Finally, there are those Christians who are living as spiritual buzzards. Like scavengers, they look for dead or dying things. Rather than offer joyful, loving encouragement, they continually offer criticism and condemnation. Rather than soar with the eagles, they circle with the vultures. They are a drain on the church and a reproach to Christ.
I want to be like the state bird of Texas, the mockingbird. Mockingbirds are tough. If its nesting, a mother mockingbird will attack an 18-wheel truck that comes within a mile of its nest!
A Holy Spirit filled believer is dangerous to the kingdom of darkness. Be bold! You have overcome them!
------------------------------------
By "prayer coach", Eddie Smith. His newest book, released just this week, How To Be Heard in Heaven: From Needs-Driven to God-Centered Praying is now available at: www.PrayerBookstore.com
Eddie and his wife Alice offer a free 52-week school of prayer at: www.TeachMeToPray.com
(c) Copyright, Eddie Smith, 7814 Colony Point Ct, Houston, TX 77095
(Permission to distribute granted as long as the resource box below the article remains intact.)
posted by Eddie Smith | 9:57 AM
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