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Second-Hand Soup
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Printable Version - Share on Facebook - Posted by Pastor Marty Pena - Filed in Teachings - 1,419 views
Very seldom have I ever called anyone 'Pastor' and 'felt' that this was a Title that genuinely 'fit'. One of these very few was a man named Edwin Miller. There are many things and many experiences that I had with 'Pastor' Miller that will remain with me all the days of my earthly existence.
One of the things I recall about him was his absolute love for 'Soup'. We had him to our home for Soup and as I am sure he said to everyone he said to us: "That was the Best Soup I have ever had!"
I grew up in a Hispanic/American family. Holidays were complete with all the special meats, rice, beans, desserts, roasted pig, turkey, and my dad loved to cook ....Soups and make as much food as he could for every holiday and really any occasion to always have the family together.
Some animals pre-digest foods and then 'bring it up' to feed their young. This is very desirable to our feathered friends, being very digestible ... but it has very little appeal to 'most' homo-sapiens.
There are some cultures where solid foods are pre-chewed and then fed to the elderly. I think I would rather starve to death than to have an ABC diet. (Already Been Chewed)
And yet ... spiritually speaking this is exactly what we do concerning consuming the Food of God's Word. Instead of personally gathering a well balanced and healthy daily diet of His Word we opt for Second-Hand Soup.
Christians have all kinds of reasons they can readily cite which excuse them from reading and meditating on the Scriptures.
"I don't have time."
"I am too busy with work or household chores."
"That is the Pastor's Job!"
"I am too Stupid ... it just doesn't sink in ... "
"I get it in Sunday School and on Wednesday Nights!"The Diet of 'all of the above' ... is Second Hand Soup. Someone else has eaten it first ... digested it ... brought it up ... and fed it to anyone with an open mouth. And this ... to them ... is completely acceptable!
The result is a lack of vital relationship and personal purpose concerning the things of God. They become 'dependent' believers. And whatever the one who 'feeds' them believes ... they believe.
I know many 'Christians' who can quote every spiritual cliché verbatim, but who have to scratch their heads to place a line of Scripture in full and in order.
When we come to Jesus we enter a personal relationship with Him. He gives us His Holy Spirit and we begin a journey 'Home' to Him. His Holy Spirit guides each of us on the way.
The church should not be the place where we are taught what to believe .... but it IS the place where those who believe gather to worship the Object of their Faith. Though there are gifts that differ, each member of Christ, who gathers at 'church' is, in fact, THE CHURCH and has the responsibility to 'learn from God and His Word'.
In the months and years ahead ... we will be re-defined. And it will become essential that Every Confessor of Faith in Christ Jesus will and must be Fed by God Himself.
He does not put any of His children on an ABC diet. It will be very necessary to be delivered from Programmed Spirituality to a Living and Essential Relationship with God.
Jesus said: "IF You live in Me and My Words live in YOU ... then ... You shall ask what you will and it shall be done for you."
Get in IT.
Stay in IT.
and ...
Don't make a steady diet of Second-Hand Soup.John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. KJV.
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That is an excellent analogy, Marty, thank you! We have heard people say the most outlandish things from this sometimes :).
Excellent!! I love this and your analogy is right on target! Thank you so much for this much needed word! May God bless you abundantly!