Why We Need to Stay Spiritually Nourished
The Need to Stay Spiritually Nourished: Nurturing Your Walk with God
One day I was lamenting that I had called myself a follower of Jesus for many years, but I didn’t see in myself what I saw in other women of God. Those women from church knew God. They knew how to respond to their problems. I didn’t. They were consistently seeking Him daily. I wasn’t. Like them, I wanted to minister in my specific calling; I wasn’t ready.
They would talk excitedly about the Word or how God used them or what God had recently showed them. Most of the time I didn’t understand what they meant, but there may have been a time or two I nodded an emphatic, “Amen” anyway. 😉
I was on my knees across from a line of items I deemed necessary during this face-to-face with my heart: my journal, my Bible, my pen, and—a box of tissues. The desires in my heart were spilling over into tears.
I coveted spiritual growth. This deep-seated desire instilled a determination to grow in my walk with God. I suddenly realized God wanted that for me, too!
That day on the carpet was a pivotal moment of “putting my hand to the plow and not looking back” (Luke 9:62).
God wants us to grow and stay spiritually nourished. He longs for us to come to Him daily. He looks forward to it.
Why is it important to stay spiritually nourished?
The word nourish is defined as “to sustain with food or nutriment; supply with what is necessary for life, health, and growth.” Our spirit man needs “spiritual food” the same way our physical body needs proper nourishment. Staying spiritually nourished is critical for everyone who follows Him.
It’s important to stay spiritually nourished in order to stay on God’s route and be closer to Him. We grow spiritually and enjoy His presence. We become stronger when we “put” the Word into our hearts daily. Our “old man” has fleshly desires and a tendency to do wrong, but a sturdy spirit helps to sustain our soul and emotions. When we make a daily appointment with God a priority, we will be strong enough to withstand temptation and be victorious over the attacks of the devil. I want to see you grow in the Lord!
Our Daily Bread
My mom has loved popcorn ever since I can remember. She made microwave popcorn frequently for family nights or watching a movie at home. But now? There’s no way you could convince her to make or eat microwave popcorn. Why? Because now every Sunday evening my mom pops popcorn in a pan on the stove. She uses her non-GMO popping corn, coconut oil, pastured butter, and Celtic sea salt. She’s “seen the light” healthwise, and her tastebuds aren’t letting her go back!
When we are listening to a teaching or sermon, it goes right into our spirit man—and that can be good. I relate that to eating a prepackaged meal, just like microwave popcorn. But when you go through a Bible study, or even study a subject in the Bible for yourself, it’s like cooking and eating a homemade meal. In other words, the ingredients to a recipe could be related to scriptures that are for a particular teaching or subject.
Jesus referred to Himself as the Bread of Life (John 6:35) and we know Him to be the Word (John 1:14). Jesus is our Daily Bread! Eating daily bread is studying or “putting” the Word into our hearts daily. Jesus said to ask the Father for our daily bread (Matthew 6:11). I encourage you to come to the Lord every day and “taste and see that He is good” (Psalm 34:8).
Staying spiritually nourished is staying spiritually strong.For the rest of this month we are going to continue talking about staying nourished and thriving in our walk with God, but first I have a giveaway for you lovely friends!
Giveaway
HelloMornings newest Bible study is out, and I’m lucky to be one of the authors!
When we become a believer we become born again. God delights in spiritual new beginnings. He’s in the business of making all things new. Even a new start in the natural realm can have spiritual significance.
New Beginnings is a six-week study looking at the fresh starts of ten characters in the Bible. The traits of God’s heart are highlighted through these stories, and we are reminded of His goodness in our lives.
Whether you have a few minutes or an hour each day, New Beginnings will help you partake of some good, solid “spiritual food.” Included in the book:
- learn to study scripture
- insightful commentary
- includes new HelloMornings worksheet
- action steps
- formatted to fit your schedule 5-30+ minutes
I’m giving away 3 copies of the full study! Winners may opt to receive the full study plus daily audios and emails of the study for women on the go. (Men can always gift the study to a female.)
***For the first time ever, we are thrilled to offer a paperback version on Amazon—a new beginning for HelloMornings’ studies! Get the gorgeous 82 page workbook with all the commentary here.***
New Bible study by @HeartfeltByAli @LiveYielded @alyssajhoward @jennifermclucas @LindseyMBell @becomingjoyfulHow to Enter the Giveaway
UPDATE: GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED
(1) Do one or more of the following, and then
(2) leave a comment below designating which action you took:
- Share on Facebook – 1 entry
- Next share on Twitter – 1 entry
- Share on Instagram – 1 entry
- Like my Facebook Page – 3 entries
- Vote for me in the Fear Fighting Writer’s Contest (vote 45 in comment box) – 5 entries
- Sign up for my email list – 5 entries
If you previously did one of the last 3, leave a comment designating which one to count for entering. Entries accepted until noon Sunday. Winners will be announced right here this Sunday evening since the online groups are starting this Monday, February 13.
*** CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS: Susie Cantrell, Kathy, and Sarah Geringer! *** Thank you to everyone who entered! Winners must private message or email me by 7 pm 2/13 to claim their prize. Otherwise the prize will pass to another contestant.
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Congratulations on the study, Kelly. You’re so right about spiritual nourishment, and I love that you have grown in your own walk. #goJesus
Thanks, Kristi. Yes, #goJesus!
Hey Kelly! Thanks so much for this post. I especially love how you said “a sturdy spirit helps to sustain our soul and emotions.” Emotions. They really can get the best of me sometimes — for the better or for the worse. I need to remember that emotions won’t always tell me the truth but God’s word will. 🙂
“I need to remember that emotions won’t always tell me the truth but God’s word will.” Agreed! 🙂
Such a pleasure to visit your site today, Kelly! It’s filled with so much encouragement. I signed up for your email list and look forward to winning Hello Mornings newest bible study. :)I need all the help I can get to dig into His Word each day. 🙂
Welcome, Carlie! I’ve got you down for 5 entries. 🙂
Thanks for these encouraging thoughts to study and enter into time with Jesus. I love how you compared our personal study to a good homemade meal, vs. the prepackaged meals that come to us from a quick listen. These are so good to remember! –Blessings!
Great to see you here again, Bettie! I’m glad you like the analogy. Praying you stay nourished and thriving this week!
So proud of you girl! The study looks great. I’ll share it places, but don’t want to win. Make sure a regular reader is a winner 🙂
~Sherry Stahl
xoxo
I’ll count you as a regular reader anytime, but thanks for helping to get the word out, friend. 🙂
I love the timing of this post in my own life. I am seeking my own walk earnestly right now and am ready to follow God wherever he takes me. I shared on Twitter, Facebook and liked your Facebook page.
I’m happy to hear that you are pursuing God with your all, Mary! I’ve got you down for 7 entries (after counting each Twitter share). 🙂
I Shared on Facebook (try to tag @kellyrbakerdotcom or @kellyrbaker) – 1 entry
Shared on Twitter (try to tag @KellySinging) – 1 entry
Like your Facebook Page – 3 entries
Voted for you in the Fear Fighting Writer’s Contest (vote 45 in comment box) – 5 entries
Signed up for my email list – 5 entries
Love the dedication, Julie! I have you down for all those.
Wonderful post. I also participate in Hello Mornings and am so looking forward to the start of New Beginnings 🙂
Me too, Joanne! 🙂