Devo Oct 29 Hebrews 5

The difference between “milk” and “meat” is not between a little knowledge and a lot. The difference is found in the way we process Scripture. For those who hear but do not apply Scripture, the truths
they know are milk. But to those who hear and apply the Word of God, the same truths become solid and sustaining meat.

My spiritual appetite now is pretty low.   I give thanks for the past weekend where I was fed spiritually by the message from a missionary who reaches out to Muslim people.  I was inspired by his message.  On the back on my mind, I was thinking how I am able to apply his message as I do not have any Muslim friends.  I felt discouraged because I felt like I gained head knowledge and I have no way of applying God's powerful truth.

Two days later, as I was labouring in my house along with people we hired to renovate our house.  I had the opportunity to get to know the people we hire.  I learned that my workers were Muslim believers.  I shared that I am a follower of Christ and he shared his faith.  At that moment, I realized how weak I was in witnessing my faith to a Muslim neighbour.  I realize how much I need prayer.  I could not come up with words to say.  Even though I should be a teacher feeding on solid food, I realize I still need to be fed with milk at times.

In another blog post, I am going to share my thoughts on the greatest enemy to my spiritual walk.

Hebrews 5:7-14

In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with
loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he
was heard because of his reverence. 8 Although he was a son, he learned
obedience through what he suffered. 9 And being made perfect, he became
the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, 10 being designated by
God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.
11 About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you
have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be
teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the
oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives
on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14
But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment
trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

Devo Eph 3 Sept 5

14For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15from whom his whole family
in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16I pray that out of his glorious
riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your
inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I
pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together
with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is
the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that
you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20Now to him
who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according
to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church
and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.

Reflection
1. In the second half of the previous chapter, Paul looks at the salvation
for the Gentiles. Through Christ’s dying on the cross, Gentiles
and Jews are reconciled and became one in the new community
- church. In this chapter, Paul explained that the goal of his ministry
is to display God’s wisdom in bringing different peoples into a
unified church (v1-13). Since God has blessed us so greatly, Paul
prayed that believers (and all Christians) would comprehend fully
the extent of God’s love for them (vv. 14-21).
2. Paul repeatedly mentions “love” and “power” in this passage. He
earnestly desired that God’s people be “rooted and established in
love” in order that we have power “together with all the saints” to
grasp and know the love of Christ (vv18-19). How can we grasp or
understand love? By experiencing the width and length and height
and depth of the love of Christ. What do you learn about power and
love in these verses?

The power to make disciples is rooted in the love of Christ.