I just finished breakfast and near my plate I had several pills to take… nutritional supplements! Gotta tell you, I don’t like taking pills, but my wife insists I take them for my health. Got a friend, and every morning he makes himself this “super smoothie” filled with all kinds of nutritional stuff… “supplements” he calls ‘em. He’s really in shape but takes additional supplements anyway for his health.
Yeah, I know there is a big debate in the medical community about their value! Some argue that if you just eat the right stuff and exercise you don’t need ‘em. Others swear by them and tell you how much better they feel and calculate how long it’s been since the last time they were sick.
The fact is there are so many things that leach nutrition from our foods and out of our bodies! They tell us the foods we eat today do not have the same nutritional values as they did before genetic alteration and the use of pesticides. Our stressful, or even sedentary, lifestyles can leach nutrition from our bodies. Hey, I’m just glad to be alive… but to have a vibrant, healthy body many recommend some supplements… Did you take yours today?
On the spiritual side of things, “faith” is what brings new birth and eternal life! It’s fundamental, it’s essential, it’s basic. In fact the Bible declares we “live by faith!” But there are many things that leach away its vibrancy… The sinful world we live in, the stress of life, trials that we face, our neglect in caring for the spiritual dimension of our lives, even the demands of Christian service – all of these can drain away spiritual vitality and health!
During devotions I came across a passage where Apostle Peter recommended some “spiritual supplements” to reinforce “faith!” He reminded some believers…
“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence!” And then urged them… “Make every effort to SUPPLEMENT your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they will keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins… If you practice these qualities you will never fall! And in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (from 2 Peter 1:3-12 ESV)
Think I’ll go take my “spiritual supplements!” I need ’em for my spiritual health!
When you’re going through a severe trial you need help … you need what the Bible refers to as “grace!” Grace is more than just “God’s unmerited favor,” as it is sometimes called. (That designation is accurate, but it is a description that focuses on the undeserved nature of “grace.”) Grace is the wonderfully adequate (even abundant) provision of God to people in need! Grace is just what is needed in time of need!
