Excerpts from: "Embracing Eternity Living Each Day With A Heart Toward Heaven written by Tim LaHaye, Jerry B. Jenkins and Frank Martin. My daughter, Molli, gave me this book for Christmas in 2006. Frank Martin is Molli's sister-in-law's, brother-in-law.

This is one thing I have a hard time with. I do know right from wrong and know I will start solid food very soon.

Today's Reading: Hebrews 5:12-14 & 6:1

SOLID SPIRITUAL FOOD

HAS GOD had you on a diet of milk for too long? Have you been slow to cut your teeth in Christian service or to grow out of childish needs and desires? Have you been a follower of Christ for long enough to know better, yet still find yourself being treated like a baby Christian?

"Solid food is for those who are mature," says the writer of Hebrews, "whohave trained themselves to recognize the difference between right and wrong and then do what is right?(5:14). When we find ourselves on a diet of mile, it is because God knows we are not yet ready for solid food. His desire is to wean us off of baby food and to set real meat and potatoes on our table, but he won't do so until we choose to grow mature and ready.

A solid diet is made up of things that strengthen our faith and lead others to Jesus. Jobs that take spiritual muscle and knowledge to perform. Responsibilities that are not for the faint of heart or the aqueamish. God gives big assignments to those who prove that they can handle the pressure. And with these assignments come great rewards.

But also they bring great temptation. When God sends disciples to work, the enemy is close by, waiting to trip them up. The great the task, the harder he works to bring them down. The steeper the road, the more stones thrown along the path to make us stumble. That's why God is careful how he doles out his spiritual steaks and potatoes.

So how doyou convince God that you are ready for solid food? You begin by learning to "recognize the difference between right and wrong." You hone your skills of decernment. You hide God's Word in your heart until you know instinctively what to do when temptation comes your way. You learn the enemy's strategy--how he plays on the weakness of his prey, how he lies and cheats and steals, how he hides around the corner to catch us unaware. You learn the difference between God's will and satan's schemes.

And once you know the difference, you "do what is right." You make a choice not to sin. You stare the enemy down and turn a deaf ear to his lies. You choose God's will over your own. You remain obedient even to the point of pain and embarrassment. When you develop the strength to chew and digest solid food, God will serve it to you.

REFLECTION:
What hinders God from trusting you with solid spiritual food? Pray today that he would prepare you for greater service and responsibility.