Taste and see that the Lord is good! I was thinking about the different ways food is broken down as we eat without being too technical and how to use it as an analogy to the way we break down God's Word as we take it in. This is what I came up with. Just something fun to think about.

• Read a passage of Scripture-
• put it in the mouth
• bite down- separate it into smaller pieces, sections
• switch it from side to side- mull it over
• enjoy the flavor- write down what it means, how it applies to your personal life
• chew some more- look up some words for better understanding
• Holy Spirit's work
• saliva as the natural production of the body- the Holy Spirit giving understanding, insight- the natural work done in the one who is born again. As the 'food' is broken down we begin to digest the truth, the meaning. Small segments of chewed food begin to flow to the stomach- segments of truth flow to the heart.
• In the digestion process the nutrients are assimilated to where they need to go-applied to keep life going in us. Spiritually the truth is assimilated by the Spirit to where it needs to go to keep us on the road of "life", living out the truth, responding to life in a right way.
• The waste is eliminated- God transforms the character that is not Christ like and produces in us the character of Christ. Healthy fruit begins to be seen by others.
• Food must be taken in throughout the day not just once in the morning. Many of us only take in God's Word once a day, then don't think about it again. To be physically healthy we need to take in food throughout the day- healthy food I might add. To be spiritually healthy we also need to take in God's Word throughout each day. Here are some ways to to that.
1. Read and study in the morning.
2. Write down some key verses and thoughts
3. Reread these throughout the day- this is chewing the cud- meditating on it- bringing it back up to your mind. Think about what you have read throughout the day (on purpose)
4. Use these verses and thoughts as prayer for yourself and others at some point in the day. All scripture can be turned into prayer for someone or something.
5. Read a devotional book
6. Read a theological book- these are loaded with scripture
• Smell the aroma of the Word by using it in prayer- remember that our prayers are sweet smelling incense to the Lord. Often smelling food makes us hungry, makes the saliva start running and this begins the process so...keep it flowing!

Keep God and His word first and foremost in your life. May He produce in you healthy fruitbearing!

for the praise of His glory!