{"id":3593,"date":"2022-12-10T23:47:15","date_gmt":"2022-12-11T04:47:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/?p=3593"},"modified":"2022-12-10T23:47:15","modified_gmt":"2022-12-11T04:47:15","slug":"spiritual-famine-december-11th-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/?p=3593","title":{"rendered":"SPIRITUAL FAMINE, December 11th, 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

CENTRAL THOUGHT<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seek the Lord and be blessed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HYMN: MORE ABOUT JESUS WOULD I KNOW.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

TEXT<\/strong>: Amos 8:11-12; Lam.2:9; Jer.6:10<\/p>\n\n\n\n

INTRODUCTION<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The church needs preachers today like prophets of old, with power and honesty on our pulpits. Sadly, men like Amos, Jeremiah and Habakkuk are rare indeed. When we give ourselves to please the crowd we soon whittle away to zero effectiveness. But we don\u2019t just put preachers who will preach the truth with great boldness, we also need people who will hear the truth and obey it with the same courage and zealousness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When prophets Amos spoke of famine in the land (Amos 8:11- 12), he was talking about a failure to proclaim the truth to a generation that was on the verge of bondage in a heathen land. And when we fill our pulpits with unpalatable intellectual nourishment, we fall in the same category.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are not in a popularity contest neither are we called to soothe the masses but we are in a very serious struggle for the souls of men. Israel, instead of bearing fruits in the service of God, became spiritually barren (2 kings 19:30). Any time God speaks to us, we should give Him the needed attention so that we can be used by Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BIBLE TRUTH<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Q1. WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND BY SPIRITUAL FAMINE?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Spiritual famine is a term used to describe a period of spiritual dryness, hunger, and absence of true worship as a result of outright rejection of God\u2019s word and His presence. This is a feeling of emptiness or spiritual blindness where one is no longer seeing or hearing from God. A state of spiritual famine arises from a failure to appreciate the presence and the joy of God. It is the absence of God\u2019s presence and His words in a community even when the ministers may still be preaching. According to Amos 8:11-12, \u201cBehold, the days are coming says the Lord God, that I will send a famine on the land; not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water. But of hearing the words of the Lord. They shall wander from sea to sea and from north to east, they shall run to and forth seeking the word of the Lord. But shall not find it.\u201d There are very serious consequences when fellowship becomes routine, academic, and merely religious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q2. DISCUSS THE REASONS FOR SENDING SPIRITUAL FAMINE TO ISRAEL. Isa.59:1-2; Judges 2:11-20.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a good father speaks to his children, so does God speak to us. But when we live in disobedience and fail to honor Him as our Creator thereby making God\u2019s word ineffective. He withdraws His word from us. In Isaiah 59:1-2, the scripture reveals to us \u201cBehold, the Lord\u2019s hand is not shortened that it cannot save, nor His ears heavy, that He cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God. And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He will not hear.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Israelites experienced spiritual famine when they refused to obey the voice of the Lord. Therefore, spiritual famine results from disobedience of God\u2019s words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another reason is self- satisfaction. Rev.3:17 \u201cBecause you say, I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing- and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked\u2026\u2026\u201d They felt they had attained the needed heights and had no need for the word of God. We could also experience spiritual famine when we underrate the word of God and place our desires above His will. We could experience spiritual famine when we begin to seek mediums, wizards and the dead for revelation instead of God (Isaiah 8:19-22). Today some believers patronize prophetic horns where they could be told their problems. This is a step to spiritual famine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pride and arrogance on the part of the minister or a member can lead to spiritual famine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

God has respect for the humble and not the boastful. Wrong affinity or cleavage can lead to spiritual famine. When we go against the word of God in our choice of life partner or business partner or even friendship, spiritual famine soon set in. Having a critical spirit in things of God by complaints and faultfinding isa clear atmosphere for spiritual famine to set in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q3. WHAT ARE THE DANGERS ASSOCIATED WITH SPIRITUAL FAMINE? Ps.84:2; Joel 1:15-16; Jn.3:18.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is imperative for believers to know the dangers associated with spiritual famine, hence the need for its avoidance. One of the dangers associated with spiritual famine is spiritual weakness. Lack of the presence of God brings spiritual emptiness. It leads to a spiritual deficiency which is inability to operate as you ought to (Ps.84:2). It brings anguish and sadness to the spirit. Next is loss of hope and joy. The scripture says \u201c\u2026In thy presence if fullness of joy; at thy right hand are pleasures for evermore\u201d. On the other hand, in the absence of God, there is loss of hope and joy (Joel 1:16). Another danger is that it exposes one to satanic attacks. Spiritual famine removes God\u2019s covering and makes one vulnerable to satanic attacks. This is because satan attacks when one is weak and powerless and out of fellowship with God. It results in blindness and lack of spiritual discernment, without which the church would be doomed to accept anything that appears attractive to the mind. Spiritual famine can lead to eternal destruction. Anybody who fails to believe and obey the word of the Lord will face eternal destruction as stated in the gospel. (Jn.3:18).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q4. WHAT ARE THE REMEDIES TO SPIRITUAL FAMINE? Jn.15:14; 1Thess.5:19<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The remedies to spiritual famine are not far-fetched, if we can accept His word and do whatever He tells in Jn.15:14, the lord Jesus tells us that we are His friends, if we do whatever He commands us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

God cannot deny us His blessings neither will He abandon us, nor refuse to speak to us if we obey Him whole-heartedly. In addition, we must not ignore our fellowship with the Holy Spirit. We must not quench the Spirit of God, rather we should ensure constant fellowship with Him (1 Thess.5:19). He becomes your friend when you make Him your friend by word and action. One of the most effective ways to cure spiritual famine is to engage in prayer and fasting. \u201cAs they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, now separate to me Barnabas and Saul for the work which I have called them\u201d (Acts 13:2). Also, one should be careful of the company or association one keeps, make godly choices and let humility rule one\u2019s spirit. Finally, be slow to reach negative conclusions about spiritual matters, give glory to God for accomplishment and avoid taking God for granted in any situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DAILY LIVING APPLICATION<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It is our obedience to His word that motivate God to speak and dwell in us. A child who obeys his father will always enjoy His blessings. If God must speak to us, we must continually open our hearts and ears to receive His words while He speaks. It is not enough to hear Him speak, but our readiness to carry out His instructions is very important. We should demonstrate love for His Name and by all means avoid anything that will not give God pleasure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MEMORY VERSE<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

James 1:22<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Monday: <\/strong>The Lord is with you while you be with Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2Chro.15:2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tuesday: <\/strong>Knowing the hope of your calling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eph.5:18<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wednesday: <\/strong>Hoping in His word. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ps.119:81<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thursday: <\/strong>Put away your iniquities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isa.59:1-2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Friday: <\/strong>Learn not the way of the heathen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jer.10:1-2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday: <\/strong>Follow after charity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1 Cor.13:1-7.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

CENTRAL THOUGHT Seek the Lord and be blessed. HYMN: MORE ABOUT JESUS WOULD I KNOW. TEXT: Amos 8:11-12; Lam.2:9; Jer.6:10 INTRODUCTION The church needs preachers today like prophets of old, with power and honesty on our pulpits. Sadly, men like Amos, Jeremiah and Habakkuk are rare indeed. When we give ourselves to please the crowd […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3594,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3593","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sundayschool"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/maxresdefault.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3593","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3593"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3593\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3595,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3593\/revisions\/3595"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3594"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3593"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3593"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3593"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}