The Straight Up Word: New Recipes
For I testify to everyone who hears the Words of the prophecy of this Book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this Book; and if anyone takes away from the Words of the Book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the Holy City, and from the things which are written in this Book.
Revelation 22:18-19 (NKJV)
You shall not add to the Word which I command you, nor take from It, that you may keep the Commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.
Deuteronomy 4:2 (NKJV)
Every Word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His Words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.
Proverbs 30:5-6 (NKJV)
Some churches are like “Wordway Restaurants”:
Known by crosses on their locations, and…
Fun-to-eat, easy-to-swallow sermons:
Made with processed bread, pseudo-meat products,
Crunchy chips of truth, cookies on the side…
And topped off with your favorite soda.
Each restaurant competes for customers, so the chefs (pastors) have to be GOOD COOKS!
NOTE: Getting back to the white-ish processed bread (which holds yummy sandwiches together)... Consider this detailed comparison of whole-grain bread to common Wordway bread:
“Bread is made out of flour that comes from grain kernels--usually wheat. A grain kernel has three parts: the bran, the endosperm, and the germ (so-called because it's the part of the kernel that germinates into a new plant).
Whole grains contain all parts of the grain kernel. But refined grains, like the flour used to make white bread, have had the fiber-dense bran and the nutrient-rich germ processed out, leaving only the starchy endosperm.' *
Now consider two descriptions of Jesus:
'In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God' (John 1:1); 'And the Word became Flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth' (John 1:14).
'I am the Bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst' (John 6:35).
Should the Bread of Life be reduced to starch? Surely, Jesus can NEVER be reduced, which leads me to an unsettling question:
If Jesus Christ will NEVER be reduced, if He will Never be cut or “processed”, does the Holy Spirit choose to attend congregations where The Word is altered?
Actors, models, and talent for Christ: Be discerning!
How can you know if you’re served “processed” food? Anything less than the pure Bread of Life? Or in media terms… a bad edit?
Continue to study the Straight-Up Word. Focus on the Words of Jesus Himself.
The Straight Up Word: New Recipes (Part 2)
* Simple explanation of whole wheat v. white bread: http://kidshealth.org/teen/expert/nutrition/whole_grain_bread.html
NOTE: This is a 2023 update of a 2013 Carey Lewis Devotion. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players. Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.