Yesterday, my little business of doing internet service for the Amish (and others who do not have the internet), took us real close to the HUGE smorgasbord restaurant called Shady Maple. Eating out is something we rarely do and the 3 youngest boys were never there, so Dave thought it would be a fun treat. The food selection is tremendous and a person hardly knows where to begin, and unfortunately, end. Approximately 1000 people are served everyday, coming from far and wide to eat at this elaborate restaurant. The boys enjoyed the experience and we had a good time together.
I contemplated this "smorgasbord" way of eating for the rest of the day, however, and a verse kept coming up in my head......."whose God is their belly...whose God is their belly....whose God is their belly." What did the apostle Paul mean in Philippians 3:19 when he says (starting at verse 18), "For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ; Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly , and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things?" Who are the enemies of the cross? 1.) those whose end is eternal punishment, 2.) those whose God is their belly, (those who worship their desires by surrendering themselves to gluttony, which means "habit or act of eating too much" or any other uncontrolled lusts.) 3.) their "glory" or reputation is in their shame. 4.) those whose minds are constantly on earthly things and not Heavenly things. I am thinking about this and wondering if food has become my God........and where is the point of being gluttonous? I know this is not a popular subject in our day, especially when you have places like Shady Maple. I believe, though, that it is more important to God than we think it is. Maybe we should take a serious look to see if we are pleasing Him in our eating habits or if we have become an enemy of the cross. I once posted on facebook a quote that I really like and it applies here.."the truth will set you free, but first it will make you miserable". My flesh does NOT want to know the truth of this sin, for then I have to deny myself and teach my children about denying themselves, but my spirit longs to be free from all earthly bondage, including eating.
One thing that IS pleasing to God is our boldness in proclaiming the cross of Jesus Christ and we were so encouraged today when we looked out the restaurant window and saw this......
On the cross were carved sins such as envy, homosexuality, pornography, rebellion, abuse, witchcraft, abortion, pride, greed, lust, unbelief......can't remember them all. Wow! May we all be so obvious and bold in our stand for Jesus Christ, as the owner of this truck is.
Until next time................
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