Rev. Chris Oyakhilome Dsc. Dsc. DD.
CRAVE THE WORD WITH PASSION AND INTENSITY
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ… (2 Peter 3:18).
1 Peter 2:1-2 says, “Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.” This gives a remarkable insight as to how to grow spiritually and the kind of life you ought to be living. You’re to put away every trace of wickedness, deceit, insincerity, pretence, envy, and slander.
The Living Bible renders it beautifully: “So get rid of your feelings of hatred. Don’t just pretend to be good! Be done with dishonesty and jealousy and talking about others behind their backs” (1 Peter 2:1). Rather than continue in these things, God instructs, “…desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2). He wants you to grow up in your salvation.
Now that you have received Christ, have a strong desire for the Word. Long to grow in the things of God. Crave the Word of God with intensity and delight. I’ve met many people over the years who had such a deep desire to grow. They were hungry for the Lord. They asked questions, searched the Scriptures, attended church services regularly, and yearned to learn. It’s always a beautiful thing to behold.
Have a heartfelt, continuous craving for the Word. Colossians 3:16 says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Let your appetite for the Word be insatiable. Like Job, esteem and desire the Word more than your necessary food (Job 23:12). Make it your delight, and as a result, whatsoever you do will prosper (Read Psalm 1:1-3). Hallelujah! That’s the will of God for you.
PRAYER
Dear Father, thank you for your Word that builds me up and establishes me in the faith. By your Word, I grow up into the fullness of my salvation, strong, unshakable and fruitful in every good work; prosperous and in health, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
If you’re blessed by this devotional, believing every words you heard by faith in your heart, and would love to make Jesus the lord of your life, then speak the confessions below out loud, and mean them with your heart:
“O Lord God, I believe with all my heart in Jesus Christ, Son of the living God. I believe He died for me and God raised Him from the dead. I believe He’s alive today. I confess with my mouth that Jesus Christ is the Lord of my life from this day. Through Him and in His Name, I have eternal life; I’m born again. Thank you Lord, for saving my soul! I’m now a child of God. Hallelujah!”
If you just said the prayer of salvation, we have a free gift for you, but first kindly click on this link, so we can connect with you, and help you grow in Christ.
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FURTHER STUDY
1 Peter 2:1–2 (AMPC)
1 So be done with every trace of wickedness (depravity, malignity) and all deceit and insincerity (pretense, hypocrisy) and grudges (envy, jealousy) and slander and evil speaking of every kind.
2 Like newborn babies you should crave (thirst for, earnestly desire) the pure (unadulterated) spiritual milk, that by it you may be nurtured and grow unto completed salvation.
Hebrews 5:12–14 (KJV)
12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Colossians 3:16 (KJV)
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Joshua 1:8 (KJV)
8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
James 4:13-17;
James 5:1-20;
Ezekiel 24-26
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
John 13:21-30;
1 Chronicles 21
