Comfort Food

I enjoy cooking for my family and for those who can appreciate the flavors as well as the labor of cooking from scratch. The style of cooking for me isn't specific to one type. I like fresh food where the flavors merry well and when one has finished the meal he/she isn't looking for more 10-20 minutes later. The meals I serve are satisfying.

Satisfying an appetite is so different then trying to comfort someone with food. I recall as a child coming home from school distressed because the bully antagonizing me in the 4th grade happened to be my teacher. Eventually I would tell my mother while we were out shopping. As I was telling her, she took me to an ice cream parlor (as they were once called). Was it intentional? I have no idea. Whether she had her childhood issues resolved that way or it was something she read, it seemed to have worked out for the best, though it wasn't the ice cream and I knew that. Nevertheless, when the term, "comfort food" was introduced, I had come into adulthood. Without defining the term, instinctively it seemed all that heard it, knew what it meant.

Over the years, "comfort foods" have developed into a style and is now a part of pop culture. Having its roots coming from the 40's and 50's, we understand that the food was mostly made from carbohydrates and fat. The food was created back in that fashion to fill a family to satisfaction. Today it is not something we consume daily due to the high fat content. Still, with relationship problems, distresses on the job, and daily issues with life, people tend to gravitate towards what will make them feel full, content, and satisfied like Momma use to make. There is a universal understanding that these foods are filling a psychological void; however, instead of getting the help that's needed, the calories still mound.

Now that the casserole, candy bar, cheeseburger, carton of ice cream, or whatever makes that sustaining feeling come about, is gone - did problems get resolved as well (John 4:13-14 AMP)? While shoveling those calories down, did some food fairy come along and make issues go away? As believers, I would like an explanation as to why food has been a comfort to you? Have you ever used the term? In using those words, would it be grievous to the Holy Spirit whom Jesus left to comfort us (Ephesians 4:29-30 AMP)?

We know that which the world does is not in the mannerisms by which we have been taught (James 4:4 AMP). We have been set aside as a peculiar nation (Deuteronomy 14:2 AMP). Embracing the peculiarities, we acknowledge that we also have a means to sustain us. We also have food by which we do get comforted. It does not cause us hurt, harm, or danger which the aforementioned could, if consumed in excessive amounts. The Word of God is life. We are made the light of the world and salt of the earth because of it (Matthew 5:12-14 AMP). We are content and satisfied because we know that in Him, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26 AMP). In Him it is already done. In Him we have the faith to keep us so not to complain or run to some means that will either be moth eaten, spoiled, or rusted through. We have a Comfort that is a constant (John 167-8 AMP).

Granted, with the babes in Christ, still on the milk of God's Word, they may have the tendency to reach back to that which is supposed to be dead. That is only because the babes in Christ have not learned anything new to replace that old (1 Corinthians 3:1-4 AMP). It is why the encouragement to keep going to church services and read the Word for yourself is paramount (Joshua 1:8 AMP). The children of God have learned more and will try his/her spiritual teeth on some of the meat but it still has to be repeated again and again in order for the child to sustain the new as good habits (Hebrews 5:11-14 AMP). Yet, the sons of God have skills and exercises their power in Christ. They have used the gifts that have been given and have no identity crisis at no time. The meat of the Word has been our sustenance for a long time and we have established ourselves as friends of God (James 2:21-24 AMP). Understand, these are levels of maturity in the faith. Macaroni and cheese doesn't come close to what we have in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:3-4 AMP).

Food Spoils, Not Children

I have heard grown people speak about children in a variety of ways. If they are good, there is some sort of tangible reward and for the moment it makes the child and parent feel compensated for their works. But if the child doesn't meet any of the adult's expectations, that one issue, work, behavior, or event, is expounded upon in detail. Words are spoken over and over. If the child is offended or angry, there is a possibility of the child speaking back harshly in defense or it is suppressed for someone weaker. In this, sticks and stones break bones but words can, in as much, kill the spirit of a child.

When a child has special priveleges because of the financial status of the parent, it is the training the child receives that takes him to social acceptability. Looking at the nurturing of the child from God's perspective, He tells us to state our case and remind Him of His Word (Isaiah 43:25-27 KJV). We know that He hears the prayers of the righteous (1 Peter 3:12 KJV). We know that it is our faith that pleases Him; and we also know that the answers to our prayers is yea and amen (2 Corinthians 1:18-20 KJV). So when we remind Him of the promises that He has for us in His Word. He answers yay and amen being delighted that we are using our faith which comes by hearing and hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17 KJV).

As babes in Christ, we want for nothing (Psalm 23:1 KJV). As children of God, we were taught how to deal with a spiritual walk in a world driven by a wallowing pool of self (flesh) (2 John 1:5-7 KJV) (Galatians 5:16 KJV). We are learning of scriptures, which pleases God because of our efforts; however, as sons of God, reaching some sort of maturity, having teeth to chew into the meat of the Word, God's expectations for us has changed because of that growth. The Word remains and now we can endure tests to see if we are moved by temptation or still in the faith (James 1:12-15 KJV). Will patience have her perfect work in entirety with us wanting nothing (James 1:4 KJV) or will we resent all of the time we put into a belief system that doesn't give immediate results?

When a child begins a statement, "but you said..." the parent has the obligation to fulfill what he/she said that would be done. Otherwise, why be a parent if all you intend to do is frustrate the child (Ephesians 6:4 KJV)? How do you expect for God to move and change matters for you when the seed you have sown in your child is resentment? The process God has for us leads to patience (Hebrews 12:1-14 KJV). We don't come out of the womb running.

So when a baby cries for food, attention, or to get a diaper changed - go do it! You are not spoiling him. You are meeting his expectations just as you would your Heavenly Father do for you. To do otherwise comes from the pit of hell causing deception, loss of favor in God, and pilfering from your blessing.

Much Is Given

As babes in the faith, remember when blessings would come by the arm loads? Just the mere thought of possibly liking something and God heard with a supply at the ready. Then we learned some things and adhering to what we learned from the Word; it required changes. Alright, alright, it really wasn't bad. In retrospect, we are now better off for going through it. Whether you know it or not, because of the steadfastness in the faith the promotion went from babe to child (Hebrews 5:13 KJV). Yup, a child of God. No more milk of the Word; we are looking to sink our teeth into the meat and potatoes of His Word (Hebrews 5:14 KJV).

These days ministries are filled because of the meat. This being the last days, ministers and the other 4 of the 5 fold ministry (Ephesians 4:10-13 KJV) must see things differently. Gone are the days of the congregation filled with babes. The milk is no longer enough. If the pastor cannot do better then what he/she has been preaching then it is best to consider merging with a pastor who can. Putting fear and guilt in a congregation so they can stay where they are and not grow in Him, when God doesn't do that, only tells of the ministry's disobedience.

The noise (hollering), whooping, handkerchief throwing, patting yourself on the back, asking the people - you don't hear me, and sermons of song hymnal titles doesn't help anymore. All of those theatrics is even watered down milk. God didn't give His children that.

Children grow into sons. When pastors get a barrage of questions instead of shrinking and avoiding them, the pastors should be pleased for doing such a good job (Colossians 4:6 KJV). (1 Peter 3:15 KJV)Now if there is difficulty in answering those questions, you haven't maintained the first rules and the sheep are doing more than the shepherd. This will cause the sheep to move to another flock.

Jesus said, "foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests but the Son of man has no where to lay His head"(Luke 9:58 KJV). It was taught in the vein of being poor because Jesus didn't have a place. That was wrong. Jesus came to help the church out of the mire of blood (animal sacrifices), despair (not having enough sacrifices to stay righteous), and into a new path (the new covenant). This knowledge retained helps the church to grow and be strengthened (Ephesians 4:14-16 KJV). Sonship of all believers allows the headship of Jesus to be. He would then have a place to lay His head.

There is nothing to fear. He already prepared a table (Psalms 23:5 KJV). Eat, let the body (of Christ)be enriched with the sustenance that He provided.