SPIRITUAL MEAL PLAN

So, a day before I started preparing for this teaching, I asked my partner to prepare a meal plan for me. You see, my stomach has started coming out (I promise, it started coming out on its own accord), and I needed to change my diet to tackle the pot belly.

Having a meal plan is very necessary for me to get back in shape.

I realised there was a problem (potbelly), I discovered a solution (eating right), then I set about fixing the problem (meal plan).

“If you wanted to build a building, you would first sit down and decide how much it would cost. You must see if you have enough money to finish the job. If you don’t do that, you might begin the work, but you would not be able to finish. And if you could not finish it, everyone would laugh at you. They would say, ‘This man began to build, but he was not able to finish.’ Luke 14:28-30 ERV

If you want to build a tower, what do you do? You sit down and decide how much it will cost; how many bags of cement? how many litres of water do you need? which architectural firm will handle it? how many loads of gravel? etc.

If you don't make these plans, you won't be able to finish it, eventually making yourself a subject of ridicule

If you want to lose or gain weight, you need a meal plan, even before you hit the gym. Questions like; what do I eat in the morning? how many calories of food do I have for breakfast? What kinds of food do I stay away from? Will I continue to eat Amala at night? etc, would come up.

These questions are important as you draw out your meal plan. Once the meal plan is set, you follow it strictly to get the desired results.

This principle is also applicable to our spiritual life

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4 NIV - Man shall not live by bread alone, he will also live by every word that comes from the mouth of God.

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 1 Peter 2:2 NIV - Crave spiritual milk and nourish your soul, so you can grow

In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Hebrews 5:12-14 NIV - You start from taking milk, then you grow to take solid food, food meant for adults.

Now, these Scriptures aren't referring to swallow or Peak milk and the likes. These are not physical foods, rather, these are foods that you feed your spirit man. That you have glowing skin or shiny white teeth does not mean you are a giant in the spirit. As you nourish yourself physically, you must nourish yourself spiritually.

If you are not particular about what you eat physically, you either starve, get deformed (kwashiorkor and the likes), get obese, or might even die. The same thing happens to your spirit if you are not particular about what you eat spiritually. If you are not nourished properly spiritually, the effects are also the same. You wouldn't want to starve or die spiritually.

The thing is, one way or the other, your spirit is being fed. Whether you like it or not, your spirit is being fed. A spiritual meal plan helps you to feed your spirit appropriately.

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11. If you don't hide the word of God in your heart, something else will occupy it, and that thing will make you sin. There is no vacuum in the spirit.

Remember the story of that person that was healed of a demon? The demon went about then came back and found it empty. He went and brought more wicked demons to occupy that person's life. You must be deliberate about feeding your spirit. You cannot allow yourself to starve spiritually. If you don't feed it what you are supposed to, something else will feed it and the results will not be pretty.

Having a spiritual meal plan is the first step to nourishing your inner man and growing in the spirit. You want to add muscles or lose fat, you sit down and plan your diet. You don't just eat everything you see. With time, the results are evident. The same applies to your spirit.

Do you have a spiritual meal plan?

“Then the Lord said to me, “Write my answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others.” Habakkuk 2:2 NLT

Write it plainly on tablets.

Then the runner will carry the correct message.

I like NASB's version:

Then the Lord answered me and said,

“Write down the vision

And inscribe it clearly on tablets,

So that one who reads it may run

1. Write it down

2. Make it clear and easily understandable, make it simple

3. Then he who reads it may take action

That is the formula for our spiritual growth

1. Write down where you want to be with God; your spiritual goal

2. Also write down how you want to get there. What do you need to do? How many calories will take you to your goal? How often do you have to drink water? etc

3. Take action

4. Growth

We pray every evening on this group and you gladly join. But for some of us, if there is no corporate Zoom prayer, we are not praying for that day. NSPPD, Next Level Prayers, Word Alive daily prayers are superb, but do you have your own prayer time?

If there is no network to connect to these prayers, do you have time to pray on your own? Do you have a personal Bible study time?

Do you have moments where it is just you and God? We share daily on this group, you read and you are okay for the day. What happens when no one shares? Unknowingly, we have outsourced our spiritual growth. It will not benefit you in the long run.

“When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures.” Luke 4:16 NLT

He went as usual to the synagogue. That was his usual practice. That means that at a particular time and place, you will catch Jesus at the synagogue.

Daniel always prayed to God three times every day. Three times every day, he bowed down on his knees to pray and praise God. Even though Daniel heard about the new law, he still went to his house to pray. He went up to the upper room of his house and opened the windows that faced toward Jerusalem. Then Daniel bowed down on his knees and prayed just as he always had done. Daniel 6:10 ERV

Daniel always prayed to God three times every day. Everyday. Whether he was happy, sad, under pressure, busy, not busy, when the enemies are on his neck, when his enemies are happy with him, when the king is happy, when the king is not happy, in snow, winter and summer, Daniel stuck to his meal plan of praying three times a day.

“Paul and Silas then traveled through the towns of Amphipolis and Apollonia and came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue.” Acts of the Apostles 17:1 NLT

Verse two says, As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, As was his custom!!

“But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.” Luke 5:16 NLT

Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer. Na normal thing for Jesus.

These are examples of having meal plans and sticking to it. Having a spiritual meal plan helps you to plan, to focus, to be consistent. Don't plan it in your head. Write it down, set alarms, find space, create space

Your spiritual growth is VERY important. You cannot treat it with levity.

As your physical meal plan contains what you should and should not eat, there are some important elements that should be present in your spiritual meal plan.

1. Hearing the Word of God.

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17

You must create time to hear the word of God. From the church, on Word Alive, in your other Christian groups, on YouTube, on the radio, as you drive, as you walk, etc. Make sure you include hearing God's word in your plan.

2. Reading and studying God's word

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2Timothy3:16-17

In your meal plan, include time to read and study. Know God for yourself. Learn from the Bereans, study the scriptures for yourself. Create time for it. Set an alarm. A verse today, a chapter tomorrow, a whole book next week; be consistent with Bible study.

3. Meditation and Memorisation

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 NIV

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8 NIV

As you set up your spiritual meal plan, factor in time to meditate on the Scriptures. Think about it, murmur it. Do not assume you will find the time. Create time for it.

Remember, your spirit is being fed one way on the other. If you are not deliberate about what you feed yourself, something else will fill it, starving you, deforming you and eventually killing you spiritually.

4. Praise and Worship

Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Heb 13:15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.

To your meal plan, add praise and worship. Create time where you just worship your Father. Do not be an ingrate.

As I mentioned, crafting a spiritual plan helps you in many ways. You want consistency, you want action, a spiritual meal plan helps you with these.

5. All Manners of Prayers

Mark 1:35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. NIV

Luke 5: 16 And he withdrew himself into the wilderness and prayed. KJV

Jude 1:20 20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, KJV

Your meal plan should include prayers. All manner of prayers. Find time to pray.

Yes, you can pray anywhere and anytime. But like Daniel that had times of prayer and Jesus that withdrew to pray in the dark, find a time you withdraw from everything to pray. Find a convenient time. It could be in the morning, evening or night or midnight. Set an alarm. Go to the toilet. Lock up yourself and pray. Let God know that at a particular time, my child will be praying.

6. Thanksgiving 

Psalm 95: 1-2 O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. KJV

1st Thes 5:18 18 In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. KJV

In your spiritual meal plan, thanksgiving should be included. God has been good to you and He will always be good. Create time to give thanks

 7. Sharing

Heb 13:16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

 You know how good it is to share food and drinks with family and loved ones? As you draft your meal plan, never forget to share. Share what you have learned, share your testimonies, journal your thoughts and inspirations, and preach the Gospel. You will grow. Also, the community you build along the way will help you in your journey.

Now, as a balanced diet contains the appropriate classes of food you need to live a healthy life, so your spiritual meal plan should contain the elements listed above. They are elements of a balanced spiritual diet. As I said earlier, you must be deliberate about your spiritual growth. You leave too much at stake if you take in rubbish. You leave too much at stake if you take in crumbs. You leave too much at stake if you don't take in a balanced diet.

Take out your book now and create your plan.

You don't have to start big of course. You will want to build consistency. It is better to consistent with 20 minutes of daily prayers than praying for 1 hour every other week. Remember, be deliberate. Create time to eat well. Create time for God.

Be consistent. Feed your spirit daily.

There are times you will miss it. Don't relent. Don't give up. Continue the next day

Never stray away from your plan. As you grow deeper and stronger, update the plan. Pray more, study more, share more, worship more...grow!

A balanced spiritual diet is sure to keep your spirit well nourished; it all starts with having a spiritual meal plan. Take out your book, write down the vision (plan), make it plain, break it down, make it simple enough, run after and practice it. Then watch your life turn around.

Contribution from Remi

I want to add that, if you forget and skip a meal in real life, you don't stop eating or decide you won't eat again for the rest of your life. So as believers, our spiritual meal plan should not be thrown out because we missed one meal. You can readjust your meal plan as you go.

You forget to eat today, wake up hungry tomorrow. In fact, there are days I will fight anybody that eats my rice from yesterday (Lol). I want to eat everything together with today's meal.

So as we pray for help, pray for hunger. 

Be hungry 

Hunger is a reminder that you have to eat.

Also, die hunger for things that do not benefit you.