Genesis 47:12 “And Joseph nourished his father, and his brethren, and all his father’s household, with bread, according to their families.”

The word “nourish” means “to feed and cause to grow” and “to support; to maintain by feeding”.

“Nourish” and “nourishment” are absolutely crucial words in this world and also in Christianity.

Every single person on this planet requires physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual nourishment.

In every stage of life, from childhood to adulthood, in singleness and marriage, we all need to be nourished with food, love, support, care and instruction so that we can develop properly, mature, survive and thrive.

Maybe you’re familiar with the issues surrounding “malnutrition” that many people face in the world today?

Malnourishment happens when people do not get the sufficient nutrients into their body to have healthy, happy, strong, wholesome lives. And it is affecting many people worldwide and causing major health issues.
And that is really sad.

But malnutrition is also a serious problem in the Christian sphere also! One of the biggest problems in Christianity today is spiritual malnutrition.

It’s something I care about a lot, because all Christians desperately need nourishment in their walk with God. I do, and you do too!

It is God’s desire for every Christian to be fully nourished “Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith” so we can fully develop, strengthen, grow up and thrive as the children of God in this world.

The Bible has a lot to say about the importance of nourishment… and the source of nourishment also!

When Paul wrote to a young man in the ministry called Timothy, he told him how to nourish himself and the church “thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine”

Every good minister of Jesus Christ nourishes the congregation with the word of God! You’re not a good minister of Christ if you can’t! Because after all, the Bible is the spiritual food of the Christian, with complete nutrient profile required for our journey of faith.

And this is pictured in the Old Testament, where Joseph nourished not just his own family and entire extended family… but also the whole known world with the food he had stored up for the time of famine!

I actually looked up what Joseph (my name!) means last year, and it means “He/God shall add”… by God’s grace may we all be able to add meaningfully and eternally to other peoples lives just like Joseph did here in Genesis!

But maybe you are famished as a Christian… maybe you’re in desperate need of nutrient packed nourishment? … well, the Bible tells you where you can get it and stop this cycle of spiritual malnutrition which is affecting your growth in the Lord!

When you read the Bible, like Joseph in this picture, you are being nourished and you are storing up for the future, and hopefully over the years God has been storing up his word in your mind and heart so you have nourishment and can nourish others when they need it!

Jesus Christ cares deeply about his church being nourished (Ephesians 5:29, Colossians 2:19)… as Christians may we all be fully nourished by and able to nourish others with the words of truth.

Psalm 119:11 “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

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