The concept of spiritual food is vital for growth and maturity in faith. The apostle Paul expressed frustration at the chronic dependency in congregations, noting to the Corinthians that he fed them with milk and not solid food because they were not ready to receive it, remaining carnal. Similarly, to the Hebrews, he indicated that they were not equipped to feed themselves, unable to discern the sacred from the profane. Many have lost their appetite for solid spiritual food, becoming dependent on spiritual milk or even needing intravenous feeding, and must learn to wean themselves from this state to profit from weightier matters. Spiritual dependency, likened to baby-bird syndrome, is a lamentable state where individuals wait passively for nourishment rather than actively seeking God's Word. If Sabbath services are the only source of spiritual feeding, starvation is inevitable. Without an overriding purpose for existence, there is no reason to sustain life or appetite for solid food, as seen in those who lost vision after changes in belief systems and struggled to endure. A balanced spiritual diet consists of carbohydrates and proteins. Carbohydrates, like individual scriptures from sermons, provide immediate fuel, while proteins, akin to God's Holy Spirit, transform isolated facts into eternal principles, giving structure and understanding. Without this structure, knowledge remains without depth, as scriptures alone are of little value unless linked by spiritual principles. God's truth, scattered throughout Scripture, requires effort to connect, emphasizing the need for both knowledge and understanding to live not by bread alone but by every word of God. Preparing spiritual food involves preserving and storing it properly. Taking notes and storing spiritual preserves ensures sustenance during a famine of the Word. Failing to prepare and dress meat in due season leads to decay, highlighting the importance of active engagement over passive reception. The necessity of storing spiritual preserves became evident during times of spiritual starvation, where many had not prepared and struggled until led to suitable pastureland by faithful shepherds. Having resources is not enough; they must be used and assimilated through daily Bible study, which sustains life like manna. A true spiritual appetite requires active participation in God's work. Jesus declared that His food is to do the will of Him who sent Him and to finish His work. Engaging in the harvest, preparing the bride for Christ, and serving in small groups builds a robust appetite. Without involvement in this spiritual harvest, the hunger for God's Word diminishes, and the Scriptures become overly familiar, leading to a loss of deep yearning. The key to developing and sustaining a mature spiritual appetite lies in applying oneself to the will and work of God.

Physical food sustains our bodies, providing maintenance, energy, and enjoyment, but Jesus Christ declared that His words are life, offering eternal life and a quality of life unattainable elsewhere. His Word, entering into the mind, is crucial for eternal life, and we must strive to keep it pure, clean, and wholesome. Physical food does not commend us to God, possessing no inherent spiritual value, yet this does not negate the importance of food laws. These laws symbolize the need to ingest what is clean and pure into our minds, directly affecting our character and spirituality. The principle of food laws, applied in their spirit, underscores their significance, as they guide us to avoid taking in corrupting influences, ensuring that what enters our heart aligns with God's purpose. From the beginning, God has shown through these laws the importance of striving to put the cleanest content into our minds, for what goes in shapes what comes out in our decisions and actions.

The growing trend of downloading material from the Internet extends into religion, raising concerns about the kind of spiritual food being offered. If such content is simply obtained online for a small fee, it mirrors the pervasive fast food of our culture, lacking true nutritive value. Under the New Covenant, sacrifices remain essential, not as animal offerings, but as praise, thanksgiving, doing good, sharing, and daily dying to self by subjugating personal desires to serve others. These offerings demand forethought and preparation. As the Passover season approaches, it is vital to examine whether the offerings made are the best, or if they are metaphorically blemished, crippled, stolen, or second-rate, desiring that God will accept them on His altar and bring joy in His house of prayer.