"Intake Determines Output"

I grew up in West Texas where cotton is the major crop. While recently visiting my hometown, I heard much of the same talk I heard growing up: the cotton crop! I listened to one farmer friend of mine talk of how he got all stalk and little cotton. Not once did the farmer blame the stalk for the lack of cotton!!

As my mind went toward the word of God, I thought about the stalk how it can never produce the cotton. God produces the cotton on the stalk. Let me explain. A stalk will only produce in direct proportion to what it brings in as far as nutrient. The intake always determines the output! That's the nature of growing anything. The more the nutrients, the more fruit. I have never heard of one farmer blame the stalk during the time of drought! The stalk is at the mercy of the intake. The intake always determines the output!

In Eph. 3:14-21, Paul prayers for those in Christ to take in the proper nutrients. Notice the strength that comes from the Spirit to our inner man (v.16). Christ is to dwell in our hearts through faith (v.17). We are to be rooted and grounded in His love. It's all about intake. Intake will determine the output! Something from God is feeding us as we respond in our faith. We are told to "...be filled with the Spirit." (Eph. 5:18) "To be filled" is not some miraculous happening or feeling that comes over you. The word "filled" means "to be influenced or controlled by." By following God with all your heart, yielding to His will and not yours, it allows Him to control your attitudes and actions. As we grow to know more of the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge (v.19) the result: "That you may be filled up to all the fullness of God." You can have all of Christ you want to take in. The ability to overcome, to grow is ours for the taking. Our intake always determines the output!

A true relationship with Christ is not a "self-help" program or some "self-improvement" course. It's not the pursuit of man's ideas or anything people (especially preachers) try to coerce us into following. When we are pointed away from Christ and being rooted in Him and Him alone, the output will be fleshly...all us! After a while, you will quit because it wears you out. Why do so many get worn to a frazzle? Why do so many find themselves stressed? Why is walking with the Lord such a burden and people quit? There is no power because...intake always determines the output!