Part One: Cry and Feed Greetings to you in the powerful and matchless name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. To Him be all praise and honor, now and forever. Amen. This is the first in a series of teachings specifically prepared for those who have recently come to faith in Christ. If you are a new believer—or if someone close to you has recently received Jesus as Lord and Savior—these teachings will be of great value and encouragement to you. What Does It Mean to Be Saved? When we talk about being “saved,” we are referring to being born again—a spiritual rebirth that Jesus spoke of in John 3:3: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (ESV) This new birth involves several essential steps: Genuine repentance from sin and a wholehearted turning away from the ways of the world (Acts 3:19). Baptism by immersion in water as a public testimony of faith and obedience to Christ (John 3:23; Romans 6:4). Receiving the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38), who indwells and empowers the believer. When these foundational steps are followed, a person has indeed experienced spiritual rebirth. But that is only the beginning of the journey. Salvation Is the Beginning, Not the End Unfortunately, many new believers assume that once they’ve repented and been baptized, their spiritual growth is complete. They stop there, not realizing that being born again makes them spiritual infants—alive, yes, but in need of nurture and growth. You can be born again and still be spiritually immature—or worse, spiritually lifeless, if you do not begin to grow. Just as a newborn baby enters the world fragile and dependent, so it is with those newly born in Christ. And just like physical babies, spiritual infants must demonstrate two vital signs of life: They must cry. They must feed. Let’s explore these two signs. 1. Cry: The First Sign of Life When a baby is born, it is common for the midwife or doctor to give the child a gentle stimulus so they let out a cry. That cry is crucial—it is evidence that the baby is alive and breathing. A silent baby is a concern; a crying baby is a sign of vitality. The same is true spiritually. When someone is truly born again, there is an inward cry from the heart—a longing for God, a hunger to understand, a desire to know the One who saved them. It may not be fully understood by the new believer, but mature Christians will recognize it. This “cry” manifests as: An eagerness to attend church. A restlessness until one learns how to pray. A burden to understand the Bible. A deep desire for fellowship and spiritual guidance. As spiritual mothers and fathers in the faith, we must recognize this cry and respond, just as a mother does to her crying child. 2. Feed: The Need for Spiritual Nourishment After the cry comes the feeding. A newborn instinctively knows how to suckle when brought to the mother’s breast. No one teaches the baby how to do it—it’s natural. Likewise, the new believer has a natural need to feed on the Word of God, which is referred to in Scripture as spiritual milk. “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation.”—1 Peter 2:2 (ESV) This feeding is essential. Without it, the believer cannot grow. A baby that doesn’t feed will become weak and vulnerable. So it is in the spiritual realm. Believers who neglect God’s Word and fellowship begin to regress, becoming easy targets for temptation, confusion, and spiritual deception. Let’s look at a biblical example of this principle in action—the story of baby Moses. Biblical Illustration: The Cry of Moses In Exodus 2:6, we read about the birth of Moses and how he was hidden by his mother to protect him from Pharaoh’s decree. When she could hide him no longer, she placed him in a basket and set him afloat on the Nile. Pharaoh’s daughter discovered the basket and heard something that moved her heart: “She opened it and saw the child, and behold, the baby was crying. She took pity on him and said, ‘This is one of the Hebrews’ children.’”—Exodus 2:6 (ESV) The baby was crying—and that cry saved his life. It stirred compassion in Pharaoh’s daughter, who then arranged for Moses’ own mother to nurse him. This act of divine providence led to Moses being raised in Pharaoh’s palace, and eventually, he became the great deliverer of Israel. Had Moses remained silent, his life might have ended there. But because he cried, he was fed, nurtured, and prepared for God’s greater purpose. A Word of Caution to the New Believer If you claim to be born again, but you show no interest in the things of God, no desire for prayer, no hunger for the Word, and no longing for fellowship with believers—you may be spiritually dead or dangerously asleep. Avoid isolation. Don’t disappear from your spiritual leaders or church family. Don’t let days or weeks pass without seeking spiritual nourishment or sharing your spiritual journey. Resist passivity with all your might. You are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)—begin to act like it. Crave the pure milk of God’s Word. Don’t wait for others to chase after you. Just as no one teaches a baby to cry or feed, your spiritual instincts should lead you to seek out nourishment and growth. “Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches.”—Galatians 6:6 (ESV) Final Encouragement So, dear new believer, remember these two vital signs of spiritual life: Cry and Feed. Long for God. Seek His Word. Draw near to your spiritual family. These are the early steps toward a strong, fruitful, and mature Christian life. May the Lord strengthen and guide you as you grow. Shalom.
What is Barrenness? Barrenness refers to anything—things, efforts, or people—that fail to produce results or reach their full potential. It’s like having something that exists but doesn’t work or bear fruit. For example, when we say someone’s arm is “withered,” it means the arm is there but cannot function properly, almost like it’s dead. Similarly, not all coconuts from a palm tree are useful—some are dry and useless. These dry ones are what we call “barrenness,” even though they look like coconuts. Biblical Examples of Barrenness Revelation 6:12-14 compares the Day of the Lord to a fig tree shaken by a strong wind, causing unripe fruit (barrenness) to fall off. Just as some fruit never ripens and eventually falls, so on that day, God will remove everything unproductive. 2 Kings 2:19-22 tells the story of Elisha healing bad water that caused the land to be unproductive (barren). After Elisha put salt into the water, it became pure and the land started producing again. Job 15:32 also references barrenness, showing it’s a well-known concept. Does Barrenness Still Exist Today? Yes. For example: A woman who keeps miscarrying might be experiencing spiritual or natural barrenness. Someone working hard for a long time without success is facing barrenness. You may put effort into something good, but it never really succeeds. You might have spiritual gifts that don’t bear any fruit. What’s the Solution? There are two important steps, and the first one must come before the second for real change to happen. Step 1: Being “Salted” Just like Elisha added salt to the water, you need to be spiritually “salted” to remove barrenness from your life. Here, “salt” means the Word of God—not physical salt or anointing oil. It’s a symbol of spiritual purification and power. Jesus said in Mark 9:47-49 that if something in your life causes you to sin, remove it, even if it hurts, because it’s better to lose part of yourself than to be destroyed spiritually. He finishes by saying, “Everyone will be salted with fire,” meaning the process of purification involves challenges and sacrifice. What does this “cutting off” or “salting” look like? Bad friends: Friends who lead you into sin or discourage your dreams are like poison. Avoid them even if it’s painful. Wrong jobs or habits: If you rely on dishonest or illegal work and expect God’s blessing, that won’t happen. Change your ways. Anything that separates you from God: This includes attitudes, actions, or attachments that make you spiritually unclean. In short: True transformation begins when you fully commit to following Jesus Christ. Take up your cross daily and surrender your life to Him. This is the key to removing barrenness. Step 2: Prayer for Healing After you’ve committed your life to Jesus and are willing to remove all sin and bad influences, pray for God’s healing in your life. Here is a prayer you can say in faith: “Dear God, I know that without You, I cannot produce anything good. I come before You, asking for forgiveness for all my sins. I confess that Jesus is my Lord and Savior, and I want to follow Him fully. Please make me a new person and write my name in Your Book of Life. I accept Your Word as salt in my life to purify me. Help me to leave behind all bad habits, people, and things that do not please You, no matter what the cost. Heal me now, especially in this area of barrenness (mention your area). Thank You, Lord Jesus, for healing me. I pray this in faith. Amen.” After praying: Believe that God has already started working in your life. Show your faith by avoiding sinful behavior and living a life devoted to Jesus. These are the last days, so draw closer to God every day. God bless you. Amen. If you want, I can also help you create a shorter summary or a version suited for sharing in conversation or teaching. Would you like that?
ChatGPT said: Certainly! Here’s a clearer, logically organized, and theologically enriched version of your document with carefully chosen Bible verses from the English Standard Version (ESV), which is widely respected for accuracy and clarity: Understanding Barrenness: What It Is and How to Overcome It What Is Barrenness? Barrenness, biblically speaking, refers to a state of unfruitfulness or failure to produce the intended spiritual or physical results. It is a condition where potential is present but remains unfulfilled. The term “barrenness” comes from the concept of being withered or unproductive. For example, when Scripture speaks of a withered arm (like in the case of the man healed by Jesus in Luke 13:11-13), it implies an organ that is present but unusable. Similarly, some fruit on a tree remains unripe or withered and falls off without yielding fruit. Biblical Foundations of Barrenness Revelation 6:12-14 (ESV):“When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood,and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale.The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.” Here, the Day of the Lord is likened to a fig tree shaking off its unripe fruit—the “barrenness” that never matures. This metaphor illustrates God’s judgment removing all unfruitfulness and imperfection. 2 Kings 2:19-22 (ESV):“And the men of the city said to Elisha, ‘Behold, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees, but the water is bad, and the land is unfruitful.’He said, ‘Bring me a new bowl, and put salt in it.’ So they brought it to him.Then he went to the spring of water and threw salt into it and said, ‘Thus says the Lord, I have healed this water; from now on neither death nor unfruitfulness shall come from it.’And the water has been healed to this day, according to the word that Elisha spoke.” This passage demonstrates a divine act of purification and restoration. The salt symbolizes God’s Word and power that cleanse spiritual and physical barrenness, resulting in life and productivity. Job 15:32 (ESV) references barrenness as a condition of failure and loss, underscoring its recognition in ancient Scripture. Does Barrenness Exist Today? Yes, barrenness is not only physical but also spiritual and practical: Women may experience repeated miscarriages (physical barrenness). Individuals may labor long without seeing success (spiritual or practical barrenness). One may have spiritual gifts or callings without fruitfulness in God’s Kingdom. Projects, relationships, or ministries that never come to fruition reflect barrenness. The Theological Solution to Barrenness Step 1: Being Salted with the Word of God In the Old Testament, salt was used for purification and preservation (Leviticus 2:13, Ezekiel 16:4). Spiritually, being “salted” means being purified, sanctified, and empowered by God’s Word. Elisha’s act of putting salt into the water is symbolic of the cleansing power of God’s Word (Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”). Jesus taught about salt in: Mark 9:47-49 (ESV):“And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell,where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.For everyone will be salted with fire.” Here, Jesus emphasizes the necessary spiritual discipline and purification required to enter God’s Kingdom. “Salted with fire” speaks of trials, purification through suffering, and cleansing from sin. Practical Application of Being Salted: Cut off harmful influences: Remove friendships or associations that pull you away from God (1 Corinthians 15:33 – “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.’”). Reject sinful practices: If your livelihood or habits oppose God’s commands, repent and change (Proverbs 3:5-6). Commit fully to Christ: Take up your cross daily (Luke 9:23) and live a sanctified life. Step 2: Prayer and Faith for Healing After committing to repentance and holiness, pray fervently for healing and fruitfulness. Sample Prayer of Faith: “Heavenly Father, I recognize that without You, I can do nothing (John 15:5). I come to You in humility, asking for forgiveness for my sins and failures.I confess Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and surrender my life fully to Him.Please write my name in the Book of Life (Revelation 3:5) and purify me with Your Word.Help me to remove all sin, bad influences, and barrenness from my life.Heal me in the area of (mention your specific issue), and make me fruitful in Your Kingdom.I receive Your healing by faith and thank You for Your grace and mercy in Jesus’ name, Amen.” Living Out Your Victory Having prayed, walk in faith by: Avoiding sin and influences that cause barrenness. Living a life of obedience and daily surrender. Increasing your intimacy with God through prayer, Scripture, and fellowship. These are critical in these last days as Jesus draws near (Hebrews 10:25, James 4:8). May God richly bless you and bring forth fruitfulness in every area of your life. Amen.