Hungry Yet?

Hungry Yet?

And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” John 6:35 We know how to use physical bread. Whenever we are hungry we simply go and eat. Do we do that spiritually? Jesus said if we believe in Him, we will never be spiritually hungry or malnourished, for He is the “bread of life.” Every time we face a spiritual need, it is a simple matter of going to Christ and allowing Him to provide us with what we need. Our problem is that sometimes we interpret Scripture based on our own experience. We say, “Yes, but I remember a time when I was spiritually hungry.” If that is true, then either God did not tell the truth, or we misinterpreted our experience. Could it be that we tried to satisfy our spiritual hunger with human resources? Could it be that we relied so heavily upon friends and the experiences of others that we have never learned how to go to Christ for our own spiritual food? Could it be that we had a great spiritual feast several years ago, and we were so “full” of Christ that we thought we would never have to eat again? We grew lean and hungry because we were still operating on an encounter with God we had years ago. If you are lacking something spiritually, it is not because God does not have an abundance of resources prepared and available for you. It is that you have not come to Him in faith as He invites (John 10:10). When God gave manna in the wilderness, the children of Israel had to go out each day to receive God's daily provision. Jesus taught His disciples to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.” Spiritual nourishment is something you must seek daily. Have you found spiritual food from Christ today? - Blackaby Experiencing God Day by Day 

Nourishment and need...thinking on this and reading my Bible this was read today too.

Luke 18:15-17 "And they were bringing even their babies to Him so that He would touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they began rebuking them. But Jesus called for them, saying, “Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”

I know of people who struggle with much throughout their lives.  They claim that they are saved and yet struggle so much.  In all likelihood they probably are saved.  They just need to stop rejecting the manna that God has provided each day for them!

We live in a world where just about anyone can Google the Bible to begin reading it. We can download a whole Bible to Kindle in less than 20 seconds. That which took centuries to write. 

We try so hard to do things 'for God' that really aren't at all.  They are our wants wrapped up in a description of something for Jesus. 

Really, there's no excuse for not reading your Bible each day.  It's alive, it's food for your soul.   It's also convicting.  But also too it's commanded. We do want our wants to be met.  Given enough time we can even rival Perry Mason the famous fictional TV lawyer in presenting our case in our defense of those wants before God. 

We can also be the kind to think that we aren't worthy to ask God for anything.  Leaving untold blessings untouched in Heaven that were meant for us.  All because we didn't ask.  

But it all starts in our hearts. I find it interesting that all it takes is a pandemic to put a level playing field in the Church today.   Currently there are no megga-Churches. There are no small Churches.  The Church has returned to its roots.  It is back in the home. 

We will face things in life both good and bad, matters not if you are a believer in Jesus Christ or not.  The difference for the believer versus the unbeliever is who stands with them during it.

Read in Genesis of the daily food the Lord provided.  Read what Jesus said of praying for your daily bread.  Jesus knows what you need in life, it's up to you to come and get it.

My day doesn't start right without being in my Bible and my devotionals.  It's always an AND thing.  Never an OR thing.  There's no book written or will be written that can do only what the Bible can.  Jesus said apart from Me you can do nothing.  That was written in the Bible long before it was ever quoted outside of it.  You can read all kinds of devotionals or other Spiritual help books.  You can attend all kinds of groups that teach all kinds of Spiritual things.  But if the Bible isn't at the center.  You are doing nothing more that eating a bowl of sugary cereal that will give you a high then leave you hungry again. 

Spiritual Growth comes from real Spiritual food in the Spiritual world.  Not from people's opinions on it.

Not from Charles Stanley, not John McArther, not David Jeremiah.  Not any preacher with hundreds of books written. 

Growth in Christ comes only from the Spirit empowered book that is the Word of God. 

I think of that old hymn...

Oh soul are you weary and troubled 

No light in the darkness you see

Turn your eyes upon Jesus look full in His wonderful face.  And the things of Earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.

My dear reader.  If indeed the worries of this life are choking you...turn with all your heart...back to the source of your life.  The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword.  Able to divide soul and Spirit.  

No other book in the history of the planet can claim that!

Every single thing written in it will come to pass.  Anyone can write a book about the past and be 100% accurate.  Try writing it centuries in advance and still be 100% accurate. 

For those reading this who haven't come to Christ, think about how bone weary you really are.  You have been struggling your whole life to this day to live.  Jesus is your answer.  If you are truly honest with yourself you have no real peace in your life.  It's only found in Christ. 

For those struggling in this hour of humanity...go back to your Bible. Read again of how God delivers.  Find again that peace you forgot is yours. 

I struggle every day myself.  Don't get some impression that I have arrived.  These reminders to you are just as much for me.   

My sin nature is just as cunning, seductive, slick and deceitful as yours.  We really are our own worst enemy.  We can convince ourselves of just about anything being true when it isn't. 

There's times in many people's lives, like mine, when a Doctor tells you that bloodwork shows a deficiency in something, like Vitamin D. To get you back on track you are prescribed a prescription strength version of it to kick start your body.  Then after its complete you maintain it with what you can buy over the counter.  

Gorging yourself on Scripture will give you a lot but not what you need.  Sounds kind of counter to what I have been saying huh? No. It's really not.  Small plates of food are much more enjoyable than parking a chair at the buffet.  You will never really get something valuable out of the meal if you don't have time to savor it. 

Daily reading is like daily eating.  You need it every day and if you are troubled then yes maybe a little more will help.  

Take time today to be in your Bible.  Find out what God has for you today on His menu.  Find the peace of God that passes all understanding.