By Becky Harling
“Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the Bread of Life. He who
comes to Me will never go hungry, & he who believes in Me will never be
thirsty.’” – Jn.6:35
The Invitation
“You are hungry for so many things: love, affirmation, friendship, success. My child, I am the only One Who can meet your needs completely. I am the Bread of Life & living water. Yet you often run to other things to satisfy the cravings of your soul. Those other things can become addictions. Instead of trying to anesthetize the ache in your soul, come & praise Me. I created you with an ache that only I can fill. Taste & see that I am good. I fill the hungry & satisfy the thirsty with good things. Exalt Me! I give you food to nourish & sustain your body & other gifts to delight your soul. But I never meant for you to become obsessed with My gifts. I want to be your obsession. All you are longing for is found in Me. As you praise Me, the cycle of addiction is broken. Delight yourself in Me, & you will find that I can satisfy your cravings. Those who set their appetite on Me will be blessed.” (Jn.6:35; Jn.4:10; Ps.34:8; Ps.107:9; 1Tim.6:15 PH; Mat.5:6)
God is able to meet your deepest longings. One way to praise Him is by agreeing with Him that you need Him more than anything else in your life. Over the next few days, in order to increase your appetite for God, try fasting from some of what you run to for comfort (chocolate cake, coffee, shopping, Facebook, alcohol, etc.). Please note: If you struggle with an addiction to dieting, do not fast from food.
He has
filled the hungry with good things. (Lk.1:53)
Listen
Listen to “We Are Hungry / I Will Not Be Silent” performed by Jesus Culture,
& “My Delight Is in You” performed by Christy Nockels.
As you listen, express any hunger you are experiencing (hunger for love, affirmation, success, physical touch, or any other hunger) & then praise Jesus by faith that He is able to satisfy every longing of your heart & heal any addiction.
Pray
Lord Jesus, I praise You for being the Bread of Life & the living water. Thank You for quenching my thirst & satiating my hunger. Thank You for being more than able to heal my addictions: __________ [if you have an addiction(s), name it here—this could include overeating, compulsive dieting, shopping, alcohol, coffee, prescription drugs, or other things]. I praise You that the ache You placed within my heart can only be filled by You. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for enabling me to be disciplined & balanced so that I can enjoy the Father’s gifts without becoming obsessed with them. I know there are times when I run to __________ [name your addiction(s) here once again] for comfort, because I am lonely or bored. I praise You, Holy One, that You are healing my addictions with Your love. Thank You that Your love can bring comfort & fill the deepest longings of my heart. I will sing of Your love forever! (Jn.6:35; Ps.107:9; Ps.63:5; Gal.5:22; Ps.63:4)
Journal
What do you turn to when you are lonely, bored, or in pain? Think back to your childhood. What were some of the messages you received about these things when you were growing up? As you praised Jesus for being your Bread of Life, what did He say to you about some of the longings or addictions you have?
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