I read a quote the other day that confirmed what the Lord has been speaking to our hearts and I thought I would share it with you!
"If we are not hungry for God, it is because we have allowed our souls to be satisfied or satiated with other things"
(John Bevere)
He went on to say that the Lord showed him that 'he' was responsible for his hunger level. If he wasn't hungry, it was because he was already full, filled with the cares of this world and filled with pleasures and distractions. If he wanted to hunger in the midst of the abundance of things, he would need to fast--fast the things that would distract, comfort or distress him.
For years I have prayed that God would make us (our whole family) so hungry for Him. That we would have an unquenchable passion for Him, His word and the things that touch His heart. I see this 'fast' as His answer, at least in part, to this prayer.
When I read it to the children they so 'got it' and saw how the Lord was doing this in us by our laying down some of the things that really keep us from hungering after Him.
Some things that I personally see could fill that hunger:
Computer! I cannot believe how much I run to the computer to just 'check out'
TV, again, after a long week, I just want to 'veg out' and flip channels
Friends, fellowship, phone calls, food, baking/cooking, shopping, (more like running errands) all these things I can tend to run to if I am bored or stressed. I am not saying there is anything wrong with any of these things, I just wonder how much I use them to fill up that 'hunger'. This week is already proving to be quite interesting.
Can I just say again, I cannot believe how many times in the day I think to just run and check my email or some one's blog! It is shocking to me. I find, most often times, I am doing it to escape! I have never thought of it this way before, fasting the things that fill up to increase my hunger for Him! Hmmm, learn something new everyday.
What about you? Are there areas that you could see if the Lord would have you fast to increase your hunger for Him?
10 comments:
I just read the other day that the computer, TV, texting, ect. is junk food for the brain. It is true. It is a quick pick me up.
I have been convicted of this many times. I fight the pull of the computer daily. If I have a spare moment, instead of praying, I go check my blog or my email. These things can wait for a time slot.
I am now doing it early in the morning or late at night, depending on when I've done my Bible study. It is freeing!
I am spending more Bible study time with my children. I am being a better example to them as well.
Thank you for this post. I'm doing a series on discipling our children and I will link this post for sure!
THis was so convicting and encouraging. How many times do I use the computer, errands, or other things to "escape."
I know that the more time I spend with the Lord, the more I WANT to, the more that hunger increases.
Thank you for this.
Wow! Great information here...and so true. Thank you for the reminder that I need to hunger more, that I need to purpose in my heart and mind to actively hunger for the Lord. You are such a blessing to me...speaking just what I need to hear right now.
Thank you! Praying the Lord blesses this time for your family. :-)
ouch~ this is close to home. I know I do the same thing and hubby and I have just been talking about it. Hmm, do ya think god is putting His finger on something!
Such a convicting statement! It is so true! For me it is definitely the computer and reading. These tend to be my escapes. Thank you so much for sharing this. It is something I have struggled with often.
I just read something like "The one good thing about Facebook and the internet is that it will prove that there was plenty of time for prayer".
This was an awesome devotional.
Like you, I too had become aware of 'checking emails', to the point I think I was getting obsessive about it..lol.
I have fasted from many things, and during those times, I can truly say it was totally God's doing..He increasing, and me decreasing...
blessings.
Such a good devotional. I need to hunger more for God, it is to easy to use the computer and other things to take up our time. Then think we do not have time to spend in God's Word because we are so busy. Definitely spoke to my heart. Thanks for the great posts.
I never thought of it that way before -- I run to the computer so often because it is an escape! It's my little world away ...a reprieve from the chaos and demands of living with nine children. And at the end of my day, when I could be reading my Bible or praying, I am escaping into the computer again, reading blogs, reading my emails. Thank you for this devotional. I have not been hungry for the Lord lately because the computer has been filling me. Wow, such a powerful message with this post. Thank you!
Katrina
www.mommyninetimes.blogspot.com
Good post! As John Piper says, 'God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.'
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