[this is a recap of what would have been my message on Sunday, IF I had preached.  God had other plans… He is so fun!]

I don’t know about you, but I LIKE to eat!  If I’m not making a decision to fast, I normally do not miss a meal, or any snack, or any sweet treat that comes my way… :).  I assume that most people would agree — too eat, is good.  People who refuse to eat are said to have an eating disorder, right?  It’s a DISorder, because it’s out of order.. it’s NOT RIGHT!  Well, I think many times, we have a spiritual eating disorder.  We are content to live our lives without “eating” spiritual food for days, weeks, months at a time!!

What spiritual food am I referring to?  HEARING GOD, hearing the voice of Jesus.  “I thought the Word was our ‘meat'”, you may say.  And you are correct.  But what about BREAD?  Did you ever consider this? 

“Man does not live on bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4, Luke 4:4).

“Give us this day our DAILY bread!”  (Matthew 6:11)

Jesus also said, “I only do what I see the Father doing and say what I hear the Father saying”, and “My food is to do the will of Him who sent me” — that would be to HEAR/SEE, and then do it, right?

 

If we are truly followers of Christ, it is our very identity to hear Him and know his voice (John 10:27).  It’s not an option, nor is it just for the “special”/annointed ones. 

 

It’s by HEARing the word of God that we gain more faith — and this is not just the written word, but the words that God is speaking by His Spirit (Romans 10:17).  And, without FAITH, it’s IMPOSSIBLE to please God (Hebrews 11:6).  I would say that this means we MUST hear His voice. 

 

So, why don’t we?

 

I feel that a huge part of the problem is a TRUST issue. 

We do not TRUST the Lord as we should.  We lean all to often on our own understanding, and our way.  We fear the unknown and “missing” Him… and getting hurt, disappointed, discouraged. 

 

But, how can we live in friendship with God this way?  Is there any relationship of any depth without TRUST at the center?  Jesus calls us to be His friends, because HE is willing to share with us everything that is His! (see John 15:15)  Talk about TRUST! 

 

If the very Son of God is willing to entrust us with Himself, and all that He has . . . why would we withhold ourselves and distrust Him?  He’s already put Himself on the line for us! 

 

But, our lack of trust, or our fear of hurt (same thing) keep us from entering into this deep level of friendship that He DESIRES for us!  And so, what happens?

 

We don’t hear God because, we put up all the reasons why we feel we “shouldn’t”, because at the core, we’re afraid and we don’t trust Him.

 

LISTEN!  HE IS GOOD!  ALL THAT HE IS, ALL THAT HE DOES, ALL THAT HE SAYS IS FOR YOUR VERY BEST!  (see John 10:10). 

 

And, to not “eat” means that we will be come weak and sick.. and eventually die.

 

This is a life or death matter.  Let us put away our fears and fully trust the One who is ultimately the Most TrustWorthy.  Let us put our lives (and deaths) fully in His hand, lean into him with no other props (Proverbs 3:5-6), fall completely into Him — and see what He will do!

 

Hear Him speaking to you right now, and LET’S EAT! 🙂