How’s Your Appetite?

After several months of hunger-suppressing chemo-therapy, I am getting my appetite back. As I was reading an article about how to increase your appetite, it occurred to me that a lot of believers struggle with a low appetite for God’s word. The reason: a steady diet of the world’s empty-but-filling foodstuffs can suppress one's craving for spiritual fare.

Here are a few suggestions on how to increase your hunger for God's food, remembering that man does not live by bread alone (Matt. 4:4).

First, eat small amounts more frequently. If you feel full after eating only a small amount, try eating small amounts throughout the day. Second, maintain regular mealtimes. (By the way, many people have their best appetite in the morning, when they're rested.) Third, eat more when you are hungry—those times when you feel that craving. And finally, create a pleasant mealtime atmosphere. For example, use soft music, candles or nice place settings. In other words, make your meals a special time and place.

Chips to make you Thin

No, not a potato chip. Swiss scientists are developing a computer chip implant that will check for fat in the blood and release a hormone that satisfies hunger. It occurs to me many people with insatiable hunger would admit they need an appetite suppressant less than they need a better way of dealing with unmet emotional needs for which food becomes a comforting substitute. A computer chip can’t cure that.

God created us with an eating-motivator called appetite, without which we might not eat enough to stay alive. Likewise, He has given us spiritual appetites, without which we will die. “I made you hungry and then I gave you bread that wouldn’t satisfy you so that you would know me as the Bread of Life” (Deut. 8:16). Scientists may think their discovery is 'all that and a bag of chips.' But it is only the life-changing, deeply satisfying words “that come from the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4) that will satiate that lonely ‘self’ searching the fridge late at night for fruitless fare!

Lettuce Eat for Life

Last week I received a telephone call from the Blue Shield cancer-consultant, advising me she will, at the end of my treatments, prescribe a diet to build up my immunities. I'm anticipating a toxic-free regimen of organic, fibrous fruits and vegetables that will not, however, do well in my no-pancreas stomach.

Coincidentally, I happened to read an e-teaching about eating for life, claiming that godly eaters will be blessed with long life. I wondered how other people like me, who have been given a prognosis of a shortened life, would respond to his “godliness = long life” assertion.

After Jesus provided a free lunch to the 5,000, they all wanted to be His disciples-for-life. But He rebuked them, “You’re following me, not because of the miracles you saw Me do, which should have convinced you I am God, but because you think I can satisfy your sensual appetites” (John 6:26 paraphrase). Prescribing a better diet for life, He said, “Unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood, you have no life in you” (John 6:53). Fruits and vegetables are good for the body. But lettuce eat for soul. Lettuce eat from the Tree of Life.

What are You Hungry For?

I have been reading Martin Lloyd Jones' commentary on the "Sermon on the Mount." I thought this was just too relevant not to share with you all.

People in this world (non-Christians) are trying to live happy and successful lives. But to His followers, Jesus says, Blessed [happy] are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness. Jesus does not say we are to hunger and thirst after happiness. But that is what most people, and unfortunately, many Christians are hungry for...hmmm...the pursuit of happiness! Sounds like a basic human right!! But pursuing happiness will never satisfy. It will always elude you.

According to Jesus, happiness is not sought directly; but happiness results from pursuing Him, His righteousness, that is, a 'right relationship with God!'

How's your appetite?