Never hunger again

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"Never hunger again" By Diane Webb

John 6: 35—"And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst."

Have you ever eaten or drank something that did not satisfy you? Did you find yourself looking around in the kitchen for something else and nothing seemed to be what you were craving? Even if you did find what you were looking for, several hours later you were looking again. We eat and we drink to stay alive--over and over again. It never lasts. No matter how much we eat or drink today, we will still be hungry and thirsty again tomorrow (or sooner). Jesus talks to the crowd of the loaves and fishes the day after he feeds them. They are back again looking for more food. Even though they had been fed by miracle food, they were still hungry the next day. Jesus explains that He is the real food they need. They are lacking in spiritual food but don't realize it yet they know who to go to. They do not understand though; and many of his disciples, who are listening in on the conversation, are confused as well. Jesus says that those who belong to him are drawn to him. That is the hunger and thirst for spiritual food. Haven't you had times in your life where you were hungry for the word of God and thirsty for His presence? Nothing else satisfied. It seemed you could not find enough services to go to, enough songs to sing, or enough prayers to pray. The only thing that satisfied you was the word of God. You read the Bible and finally felt you were being fed. Sometimes we get mixed up and think it is physical food and drink we need like the people Jesus fed with the loaves and fishes. We mistakenly think if we eat a wonderful meal we will be satisfied. After this does not satisfy, we need to realize it is spiritual food we crave. Being fed spiritually is the food and drink Jesus referred to in John 6: 35. We have all had times where we felt we could not get enough of the word of God. We wanted to hear more sermons yet it did not completely hit the spot. Sometimes, we don't really need a sermon which is based on scripture yet a lot of words from the preacher. Sometimes we need the pure, undiluted, unfiltered, un-interpreted word of God. Specifically, we need the New Testament words in red. The Old Testament is magnificent and certainly God's word but hearing the words of Jesus is hearing it straight from God himself. We can identify with Jesus because he is a man as well as God. We can relate to him. The New Testament is the good part. It truly is the bread of life. When we feed from Jesus—his words—we grow. We have permanently benefited from the food and it will not wear off. We, of course, want more food but the food we eat of the word satisfies each and every time. We learn and grow as we eat this food and drink it in. The next time you find yourself craving something to eat (and it's not really meal time and your stomach really isn't hungry) go to the Bible instead. See if it is really spiritual food you are craving and only think it is physical food you want. Snack on the word of God instead of hitting the vending machines, chips, cookies, or fruit. Go to Jesus and never be hungry again. Believe in Him and never thirst again—halleluiah!

Dear Heavenly Father, help me today to seek spiritual food rather than physical food. Help me recognize when I am craving spiritual food and lead me to the passages I need. Father, you know all things and understand my needs better than I do. Help me Lord seek your word--the food and drink I really need. I ask this in Jesus' name, Amen.