Hunger and Thirst (day 6)

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     Have you ever begun to eat something really yummy and then had a really hard time stopping?  For some reason, even though you tell yourself that you are full and you don't need any more you still go back for just a few more bites?  I have.  Even the other day in the midst of this study while my mind is focused on all the lessons I have learned - I still overate.  But the food was really, really good and I didn't want the fun to end.  So I kept going back...trying to prolong the experience.  Do you ever do this?  What is it about food that has us coming back for more?  Even when we are physically full, emotionally there is still a need.  Perhaps for you it is not food.  Perhaps for you it is shopping, or t.v. or reading, or Facebook....the list goes on and on. 
     Within each of us God has created space for Him.  A space that can only be filled with Him.  And if we are human we all have at one time or another spent a great deal of time trying to fill that space with something other than Him. 
     In Matthew 5:6 Jesus is talking about right living and he says, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." Strong's lexicon defines "righteousness" as "used of him whose way of thinking, feeling, and acting is wholly conformed to the will of God..."  Look at the verse again, what does it say will happen if we are hungering and thirsting for righteousness?  It says we will be filled.
     "So," you say, "are you seriously suggesting that this righteousness stuff is as fulfilling as a really good steak and potato and a tall glass of ice cold Pepsi?"   Well....yes.  I am suggesting it because that is what Jesus is saying.  Absolutely nothing is going to satisfy like Him.  He "takes the cake" if you will on a satisfying life. 
     How did you feel when you took those extra bites you knew you didn't need?  How did you feel when you kept eating when you knew you should have stopped long ago?  I know for me - when I give in to those cravings - I feel very dissatisfied.  Because no amount of food or anything else is going to bring satisfaction like Jesus will. 
Homework
Read Matthew 5:6 aloud - let the words speak to you.  What do you feel the passage is saying - write this in your journal.
Read John chapter 4
Can you identify with this woman in any way?
What do you think Jesus meant in verse 13?
Write the answers in your journal and any other thoughts that these passages bring to mind.  Remember too, that God is not afraid of your questions.  Ask away and if you need help with answers see the email at the bottom and we will try our best to help you.
Challenge  
The body will give you very specific clues as to when you are hungry.  The stomach will grumble and growl.  You will have some discomfort.  This week (days 6-12) I want you to wait for your body to give you these signals.  Eat when you are hungry, and eat with the intention of satisfying the hunger but no more.  Time to stop abusing your body so stop when you are full.  Make healthy choices this week.  Put away the junk.  If we are going to test the idea that God will fill those places of emptiness then we need to allow Him to do the work in us.  Lets see where He takes us.  Trust in Him and be intentional about spending time seeking Him in His Word this week.  And as always I am praying for you my dear sisters! May His Word fill you as nothing else can.

*If you have special dietary needs and are under a doctor's care please follow the advice of your doctor or seek his or her advice before you begin this challenge.

*If you have questions about Jesus or anything else please do not hesitate to email us at lifestreamwomen@lifestreamweb.org