Craving Cheesecake

“People need more than bread for their life; they must feed on every word of God.” Matthew 4:4

Do you know what the word crave means? It means to have a consuming, intense desire or longing for something. You know that after 40 days and nights with no food Jesus had to have been craving something to eat? We know the Israelites craved to have the foods they did in Egypt because they began to complain to Moses about how hungry they were. And not only did the Lord hear their complaint he rained down manna from Heaven. All for the sole purpose of showing the Israelites that they needed more than bread for their life, they needed to feed on every word of God. (Deuteronomy 8:3) I think the time I really craved things the most was when I was pregnant, well...okay not just then, but I can tell you during my first pregnancy when I wasn't sicker than a dog I craved cheesecake from Johnny Carinos. And God love my husband he would go get it for me late at night because the intense craving was unbelievable and he knew his life would be miserable if he didn't. With that thought I wonder…when is the last time I truly craved Jesus with an intense, consuming desire?

It is so easy to crave certain foods, like my husband’s unbelievable Swiss mushroom turkey burgers, or an outfit I saw at the mall the other day, or the Garmin watch I have been dying to have. There are so many things that we crave that go way beyond food. Some people crave love so much that they set out to find in any way, shape or form, some people crave to be high, some people crave sports, alcohol, shopping, money, power, popularity, sex, attention, praise, food, control, and some people just crave themselves.

Do you know what God craves?

He craves for us to accept His Son as our personal Lord and Savior

He craves obedience

He craves for us to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength,

He craves us to love our neighbors as we do ourselves

He craves for us to die to ourselves and follow Him

He craves our attention and time

He craves a personal relationship

He craves to be honored, respected, and adored

He craves for us to share His word with all who will hear

He craves to be praised

He craves hearts that are for Him and Him alone

He craves for us to know and believe that we are loved, forgiven and adored.

He craves for us to be covered in the blood of His Son

He craves for us to love Him and love others.

And He craves for us to serve only Him.

So how can I take those cravings God has and satisfy them? By doing each one of them and understanding that I can only do them with the help of the Holy Spirit within me. My goal is to begin craving the things of Christ-which will only lead to a more satisfying appetite.

What are some things you crave? Do you have cravings that are so strong and intense you will do whateve it takes to satisfy them? If anyone is out there, I would love to hear what some things are that you crave that have taken control over you.

Prayer: Jesus I do crave You but I want to crave You like You crave me. You never give up or ignore the craving You have for Your children and I never want to ignore the craving I have to know You more. Jesus forgive me for the times I have given into sinful, worldly cravings. Amen