What makes a banana split or a buffet better than just plain ice cream or simple salad? The layers of goodness heaped on the already delicious base. Of course ice cream alone is a treat but add on your favorite toppings and a pile of fresh whipped cream and it only gets better.
Faith is like that. A life built on belief in Jesus is perfect and beautiful- sufficient on its own to satisfy- but heap on a generous portion of the Word of God- a little Old and a little New Testament, a Psalm or Proverb and top it off with prayer and praise and you’ve got the most delectable fare this side of heaven, satisfying the soul and spirit like nothing else.
“O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water.
I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory.
Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer.
You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy.”
Psalms 63:1-5 NLT
The One who is the Bread of Life and the Living Water satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things, (Psalm 107:9) and when we, His children, are full of Him, we overflow Jesus to a world that is starved for a Savior.
“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”
Galatians 5:22-23 NLT
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.
Has the Lord redeemed you?
Then speak out!
Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies.
Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them.
Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and sing joyfully about his glorious acts.”
Psalms 107:1-2, 21-22 NLT
Don’t assume people know how God has blessed you. You’re quick to share a recommendation about that new restaurant or your favorite item on the menu. In the same fashion, be quick to share a morsel of truth from your time with your Heavenly Father.
We pray “give us this day our daily bread.” Let’s be like the boy with the loaves and fishes. Be prepared each day. Pack a lunch and ask God to bless it. Then be willing to share. Once they taste and see that the Lord is good, maybe they’ll crave pure spiritual food and there’ll be more to share around!
“But Jesus said, “You feed them.”
“But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. “Or are you expecting us to go and buy enough food for this whole crowd?” For there were about 5,000 men there.
Jesus replied, “Tell them to sit down in groups of about fifty each.”
So the people all sat down. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them.
Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he kept giving the bread and fish to the disciples so they could distribute it to the people.
They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers!”
Luke 9:13-17 NLT
A Fitting Reply 