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The ABCs of God's Love Letter: Hunger

9/29/2020

19 Comments

 
The ABCs of God's Love Letter: Hunger

Welcome to
​The ABCs of God's Love Letter
25 Weeks. 25 Writers!

We will use the alphabet as an acrostic and study topics like: Abide, Beloved, Calling, Delight, Endure, Faithful, Garment, Hunger, Increase, Justice, Kindness, Light, Manna, Name, Ordain, Path, Quench, Ransom, Salt, Testify, Upright, Vanity, Wait, Yield, and Zeal.

Every week, we’ll discover a different topic. Each topic is accompanied by five Scripture verses—one for each weekday. The Bible study has a page for each verse. Those spaces will invite you to write the verses out and journal what you’ve learned.

Every time I read God’s Word I learn something new. I also find that Scripture writing really helps me meditate, and as I meditate, God always shows me just what I need for that day—it’s AMAZING!
​I pray you’ll join us and learn new and exciting things too from His Word.
The ABCs of God's Love Letter Bible study
buy now on amazon

​This Week We're Looking at Hunger

"Hungry I come to You, For I know You satisfy..." So begins one of my favorite songs from Vineyard Worship. These words resonate with a deep, deep part of me. You see, I have a long history of trying to fill myself with all the wrong things.  ​
As a young girl, I never felt confident in my personality, my likeability, in my body. But my intellect never failed me. I relied on the accolades and applause from teachers and other adults to measure my worth. And at home I could stuff down boredom, insecurity, and shame with food. Too much of it. My curves came much earlier to me than most of my friends. And I felt ashamed of them. I saw myself as “fat” compared to the flat, lanky bodies of most girls.

As a young woman who took diet pills to finally look the way I wanted, I found my sufficiency in the attention of men. This only led to a different kind of shame and a dark emptiness when break-ups and rejection still came.  

As a young mom and fitness instructor, getting enough exercise and staying within my calorie restrictions became the barometer for how “good” I was. The stronger and more fit, the more whole I felt. Until I suffered a series of injuries and couldn’t do all the things. Then came a cancer diagnosis and four surgeries within a year’s time. Chemo in between. I couldn’t exercise at all for quite some time. Without a way to be active I packed on the pounds.

Now here I am, a not so young mom in the middle of a much-needed weight loss journey. 24 pounds down and many more to go. I can’t use food to soothe anymore, and I’m struck with a realization I’ve known all along. The truth of it finally sinks in–the hunger I have is for righteousness, for Jesus. He preached about it in one of His most famous sermons (Matthew 5:6).  ​
God used my hunger for food, fame, accolades, and attention to humble me. He showed me my true dependence on Him to meet my needs, and now, just as He did the Israelites (Deuteronomy 8:3), He feeds me from His hand.  ​
Daily I get to feast on His Holy Word, His love, His compassion (Isaiah 49:10) and His promises–promises to work all things for my good (Romans 8:28). The more I trust in His provisions, the less I crave all the other things. I find rest from striving. The God-shaped hole fills up.
When I take my eyes off the feast God spreads before me and the joy Jesus brings, the old cravings sneak up on me. I am woefully insufficient to meet my own needs, and there is nothing this world has to offer that can substitute. But when I sit back down to His table once again (He never rescinds the invitation), I find my true worth as His guest.  

"Hungry I come to You, For I know You satisfy..."
“Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life; whoever comes to Me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in Me shall never thirst.'” John 6:35
Lauren

Picture
Lauren is a wife, special needs mom, step-mom, mother-in-law, and her newest title—grandmother. But before all of that, she wore the title of twin. She actually has two amazing sisters and awesome parents who have helped to encourage her creativity.

Lauren is Texas born and raised and a proud graduate of Baylor University. She's a group fitness and yoga instructor and really enjoys working out and helping others be fit for their purpose.

Most importantly though, she's a believer in Jesus Christ!
Lauren also hosts the Grace & Truth Weekly Link-up and would love to have you link up on Friday!
FOLLOW HER HERE
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​The ABCs of God's Love Letter Scripture Memory Cards

The ABCs of God's Love Letter Bible Study is accompanied by a collection of 25 5 X 5 Scripture Memory Cards. We'll utilize this great tool to help us memorize a Scripture verse once a week that goes with the topic we're studying that week. Hiding God's Word in our heart is so important!
The ABCs of God's Love Letter Scripture Memory cards
These square press prints are printed on thick, high-quality, matte art paper and include a small white border. They are available here in our Etsy shop. But WAIT, there's more! Just for you —> ​Use code SAVE50 at checkout for 50% OFF your entire order. FREE SHIPPING on orders $35 or more, otherwise, shipping is just $2.00, as always! ​
CHECK OUT THESE SCRIPTURE MEMORY CARDS

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​What does Hunger mean to you?
Please Share
19 Comments
Barbara Harper link
9/29/2020 09:07:59 am

Thank you for this testimony, Lauren. It's so easy to get distracted by so many other things. But Jesus is the only one who truly satisfies.

Reply
Lauren Renee Sparks link
9/29/2020 10:29:00 am

So easy to know but hard to trust enough to implement. That's been my journey. But I'm glad to learn later rather than never!

Reply
Leslie Newman link
9/29/2020 01:53:30 pm

Lauren,
Thank you for sharing your story.. There’s so much in it that we all can relate to. I struggled a lot with perfectionism and getting my worth and value from people and achievements vs. Jesus. It’s wonderful to see all that God gave you to give to others. Thank you for sharing it here!

Reply
Lauren Renee Sparks link
9/29/2020 03:54:35 pm

Thank you, Leslie. It's comforting to know it's relatable and I'm not out here by myself!

Reply
Wemi Omotosho link
9/29/2020 05:32:37 pm

Thank you for sharing so honestly Lauren. "The more I trust in His provisions, the less I crave all the other things. I find rest from striving. The God-shaped hole fills up" - so true, I'm grateful to God for this! And that He never rescinds His invitation. Blessings x

Reply
Lauren Renee Sparks link
9/29/2020 08:24:17 pm

I'm so grateful for those things as well, Wemi.

Reply
Michele Morin link
9/29/2020 08:08:28 pm

Thank you for taking us deep into your story. Ours intersect in so many tender places, so I read with hope and gratitude for what Godn is doing in your life.

Reply
Lauren Renee Sparks link
9/29/2020 08:24:55 pm

That means so much to me, Michele. Thank you.

Reply
Jed link
9/30/2020 07:55:49 am

Happy Wednesday and thank you for hosting!

Reply
Rebecca Hastings link
9/30/2020 08:16:42 am

Lauren! So nice to see your lovely face and words here!

I can relate to so much of what you wrote about your childhood. Details as we got older changed, but the hunger does not.

Even in the uniqueness of our stories, the hunger is the same. And so is the feast!

Reply
Lauren Sparks link
9/30/2020 11:34:56 am

Thank you for relating with me, Rebecca.

Reply
Angela Johnson link
10/2/2020 01:25:49 pm

Lauren, this is such a beautiful testimony. Your words would speak to so many young girls and young women. You really need to write a book about this.

Reply
Lauren Renee Sparks link
10/2/2020 02:54:01 pm

Thank you for your kind words, Angela. And I will give that book idea some thought!

Reply
Shelbee on the Edge link
10/4/2020 09:09:15 am

Lauren, this is such a moving and inspiring testimony. I love how willing you are to share your vulnerabilities and your spiritual journey to help others along the way. Your words are always so beautiful!

Shelbee
www.shelbeeontheedge.com

Reply
Lauren Renee Sparks link
10/4/2020 05:36:48 pm

Thank you, Shelbee. I always appreciate your encouragement!

Reply
Maryleigh link
10/5/2020 02:50:07 pm

Satan deals heavily in the "not-good-enough" mind games - you are so right - it is in Him we find ourselves accepted and fulfilled for who He designed us to be - we start seeing ourselves how He sees us and that changes everything! Your post made me think of "In Him we live and move and have our being" ~ Acts 17:28!

Reply
Lauren Renee Sparks link
10/5/2020 05:56:06 pm

I love that verse, Maryleigh. Thank you so much for reading and weighing in!

Reply
Donna Reidland link
10/6/2020 09:28:25 am

I can identify with so much of what you shared, Lauren. Thanks for sharing!

Reply
sue link
10/7/2020 07:56:34 pm

Lauren, I think it's in the nature of man to hunger and be tempted to go after what will not satisfy. Your experience is a blessing to many. God is so good to keep after us to keep after Him. xo

Reply

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