Are You Settling for Crumbs?

“Then they scoffed, ‘He’s just the carpenter’s son, and we know Mary, his mother, and his brothers – James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas. All his sisters live right here among us. Where did he learn all these things?’ And they were deeply offended and refused to believe in him.” (Matthew 13:55-57a NLT)

The Lord will not force you to believe in Him, though one day, if you don’t come to Him, you’ll wish He had. If you haven’t given Jesus your life, what are you waiting for? A better offer? It ain’t happening! There’s only one way to get into heaven and that’s by placing your trust in Jesus and committing everything your are to everything He is!

It occurred to me to say: “Only one way to eternal life,” but that wouldn’t be accurate, because every human being is going to live forever. So, the only question is where? Only those who have been forgiven and cleansed of their sin by the risen Savior, Jesus, will live forever in the bliss of heaven.

But that still doesn’t cover everyone. What about those who profess the holy, righteous, matchless name of Jesus; those who have sought forgiveness of their sin, they may even attend church regularly, and go through the proverbial “motions” of being a believer, but they have no joy, no delight in knowing Jesus. They’re living on the proverbial “crumbs” when Jesus wants to serve them an extravagant feast!

Jesus said in John 10:10: “The thief’s (Satan’s) purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” And please don’t confuse the riches of the life God gives us with the passing presence of the trinkets of this earth. The word used that’s translated “riches” means: “beyond measure, vehemently, exceedingly abundantly above number or measure or rank or need.” It goes on, but hopefully you get the picture.

I’m an old man, but I can tell you in this season of my life I am “rich!” The Lord’s presence is more real than ever before, His love for me is more personal, His leadership more exact, His caring more tender, His heart more open, His presence more compelling, and His provision more complete than ever in my life. I literally want for nothing (except to go home to Him).

Please don’t hold anything back in your love for the Lord Jesus. He has more for you than you can even imagine, but He’s a gentleman and won’t force Himself on you. He comes at our invitation. In Revelation 3:20 He says: “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear My voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.”

There’s no indication in the text that the door is locked, but the Lord will never go where He isn’t welcome. Is He welcome in your heart? In your life? Then open the door! Invite Him in by opening your heart and life to Him today, right now! Don’t wait another second to stop subsisting on crumbs and start living in the luxurious presence of the living God.

No, He won’t flood you with the worthless treasures of this world, but He will fill you with His holy presence that makes everything seem new, alive, and satisfying. There are times we find ourselves longing for something of this world, which happens to all of us, but when I see something that seems appealing to me, my mind is shifted to how richly the Lord has blessed me. So, I conclude I literally have everything I need to be everything He desires me to be.

If you’re not satisfied in your walk with the Lord, I hate to break it to you, but the Lord is perfect in every way, so, you must be lacking. Would you kneel (if you’re able), stretch you hands, palms up, out in front of you, and pray this simple prayer. “Father, here is my life. Take whatever is unlike You and give me what only You can to enable me to be everything You desire me to be. I’m tired of living on crumbs. I want to invite You into my heart and life in a fresh way so that I might feast on Your holy presence from this moment forward. Forgive me and fill me with Yourself. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen!”

Blessings, Ed 😊