Are you an epicure???

One devoted to sensual pleasure; one with sensitive and discriminating tastes especially in food or wine.

Definition of epicure - according to Merriam-Webster Online

Isn't it wonderful to learn new things?!? I guess I've heard this word before..."epicure"...but I don't remember it...so I had to look up the meaning and study it a bit to understand it more.

Here is how an epicure thinks:

Luke 12:18-19 (NLT) - Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’

Know what stands out to me in those verses:

"Eat, drink and be merry!!!"

I've decided that I am an epicure....not the wine part, because I don't drink...well, except for water, tea, and an intense taste for Diet Mountain Dew....but, I do have a taste for food. Now...is that something to be proud of?? Probably not...at least not to the extreme that I have for it. I love food...I love the different tastes and textures and the saltiness, or sweetness, or the sourness....see what I mean????

I LOVE FOOD!!!

But...I love God more...or, do I???...because, sometimes I let my desire for food come between us. I want food more than I want the Lord. So many times instead of turning to God when I'm emotional, tired, upset, etc., I head to the kitchen to find something to eat. Here's the cycle...I feel bad...I eat...then, I feel bad about eating...well, over-eating!!! So, the merry part certainly doesn't apply here, does it???

So...if you find yourself being an "epicure", too...and it's much more than just enjoying your food...if you feel like you are an emotional eater...just like me....here's some scripture that you might want to turn to when you feel like eating yourself "out of house and home"...or eating everything that's "not nailed down"...or eating everything "but the kitchen sink":

Philippians 4:19 (NLT) - And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 6:25 (NLT) - “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?

And...don't think your eating is a "secret"...because:

Proverbs 5:21 (NLT) - For the Lord sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes.

Let's work together on this problem...let's learn to turn to scripture...to prayer...to whatever it takes to keep us out of a potato chip bag, or a container of ice cream, or a bag of miniature candy bars.....or whatever it is each of us turn to...instead of turning to God!!!

1 Peter 5:8-9 (NLT) - Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.

In His Love...and with mine!!!

P.S...to learn more about turning to God, instead of food...visit www.settingcaptivesfree.com and click on "Food Issues". There is a 60-day course entitled "The Lord's Table" that will totally change the way you look at food!!!