Life offers us many things to taste. Pizza, steak, popcorn and cookies all have unique textures and flavors, and each evokes a distinct kind of pleasure. Some are salty, some are sweet, and some remind us of especially good times. However, no worldly food can begin to compare to the soul-deep satisfaction that comes from tasting the goodness of God. And while feasting on the fruits of His Spirit is not quite as natural as consuming our next meal, it becomes a habit when we give Him top priority. Here are a few Scriptural insights that I hope can help us savor the Lord’s essence in new ways.
How do we taste God’s goodness?
“When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, Lord God Almighty.” Jeremiah 15:16
“Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’” John 6:35
Tasting the goodness of God is a matter of experiencing His presence. While that sounds abstract, our invisible Creator makes Himself visible through the promises of Scripture. Like Jeremiah said, the best way to find delight, satisfaction, and nourishment in the Lord is to “eat” His words — to become so familiar with the Bible that it defines our identity and guides our response in every situation. As we commit ourselves to digesting Jesus — Who is the Bread of Life — through daily reading, memorizing, and meditating on His Word, the taste of His love will continually be on our lips.
What does God’s goodness taste like?
“How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” Psalm 119:103
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.” Matthew 5:13
Like kettle corn, God’s goodness is both salty and sweet. Its sweetness reminds us that we are loved unconditionally and that there is more favor, mercy, and blessing in His presence than we can fathom. On the other hand, its saltiness reminds us that there is a power in discipleship that’s gained through self-sacrifice. Salt is flavorful, but it’s potent — and when used liberally, it can preserve and heal. This means that fully tasting the goodness of God is a matter of ingesting both the sweetness of grace and the saltiness of His purifying truth.
What nourishment does God’s goodness provide?
“Eat honey, my son, for it is good; honey from the comb is sweet to your taste. Know also that wisdom is like honey for you: If you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.” Proverbs 24:13,14
“But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” Hebrews 5:14
Just as food gives us the energy, fuel, and nutrients needed to sustain life and carry out our daily call, digesting the goodness of God empowers us to obtain, in abundance, that which is most important to our spiritual estate. Wisdom — a staple of the Christian diet and a byproduct of being nourished by Biblical truth — endows us with the confidence that comes from doing things the Lord’s way. And as we grow wise from walking in His footsteps, we also become mature. Living as one “grown up” in faith protects and prospers so we can leave a legacy of Godly insight for others.
Friend, my prayer is that you’ll learn to savor the sweet satisfaction of abiding with Jesus every day. Keep inviting Him to the table of your heart, and eat the bread of life that He provides so His goodness can permeate the deepest part of your soul. Then, take the nourishment He gives and share it liberally with others so it can bless them too!
God loves you and so do I!
Bobby Schuller
Taste and See!
Nothing says home like food. When things are cooking in the kitchen, cherished memories and good times are never far behind. Something about being with the ones we love and enjoying a meal reminds us of how blessed we are…and of what a gracious God we serve. Our Savior provides sustenance for our bodies, minds, and spirits, and He endows us with the honor of tasting His goodness as we extend His hand of hospitality to people.
To help you embrace the joy of fellowship and the blessing of gathering, we’ve created a one-of-a-kind gift this month. Unlike anything we’ve offered before, we hope this special set will inspire you to intentionally create meaningful moments for others.
With five monthly gifts of just $30 or a one-time gift of $150, we’ll send you the “Taste and See” book and kitchen set. Perfect for spring and summer, this colorful culinary-inspired collection is enhanced by a vibrant floral motif and is comprised of:
- Our brand new Taste and See: Gathering in God’s Goodness book. Featuring stories of gatherings and recipes shared by our Hour of Power and Shepherd’s Grove staff, this collection was compiled to inspire you to welcome people to your heart and your home.
- A vibrant glass cutting board. Made of heat-safe tempered glass and boasting a coral poppy motif and soft blue background, this unique kitchen accessory is adorned by the words “Be Grateful” and a reference to Hebrews 12:28.
- A sturdy ceramic trivet. Created in a coordinating motif, this practical and delightfully decorative piece is embellished with the words “Be Faithful” and a reference to Luke 16:10.
- An inspirational spoon rest. Designed to match the trivet and cutting board, this useful cooking tool is brought to life by the words “Be Grateful” and a reference to Hebrews 12:28.
- An embroidered tea towel. Boasting the words “Be Thankful” and a reference to Colossians 3:15, this 100% cotton towel completes the set with its bright coral and green poppies that are sure to liven up your kitchen.
Request your gift by calling us today at (866) GET-HOPE (438-4673), or visit here.
Gathering, Growing, and Embracing the Heart of God
Gathering with others is a gift. When we come together in faith and fellowship, the very essence of life is shared and experienced. Though the God of Creation is invisible, He becomes visible as we connect hearts with those who uniquely reflect His nature. Just as food comes in endless varieties of tastes and textures, everyone we encounter has the potential to teach us something special about our Lord. There’s power in being with people, and sharing meals and making memories is a truly spiritual experience.
Hospitality is close to God’s heart. When we receive others in the Name of our Savior, the gift of gathering is married to the blessing of welcoming. Nothing has the potential to break down walls, forge new connections, and strengthen relationships like offering human souls a safe place to relax and share. As we create warm, inviting, and joyful spaces in which to celebrate the moments and milestones of life, we roll out the red carpet to people in a manner that lets them know that they matter to us…and even more so to Jesus.
This is the vision behind the “Taste and See” book and kitchen set we’re offering this month. Our prayer is that it will inspire you to extend Christ’s welcoming presence to people you know well — and even to those you haven’t met yet — so that thousands can meet Jesus and be eternally transformed.
Lifting Up the Next Generation
Legacy gifts are the backbone of our ministry. Over the course of half a century, we’ve been sustained through many seasons by the generosity of faithful friends who’ve chosen to remember us in their will or estate plan — friends like Roberta, who writes the following:
“I’ve been watching Hour of Power since it first came on the air in the early 1970’s. Through the years, it’s been a source of hope and inspiration, especially in challenging times. The message of positivity that’s been consistently preached has been a lifeline to me and is exactly what’s needed to counter the fear and negativity in the world. Bobby has done a great job of carrying on this POSITIVE legacy, and I know he is God’s perfect man for the job. In fact, since the ministry has had such a great impact on us personally — and because my husband and I want to ensure that the Good News of the Gospel continues to be proclaimed after we’ve passed away — we’ve decided to include a legacy gift to Hour of Power in our will. Our hope and prayer is that future generations will come to know Jesus through encounters with the God who loves them as they are, not as they should be.”
— Roberta Maddox, Legacy Donor
To learn more about how you can update or create your Will or Living Trust, we invite you to call us at 714-971-4111 or email livinglegacy@hourofpower.org.
A Heart of Hospitality
By Hannah Schuller
Bobby and I love to gather with people. We have a small backyard that’s typical of Southern California; land here is expensive. Most of our yard consists of a massive long table that can sit 12 people…if you squish tight then more. And before the pandemic, we used it — a lot! In fact, whenever I eat a delicious meal at that full table, I think to myself, “This is the good life.” Eating together bonds us. It creates good memories and allows us to feel connected to each other.
Hospitality can be a powerful way to show love; a way that we can make others feel special and valued, and thereby reflect the heart of our generous and abundant God! He is the giver of every good and perfect gift, and it’s His presence we want people to experience when we welcome them to our table.
Romans 12:13 says, “Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
While getting together is great, practicing hospitality is not something that is reserved for parties or gatherings; we can take God’s presence to everyone we encounter! In line at the store, on a morning walk, or with an “I’m thinking about you” text, each of us can make the world more welcoming through an affirming word, a compliment, or a caring countenance. By letting people know that they are seen, we invite them to experience the Lord’s affection through us.
Dear friend, you are loved by God, and as you abide in His love, it naturally overflows to others. By offering everyone you meet a hospitable heart, they can taste and see the Lord’s goodness in a way that just might change the course of their life! Isn’t that an amazing thought?
God loves you and so do I!
-Hannah Schuller
What’s Happening on Hour of Power?
- Upcoming Sermon Series: This month, Pastor Bobby begins a new series entitled “Live Grateful,” in which he uses Biblical examples to teach that gratitude is wisdom.
- Special Guests: Last month, we welcomed guest preacher Christine Caine to the broadcast, in addition to pastor and author Daniel Fusco and the Voices of Hope Children’s Choir (virtually). If you missed any of them, be sure to catch up at hourofpower.org/episode.
- Upcoming Guests: This month, we will welcome the Voices of Hope Children’s Choir to the broadcast.*
* Programming information is subject to change.
What’s Happening at Shepherd’s Grove?
- Rooted, our small group discipleship experience, wrapped up its first quarter (virtually) last month and new sessions will begin in June!
- Our missions and outreach ministry is actively engaged in deepening awareness of the issues surrounding foster care and adoption in the second quarter of 2021.
- The National Day of Prayer is Thursday, May 6, and we will host a live stream service in partnership with other local faith and community leaders from the City of Irvine. If you miss it, it will be available on our YouTube page at youtube.com/bobbyschuller.
One Response
You are such an open and honest Pastor. We need the truth that God has given you to speak to us in these most trying of times. Keep listening to what God had put in your heart.