Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Sweet Hunger: Developing An Appetite for God
    Sweet Hunger: Developing An Appetite for God
    Sweet Hunger: Developing An Appetite for God
    Ebook189 pages3 hours

    Sweet Hunger: Developing An Appetite for God

    By Teresa Shields Parker

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    How Can I Be As Hungry For God As I Am For a Cookie?

    From the author of the number one Christian weight loss memoir, Sweet Grace: How I Lost 250 Pounds, comes Teresa's long-awaited nine-session Bible study.

    For years I craved sweets and comfort foods. When I was lonely, tired, angry, depressed, overwhelmed, stressed or even happy, my first reaction was to run to my drug of choice. My god had become my stomach. God was not on the throne of my life.

    In order to lose 260 pounds, I had to put God back in His rightful place as my Lord, Master and King. I had to let Him lead me every step of the way. The result was understanding that God's heart's desire is that we all come closer to Him. I have come a long way from when I weighed 430 pounds. I now understand life is about stepping into the assignment God has for me, not eating whatever I want, whenever I want. This Bible study will relate to whatever is holding you back from doing the same, whether it is food, drugs, alcohol, bad relationships, lying, cheating, poor choices or just a plain old rebellious spirit.

    Designed for personal Bible study, the nine lessons, questions and activities in Sweet Hunger can also be used for groups. The FREE Sweet Hunger Leader's Guide is available from TeresaShieldsParker.com. Also available for purchase from her website are nine Sweet Hunger video teaching sessions.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherWrite the Vision
    Release dateMar 13, 2018
    ISBN9780986159206
    Sweet Hunger: Developing An Appetite for God

    Related to Sweet Hunger

    Related ebooks

    Inspirational For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      Affirmations What? Why? How?

      Jun 14, 2023

      Affirmations What? Why? How?
      3 min read

    • Article

      ‘Keto Has Been Life-changing’

      Sep 21, 2021

      'I've been on the heavy side for most of my adult life,’ says 45-year-old Tanya Karalic. ‘I’ve embarked on so many diets I’ve ‘I’ve been on the lost count. At one point, I was even on diet pills and had great results, but it wasn’t sustainable. I put

      4 min read

    • Article

      Family Room®

      Nov 26, 2022

      Family Room®
      3 min read

    • Article

      One Month Without Food

      Nov 21, 2016

      One Month Without Food
      6 min read

    • Article

      Mark Batterson

      Jul 30, 2021

      Mark Batterson
      2 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The EDITOR

      Jul 22, 2022

      Dear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to ke

      9 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The EDITOR

      Mar 18, 2022

      Dear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to ke

      7 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The Editor

      Oct 30, 2020

      It’s such a relief to read a magazine that the whole family can enjoy. May God continue bless you all. Shirley Hoshe What a joy to open the magazine and see all the beautiful organs of the world. Wow! They are true masterpieces. I am sure that each

      3 min read

    • Article

      Getting to Know God

      Mar 16, 2020

      Getting to Know God
      3 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The Editor

      Oct 22, 2021

      Dear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to ke

      4 min read

    • Article

      Living TRIUMPHANTLY

      Dec 30, 2022

      Living TRIUMPHANTLY
      3 min read

    • Article

      Thrive Again

      Mar 30, 2024

      Thrive Again
      4 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The Editor

      May 20, 2019

      Are you discouraged? Many times we become so discouraged by our situation, our circumstance, our trial, or our tribulations, that we forget that we are part of something bigger than this, something bigger than what we are going through, something bi

      6 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The EDITOR

      Sep 23, 2022

      D ear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to k

      7 min read

    • Article

      Pastor Jo Swart

      Aug 26, 2022

      Pastor Jo Swart
      7 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The EDITOR

      Nov 25, 2022

      Dear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to ke

      8 min read

    • Article

      Daily Guidance From The Word Of God

      Apr 5, 2024

      I get so encouraged and excited by the Word of God. Every day, as I read my Bible, I am reminded of His care and love towards us. His Word strengthens my faith and helps me get through any negative situations that may arise. I feel empowered to overc

      1 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The EDITOR

      Apr 22, 2022

      Dear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to ke

      7 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The EDITOR

      Mar 10, 2023

      D ear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to k

      8 min read

    • Article

      Sarah Jakes Roberts

      Oct 1, 2021

      Sarah Jakes Roberts
      2 min read

    • Article

      Leaning On The Lord And His Wisdom

      Aug 27, 2021

      Over these past few weeks, I have found myself enquiring of the Lord almost continuously. We have been experiencing some troubling situations recently and I have really needed extraordinary advice. I am so aware of where my help comes from, so I imme

      2 min read

    • Article

      Getting Personal

      Feb 22, 2024

      Getting Personal
      2 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for Sweet Hunger

    0 ratings

    0 ratings0 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

      Book preview

      Sweet Hunger - Teresa Shields Parker

      Copyright © 2017 Teresa Shields Parker

      SWEET HUNGER

      DEVELOPING AN APPETITE FOR GOD

      ISBN: 9-780-986-159-206

      All Rights Reserved. This book is protected by the copyright laws of the United States of America. This book may not be copied or reprinted for commercial gain or profit. The use of short quotations is permitted. Permission will be granted upon request. The author guarantees all contents are original and do not infringe upon the legal rights of any other person or work.

      Scripture taken from the Amplified® Bible is marked AMP. Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

      Scripture taken from The Message® is marked MSG. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.

      Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible® is marked NASB. Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

      Scripture taken from the Holy Bible New International Version® is marked NIV. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

      Scripture taken from the New King James Version of the Bible is marked NKJV. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

      Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation is marked NLT. Copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007, 2913. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois. All rights reserved.

      Scripture taken from The Living Bible is marked TLB. Copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. The Living Bible, TLB, and the The Living Bible logo are registered trademarks of Tyndale House Publishers.

      Scripture taken from John: Eternal Love, The Passion Translation™ is marked TPT. Copyright © 2014. Used by permission of 5 Fold Media, LLC, Syracuse, NY 13039, United States of America. All rights reserved.

      Scripture taken from Proverbs: Wisdom from Above, The Passion Translation ™ is marked TPT. Copyright © 2013. Used by permission of 5 Fold Media, LLC, Syracuse, NY 13039, United States of America. All rights reserved.

      Scripture taken from Letters from Heaven by the Apostle Paul, The Passion Translation™ is marked TPT. Copyright © 2013. Used by permission of 5 Fold Media, LLC, Syracuse, NY 13039, United States of America. All rights reserved.

      To Contact the Author:

      www.TeresaShieldsParker.com

      DEDICATION

      To every person who desires to love

      God more than a cookie,

      but has no idea how to go about doing that.

      To those whose deepest desire is to crave God’s presence,

      but the brownies get in the way.

      God sees you as beautiful and is waiting for you

      to ask Him for help.

      You are weak, that is true,

      but in Him you are stronger than strong.

      He is drawing you near.

      He’s beckoning you to come to Him.

      He’s calling your name right now.

      Your deepest desires have been answered

      not in the sweet foods that tempt you,

      but in your soul’s deep yearning for

      more of the reality of God.

      It is the sweetest of all hungers

      and only God can satisfy it.

      When God fulfills your longing, sweetness fills your soul.

      PROVERBS 13:19 TPT

      FOREWORD

      Teresa Shields Parker has an incredible story of God leading her to lose over 260 pounds. Being her pastor for many years I have had the privilege of watching the development of her Sweet Series of books move from idea to publication. This book, the sixth in the series, brings together her story with eight Bible studies you can use for personal or group discussion. God has truly used her to touch many lives through her writing, coaching and speaking.

      What I love about Teresa’s testimony is that she identifies a rarely discussed issue in the Church realm: unhealthy eating habits. I can say as a pastor I have seldom mentioned the sin of gluttony and certainly have never made a whole sermon about that issue.

      Teresa, however, does address gluttony, as well as sugar and food addictions. With two-thirds of Americans overweight and obese it is a huge issue the Church as a whole is largely ignoring.

      In Sweet Hunger: Developing An Appetite for God, Teresa takes normal everyday Bible stories most Christians are familiar with and helps us understand how God uses food to symbolize our need for His presence in our lives.

      Of all the things people put on the throne of their hearts, our stomachs could possibly be the most damning. The line Teresa draws is not one of condemnation, but of exhortation from a lifetime of experience with the stronghold we many times allow certain foods to have in our lives.

      She was seeking satisfaction not from Jesus, but from sugar and comfort foods. This addiction controlled her and limited her in so many ways. The sweet freedom she finally experienced came when the Holy Spirit revealed the truth of this idolatry to her.

      In Teresa’s books you’ll not find a get-thin-quick scheme or a fad diet, but rather a wonderful story of how the sweet grace of God came to her in unexpected ways and helped her walk out her journey. Her story will encourage you, but even more, the insights, thoughts and questions she shares will help you delve more deeply into the issues which may also have you bound.

      Whether you have an issue with food or not, this book, along with the content, questions and activities, will lead you on a journey of longing for the sweetness only God can provide in your life.

      Journey with Teresa into the very presence of God as you learn to develop a never-ending appetite for Him.

      Jeremy Risner, Lead Pastor

      C2 Church, Columbia, MO

      AUTHOR’S NOTE

      I’ve made a firm decision to allow God to change my appetite. No longer do I crave the sweet foods I desired for most of my life. Today, I crave fellowship with God. I want to develop an even more ravenous appetite for Him, a hunger for the sweetest thing of all—the overwhelming, never-ending presence of my Creator, sitting in the heavenly realms with Him, even right here on earth.

      When God realized I was serious about learning how I can be as hungry for Him as I am for certain foods, He began teaching me. He showed me how mentions of food throughout Scripture relate to seeking Him and His presence.

      As I studied, God opened His Word in new ways to me. Everywhere I looked I saw how God uses examples of food to relate to Himself. I began to see what I was learning wasn’t just for me. It was information for you as well.

      In the pages of this book you will read some familiar and some not so familiar Biblical stories. As always, I have more questions than answers after I study God’s Word. However, I believe it is only when I ask God the questions burning in my heart that I will find answers specifically designed for me. If I can lead you to ask those same questions, I believe you will also discover your own personal answers.

      When we experience truth for ourselves we begin to really know and own the truth. Jesus told the Jewish believers, Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you.¹

      QUESTIONS AND ACTIVITIES

      At the end of each chapter you will find a list of questions with space to jot down answers. If you’re like me and can’t read your own handwriting, you may want to type your answers and keep them in a folder on your computer to refer to.

      Every question will lead you deeper spiritually if you have the courage to have a real conversation with God. Leave your questions in His capable hands and allow His answers to come through Scripture, a song, a message, a book, a friend or an observation in nature. He will drop an insight or an answer into your heart when you least expect it.

      I’ve developed an honest and open relationship with Him. I’m not afraid to ask Him anything, to tell Him the truth of how I feel or to spill my guts in His presence. Many times I do that by journaling a conversation I’ve had with Him. Sometimes it’s just Him speaking in my mind or heart after I’ve asked Him a question. He always answers. I just have to be listening.

      Some days, it is a praise music day. Sometimes it involves forcing myself to stop and just shut out all sound and acknowledge God’s presence in the silence and solitude. Other days it is as if God inserts Himself rather abruptly into my life. I do so love those unexpected interruptions from the God of the universe. They always come with a challenge or a mystery that He unveils in time. Life following Him is never dull.

      PERSONAL OR GROUP STUDY

      This book is designed for personal study. However, there is power in sharing with others. So I have made sure you have the ability to use this as a large or small group study. Each chapter includes questions and activities which you can do on your own and/or as a group.

      In addition, as my gift to you for purchasing this book, you can download the Sweet Hunger Leader’s Guide at no cost from my website. However you must put this exact url in your browser. It’s on a private page on the website so do not search for it. You won’t find it. Go to: https://teresashieldsparker.com/sweet-hunger/leaders-guide/.

      I’ve also created a video teaching for each chapter. The videos can also be used when doing the study on your own or in a group. To purchase simply go https://teresashieldsparker.com/overcomers-christian-weight-loss-group/. You can also purchase a downloadable version of Sweet Hunger on the website as well.

      AMAZON REVIEWS

      I encourage you to write a customer review for Amazon by simply going to Amazon.com and search for Sweet Hunger: Developing An Appetite for God. Then under customer reviews at the bottom of that page, write one or two sentences about how you liked the book. Include a catchy heading and give us as many stars as you think the book deserves. Five would be awesome.

      To do a review, you don’t have to have bought this book from Amazon, you just need to have bought something on Amazon. Reviews help others find this book among the millions of books on that platform. Feel free to review us on GoodReads or any where else. We love reviews.

      I pray you devour this book for yourself. Write all over it. Draw, paint, decorate and have fun with it. Then, get a group together to discuss the really tough questions and the answers you are sensing God is giving you. There are also some really fun and challenging activities you can do yourself or with a group.

      If this book draws you closer to

      Enjoying the preview?
      Page 1 of 1