Ever find yourself in a situation where you’re hoping for just enough to get by, and suddenly, something way beyond your expectations happens? Maybe you were hoping to get through a tough week, and instead, you ended up having a breakthrough. That’s the kind of faith Michael Walker talked about in his message this past weekend, “Celebrating The Goodness and Faithfulness of God.” It’s the kind of faith that trusts God not just to provide but to provide in a way that surprises you.
Michael shared a funny and powerful line that stuck with me: “If we do what’s on God’s heart, He’ll treat us gourmet style!” I don’t know about you, but I could use some gourmet faith in my life right about now! The message wasn’t just about believing that God will show up but believing that He’ll show up in ways bigger than we could imagine.
This idea connects so well with the story of how Church in the City started. It wasn’t exactly glamorous—just a borrowed storefront next to an S&M shop, a tattoo parlor, and a gay bar. But that’s where God’s faithfulness began to unfold. God provided everything they needed to grow, even when it seemed impossible. Have you ever experienced a moment when God’s provision exceeded what you expected?
Let’s look at Luke 4:18, where Jesus reads from Isaiah in the synagogue and declares His mission:
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free” (Luke 4:18, NIV).
Jesus didn’t just come to offer a little help; He came to transform lives. When God moves, He doesn’t do it halfway—He goes all in, and His provision is often more than we could ask for. That’s gourmet faith! It’s about trusting God not just for survival but for His abundant goodness.
So here’s the challenge: What’s one area of your life where you need to trust God for more than just the basics? It’s okay to ask Him for bigger things—He’s in the business of doing more than we expect.
Michael shared how people showed up to help Church in the City in ways no one could have predicted. There was the man who installed all the carpet for free, the air conditioning expert who volunteered to help, and even someone who drove from Kentucky after God woke him up in the middle of the night, telling him to help with the church! If that’s not gourmet provision, I don’t know what is!
Can you think of a time when God exceeded your expectations to provide for your needs?
Let’s pray: Father, thank You for being a God of abundance. You don’t just meet our needs; You exceed them in ways we can’t even imagine. Lord, I pray that You would give me the faith to trust in Your gourmet provision, even when it seems impossible. Help me to remember that You are able to do far more than I ask or think, and give me the boldness to believe for more. I also ask for patience and trust, knowing that You are always at work, even when I can’t see it. Let Your Spirit guide me to focus on what’s on Your heart so that I can see Your hand move in ways beyond my wildest dreams. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
God doesn’t just want to meet your needs—He wants to exceed them. He’s the God of gourmet faith, always working behind the scenes, often in ways we never expect. Like Michael said, if we focus on what’s on God’s heart, He’ll show up in ways that will blow us away.
Call to Action: Consider sharing this devotional with someone who might need encouragement today. Check out the podcast replay of this message on your favorite podcast platform. Search for “CITCBA Insights” today. You can listen at churchinthecity.org/podcasts. And if you’re in the area, join us at Church in the City for one of our services. Our Saturday service at 10 a.m. has a Messianic theme, and our Sunday contemporary service starts at 10:45 a.m. Church in the City began as an outreach in the early 80s and became a church in 1991, dedicated to reflecting Christ in our community and the world.