We had a really good 4th of July. We had
fireworks, fellowship, food and fun. We played games, went swimming and
finished the day off with a few more fireworks at the house. Still kids will be
kids and you often hear, even after a full holiday or week-end, “I want more!”
Our wants often want to take over our lives. We hear about
our wants everywhere we look. From the TV to the discount store, everything is
pretty much about wants. People have
been known to spend their last dime for a want. They’ve been known to give up a
marriage, a job, a home, a family, and more.
But there’s a huge difference between wants and needs. What
I want is for everyone to love me. What I need is to experience the love of God
fully. What I want is for everyone to listen
to me. What I need is to know that God hears every prayer and answers according
to His glory and my best. Often our
wants are similar to our needs, but if we’re not careful we’ll live with the
counterfeit and think we’re doing great. All the while our needs are not being
met and we wonder why we feel unnecessary, unloved and underappreciated.
If we don’t get this needs vs. wants thing understood fully,
we will judge ourselves by the wrong measure. If my pantry is full and brimming
over I’m loved. If I’m busy and doing and trying to be good, then I’m right
with God. If I have stuff and am able to get more stuff, then I am a true
success. Wants are measured by outside measure. Needs are a thing of the heart.
A need is met solely in the promises of God but a want is something we have to
go after, expending our own energy and time and money.
Are you feeling needy this morning? Are you waking up with
disappointment? In yourself and in others? Is there pain in your heart because
you carried a burden for things you cannot control or manage? Are you wondering
where real peace, real joy and real faith can be found? The continual search
for things won’t help a bit will it? You
may have been talked down to, talked around or had talk behind your back. You
may have stuffed the feelings with more stuff, more work and more duties. But
still you feel the pain of lack and you’re worn out from searching for
satisfaction and fulfillment.
Oh beloved, God understands! He wrote you a love letter full
of His great and precious promises so that you could feel fulfilled completely
apart from things. He has given you everything you need to live a contented and
joyful life. He has been calling you sweetly to Himself with His promises.
Listen closely beloved and find what you’re looking for! All of your needs,
every single one of them, are met in Christ! All of your hopes and dreams are
found there as well! You are blessed beyond measure just because you are loved
completely by the Lord! You can lay all your burdens for fulfillment at His
feet and watch as He exchanges your wants for His blessings. He speaks to your heart and says I AM your
only source of true satisfaction. I AM your only source of true love. I AM your
complete source for everything you ever really need.
Hand your wants to God and let Him sift them by His Word and
exchange them for what you really need. God loves you and He’s for you and that’s
real satisfaction no matter what comes your way.
Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply all your needs
according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray
about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all He has done.
2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound
to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance
for every good deed. (NAS)
Matthew 6:31-33 So don’t worry about these
things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’
These things dominate the thoughts of
unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all
else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.
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