“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5:16-18

The small child whined to her mother in the grocery store checkout line. She twisted back and forth, her head titled up to her meet her mother’s face. “But, Mommy. I neeeed that candy bar.”

The mother’s lips curled into a smirk. “Do you really need it?”

How often do we come to our Father in Heaven and plead for what we think we need, confusing it with a want? Just like that child, we plead for the “desires of our hearts.” After all, doesn’t it state in the Psalms that is what God will do? (Psalm 37:4) Didn’t Jesus say he’d grant anything we asked for in His name? (John 14:13-14)

Ah, there is the catch—in His name. When the desires of our hearts match that of Jesus’ then we can ask in His name (like-minded with Him) and it will be granted. What did Jesus ask for? To do His Father’s will and be a witness of obedience to His disciples. Jesus asked for strength and endurance to complete the task God gave Him. And He wanted us, His followers, to be with Him in Heaven.

God will satisfy our needs just as He does the lilies of the field and the sparrows. It doesn’t necessarily mean He will wave a magic wand to end all of our problems, heal our loved one’s cancer, or find us that high-paying job so we can afford a boat, a new car or a dream vacation. If the desire of your heart is to do God’s will, you can rest assured God will supply everything you need to accomplish it. And what is God’s will for us? Paul spells it out in I Thessalonians 5:16-18:

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

We can rejoice no matter the circumstances when we are confident that God will satisfy our needs and has our best interests at heart, just like the mom in the grocery store. God wants the best for us, and often that means not giving us everything we want.

Father God, help us discern what we need and what we want. Teach us above everything else, if we align our desires with Your will, then we can have confidence You will supply all we need. Steer us away from the wants that may harm us or turn us from You. Let Your Son Jesus be our example and Your Spirit be our guide. Amen.

Action Point: Make two columns and write your needs on one side and your wants on the other. Do all of your wants honor God? Do you Trust God to satisfy your needs?

By Julie Cosgrove
used by permission

FURTHER READING

Our Heart’s Desires

The Desires of the Heart

Our Heart and our Treasure

Follow Us On:  Facebook  • ‘X’ Twitter •  Instagram • Pinterest

The post Do You Really Need It? appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“And when they found him, they exclaimed: ‘Everyone is looking for you!’ Jesus replied, ‘Let us go somewhere else – to the nearby villages – so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.’” Mark 1:37-38

Behind the declaration “Everyone is looking for you!” is a host of expectations. It can feel like the demands are coming from every direction with more expectations than we can fulfill.

How did Jesus respond with such clear purpose and direction to all the demands and expectations people had of him? How did he not get flustered? The verses just prior share his secret. Jesus had risen early that morning and found a solitary place where he could be alone with his Father and pray. Jesus didn’t disclose the intimate and private conversation he had with his Father, but the result was he knew his purpose and he knew it was time to move to nearby villages.

We, too, have many demands made of us. Our boundaries are constantly challenged. We also need to know our purpose and receive direction from our Father. We will often have more placed on us than we can handle without disappointing others or even ourselves. Jesus knew the secret — find a solitary place to pray in private. Seek the face of the Father and ask for his will and direction.

Like Jesus, you will not meet all of the needs and expectations from people around you but you can be sure the Father will lead and guide your life and your actions when you seek his will in prayer. It is an open invitation to pray. Emotional bondage can come through the constant demands and expectations of others. God calls us to please only him!

Heavenly Father, thank you for the freedom of following you wholeheartedly. We seek your will and direction for each day of our lives. Help us respond to your invitation to get alone with you and pray and seek your face. Direct us in your purpose and your plans for our lives. Lead and guide us moment by moment through your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.

By Donna Mitchell
Used by Permission

Learn more about knowing Jesus at: https://thoughtsaboutgod.com/four-laws/

FURTHER READING

• When Life Isn’t Easy
• How to Get a Grip
• Pressing On

The post When Demands are Endless appeared first on Thoughts About God.