Our Needs - Part 1

Given November 9, 2007
This morning, as I looked at all the prayer needs on my list and was asking God to meet every need, I asked Him what was the greatest need. I've got names listed for salvation, healing, and for various other needs. I wanted to know which ones God saw as greater than some of the others. Which ones were my perceived needs and which ones were needs God saw as important. His answer was this, "The greatest need is for you all to totally commit and submit to Me."

I was then reminded of the verse: "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7". Peter was telling us to toss all our needs over to Jesus and He'd take care of them because He loves us. And, going back to what the Lord told me that morning, if we'll not focus on those needs and totally commit and submit to Him, they'll all be taken care of anyway! "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33". So what is the greatest need in our lives? To focus entirely on Jesus and living a Christ-like life and we'll find those needs just sort of fade away. Hey, we might even find ourselves walking on water! Matthew 14:29.

God's To-Do List

Given August 2, 2007
As you've prayed, has God told you anything He wants you to do? Have you gotten impressions of something you feel you need to do? Maybe someone you feel you should go see? Well, I sure have. I've begun to write these things down and describe them as, "God's to-do list". Things He wants me to do.

Now, I'm also praying for God to do some things for me. And I know He's got some wonderful things planned so why haven't they come to pass? This is how God described it to me: It's like a teenager who asks his father, "Can I have the car Dad?" And the dad replys, "Have you cleaned your room yet, like I asked? You can't have the car until you clean your room."

God won't do what He's got planned for me until I do my part and do what He's already asked me to do. It's an obedience thing. "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. James 1:22". Yes, I want to be a good kid and do what my Father asks and, I know, He'll be real good to me when I do. What has God asked you to do?

"I've Already Done It"

Given August 1, 2007
During my prayer time this morning, God reminded me of something that is probably obvious but I needed to be reminded of it again. As I was going down my prayer list of needs, I asked God to bless the people and thus, the church financially. He said, "I already have." I had to say, "Oh yeah, you have haven't you."

Then I looked back over my prayer list and realized that many of the other things on there He had already made provision for. The problem is we hadn't received them yet. As far as financial blessing goes, God says, "Give and it shall be given unto you...Luke 6:38". The key is for us to be cheerful and extravagant givers. If we do that, God's plan, which is already in place, will work!

And, it's the same with many other needs or requests we have; salvation for loved ones, healing, wisdom, etc.. God has already done His part and, if we want results, we have to do our part. "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Isaiah 55:11". That's good news!

So, God reminded me today and I pass it on to you. He's already done His part, let's do ours and see His purposes fulfilled in the earth.

Listen More, Talk Less

Given March 6, 2007
I get to be around a lot of smart people in the course of the many activities I'm involved in. My work puts me in contact with important people in education and technology, sometimes I'm with state and nationally known political figures, and frequently I'm around giants in the faith. One thing they all have in common is that they know more than me. They are experts in their fields and I listen to them a lot.

Now think about prayer. In prayer, we're talking with someone who know a lot, wouldn't you say? God knows exactly what we need and wants to get that information to us for our good. But think about it; how much talking do we do in prayer and how much do we listen?

We are conversing with the one who knows everything and we spend most of the time talking! How backwards is that? "If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you. Exodus 15:26." Listen!

I know, it's hard to do; to be quiet and just listen but you'll be amazed at what God will reveal to you when you do. Try it the next time you pray. It will be uncomfortable for awhile but be patient and you'll hear that "still, small voice", 1 Kings 19:12.

How Ya Doin' Dad?

Given December 7, 2006
God is dealing with me from several sources lately about the time I spend with Him. We know God wants to spend time with His creation; He walked in the garden "looking" for Adam and Eve, He brought the Israelites out of Egypt to fellowship with Him in the wilderness, He wants to spend time with you and I as His children.

I've got four wonderful boys and I think how sad I'd be if all they ever did when they came around was to tell me their problems and ask me for stuff. But isn't that the way we do God much of the time? We'll run over our list of needs then say, "Goodbye, gotta go." And God is saying, "Hey Son, wait a minute. I wanted to talk to you and tell you some things." Oh man, do we ever need to repent!

He wants us to come in to Him and just say, "Good morning Father, how 'ya doin'? Oh, sorry, you're always doing good, aren't you? I just wanted to spend some time with you today. You know Dad, I love you."

"By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. Hebrews 11:5". That comes from spending quality time with God. I want to do more of that.