What is it you want?
repost of Pastor Todd Boxley
Good morning, everyone. Welcome to “Try Jesus!” If this is your first time joining us, it’s great to have you with us. I would like to thank all the new members for joining “Try Jesus.” Also welcome those in Missouri, Tennessee, Indiana, Washington, Alabama, Colorado, and North Carolina, this week.
If I were to ask, “What is America hoping to look like in the next 20 to 30 years, what answer would you give?” “Does America involve God in its decision making?” “Are we drawing closer to God, or drawing away from God?”
“Are you seeking the Lord to understand his will for you, your family, and community?” When uncertainty invades hearts and mind, the person who prays earnestly understands to draw close to God.
Let’s seek his presence this morning, “Heavenly Father, thank you for gathering hearts today to seek you wholeheartedly as an act of worship. Lord, we come into your presence with thanksgiving in our hearts.
Help us to seek you in spirit and in truth. Speak to our hearts Holy Spirit. Give us the words that will bring new life. Lord your life changing words to hearts to those in attendance.
Lord, may nothing separate us from you today. Teach us how to choose only your way today so each step will lead us closer to you. Help us walk by the word and not our feelings.
Help us this morning to keep our hearts pure and undivided. Protect us from our own careless thoughts, words, and actions, which originate from the enemy (Satan).
And Lord, please keep us from being distracted by our wants, our desires, our thoughts on how we determine things should be. Help us to embrace what comes our way in your word.
That it would be as an opportunity, rather than a personal inconvenience. Help us to rest in the truth of
Psalm 86:13. In your glorious name we pray, amen.”
Again, I’d like to welcome those here my state of Pennsylvania, and all those who have joined “Try Jesus” from all over the nation. I’d like to begin this morning by asking a question.
If you could ask God 3 important questions, what would they be? Would your question be personal, or would it involve others in your life? Do you think it’s ok to question God?
For the parents out there, let me direct the question this way, have you ever taken your kids out on a “pick your favorite meal” night? How did it work out that night? I say “that night” because each night out can be different than the other.
Ok, how many of you have ever been in an SUV or van and asked a bunch of children or teens what they want while you are pulling into a drive through Wendy’s or in the case of those out west, an “In-N-Out Burger?”
I myself have never had an In-N-Out Burger? Are they better than Wendy’s? Please let me know after the message (Smile). Ok, let’s get back to the children. When you prepared to start out on this venture, did you plan ahead?
Do you think it’s easier knowing beforehand what a child will want, or do you think it doesn’t matter because they could change their mind based on others who might be joining in the trip?
As many of the longtime members of “Try Jesus” know, I grew up in a family with six other siblings. Whenever we would load up (one vehicle) squeezed together, we would wait surprisingly for our mom to make an announcement.
“Who wants to go to McDonald’s?” Or “Who wants to go to “Pizza Hut?” I’ve never been sure if my dad or mom ever took the time to seriously think what a beating their eardrums would take by asking the next question, “What do you guys want?”
I’m not sure you want to do this while driving. With six voices shouting all at once, you probably need a professional stenographer to take that many screaming orders.
But like many parents, if they adapt, they can make this day more enjoyable by planning ahead and carrying lots of pen and paper before making the trip. I can remember my parents reaching for the Tylenol before the day was eventually over.
But asking the question “What do you want” shouldn’t be that difficult to manage, right? There certainly are ways to manage that question whether it involves two children or two hundred children.
This can even apply to husbands and wives. Have you ever asked your husband what he wanted in the spur of a moment stop at a restaurant, fast food place, or grocery store?
How many times did he change his mind on what he wanted? Did you begin to feel frustrated because he couldn’t make up his mind? Which is easier to talk to someone about, “their need or their want?”
Are they the same? Is one more important than the other? Sometimes my parents would get frustrated about our choice of food we might want, but after long deliberations and discussion, they would simply tell us “It’s food, sit there and enjoy it!”
When you ask kids what they want, make sure you write it down. Better yet, it’s better if you can do away with the on the road surprising shout “Who wants pizza!” Especially if you have kids with amazingly different taste pilots.
I realize seeing their beautiful faces light from the surprise is heartwarming, but many times it can be overwhelming. Why do you think school teachers, camp counselors, and others involved in children’s and teens lives need a little respite from time to time? Oh, yes, parents too. (Smile)
Do you think God treats our wants and needs the same way we treat one another? The Bible has a lot to say about wants and needs. Many of you have read and understand the name “Jehovah-Jirah.” Which simply means “The-Lord-Will-Provide.”
Is it possible for people to get their needs confused with their wants? Have you ever wanted something, but after receiving it you felt uninspired for, having it? Sometimes we are a confusing creation.
Children always get confused about wants and needs. I can remember growing up begging my parents for a particular toy, but after all that pestering to my parents, I played with that toy for about two days, I was completely disinterested.
The Bible says, “Hell and destruction are never full; so, the eyes of man are never satisfied.” (Proverbs 27:20 KJV). What is the correlation between the eyes and hell? Well, everything that goes into the grave is ultimately destroyed.
Sometimes our eyes can see things that are magnified by the enemy to seem delectable to us. My mother used to say your eyes are bigger than your stomach when it came to wanting certain meals for dinner.
This was the case for the Israelites coming out if Egypt. God was all they needed to have their needs met. But it wasn’t enough for them. It wasn’t long before they got their needs confused with their wants, and began to complain (Numbers 11:5,6).
I’ve always shared with Christians all over this country that God is not against you having stuff (in reality his stuff) as long as you don’t allow stuff to have you. Satan and those who blindly follow him have corrupted the stuff we desire to use for righteousness and God’s glory.
Sometimes we confuse wants and needs. We can become so focused on our wants that they feel critical to our well-being. Then, when God doesn’t meet our “need,” we get angry or frustrated (Proverbs 30:15; Ecclesiastes 1:8; 6:7; Isaiah 56:9-12; Habakkuk 2:5).
The Bible instructs us to come boldly to the throne of God in our needs (Hebrews 4:16). If you are struggling with trusting God to meet your needs, feed on his word daily and meditate on his care for you (Romans 12:1,2; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; 1 Peter 5:7).
Be encouraged when you read,
8} “O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. 9} O fear the Lord, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. 10}The young lions do lack and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.” (Psalm 34:8-10 KJV).
4} “Delight thyself also in the Lord ; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 5} Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” (Psalm 37:4,5 KJV).
Jesus knew the needs and wants of everyone he encountered. He told his followers these words in how the Father cares for us. 8} “For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 9} Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
10} Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11} If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? (Matthew 7:8-11 KJV).
God has unlimited resources to take care of us. Christians do not serve a stingy creator. (Luke 11:13; 12:22-24; 28-30). Jesus certainly understood what it meant to go without the basic needs when he was led in the wilderness and tempted by Satan. (Luke 4:1-4; Mark 1:12,13; Matthew 4:11).
Jesus trusted in his Father, and was delivered from dangers, from the wild beasts, and from the power of temptation. Then the Father sent angels to attend to him afterwards.
God is the supplier of all our needs. He desires to fill us with all of his goodness. Have you ever noticed when reading the Bible about God’s blessing, that God always fills everything to overflowing?
Remember when the disciples went fishing and Jesus instructed them to throw their nets on the right side of the boat. What happened? Did they catch some small minnows or sardines? God never skimps on blessing us (2 Corinthians 9:10-12; 1 Corinthians 6:17).
Please read this well know verse from your spirit. “But my God
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What is it you want?
shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19 KJV). The Greek word “all” (pas) means in every way “whole.” whole whosoever.
God will supply our needs, but he never promised to meet all our wants. The truth is, even getting our “wants” will not necessarily make us happy. Think of the misery some of the wealthiest people experienced in their careers.
There have been many heartbreaking stories about those who fell hard under the weight and pressures of accumulated wealth. The problem was not necessarily gaining it, the problem occurred when it becomes their master.
The Bible does tell us that God will give us the desires of our heart. “Delight thyself also in the Lord ; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” (Psalm 37:4 KJV). God knows that we may desire something that brings joy to our heart and soul.
However, we must look at the verse in the context of the other verses preceding it and after it. In verse 3 of Psalm 37, we see David writing that one should trust in the Lord. Verse 5 says that we should commit our way unto the Lord.
David calls us to take delight in the Lord and to commit everything we have and do to him. But how do we do this? By placing all we have in his control. God will help us be good stewards over what is rightfully his (Psalm 24:1).
David would have a son named Solomon. He loved God and because he did, God came to him in a dream. His first question to Solomon was ..”and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.” (1 Kings 3:5 KJV).
In asking Solomon what do you want, Solomon could have desired anything outside of God, but he asked for an understanding heart to guide the people through right and wrong. (1 Kings 3:6-10).
His choice pleased the Lord, and God in turn gave him a wise and understanding heart. He also added riches and honor to his life. He also would prolong his life (1 King 3:12-14). You see beloved, Solomon trusted God to meet his request.
When we trust in the Lord, our attitudes and appetites can change from wanting everything to accepting his provision and power to live for him. God will always meet our needs. Whatever we actually need on earth he will always supply.
I remember one person I was counseling told me they were afraid to ask God for anything. She felt as if she was bothersome to the Lord. I explained to her that the more you bring yourself into his presence, the more he’ll respond to you.
I encouraged her to read these passages. (James 4:1-3; 7,8; Matthew 7:7,8; Luke 11:5-10; John 14:13,14; Hebrews 4:16; Philippians 4:11-13). When we are content in God, his peace floods our soul.
Christians can also be assured that all the material resources of the ungodly are laid up and preserved for the righteous (Proverbs 13:22). God has all the worlds goods stored up for his church.
Don’t think so? The body of Christ are considered pilgrims passing through this world on their way to their real new home. When God brought the people of Israel out if Egypt, they did not leave empty handed.
Much of the wealth Egypt stored up they willingly handed to the Israelites as they left (Exodus 12:35,36). When true believers follow the Lord, he gives them favor over their enemies.
When our living ways please the Lord he causes our enemies to be at peace with us (Proverbs 16:7). God will always delight in blessing his children when we turn to him with all our heart.
Again, Jesus knew the needs and wants of everyone he ministered too. He knows our hearts to the deepest depth. Jesus met one man during his ministry and asked him a question.
“And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.” (Mark 10:51 KJV). This man’s name was blind Bartimaeus.
He was begging along the road among the multitude that followed Jesus. All of a sudden, his need for the necessities of life dwindled compared to his wanting to see (Mark 10:47-50).
Bartimaeus calling Jesus the Son of David shows that he recognized Jesus as the Messiah. His faith in Jesus as the Messiah brought about his healing. Obviously, Jesus knew his condition before he asked the question.
When people know someone personally or by nickname, that name oftentimes sticks with them. Blind Bartimaeus was known by his reputation as the one who begged along the road.
Many people warned him not to talk to Jesus. They told him to keep quiet. But when that “want” cries and drowns out those needs, the Lord saw his faith that he knew Jesus could heal him.
Some might think why did Jesus ask him the question? Remember everyone, this man showed great respect toward Jesus referring to him as “Rabboni,” or, “Rabbi”; thou, great, great master in Israel, and Lord, of the whole world.”
Notice Bartimaeus also threw away his garment he used to cover himself as a beggar. He no longer wanted to be the “Linus” in Charlie Brown attached to that garment anymore. He didn’t tell Jesus his need was money, food, or even shelter. His heart’s desire was to see.
God handles his creation through personal and individual relationships as he sees fit. We all realize therefore that a need is something that is necessary to live and function.
A want is something that can improve your quality of life. Jesus being the great physician that he is blessed Bartimaeus in a want so that he could continue in joy knowing that God would continue to bless his needs.
If we ever feel this way, we should ask ourselves, Is my petition essential to accomplishing God’s purpose, or is it only for my enjoyment? Did Bartimaeus run away and forget all that Jesus did for him?
No it says after all this hoopla around him, he followed Jesus. He certainly did not take the attitude of the ten lepers who had a great need and want to be delivered from being outcast among others (Luke 17:12-19).
There are millions of people living today and thinking they themselves have made their lives completely successful. They think my wants and needs are from the world’s resources.
Then why do so many that have big houses, yachts, condominiums, nice children, a beautiful mistress, an unsuspecting wife, and secure corporate positions?
They even live with suicidal tendencies. They have everything this world has to offer except one thing, inner peace and joy. Seeking happiness without God is like seeking water without wetness or sun without light. Remember the words Jesus spoke (Matthew 16:26).
🗣📢 Last words: When your desire is to have a better income, or a better marriage or needing better health, don’t hesitate to run to God and make your petition before the throne of God in prayer. Sometimes crying out and being prostrate moves the heart of God to respond (Luke 18:1-8).
If you are not in a relationship with God, your accumulation of wants and needs from the world will cause problems in life. You are living on borrowed time. This temporary situation will come to an abrupt end (Hebrews 9:27,28; Revelation 20:11-15; 21:8).
After the termination of this life, we can have one of two combinations:
1) Both God and happiness and all our needs met for all eternity (Matthew 25:21; 40; Revelation 22:1-7). Both the Holy Spirit and the bride (the church) extend the invitation to all the world to come to Jesus and experience the joys of salvation in Christ.
2) Neither God nor happiness and stripped of all you thought you had accumulated while on earth. Now there is nothing but darkness (Matthew 25:41-46).
The heavenly Father wants to be His children’s greatest delight. The One in whom fulfillment and satisfaction are found. When that is true in a believer’s life, then he or she does not require a lot of “stuff,” entertainment, or people in order to be happy. Joy is in the Lord.
Today, God still offers the good news of his transforming grace, mercy, love, and eternal happiness. “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” (Revelation 22:17 KJV).
🛐 Here’s a prayer for wanting what God wants. “Heavenly Father, thank you for today’s message. I have desired things in my life that I ended up becoming a slave too.
I have run after things that left me empty inside. I thought my wants were more important than my family or friends. I thought the only way for me to get to fulfill all my wants and desires was the neglect everyone.
Lord, I am weak and feeble in my desires for wants and being selfishness. I am prone to walk amiss and dismiss your instructions in my quest to carry out the desires of my heart.
Jesus, help me to see beyond my present desires. Help me study your word with a quiet spirit when I am most tempted to go astray. Lord, I repent of my self-centered desires. Forgive me of my sins and be Lord of my life.
I pray to know you more until all of my wants and desires become your will and needs for my life. I pray that the world and its pleasures lose their grip on me, and I fix my gaze with steady eyes on the cross.
I pray that you make me one with you and teach me the precepts of the kingdom. Take my desires for pleasure and greed. My thoughts, plans, and desires are yours, Lord. Do with me as you please. I thank you, Lord, for loving me above all else. In Jesus, name, amen.”
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Pastor Todd Boxley
Worship Center Ministry
TJforlife.com