What Do You Need?

We moved our 22-year old son to Michigan this week. He was on a ministry tour most of this summer, but up until this week he has always lived in Oxford where we live. We move our 19-year old daughter back to college tomorrow. Also, our baby starts his junior year of high school tomorrow. Friends, I need so much right now. I need prayers and I need Kleenex. I may or may not have said out loud, “I need chocolate.” But what I really need is Jesus.

a U-Haul in the rain--all part of the process

As I’ve chatted with other friends over the last couple of weeks, they all need things too. For some, money is tight and an unexpected bill showed up and they need some finances to go exactly right. For others their body isn’t working the way they want it to work. They need healing and patience with themselves. Other women I’ve chatted with need discernment. They have opportunities and options and ideas and want to do the right thing. Other friends have mentioned they need more time, someone to answer the phone so they can make headway on an issue, a chance to catch their breath, help with a relationship. But honestly, what they all need is the same thing I need and the same thing you need, too–Jesus.

How can I be so sure one guy is the end all solution to all our needs? Well, Psalm 23 tells us, The Lord is my shepherd, I have EVERYTHING I need. So when we let Jesus shepherd us, we truly have everything we need. Sound kind of general? Or to good to be true? Still not sure how that applies to your specific situation? 
Let’s take a look at what we need, who Jesus is, and how those line up.
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Need peace? Stressed out? Anxious? 
Jesus is the Prince of Peace and His peace surpasses all understanding.
“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).”
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).

Need protection? Scared? Vulnerable? 
Jesus is our protector
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;
    my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
He is my shield, the power that saves me,
    and my place of safety.
He is my refuge, my savior (2 Samuel 22:2-3).”

Need comforting? Sad? Maybe even heart broken? 
Jesus is our comforter.
God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort (1 Corinthians 1:3).

Need provision? Out of time or money or resources? 
Jesus is our provider.
And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).

Need a friend? Lonely?
Jesus promises to always be there for you.
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age (Matthew 28:20).

Not sure where to go or what to do?
Jesus will direct your steps.
Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take (Proverbs 3:6).

I don’t know where you need to put these verses to remember. I don’t know which one will resonate with you most today. But write it out. Make it your screen saver. Look it up in your Bible and underline it. Pray it out loud. This is truth. 

Mary from It's a Wonderful Life

I’m reminded of that scene in It’s a Wonderful Life when there’s a run on the Bailey Savings & Loan. One woman says her husband hasn’t worked in months. Another person has doctor bills. Everyone needs money for different reasons and seemingly out of nowhere Mary shows up holding a wad of cash and shouts, “How much do you need?”

Miraculously, it seems, each person’s need is met by the money in Mary’s hand. The clock strikes. The bank closes. And there are even a couple of dollars left over. It didn’t run out. That’s just what a fictional newlywed can do (Mary is awesome by the way) but think of how much incredibly more Jesus is capable of. He has everything in His hands that you and I need, an abundance of it. It won’t run out.

Sure, there will still be days we need Kleenex and doctors and chocolate and time and our paycheck to clear. But with Jesus’ mighty, awesome, powerful, holy, eternal self on our side? Who can be against us? And why should we fear? Jesus is everything we need. 

Free Bible Study....

Free Bible Study

Just in time for fall we’ll be going through 10 Minutes for 10 Days–a quick and easy Bible study geared to help us hear Jesus better and sense Him more fully. If you’ve gone through this with me before, please join in again. It’s a great refresher to clear some clutter in our lives and minds to make more room for Jesus. If you’re new here–welcome! I’m so excited for you to join me!
Starting 9/4/23 we'll spend ten minutes for ten days. Each day's practice is as simple as lingering to inhale the scent of leaves or praying for someone as they pull out of the driveway instead of immediately grabbing our phones. This is your journey with Jesus. Listen to Him as you go. Invite friends, your small group, Bible study, sister, or do it solo. 

To sign up to get your FREE 10-day Devotional click here (PDF will be delivered by email on 9/1)

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