God, Plus….
Posted on August 22, 2017 by Graeme Wilson in Victory Call
And my God will meet all of your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:19
God is ALL we need. We know that, His Word says that; it’s fact. His Word is infallible, and this biblical truth is clear: There is nothing on earth that could fulfill us or supply all of our needs; only God can do that.
Matthew 6:26 – Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
Acts 17:25 – …He is not served by human hands, as if He needed anything. Rather, He Himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.
John 15:5 – Apart from [Him] we can do nothing.
As believers, we know this biblical truth. But as much as we know it, how many times do we have a “God, plus” attitude? What I mean is, how often do we desire God plus “fill-in-the-blank?” Do we ever have the mentality of “I know God is enough, and my life is good… but when I have THIS, I will truly be happy?” This mindset is something I’ve personally been harboring and struggling with, and thanks be to God, I’m learning to recognize it for what it truly is – an ugly lie straight from the enemy.
So what’s your “fill-in-the-blank?” Maybe it’s a husband. Maybe it’s kids or grandkids. Maybe it’s a job. Maybe it’s a new home. Or maybe you think you’d truly be happy and content if your children lived closer, or if you had more money… or if you hadn’t suffered that loss. Perhaps you’re struggling with regret; “If I had had kids when I was younger, I would be happier now…”
The truth is… we will always desire “the next thing” until we truly understand and believe that God IS all we need. His grace is sufficient. Everything else will fade away, everything else is temporary, including friendships, family, and material possessions. God is the One who is eternal, who created everything, who is sovereign, and who is more powerful than all. Other things might be good, but nothing else is good enough to one-up Christ, and nothing is to be idolized before Christ. If we think we need “God, plus…” what are we telling the world we truly believe about God’s power?
Check out this quote from Melissa Taylor from Proverbs 31 Ministries:
“If I lost everything, I’d be okay because no one can take away my Jesus. Whether I live in a mansion on a hill or in a tent on the side of a swamp, I have my Jesus. Whether the world is for me or against me, I have my Jesus. When I am knocked down, I get on my knees and find my Jesus.
When life becomes more than you think you can handle, don’t quit. And certainly don’t believe the lie that God is not enough. Instead, ask yourself, ‘God, are You enough for me?’ Then plant His Word deep in your heart so you’ll always have the ready answer, that yes, He is. He is enough for me, for you. Ours is the only God who ‘…will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus’” (Phil. 4:19).
Erin Culleny serves as a Marketing Assistant and Staff Writer. She loves encouraging women through her Victory Calls and finds such joy in praying for her sisters in Christ. Her favorite activities include reading her Bible, encouraging others with scripture, buying new makeup, buying dresses, and eating at the Cheesecake Factory… In that order!