GOD PROVIDES

PASTOR RYAN LADEN – DEVOTIONALS

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Need vs. Want

Do you know the difference between a need and a want? Today’s devotional looks at this old problem through the lens of Ephesians 6:10-20. When I was a kid, I wanted a lot of stuff that I really did not need. I am sure that the responsible adults around me told me that very truth, but there is no way I listened. No way. 

When you want something in a big way, that desire has a big impact on you. Want can grow into something that resembles need, an essential that you cannot live without. Then, we can become very confused about that which we actually need versus a desire that now masquerades as a necessity. 

When we are confused about what is a need and what is a desire, we set ourselves up for disappointment and disillusionment. This is especially dangerous when we have these misplaced desires and expectations with God. 

God Meets Needs

One of the truths that I heard loud and clear in my study of the following passage is that the Lord meets the needs of his people. 

Read this message given by the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul and see if you hear that truth as well.

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

(Ephesians 6:10-20)

List of Needs

As I read through this powerful truth, I hear example after example of ways in which the Lord provides for the true needs of his children. Here are a few examples I heard in this message:

·  The Lord gives his mighty power to those who stand firm in their faith. 

·  The Lord defends us against attack

·  The Lord defeats our true enemies.

·  The Lord provides us with his truth, his righteousness, his gospel, his salvation, and his Spirit.

·  The Lord hears our prayers.

·  The Lord works in and through us to further his kingdom and will. 

Wants

I have a long list of wants that I would like the Lord to gift me, but none of these desires are as good as what the Lord has already given and promises to give. 

I need to be reminded of the way in which God meets my needs. He is at work in me and at work in you right now fulfilling these promises if you are willing to ask in faith. 

Are you ready to ask God for what you need most? 

Go ahead and ask, trusting the Lord to provide all you really need in this life and in eternity. He provides!

In Christ, 

Ryan Laden

PASTOR RYAN LADEN

Former Senior pastor at Warnbro Community Church

Studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at Baylor University

Studied at Texas Tech University

Went to Castle Hills First Baptist

Pastor Ryan Laden –Copyright 2024. All rights reserved.