Needs. . . everyone has them: from the least to the greatest, the young, the old, the wealthy or the impoverished. There are various types of needs: food, shelter, or raiment to the complex needs: safety, security, and personal esteem.
The United States of America has recently entered the 2016 presidential election season. The electorate have gathered from time to time in front of television sets to watch the candidates debate, listen to their talking points, positions on policies, and bash each other followed by the commentary of political pundits to determine which candidate represents the values, principles, and which candidate is most likely to meet the needs in their lives and in their households. Parents living in areas replete with gun violence or gang activity need strategies and assistance to keep their children and adolescents out of harm's way. The elderly are in need of resources to meet their respective needs: adequate health care, housing, and for many, caregiving services. Additionally, a pastor is in need of members in his or her congregation who will capture, embrace, and support the vision given to him or her by the Holy Spirit for the church.
Needs affect everyone in every area of life. No one is exempt of having a need. Famous psychologist Abraham Maslow characterized a need as a catalyst or motivating factor of human behavior. According to Maslow, when basic needs are not met in an individual's life, he or she may engage activities that they would have not otherwise engaged in. Conversely, when needs are met, a person experiences a sense of accomplishment or self actualization, says Maslow..
A plethora of scriptures have been written in the Word of God for those who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ to give the believer assurance of God's concern about our needs.
"Therefore I tell you, stop being perpetually uneasy (anxious and worried) about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, or about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life greater (in quality) than food, and the body (far above and more excellent) than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, they neither sow nor reap not gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them. Are you not worth much more than they?" St. Matthew 6:25-26 (Amplified Translation)
"And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid, you are more valuable to God
than a whole flock or sparrows." St. Luke 12:7 (New Living Translation)
"And my God will meet all your need according to the riches of glory in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19 (New International Version)
The Father loves His people dearly and has given precious promises to His children who are in Covenant with Him. In a covenant relationship, there are prerequisites between the parties involved. Father God desires to lavish us with His promises if will obey His Word.
"But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right) and then all these things taken together will be given you besides." St. Matthew 6:33 (Amplified Translation)
"If you will only obey Me, you will have plenty to eat." Isaiah 1:19 (New Living Translation)
"If you listen obediently to the voice of God, your God, and heartily obey all His commandments that I command you today, God, your God, will place you on high, high above all the nations of the world. All these blessings will come down on ou and spread out beyond you because you have responded to the voice of God, your God." Deuteronomy 28:1 (Message Translation)
Worry, stress and strain is not what Father God has in mind for His loved ones. He desires His children to live their lives as lyricist John Sammis admonished in the refrain of his hymn: "Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey."
The United States of America has recently entered the 2016 presidential election season. The electorate have gathered from time to time in front of television sets to watch the candidates debate, listen to their talking points, positions on policies, and bash each other followed by the commentary of political pundits to determine which candidate represents the values, principles, and which candidate is most likely to meet the needs in their lives and in their households. Parents living in areas replete with gun violence or gang activity need strategies and assistance to keep their children and adolescents out of harm's way. The elderly are in need of resources to meet their respective needs: adequate health care, housing, and for many, caregiving services. Additionally, a pastor is in need of members in his or her congregation who will capture, embrace, and support the vision given to him or her by the Holy Spirit for the church.
Needs affect everyone in every area of life. No one is exempt of having a need. Famous psychologist Abraham Maslow characterized a need as a catalyst or motivating factor of human behavior. According to Maslow, when basic needs are not met in an individual's life, he or she may engage activities that they would have not otherwise engaged in. Conversely, when needs are met, a person experiences a sense of accomplishment or self actualization, says Maslow..
A plethora of scriptures have been written in the Word of God for those who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ to give the believer assurance of God's concern about our needs.
"Therefore I tell you, stop being perpetually uneasy (anxious and worried) about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, or about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life greater (in quality) than food, and the body (far above and more excellent) than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, they neither sow nor reap not gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them. Are you not worth much more than they?" St. Matthew 6:25-26 (Amplified Translation)
"And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid, you are more valuable to God
than a whole flock or sparrows." St. Luke 12:7 (New Living Translation)
"And my God will meet all your need according to the riches of glory in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19 (New International Version)
The Father loves His people dearly and has given precious promises to His children who are in Covenant with Him. In a covenant relationship, there are prerequisites between the parties involved. Father God desires to lavish us with His promises if will obey His Word.
"But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right) and then all these things taken together will be given you besides." St. Matthew 6:33 (Amplified Translation)
"If you will only obey Me, you will have plenty to eat." Isaiah 1:19 (New Living Translation)
"If you listen obediently to the voice of God, your God, and heartily obey all His commandments that I command you today, God, your God, will place you on high, high above all the nations of the world. All these blessings will come down on ou and spread out beyond you because you have responded to the voice of God, your God." Deuteronomy 28:1 (Message Translation)
Worry, stress and strain is not what Father God has in mind for His loved ones. He desires His children to live their lives as lyricist John Sammis admonished in the refrain of his hymn: "Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey."