The Plague

I dont know of anyone (myself included) who hasnt experienced the sickening feeling of the plague known as "not-good-enough-itis." Speaking from my own experiences with this troublesome bug, its symptoms can last for hours or even days and can include feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, hurt and overall discontent. It can come in many forms: "My house isnt big/nice enough-itis," "My clothes arent cute enough-itis" "My job isnt good enough-itis OR it's counterpart "I'll never do a good enough job-itis" I think you get the picture.

So what is the remedy for this malady?

Let me be clear in saying that I am not referring to the gentle tugs at our hearts that are meant to encourage us to do good. Doing good, as outlined in Titus 3:1-3 is one of God's commands to us! Friends, what I am referring to is the feeling that eats us up inside and makes us feel altogether unworthy. The lies planted in our minds by satan which are repeating but untrue. And the hard to swallow truth that *gasp* we sometimes dont believe that Jesus IS enough.

First, let me remind you (and myself) that desires for things (see: House/Car/clothing/bank account-isnt-good-enough) is dangerous and destructive. 1 Timothy tells us "But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.(6-9)" The desire to be rich is ultimately unfulfilling. Our culture doesnt just whisper- it SHOUTS that we need more and more and more. In the fall, every car manufacturer will unveil its new 2011 models, rendering the 2010's obsolete. Next week, a house down the street will be put up for sale with more square footage and more amenities than my own. It will never be possible to completely meet the demands that our culture throws in our faces. Giving into this belief will eventually lead to ruin.

Let me jump back to a previous statement and encourage you to rejoice and be thankful that Jesus IS enough -- And wants to be your soul source of contentment! Give Him your cares and desires and allow Him to meet your needs. Look to Hebrews 13, where it says, "Be content with what you have, for He has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' So we can confidently say, 'The Lord is my helper, I will not fear; what can man do to me?'(5-6)" Hide God's word in your heart so that when these feelings of discontentment come, you will have a defense. Remember that God has designed us all to fulfill a specific purpose and lets not allow fleshly desires for fancier things or flashier occupations steer us away from that divine purpose. Seek out the heart and mind of a servant; for assuredly, there is no faster route to personal contentment than sharing an afternoon with someone less fortunate.

Over time, through trials and blessings, I will continuously become more secure with who I am in Christ. I do not need a Land Rover or the corner office because Jesus IS enough. God's provision is indescribable and worth so much more than anything fleeting that the world could offer. Paul said it best: "I rejoiced in the Lord greatly...not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him...and my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:10-13, 19)"

Hollie

Seek His Face!

So the time I have stressed about for weeks has finally come, it is my turn to write. I am asking myself, why did I agree to do this? What do I possibly have to say? I am grateful for the graciousness and mercy of those about to spend time reading what I hope is coherent.
Some weeks back the Lord gave me Psalm 22:25 & 26 to consider, “From You comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly, before those who fear Your name will I fulfill my vows. The poor will eat and be satisfied; they who seek the Lord will praise Him.” For me, these verses imply an answer to an age-old question: Why do those who know Christ turn away? Or put another way, why do Believers struggle for so many years with the cycle of turning to and then turning away from the Lord repeatedly? There are such a vast number of answers to this question. Here in these verses is an answer that cuts to the heart of the problem—we are not finding our satisfaction in God but instead in what God does for us. Often I say it like this, we are seeking His hands and not His face. Too often we turn away from God because (whether we can admit it or not) God is not enough for us. Why? The answer lies in what we are actually seeking.
When the Bible speaks of seeking God, its instruction is to actually seek His person (His face), but instead of seeking Him, we seek His action (His hands) on our behalf (Shouldn’t we lay these things before Him? Without a doubt, but not before we simply seek Him in an intimate knowledge of who He is and with a ruthless trust that submits to His will, ways and purpose—but that is another message all its own). If we were truly seeking God’s face we would ALWAYS be satisfied because our satisfaction would be found in Him alone. As David wrote, HE would be the theme of our praise and nothing else—we would not be able to turn away. Instead, however, we find Him to be dissatisfying because we are seeking what He can do for us; if He does not do what we want, when we want, fix what is broken, jump through our hoops, etc. we have no use for Him and we turn away to solve our own problems (Jeremiah called it digging our own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water—but again I digress).
BUT, if we were to seek God’s face with complete abandonment of ourselves, what would be the result? Among other results found throughout His Word, Psalm 22 makes it clear. Others would see the fruit of our clinging to Him in the way we obey Him! We would find that no matter what the circumstance God would be MORE THAN SATISFYING—filling us to overflow—with what?--PRAISE!! PRAISE regardless of our circumstance! PRAISE no matter what we are suffering! PRAISE no matter what we have lost! PRAISE no matter what we lack! PRAISE no matter our state of confusion! PRAISE no matter our anxiety and stress level! PRAISE! PRAISE! And then, probably a bit more PRAISE! Our sole response to Him would be PRAISE! Our face (NEVER our backs) to His face!! This week, I encourage you to spend time searching the Scripture for the numerous promises for those who seek HIM and keep their faces turned toward HIM! Two of my life’s theme verses and a constant prayer for me is found in Psalm 27:4 & 8, “One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple. My heart says of You, ‘Seek His face!’ Your face, Lord, I will seek.” Maybe God might lead you to make this one of your prayers too!

That You May Know Him More,
Kimberlie Jones
Eph 1:17