Found Lacking Wisdom in the Sight of God

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As I read this passage from Matthew 11... three of these verses spoken by Jesus stood out from the rest.

The first verse:

"From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize]."

The second verse:

“To what can I compare this generation? It is like children playing a game in the public square. They complain to their friends,”

Note that "generation" is a group of men very like each other in endowments, pursuits, and character.

The third verse:

The Son of Man came eating and drinking [with others], and they say, ‘Look! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners [including non-observant Jews]!’ Yet wisdom is justified and vindicated by her deeds [in the lives of those who respond to Me].””

MATTHEW11:12, 16, 19

So I started journaling

The kingdom of heaven is under violent assault yet people act like children.... They do not know the times in which they live. They have no real discernment.  They lack restraint.  They act like they don’t have any accountability for their actions.

People calling to each like "group" of children in the market place... "playing games".

They are always trying to be justified and vindicated by their peers for how they want to be seen ... and whatever they want and do.  They judge by mere appearances.  They are not free from the sinful wants that steer put downs and enticing words from their lips.  They compare based on what they value in their own little group... but will their judgments mean anything when they stand before God?  

They are not wise or cleaver in the sight of God.  Why value the opinions of such people more then God? They are like a wildflower in a field. Here today gone tomorrow.  They cannot see what is right in front of them.  They put down God to His face.

People's opinions matter very little when it comes to God.  John The Baptist, did he play to whatever tune people wanted him to play?  No He did not.  He spoke whatever God had him speak.  He did whatever God had him do.  He was not sway like a reed by every breath of wind.  He was not afraid to speak the truth and did not deny me when pressed, even with the earthly consequences that ended in his beheading by the wicked.

To put hope, trust and reverence in God, above all things, that is wisdom and life and life eternal.  People who lack wisdom act like spoiled children.  They act like the world, which is full of hypocrisy, stubbornness, selfishness, foolishness, pride, deceit, and lust of power.  They war and violently assault what they don’t care to understand.  They war against life itself for what, for things that will perish and come to nothing?  They care more about the love of the world then the everlasting love of the Father.

This has caused much unrest in people's lives.

The “generation” that disregards God's word publicly shows its filthy ignorance, immaturity and their path to destruction.

Wisdom comes from God not our own understanding... Wisdom works when you fear God and follow Him.  Wisdom works when you actually listen and respond to God.

The fact is a child who has faith in God has more wisdom flowing through them then those who act as the world does that controlled by Satan.  (Powerful)

In the passage Jesus denounces certain cities and their destruction for not turning to God.  These were cities he did the most miracles in...

They did not have wisdom to see God's goodness and mercy. They took it for granted.

Then Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way! “My Father has entrusted everything to me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.””

Matthew 11:25-30

This is wisdom... This is the remedy for living in a world that lacks wisdom.  This is the healthy alternative... to help us to stand firmly, securely and peaceful in God.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:3  

They could have the kingdom of heaven if they just would submit and see their need for God.

There is Something about Doing Good Deeds

I have always admired one of a mild disposition and gentle spirit, who doesn’t need to show presence in words or abilities or looks but is quite simple and comfortable in all things concerning life and men.

Nothing seems to overcome them even in difficult times.  They are content with little or much.   They take one task at a time realizing what can’t get done today can get done tomorrow or the next.   Their focus is of one driving in a thick white fog, focusing on the here and now instead of what may or may not come.   It is not that they are indifferent or dry or highly regard of them selves- it’s just that they keep their trust in someone higher then the world and higher then anything the world might offer at a price.  

They sit looking at nothing in particular too long – not the oceans, the skies, the stars or even the pathways of men.   They quietly stand unstirred by all the affairs of life.  They walk as if listening to a lovely sympathy.  On the hot days the shade and a cool breeze brings thanks to their lips. 

On the cold days a simple fire and a warm drink is not under-appreciated by them.   They journey through life with a light grasp.  Even when wrinkles grace their face and white hair crowns their head, they still live in a warmth and quiet peace enjoying, savoring and absorbing all precious moments as if they worth more then gold.   Yes every morning they sit like a boat in quiet waters reading scriptures from their well-worn bible and then rise as if a soft wind has just filled their sails.  They aren’t like the clouds that come and bring no wind or rain.  They come with a refreshing word and perspective, which seeds the ground.  They mist, sprinkle, and pour graciously encouraging the ground to germinate and grow its fruits.  Their personalities aren’t so massive that they block out the sun or thick with pride that rays of light can never shine through.  They have sympathy and compassion and unity like a sunrise and sunset.

It is not of icy self-assertiveness or self-interest that they do this- for that would be still too bothersome of a burden for the human soul to bear.  They shed their leaves of color amongst great gratitude and sometimes sorrow.  Sweet sap drips from them in conviction as their roots continually dig deeper into God’s securing love.  When the Spirit comes over them, their hands without fail rise up like crocuses awakened from frozen ground.   The hands of heaven dry their cheeks and lift their chins like loving parent.

Many men seek such assurance and confidence in bits of silver and gold but they are continually left with a bitter taste of dissatisfaction in their mouth and a hunger in their soul.   The simpleton confounds them.  

Why is this man of long walks and humble attributes so appealing?   He has nothing really to give but offers what little he has.   He smiles with no evidence he will get any smiles back.  Why in all the hustle and bustle and uncertainty of today and tomorrow, why are you like a light that continues to shine even in the worst of storms?  Why don’t you just blow out like everyone else?  Why are you are like that salt the makes my soup malleable and sweet warm butter on my bread?      

Why do you walk as if you were experiencing one of the greatest cities in world but it’s plain and ordinary and even dismal?   You greet people as if it were a privilege but they aren't important or even famous.  Why is there a glint of encouragement in your eye when the wisest of men has said, "All is meaningless"?

It makes me think that - in the eyes of God even meaningless has a role.  What if all this hollowness, frailty, unfulfilling, fleeting whims of this world that seduce and chastise man -had a purpose? 

What has this man found that is so irreplaceable?   He has invested many hours of thought and accounted for his loses and the benefits still out weighted the losses.   He has checked his inventory everyday to see if something is missing and continually works to have a mature up to date supply.   He continually checks to see if his house is in need of repair.  

He sees his pantry of supplies is not enough for his company and himself.  He sets out for fish market and bakery to find fresh provisions.  He buys wood to cook the food and warm it.   Then when everyone eats all will be satisfied and he will have satisfaction of doing his service well.  He does this day after day just glad to be of service.

This man definitely travels a road less traveled.  What does he find there? 

Then comes the question, “Do you too highly regard your life?  Do you cherish your life more then you should?

If the soul is discouraged -could it be out of one’s self-centerness?

Do we too highly regard our life?  Would the world miss one more selfish soul?  No, of course not.   
But they might miss an unselfish one though.

The Lord Jesus said: “It is more blessed to give than receive.” Acts 20:35

Am I saying, “Does this giving score us any points with God?”  No!  Am I saying, "Good deeds get us into heaven?" No! But does giving something to someone in need do something within us to encourage us out of discouragement?

Do we too highly regard our life, our comfort, our security, our needs, our feelings, our wants and so on? But not highly regarding God and what he wants from us?

How often do you ask God what he wants from us?  Personally I know it’s far less then my requests from him.   Keep this in mind, if God wants you to do something he will give you the strength and resources and mind of Christ to do it in.

I don’t want to go down that street of guilt but I want to ask, if we are not asking God what he wants… are we really honoring God or not honoring God?  Do we really have a relationship with him at all? Are we really his body, his people, his vessels?

None are perfect at this that I know of .... yet he still puts up with our dabbling in other things.

Sometimes we even miss the entire point of life?  We can so easily point out the negatives in this life as if they are bigger then God.   We don't realize God allows us to see the negatives - so we might pray and do something by His Spirit to speak into the situation.  We don't see that we are an ear, a hand, a foot, a voice, an eye to be used by God.

Do we really love the LORD with all our heart, soul and strength? 

I am not trying to sound religious and dry and yuck! Please understand me here in your heart. 

We go to God to fulfill our needs and he does it… not always in the time we think it should happen but he does answer them…. but ask yourself does God have needs?

Does God’s body have needs?  Does the people, who don’t know him yet but who he died for, have needs?   Of course they do!  But how can they know Christ and come to Christ to be saved if we only cram God’s words into their face with no caring action behind it?

James says what?... “Now someone may argue, ‘Some people have faith; others have good deeds.’ I say. ‘I can’t see your faith if you don’t have good deeds, but I will show you my faith through my good deeds.  Do you think it’s enough just to believe that there is one God? Well, even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror!  Fool! When will you ever learn that faith that does not result in good deeds is useless?”  James 2:18-20

We say our purpose as God’s people is to serve God and encouragement comes from God but how can we be encouraged in the Lord if we aren’t also doing and participating in the Lord’s work?  God's words need to come alive off the pages of our mind and into our daily actions.      

Are we so cared for by God that we overlook the needs of others?  Are we so cared for by God that we over look the simple blessings that we receive everyday such as clean running water we shower in, to electricity we use, the home we live in, to the comfortable warm bed we sleep in? Are we so cared for by God that we have become greedy over the things in this life? Not realizing we have far more then we need.   Why don't we share?  Do we take and take more then we give?

Why don’t we cry out "Lord what are your needs?  What are the needs you want me to help you with to help those made in the image of you?"

The reason we don’t ask is because of our own self-centerness and what little we give – at all- we think that is enough.  The reason we don't ask is because we are afraid of how he might answer us.

Self-centerness leads to discontentment and discouragement.  We get so focused on ourselves that we can’t see what God wants us to do!

The message of Christ should enrich our lives and the lives of others.   Good deeds are part of that.  It is not a self-centered message but a message of hope and encouragement.  Where the peace of Christ is ruling and filling the heart/soul to touch other people’s lives.

Self-centerness doesn’t lead to maturity in Christ- it lives and leads to the mindset of the world.

We hear we work to live or live to work but it is neither.   We serve God to live. There is where the secret of life is… there's another strategy God gives to overcome the world and our discouragement!   

We hang onto life - we lose it but if we give it to God (more then we are now) then we will discover it more fully.

If you just went to work for the paycheck, it would be meaningless but if we looked at work as… how could we make a difference in other people’s lives then “the job”… It would be a lot more fulfilling.

"Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people." Colossians 3:23

2 Timothy 3:1-17 New King James Version (NKJV)

Perilous Times and Perilous Men

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: ² For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, ³ unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, ⁴ traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ⁵ having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! ⁶ For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, ⁷ always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. ⁸ Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; ⁹ but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.

The Man of God and the Word of God

¹⁰ But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, ¹¹ persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. ¹² Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. ¹³ But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. ¹⁴ But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, ¹⁵ and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

¹⁶ All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, ¹⁷ that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Looking at this passage we can be thankful to God for these last days.  Sounds crazy but think about it….  There is to be a definite difference or departure from those caught up in the world and those living for Christ.   As things get progressively worse -God’s people, filled and guided by the Holy Spirit will have many chances to glorify God more and live encouraged in a discouraging world.

The greedy still won't give unless forced and they will still find ways to keep what they have and the giver, already be used to giving, will give freely to those in need. They will be looking out for others then themselves.

God addresses our discouragement about life when we are able to do things for others.  Instead of feeling like everything is hopeless, God puts us to work to make a difference in a hopeless world.

The Jackie Pullinger Story - Missionary to China from believe836 on GodTube.
  

 

 

The Best Pathway For Our Life 2

The world loves to show us the best life is one full of fortunes and riches and this makes one think of one as prosperous.   This worldly way of understanding can mislead one to chase after fortunes and riches and never be happy or at peace.   I know from experience that money causes more problems then not having money.  You have money- you have to put it in a bank that isn't going to charge you for using that money, you have to spend that money or it can be used against you, you have to protect what you spend the money on and then in a few months or years you have to replace what you bought for something newer and more efficient.

So what does God say prosperity. 

PROSPERITY

“Nevertheless, the time will come when I will heal Jerusalem’s wounds and give it prosperity and true peace.” Jeremiah 33:6 (NLT)

In the original Hebrew translation "prosperity and true peace" is translated into "abundance of peace and truth."

Being rich to God is you and I really understanding the depth of His love for us.   It is trusting God to a point you and I have a sound mind no matter the circumstances in life.  It's not about having peace because we are rich - it is about having peace because we have God who is all truth.  Riches "can" bring one under captivity of the world.  I say "can" because there were rich people such as Abraham and Job who were rich but they saw a relationship with God was more important then any amount of material wealth. 

"The name of the LORD is a strong fortress: the godly run to him and are safe.  The rich think of their wealth as a strong defense; they imagine it to be a high wall of safety.  Haughtiness goes before destruction: humility precedes honor." Proverbs 18:10-12

CAPTIVITY

"I will be found by you,” says the LORD.  “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes.  I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.” Jeremiah 29:14 (NLT)

Interesting enough the word “fortunes” is translated in the Hebrew word “Shebuwth” which means “captivity”.

"I will end your captivity and restore your captivity.....?"

Some might say, "That doesn't make sense" but in God's perspective it makes perfect sense.

We must understand in God's understanding that we can either be captive to the world or captive to God.   Remember Jesus saying we can't serve two masters both God and money? (Matthew 6.) 

Being “captive” to God is understanding we are his prized possession.  Is understanding our heavenly Father already knows all our needs and he will give us all we need from day to day if we live for him and make the Kingdom of God our primary concern. (Matthew 6)

“He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word.  And we, out of all creation, become his prized possession.”  James 1:18

“But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people.  You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession.  As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9

Being prosperous and captive in the Lord can be illustrated and seen in Psalm 23

“The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need.  He lets me rest in green meadows; leads me beside peaceful streams.  He renews my strength.  He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.  Even when I walk through the dark valley of death I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.  Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.  You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.  You welcome me as a guest, anointing my head with oil.  My cup overflows with blessing.  Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.”

KNOWING WHERE LIFE IS

John speaking about Jesus: “He created everything there is.  Nothing exists that he didn’t make.  Life itself was in him, and this life gives light to everyone.  The light shines through the darkness, and darkness can never extinguish it.”   John 1:3-5

Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”  Johns 14:6

Jesus said, “Yes, I am the gate.  Those come in through me will be saved.  They will come and go free and will find good pastures.  The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy.  My purpose to give them a rich and satisfying life.” John 10:9-10 (NLT)

Jesus said, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.  I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”  John 10:10

“Abundantly” means to exceed our expectation in this life.  God wants to exceed our expectations in this life.  He wants to show us things that we didn't even think were possible in this life.  These are treasures no one can steal.

Knowing life is Jesus and Jesus is God.  What should that path of our life look like in him? 

It will reflect Jesus not the world

Look at the concordance with me.  Life defined by God's word.

A. Life is the absolute fullness of life both essential and ethical, which belongs to God, and through him both the "hypostatic “logo” and to Christ in whom the “logos” put on human nature. 

 B. Life- real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed, in the portion even in this world to those who put their trust in Christ, and resurrected after this life in a more perfect body to last forever.

WANTS AND DESIRES

Some people do and some don’t want to hear God is the path for them.   People don’t want to hear they are captive to either this world or to God.  They want to believe they are "free spirits" but free spirits of what?  Free spirits of whatever their flesh wants?  Sounds great but what does it harvest in the end?  And to whom and what ideals are they really serving?  Love you free spirits but you are being tricked and into dangerous falsehood that endangers you very souls.

Jesus said to the disciples: "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross and follow me. If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it.  But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life.  And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose yours own soul in the process?  Is anything worth more than your soul?  For I, the Son of Man, will come in the glory of my Father with his angels and will judge all people according to their deeds."  Matthew 16:24-27

I was there once there myself and God is continually showing me His Path in Him (Life) for me.

People want to follow their own path, which is often directed, by their own fleshly wants and desires.   Those who follow such thoughts, wants and desires find themselves in a world that is never content or at rest.  And we cannot live with one foot in both worlds.   Our heart and mind will either be captive by this world or captive to Christ.   Either we will be content and not want in Christ or we will be not contented and continued to want in this lost hamster wheel world -- for you don’t have to look too far to see proof of that.   Those captive to Christ overcome this world in their trust and faith in God.

So you and I have peace and are rich and prosperous if our heart, mind, and soul seeks and trusts God for we will see God in our lives and know we are God’s very own possession.   You have true life if you are devoted to God and you overcome this world if you trust in God.

The Best Pathway For Our Life 1

I would love to just break free of this life and go supersonic any direction I thought looked good like a kid running ahead of his parents at amusement park.   I notice when those kids do that however, their Mom and Dad says, "Where are you going? We aren't going over there.  We are going over here first and then we will do that."

I believe God sometimes does that to us.  God brings us to this amusement park of life and says, "Where are you going? or "No you aren't going over there" or "No we aren't going over there just yet, we are going to do this stuff first."  I think that is good that God does that - I mean can you imagine all the parents at the amusement park just letting their kids go running off where ever they wanted and doing whatever they wanted?  Life is strange enough thank God he has some of us paying attention- well some of the time.   

The Lord says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life and I will advise you and watch over you." Psalm 32:8

God knows this amusement park of life, he knows the best pathway and the best times to get on certain rides - and the rides we just need to stay away from.       

I remember before I gave my life to Christ, thinking "Why would I give my life to God?"

I thought if I gave my life to God I wouldn't live a satisfying life.  My life in this amusement park of life would be no fun.  What God wanted was WAY different than what I wanted from life and that was true BUT looking back - if my life didn't change and I continued down that road I was on I would have been still a very unsatisfied person.  I would still be seeking to replace the things that were no longer satisfying me.  Looking for the next greatest thing, and in the end... it would have not only been a never ending fruitless quest in life- but if I didn't see my need for God in my life I would spent eternity in hell not heaven.

"Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit." Gal 6:8

I wanted to be the one in control of my life but looking back I think that was pretty naive.   Is anyone really in control of their life?  Does anyone have any guarantees that they will live their life to a ripe old age?  No.... Does anyone have any guarantees that their ventures in life will be successful? No...  Life is short no matter what our age.

It is a comfort to know as a Christian that if we trust and seek God- he promises to guide us along the best pathway of our life and he will advise us and watch over us no matter how long or short this life on earth might be.

Imagine the God who created you and I, the God who created the universe has not just a plan and will for us but wants to take us along the BEST pathway for our life and advise and watch over us as we go along this temporary experience we call life which is nothing compared to eternity.

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "they are plans for good not disaster, to give you a future and a hope.  In those days when you pray, I will listen.  If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when seek me.  I will be found by you," says the LORD."  Jeremiah 29:11-14  
 
The question we need to really consider is: "Do we really earnestly seek Him?  Do we believe and trust God will guide us along the best pathway for this temporary experience we call life?"

Most of us Christians would say, "Yes" at first but after considering some of our actions we would have to honestly say, "Not to the depth we wish to trust God."   Life throws a lot of things at us but I believe in the depth we look at God's word will determine how we look at life.  It will determine how we perceive our life and react to life - not only that but it will determine how we respond, understand value our relationship with God.

I believe God will give us nothing but the best if we just believe it.   He will give us something more then sufficient to brighten even our darkest days.  Why do I believe this?  I believe this because IF God, WHO IS THE BEST, became flesh in Jesus Christ, died for us, rose again and gave us the Holy Spirit then He has to have the BEST pathway for our life as well.   

Jesus said "I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have [it] more abundantly. " John 10:9-10

Mediate on these truths as you seek God's path for your life.  Amen

Need and Want

Is there power in not wanting?   Is there a difference in a need and a want?  What does God consider a need and want?  Do wants and needs change as we mature in Christ Jesus?

I may "want" a Toyota 4Runner or a FJ Cruiser but God says your "need" for a vehicle can be met with a used Toyota Corolla.   I may "want" a large flat screen TV with surround sound and endless selection of movies to watch from Netflix but is that what I really need?  We may "want" a lot of things but what is the basic "need" that needs to be met?  Is television really a need or a want?  Is a cell phone really a need or a want?  Is all that texting more a "need" or a "want"?

Sometimes our "wants" can take us away from more meaningful experiences with our family, friends and others God puts in our path. We can be so busy doing this and that "want" - that we don't even see what really matters in life.  We live in a culture that tells us what we "need" when in fact it isn't a need at all but a way to manipulate us to "want" something.  They make us feel like everyone has it so we need it too!  Think about that for a second.   We have to have that "thing", that emotion, that experience and so on.  Is that coveting?  

THEY HAVE IT WE NEED IT TOO
But that is not true.  I have been to third world countries where people don't have televisions, don't have cellphones, and may not even have a car.  Their primitive homes are not filled with material objects but hospitality and love.   They share what little they have with us who have abundance.  Cookies and some soda pop are graciously given without any second thought.  They shared what is a special treat with us without a motive of getting something in return.   They had so little but they were not concerned if they had enough for tomorrow- they were just grateful for what they had for that day and they shared it.  They knew God would meet their need.

We strive so hard to gain and earn and scrap together.  We stress ourselves out to live just beyond our means -to hold up to some human standard of what we think is "the good life."  What we think we need.  We want more and more until the gravity of the wants make us a slave to them.   I don't know about you but I don't want to keep up with the Jones or anyone else.   I just want to live within my means which probably is still more then I really need.   Do we realize and understand the difference between a want and need?

Jesus says "No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. "That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing?  Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? "And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.   And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? "So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.  Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need."  Matthew 6:24-33

"Those who love money will never have enough.  How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!" Ecclesiastes 5:10

 Psalm 23:1-6 A Psalm of David. The LORD [is] my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You [are] with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?  Is anything worth more than your soul?  Matthew 16:24-26

So I guess in a way we can technically win the version of life we "wanted" but "lose" in the end because we didn't live the life we needed to live.

Again, is there power in not wanting?   Is there a difference in a need and a want?  What does God consider a need and want?  Do wants and needs change as we mature in Christ Jesus?