My With List

To have without comes in all shapes and sizes, much like obstacles that we might stumble over. Without can make life’s journey more difficult to travel. Without can include material possessions, jobs, education, relationships, health, water, and food. 

  Think for a moment the numerous amount of people in our world who are without the very basics just to survive. Not only physical needs but also thousands who are being tripped up and tangled spiritually by the adversary. Thousands currently without joy, love, and salvation. 

Reflecting back over my life from childhood to now, I am amazed by how little I have been without.  I was not spoiled nor taught to want plenty, but to value what I have. I would be lying if I said that my wants have not accumulated at times.

You may have heard it said that our wants and our needs are two separate things. We often relate our wants as things we might not really need, but that’s not true in all cases.

I might could say that I want a fancy car, which I truly do not need.  But what if I want joy, love and salvation?  I describe these wants as withs.  

Our lives are intended to exist with.

Our lives should existence with joy, love and salvation.  We should experience the wonders of our lives that God has created for each of us to have through His masterful design of withs. 

My inquiring thoughts lead me to realize something….something that we all do need.

We all need to have a with list.

Our lives are intended to exist with.

Our with list should include peace, love, joy, and hope as a foundation. But these only scratch the surface. This foundation is merely the beginning of a great list of obtainable withs that God has stored up just for you and me!

“Lord, how wonderful You are! You have stored up so many good things for us, like a treasure chest heaped up and spilling over with blessings— all for those who honor and worship You! Everybody knows what You can do for those who turn and hide themselves in You.” Psalm 31:19 

Emmanuel – God is with us and He has stored up withs for us.  Having us in mind, He has already created a stockpile of withs vs withouts. Your withs are gathered and stacked up as high as a mountain. They cascade down into every fabric of your being. Your withs keep on coming from His bottomless treasure chest ….just for you.  

These withs can instantly flatten the rough without terrain that is along life’s pathway and make our experience much more pleasurable.

The blessing of not having to do without comes from having within…within those who honor and worship Him.

Obtaining this goodness does not come from a recipe.  It’s not a cookie cutter process.  It comes from honor and worship. God honors those who honor Him.  He draws near to those who draw near to Him. He blesses those who are not drawn towards the distractions of this unkind world. Those who run to Him will find shelter and protection within His provision. 

The blessing of not having to do without comes from having within.

Honor Him with your lifestyle. Demonstrate great respect and reverence to our Lord.  Let your lifestyle be worship by what you say and do, representing Him in all circumstances. 

Our withs and withins come from an ever flowing stream that empowers us and has no boundaries.

“And I pray that He would unveil within you the unlimited riches of His glory and favor until supernatural strength floods your innermost being with His divine might and explosive power.”      Ephesians 3:16 

Not only can we live a life with His unlimited riches and favor but we also carry His divine might and His explosive power to do amazing things with the authority He has given each of us! Hallelujah!

With God all things are possible.  How do we calculate all of His resources and benefits that He has made for us to have?  We don’t because we can’t. We just accept His gracious gifts and praise the Lord!

“Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all His benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” Psalm 103:1-5 

I just wanna say thank you Lord with a grateful heart.

Let this be our prayer…

God, I wish for my life to exist with all of Your wonderful attributes that make me more like You. Thank You for making these available to me freely.
You pour out Your blessings as I honor and worship You. As I seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness, You unveil within us our withs. That is, every wish that is on my with list is already within me because of my relationship with You. I am a child of God.  I simply need to activate each one by making you my top priority.  I desire to live my life with Jesus being my focus. Thank You for forgiving me when I mess up. May I accept others and demonstrate Your forgiveness. I wish to live with Your joy and peace. I will choose to live with Your love, kindness, compassion, and patience. I will serve You with my hands and mind, helping others more often. May I walk with the authority and confidence You have placed within me. I will renew my mind with Your goodness. I will respond to who You are and the victory You have given me with praise and thanksgiving! 
Amen

Photos by Create228studio