While I was working as a Christian counselor, I developed a “Basic Need Chart” to help myself and struggling Christians identify which basic need we were not allowing God to fulfill by unwittingly believing in the world’s view point of how to meet that particular need.  Many of these verses recorded below I have known for years, but at the moment of my trial they seemed to be overlooked or forgotten. Peter addresses this same point in “2 Peter”. He reminds his readers five times in the first chapter to remember God’s truth: 2 Pe 1:9 has forgotten; 2 Pe 1:12 always remind you even though you know them; 2 Pe 1:13 to refresh your memory; 2 Pe 1:15 will always be able to remember these things; 2 Pe 1:19 do well to pay attention to it (Word).

Fear and anxiety is usually experienced when the need for Security is not being met, whereas peace is the positive fruit of trusting God for this need.

Alienation and rejection are common feelings when the need for Belonging is not met whereas love is a good indicator that you are walking in God’s will.

With the Significance need we can go to either end of the spectrum with our Identity.  We can be puffed up, proud and arrogant or go to the other extreme and feel shame and low self worth, whereas believing God’s Word gives us a proper balance of  true worth.  The world bases results as the indicator of how successful we have performed or not, but God says it is our effort and motives which are important.

The last need of Fulfillment can leave us empty and frustrated if we are not following God’s divine purpose and we fail to relinquish the need to control circumstances, others and God.  As we walk in God’s truth we will experience contentment and joy in regards to the need for Fulfillment.

Click on chart to see enlargement.  Click on back button to return.

S E C U R I T Y

                                                                                                                            HEALTH

Physical Health: body

Problem- feeling anxiety or fear due to ill health  

Solution- renew your mind by building up your spirit man through the promises in the Word; persevere by focusing on Jesus; be occupied with the eternal, not the temporal  Pr 18:14; Ro 12:12; Heb 12:2; 2 Co 4:16,17,18; 2 Co 12:7,8,9,10

Result- peace

 

Psychological Health: mind

Problem- worrying about the things in your life Mt 13:22

Solution- submit to God; trust in his truth unwaveringly; ponder on positive things       Mt 11:28,29,30; Isa 26:3; Jn 8:31,32; Php 4:6,7,8

Result- peace

 

Social Health: relationships

Problem- bitterness or resentment towards others

Solution- forgive others as God has forgiven you; be a peacemaker                              Col 3:13; Mt 18:15,16,17; Eph 4:26,29; Pr 15:1; Ro 12:17,18,19,20,21; Php 2:4

Result- harmony; restoration

 

Spiritual Health: personal 

Problem- apathy; lack of motivation to seek God

Solution- study and apply God’s truth                                                                          Ro 10:17; Mt 4:4; Mt 7:24; Ps 1:1,2,3; Pr 1:1,2,3,4,5,6,7; 2 Ti 2:15; 2 Ti 3:16; Jas 1:22

Result- passion for God Lk 24:32

 

PROVISION

Physical Provision: food/shelter

Problem- anxiety due to lack of sustenance

Solution- seek God; believe his promises; follow his righteous ways                             Mt 6:25,26,27,28,29,30,31,32,33,34; Ps 37:25; Php 4:6,7,8,9,13,19

Result- provision and peace

 

Psychological Provision: sins 

Problem- guilt from the sins we commit

Solution- claim the truth that you are forgiven; thank God for his provision; repent by walking in the light                                                                                                            1 Jn 1:7,8,9; Ac 3:19; Isa 1:18; Col 1:13,14; Ps 103:12; Eph 1:7; Col 2:13; Heb 10:17

Result- peace; freedom from guilt; intimate fellowship with God

 

Social Provision: injustices

Problem- anger from an injustice

Solution- accept God’s sovereignty                                                                               Ro 8:28; Ro 12:17,18,19,20,21; Mt 5:38,39,40,41,42; Ecc 3:8

Result- peace; contentment

 

Spiritual Provision: eternal life

Problem- fear of death and the unknown future; fear of future judgment

Solution- trust in God’s saving provision                                                                         Jn 3:16; 1 Jn 5:11,12,13; 2 Co 5:17

Result- peace with God; peace of God

 

B E L O N G I N G  

                                                                                                                        INTIMACY   

Physical Intimacy: touch

Problem- feeling unloved and lonely

Solution- give and accept appropriate physical affection;                                                1 Co 7:1,2,3,4,5,9; Lk 7:44,45,46; Lk 15:20; Ro 16:16

Develop self-control ie) when these negative feelings are overpowering, read the following verses that reinforces the fact that God loves you and though you are craving human touch, God’s spiritual touch can be more soothing.                                                        Ro 5:7,8; Jn 15:13,14; Zep 3:17; Ro 8:37,38,39; Isa 49:15,16

Result- sense of belonging; feeling loved

 

Psychological Intimacy: to be heard express my innermost thoughts        

Problem- wanting to be heard and understood feeling unloved

Solution- talk to God in prayer expressing these innermost thoughts                            Ps 55:1,2; Ps56:5; Ps 42:9,10; Ps 22:1,2

Result- feeling God does love and care about me

 

Social Intimacy: to belong fellowship with spouse/believers  

Problem- feeling alone; that I do not belong

Solution- make an effort with spouse and believers to encourage and listen to them Heb 10:24,25; Ac 2:42,43,44,45,46,47; Phm 1:17; Gal 6:10; Ruth 1:16; Ecc 4:9,10,11,12

Result- feeling a sense of belonging; respected and loved

 

Spiritual Intimacy: commune fellowship with God

Problem- feeling alienated from God

Solution- repent of any sins that have alienated you from God; draw near to Him in prayer and in reading His Word.                                                                                   Rev 3:20; Jas 4:8; Eph 1:17; Eph 3:16,17,18,19; 1 Th 5:17; Lk 6:12

Result- feeling God’s love and intimacy

 

ACCEPTANCE

Physical Acceptance: image   

Problem- I do not accept my physical make-up; shamed of my appearance

Solution- Believe what God says about me; the inside beauty is what counts               Ps 139:14; Eph 5:28,29; 1 Sa 16:7; 1 Pe 3:3,4

Result- I accept the way I look and thank God for His creating me just the way He did.

 

Psychological Acceptance: personality 

Problem- I don’t like who I am on the inside; guilt

Solution- Build a godly character by reading and obeying God’s Word.                          1 Co 12:14,15,16,17,18; Pr 27:19; Jn 14:21; 2 Pe 1:3,4,5,6,7,8

Result- I accept who I am on the inside.

 

Social Acceptance: respect 

Problem- I feel disregarded; unimportant

Solution- Believe that I am accepted and important as a member in the body of Christ Gal 3:26,27,28; Ro 15:7; Jas 2:1

Result- I feel accepted; I desire to work as a member in the body of Christ

 

Spiritual Acceptance: through Son

Problem- I feel unworthy of God; God would never accept me.

Solution- Receive the Son and belief God’s testimony concerning me.                         Jn 3:16; Jn 1:12; Ro 15:7; Heb 13:5

Result- I know I am accepted in Christ.

 

 

S I G N I F I C A N C E

IDENTITY

Physical Identity: race/sex/attractiveness/abilities

Problem- I feel physically Gen 3:19 inferiority or superiority compared to others. I cannot change my race or sex and my attractiveness and abilities will diminish over time.

Psychological Identity: intelligence/skills/talent

Problem- I feel psychologically inferiority or superiority Ro 12:3 compared to others.  I cannot take credit for my intelligence or skills and talent that I have inherited at birth 1 Co 4:7 and these can diminish with age or disease. 

Social Identity: titles/positions/popularity/ancestry

Problem- I feel socially inferiority or superiority compared to others. Titles, positions and popularity can change overnight and my ancestry can be re-evaluated for better or worse in time.                                                                                                                               Jas 2:1,2,3,4; 1 Co 12:21,22,23,24,25,26,27

Spiritual Identity: proper self-esteem

 Solution- Receive Christ to become a child of God                                                      Jn 1:12; Gal 4:4,5,6,7; 1 Pe 1:18,19; Gen 1:26,27,28,31; 2 Co 5:17

I base my identity on something that cannot change and does not make me feel superior or inferior to others.

Result- I have a proper understanding of my identity. I am a sinner Ro 3:23, yet through God’s grace Ro 3:24, He has declared me righteous Ro 3:22 and accepted me into His family because of my faith in His Son Ro 5:1.

 

P E R F O R M A N C E

Physical Performance: self-discipline

Problem- guilt if I did not perform up to my full ability

Solution- give my best effort at all times for God; keep my body healthy                         1 Co 9:24,25,26,27; 1 Co 6:19,20; Ro 12:1; Col 3:17,23; 1 Co 10:31

Result- I will have a clear conscience that I did all that I could.

Psychological Performance: results vs effort

Problem- disappointment if the result is not favourable.

Solution- recognize that I have control over my efforts but God has control over the result Pr 16:33 so I must focus my energy on effort not results                                    Heb 11:35,36,37,38,39; 2 Co 11:23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30; Col 3:23; 1 Co 4:5

Result- I am content in all that I do regardless if the activity was successful.

Social Performance: comparing

Problem- I feel inferior or superior compared to others.

Solution- do not compare with others; judge your performance by your past efforts              Gal 6:3,4; 2 Co 10:12; Gen 4:4,5,6,7,8; Ac 4:36,37,5:1,5:2  

Result- contentment

Spiritual Performance: reward 

Problem- shame/anger not living up to God’s standards

Solution- do what God has asked but focus on effort not on results or others            Gen 4:6,7; Jn 21:21,22; 1 Ti 4:8; Col 3:23,24

Result- God will reward me justly. 2 Co 10:18; Mk 9:41; Heb 6:10; 1 Co 3:12,13,14,15; Pr 16:2

 

P U R P O S E

TASK

Physical Task: merit 

Problem- guilt from selfish living

Solution- use body for God’s pleasure not my pleasures                                             Gal 2:20; Ro 6:6,7,8,9,10,11; Gal 5:16,17,18; 1 Co 10:23,24; 1 Co 10:31

Result- joy from doing what pleases God

Psychological Task: motive

Problem- guilt from having impure motives

Solution- fill my mind with God’s values not the world’s                                                Pr 16:3; Php 4:13; Col 2:4

Result- joy and contentment

Social Task: teamwork 

Problem- jealousy; competing against others

Solution- submit to one another and work together for God’s glory                                                  Eph 5:21; Heb 10:23,24,25; 1 Co 9:16-27; Mt 28:19,20

Result- harmony

Spiritual Task promote God’s kingdom

Problem- guilt from promoting self rather than God 2 Ti 2:4

Solution-  evangelize, disciple  and build up the body of Christ                                       2 Ti 2:20,21; Jn 10:3,4,5; Ps 32:8; Mt 28:19,20; 1 Th 5:11

Result- joy; you will have God’s approval

OBEDIENCE

Physical Obedience: flesh vs spirit

Problem- guilt from disobedience

Solution-  let my spirit rule my flesh                                                                             Gal 2:20; Ro 6:6,7,8,9,10,11; Gal 5:16,17,18

Result- contentment and joy

Psychological Obedience: Satan vs Holy Spirit 

Problem- guilt for listening to Satan rather than the Holy Spirit

Solution- let my mind obey God’s truth not Satan’s lies.                                               Pr 16:3; Php 4:13; Gal 5:16,17,18

Social Obedience: relationships 

Problem- rebellious spirit; pride, wanting my way

Solution- submit to ordained authority                                                                         Ro 13:1,2,3,4,5,6,7; 1 Pe 2:13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21; Heb 13:17; Heb 10:23,24,25;1 Co 9:16,27; Mt 28:19,20

Result- harmony

Spiritual Obedience: self vs God 

Problem- guilt for my disobedience to God

Solution- repent and be dependent upon God                                                                      Jn 10:3,4,:5; Ps 32:8

Result- peace with God; peace of God

 

Breastplate of Righteousness

Cultivate:                                                              Guard Against:
1. Humility                                                            1. Pride                                                 2. Submissiveness                                               2. Resistance
3. Obedience                                                       3. Disobedience
4. Faithfulness                                                     4. Rebellion

 

 

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;                                                                                    if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.                                                                        In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”                                                 (And the Lord will reward you). Pr 25:21,22                                                                        (Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good).  Ro 12:20,21

This saying may seem strange to our modern world but it was a very practical act in ancient days. To make a meal, a fire was necessary. If a person’s fire went out and he was unable to start a new one, he would have to borrow some coals from a neighbour.  These coals, he would carry in a pan on his head, in much the same way as easterners carry water on their heads. So this action, of heaping coals on someone’s head, was a loving not a retaliatory one.  Jesus said to feed and give drink to your enemy and thus blessing him, was analogous to pouring hot coals on the head of a neighbour needing to start a fire. The Bible concludes by saying the Lord will reward you and you will overcome evil by doing good.

How does this action overcome evil and why would the Lord reward you for doing so?  The answer is found by going back to this ancient illustration.  Pouring hot coals on your enemy’s head (doing a kindness such as giving him food and drink to meet his needs) will make him contemplate why you acted so differently than most of the people in this world.  One reason which he might conclude, is that your faith in Christ made you act in this way. He may be convicted by the Holy Spirit, to desire to live that same type of life as you, through Christ.  So God will reward you for pointing the glory to him rather than to self and you may have overcome evil by doing good.

Song: Oh How We Should Love

The Attraction Battle

Our old school ways, that is our life before becoming a child of God, are sometimes difficult to let go of. We are told not to conform to the pattern of this world’s living but to renew our minds to God’s truth Ro 12:2.  We need to walk on level ground Pro 4:26; Heb 12:13 rather than on the world’s downward incline Ro 1:28.  Satan tries to seduce us just as a spider builds a web to catch her undiscerning prey Ps 124:7.   Spiders lure insects by using the mutual ‘electrical attraction’ of their web to their prey.  Flying insect’s wings create an electric charge which in turn acts as a magnet for the spider’s web – sucking them to their doom in the sticky silk, according to the study at U.C. Berkley by Victor Manuel Ortega-Jimenez and Robert Dudley.  Once these victims are caught in that web, death is certain.  In the spiritual realm, soon after Satan entices us into his many strong sinful attractions it will also bring death, making God very distant and our passion for his will extremely cold Jas 1:13,14,15.  We need to bury our old school ways and put on our new school look, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness Eph 4:22,23,24.  Jesus told us that we must deny ourselves, that is our old school ways and to take up our cross daily and follow him     Lk 9:23.                                                                                       So, it is important to fix our eyes on Jesus Heb 12:2, and to  know/remember that his divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness 2 Pe 1:3.  God has adopted us into his family, giving us a new identity, that of a “child of God”.  A butterfly is a new creation that was designed to fly. It is not a converted caterpillar and it does not spend its time crawling in the dirt anymore.  Therefore, we should no longer view our identity as sinners, or even sinners saved by grace, we are saints Eph 1:1 and children of God 1 Jn 3:1.  We are new creations, the old school ways have gone and the new ways have come 2 Co 5:17.  We have been created to live righteous lives, not to spend our time indulging in sinful activities Tit 2:11,12.  For as he thinks in his heart, so he is Pro 23:7 NKJV.

Song: Child of the Living God

Song: Like a Butterfly

 

  As water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man.  Pr 27:19                                      (physical truth)                                 (spiritual truth)

            Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says                                                        is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror                                                                                   and after looking at himself,                                                                       goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

When you look through a window, you sometimes can see a hazy reflected image of yourself, but, by changing your angle of sight, the image will disappear.  However, when you look at a mirror, the exact image is reflected back at you.  Applying this physical truth to the spiritual realm, points to the fact that sometimes we do not like what we see in ourselves, so we direct our attention elsewhere, to avoid having to deal with a change in our character.  We enjoy the window experience because we can focus on what is happening outside of our lives, rather than examining the image that is being reflected back at us.  There can be times, when the inward image is too painful to deal with, or because of pride, we are still in denial that we need to make a change, so our gaze shifts outwardly where we can correct the faults of others.

The Bible contains God’s principles for us to live a fulfilled, holy life without having to play the “window game”.   However, two requirements are necessary for this to become a reality.  Firstly, you must place your faith in Christ’s finished work Ro 8:9, for it is impossible for those without the Spirit of God to understand spiritual truths 1 Co 2:14, and secondly, you must do more than read the words on the paper.  James tells us, you must continually put into practice what you have learned by reading the Bible.  If you do this, God has promised success, in all that you do.

............BELT of TRUTH

Preparing for Battle

The TRUTH Jn 14:6  

As believers, our purpose in life is to glorify God in everything that we do 1 Co 10:31.  Being joined to Jesus 1 Co 6:17 means that we have relinquished control of our lives, much like many of the ancient slaves, who after being set free, willingly chose to have an awl pushed through their earlobe to signify that they now belonged to that master for life Dt 15:16,17.  The master, in turn would be responsible for meeting all their needs.  This ordinance finds its reality in our dependency upon Jesus Gal 2:20; Jn 15:5; Php 4:19.  We are to pick up our cross and follow him Lk 9:23.  Our focus in life is to love God and others Mt 22:37,38,39 by doing God’s will Jn 14:15. Just as a sky diver suits up before each jump, checking his equipment, making sure it is secure to keep him safe, we must daily put on our armor, before facing the world.   Prior to Jesus teaching his disciples the valuable lesson of servitude, he prepared himself by taking off his outer clothing and wrapping a towel about his waist Jn 13:4.  Preparation is always the first step before engaging in battle. David gathered five smooth stones preceding his battle with Goliath 1 Sa 17:40.  In the same way, we are to prepare for battle by putting on the belt of truth, symbolizing the wisdom of God, in the person of Jesus Christ. We remind ourselves, that we are united to God and his purposes, not to our fleshly desires. We are Christ slaves, no longer free men 1 Co 7:22,23 living a life for our pleasurable pursuits but we willingly allow Christ to direct our steps to further his kingdom Mt 6:10.  It is Jesus who holds us together Col 1:17, just as a belt holds your clothing in place.  We are to stand firm, for in him, we have the victory 1 Co 15:57.

I AM UNITED TO HIS PURPOSES.

 

The TRUTH (teacher/example)

1. BELT of TRUTH
Being united with Jesus 1 Co 6:17 means being dependent upon him Jn 15:5; Gal 2:20.   He holds me together like belt holds up our clothes Col 1:17.  I am to focus on doing his will rather than my will 2 Ti 2:4.  I am to pick up my cross and follow Jesus, my example Lk 9:23; Jn13:13-17.                                                           “I am the way and the truth and the life.  Jn 14:6

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           I am dependent upon Jesus and my focus is on His purposes.

Who is It? Rev 5:5 or 1 Pe 5:8
There is a lack of discernment today, such that many Christians have a difficult time distinguishing the thoughts of God from Satan’s. Yes, Satan does masquerade as an angel of light, 2 Co 11:14 but Paul said, Satan should not outwit us, for we are not unaware of his schemes. 2 Co 2:11 My prayer is that “Morning Devotions” will not only draw you into greater intimacy with the Lord but also give you better discernment.
For example, we are commanded in Ephesians to put on the whole armor of God. Most Christians can identify the different pieces of armor, but few really understand their significance in our spiritual battle with Satan and how they benefit us, in our daily living struggles. Putting on the seven pieces of armor daily by understanding what they are and how they help defeat the enemy is a worthy goal for all of us.
Music is also a powerful medium that can help you draw closer to God. The songs on this site have helped me through many trials and like the Psalms, they persuade my wrong thinking back onto God’s truth and wisdom.
This oasis honors the triune God through scripture, prayer, songs and devotions. There is no daily pattern to this devotional site. Allow the Holy Spirit to customize your devotion from day to day as He knows best what you need for today and tomorrow. Enjoy the breakfast Jesus has prepared for you, it’s full of nutritious spiritual food!