The Insufficient Christian

04/25/2025

Stuck.

Now that word doesn't sound pleasant. Regularly the word is used to evoke negative images in sentences. Yet it is a word that characterizes so many people today, Christian and non-Christian alike.

People all over the world tonight feel stuck in one way or another, and in some cases, more ways than one.

Some people feel stuck in their friendships. There may be friends they've had for a long time, yet those friends are not good friends, but they can't seem to distance themselves from them. They keep getting pulled in. They are reminded of better times, or fun moments, and they continue to stay, all while feeling stuck.

Some people feel stuck in their jobs. They work in a place where there is nowhere to go but to stay where they are. There are not other jobs in their city they can do, so they remain where they are. They trudge along day to day with an ever increasing sense of being stuck. At times, they may feel excitement over a "better job" prospect, but at the end of the day, they realize that they can't move on for one reason or another. And so they feel stuck.

Then there are people who feel stuck in their families. They may not have had a good home life growing up. They may have endured some of the worst things imaginable. But yet, the natural God-borne desire for the love of their family keeps them involved in toxic family ostuatoons instead of distancing themselves. They want to be free, but they too also feel stuck.

There are people who even feel stuck in their marriages, tonight. Marriage sounded great, life was full of endless adventures, ideas were planned out, plans made, but then life took detours and turns. Finances became non existent. One, or both, spouses became obsessive, or posessive, in one way or another, keeping the other one under lock and key in various ways. Health problems arose constantly. Spouses begin to argue. Fiannces are misused by both spouses. Distrust forms. Anger, bitterness, and resentment all begin to foment in the mix. Soon the marriage that was once a source of inexplicable joy has now become a sense of misery and dread. And yet, there are so many good moments sprinkled all over. So many good things and memories. And so hope remains that things can be "good again," as they once we're. And yet, neither spouse will be willing to change. Neither one willing to work on their own issues and change. Or, maybe, it is only one spouse that has been causing all the issues or reguses to change, causing the marriage to become less like a union and more like a dungeon/prison filled with darkness and hopelessness. Whatever the case may be, the spouse (or spouses) soon begin to feel deeply, irrevocably, undeniably unseen, undesired, uncared for, unwanted...stuck and resigned to live out their lives in misery always wishing things would be different, but nothing ever changing.

And yet still, there is another class of people. Those who feel stuck in their walk with the Lord. These people at one point had a clear idea of how they desired to serve the Lord. They had Passion, Zeal, and Desire. They were ready to do big things, even if it meant small things first. But as they began to strive towards those goals, the Lord began shutting one door after another. As they tried entering each door of ministry, the door would slam shut. One door after the other, year after year, hurt after hurt, until the day that all doors are shut. Now, these people sit on the floor of the hallway, and they feel a deep and abiding sense that they are stuck.

Lastly, there is a special class of people who feel stuck. This is one I know personally, as does my wife. The feeling of being stuck in Infertility. These people, unlike the rest of them, experience emotions along a journey that no other person can possibly know about unless they too walk this journey. Endless appointments. Endless medications. Endless shots. Endless doors being closed. Physical pain. Mental grief and depression. Miscarriages. Loss. Heartache. Unbearable grief-stricken emotions. These people bought a home or an apartment, and they had plans to fill it with life, but for reasons beyond their control, their homes became tombs. And so there they sit, in a home that became a tomb....stuck.

All these examples carry with them a common thread: Broken Hearts. You may be in one of these categories today. Maybe you're in more than one? I know I am. Maybe you feel the unbearable weight of being Stuck. Maybe you feel unbearable grief, hopelessness, brokeness, and maybe you're so tired and numb that you've given up.

I've been there many times, friend. I AM there, in some respects, even now. As someone who has been there, I know of only one way that has helped me to hold on, to have hope, to keep getting out of bed, to keep pushing forward, to keep hoping and having faith....He is known as The Way, The Truth, and The Life (John 14:6). And anyone who comes to Him, He will never turn away (John 6:37). He binds up our broken hearts (Psalm 147:3), and He turns our tears to joy (Psalm 30:5). His name is Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Matthew 3:17). And He loves you with an unbelievable passion that you cannot even fathom (John 3:16-17). He loves you so much that He willingly laid His life down, He died willingly, so that you can come to Him for forgivness and peace (1st John 1:9). He died so that your sins can be forgiven. And if you don't know Him, then I'll be more than happy to tell you all about Him. 🙏

In life you may feel Stuck. And, truth be told, you may always struggle in life feeling stuck. But Jesus gives His children the strength and the ability, to endure being stuck (Philippians 4:13). And in enduring that feeling of being stuck, we experience joy even in the middle of our griefs.

Jesus loves you. Won't you run to Him today to be forgiven? Won't you run to Him today so that you can find strength to endure your life? Won't you run to Him to be saved from your sin? Life is meant for more than just existing in a state of being stuck, friend. Don't take my word for it, take God's Word for it, "The thief (satan) 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, NKJV, parenthetical word my addition).

Friend, "...the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost." (Luke 19:10, NLT). Won't you let yourself be Found by the grace, mercy, love, peace, and healing of Jesus tonight? ♥️🙏

04/08/2024

Check out VBinds!! I'm the owner of this small business startup that will be dealing with Bible & Book Rebinding with quality premium materials! Give us a like and a share! 🙂🙏

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—Wesley VonBuskirk, VBinds Owner

03/31/2024

He is no longer in the tomb.
He has Risen. ❤️

Matthew 28:6; Mark 16:6; Luke 24:6-7; John 20:28

03/26/2024

1st Thessalonians 5:16-18,

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (ESV)

That middle phrase, "give thanks in all circumstances," what a hard hard command to follow. Truth be told, I have failed and struggled at this for months now. It's easy to give thanks in all of the good circumstances we find ourselves in when our emotions are strengthened, our hearts encouraged, and our minds renewed.

But what about when trials hit us? When the doctor gives you a terminal prognosis? When the plans you've striven for for years are seemingly being met with problem after problem, wall after wall? When you've lost your child or spouse? When your marriage has become shakey and rocky? Or even when financial struggles leave you destitute or you get unjustly demoted or persecuted at work?

When life all around you becomes as nothing, and when the brokenness and grief in your heart becomes so strong that you simply cannot live any longer, it is these exact moments when our desires and inclinations are to give up that we are called/told to give thanks.

God is sovereign. His plans are always good. And nothing happens to His children that is not for their good and His honor. Nothing happens to His children without Him sovereignly supplying the strength to get through. And he hears us. He sees the brokenness. He feels our brokeness. And even if you feel as though you lack the strength, open your eyes and look towards heaven, because your Father is carrying you. ❤️🙏

So today, in the grief and heartbreak of your life and the circumstances you currently endure, as hard as it will be to do this, cry out to God, your Father, and pour out the entirety of your heart and all its emotions, and let God hold you closer to Him. Read the Psalms. Read the Proverbs.

Jesus loves you. He has never left you. He is always right beside you. But we must all pray and ask the Lord to open our eyes to that joyful reality, even when our hearts are shattered or our minds numb. It may take you a while to be able to see, to be able to rest on Him, but under the shadow of the Almighty God we find the protection and comfort we so desperately need in this lost and broken world. ❤️

01/17/2024

I recieved my first high-end Premium Bible in the mail today! It is an ESV "Preacher's Bible: Verse-by-Verse Edition," in black goatskin. It has a black leather liner, burgandy-based gilding with black and gold specs, 3 long black Berisford ribbons and 36 GSM paper (I'll be using PIGMA Micron pens, to minimize on any potential bleed through). It features single column text with wide margins for note taking and sermon outlines.

I am VERY excited to begin using this Bible!

I have two more Premium Bibles to acquire and I've completed my bucket-list collection (***All of my Bible's get used very well. None of the main translations I use, NKJV/ESV/LSB, ever sit on a shelf and collect dust***).

01/15/2024

"But when..."

Oh my friends, do not miss this...

"...the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life." (Titus 3:4-7)

There is IMMENSE joy to be found in the phrase "But when..." It signifies the glorious truth that in the midst of our depravity, when we as lost people were unwilling and unable to come to Jesus Christ on our own or through our own power of will, God reached down and washed our hearts in regenerating power, pulling us towards Him in repentance and faith, granting us the ability of faith that stems from the regenerating work of our heart, and effectively and permanently adopted us into His family as joint-heirs of heaven in Himself. ❤️🙏 And it likewise brings an IMMENSE sense of humility, knowing that we as worthless and rebellious creatures would be loved by God for no other reason that the fact that He has chosen to love us with that intimate salvific love. We who are unworthy of the very air that we breathe, who deserve the just punishment of eternal wrath for our own iniquity, have been graciously and lovingly forgiven, changed, redeemed, justified, sanctified, and adopted. This is the LOVE OF GOD.

Never forget the "But when..." of Titus 3:4-7. For when you're at the lowest parts of your life, that simple phrase can make even the deepest darkest depression blow away with the brilliant light of God that brings peace and joy to the soul in the midst of the chaos that surrounds us. ❤️🙏

11/05/2023

***Attention Followers!!***

The Insufficient Christian now has it's own PODCAST! 🙏😎 The first episode is up for listening on Spotify! It will be a once-a-month thing. Feel free to listen to the first episode (36 min long) and leave feedback, share, and subscribe/follow! 🙂🙏

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/wvonbuskirk12/episodes/The-Insufficient-Podcast-Introductory-Episode-e2bfsoa?fbclid=IwAR3aUI6EIkinOf3U3ZawBOpGC2irwYEuK7XGmRli81dtQ4VfCkpYBBLKAGk

Hello Everyone! This is the Insufficient Christian Podcast Introductory Episode. In this episode I explain who I am, what are my reasons for starting this podcast, and we delve into the topic of Depression as seen from King David in Psalm 42. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions. I...

11/02/2023

This statement is very very true. And there are days where I do not place my satisfaction in Christ as I should; as I must. I look to other things. I look to my circumstances, my wife, my hobbies, and so on, to bring my heart joy or happiness, but they all will fail to do so at times because only God brings lasting joy. Sometimes, instead of looking heavenward I look upon the things around me. And it is in those moments that I find my soul becomes sick with a sort of depressive bitterness or a sense of melancholy that causes my mind to become bogged down by the weight of the trials surrounding me or by the sins that have easily, willingly, beset my life.

It is a good and gracious thing that God remains faithful when all we do is commit seemingly small betrayals against Him. Just as Christ reached out to Peter to pull him back up and out of the waves when he cried out to Him for help, so to does Christ reach down and pull us up out of the mirey depths of our own emotions when we cry and ask for His help. But it also must be stated that sometimes God will let the waves overcome our strength, till all thats left above the water is the last fingers of desperation, before He pulls us out of it and onto dry land.

Whether He pulls us out immediatly or allows us to flounder for a time, Christ remains steadfast in His protection of His Children. His love, grace, and mercy have no ending for the Child of God. What we see as trial, tribulation, and unbearable weights of reality, Christ sees as the breaking, molding, and reforming of our souls. His ultimate goal: to make us more like Jesus. His ultimate aim is to keep us growing in a state of looking heavenward and less on the world around us. You're right, Christian, neither you or I can see past the waves sometimes, yet we have a steady Anchor for our Souls, Jesus Christ.

Our perception, our perspective, our attitudes, these things must change. We may not be able to change how things are around us at times, but we can work at changing our perspectives, responses, choices, and actions. And they only change when our hearts are made willing to change by Christ. How can they be made willing? Through His Word, through the Church, through Godly influences, through daily practices of obedience (Bible Reading, Bible Study, Prayer, and so on).

We are imperfect people prone to slip, prone to sin. But God "...is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9, ESV)

I needed to see this quote today, and I pray you did as well. ❤🙏

10/20/2023

If you haven't seen "The Essential Church" documentary, you MUST watch it. It is absolutely 100% a must watch for EVERY Christian, worldwide. You need to be aware of how the Government treats God's People.

Question: If the Government tells you that you must cease preaching, cease meeting in your church buildings, cease worshipping God in certain ways (singing, using hymn books, etc), then what do we as Christians do?

Answer: WE KEEP PREACHING CHRIST. John Bunyan, famous Pastor and author of Pilgrim's Progress, once sat in jail for 12 years. The authorities told him: "We will let you go at any time, but you must cease preaching." Bunyan replied, "If you release me today, I'll preach tomorrow."

Ceaser (The Government of ANY nation) has NO right to dictate when and how God's People are to worship Him. And when Ceaser oversteps the bounds of the authority given to them by God in Scripture and attempts to usurp the Sovereignty of God over His Church, THAT is when God's people MUST SPEAK, MUST PREACH, the loudest!!

So what do we do? WE KEEP PREACHING CHRIST! Whether jailed, whether slandered, whether our reputation be destroyed, whether we become incarcerated, whether we die, WE PREACH CHRIST. Our identity is in JESUS CHRIST. Our reputation is in JESUS CHRIST. ❤💯🙏

08/17/2023

Steven Lawson, in his book "Show Me Your Glory," said this:

"The greatest need of every individual is to know who God is. No matter who a person is inside the church or outside of it, whether he is a true believer or a militant atheist — his most basic need is to know God if he is to know Himself and understand the world around him. He must know who God is and what He is like. Every other knowledge that someone may acquire is a far distant second in importance. Everything in an individual's life is affected by this knowledge of God."

But some might object, saying, "Wait, now. The greatest need of every individual is salvation! They must be saved! The Gospel is the greatest thing they must know."

To those I would respond: "Yes, but how can they know of salvation without first knowing of whom they need salvation from and into? They must know God as He is, they must understand who they truly are in relation to God and their sinfulness, and only then can they understand their need for salvation. Knowing God is the beginning of the road that leads to salvation. Knowing God leads to knowing we need saving from His justice and into His mercy and grace."

❤🙏