It's Time To Draw Near To God!




We are living through some very troubled, stressful and often depressing times.

ISIS terrorists are raging. The job of our devilish enemy is to wear out the saints. It seems like a new hoard of demons have been released on this world to kill and destroy. Only Satan would behead people – not the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

As Christians, we need to use all the help that is available to us. For our own good, now is the time for us to draw near to God and develop a strong relationship with Him.

James 4:7-8 (MEV) says Therefore submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”

Psalm 73:28 (MEV) says But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have taken my refuge in the Lord God, that I may declare all Your works.”

To draw nearer to God, consider the following:

GOD'S POWER

When we feel powerless, remember that God is all powerful. His strength can overcome the despair of any pain or trial and we can always trust that He will deliver, protect and sustain us.

Ephesians 3:16-19 (NIV) says I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV) says Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

Psalm 46:1 (MEV) says “God is our refuge and strength, a well-proven help in trouble.”

PRAYER

Prayer is you having a conversation with God in which you humbly communicate, worship, and sincerely seek God's face, knowing that He hears you, loves you and will respond, though not always in a manner you may expect or desire. Prayer can encompass confession, praise, adoration, supplication, intercession and more.

Start every day off with prayer to ensure that you have a much better day. Then, pray to God continuously throughout the day.

Your prayers should come often and regularly, not from legalistic duty, but from a humble heart, realizing your dependence on God in every aspect of your life.

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 (NIV) says pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

PRAISE

Focusing our thoughts on God moves us to praise Him. The more we know Him, the more we should praise Him for all He has done for us.

Ephesians 1:3 (NIV) says “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”

Psalm 19:1-2 (NIV) says The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.”

THANKFULNESS

When we realize how we benefit from knowing God, we can fully express our thanks to Him. By thanking Him often every day, we develop spontaneity in our prayer life. Remember to turn all your complaints into thanks.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV) says “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Colossians 2:6-8 (NIV) says
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.”

1 Corinthians 15:57 (NIV) says But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

FORGIVENESS

Because God forgives us, we can pray to Him honestly and directly. When we receive His forgiveness, we move from alienation to intimacy, from guilt to love.

Acts 10:43 (NIV) saysAll the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.”

TRUST

People can be unfair and family and friends may desert us. But we can trust God. Knowing God intimately drives away doubt, fear, and loneliness.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) says “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

FEAR NOT

Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV) says The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

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