How to Come Close to God!

Click here to listen to blog

When we love others, we know that we belong to the truth, and we feel at ease in the presence of God.  But even if we don't feel at ease, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything.  Dear friends, if we feel at ease in the presence of God, we will have the courage to come near him.

1 John 3: 19 - 21

God is awesome, powerful and truly amazing!  It does take great courage to come near to God.  When you step into the presence of God Almighty, you can know for sure that He knows everything about you.  God knows your strengths and yes, He knows your weaknesses, all of them!

Even the person who is the dearest to you in all this world does not know all of your thoughts, but God does!  So how can you have the courage to come close to the One who knows everything about you?  These verses from 1 John 3 tell us that loving others helps us to feel at ease in the presence of God.

God is Love, and when we walk in love for other people, we are comfortable being close to God.  

So, if your goal for this day is to come close to God, the only way to do that is to focus your life on acting out of love for other members of the human race!  It will certainly change you, both now and forever!

“Thank You Jesus for showing me how to love others so that I might come close to You.  Praise Your Holy Name.  Amen.”

Your Life Should be All About Jesus!

Click here to listen to blog

You have been raised to life with Christ. Now set your heart on what is in heaven, where Christ rules at God's right side. Think about what is up there, not about what is here on earth. You died, which means that your life is hidden with Christ, who sits beside God. Christ gives meaning to your life, and when he appears, you will also appear with him in glory.

Colossians 3: 1 - 4)

The other day I was reading about upcoming funerals in our local newspaper.  Obituaries tell us lots about those who have recently died.  It made me sad, not because people have died.  We all do that.  But I was sad to read about the things that were more important than anything else in the lives of people who have completed their time here.

Bowling leagues, sports teams, fishing, hunting and a host of other things on this earth may be the most important of all for many people.  And don’t forget flower gardens, shopping, and even cooking.

Occasionally, you see an obituary that talks about Jesus Christ being the center of the departed person’s life!  That should be my goal in living.  

Live your life so that when you die the description of your life will focus on Jesus and little else!  

The story of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus is all about you!  So the story of your life should be all about Jesus!

“Lord Jesus, if I live to complete this day, may it be a day about You most of all!  Lead me to only do those things today that will bring You Glory.  Praise Your Holy Name forever.  Amen.”

Greatest Thing!

Click here to listen to blog

What if I could speak all languages of humans and of angels? If I did not love others, I would be nothing more than a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.  What if I could prophesy and understand all secrets and all knowledge? And what if I had faith that moved mountains? I would be nothing, unless I loved others.  What if I gave away all that I owned and let myself be burned alive? I would gain nothing, unless I loved others.

1 Corinthians 13: 1 - 3

I am always impressed by a man or woman who can speak even two languages.  But I simply can’t image anyone speaking all languages!  And what about someone who could understand all secrets and literally know everything?  

Then there is a person of great faith, whose faith moves mountains.  What an awesome thing that would be!  And finally the person who sacrifices everything he has and even gives up his life.  

The truth of these verses is that the greatest achievements in this life are nothing without love!  But here is the most amazing thing about this chapter in 1 Corinthians, if you love anyone, you have already done the greatest thing in the world!  And yes, even a child can do that!

“Lord Jesus, thank You for loving me, and for letting me love You and everyone I know!  May Your Name be Praised forever.  Amen.”

The God of Power!

Click here to listen to blog

Our LORD, you are the one who gives me strength and protects me like a fortress when I am in trouble. People will come to you from distant nations and say, "Our ancestors worshiped false and useless gods, worthless idols made by human hands." Then the LORD replied, "That's why I will teach them about my power, and they will know that I am the true God."

Jeremiah 16: 19 - 22

God is not just the God of Theology and doctrine.  God is not simply the God of better ideas.  God is the God of Power!  “Coming to Christ” is more than acknowledging that what you have heard about Him is true.  When you come to know Jesus Christ, you encounter His Power!  

Some say the “Age of Miracles” has ceased.  Perhaps without knowing it they have removed answered prayer from the life of a Christian.  What is the answer to prayer, but the miraculous intervention of God in the affairs of men?

If you are living the Christian life without seeing the Power of God all around you and working through you, then you need to look again at the authenticity of your faith! 

These verses in Jeremiah tell us plainly that seeing the Power of God will let you know that He is the True God!  So today, as you read His Word also look for His Power working around you and through you!  Then you will know for certain that He is truly God Almighty!

“Lord Jesus, let me today see, not only Your Word, but Your Power as well!  Let me see that You still are daily involved in the affairs of men!  Praise Your Holy Name forever.  Amen.” 

Trouble From God!

Click here to listen to blog

After this, I noticed something else in heaven. The sacred tent used for a temple was open.  And the seven angels who were bringing the terrible troubles were coming out of it. They were dressed in robes of pure white linen and wore belts made of pure gold.  One of the four living creatures gave each of the seven angels a bowl made of gold. These bowls were filled with the anger of God who lives forever and ever.  The temple quickly filled with smoke from the glory and power of God. No one could enter it until the seven angels had finished pouring out the seven last troubles.

Revelation 15: 5 - 9

There is a very large misunderstanding about the nature of God that is shared by many people who only know about God, but don’t know Him!  

The confusion is this: Many believe that God only “pours out” wonderful, sweet and pleasant things on people and that anything that is not like that is from the Devil.  These verses in the Book of Revelation tell us about the anger of God resulting in seven last troubles!  

The Bible also tells us that God will discipline the children that He loves.  So when trouble comes to your life, it may seem like God is punishing you, when He is only discipling your heart.  And don’t forget Job who suffered terribly because God was pleased with Job’s life!

So when trouble comes, and it will, turn your heart toward Jesus and hold on to Him as tight as you can!  Ask God to show you if there is something for which you need to repent. And if you need to repent, then repent, but if not, trust God with all your heart and wait for the refreshing that will come from Him!

“Lord Jesus, make my heart today like Yours!  Whatever You choose for me today, whether it be peace and quiet or pain and suffering I thank You and praise You for it!  Bless Your Holy Name, Amen!”

God's Image On My Heart!

Click here to listen to blog

Let the Spirit change your way of thinking and make you into a new person. You were created to be like God, and so you must please him and be truly holy.

Ephesians 4: 23 - 24

When you set your heart on following Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit changes you so that you will be like God!  That is the way God created Adam and Eve in the first place.  They were made in His image, but sin and the fall of man corrupted the image and made it ugly and repulsive.

I recently met a man who makes a wonderful living as a portrait artist.  He is able with canvas and paint to preserve the likeness of someone with great accuracy and beauty.  Really, that is what the Holy Spirit does with your life.  You are the canvas and the Spirit of God paints a portrait of God Himself on your heart!  So when someone looks at your heart they will see Jesus!  

Don’t look in the mirror and see what you are now.  The Blood of Jesus will wash your heart clean and make it as white as snow!  Then the Holy Spirit will change the way you look to everyone who sees you.   

Let God paint His portrait on your heart!  Then everything you do as you are being led and guided by the Holy Spirit will give Glory to the One who Created us all!

“Thank You Jesus for choosing me to follow You and for letting me choose You!  May I reflect Your  Glory every day and in every way!  Amen.”

God We Trust!

Click here to listen to blog

The LORD said: I gave this land to my people Israel, but enemies around it have attacked and robbed it. So I will uproot them from their own countries just as I will uproot Judah from its land.  But later, I will have pity on these nations and bring them back to their own lands. They once taught my people to worship Baal. But if they admit I am the only true God, and if they let my people teach them how to worship me, these nations will also become my people. However, if they don't listen to me, I will uproot them from their lands and completely destroy them. I, the LORD, have spoken.

Jeremiah 12: 14 - 17

A nation that opposes God and even fights against Israel can change and become a nation that is blessed by God.  Perhaps the most significant statement ever made by the United States Government is the four simple words: IN GOD WE TRUST! 

The phrase first appeared in the fourth stanza of the Star Spangled Banner, which, of course you never hear anyone sing!  It began appearing on coins in 1864 and on paper money in 1957 after it became the official motto of the United States.  

At this point in history, anyone who opposes our declaration of dependence on God must fund the effort with money that shouts our trust in God!  Perhaps the push to move the United States to a “cashless society” is to eliminate the passing of notes and coins that declare trust in God!  

So, today, if you are an American, when you pay in cash for anything, don’t miss the opportunity to point out that the money you are giving the cashier says that our country trusts in God!  

“Lord Jesus, may we all trust You, just as it says on the United States money!  Praise Your Holy Name forever.  Amen.”