19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which WE DRAW (COME) NEAR TO GOD. Hebrews 7
Christ has opened the way for us to COME NEAR TO GOD, in a way which those living under Law could never accomplish, but we must make the decision to do it. I have listened to a teaching by the late Dallas Willard (YouTube – Dallas Willard, A Call to Silence) recently, where he was speaking to a ladies group and encouraging them of the need to set aside extended periods of time to be still before the Lord. He said that as we wait in God’s presence we begin to take on or absorb the character and nature of God, but IT WILL TAKE TIME. Dallas Willard said that we could then carry the Presence of God with us wherever we went! He suggested that the Christian Life, SHOULD BE MORE ABOUT BEING (Carrying God’s Presence, or another expression, Glory Carriers) than Doing. Westerners tend to come from very Action oriented cultures, but people should be able to recognise something different about us, without constantly striving to be agents of change. The scriptures instruct us to be, ‘Salt and Light’, BOTH OF WHICH ARE SILENT. People may be more deeply impacted by who we truly are, than what we try to say or do do.
Two further scriptures reiterating God’s Promise to bless those who continue to seek Him.
11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 AND YOU WILL SEEK ME AND FIND ME, WHEN YOU SEARCH FOR ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART. 14 I WILL BE FOUND BY YOU, Jeremiah 29
7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 DRAW NEAR TO GOD AND HE WILL DRAW TO YOU. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4
What a Promise to the Church today. May we make sure to take hold of it. Hallelujah
Congratulations to Donald Trump on his reelection as president of the United States of America. May God help him to rule wisely and well for the people of that great nation.
May the Lord bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.