Tag: James 4:8

Just How Far is Close?

On By KateIn Devotionals, Thoughtful ThreadsLeave a comment

Matthew 15:8  This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

James 4:8  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

I have never heard anyone say they are too close to God, have you? If you stop and think on that for a moment, you will see how much sense my statement makes. The more one draws close to God, the more one wants to be closer, as this relationship enriches the soul and brings peace and purpose to one’s life. God desires that closeness with you; He wishes to reveal His love to you, His guidance, and understanding. It is a promise, and God never breaks His promises, standing steadfast in His commitment to us. If He says He will draw close to you as a result of your search, He will do so! Every step taken in faith brings you nearer to the heart of the Creator, lighting your path and feeding your spirit in ways you can’t even imagine.

Getting closer to God means placing a barrier between what the world is teaching us and what God’s Word teaches us. It brings to mind how we wore masks during the pandemic in order to keep the germs away from us, creating a protective shield that helped preserve our health and well-being. Are the world’s teachings any different than those germs? Just as we took precautions to guard ourselves from sickness, why aren’t we protecting ourselves in like manner from the practices of the world that can corrupt our faith and values? I can think of so many things the world promotes that, as Christians, we should be “masking” our spiritual selves against! It is essential that we recognize these influences, ensuring that we align more closely with the teachings of Christ rather than the teachings of society. To name a few of these teachings:

  • Abortion
  • Pornography (yes, those who call themselves Christians should not be engaging with this)
  • Antisemitism
  • Gossip
  • Anger

We can say all we want that we love God and are Christians. But how does your heart really feel? You can lie to yourself, but deep down you know the truth! I know that when I sin, the Holy Spirit of the Living God convicts me and I feel awful, as if a heavy weight rests upon my conscience. This conviction not only brings spiritual discomfort but also serves as a wake-up call, urging me to realign my life with God’s will. Each moment of struggle with sin becomes an opportunity for growth and deeper understanding of His grace. This conviction causes me to acknowledge to God what I have done and leads me to repentance and the need to turn back to Him. Repentance is a complete turning away from that sin, a desire to live in a way that honors Him and reflects His love. Granted, one can fail in this area, but those occurrences will happen less and less as the Lord guides and directs you. Every step forward in faith brings a renewed sense of joy, knowing that with each failure, there is an opportunity for His mercy to abound even more.

1 John 1:6  If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

1 John 1:9-10  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  (10)  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Praise the Lord that Jesus Christ has paid the debt for our sins … all of them! When we come to Christ, our sins are forgiven; we now possess the Holy Spirit who enables us to say no to sin! However, we live in this flesh … in this body … which desires to sin. That is why we must stay close to God in order to overcome sin.

1 John 2:1-6  My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:  (2)  And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.  (3)  And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.  (4)  He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.  (5)  But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.  (6)  He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

The Christian walk is not an easy walk. We are constantly battling with the physical flesh that craves to sin. But it is a “doable” walk, my friend! It is not an impossible walk. We can use each failure to draw nearer to God. In so doing, He gives us the strength to overcome. Reading my Bible every day strengthens my inner woman.

Do you need more strength to draw nearer to God? Read your Bible! It is the answer to all struggles in life! If you happened to stumble onto this page, I pray that you know the Lord Jesus Christ in your inner man, not just your head. If you don’t, please follow this link and read the Scriptures that will open your eyes to eternal salvation!

A Divided Heart

On By KateIn Devotionals, Thoughtful ThreadsLeave a comment

Hosea 10:2  Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty: he shall break down their altars, he shall spoil their images.

James 1:8  A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

James 4:8  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

A divided heart is indeed a tragedy. How can one know what path to follow without a GPS or map for direction? One has to know his destination before he can know what path to take, right? Just as a traveler must plan their journey, we too must seek clarity in our lives and understand where we want to end up. The path to Heaven has only one road; there aren’t many roads to Heaven, just one leads to eternal peace and fulfillment. Jesus told us which road to take.

John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

To me, a divided heart means someone who would like to go to Heaven but really doesn’t want to commit to it right then and there. They want to continue down the same road they’ve been on and live just the way they want, indulging in their desires and beliefs without making that “spiritual” commitment. A divided heart can also mean someone who has not separated himself from the world completely. For example, a born-again believer that still believes that living with someone outside of marriage is OK. In their eyes, making that commitment means giving up something significant—a freedom to sin, the familiar comforts of their current lifestyle, and perhaps even relationships that don’t align with a new path. It’s a complicated struggle, where they feel torn between the longing for spiritual fulfillment and the comfort of sinning. The Holy Spirit won’t give us peace to live in sin.

Colossians 3:1-2  If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.  (2)  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Colossians 3:5-7  Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:  (6)  For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:  (7)  In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

Once we are born again, we are considered to be “in Christ.” We now have new desires: a desire to do good and not to sin. God places that desire in our hearts and the Holy Spirit works in our hearts to convict us. Being born again removes us from the category “children of disobedience” to the “children of promise”!

Galatians 4:28  Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

Having a divided heart is the same as being double minded. The Holy Spirit dwells within us and will guide us when we are tempted to sin. He will stir our heart to do what is righteous. When one gives in to sin, he gives way to the enemy. His choice to sin has now given him a double mindedness. When one is born again, they now have the ability to say no to sin. It now becomes a choice. Double mindedness or a divided heart leads a person astray. So what does one do? One must choose! One must choose to be born again by the Spirit of the Living God. Then, and only then, will a person have the ability to say no. Each time one says no to sin, it gets easier because one’s faith grows stronger. So what do you choose?

Joshua 24:15  And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Make your choice, Reader. If you choose to be born again and receive power from on High to say no to sin, follow this link. It will guide you through the Scriptures on how to be born again.

Protection Is Found

On By KateIn Devotionals, Hymns for TodayLeave a comment

Psalm 91:1-4  He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.  (2)  I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.  (3)  Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.  (4)  He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Did you know that shade provides temperatures 25 degrees lower than standing in the sun? What a relief it is to be walking in the heat of day, then to come under a tree to feel the shade it provides! To top it off, now add a cold glass of lemonade or iced tea! Ahhhhh! As you sit down and lean against the tree, you can experience what it is like to be under God’s wings. What does that mean, exactly? What do His wings provide? I can think of several things:

  • It provides shade: When life gets “hot” with worries and troubles, the Lord God provides us with comfort to decrease that heat. Isaiah 41:10  Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
  • It provides protection: God protects us from the enemy’s darts and efforts to deflate your zeal for the Lord. Psalm 121:7  The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. 2Th 3:3  But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.
  • It provides a covering: Psalm 32:1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Romans 4:7  Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. When Adam and Eve sinned, God covered them with the skins of a slain animal. Blood was shed in order for them to be covered. Genesis 3:21  Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them. Just as Jesus’ blood was shed to cover our sins!
  • It provides “closeness”: The Lord is never so far that He cannot hear you. He hears the faintest whisper of a cry when you are too overwhelmed to speak. Like the Shepherd who carries a wounded sheep, the Lord presses up against us and carries us through our trials. Psalm 145:18  The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. Psalm 34:18  The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Acts 17:27  That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: James 4:8  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Matthew 28:20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Today’s hymn brings such comfort to my spirit. We are living in times of uncertainty. The days are getting truly more wicked than ever. We think things can’t possibly get any worse; but yet, they will as the Bible tells us. Read the words below and listen to the hymn again. Let this mini message from Mr. Cushing sink deep so you can see the Lord’s works in your life.

Under His Wings – by William Orcutt Cushing

1 Under His wings I am safely abiding;
  Though the night deepens and tempests are wild,
Still I can trust Him, I know He will keep me;
  He has redeemed me, and I am His child.

CHORUS:
Under His wings, under His wings,
  Who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide,
    Safely abide forever.

2 Under His wings—what a refuge in sorrow!
  How the heart yearningly turns to His rest!
Often when earth has no balm for my healing,
  There I find comfort, and there I am blest.

3 Under His wings—oh, what precious enjoyment!
  There will I hide till life’s trials are o’er;
Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me;
  Resting in Jesus I’m safe evermore.

God provided His Holy Spirit to live within us. He never leaves us because He’s in us and with us. We know that each name of God has a purpose. In this case, Emmanuel (God with us) tells us that Christ’s Holy Spirit lives here and now, within each born-again believer. Christ left us His Spirit so we could always be under His wings. Did you know that the Book of John is the only Gospel that calls the Holy Spirit “Comforter”?

John 14:16  And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

John 14:26  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

John 15:26  But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

John 16:7  Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

The Comforter places us under His wings – are you abiding there? Only God’s Word can promise your very own place to retreat and find solace. Find Jesus there while you wait for His return!

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Hymns 2.0 – Nearer My God to Thee

On By KateIn Devotionals, Hymns 2.0Leave a comment

Lyrics (click here to hear instrumental)

Nearer, my God, to Thee,
  Nearer to Thee;
E’en though it be a cross
  That raiseth me,
Still all my song shall be
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
  Nearer to Thee.

Though, like a wanderer,
  The sun gone down,
Darkness comes over me,
  My rest a stone;
Yet in my dreams I’d be
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
  Nearer to Thee.

There let me see the sight,
  An open heaven;
All that Thou sendest me,
  In mercy given;
Angels to beckon me
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
  Nearer to Thee.

Then, with my waking thoughts
  Bright with Thy praise,
Out of my stony griefs
  Bethel I’ll raise,
So by my woes to be
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
  Nearer to Thee

Sarah Flower Adams

The History Behind the Hymn

Sarah Flower Adams was a British actress who received praise for her performance in an 1837 production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. After health problems disrupted her plans to continue with theater, she found comfort in writing poems and hymns.

Her most notable hymn, “Nearer, My God, to Thee,” came about in 1841 when Adam’s pastor was looking for a hymn for the following week’s sermon on Genesis 28:11-19, which is referred to by many as “Jacob’s ladder,” or “Jacob’s dream.” Adams offered to write the hymn and completed it within a week to go along with the pastor’s sermon. The hymn was originally set to music written by her sister, Eliza Flower, but another hymn-tune called “BETHANY,” written by Lowell Mason in 1856, has become most widely recognized and is most familiar to listeners today.

https://www.thetabernaclechoir.org/articles/nearer-my-god-to-thee-history-and-lyrics.html

A Lesson for Me

Psa 73:28  But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.

How does one draw near to God? How can you have that relationship with the Lord that close and personal? The Bible states that God doesn’t hear the prayers of sinners (John 9:31). The Scriptures also state that Jesus is the only way to Heaven, according to John 14:6. Jesus in the One that provides the way for us to have a close relationship, not only to Him but to the Father! He is the only Mediator we need! (1 Timothy 2:5)

At the moment of salvation, we receive the Holy Spirit to help us through our daily lives! We don’t need anyone else to intercede for us to the Father. The Holy Spirit intercedes for the believer so our prayers are in accordance with the will of God. Here’s a good example: You are praying for a new car and are looking at a Cadillac. The Holy Spirit knows that it won’t fit in your budget so He intercedes for you and God puts a cheaper vehicle in your path. I know this is basic but it proves my point.

Rom 8:27  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

There let me see the sight,
  An open heaven;
All that Thou sendest me,
  In mercy given;
Angels to beckon me
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
  Nearer to Thee.

Message for today

Today’s Gospel message is so diluted. They preach a loving God, which He is, but they don’t preach that He also requires repentance. One can sit in a garage all day but will never be able to claim that he is a car. It’s no different than calling yourself a Christian just because you go to church. There must be a change of heart, mind and direction!

When a person is truly born-again, Jesus becomes the center of his/her focus. Decisions are made with the Lord in mind; life’s trials are viewed through the Word of God. The things that used to appeal to the believer are no longer desired. The heart is convicted when sin is committed. If this has not happened to you, then you must think about it.

Jas 4:8  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

One cannot be practicing sin and worshipping God at the same time. This is what James calls double-minded. He also points out that we must cleanse our hands and purify our hearts. Seeking forgiveness for sins is not asking Jesus to die on the cross again so that those sins can be forgiven. They are already forgiven. What is necessary is that you acknowledge that sin, feel remorse for it and turn from it. That is repentance, my friend.

Born-again believers should see sin with different eyes and with a different heart. It should pain us, tear us apart inside, when we sin! As we grow older in the Lord and closer to Him, we will hurt more each time we sin. We see sin with the same eyes as God does. This is drawing nigh to Him. This is the whole point of today’s hymn.

Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
  Nearer to Thee

If you are not truly born-again, there is coming a time when it will be too late for you to repent and be saved. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab You Can Be Born Again and Know It!