Draw Near
by Brigitte Straub
What is preying on your mind today? What not have some one pray for you: http://thelife.com/interactive/share.html
James 4:8 promises “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you”.
There is a hunger in people all across the Nations to know God and not just know about Him. There is a desire to know Him, intimately and to experience Him and encounter Him personally. All over the world, there are numerous testimonies of those that sought God in deep intimacy, drew near to Him, and have encountered His tangible presence around them.
The Bible is full of those who encountered God in a real and tangible way. From the very beginning, we read in the book of Genesis how Adam and Eve walked with God in the cool of the day, before sin separated them from God (Genesis 3:8). This is what God has always wanted; for us to experience Him, hear His voice, feel His touch and enjoy close communion and fellowship with Him as we would with any other person.
We have a loving Heavenly Father who sent His Son Jesus for this very thing; to destroy the works of the devil, (1 John 3:8) so that nothing, absolutely nothing, not sin, nor death, could separate us any longer from Himself in this lifetime and through all of eternity.
It is through faith, by grace, that we can go beyond the veil, into the Holy Place, where His presence resides. He eagerly wants us to know Him as He does us. Jeremiah 24:7 says “Then I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the Lord, and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart”.
This word “know” here means to “understand and be acquainted with from and by experience”. Truly knowing someone is to experience that person. The way we experience God is very personal to each of us as we were created so uniquely. Do not be content with merely seeing with physical eyes and hearing with natural ears. The Spirit of God lives within each and every one of us who believe and receive Jesus as our Savior. It is by the Spirit of God, who makes Himself known to our spirit the very thoughts of God so we may know Him. (1 Corinthians 2:10)
The result of deep intimacy brings encounter and ultimately transformation into our personal lives, which then impacts those we are around.
What if, the depths in which we drew near to God, are the depths in which He draws near to us?
The question is: How hungry are we to know Him?
Draw deep. Press in. There is always more of Him to experience.
Father, thank you for sending Your Son Jesus even unto death so that I may experience You without anything separating us. Thank You for Your love and grace. I want to know You more. I want to continue to draw near to You so I may be continually transformed into Your likeness. Show me Your ways. Guide me into all Truth. I love you. Amen.
About the Author: http://thelife.com/experience/devotionalforwomen/authors/brigitte-straub/
28 Responses to “Draw Near”
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What do you fear, and why? Is it holding you back from realizing your full potential?
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I’m not where He wants me, I’m not what I want to be in Him, but thankfully, I’m not what I was.
Patti, what wonderful truth is in this statement! I praise God for you and thank HIM in advance for all the HE is ‘making you in to!’
You are beautiful now so just imagine what it will be like when HE is finished w/you! Hallelujah and bless HIS precious name.
I bet we can all thank HIM for doing this in our lives as well?
I thank HIM SO SO much that I am also ‘not what I was!’
HE loves us enuf to lift us up and clean us up and then takes all the time needed to give us a new heart, mind and spirit. Thank YOU Jesus!
Andi
Thank you dear friends…for your prayers. I am learning about spiritual warfare…and am certain more now than ever, that Greater is He that is in me, than in the world.
I have been seeking His face for a while and He has been faithful to me, even when I fail to be faithful to Him.
I took a big step in obedience this past weekend…as I leaned totally on the leading of the Holy Spirit. It was good and it was right to be obedient….but the firey darts came after me. I believe…though they came and will come again, seeds have been planted.
I just needed, as Gail has said….to lean into Him that night. I’m not where He wants me, I’m not what I want to be in Him, but thankfully, I’m not what I was.
Thank You, Lord Jesus….for loving us so that You provided for our salvation. Thank You that we can come to You with anything on our heart…even fears and feelings of failure. Forgive me, Lord….as I let the evil one, take me into captivity for a while. Even so I can praise You! I didn’t stay there…and didn’t go as deep.
Bless and minister to these wonderful laides here….as we share, praise You, worship You and minister through You.
We lift Your Holy Name up on High…for only You are Worthy. In Jesus Name……
DEAR LORD PLEASE DRAW PATTI NEAR TO YOU
Dear Father God, I prayed for our Patti last night and left it on another of the post about ” Mothers.” I ask you again today for your Divine help for our Patti. We don’t know what she is going through, but you do and that is all we need to know unless she posts it here. Please Father wrap your loving and merciful, arms around her and let her feel comforted. She is so special to this group and we all love her. She Prays for so many and gives us a lot of love. In Jesus Precious name, Amen
Peace and blessings to you today dear Patti. I lift dear Patti up in prayer to you Holy Father. She needs your Peace and confort this moment. Wrap her in your loving arms where she can feel your confort and love. Amen
With you in prayer this night Patti!
Andi
Oh Dear Jesus……..I need You. I need to know Your presence tonight. Thank You, Lord… that we can come to You….bow before You..worship and praise You….and even then…..so intimately, so humbly…so hurting… ask You to come to us and minister Thank You for this devotional site, where we can express our needs…and know that others here, understand and will pray.
“When I think I’m goin’ under, part the waters, Lord,
When I feel the waves around me, calm the sea,
When I cry for help, oh, hear me, Lord, and hold out your hand,
Touch my life, Still the raging storm in me,
Dear Jesus….part the waters tonight……Draw me nearer….to You……May I hide in the cleft of the rock tonight.
Dacee B & Maryanne Welcome to this site I am sure you will find that these are a Great Bunch of Loving, Caring & Praying Ladies and they are always here whenever you need some encouragement or prayer. Loreli I will be continuing to pray for the right job for your husband as we know God has a perfect one just for him. Hannah thank you so very much for your prayers I truly appreciate them as I am finding that my pain does not want to ease up like it usually does. May God Bless You All & those of you who are from the US have a Wonderful Long Weekend! Hugs, Linda!!!
All of the comments have had me thinking so much today. Thank you Brigitte for giving us such thot stimulation as we grow in our relationship w/HIM.
Andi
First of all thank you Brigitte for a wonderful devotional. All of the writers on this site really must be listening to God for His direction as to what we need to hear. May God Bless you all.
Welcome to all of the new ones that posted. I am fairly new myself and feel so close to all. Everyone seems to honestly care about others needs. And what better way can we help to meet others needs than to pray for each other. I write the names down and the requests.
Linda, those songs are great, especially the one ” More, More About Jesus” It makes me want to shout it.
And I pray for your pain and ask God to help you. Pain is no stranger to me and I know what you are going through.
Loreli, I pray for your husband’s job interview, that it will be the one God wants for him.
This devotional today really spoke to me. I have never actually heard God speak to me, but I have feelings and thoughts come into my head when I pray sometimes and I know it is Him. There have been several times when I felt Him. I will tell you about the first one. It was in the middle of the night and I was in the hospital facing surgerg the next morning. when I woke up, all of a sudden I became afraid and I called to Jesus and ask Him to help me not to be so afraid. I had been so bathed in prayer by my church and family and friends. But I was crying, and all of a sudden I felt someone holding both of my hands and I will never forget that feeling as long as I live. I thanked Jesus and went to sleep and when I woke up the next morning for the surgery, there was no more fear. He is so wonderful. And I praise Him so much for all He is and does for us. Blessings on all of you and love to all. Hannah
I have always wanted to be closer to the Lord, but for some reason I always felt distanced from him.No matter how much I prayed or worshipped him I still felt like he was far far away, which made it very easy to walk away. But I started studying who God is, and who and what he says I am. I also am learning to listen for God.I have learned to use God’s word as my mirror and then ask him to show me ways to change what he wants me to ad help me do that.The one thing that has brought me closer to God in the last 3 months is I know when I do mess up and I ask for forgiveness I get it right then . then it’s gone I don’t have to feel like the worst hypocryt in the world and then being mad at God because I felt horrible and unworthy of him. I get forgiveness instantly when I ask for it and I can forget it as God does. I have learned however I don’t forgive so easily, I never knew I could choose to do so no matter how I felt about it.I forgive now pray pray pray for that person and God does the rest.That’s my revelation, I know it’s simple but I’m closer to God right now then I’ve ever been in my life. I can really feel him hug me or hold me now when I need it. Nothing depends on circumstance or feelings for me now I know without a doubt God does love me.
It’s good to see new people on the blog. Welcome. If we approach the Holy Spirit everyday with the thought that he is on our side, guiding us, drawing us in and that he is not waiting for us to mess up I think we do not fear getting closer. I have often seen people get so close to God and then something happen to them tragically or one of their kids or so on. When I was younger I was afraid to get too close because I had seen this happen to so many “godly” families. We must lay down our life but it is so hard. We all wrestle with mind, will and emotions, that our flesh, but we have to pursue the spirit, the God in us. After all we are a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit to abide. Sometimes there is so much junk in my spirit that I have to clean it out for him to get in. That’s where fasting, prayer and surrender come………and it’s never easy. Bless all of you today. Please pray for my husband he has an interview with a place that he would really like to be. Love to all, Loreli.
Judy D that is so true. We all want to make being with God our priority and many of us do find moments during the day to do just that. I think about God all day long. But I do miss the time in the morning when I use to spend quality time with him, reading from Scripture and then journaling about it. It is so important to be in God’s presence as much as possible. Lord, please help me to return to my first love of being on fire for your Lord and wanting to spend quality time with you.
Welcome Maryanne, Alise and Dancee. I am relatively new to the reply part of the devotions and I hope you find the ladies as uplifting as I have found them all to be.
Thank you, Brigitte, for todays devotional.
I want to draw near to God, to know Him and to have Him know me.
When I think about my walk with Jesus, some days I wonder, “Why is this so hard? I’m still struggling with so many problems. When will I finally get it right?”
I’ve learned that spiritual growth is often like the growth we see in nature. In John 12:24, Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”
The problem is I tend to get impatient, so I dig up the seed to check the progress of its growth, and that slows down my growth! If I’m not seeing as much fruit as I would like too, but growth takes time.
I pray through the “fruit list” (the fruit of the Spirit) from Galatians 5:22-23. The Bible lists the fruit as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. And asking God to help grow this fruit in my life.
Welcome, Dacee B! I am happy that you found the site. May it be a blessing to you and may you feel the love of Christ through the ladies on the blog.
“Why does life throw so much at us keeping us away for God at the times when we need Him the most?” Satan does not want us near God. It’s a spiritual battle out there. Seek the Lord with all your heart. Try to find quiet time with you and the Lord to read the Word and devotionals and pray. Bless you my sister in Christ.
Today was the first time i read the devotions on this site. Todays really hit home for me. I desperatly want to draw near to God. My heart longs for those moments. Sadly, it seems like the more I long for Him, the more insane my life seems to get with work and children and marriage and stress. Why does it seem that life throws so much at us keeping us away from God at the times we need Him the most?
Judy and all you ladies thank you for your prayers. I am really trying hard to be positive. I know God can Heal…. My pain level is high but I have to lean on Him Thanks again for all your prayers Hugs Linda !!!
Thank you, Brigitte, for todays devotional.
I want to draw near to God, to know Him and to have Him know me. Kris, I like want you wrote right off the start at the beginning of the responses. What a word picture! Crawling up into the arms of our Father. Margaret, I enjoyed your writing and the word picture of the layers of onion. ISn’t that what we do when we met people? We don’t always just reveal our self to them, but gently and cautiously unlayer as we get to know them better. Perhaps that is what we do as we get to know God deeper and more personally. Interesting proposal you have me thinking about. What am I keeping from God . . . do I want Him to know me more personally? I would have to answer “yes”. I feel God knows me better than anyone I know. It is Him I can talk to , reveal to . . .
Linda, thank you for the words of the hymns. I do remember “More, more about Jesus”. How are you feeling today, my friend? Blessings!
Kris,Margaret,Linda R, Today moring devotional from all three of you. Hvae set my heart on fire for the Lord. Two songs comes to my mind they are 1 by Joann Rosario {More More Moreand the other one is by Marvin sapp [Never Wold have Made It. when I hear these songs The Lord is really talking to me. I feel his presents all Around me.God has truly brought me thro many things and I’m in his arms everyday.Ladies I thank all for your prayers.Just hold on ladies God is real and near to all of us Love you all. Alease More, More , More, of Jesus.
THANK YOU FOR A WONDERFUL DEVOTIONAL TODAY
Welcome MaryAnn! Good to meet you.
This devotional hits us all where we live it seems. God desires deeper communion w/us AND to be able to share his heart and the very thots that are on HIS mind.
I believe we can come to the point of actually hearing HIS voice. The little friar, Brother Lawrence, practised this thru out his life.
When Brigette wrote of HIS giving us a ‘new heart’ it struck home to me. For years ago HE took my ‘heart of stone’ and HE gave me a heart of flesh and from there HE began to renew my mind! It was thru these 2 things that HE began to change my spirit and soul!
Thank you for this devotional today.
It is right and good that we should be challenged as to ‘What are the depths of our relationship to God?’
If my relationship is superficial or perfunctory then I can expect no more from God……….yet I do know that this type of relationship would make HIM weep over me; for above ALL else HE is a God who longs for and desires intimate relationship with us for we are HIS future bride…..[and as a Father loves HIS children so HE loves and longs to spend time with us teaching us of HIMSELF and HIS ways].
The longer I practise ‘hearing HIS voice,’ the more intimate our relationship is. The more I practise ‘the presence of God’ in my daily activites the more HE seems to lead and guide my day; there is excitement as I never know what HE may do with each new day; even the humdrum chores are renewed.
It is my prayer that all of you wonderful women will take hold of the ‘deeper life’ as your hearts and spirits are asking of HIM! May we all hunger and thirst after HIM for HIS names sake and take time each day to simply sit quietly asking HIM to come and join with us. May we learn to know when HE is there with us and may we learn to hear HIS still small voice telling us marvellous things for our ears alone. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen!
loving you all xoxoxox
Hmm? how can we practise drawing nearer and listening for HIS voice & be open to HIS very presence there with us????
For me it is each night before I go to bed [backwards huh? LOL]
And Thursday evenings when a small group gather at our church to ask that God show us ‘the things that are on HIS heart.’ IT is the BEST night of the week! Hallelujah!!! Praise HIM
Again, how or what do you gals do to become closer to HIM????
Andi
Hi Margaret , Thank you for your payer and poam in yesterdays devotional. This is what I need to do is draw near to my Lord, not walk or run away. I have been reading some of the past devotionals and I like what you all have to say. I agree with you that we do need more of Him and I like the way Kris stated it. No matter what comes up I need to give more of me to my Lord and take the time to do it.I have only just found this web site and must say I like it. Please pray that I run to Him with every thing that gose on in my life. thanks.
As I read this devotional I immediately think of two songs we sing
Oh be like Thee, oh! to be like Thee,
Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art;
Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;
Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.
and the other song is:
Make Me More Like Thee Dear Jesus,
Make Me More Like Thee,
Give Me A Heart That’s Filled With Love
I just reread what Margaret said “Can we really get more of Him” and right away this old hymn came to my mind
More about Jesus would I know,
More of His grace to others show;
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love Who died for me.
Refrain
More, more about Jesus,
More, more about Jesus;
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love Who died for me.
More about Jesus let me learn,
More of His holy will discern;
Spirit of God, my teacher be,
Showing the things of Christ to me.
Refrain
More about Jesus; in His Word,
Holding communion with my Lord;
Hearing His voice in every line,
Making each faithful saying mine.
Refrain
More about Jesus; on His throne,
Riches in glory all His own;
More of His kingdom’s sure increase;
More of His coming, Prince of Peace.
I think that totally sums up how I feel and my desire to know more and more about Jesus. I am sorry to have taken up so much space.
Hugs, Linda !!!
What a powerful devotional this morning. It truly says what most of us feel. Margaret you are not alone in your quest. As Paul says we need to persevere.
You are absolutely right, Margaret. It is NOT that we need more of the Holy Spirit, but that The Holy Spirit needs more of us. To yeild it all to cast it all to throw it all off…just a few thoughts from scripture.
I get a bit nervous when I am the first to say something on the blog. I have a question Can we really get more of him? I would like him to get a hold of me and have more of me! I tend to let go at times. I want him to take the layers of the onion in my life and get to the flower. Bloom where I am planted by God. I want to be thankful for all that Jesus has done for me. I want to give him the praise and honor he deserves! Why wouldn’t I want him to have more of me. I want more of him and less of me!
It is so wonderful to crawl up into the arms of our Abba Father and let Him hold us as we hold onto Him.