Stay Near to God
Online studies are a great way to stay near to God and to go deeper in your faith. Try one today!
“When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe. But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted and divides up the spoils.” Luke 11:21-22
Why did Peter deny Jesus? He confidently declared “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” (Matthew 26:35) But only a few short hours later, Peter did the exact opposite. He denied he knew Jesus three times, just as Jesus predicted. We don’t have to imagine Peter’s sorrow. We’re told plainly that afterwards “he went outside and wept bitterly.” (Matthew 26:75)
But this doesn’t answer the question of why Peter denied knowing Him. Part of it was fear: Fear of losing his reputation by being associated with a man accused of being a criminal. Fear of his responsibilities. Fear, perhaps, for his own life. But another reason that Peter ended up denying knowing His Lord is because he was away from Him.
Peter lost sight of his Lord. It wasn’t until “The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter” (Luke 22:61) that Peter came back to his senses and realized what he had done. After losing sight of Jesus, Peter had been trying to do things on his own strength. Rather than trusting God, he was trusting in himself.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
Peter himself explains the imminent danger of trying to do everything ourselves God: “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) The apostle James advises us: “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.” (James 4:7-8) While even the strongest of men & women are no match for Satan’s temptations on our own, with God we have nothing to fear.
We can stay near to God by reading His Word, by speaking and listening to Him in prayer, and by living in community with His sons and daughters. Stay near to God, and you will never be overwhelmed.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
Question: What is the danger of not staying near God? How does staying near God protect us from danger?
There are times that I do not want to share Jesus with others I must admit. I guess I fear of being put down, like I was as a child, by my peers. It hurts to be put down. But! As i get to know my Lord he helps me to let people know that he is mine and that i want to share Him with others. It requires FAITH!
Your devotion to God is noticeable and meaning for you; your family, and the people who walk in and out of your life each day. How can folks around you, know your are ether with God or in tune with God? Does your life in any way, even let others know if you are interested in God’s presence in your life.
Once I have established that I can be a, “noticed for Christ”. How can I also provide an atmosphere where other feel my commitment and are in someway, challenged by my faith; rather than overwhelm by it.
Whenever, I chose to do wrong I am choosing to hurt the ones I love the most. There are no secrete sins; family and other loved ones are hurt by the energy I take away by allowing that sin or the damage the secrete sin does to me that I cannot see.
Every step I take away from God leads me into greater darkness and into a deeper addiction.. You never fail or your never fall, alone, there are always consequences.
Cling to the Father; cling to what you really want to be. Live like you would want to be remembered; not in a way that ought to be forgotten.
Chose who you would server today, and each and every day. You will serve someone; either; God who loves you or Satan, whose very purpose in the universe is to destroy you and every person your life touches!.
Everyone has a choice to make, every single day they have breath, whether to do what is right or to yield to their weaknesses.
There are no inconsequential sins or no inconsequential acts of righteousness.