Draw near to God

Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. 

Humble yourselves before God and he will lift you up.

 James 4: 8 &10

In one of our study groups a friend of ours told us that our relationship with God has to become as co-ordinated as our hands. There are times when they are apart. However everything gets done whether they work together or separately. But time and again they become one when the task is impossible without the others help, these are times we draw near to God.

If we hope for transformation and peace in our lives we have to find ways to constantly seek the presence of God in our lives daily.  This is one of the basic tenets of our faith. It is very difficult for us to grow as Christians unless we set aside time for prayer. It is well known that the more time we spend with God, the easier it is to get along with people.

James goes on to say cleanse your hands, where he means stop doing what is sinful in God's sight and change. There are times when our hearts and minds may be filled with negative thoughts, frustrations, boredom, and failures so much so as to impede our ability to achieve our full potential. It could be to end an unhealthy relationship. It could be where one is stuck in some dishonest activities that steal ones peace with God (Proverbs22:3). Sometimes when we have many things goings-on we find ourselves just overwhelmed. If we find ourselves on a path that only fills us with hatred and wickedness it is time to wash our hands and become clean.

A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. 

The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭22:3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There are times when we get confused and wonder if we are on the right course in life. Particularly when we face a block in our path or something untoward or tragic happens where we have to revaluate our lives. There are these times when God seems so far away. It is at times such as these when we should find a place to retreat and reconsider our lives and the paths we have chosen. It is always good to question our motives, reorganize and prepare ourselves for the new situation.

Is it our own pride that is fueling us along in our lives. Then visualize where this path will lead to ultimately. How can we grow in wisdom and understanding? How can we remain true to ourselves and God in whatever we do?

If you find something in your life that is weighing you down try and see if it is really relevant you. Is it feelings of hatred and anger preying upon you? Are you are weighed down by debt or some other burden?

It is always good to find time to reflect and consider these hard questions in our lives. We may be wonderfully surprised that for most of these questions if we search our hearts and minds we already have most of the answers. Sometimes we may pray endlessly for something to change in our lives but nothing really happens.

Do we wait patiently and watch expectantly like the Father waited for his prodigal son to return? Or do we rush in and try to fix things ourselves. Are we giving enough time for God to do what has to be done? Do we trust God to do God's part (Isaiah30:18)? Do we hope in the Lord (Isaiah 40:31)? Sometimes our future may look uncertain, we may probably encounter set backs, but if we learn to trust God we learn from all these experiences in the long run.

Proverbs 3:5-6 says that if we trust in God with all our hearts and lean not on our own understanding God will direct us in the path we should go. Do we really humble ourselves before God and trust God to lead us in the path we should go? At the end of the day it is our relationship with God and our fellow men that are most important. It is finding ways to resolve our differences and renewing our commitment to being followers of Christ. 

If we lead a life dedicated to service, we will reap the fruits of the bonds we build over the years we serve. There may not often be much material gains but the knowledge of being part of the body of Christ that worked for the greater good of mankind is often reward enough to satisfy us.

God gives us the gift of time on this earth we should use it to enable us to build homes that are strong and can withstand the passing of time. We should form strong bonds of love with our family and friends. As Christ’s followers we should set our hearts and minds to build a strong foundation for our lives with Christ as our corner stone.

Prayer:-

Lord we pray that you will direct us in the path you have set us, light the way ahead as we continue transforming our selves more and more into a likeness of you. Amen

Brotherly Love

Let Brotherly love flow Hebrews 13:1

And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. 1 Samuel 18:1

Reading Philippians2:1-5

Artist: Cima da Conegliano Completion Date: c.1507

Gallery: National Gallery, London, UK

What made David endearing to Jonathan? Was it his trust in God, simplicity of character, musical talent, or awesome courage? Jonathan the son of King Saul, heir apparent, when he met David saw the hand of God working greatly on him. He killed the giant Goliath who had shamed the entire nation of Israel by mocking them and challenging them to fight. He saw David as one who could kill the invincible Goliath in one blow, and as the one who could rule Israel even better than him. The experience with Goliath brought them together  David saw in Jonathan, one who was willing to surrender everything to him, because he had utmost good faith in his ability to defend the nation of Israel. It was God working in their hearts and minds that knit their souls together.

It was the ability of David and Jonathan to see the battle from God’s perspective. In their eyes there was nothing so giant in size that God could not handle. When David came to the King Sauls court victorious, David made Jonathan feel fully secure as his protector. This verse illustrates brotherly love Jonathan loves David as his own. We also see the hand of God working in David’s life later as his friendship with Jonathan protects him from the jealousy and wrath of Saul. 

In Proverbs 18:24 it says there are those who have unreliable friends and soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. This is one proverb that sums it all up when it comes to finding a friend who will be a lasting influence on our lives. The proverb asks what is the point in having unreliable friends who eventually brings us to ruin. The friend we should aspire for is the one who loves us deeper and greater than ourselves.

What is the use of having friends who take us away from the direction that the Lord wants us to go? Makes us do things that are detrimental to our health and future. Makes us destroy our character and image.

Our friends should be ones who encourage us to greater growth and better quality of life in our families and communities we live in. Help us break down those barriers which prevent us from realizing our full potential. Treat us as equals and have our best interests in our hearts.

Sometimes it is our own selves that makes us love our own things, and keeps us from loving one another. Our own pride or ego desires constant attention, fills us up with envy, makes us very impatient, and takes offence.

Do we find ourselves surrounded by those who want the best for our lives and future? Friendship should be considered as a plant that needs to be watered regularly to grow. Jesus said a tree is known by its fruits.

Artist: Albrecht Altdorfer   Date:1516  

Location : Staatliche Museen, Kassel, Germany

Let us not forget when Jesus died he entrusted his mother to his dearest friend (disciple) John (John 13:23). 

Do we see in Jesus a friend whom we can trust and rely on in our times of need? Whose image is seen on the tablets of our hearts? Whose reflection do we see in the mirror when we look at it? Do we see Christ molding us to reflect faith, hope and love in our lives?