Drawing Nearer to God and Christ our Lord

[*Light*]

Hello Family of God,

"Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, [God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble]. [Submit] yourselves therefore to God. [Resist the devil], and he will flee from you. [DRAW NIGH TO GOD], and he will [DRAW NIGH TO YOU]. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. [Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord], and he shall [LIFT YOU UP]." (James 4:5-10)

One of the first things mentioned on the local news was about avid movie-goers bidding up to $10,000 for a ticket to watch a pre-screening of this movie. There are people who are dying of starvation who would give an arm and a leg for a piece of fruit, and this is the level of selfishness that is spreading throughout this world. I had to separate myself from some of my "friends" who claimed to be Christians, but are now living a life of worldliness, habitual carnality, and inappropriate contentography addiction. I love them, and I pray for the Salvation of their souls; however, none of us can afford to live like the rest of the unbelieving world, or the hypocrites who attend church only to live like hedonists the rest of the time. These types of false converts we often see in the church visible are those where the Gospel has never taken "root" within them, and as a result, their souls are parched, and there is no fruit-bearing in their lives at all, and they are self-deceived, believing that their "church membership" is their "get out of hell free ticket" to Heaven (Matt. 13:21; Mk. 4:11-12; Jn. 3:3; 12:40; 17:17; Rom. 8:7; 15:4; 1 Cor. 2:14; 15:1-4; Jude 4).

Why are there so many Christians confused as to what direction God wants them to move in their lives? As with all illusionist's, the Devil is very adept at misdirection; his subtlety and craftiness has led "self-professed" Christians groping in the dark and working their way through life unguided by the light of life (cf. 2 Sam. 22:29; Ps. 27:1; Jn. 8:12; 12:46; 2 Cor. 4:4-6). God does not abandon His children as human fathers sometimes do, especially in a time as now where moral decline (e.g., sexual deviancy and immorality, lacking natural affection: such as abortion, and wives having authority over their husbands and women pastors, etc.) is diminishing. If God seems afar off in your life, it is because you are distracted by the cares of this world and shortsighted, and this ought not to be so.

You want to be as near to God as possible in these dangerous times we are living in. I cannot think of anything more precious than to know God in such an Intimate and Loving manner which far exceeds that of any human relationship (past, present, and future). This may seem like a task which is "too tall of an order" for God to fulfill among many "nominal" Christians, and this complete lack of confidence in what God Himself is able to accomplish in the lives of those who are constantly seeking the Lord results in "muffling" their own ears so that the Voice of God (not audibly) is indiscernible to them; they are unable to see with the crystal clarity needed for God to pave the way in their Christian walk (cf. Matt. 13:15; 15:14; Jn. 3:8; 10:3-5; 11:9; 12:35; 27-29; 14:6; 18:37; Heb. 5:11; 2 Pet. 1:8-9).

Prayer is extremely vital in the life of a Christian; it is a direct communication to the God of all Creation, and He as your Heavenly Father wants you to reach out to Him as His child whenever and wherever you need Him. Having little or no desire to pray is demonstrative of one who is not seeking to do God's Perfect Will in their life. The Bible exhorts all Christians to pray always, or to pray without ceasing; neglecting to do so regularly, and complaining why your life seems to going in a downward spiral is self-evident (Col. 4:2; 1 Thess. 5:17-18). That being said, I will be discussing the necessity of prayer and its influential power in relation to drawing nearer in knowing God and Christ and His Will for your life. This is not a comprehensive list of all the reasons why prayers go unanswered by God, but here are a few reasons why prayers are not answered in the life of some "Christians." They are:

1. You are praying for worldly and carnal desires which can only hinder the progression of sanctification through the Holy Spirit of God (cf. Prov. 16:2; 21:2; Matt. 6:33; Jn. 14:13-14; 15:7; Jas. 4:3; 1 Jn. 3:22; 5:14-15).
2. You refuse to forgive someone who has wronged you (Matt. 6:14-15; Lk. 17:3-4; Eph. 4:31-32; Col. 3:13).
3. You are living with sins that are not repented of; and as a result, you are Grieving, Resisting, or Quenching the Holy Spirit (Ps. 66:18; Prov. 28:9; Isa. 59:2; 63:10; Acts 7:51; Eph. 4:30; 1 Thess. 5:19).
4. Your lifestyle is characterized by Hypocrisy (Matt. 6:1,5; Mk. 7:6; Lk. 6:46; Gal. 6:3; 1 Pet. 2:16; 1 Jn. 4:20).
5. You are expecting your prayers to be answered in your own timing (cf. Ps. 27:14; Eccles. 3:1; Isa. 40:31; 55:8-9; 64:4; Rom. 4:16,20-21).
6. Your prayers ARE answered, but not in a way which you may understand it.
7. You are NOT Saved (i.e., You do not have the Truth abiding within you, namely Christ, Interceding on your behalf; cf. Jn. 9:31; 14:6; Rom. 8:34; 1 Tim. 2:5-6).
8. You are full of doubt and do not believe that God is able to accomplish the Impossible (Matt. 17:20; 21:22; Mk. 9:23; 11:22-24; Heb. 4:16; Jas. 1:6-7; 5:15-16).
9. You need to humble yourself in the sight of the LORD (cf. Mic. 6:8; 2 Cor. 12:9-10; Phil. 2:3-4; 1 Pet. 5:6).

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye [CALL UPON ME], and ye shall go and [PRAY UNTO ME], and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall [SEEK ME], and [FIND ME], when ye shall [SEARCH FOR ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART]." (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

This passage describes the LORD addressing His people (i.e., "the Israelites") who were in exile; God Himself made a Promise to them that He would bring them back to their homeland, and in the latter times as well (Gen. 49:1; 8-12; Num. 24:14-24; Deut. 4:29; 32:39-43). Some bible teachers would accuse students who diligently study Holy Scripture as employing eisegesis (Grk. "eis hegeisthai"; i.e., "read into biblical passages by interpreting them as ones own opinions or ideas") when applying the passage cited above to individual believers; However, the same concept in Seeking the Lord's Wisdom and Might [at all times] are also applicable in the lives of all who [are], or [will be] the Children of God (Ps. 40:16; 105:4; Hos. 10:12; Isa. 26:9; 55:6-7; Jer. 33:3; Lam. 3:25; Zeph. 2:3; Matt. 7:7-8; Acts 17:27; Eph. 6:10; Col. 3:1-2; Heb. 11:6).

"The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit." (John 3:8)

"And we know that [ALL THINGS] work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)

It is often said by many professing Christians to "be careful what you pray for!" . . . or, "I don't want/need other Christians praying for me because they might pray for something bad that I do NOT need in my life." This sort of pessimistic attitude is demonstrative of someone who cannot discern the Will of God in their life; that being said, it shows a heart of pride and arrogance, and such a person believes that they can handle their Christian life on their own. The Body of Christ is why believers are NOT to forsake the assembling of believers (whether in a local church, or any gathering with other like-minded Christians); and if one is a member of Christ's Body and reject the help of others in Christ, then they are also rejecting Christ as a necessity in their spiritual progress (Rom. 12:4-5; 1 Cor. 10:16; 12:27; Eph. 4:4; 5:23; Col. 1:18; Heb. 10:25).

"EVERY [good gift] and EVERY [perfect gift] is [FROM ABOVE], and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." (James 1:17)

"For every one that [asketh receiveth]; and he that [seeketh findeth]; and to him that [knocketh it shall be opened]. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?" (Luke 11:10-12)

If you are a True child of God, then you can rest assured that every GOOD gift from your Heavenly Father will be given to you; IF that which you ask for are the TRUE DESIRES of your heart (cf. Ps. 37:4-5; Matt. 6:9-13; Mk. 11:24; Eph. 6:18; 1 Jn. 5:14-15).

Here are some Good and Perfect Gifts we are to pray for, and a few cross-references:

1. To develop an Intimate and Loving Relationship with God and Christ that far exceeds any human relationship you may have (cf. Ps. 73:28; Isa. 29:13; Jer. 9:24; 33:3; Mk. 12:30; Phil. 3:10; Heb. 4:16; 7:19; 10:22; 11:6; Jas. 4:8).
2. Grow in the fruit of the Spirit (e.g., "Love, Joy, Peace, Self-Control, etc."), and other fruits essential for every Christian man or woman; and also pray that these fruits may remain (Matt. 3:8; Jn. 12:24; 15:16; Lk. 8:15; Gal. 5:22-23; 6:7-8; Phil. 1:9-11).
3. To understand the mind of God (Jn. 14:26; 16:12-15; Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 1:30; 2:11-13; 2 Cor. 10:3-6; Phil. 2:5-11; 1 Pet. 4:1-2).
4. Conformity to the Image of His Dear Son, Jesus Christ through Sanctification (Rom. 12:1-2; 2 Cor. 3:18; Col. 3:10; Eph. 4:20-24; Phil. 1:6; 1 Jn. 2:15-17; et al).
5. That your Faith, Assurance, and Trust in your Heavenly Father may increase (Ps. 9:10; 28:7; Prov. 3:5-6; Isa. 26:3; Matt. 6:25; Mk. 11:24; Phil. 4:6-7; Jas. 1:6; 1 Jn. 5:5).
6. Wisdom, and to be Guided and Led by the Spirit of God (Ps. 23:1-6; 31:3; 119:105; Jn. 10:3-4; 16:13; Gal. 5:18; Jas. 1:5).
7. To use your time and talents that the Lord has given you wisely (Ps. 90:12; Matt. 25:14-30; Lk. 12:48; Col. 4:5; Eph. 5:13-17; Jas. 4:13-15).
8. Assurance of your Salvation (Jn. 5:24; 10:27-29; Rom. 8:38-39; 2 Cor. 13:5; 2 Pet. 1:10-11; 1 Jn. 5:9-13).
9. Spiritual Stability (Jn. 6:28-29; 1 Cor. 15:58; Gal. 6:9-10; 2 Pet. 3:14).
10. To be able to harmonize all of life's trials, hardships, and testing with the teachings found in Holy Scripture to mature spiritually (Jn. 15:1-17; Rom. 5:1-5; 8:28-30; Phil. 4:6-7; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Jas. 1:2-12; 1 Pet. 1:6-9; 5:10; etc).
11. NOT to be deceived by false doctrines and false teachers who teach them (cf. Ps. 119:104-105; Matt. 24:4; 7:15-23; Acts 20:28; 1 Tim. 4:1; 2 Tim. 3:13-17; 1 Pet. 5:2; 2 Pet. 3:16-18; 1 Jn. 4:1-6; Jude 3-4).
12. To grow and mature in the Love of God (e.g., loving and praying for those who hate and despise you; a rarity among even Genuine Christians).
13. Strength to endure all trials in this life through the Power of God working within you (Ps. 119:28; Isa. 12:2; 33:2; 40:29,31; Hab. 3:19; Eph. 6:10; Phil. 4:13).
14. For others to come to the knowledge of the Truth and receive the Gift of Salvation (Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 15:1-2; 2 Cor. 5:19; 1 Tim. 2:3-4).
15. To grow in the knowledge of the Word of God; to be able to rightly divide it (lit., "cutting it straight"; something the Apostle Paul was familiar with in tentmaking and leather trade), and defend it at all times (cf. Jn. 17:17; Eph. 1:13; Col. 1:3-5; 2 Tim. 2:15; Jude 3).

The ability to spiritually discern the leading of the Holy Spirit, and not a counterfeit "voice" from the "other side" is one of the most needed spiritual gift in Christianity today if we are to know how to rightly discern the voice of the Chief Shepherd (Jn. 10:3-5,16,27; 16:13; Rom. 8:14; 1 Cor. 2:10-14; Gal. 5:18). We've all heard MANY Christians and Pastors say, "The Holy Spirit told me this, or the Holy Spirit told me that.", when the Holy Spirit never told them anything when examined in the light of the Totality of Scripture. If a Pastor tells his congregation to listen to the "voice" of the Holy Spirit without giving any qualifiers or explanation, it can cause confusion to the hearer; and not only that, that hearer may attribute this "voice" or "leading" of the Holy Spirit as being from God, when in actuality its source or origin is from the forces of darkness, or perhaps even their own flawed intuition (cf. Prov. 28:26; Ezek. 13:16; 22:28; Jer. 10:23; Lam. 2:14; Lk. 6:45; Col. 2:18).

I recall a "self-professed" Christian who had spoke of an epiphany he had some time ago while he was lying down in bed at night. He said that this "epiphany" had "revealed" to him that Jesus Christ is NOT God, and from that moment on, he made an all-out effort to persuade other Christians that this was a revealed TRUTH which he received from a "divine" source; not only that, he even asserted that Christians have "wrongly" understood the person of Christ for nearly 2,000 years. Jesus Christ came as the lowliest of servants the first time, and when He departed to ascend to the right hand of God the Father, He also promised that the Holy Spirit, who indwells all Genuine Believers, that they would Glorify Him. The Name of Jesus spoken of (good or bad) has now reached a point in History which is culminating to His Second Coming with Power and Great Glory, and Finally . . . The Eternal State (cf. Isa. 25:1; Hab. 2:14; Matt. 24:30; Jn. 14:13; Rom. 15:8-9; 2 Cor. 4:13-15; Rev. 1:6; 4:11; 5:12-13; 7:12; 11:13; 14:7; 15:4; 19:1; 21:11,23).

In Closing:

"[But let him that glorieth glory in this] (Heb. halal -- i.e., to "BOAST"), that [he understandeth and knoweth me], that I am the Lord which exercise [lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness], in the earth: for [IN THESE THINGS I DELIGHT], saith the Lord." (Jeremiah 9:24)

With the increase of lawlessness and moral decline in these last times, we need to stand for the Truth alongside our Brothers and Sisters in Christ in the battlefield. There's no excuse for anyone professing to be in Christ to be caught off-guard when Christ returns for His Bride; and I TRULY believe that it is God Himself who will purify the Bride of Christ and make her ready when God the Father sends forth His Son to take her home, but only to those who hold fast their profession of faith and keep themselves in the Love of God (2 Cor. 7:1; Phil. 1:6; 2:13; Tit. 2:11-14; Heb. 10:23; 1 Pet. 1:22; Jude 21).

"Grace and peace be [multiplied] unto you through [the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord], According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, [GIVING ALL DILIGENCE], add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 1:2-8)

God Bless!

 

[Mathetes66]

Less judging more praying is needed. We live in the time of the great falling away. It should not surprise us that the 'tares' are now growing up & they can now be distinguished from the good wheat. Thanks for the encouragement to keep loving the Lord & following & obeying Him! Grace, mercy, love & peace in our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

Why are there so many Christians confused as to what direction God wants them to move in their lives?

1: There are so few true ...
2: There is so much false...
3: Where would they go to be saved/ healed/ become not confused ? online leads to more confusion because so much is false , and the false is welcomed and even defended.

 

[com7fy8]

Less judging more praying is needed.

"first of all" > 1 Timothy 2:1-4

The ability to spiritually discern the leading of the Holy Spirit, and not a counterfeit "voice"

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful." (Colossians 3:15)

Deeper than even God's words, we need to submit to how God personally rules us in His peace, to do what He really means by what He says.

 

[SkyWriting]

1. You are praying for worldly and carnal desires which can only hinder the progression of sanctification through the Holy Spirit of God (cf. Prov. 16:2; 21:2; Matt. 6:33; Jn. 14:13-14; 15:7; Jas. 4:3; 1 Jn. 3:22; 5:14-15).

There is never a bad reason for prayer. Never.

 

[SkyWriting]

1. Your lifestyle is characterized by Hypocrisy (Matt. 6:1,5; Mk. 7:6; Lk. 6:46; Gal. 6:3; 1 Pet. 2:16; 1 Jn. 4:20).

Oh My! You don't want to be a "Paul" or some such yucky person.

Romans 7:15
I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do. But what I hate, I do.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

There is never a bad reason for prayer. Never.

A lot of vietnam vets on the landing in their first or later visit during the war saw people "praying" for them by the side of the runway.

Later (between a few days, to over 30 years later), often after years of illness that was not helped by medicine,
they found out that those people "praying" for them were cursing them.

When the curse was broken, they were no longer suffering the illnesses they had had no matter how long.

Also, people in church praying for others can actually cause problems and oppression for the people they are praying for.

Sometimes, we must speak a word ourselves (in prayer or in commanding the dark forces) against other people's prayers,
not just wicked people's prayers, in order to overcome the enemy's interfering in our lives.