September 12 - Nearer.

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.”
 
God not only wants us to draw nearer to him, He promises that if we do, He will draw nearer to us. If we take one step, He takes one too. He wants us to seek Him by faith, and He rewards us by revealing more of Himself to us.
 
In order to get closer to Him, we must rid ourselves of the sin in our lives. We must cleanse our hearts and our habits. It can be painful to change what you do or who you hang around, but it is necessary if we are sincere about getting closer to God.
 
Matthew 15:8-9
“This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”
 
Many people say they want to get closer to God. Their lips say one thing, but their actions say another. God calls this double minded, and unstable. Actions speak louder than words.
Hebrews 10:22
“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith…”
 
Psalm 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.”
 
The Psalmist realized that it was good for him to draw near to God. If it was good for him, it is surely good for us as well. Let us put our trust in Him today as we make every effort to draw nearer to Him as we proclaim His Gospel. Remember His promise, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” Draw nearer to Him today.
 
 
Bible Reading:
Isaiah 3-4  |  Revelation 17  |  Psalm 44