Here is the thing God is near and he remains faithful even when we do not see it. And nothing in this world will satisfy us like the love of Jesus. We can search and search all we want but nothing is better than Jesus Himself. God works in the unseen and what can be seen. God is not limited and He does not fit in a pretty little box.
This week has been something else in working two different jobs and juggling the workload. I was feeling overwhelmed by the time Friday came and went. The problem was I was striving in my strength instead of slowing down to ask the Lord for help.
Yet, when I did slow down and called out to God for help He came to my rescue and whispered to my spirit. But then I heard God whisper over me "I Am near" which just washed over me with complete peace. I just had to reach out and receive that peace He was extending to me.
Sometimes God has this way of just coming near whispering little things to us which we need to be still to listen and hear.
Moreover, this week has been a reminder that I cannot do things on my own. I need Jesus and His peace. I need Him to be near and protect me from the lies of the enemy.
"The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and kind in all his works. The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him, he also hears their cry and saves them. The LORD preserves all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy. My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, and let all flesh bless his holy name forever, and ever."(Psalm 145:17-21ESV).
In case you need to hear this. It is okay to need Jesus and rely on Him. God does not fail even though people fail and fall short He does not. God is always near no matter what. And this journey of faith in working out our salvation is an ongoing process. So even though we never arrive we are always growing more into Christ-likeness every day.
Jesus is near in every moment so call out to Him. Do not be afraid to reach out to Him and ask for help. The amazing thing about God He is always there to catch us when we fall or fall short.
Jesus is truth and there is nothing false in Him. And when we accept Jesus we are connected to Him so we can abide in His love.
I was driving to my hair appointment yesterday and I saw this church sign in town that said something about connectedness and acceptance found here to come inside.
And it got me thinking there is so much stigma and unrealistic expectations we put on going to church. Which can become false idols if we allow them to take the place of Jesus in our lives.
For example, let me explain, we think this church will be different or these new people will be different from the last church that was visited. But the thing is people are only new for day and the church, the body of Christ is full of flawed human beings who are not perfect.
Let's be honest everyone on this earth and who goes to church is imperfect and bound to mess up, or offend someone or hurt them. And everyone is guilty of being a hypocrite aka a Pharisee, or judgmental at one point or another.
However, we cannot write people off or run away from them because they hurt us at one point or another we have to forgive. Nor should we write people off if they choose not to come back. Even if we cannot forget what happened in the past. Also, we must remember people cannot save us only Jesus can.
Besides, sometimes when God is refining us in the fire He calls us to be alone with Him.
If Jesus wrote everyone off or ran away from doing the Father's will, ran away from people who offended Him, we would all be dead in our sins and He would not have died on the cross for us and rose again three days later.
The point is we need to let go of these false stigmas about the church that we need to have it all together to go to church or step into one. That is false. And we need to let go of people in the church who can save us, and that people in the church will be different than the last. We are all flawed human beings who need the perfect love of Jesus.
Do not get me wrong corporate worship and fellowship is good and a healthy thing. However, Jesus needs to be the driving force of our focus. We do need each other in the corporate worship to spur each other on and sharpen each other's faith.
Yet, we need to be alone with Jesus to hear His voice. To hear His whisper to know that He is near.
If we cannot hear the voice of God and His whisper then we can get ourselves into a little bit of trouble of striving within our strength which we will not get very far. Although with Jesus we can do all things through Him.
"We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him. We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ, He is the true God and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols."(1 John 5:18-21ESV).
Know Jesus is truth and we have that same truth in us. Flee from making false idols even going to church. And know we are from God and He will protect us from the lies of the enemy.
"For the grace of God has appeared bringing salvation for all people, training to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Declare these things, exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you."(Titus 2:11-15ESV).
We are set apart and purified in Jesus. Cling to being self-controlled in Jesus and not foolishness. And remember God is near no matter what we can call on Jesus. He will not write us off for having a bad day, or for being negative, or for having toxic thoughts that are not based on truth.
Jesus will not disregard you but will take notice and draw you close. He will not brush you off but will enclose you in His loving arms. You do not have to strive on your own but can thrive in Jesus.
Jesus is with you and He is near.
References:
English Standard Version Study Bible (2008) Crossway Publishing, Wheaton ILL,
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