If you come to God -       God will come near to you.

The Bible says that if you do come to God now, Then “God will come near to you.”  It is a simple equation. You do one thing, and then God will respond in coming to you in Everlasting Love, in return. God’s Love is different than man’s love. God has Agape Love. 

            How does God come near to us? Does God physically show up? No.     But God can have someone or something show His unconditional Loving Kindness. God will communicate with us personally in whatever way He knows we need it most. God will reveal Himself to us as we need Him to. We must invite God to do so, be desirous of knowing Him, and then ponder Who He is as He shows us more of His Character.  That is why God tells us to "Come Near" to Him, so that we are active in our pursing of knowing God to love Him as He deserves. Jesus tells us to seek Him, and He will be found. 

        God does not necessarily say what we want Him to say, for He is much wiser and loving to us than we are to ourselves. God gives us what we need most, wisdom about Who He is, the gift of Faith, and then a Pure Heart, a Sound Mind, and a Living Hope – all so that we can navigate safely through this life from His wise vantage point with His purpose, significance, and power. 

            God can come near to us through nature or kind unselfish people. For example, you may have a pet that is sensitive to your sorrow and is a comfort to you, a butterfly might fly by brushing your cheek like a gentle kiss, you may drive home watching a sunset speaking volumes as the light streaks the sky with hope, a person might bring you food when you are hungry,… God manifests His care for your personally through many things. God is a Personal God.  

Warning - Never confuse the physical vehicle God uses with the Eternal Giver, the Initiator of the giving, Who is the Lord God Almighty. Always remember and internalize God’s manifestation of Love for You personally as from God and do not attribute the “greatness” of the giving to the “messenger”.  For example, if your cat purrs comforting you while you weep, you may love your cat. But realize that God has sent your cat to you to comfort you. Your cat is the messenger of God’s Love and comfort to you. As you remember and internalize God’s love for you through your cat, you will not attribute more than appropriate gratitude to your pet, but give greater love and gratitude back to God instead. (Do not idolize the messengers of God’s Love, Grace, and Mercy.)  

God may relate with us in ways, through people and circumstances, which may make us uncomfortable or bring us pain. Someone may get you into trouble for what you have been doing wrong for years. God is showing Himself to being your Good Father, correcting you because He loves you. God is trying to get your attention, attempting to turn your heart to what is right and true, and to not continue in wrong actions and lies. God loves with an everlasting love, God's character loves unselfishly for your benefit, God wants your love for Him in return, God loves better than the best Father. God wants a vibrant relationship with you. God tells us how through His Book. God enables you and me to relate with Him closely through His Son and His Holy Spirit. The purpose of pain, physical, mental, or emotional, - in any way, is to bring us to the saving (us from eternal pain, hell) knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

When we are in a close relationship with the Lord God Almighty through His Son Jesus Christ and His Word, it is easier to relate with God, to hear His voice and do His will. There will be tough times for each of us, for if we are faithful to God, the world culture or system, our flesh, and the devil will war against us. But the Lord Jesus Christ told us ahead of time, "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33 (Notice, IN Jesus you have Peace. IN the world you have trouble. But BY Jesus, you can overcome the world's trouble.) 

As we live in this sinful world, you and I will not always have the right attitude, words, actions, thoughts or feelings that are up to God's standard. We will sin. Until we go to heaven, we live in this war zone. The battle within and between people is always over God's Will, as expressed through the Bible, and the devil's will. (Big Picture)

God tells each of us - "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us." 1 John 1:8  

Therefore, Practically speaking, You are to come this way: “Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” James 4:8   

Are you offended by these words from the Bible?

God is harsh.            I am a Christ follower already.            I agree with this.

I am a Christ follower already.         

If you know you believe, trust, and follow God already. IF you know you are a Christ follower because you have confessed your sins to the Lord Jesus Christ directly and have made Him Lord of your life. If you know you follow God's Word and move by His Holy Spirit. IF you are Born from The Blood of Jesus Christ because of the Word of God, then the phrase referring to "sinners" does not pertain to you. Christ followers are are saints because of Christ's  Atonement. We are New Creations because of God’s Handiwork in our souls. While we do retain our flesh nature, we are to overcome all adversity by obedience to the Word of God and God's Power (Ephesians 1-2:10) within us by His Holy Spirit. We can successfully refuse our natural tendencies in exchange for God's good and best desires. 

        We wrestle within to keep God in the forefront of our mind, emotion, and will. God reminds us: "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Ephesians 6:12  

        We must keep an account of ourselves before God at all times. God calls us to reflect on the fruit we bear to insure we are IN His will and desires, that we are not "filthy sinners who are double-minded.” (Matthew 12:33-37; Colossians 1:9-14; Luke 3:8)  See-  My Religion,      Your Religion,     God's Laws,      Double Minded  

God tells to review our hearts - "God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.           If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 

        If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. 1John 1:5-10 

God tells us to confess our sins to Him directly - Psalm 51        My Room     Sinner's Prayer 

Spiritual war requires divine supernatural power, which only God gives. Being clean and re-cleaned in Christ Jesus is the only way to live your life winning in Christ Jesus. Anything less shortchanges us, others, and God from displaying His Glory and Righteousness well. 

        I realize that I am not a follower of Christ.     IF you are NOT Born from The Blood of Jesus Christ because of the Word of God, John 4:8 pertains to you. God wants everyone to, this pertains to you, too. God wants everyone to come to Him. Romans 10:8-13  God tells YOU to wash and purify yourself? 

Maturing the Saints - 

Maturity in Christ Jesus is through reading the Word of God, knowing Him intimately, and doing what He commands you to do for your benefit, others being blessed, and for God's glory!  Here are some avenues to grow. Just like a little child, you must eat the Word of God to grow spiritually to be useful to God in His kingdom here on earth. Apart from Jesus we can do nothing (Jn 15).  

What has God has done for you? Be empowered by internalizing the facts - 

Atonement         Big Picture     Christ        God Made you

Focus on Who God is - Fix the eyes of your heart on God alone - Names of Holy God

Search the Word of God to see if you are in Sin Traps. Have the Word of God enable and empower you to get out of them -  God's Laws   Sinful Life   Types of Sins   My Religion     Your Religion     Righteousness     Sexual Activity    Re-dedication to God

If You Hold To Truth – Then You will be FREE. (John 8:31-32)

The Site Map has many topics to read.         See the many topics also at - www.NeedHope.Net  

IF you are NOT Born from The Blood of Jesus Christ because of the Word of God, John 4:8 pertains to you. God wants everyone to , this pertains to you, too. God wants everyone to come to Him. Romans 10:8-13  God tells YOU to wash and purify yourself?  

How do wash and purify myself? This way.  

This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin. 

            If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. 1 John 1:5-10 

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