Draw Near to Him

by Charity Pence

This Week's Verse: "The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." Psalm 34:18 (NKJ)

Some days God seems so near to me that I can feel Him holding me, uplifting me, and, yes, even pushing me when necessary.  Other days He feels distant, as if the sound of my voice crying out cannot reach His ears.  Do you have days like that? Ever wonder why? In my case, it's never that God is drawing away from me; I am drawing away from Him.

Unfortunately, drawing away is much too easy to do.  I get caught up in the things I need to accomplish and don't make the time for God.  Perhaps one day I don't read my Bible.  The next, I read a quick chapter or two but don't pray.  Or maybe I read and pray, but my mind is focused on what's in store for me that day which denies my Heavenly Father the opportunity to enter my heart.  Knowing I've neglected the relationship that should matter the most to me is heartbreaking.  My God wants so much more for me than what I allow.

The way I treat my relationship with God has a direct effect on how distant He feels.  Keeping in contact with my Heavenly Father is a must.  After all, I don't ignore my friends, my family, or my spouse with hopes of keeping the relationships intact.  Why do that to God?

Next time you feel God's distance, consider how much time you have been spending with Him.  Have you neglected Him? Are you not as close as you once were? Examining how you spend your time may make you uncomfortable, but spending time with God should be our priority no matter what else is going on.  If you find an area you've grown lax, change it.  Do whatever is necessary to draw close to Him again.  You won't regret it.

Dear Heavenly Father, I have neglected You in so many ways.  I am ashamed of my behavior toward You.  Yet I am thankful that You are never too far away to hear my voice.  Please forgive me and help me to re-focus so that You are my priority.  And Lord, please be with those who have struggled as I have.  Help them to return to You, to open their hearts to You, so that You can be their best friend and closest ally.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

Power Verses:
Isaiah 58:9 "Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer, thou shalt cry, and He shall say, 'Here I am.'" (NKJ)
Isaiah 30:19 "He shall be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when He shall hear it, He will answer thee."

A New Day

by Charity Pence

This Week's Verse: "Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!" Psalm 27:14 (NKJ)

There was a time when I looked forward to New Year's.  I'd jot down my resolutions and then ring in the new year with family.  We'd bang pots and pans, cheer, have a toast for all the good to come.  The new year always held such potential.  Regardless of what occurred the prior year, I could smile and be joyful.  A new year brought a new day, new opportunities.

Each year, a bit of that excitement slips through my fingers as I'm reminded that one day doesn't change anything.  Not really.  On New Year's Eve, when the clock strikes midnight, there's no magic wand that waves away our struggles.  And, thankfully, our blessings are not waved away, either.  Instead, life goes on in one continuous loop that seems to speed up and never slows down.  And you know what I recently realized? I don't mind.  Okay, I wouldn't mind if time slowed, but I don't mind that time occurs in a continuous cycle. 

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, "To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven." (NKJ)  The point is, there really is a time for everything.  Seasons change, circumstances change.  And it all happens in God's time.  So rather than see January 1st as a new day for change, I try to appreciate each and every day because every day has potential for change.  When life gets tough, I accept struggles as lessons for patience (although not always gracefully), knowing that the trial will pass.  I try to focus on the blessings because they don't end when the year ends.

In the midst of the holiday season, it's easy to get caught up in the idea of a new year.  But every day is a new day.  And even more amazing, God's right there with us.  He will hold our hand, wipe our tears, laugh with us, hold us up.  Whatever we need, every day of the year, we can count on God to provide. 

So don't focus so much on January 1st.  Every day is a new day, and God is with us to celebrate.

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for reminding me I don't need a new year to see Your glory.  I don't need to wait until next year to find joy.  Instead of focusing on a new year, help us to look upon each day as we do the new year.  Every day holds promise; every day You are there.  Thank You, Lord.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

Power Verses:
Psalm 16:1 "Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust." (NKJ)
Isaiah 55:6 "Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near." (NKJ)