Draw nigh

I know that on the last post I said that there was to be a continuation of the "Setting a Higher Standard" series, but God put something in my spirit that I needed to share. There has been a song in my heart for a while now. Every time that I hear this song my heart goes into a position of praise. The song is called, "Praise is What I Do" by William Murphy III. Really, my heart is in a place of permanent praise now simply because of the goodness God has displayed to me and my family's life. However, this song does move me.

In the song he sings, "Praise is what I do when I want to be close to you." Another part of the song goes, "Praise is what I do. Even when I'm going through, I learned to worship You." Here is the thing that God spoke to me and told me; that despite your circumstances or issues (whether it be financial, physical, mental, or whatever) when you praise God, you are pushing yourself closer to him. That's why this song moves me, because in the past and even now, I realize that I have to praise my way through and push myself closer to Him. I can't sit back and be quiet about God's grace, mercy and love. I have to outwardly praise God whether I'm in the four walls of the church or not.

God doesn't want the physical motions of praise or the talk of praise. Anybody can go through the motions or say the "key" words. What God really wants is your heart. It says in Deuteronomy 6:5 to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength." Now, in order to complete this task, we must first draw nigh to God (James 4:8). The word "nigh" means near in space, time, or relation. So when you draw nigh to God, you are drawing near in space, time and relation. Now because you are in relation to Him, you can truly do what Deuteronomy 6:5 says. Let's be honest. Most of the time people only try to get closer to God because we've tried to do things on our own and couldn't do it. After we come to this realization of not being able to make it without God, then we must do what Jesus tells us in Matthew 6: 33. We have to "seek first his kingdom and his righteousness..." By doing this, we are drawing nigh to God. In our seeking of His kingdom and righteousness, we are seeking Him. And when you diligently seek God, he will show himself true and bless you more than you can even imagine.

God bless.

You WILL.....

I'm just going to jump into things on this one.

 A lot of people had to deal with some crazy situations or people this past year. Just know that the enemies or stumbling blocks of God's children will never prosper or win. We were born victorious over all the haters, nay-sayers, liers, cheaters, road blocks/hazards, dead beats, and whoever or whatever else is against God's children. Praise God in advance for this situation being handled according to what He can do. Continue to do what God has empowered and ordained you to do. When things come against you and try to stop you from doing what God wants you to do, how do you react? Who are you listening to? God or man? In Acts 4: 19 it says, "But Peter and John replied, 'Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him?' "

When people come against you saying that you should just give up or try something else, know that if God has ordered you to do it, then he will provide you everything you need to accomplish it. Don't worry about what everybody else says about you. The same thing goes for situations or tasks that may seem too difficult to tackle. I'm not saying that it's going to be easy but God will give you the strength to complete the task He has given you. It says in Isaiah 40: 29, "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak." And in verse 31 it says, "But those who trust in the LORD WILL find new strength. They WILL soar high on wings like eagles. They WILL run and not grow weary. They WILL walk and not faint." Notice that it says WILL and not might. When you think that you can't go on, start praising God in advance for Him stepping in and renewing your spiritual energy. Watch how your praise will continue to grow as God re-ups your strength. Then watch how God will honor your praise and bless you in ways you may not even expect.

We have to stay focused on waiting on and trusting in the Lord. This includes praising Him, talking (praying) to Him, and reading His word. So I just want to encourage anyboby reading this to shift your focus from the negative and start praising God now for the positive things that He has done, is doing, and is going to do. Just know that by this, you WILL be blessed. God bless.