What is truly amazing water is the very element which we all need, and use so much—And God has blessed us exceedingly with abundance in the form of dew, rain, ponds, lakes, creeks, streams, rivers, seas and oceans. Where every life is—there is water. Our Bibles both old and new testaments offer an important sense of the spiritual imagery of water. It is important to get into the minds of the ancient Israelites—seeing the important role water played to their very existence. This helps us understand how and why Jesus uses these images to tell about himself—and how the woman at the well understood its significance…

In this series we’ve considered many ways one can “Draw Near to God”. In this lesson we will focus on the three things necessary to achieve a stronger, and closer relationship with our Almighty Lord, answering the questions, what more can I do?

Jesus was visited by Nicodemus in the night and was taught a man must “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). Jesus explained what this meant to this ruler of the Jews but he didn’t quite get it. Nicodemus asked Jesus, “How can these things be?” (v.9). From here we will consider three things. The importance of using the faculties God gave us, and the importance of loving the light…

James tells us to “draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8). James also gives us methods that when followed will help us draw near to God. The first is to divorce the world…

Nicodemus learned many things during the days of the feast in Jerusalem. He was witness to the signs Jesus did and he quickly learned that Jesus was not ordinary. So, he cam to Jesus in the night, calling Him Rabbi and proclaimed “we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him” (John 3:1-2). After this the Lord began to teach Nicodemus the way a man must if he wishes to see the kingdom. “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born [a]again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (v.3)…

There is a great advantage to spending your life drawing near to God. There are great rewards along the way, and the greatest reward at the end of the journey. Drawing near to God isn’t just a religious exercise or a duty—it’s ABOUT HAVING GOD ON YOUR SIDE. When God made a covenant with Abram He said, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward” (Genesis 15:1). God will be your shield and your exceedingly great reward too for when you draw near to God, He will draw near to you (James 4:8)and in that there is great reward.

When Jesus went into the temple in Jerusalem, He found the temple filled with men doing what should not be done, “in the temple”. Those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business that didn’t belong there, Jesus drove out (John 2:13-22). There isn’t a physical temple today, but there is a temple. Paul said, “19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body [a]and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Cor. 6:19-20). Your body is the temple, and it, like the temple in Jerusalem should be kept pure. Jesus has provided us with every tool we need to clean out our temple, and make room for Him, the Holy Spirit. He gave us a list of the things that should occupy, and the things that should be thrown out. We must have “Zeal for Your house” (John 2:17), and devote yourself to making it what the Father wants it to be.

Passion or Zeal are like spiritual powerful bulldozers that forge forward pushing aside everything that hinders, everything that gets in the way—nothing can stop them—and of the goal—Heaven This is exactly what God wants for every Christians.  Be a Spiritual Bulldozer: “not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord” (Rom. 12:11), Be a Spiritual Bulldozer: “His own special people, zealous for good works” (Titus 2:14), Be a Spiritual Bulldozer: Apollos was “fervent in spirit” (Acts 18:25), Be a Spiritual Bulldozer: The Corinthian Christians’ “zeal has stirred up the majority” (2 Cor. 9:2). How do you increase your spiritual passion? It all begins with…

While with his mother and disciples at a wedding feast Jesus the King of kings, and Lord of lords was informed by his mother “They have no wine.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.” There are many things we learn from this record, but the greatest lesson I believe is to be learned in just seven words that Mary spoke to the servants, She didn’t say, listen to me, but “Whatever He says to you, do it.”

In this lesson we’ll point to another method that helps us to Draw Nearer to God –  it’s called Discernment. When practiced—indeed causes us to draw near to God. We must never Assume, that we are discerning—a mistake that many good people make.  To avoid this Paul wrote, “Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil”  (1 Thess. 5:21-22). To what do we test the spirits against? Of course—against God’s Word : Remember Jesus “It is written” (Matt. 4:4, 6, 7, 10). We must understand that discernment does not come automatically upon conversion but it is an ability that comes through “time and exercise”—not time only—but “time and exercise”