We need to be constantly drawing near to God. One important method is gauging ourselves, that is by testing our daily lives against scriptural examples of the saints behaviors and practices. Everyone who is therefore in Christ—will be transformed by the renewing of their minds (Rom. 12:2)—will have “their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Heb. 5:14). Remember it was Solomon who asked God, “Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?” (1 Kings 3:9). Therefore, I conclude that when one partakes of the living water—one will begin to be changed in such a way that self, and others will be able to “know them by their Fruits”.
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…
Jesus said, “don’t let your heart be troubled” (John 14:1). When Jesus said this to His apostles, His earthly mission was just about over with. But Jesus’ apostles, they were just really about to begin the main part of their earthly mission. Their mission to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and Jesus knew how important it was for their hearts not to be troubled. Listen in on this lesson and learn what they learned from the Lord that you also may live and facing all the troubles of life–without a troubled heart…
Our lesson comes from a parable that Jesus taught about son who to took all his inheritance that his father provided then went to a distant country where he “squandered his estate in foolish living”. We need to draw some parallels in our own lives that we all have done at one point or at multiple points in our lives. That we have taken the blessing that God has provided for us, and we throw them away. We waste them in foolish, reckless, wasteful living, to please ourselves. The Bible calls it sin (Romans 6:23). But of course when we’ve went down that path we always have to come to this point where we say, “Enough’s Enough”, I’m not going to keep going down that path anymore, I’m not going to keep wasting my and wasting the opportunities that God has given me, and the blessings God has given me. I need to stop, I need to start living for God and stop wasting my life…
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.