Drawing Near - Pastor’s Heart

Hi Folks!
Do you feel any hungrier for God now than when I talked with you last week? I hope you are at least a little bit. I know from experience as you most likely do, that in this world we can be all fired up for the things of God one minute, and then be completely drawn away the next. Does this sound familiar? Don't be discouraged as this happens to each and every one of us. The devil is a master distracter and he relentlessly works at trying to draw us away from the Lord. Our commission is to draw near. That is why we need to be diligent in building our relationship with God, or we will grow cold and drift away.

You and I need to ensure our relationship with the Lord is kept fresh and alive by drawing near each and every day. Neither God nor anybody else can make this decision for you. Drawing near to God is a daily event and we must be diligent at it. It is possible for any one of us to wander from the Lord if we don't stop and take heed to our spirit. It is possible to commence growing cold in our heart and begin the process of drifting away. The term is called "luke warm" in the Bible.

"Write this letter to the angel of the church in Laodicea. This is the message from the one who is the Amen - the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation:

"I know the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish you were one or the other! But since you are lukewarm water, I will spit you out of my mouth! You say, 'I am rich. I have everything I want. I don't need a thing!' And you don't realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. I advise you to buy gold from Me - gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. And also buy white garments so you will not be shamed by your nakedness. And buy ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. I am the one who corrects and disciplines every one I love. Be diligent and turn from your indifference.

"Look! Here I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me calling and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal as friends. I will invite everyone who is victorious to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Anyone who is willing to hear should listen to the Spirit and understand what the Spirit is saying to the churches." Revelation 3:14-22 (NLT)

The Lord has put this message on my heart to share with you today. Firstly I believe as a warning to the dangers of slipping out of fellowship with the Lord, and secondly to serve as a correction to you if you are in the category of the luke warm!

Have you heard what happens to a frog when he's thrown into a pot of hot water? He jumps straight out knowing that if he stays in there he will die. Put the same frog in a pot of lukewarm water, heat it on a stove to boiling and the frog will die, not knowing he was in a deadly situation.

Many in the Body of Christ who were once on fire for God are now in this condition. The sad part about it though (which is a very dangerous condition to be in), is most that are in this condition don't even recognize it. Jesus spoke firmly to those in this condition in Rev 3 because it was needful for them to hear it.

Jesus said He would rather us be hot or cold. Hot is a great place to be in! Cold is bad in itself, but at least those that are cold to the things of God know they are. There is a chance of having them repent and get hot for God. But the lukewarm think they are OK with the Lord, but are actually asleep spiritually. They have sin and compromise in their lives and they barely know the Lord. They're not walking with the Lord Jesus Christ as they ought to. God has dealt with them about things in their life but they have disobeyed their "Master" by making light of it and putting it off. They call Him Lord, Lord, but don't do the things He says. They are quick to judge others but are very easy on themselves. They love the things in this world more than they love the Lord.

Folks, I've had to think long and hard about these issues in my own life for months now. There is a shaking going on and I have been shaken. This is continuing to happen. The Word declares that if we judge ourselves, we would not be judged 1 Cor 11:31. Do you think the Lord may have been even remotely speaking to you in Rev 3:14-17? In many ways He was speaking to me. In many ways I have had to humble myself, get honest and admit that many of these things were in me. I want to be a vessel that God can fill with His awesome presence. I want to be used by Him to help fulfill His end-time purposes. How about you my friend? This Year of Fullness is not over yet and there is still time to draw near to God and get filled with His awesome presence!

I fully recognize that many of you are fired up for Jesus already, but I'm sure each of you could draw nearer. There's a lot more to God than what any of us have known. I encourage you to get back with the program if you've drifted away. Get yourself hungry for God once again by doing the things you know to do. Here are a few pointers to help you on your way.

1. Feed on Gods Word - Get back into your Bible and start eating the right kind of "food" again. It won't be long before you get the taste for it, and you will hunger for it like never before. Make a habit of these three things by being diligent at them. Remember our 1 x chapter a day policy you LWF mob!
2. Pray - If you're hungry for God, you will be one that loves to pray. If your prayer life has withered get back with the programme, as the Lord is right there where you left Him, waiting to fellowship with you.
3. Obey - Hey, you know what to do! Be quick to respond to the Lord's wishes. Keep His Word as you would the word of a most trusted friend. He will be quick to watch over it and perform it on your behalf.

May you be richly blessed in your quest for Him!

David Pearce

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