Encouragement

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Good evening and welcome to this late edition of the verse of the week. I pray this devotional is an encouragement to all who read it about how deeply God loves us and longs for us, even more than we long for Him.

"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."
James 4:8

HOLY SPIRIT-HAVE YOUR WAY IN THIS DEVOTIONAL AND TOUCH THE HEARTS OF ALL WHO READ IT. IN JESUS NAME

This famous verse in the chapter of James offers a very real promise and very simple advice. The other part of this chapter tells us to "resist the devil and he will flee from you(James 4:7b)." So, when you draw near to God and resist the devil you are safe with God and free from harm. Imagine a small child. When he is walking with his father and a stranger comes up to him and offers him something, the child(usually) gets afraid and draws near to his father to keep him safe. That's the same thing God wants us to do when the enemy tempts us. Come close to our source of comfort and safety. When the devil sees us holding Jesus hand, he will get the hint that we are already taken and he will flee. It doesn't mean that he won't come back and try again, which is a good reason to remain steadfast in our closeness with God, so we are prepared at all times. Remember, this battle is not against flesh and blood but in the spiritual realms (Ephesians 6:12, paraphrased).

How do we draw Near?

Some ways are reading God's word, prayer, worshipping Him, and just resting in His presence. So often, in the middle of struggles and dificult times, its nice to just take a break and abide with the Father, the one who loves us, understands us and will protect us from all evil and harm. The world can be a scary place, but our God is a God of VICTORY and a God who will protect those who call on His name and draw close to Him. Its nice to be near the One who has everything under control, it makes us feel more in control as well.

Lets pray-
DEAR LORD-THANK YOU THAT WHEN WE DRAW NEAR TO YOU, YOU PROTECT US FROM ALL EVIL, AND YOU DRAW NEAR TO US. YOU LONG TO DRAW YOUR CHILDREN CLOSE, AND PROTECT US FROM THE SCHEMES OF THE EVIL ONE. IN YOU WE HAVE SECURITY, PROTECTION, PEACE OF MIND AND STRENGTH AND AMMUNITION WHEN WE FACE THIS DARK WORLD. THANK YOU THAT YOU FIGHT OUR BATTLES FOR US WHEN WE DRAW CLOSE TO YOU. YOU ARE ALL WE NEED, MORE THAN ENOUGH AND YOUR PRESENCE FILLS US TO THE OVERFLOWING, PREPARING US TO LIVE THIS LIFE PLACED BEFORE US AND TO RUN THIS RACE YOU HAVE SET BEFORE OUR SIGHT. DRAW NEAR, O LORD AS WE DRAW UNTO YOU, AND FILL US TO THE OVERFLOWING.
IN JESUS NAME,
AMEN

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