Verse of the Day 11/21

Verse of the Day 11/21

Hebrews 11:6   And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.   English Standard Version (ESV)

As we approach Thanksgiving, many people will be traveling to meet family and friends.  Some will be driving or flying long distance to "draw near" to family members and the dearest friends.  But when you think about it, it, this drawing near begins with an invitation of the host.  It may be a formal invitation or an open one where you know that the event will take place and you plan accordingly even without an invitation.  As you prepare to meet family and friends over the next few days, prepare ahead of time for the opportunity to draw near.  It may involve forgiveness, offering hope, encouragement, or it may be extending a hand of mercy.  Draw near to God as you prepare and let Him lead you.

John Piper writes that  "This drawing near is not a physical act. It's not building a tower of Babel by your achievements to get to heaven. It's not necessarily going to a church building. Or walking to an altar at the front. It is an invisible act of the heart. You can do it while standing absolutely still, or while lying in a hospital bed, or on the train as you commute to work....This is the center of the gospel — this is what the Garden of Gethsemane and Good Friday are all about — that God has done astonishing and costly things to draw us near. He has sent his Son to suffer and to die so that through him we might draw near. It's all so that we might draw near. And all of this is for our joy and for his glory."     Perhaps we may feel that we have been far away from God.  May we realize that He is always near, He is not far from us.  God may be drawing you right now to come back to Him.  This drawing near is taking time in His Word and in prayer and accessing Him in faith.  It begins with acknowledging that He exists and that He is Lord and committing to make that journey home.    Be near me lord jesus i ask you to stay  Close by me for ever, and love me, i pray.  Bless all the dear children in your tender care,  And fit us for heaven, to live with you there.   

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

Hebrews 11:5-7 The Message (MSG)

^5-6 By an act of faith, Enoch skipped death completely. "They looked all over and couldn't find him because God had taken him." We know on the basis of reliable testimony that before he was taken "he pleased God." It's impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him.

⁷ By faith, Noah built a ship in the middle of dry land. He was warned about something he couldn't see, and acted on what he was told. The result? His family was saved. His act of faith drew a sharp line between the evil of the unbelieving world and the rightness of the believing world. As a result, Noah became intimate with God.