James 4:8 "Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."

I am so thankful, that when I draw near to God and He draws near to me, that I am not be graded on the total perfection of my sentence structure, inflections of speech, posture, position, how I am dressed or not dressed, I am so thankful, that when I draw near to God and He draws near to me, that I am not be graded by, the color of my skin, the girth of my waist, the size of my shoes, bald head or thick hair, tattoos, fair skin or tanned. I am so thankful, that when I draw near to God and He draws near to me, that I do not have to apologize for: the denomination I belong to, the translation of Holy Scriptures I use. I am so thankful, that when I draw near to God and He draws near to me no consideration is given as to whether I like contemporary Christian music, Southern Gospel music, Traditional Christian music, or Gospel Christian music. I am so thankful that when I draw near to God and He draws near to me that it only has to do with the finished work of Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary, on my behalf. In his sovereign will He decided to save me from my sin and shame, transform me from sinner to saint, and adopt me into the family of God.

Thank you Lord for saving my soul!

jdajr   

James 4:8 "Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."

In the New Testament there are many stories of those who wanted and needed to draw near to Jesus. Zacchaeus was so eager that he ran ahead and climbed a tree just so he could see Jesus. The woman with the issue of blood believed if she could just touch the hem of his garment she would be healed. So their proximity was physical and of course personal and spiritual...how do we draw near to the living Savior today? Through prayer, reading of Holy Scripture, quietly listening, giving thanks and praise and seeking the daily presence of the Holy Spirit.

Good morning Father,

 Thank you for Your daily presence offered in various ways! Help us seek to be ever closer to You as we read your Word allowing it to be alive for us, in us, and through us. Help us to recognize the power and presence of the Holy Spirit and give us ears to hear and recognize Your voice and be obedient to you in all things.

In the Grip of God's Amazing Grace!

John 

James 4:8 "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands you sinners; and purify your hearts you double-minded." (NASB)

My dear friend, Dr. Ralph I. Tilley just published a book entitled "Thirsting for God" on page 67 he wrote "Come Near to God" He used Hebrews 10:19-22 and then wrote the following poem:

"Come near to God,

How can that be?

I've sinned,

the Law I've broken--

there's no hope for me.

Come near to God,

The way is now open:

Jesus has died,

the Lord crucified--

the veil has been torn.

Come near to God.

With a heart sincere,

Faith fully assured

and heart made clean--

the conscience now clear.

Come near to God.

Your Priest intercedes,

Your Father's arms open,

Your need brings you near--

The Spirit with you pleads."

Thank you Father for the gifts that You give us that draw us near to You. Thank you for drawing near to us. Though in and of our selves we don't deserve the nearness to You, Your Son, our Savior made a way! Praise be to God!

James 4:8 says: "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded." 

It is in our nearness to God that are able to have the cleansing that is offered through the blood of Jesus. Purified hearts allow us to be more Christ like, and eliminates the double-mindedness that tends to invade us through our culture.

Lord, as I feebly attempt to draw near to you I ask that you draw near to me and wrap your arms of forgiveness, grace and love around me. Your healing is what I desire.

In the Grip of God's Amazing Grace!

John Abbott 

We, the congregation of Center United Methodist Church, in Indianapolis, Indiana, are seeking the Holy Spirit's direction in understanding what Jesus actually meant when he said "My House Shall Be Called A House of Prayer!" Yes, we know what it means to "pray." But what is a house of prayer? We already have a beautiful prayer chapel that is often used through out the week and not just on Sunday. We have two groups dedicated to prayer throughout the week and they meet in the church at least once a week other then Sunday. We have had a seminar on the basics of prayer. We have a pastor dedicated to prayer and discipleship. Most Sundays we have at least one person come forward to be anointed and prayed over for various issues and illnesses. Our prayer shawl ministry has prayed over and given away at least 115 prayer shawls. And yet we continue to feel God calling us to be a house of prayer. We want desperately to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and we seek a clear biblical understanding of what a house of prayer is.

1. We believe that a house of prayer is a place where the Holy Spirit of God makes his presence known.

2. We believe that a house of prayer is a place where grace through the blood of Jesus is extended.

3. We believe that a house of prayer is a place where healing of all kinds takes place.

4. We believe that a house of prayer is a place where the Holy Scripture is revered and studied faithfully.

5. We believe that a house of prayer is a place where worship is designed to give God glory.

6. We believe that a house of prayer is a place where seeking the face of God is a priority.

Pray with and for Center UMC that we will discover God's meaning of a house of prayer and implement it to his glory.