Don’t fear – Draw closer to God

Today is a fabulous day to draw closer to God. With so many unknowns in our world, how good is it to know that there is one constant, one that does not change – yesterday, today or tomorrow.

Jesus, the Anointed One, is always the same—yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8 TPT

It can be so easy to let our thoughts be consumed by the news reports and let the Word of God take a back-seat. But now is the time to be more purposeful about spending time reading the Bible, ensuring that it is the first thing we read each morning – not the news feed.

Every day speak to God first

In fact, we need to have our focus right from the moment we wake up, an immediate conversation with God – perhaps even before you get out of bed. A short prayer of,

‘Thank you God for this day. Thank you that you are sovereign and you know what this day will bring.

Please help all the leaders in this world to seek Your wisdom. Please give them the courage to do what You ask them to do.

Please help me to trust You in everything.

Thank you for your peace and protection over those I love. Thank you that You have the victory, in Jesus Name.’

Make your life a prayer. And in the midst of everything be always giving thanks, for this is God’s perfect plan for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 TPT

If you have a yearning to improve your relationship with God, this is a great opportunity. Don’t waste it. Embrace it. Every time you feel fearful or anxious remind yourself that God is with you …

Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6 NKJV

And that God has not given you a spirit of fear …

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV

The Passion Translation says …

For God will never give you the spirit of fear, but the Holy Spirit who gives you mighty power, love, and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 TPT

Draw closer to God through worship

Another way to daily draw closer to God is to make room in your day to have some time to worship God. Here are some worship songs that have helped me lift my eyes to Jesus when I have been struggling …

You’re Gonna Be Okay – Brian and Jenn Johnson

Be Still – Hillsong Worship

Who can compare – Christy Nockels

10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) – Matt Redman

Eyes on Jesus grows our capacity to love

When we have our eyes on Jesus, and purposefully draw closer to Him we will find that through the love we receive from Him, we have greater capacity to help others in these challenging times.

Look at how much encouragement you’ve found in your relationship with the Anointed One! You are filled to overflowing with his comforting love. You have experienced a deepening friendship with the Holy Spirit and have felt his tender affection and mercy. Philippians 2:1 TPT

We will have a greater capacity to put others first – perhaps other family members or someone else in your world.

So I’m asking you, my friends, that you be joined together in perfect unity—with one heart, one passion, and united in one love. Walk together with one harmonious purpose and you will fill my heart with unbounded joy.

Be free from pride-filled opinions, for they will only harm your cherished unity. Don’t allow self-promotion to hide in your hearts, but in authentic humility put others first and view others as more important than yourselves. Abandon every display of selfishness. Possess a greater concern for what matters to others instead of your own interests. Philippians 2:2-4 TPT

So I really really really want to encourage you in these ‘unprecedented times’ (a phrase that I have seen often recently in all the cancellation emails!), times that are not a surprise to our God – that every moment we choose to draw closer to God rather than focus on our circumstances, will give us the strength and peace to finish this season well.

Four steps for drawing closer to God

I’ll finish up with a quick summary of some steps on how to draw closer to God:

1. Have a conversation with God before you get out of bed. Remember to thank Him for something – your salvation is always a great place to start.
2. Read your Bible before your news feed.
3. Set aside time to pray and worship
4. Seek out someone else you can help and encourage in these times.
   

How great is our God!There’s absolutely nothing his power cannot accomplish,and he has infinite understanding of everything. Psalm 147:5 TPT