Today, think about how close to God you feel. Do you really feel God is with you and that He knows and cares about you? Do you feel God is really involved in your life, or do you feel He is far away from you?

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Well, there are four simple steps you can take to get closer to God. First, decide you really want to be close to God. James 1: 7-8 speaks of a “double-minded” man who really hasn’t made up his mind about what he wants. The Bible says that man should not expect to receive anything from God! Yes, to get close to God, you must decide you really want to. Second, do the will of God. Jesus said: “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My Word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him, and make Our abode with him.” (Jn. 14: 23). Third, listen to God every day. As you read and meditate on the Scriptures daily, you will find that the Word of God, the Scriptures, is very persuasive and compelling. The Scriptures have drawing power, and they will draw you closer to God. In Isa. 55: 3, God Himself said: “Incline your ear and come to Me. Listen, that you may live.” Fourth, speak to God every day. Jesus often spoke to His Father in prayer, sometimes rising before dawn to find a quiet place and time. On at least one occasion He spent an entire night in prayer. We desperately need to recognize our need for prayer. As we share our burdens and needs with God, we will find ourselves being drawn closer and closer to Him.

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The words of the old hymn: “Be With me Lord,” says it well.

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“Be with me, Lord, no other gift or blessing,
Thou couldst bestow could with this one compare;
A constant sense of Thy abiding presence,
Where e’re I am to feel that Thou art near.”

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That hymn was sung at my mother’s funeral some 59 years ago. Yes friends, that’s what we all need, and by drawing near to God, that’s what we all can have. Think on these things.

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Dennis Abernathy