God wants this more than you do

Posted byoakhillcrossvillePosted inUncategorized
Good morning everyone,
 
Our theme for this month: “Deep Discipleship”
 
Our Bible verse for today: “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.” James 4:8 (CSB)
 
Our thought for today: “God wants this even more than you do”
 
Right now, on Sunday evenings at Oak Hill Baptist Church, we have a large group studying the Bible study “Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God.” In it, Henry Blackaby reminds us that one of the greatest truths in Scripture is that God wants to be heard and understood by His people.
 
That is God’s desire. He wants a deep and close relationship with you; He created you; He sent His Son to die for you; He sent the Holy Spirit to live in your heart; He gave us the gift of the Bible to communicate His will and His ways to us; and now, He is present and available to each of us. God has done His part. He took the initiative. Now, as James says in James 4:8, if you will draw near to Him, He will draw near to you. Just take a step into His embrace. He wants this even more than you do, but He won’t force it. You do have to come to Him.
 
What happens if you do? Wonderful things. God opens your mind and your heart, revealing to you deep truths as He draws you deeper and deeper into they mysteries of life in the kingdom of God. In Jeremiah 29:12-14 we read, “You will call to me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart. I will be found by you – this is the Lord’s declaration …”
 
Just a few chapters later, still speaking through the prophet Jeremiah, God renews the call in Jeremiah 33:3: “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and incomprehensible things you do not know.” This is part of the adventure of the Christian life. There is always more. No matter how much you have grown spiritually, there will always be new dimensions of the person of God to be explored and experienced. This is why in Psalm 33:8 David can declare with confidence, “Taste and see that the Lord is good. How happy is the person who takes refuge in him!”
 
Once you begin to experience God like that, He becomes addictive. You want more and more of Him. But the greater truth is that He wants more and more of you. God won’t be satisfied until He has you whole heart and your full attention. Your desire to know and experience Him doesn’t compare to His desire to have all of you.
 
God wants this more than you do. I encourage you to spend time with Him right now..
 
God bless,
Pastor Jim
 
(If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville
 
Copyright © 2023 Oak Hill Baptist Church, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you requested to be included in the Daily Devotional email reader group.

Our mailing address is:
Oak Hill Baptist Church 3036 Genesis Road Crossville, TN 38571

Leave a comment