Drawing Near: Embracing God's Promises Through Spiritual Disciplines

Devotional

Day 1: The Promise of God's Nearness

When we draw near to God, He promises to draw near to us, as stated in James 4:8. This promise is a profound reminder that God is always ready to meet us where we are, especially in times of crisis. Engaging in spiritual disciplines such as prayer, reading Scripture, and fellowship creates space for God's presence in our lives. These practices are not just religious duties but are pathways to experiencing the closeness and comfort of God. In times of uncertainty, returning to these basics of faith can anchor us and remind us of God's unwavering presence. [01:27]

"Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." (Isaiah 55:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: In what specific ways can you create space in your daily routine this week to draw near to God and experience His presence?

Day 2: The Transformative Power of Scripture

The Word of God is described in Hebrews 4:12 as living and powerful, offering discernment and insight. Engaging with Scripture is not just an intellectual exercise; it is a way to experience God's transformative power. By immersing ourselves in His Word, we draw near to God and receive His promised power. The early church exemplified this by devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching, which allowed them to experience God's presence and power. As we delve into Scripture, we open ourselves to the transformative work of God in our lives. [03:36]

"For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." (Romans 15:4, ESV)

Reflection: What specific passage of Scripture can you commit to studying this week, and how do you hope it will transform your understanding or actions?

Day 3: The Effectiveness of Prayer

Prayer is a powerful discipline that connects us with God and allows us to receive His good gifts. Jesus teaches in Luke 11 that prayer is effective and powerful, emphasizing that our Heavenly Father gives good gifts to those who ask. Prayer is more than a self-improvement exercise; it is a means of drawing near to God and experiencing His promise of presence and power. As we engage in prayer, we open ourselves to the guidance and blessings that God desires to bestow upon us. [05:29]

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." (Romans 12:12, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a specific area in your life where you need God's guidance or provision. How can you commit to bringing this need before God in prayer each day this week?

Day 4: The Strength of Fellowship

Fellowship with other believers holds a promise of power, as emphasized in Hebrews 10:25. Even in modified forms, gathering with God's people strengthens and exhorts us. The early church experienced God's presence and power through steadfast devotion to fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. By assembling together, we draw near to God and experience the power of community. In times of isolation or difficulty, fellowship can be a source of encouragement and strength. [06:52]

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally engage in fellowship with other believers this week, even if it means finding creative ways to connect?

Day 5: The Healing Power of Repentance

Humble repentance and confession of sin are vital disciplines that bring healing and power. James 5:16 highlights the power of confession and repentance, emphasizing that keeping a short account with God through humble repentance brings healing and transformation. This discipline allows us to draw near to God and experience His promise of presence and transformation. As we confess our sins and seek God's forgiveness, we open ourselves to His healing and restorative work in our lives. [08:02]

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9, ESV)

Reflection: Is there a specific sin or area of your life that you need to bring before God in repentance? How can you take a step towards confession and seeking His forgiveness today?

Sermon Summary

In our journey of exploring the power of God's promises, today we focus on how these promises relate to spiritual disciplines. Living by the promises of God's Word is crucial, especially in times of crisis and turmoil. The first half of 2020 has been a testament to such times, reminding us to return to the basics of our faith. One of the most profound promises is found in James 4:8: "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you." This promise assures us that God will never leave us hanging; when we reach out to Him, He responds.

The early church exemplified drawing near to God through steadfast devotion to the apostles' doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. These basic practices allowed them to experience God's presence and power. Similarly, we are encouraged to engage in these spiritual disciplines to draw near to God. The Word of God, as described in Hebrews 4:12, is living and powerful, offering discernment and insight. By immersing ourselves in Scripture, we tap into its promised power.

Prayer is another discipline with promised power. Jesus, in Luke 11, emphasizes the effectiveness of prayer, assuring us that our Heavenly Father gives good gifts to those who ask. Prayer is not merely a self-improvement exercise; it is a powerful means of drawing near to God. Fellowship with other believers, even in modified forms during a pandemic, holds a promise of power. Hebrews 10:25 encourages us not to forsake assembling together, as it strengthens and exhorts us.

Finally, humble repentance and confession of sin, as highlighted in James 5:16, are vital disciplines. Keeping a short account with God through confession brings healing and power. These spiritual disciplines—engaging with God's Word, prayer, fellowship, and repentance—are foundational ways to draw near to God. As we do so, we experience His promise of drawing near to us, enriching our lives with His presence and power.

Key Takeaways

1. egvswlY9hM&t=87s'>[01:27]
2. The Power of God's Word: Hebrews 4:12 describes the Word of God as living and powerful. Engaging with Scripture is not just an intellectual exercise; it is a way to experience God's transformative power. By immersing ourselves in His Word, we draw near to God and receive His promised power.

3. Prayer as a Powerful Discipline: Jesus teaches in Luke 11 that prayer is effective and powerful. It is more than a self-improvement exercise; it is a means of connecting with God and receiving His good gifts. Through prayer, we draw near to God and experience His promise of presence and power.

4. Fellowship's Promised Power: Hebrews 10:25 emphasizes the importance of assembling together. Even in modified forms, fellowship with other believers strengthens and exhorts us. By gathering with God's people, we draw near to Him and experience the power of community.

5. The Discipline of Repentance: James 5:16 highlights the power of confession and repentance. Keeping a short account with God through humble repentance brings healing and power. This discipline allows us to draw near to God and experience His promise of presence and transformation.

** [01:27]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:15] - Introduction to the Power of Promise
[00:39] - Crisis and Returning to Basics
[01:16] - The Promise of James 4:8
[02:08] - Drawing Near to God
[02:36] - The Early Church's Example
[03:14] - God's Presence with the Early Church
[03:36] - The Power of God's Word
[04:34] - The Power of Prayer
[05:43] - Prayer as a Spiritual Discipline
[06:10] - Fellowship's Promised Power
[07:05] - Assembling Together
[07:44] - The Discipline of Repentance
[08:52] - Returning to Basic Spiritual Disciplines
[09:46] - Closing and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

James 4:8 - "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you."
Hebrews 4:12 - "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
Luke 11:9-13 - Jesus teaches about the power of prayer.

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Observation Questions:

What promise does James 4:8 offer to those who draw near to God? How is this promise described in the sermon? [01:27]
According to Hebrews 4:12, what characteristics are attributed to the Word of God? How does the sermon suggest we engage with Scripture to experience its power? [03:36]
In Luke 11:9-13, what does Jesus say about the effectiveness of prayer? How does the sermon relate this to the power of spiritual disciplines? [05:29]
How did the early church exemplify drawing near to God, as mentioned in Acts 2:42? What practices did they engage in? [02:20]

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Interpretation Questions:

How might the promise in James 4:8 provide comfort and assurance during times of crisis and turmoil? [00:39]
What does it mean for the Word of God to be "living and powerful" as described in Hebrews 4:12? How can this understanding impact a believer's approach to Scripture? [03:36]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that prayer is more than a self-improvement exercise? How does this perspective change the way one might approach prayer? [05:29]
How does the concept of fellowship, even in modified forms during a pandemic, contribute to drawing near to God according to Hebrews 10:25? [06:52]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on a recent time of crisis in your life. How did you attempt to draw near to God during that period? What spiritual disciplines did you engage in, and how did they help? [00:39]
Consider your current engagement with Scripture. What specific steps can you take to immerse yourself more deeply in God's Word this week, based on the promise of its power in Hebrews 4:12? [03:36]
Think about your prayer life. How can you incorporate the teachings of Jesus from Luke 11:9-13 to make your prayers more effective and powerful? What specific requests will you bring to God this week? [05:29]
In what ways can you maintain or enhance fellowship with other believers during this time? How can you creatively assemble with others to experience the promised power of community? [06:52]
Reflect on the role of repentance in your spiritual life. How can you practice humble repentance and confession more regularly, as encouraged in James 5:16? What impact might this have on your relationship with God? [08:02]
Identify one spiritual discipline you feel called to strengthen. What practical steps will you take this week to draw near to God through this discipline, and how do you anticipate God drawing near to you in response? [09:20]
How can you encourage others in your small group or community to engage in these spiritual disciplines? What role can you play in fostering a supportive environment for spiritual growth? [09:46]

Sermon Clips

hi everybody as we continue along in our series talking about the power of promise, today we want to talk about as promises of god relate to spiritual disciplines listen uh i like you i believe in living by the promises of god's word that he gives us so many wonderful promises that we can read we can understand we can apply we can trust it's an important thing for us to do to live by the power of god's promises and i would say that it's even more true in times of crisis and turmoil [00:00:07]

james chapter 4 verse 8 draw near to god and he will draw near to you let me read that again draw near to god and he will draw near to you that's god's promise god says if you draw near to me i will draw near to you god will never leave you hanging you know it happens sometimes you put your hand out to shake somebody's hand i don't know if we're doing that anymore in this global pandemic season but in the old days when we used to shake hands you'd put your hand out to shake somebody's hand and they wouldn't put their hand out to you god will never leave you hanging in that way when you draw near to god he will draw near to you [00:01:29]

the early church drew near to god as it's described in acts chapter 2 verse 42 it says this and they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine that's the word of god in fellowship that's getting together with god's people in the breaking of bread that's the lord's table and in prayers these things are very basic things in the christian life the word of god getting together with other believers having communion together and praying together but in those very basic things the early church drew near to god and they were blessed god draw new to near to them [00:02:23]

you know this familiar verse it says for the word of god is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword piercing even to the division of soul and spirit and of joints and morrow for it is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart so knowing the power of god's word the promised power of god's word draw near to god through his word to receive this promise see what i'm do is i'm connecting these promises from james chapter 4 and hebrews chapter 4 [00:03:46]

so i say to you ask and it will be given to you seek and you will find knock and it will be open to you for everyone who asks receives and he who seeks finds and to him whom knocks it will be opened if a son asks for bread from any father among you will he give him a stone or if he asks for a fish will he give him a serpent instead of a fish or if he asks for an egg will he offer him a scorpion if you then being evil know how to give good gifts to your children how much more will your heavenly father give the holy spirit to those who ask him [00:04:49]

listen if jesus has promised us that prayer has real power it's not just a self-improvement exercise no i believe that prayer is a self-improvement exercise but it's not just that it has real power before god then we can draw near to god through prayer one of those very basic spiritual disciplines to receive this promise so the basic spiritual discipline of being in god's word it has a promise of power the very basic spiritual discipline of prayer has a promised power that we can receive [00:05:36]

coming to god in the company of god's people has a promised power look i i know i understand it's a little bit different right now in the days of a global pandemic when we've had our fellowship patterns interrupted and modified in the past several months but this is what i want you to remind you of that those fellowship patterns have been interrupted and modified they haven't been erased we're getting together right now in some sense in and through god's word and it's not as good as us getting together in that wonderful great room there out at caesar chavez and just meeting together as a congregation it's not as good as that but it's something [00:06:08]

hebrews chapter 10 verse 25 says not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as is the manner of some but exhorting one another and so much so as you see the day approaching the simple spiritual discipline of meeting together with god's people in whatever way we can that's a way that we draw near to him and what's god's promise you draw near to him he will draw near to you so draw near to him together with his people to receive this promise you're doing that right now as we join together as this family over video and over the connection that god gives us [00:06:56]

james chapter 5 verse 16 says this confess your trespasses to one another and pray for one another that you may be healed the effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much again that's james chapter 5 verse 16 and that's speaking to us among other things about the power of coming to god in humble repentance and confession of sin you know that's a spiritual discipline in itself isn't it keeping that humble heart before the lord keeping a low account before god short account is a better way of describing it where we don't let the the uh bills expire but when we sin before god we confess it and repent of it and we do it soon that has a wonderful powerful promise in us [00:07:47]

look believers let's come back to this wonderful principle of we have basic spiritual disciplines through which we can draw near to god the discipline of being in his word the discipline of prayer the discipline of worship and assembling together with god's people and over all of that a general humble attitude before god those things those things are ways that we draw near to god and here's his promise you draw near to god in those basic spiritual disciplines he will draw near to you and that's where we want to be we want to be close to god and even more importantly we want him to be close to us [00:08:47]

these beautiful spiritual disciplines are a very basic way that he's given us food don't despise them because they're basic no instead come back to them again and again and again this is the gift that god gives us to do and i pray that the lord would bless you in the pursuit of these basic spiritual disciplines [00:09:33]

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Drawing Near: Embracing God's Promises Through Spiritual Disciplines

Devotional

Day 1: The Promise of God's Nearness

Day 2: The Transformative Power of Scripture

Day 3: The Effectiveness of Prayer

Day 4: The Strength of Fellowship

Day 5: The Healing Power of Repentance

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Drawing Near: Embracing God's Promises Through Spiritual Disciplines

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