00:00week four humility patience and prayer day 22 drawing near to god have you ever noticed how
00:15easy it is to drift one day you're on fire for god reading your bible praying consistently
00:22feeling his presence and then slowly without realizing it the busyness of life creeps in
00:28pride distractions and even self-reliance begin to take his place james reminds us that drawing
00:35near to god requires intentional action it isn't something that just happens it's a choice to
00:42submit to resist the devil to cleanse our hearts and to remain connected to the true vine drawing
00:49near to god means stepping away from whatever has kept us distant whether it's sin fear or even our
00:55own stubborn independence it's humbling ourselves before him surrendering our way for his the
01:03beautiful promise is this when we take one step toward god he takes one toward us his nearness is
01:10not reserved for the perfect but for the humble and the willing think about the relationships that
01:17matter most to you they thrive when you invest time energy and presence god desires the same
01:24he is always ready to meet us but he asks us to draw near in prayer in worship in his word we open the
01:32door to his presence and when we do we discover his grace his strength and his lifting hand
01:40reflection am i actively pursuing closeness with god or am i slowly drifting application
01:47choose one step from james call submit resist draw near cleanse purify and practice it today for example
01:56spend 10 minutes in quiet prayer asking god to reveal what's been keeping you from him and surrender it
02:03prayer heavenly father i humble myself before you forgive me for the times i have drifted draw near to me as i
02:11seek to draw near to you keep me connected to your vine for apart from you i can do nothing fill me with your
02:20your presence your strength and your presence your strength and your grace in jesus name amen
