Come to Him

Has God ever turned anyone away? 

Read your Bible. 

I have and I couldn’t find a single instance where God turned someone away. Instead He calls us over and over again to come to Him. 

Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 

Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Isaiah 55:1 

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. Isaiah 55:7 

But even with all the invitations to come there are still people who refuse to come. Jesus says in John 5:40 And ye will not come to Me, that ye might have life.

And still God is patient. 

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 

But how do I know if I can come?

Spurgeon says:

"How unprofitable is the diligence which busies itself in finding out reasons why faith in our case should not be saving! We have God’s word for it, that whosoever believeth in Jesus shall not perish, and we search for arguments why we should perish if we did believe. 

But you fear that you may not be one of those for whom the promise is intended. Do not be alarmed by that idle suspicion. No soul ever came to Jesus wrongly. No one can come at all unless the Father draw him; and Jesus has said, “Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” 

No soul ever lays hold on Christ in a way of robbery; he that hath Him hath Him of right divine; for the Lord’s giving of Himself for us, and to us, is so free, that every soul that takes Him has a grace-given right to do so. If you lay hold on Jesus by the hem of His garment, without leave, and behind Him, yet virtue will flow from Him to you as surely as if He had called you out by name, and bidden you trust Him. Dismiss all fear when you trust the Saviour. He that believeth in Jesus is one of God’s elect." 

Come to Him. Run to Him. Don’t wait. 

For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 1 Thessalonians 5:3 

For how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; Hebrews 2:3a 

"Did you suggest that it would be a horrible thing if you were to trust in Jesus and yet perish? It would be so. But as you must perish if you do not trust, the risk at the worst is not very great. 

“I can but perish if I go; 
I am resolved to try; 
For if I stay away, 
I know I must for ever die."

But one moans, “What if I come to Christ, and He refuses me?” My answer is, “Try Him.” Cast yourself on the Lord Jesus, and see if He refuses you. You will be the first against whom He has shut the door of hope. Friend, don’t cross that bridge till you come to it! When Jesus casts you out, it will be time enough to despair; but that time will never come. “This man receiveth sinners”: He has not so much as begun to cast them out." (C. Spurgeon)

Nothing I Can Do.

I don’t know how many times I’ve heard the phrase, “There’s nothing I can do.” And honestly before I became a believer the phrase resonated in my heart too. “Nothing I can do. Nothing I can do. Nothing I can do.” 

And you know what? 

It’s true. 

We can’t save ourselves. 
We are spiritually dead. 
We are helpless, hopeless and lost. 
We can never repay the debt that we owe to God. 

But have you heard the good news? I heard it again yesterday afternoon in church. The pastor said: “Just because there is nothing we can do, does not mean that nothing has been done.” (Pastor J. Schoeman) 

But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 

Jesus paid it all when we could pay nothing. 

He bore our sins. 

..He was wounded for our transgressions, Isaiah 53:5a 

He was bruised for our iniquities: Isaiah 53:5b 

And the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6b 

The chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5c 

God made a way where there was no way. 

God gave hope where there was no hope. 

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. 2 Corinthians 9:15  

Because of Jesus we can now have peace with God. 

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, 1 Peter 3:18a 

For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21 

It’s the best news ever! 

Because of Jesus' sacrifice we can be saved! Our debt is paid! We can once again have peace with God!

And Jesus is calling us now. To turn from our own way and believe in Him. 

 “… The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” (Jesus) Mark 1:15 

 “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” (Jesus) John 3:14-15 

And this good news is not just for us, but for anyone who believes! 

“And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” (Jesus) Mark 16:15-16

The War of the Mind

Did you know we are in a war? 

Paul writes to the Ephesians: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:12 

One commentary explained it like this: “You are in a spiritual battle. If you are ignorant or ignore that fact, you probably aren’t winning the battle.” D. Guzik 

Many of the battles begin in the mind. If Satan can just get you to dwell on lies rather than the truth he can quickly cause you to stumble. He knows full well that today’s thoughts result in tomorrow’s actions. 

We are not the victim of our thoughts. We have a choice. When a thought comes our way we can chose to let it in or push it away. 

To defend ourselves against the lies of Satan we need to renew our minds with the truth of God’s Word. 

When anxious thoughts want to creep in through the door of our mind we push them out with the truth that ..God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 

When a proud thought comes knocking we need to remind ourselves that ..the Lord He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; Psalm 100:3a   

When we start to listen to the lies that we have no worth or value and are unloveable we need to combat that with the truth that God loves us so much He sent His own Son to die for us. 

But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:4-7 

God tells us not to think like the world thinks or be swayed by the opinions of others but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. 

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2  

And it’s not just about not letting the trash in, it’s also about filling our minds with whatsoever things are true, and lovely and praiseworthy. 

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Phil 4:8 

And when the war of the mind seems overwhelming we have the promise that we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength. 

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Phil 4:13 

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32 

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: John 14:6a

The Quest for Happiness

I read this quote recently: 

"Beware of destination addiction: a preoccupation with the idea that happiness is in the next place, the next job, and with the next partner…" Robert Holden PHD 

How often have we fallen into that trap? Thinking that the next thing would finally make us happy. Advertisers prey on this all the time, whether it’s beauty products, clothing, tools, or vacation destinations; they all promise happiness, but do they ever deliver? 

We think happiness comes by focusing on self. We make everything about us and try to spoil ourselves into a state of happiness. No expense is spared, but happiness remains elusive.

I think one of the reasons the rich and famous are the most miserable of all is that they’ve tried it all and still haven’t found true happiness. They’ve spent thousands to make their bodies perfect, live in incredible mansions, have their choice of friends, are famous, eat the fanciest foods and drive the most exotic cars. Partners are easily replaced when romantic love dims, and no place on earth is out of their bounds to visit, yet true happiness is never attained. 

Did you know that Solomon, the wisest man on earth also pursued happiness? He writes in Ecclesiastes 2:10a …And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy… In the next verse he writes.. behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 2:11b) 

So what’s the secret? 

Can we ever be truly happy? 

What if I said we are looking in all the wrong places? That happiness has nothing to do with how beautiful or wealthy or problem free we are, but everything to do with the One who made us? 

Think about it for a moment. Doesn’t it make perfect sense that the only One who can fill our hearts with the true happiness we crave is the One who made our hearts in the first place? Psalm 139:14 says I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are Thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.  

Only when we abide in His presence will we ever experience true happiness. 

How can we come into the presence of God?

There is only one way: Jesus. 

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 1 Timothy 2:5 

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me. John 14:6 

Come to Jesus, come to Him with your sorrows and sins and disappointments. Turn away from your sins and empty, self-centered life, and turn to Him. Through Him we have access into the presence of God. The One who made us and in whose presence our hearts will find the true happiness it so longs for. 

All that the Father giveth me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out. (Jesus) (John 6:37) 

What does it mean to abide in God's presence? It’s not just about sitting at His feet an hour every morning – even though that's a good start, but it’s abiding in Him and communing with Him all day long. It’s singing songs in your heart, praising Him with your lips and speaking to Him in prayer all throughout the day. It’s enjoying close communion with Him and listening to His Holy Spirit as He guides us, teaches and comforts us. It’s asking Him for direction and trusting His provision. It’s being unafraid of trouble because you know “Whom you have believed” and He is completely trustworthy. It’s knowing He keeps every single one of His promises that He has given us in His word and trusting and obeying Him even when we don’t understand and can’t see clearly. 

And then as we abide in His presence we can say with the Psalmist:  In thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:11b