Conversation, Comfort, Counsel

James 4:8, "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you."

     Snuggling on the couch with your loved ones sharing your day. Spending time with your mom sharing advice, support, and love. Sharing a problem with your best friend knowing they'll understand like no one else does. In all your relationships, friends, family, loved ones. It's the quality time spent with them that strengthens you and can help you grow. Good conversations with laughter. Times the comforting words or hugs can help us heal. Our ‘people’ can also be great when we need another opinion or sound counsel. Praise the Lord for the people He puts in our lives to help us get through life.

     Having people in our lives is wonderful. With the right friends and if you're lucky with the right relationship with family you can benefit greatly from having great conversations, much needed comfort, and wise counsel. Yet to achieve this you do need to spend quality time with them and be there for them when they need it. But, even with friends and family there is still someone who supersedes them that we can benefit the most from. With Him we can fully be ourselves and find great conversations, comfort, and counsel. But like our earthly relationships we must spend quality and quiet time with our Savior, in order to build a friendship and relationship.

     Let's look at why spending time with Jesus can be a blessing and good for our souls.

-        We can be ourselves without masks: Psalm 139

     Let’s be truthful. We probably are genuine wherever we go, and we like to say we are the same wherever we go. Although true we all put a little more effort into our politeness, smiles, and conversations when we go out versus when we're home. We are socially made that way. And truthfully, there are things we hide about ourselves in public versus at home. In our homes we can let our hair down and be completely transparent. So, in essence we all have some type of mask we wear.

     Yet, God knows us completely whether in public or at home. He had a hand in our creation, adding that extra special touch to all of us. When we're with God we simply must be our complete selves, broken and all, and He'll be with us to listen, counsel, comfort, and guide. That's a blessing.

-        Talking with God is a blessing because we know He wants to hear from us: Psalm 27:8

     Let’s face it, we all know at least one person who is polite enough to listen to us, but they are only half listening to appease us. There may be someone you politely listen to but sigh as you see them coming, knowing you really don't want to talk to them. Oh, be honest now, you already know who you’re thinking about.

     Guess what, we read in Psalms that the Lord really does want to hear from you. You will never be a burden to Him and He will always make time for you. He's got some pretty good ideas and advice too, if you listen to Him.

-        Although there are some great people out there with sound counsel. When we spend time with Jesus we get counsel from the perfect counselor: Psalm 25:5

     The Lord’s counsel can help us heal, give us hope, show us better roads to take in life. But it's not just taking time to listen. We should take His advice and apply it to our lives.

-        Spending time with Jesus is incredibly awesome. He is the only being who is always loving (despite our failures and flaws). He is always good (even when we aren't, or when we get angry at others). He is always listening and always available: Psalm 103

     We may try to be that way with others, but it isn't always possible in our day-to-day lives. Honestly, we shouldn't expect that from anyone else either, but praise the Lord, we have a Savior who fills those shoes for us.

-        With Jesus in our lives, it always isn't sunshine and rainbows though. There will be times He has to rebuke us. Thankfully He can do it in a loving way, and we can be assured it all is for the best in our life: Revelation 3:19

     Parents must discipline at times but it is out of love so their children will grow in the right way, with goodness and honesty. This helps them become good adults, instead of becoming troublemakers.

     The Lord wants the best for us and wants us on a path that leads to heaven not destruction. So, yes, we will feel rebuked, once in a while. It can be easier to handle when we have a relationship with our Savior and trust He has only the best in mind for us.

     Friends and family can be great to have in your life but as you can see the Lord is also great and the benefit is so much greater. Spending quality quiet time with Jesus is the only thing He asks. He will still be there for you; He will send blessings your way. But when you give God your time He goes above and beyond in your life because you have taken time to be His friend.

     We may live in a fast-paced world, and it can be difficult to find time for reflection. However, making time for Jesus can help you find peace and joy in your life, and you will be blessed in ways you never thought possible. Connect with God for good conversation, much needed comfort, and great counsel and you will find yourself able to handle the challenges of life.

We know that one of the best ways to draw near to the Lord and spend time with Him is adding our personal Bible study time with Him. Our lives can keep us busy but the Lord Is good He is patiently waiting for us to make time with Him. When we do we find so many promises and strength from Him. Today let's continue with our new study of deepening our relationship with the Lord with new ideas of studying. Today let's R.E.A.P.

Lesson 2- R.E.A.P.docx

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