Let Us Draw Near

"Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water."
                     Hebrews 10:19‭-‬22 NIV

     Let us draw near to God!  We can do this because Jesus Christ has made a way for us to be able to draw near to God.  We have direct access to the Father because of His Son...in Jesus Christ and through faith in Him.
     We don't have to stand in the distance longing to draw close to God, we can actually do it.  We no longer have to hide in the shadows afraid to enter our Father's presence.  God says that we can come with confidence before His throne of grace, so we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Heb. 4 :16).  What a privilege!
     Our Father is the King of kings.  He is holy, majestic, sovereign, and He wants us to draw near to Him.  God says that we can approach Him.  How do we approach Him? With confidence, freedom, and faith in Jesus, we can approach the God who loves us (Eph. 3:12).
     He also promises that when we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us (James 4:8).  So what are we waiting for?  Let's go. Let's run to our Father.  Let us draw near to God!

           -Written by Heather H. McDevitt

I CAN Do Hard Things

"I can do all things through Christ 
                       who strengthens me."
                      Philippians 4:13 NKJV

      I have said I CAN'T for most of my life. I have allowed these words to limit and sideline me. The belief that I CAN'T has held me back. It has kept me from trying new things, taking risks, and living life.The past year of my life has brought about a shift in this thinking, as I have been challenged to begin to believe that I CAN! Although the I CAN'T mentality has still been there, it has been challenged over and over again through trials and other people telling me that I CAN. One thing I have learned about myself this past year is that I CAN DO HARD THINGS!                                                                             I survived this past year! God has given me everything that I have needed to get through every hard thing. There were so many times that I didn't think I could do the hard things, but I did!  I did not do the hard things all on my own. I have had so many encouragers who have come alongside me and have cheered me on. God has helped me. He has given me strength, courage, joy, and so much more as I have needed it! He has never left me alone in the hard things.                 In John 16:33, Jesus said to His disciples, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” He told His disciples they would have trouble in this world...hard things! He also encouraged them by telling them that He had overcome the world. They could have peace in Him. They could have peace in the midst of the hard things because Jesus had already overcome these things.  When hard things come my way, I must remember what Jesus told His disciples. I can have peace in Jesus. I can get through the hard things in this world because of Jesus. 

written by Heather H. McDevitt on 9-23-18