Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – January 4, 2016
When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. John 19:26-27
Rita and I sometimes struggle with how and what to teach our four daughters and now their husbands. We instructed our children and teenagers to surround themselves with those they wanted to become like. We encouraged them to spend time with good students, athletes, teachers and coaches who modeled humility, hard work and a strong faith in Jesus. The closer relationships our children built with their classmates and authorities, the more opportunities they experienced to serve others and to grow their own interests. Our adult children still need wisdom, encouragement and grace to best determine God’s will for their lives. Close proximity to Christ and His followers creates the best opportunities.
Jesus knew John was the best choice to care for His mom. Why? The Lord knew first hand his love and compassion for people, but even more so—Christ trusted John to remain faithful when others abandoned their commitment. The beloved disciple was loyal to the end—but Jesus’ brother James could not be found in their family’s greatest time of need. Because John remained close by Christ during His dire moments—Jesus gave him the opportunity to care for His most treasured relationship—His mom, Mary. Proximity to Jesus opens doors to serve the needs of Jesus’ heart.
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you” (James 4:7-8).
Are you in proximity to people you want to become like? Maybe this next year at work you meet monthly with a work associate who has a particular skill you want to develop. Emotional intelligence, technological savvy or financial astuteness may be a few opportunities for personal or professional growth. Perhaps there is a family at church you would like to emulate. Invite the mom and dad into your home for dinner and ask them about their guiding principles for marriage and parenting. Proximity to quality people helps grow your quality of life.
Most importantly, we stay in proximity to our heavenly Father. We follow Jesus best when we stay close enough to breathe in the dust from His sandals. Proximity to our Savior is self evident through continual prayer. The Holy Spirit seduces a heart surrendered to Him—He romances those whose love affair is faithful obedience to living in the truth. Just like our proximity to a roaring fireplace toasts our cheeks and fingertips, so our close proximity to Christ ignites our faith and warms our soul. Proximity to God creates opportunities from God—with God, for God.
“O Lord, who may lodge [as a guest] in Your tent? Who may dwell [continually] on Your holy hill? He who walks with integrity and strength of character, and works righteousness, And speaks and holds truth in his heart” (Psalm 15:1-2, AMP).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I draw near to You so You can align my desires with Your’s.
Application: Where is the Lord leading me to be intentional in a relational investment?
Related Readings: Psalm 25:14; John 8:32; Romans 16:13; 1 Timothy 2:4
Post/Tweet this today: Proximity to quality people helps grow our quality of life. #proximitycreatesopportunity #WisdomHunters
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The devil is much more deceptive than we give him credit for. We underestimate him. That is one of the reasons that God wants us to draw close to Him, to stay in a vital-vertical relationship with Him. I know the number one reason is because He loves us so much and in that desire to love us well, He wants to protect us with the wisdom He has for us, so in every situation we are empowered by God to resist and flee from deception. Apart from God is a scary place to be, but in Christ we realize the fullness of His power in our lives and we can see better and dodge deception more and more.
Dear Kimberly,
Once again, you provided some thought-provoking comments that also remind us of the absolute necessity it is for a child of God to have that close proximity to our Creator. You are right when you state “He wants to protect us with the wisdom He has for us, so in every situation we are empowered by God to resist and flee from deception”. Thank you for that powerful reminder.
I speak for myself (and I think, perhaps, for many on our Wisdom Hunter’s family) when I say there are days when I take my relationship with God “for granted” and need to be reminded of the importance, the power and the blessing of close proximity. As Boyd wrote in this devotional, “Proximity to God creates opportunities from God-with God and for God”. Wow…
Thank you, Kimberly. We are blessed by your comments and we look forward to hearing from you again.
May God bless you in this new year.
Believing and trusting~
Gwynne
“You are my hiding place;
you protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance.”
Psalm 32:7
“I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world and I am coming to you.
Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name – the name that you gave me – so that they may be one
and we are one.”
John 17:11
You need to be a part of a contest for one of the greatest sites on the web.
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Dear Belinda,
WOW!! Thank you for your kind and encouraging words! We are so thankful when the devotionals “touch someone’s heart”. We give all the glory to God!! HE is so amazing when HE places the words HE wants us to see at the time HE wants us to see them.
We appreciate your enthusiasm and yes, please, do share the devotionals and our website with your friends. Thank you so much!
We are grateful you are a part of the Wisdom Hunter’s family and look forward to hearing from you again.
Believing and trusting~
Gwynne
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18