Journal Jan 24, 2013

6)  "That He may give grace and peace that I might understand Him."

Christ is not far from anyone who seeks Him. He said to us, "If you seek me you will find Me."  If I believe that which He has said is true, because He is a truth speaker, without error or fault, then I also believe every command and word is true and relevant and sure!

I must continuously, willfully, establish His leadership as God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Head of the church, His body on earth - visible, practical, and powerful to lead His redemptive kingdom for His glory.

Our pleading for His presence will do not good if we want something other than His glory. I do not expect to find Him if I do not seek Him with my whole heart -- the line is drawn and there is no options for doubleminded-ness. Don't expect once-a-week pleading for God to visit!  He is the head, the leader, and is present.  If the church is not His, He will not be present!

He wants to be with us more than we, in our distracting world, want to be with Him. He is present with us! The question for me is, where am I with Him now? God waits to be with us as Father, Son and Redeemer, and Holy Spirit. Like Jesus, our greatest joy should be, "I do only the will of my Father."  The question "Whose will do I love to do?" may reveal why I am not near Him as I desire.

We cannot understand Him without Him! The authors of most New Testament letters begin with "Grace and peace to you from Father, Son, and Holy Spirit."  Grace and peace are the revelation of His presence, power and glory!  Apart from Him, we are dead.