What invitation am I talking about? God’s invitation to come and soak in his presence. That is the call I hear.

It started with this scripture—

“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.”‬‬

John‬ ‭15‬:‭7‬-‭9‬ ‭NKJV

As a branch soaks up nutrients from the vine, so we soak up God’s nurturing presence. It is an action we take. We abide. We draw close.

But I’ll keep coming closer and closer to you, Lord Yahweh, for your name is good to me. I’ll keep telling the world of your awesome works, my faithful and glorious God!‬‬

Psalms‬ ‭73‬:‭28‬ ‭TPT

And again—

Come near to God, and he will come near to you.

James‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬a CEV‬‬

If we draw near to God, what will we find in his presence?

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.‬‬

Psalms‬ ‭16‬:‭11‬ ‭NIV

He will fill us with joy. When we feel joyful being with God, we’ll want to spend more time with him.

For the Lord delights in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.‬‬

Psalms‬ ‭149‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT

The Lord loves being with us. Imagine God laughing and smiling like a proud papa, because we are choosing to spend time with him.

Like roots in the soil, we will soak up his power and love as Christ dwells in us.

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.‬‬

Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬-‭19‬ ‭NIV

We will find God is for us.

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you; don’t be distressed, for I am your God. I give you strength, I give you help, I support you with my victorious right hand.”‬‬

Yesha ‘yahu (Isa)‬ ‭41‬:‭10‬ ‭CJB

He provides rest when we are with him.

He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.‬‬

Psalms‬ ‭23‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT

And refreshment—

“Simply join your life with mine. Learn my ways and you’ll discover that I’m gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in me.”

Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭29‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Everything we want to do and be for God can sometimes keep us from what he wants the most—for us to sit and soak, to rest, listen, and linger for awhile with him.

I need this closeness with God.

Look at the scene above. Can you imagine Jesus asking you to soak in the warm water of his love and take in the beauty of the world he created? To breath deep the cleansing breath of his Spirit?

Will you accept his invitation?

Grace & Peace,

Sandy

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