Closer to God

July 14, 2014 Monday Message:

“God has made his people strong, honoring his faithful ones – the people of Israel who are close to him.” Psalms 148:14 NLT

My church’s ministry is in the inner-city, and violence, gangs, drugs and prostitution often surround the people to whom we minister. I have a couple of cliché sayings I like to use to encourage them.

“If you’re IN HERE, you’re NOT out THERE!” In other words, if you’re at the church, the treatment center, the self-help group, the small group, the Bible study – you’re NOT out on the streets where trouble’s waiting. And,

“If you’re doing THIS, you’re not doing THAT!” If you fill your time by serving others and helping out at church, your agenda will be so full of good stuff that you won’t have time to pursue things that could get you into trouble.

Stay close to God. Sin separates us from God and takes us farther from God, but TODAY is the accepted day to repent, return, and get right with God. God and sin cannot share the same space, so when you move closer to God, you automatically move farther from sin.

If you repent and call Jesus your savior, you are adopted into the Holy family, with all the rights, privileges and responsibilities therein. Now you’re close to Him, just like the Israelites in Psalm 148. It's good to stay close to God.

Norton Lawellin

Let’s worship together! Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) meets every Sunday, at 10:30am, in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. This week, I’ll wrap up Acts 4. Peter and John get out of jail, but there’s a lot more to the story – don’t miss it!