Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. James 4:8

The title to this article Drawing Near is the name of a devotional book by John MacArthur that I use regularly.  I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a challenging daily devotional book.   

I like it so much that I keep some copies on hand to give to those who want to grow spiritually, to give to those who may be sincerely looking for answers to spiritual questions, and to give to new believers.  

Are you trying to disciple a new believer?  Many who are interested in learning the Bible often do not know where to start.  This devotional will get you into the Scriptures.  Just look up the references included in each daily lesson and study them out.  Sometimes the daily devotionals stand alone and sometimes they build on previous ones while pursuing a certain theme or doctrine.  If you want to get into the Scriptures, this book is a handy tool for doing just that.  Drawing Near is a great tool for discipleship.  

Drawing Near is available on the gty.org bookstore website for around $15.00.  You can also find them online @ Amazon and there are often used ones advertised at a reduced price plus shipping.

You can also access this devotional online through your computer or cell phone.  Just go to gty.org, click on devotionals, and then on Drawing Near.  The neat thing about reading online is that you can just click on the Scripture references in the devotional and the verses will appear onscreen without having to look each one up.  If you are traveling or you do everything online this is a great tool.

An old high school friend told me after using Drawing Near, that he had been using a daily devotional written by a well known author that often left him feeling warm and fuzzy.  Referring to John MacArthur he said; I like this guy, he takes the skin off.

A church lady, that was experiencing physical difficulties and having trouble sleeping, rejoiced over this devotional saying; I use it now at bedtime and I am able to sleep!

Another lady who lived with and helped care for her elderly parents, after losing them both within a short period of time said; this book got me through the winter, without it I don’t know what I would have done.

…..Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…….

Drawing Near will help you do just that!

My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;

Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.  Proverbs 2:1-5

---

When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:

• To deliver thee from the way of the evil man,
• To deliver thee from the strange woman

Proverbs 2:10-12a & 16a

---

My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.  Proverbs 3:1&2

---

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.  Proverbs 3:5&6

---

Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.  For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.

For I was my father’s son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.  He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.  Proverbs 4:1-4

---

My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.  Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.

For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.  Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.  Proverbs 4:20-23

---

My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.  

When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.  For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:  Proverbs 6:20-23

---

My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.  Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.  Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart.  Proverbs 7:1-3

---

Do you have heart trouble?

These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: Item #4 – An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations.  Proverbs 6:16&18a

Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth.  Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths (the ways & paths of the strange woman).

For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.  Her house is the way to hell (Sheol*), going down to the chambers of death.  Proverbs 7:24-27

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?  Jeremiah 17:9

---

Do you need a new heart?

Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?  Proverbs 20:10

And I (God) will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:  That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.  Ezekiel 11:19&20

But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.  Romans 2:29

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  2 Corinthians 5:17

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.  Psalm 119:11

…..Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…..

*Sheol – a place of conscious existence after death.  A place of reward for the righteous and of judgment for the wicked.  See Luke 16.  (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of the New & Old Testament) 

Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.

But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Luke 10:38-42

No doubt, there will be much giving and serving during this holiday season.  Don’t forget to worship.

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:

And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.

Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,

In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,

Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life.

And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.

But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:

And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

Matthew 2:1-23

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Luke 2:1-20

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Matthew 1:18-25

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way.   When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.  And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.  But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.  Matthew 1:18-21

I am either reading through at present or have recently completed reading the following books.

• The Battle for the Beginning by John MacArthur

The following is a quote from the introduction:  Scripture, not science, is the ultimate test of all truth.  And the further evangelicalism gets from that conviction, the less evangelical and more humanistic it becomes.

 John continues on the back cover:  Everything in Scripture that teaches about sin and redemption assumes the literal truth of the first three chapters of Genesis.  If we wobble to any degree on the truth of this passage, we undermine the very foundations of our faith. 

This is a book to keep close in a hostile world.  It is a book for reference and for reading over and over again.

---

• Discovering the Joy of a Clear Conscience by Christopher Ash  

This book answers many questions about conscience.  Should we ever violate our conscience?  What if it has been calibrated to the wrong standard?  Should our conscience always be our guide?   What is the function of our conscience?  What does it do?  How do we retrain our conscience?  To what should the Christian conscience be calibrated?  What to do when our conscience condemns us?  What does the Apostle Paul mean when he refers to a conscience void of offense?

It is one thing to die with a clear conscience.  It is quite another thing to live with a clear conscience.  

And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.  Acts 24:16

---

• Called to Lead by John MacArthur

Twenty-six leadership lessons from the life of the Apostle Paul.

Is it enough to just declare oneself to be the leader?  How does one lead from the back of the line or from the bottom of the ladder?  Following Paul’s example, a Christian can lead from just about anywhere God puts him.

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. I Thessalonians 5:18

Thanks to God for my Redeemer,
Thanks for all Thou dost provide!
Thanks for times now but a memory,
Thanks for Jesus by my side!
Thanks for pleasant, balmy springtime,
Thanks for dark and stormy fall!
Thanks for tears by now forgotten,
Thanks for peace within my soul!

Thanks for prayers that Thou hast answered,
Thanks for what Thou dost deny!
Thanks for storms that I have weathered,
Thanks for all Thou dost supply!
Thanks for pain, and thanks for pleasure,
Thanks for comfort in despair!
Thanks for grace that none can measure,
Thanks for love beyond compare!

Thanks for roses by the wayside,
Thanks for thorns their stems contain!
Thanks for home and thanks for fireside,
Thanks for hope, that sweet refrain!
Thanks for joy and thanks for sorrow,
Thanks for heavenly peace with Thee!
Thanks for hope in the tomorrow,
Thanks through all eternity!

By August Ludvig Storm  (1891)

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.  Psalm 1:1-6