just move close...

now in our desire to calm our conflicts we must run from the devil and draw close to GOD.

james 4.8 (nlt), draw close to GOD, and GOD will draw close to you.

now how do you do that, how do we grow closer? well, by reading the bible, by going to church, by getting in a small group – all these kinds of things help you grow closer to GOD.

listen, the more focus time you have with GOD, the better you will get along with other people. you can count on it! when the argument level rises in our marriage it means that someone is not spending time with the LORD. it's that simple. grow closer to GOD.

isaiah 26:3 (nlt), YOU will keep in perfect peace all who trust in YOU, whose thoughts are fixed on YOU!

have you noticed that when you spend time with the LORD, you focus your thoughts on HIM, then you get along better with others? it is because HE keeps perfect peace in your heart and you're not as irritable.

now many times we only draw closer to GOD when we're in trouble? we only pray when we have a need. but we need to just spend time with HIM, bible study, church, daily quiet time – make times for these things.

you say you're too busy? then maybe you're too busy. maybe you need to cut some things out of your schedule to make more time to spend time with the LORD. the more you spend time with the LORD, the more you're going to enjoy the rest of your time. it will be more productive, more beneficial. you'll get along better with others, have fewer arguments because you're spending time with GOD.

grow closer to GOD, and HE'll keep you in peace. get up 15 minutes earlier each morning. maybe start with the book of john. read and pray and notice the difference in your attitude and the relationships the rest of the day. i challenge you to do that.

the conflict in your life is in direct proportion to the time you're spending with GOD.

there is also a great promise here too. when you in really do draw close to GOD, HE will come near to you. HE doesn't back off, HE draws close to you. when you move toward HIM, HE moves toward you.

just some thoughts up here on bill's front porch...