After the death, burial, and bodily resurrection of Yeshua, the disciples became disheartened, and turned back to their previous occupation fishing. While fishing Yeshua stood upon the sea shore, Peter realizing that it was the Lord, jumped into the sea and swam to shore. While eating, Yeshua asked Peter “do you love me more than these other things?” in John 21:15. Today, when we gather together as a body of believers, have you noticed that most of the activity of gathering is done so by focusing on “each other?” Having love for one another is very important (see John 13:34-35) however, is fellowship alone good enough? Gatherings, meetings, special speakers and special music are all good: but are those things enough? Did you know that in a praise and worship service it is possible to sing “about” Yeshua but not truly worship Yeshua? Similarly with preaching and teaching, it is possible to talk “about” Yeshua but yet not truly meet Yeshua in the spirit of the word. This is also possible in prayer while speaking with God “about” our “needs and desires” but not actually communing with God and with Yeshua.
When we come into a relationship with the Lord by faith, our lives begin to change, it is this change that draws a distinction between those who are only going through the motions and those who are spiritually growing closer to the Lord. Our faith in Yeshua (Jesus) is all about change; God has taken us out of this world, and created in us a new heart, restoring our spirit (this is how we are created new), one that is in fellowship with God. So, if we are born again in Yeshua (Jesus), and serving a Holy God; shouldnt we be fighting for truth and for Holiness in our daily lives? Shouldn’t we be trying to spend as much time with the Lord as possible on a daily basis in prayer? How about studying God’s Word? The next time you attend a service, sing praise to the Lord, or approach the Lord in prayer, evaluate your life, ask the question “have I grown closer to the Lord lately” or “have I reached a spiritual stagnant point in my life?” The spiritual stagnation could be the result of approaching God with a focus on ourselves in contrast to our drawing near to simply draw near and dwell in God’s presence. If you need a spiritual jumpstart today, you can begin by drawing near to the Lord for the sole purpose of drawing near to the Lord. By doing this it is possible to bring Glory to God in a new and intimate way.
