The Lord is Near

The Lord has revealed some of Who He is through His many, wonderful names - each one an anchor for our souls. And this year I find myself clinging tightly to the name Emmanuel, which means, God with us.

Much of what I wrote this year (books, blogs, or music) celebrates the good news that we serve a God who is near. I cannot tell you how often I have ended a long day by tucking the kids in and saying, "Heavenly Father, thank you that You live here with us." It is God's presence alone that fills our house with the fragrance of grace and peace and love and hope and I don't know how we would make it through each day without His gentle guidance and empowering.

As we approach Christmas and the close of this calendar year, I want to share a gift the Lord surprised me with in recent weeks. A gift that has been hiding in plain sight my entire life - Philippians 4:5 - "The Lord is near."

And guess where that precious verse is found?!? Right before the famous "be anxious for nothing."

Philippians 4:5b-7

The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Do you see? Phil. 4:5 is the key! It is the reason we don't have to be afraid.

The Lord is near!

This is always the reason for our hope. Even the angels, in announcing the Savior's birth declared, "Fear not, for behold...."

Fear not....why?...because God has come near.

What good news of great joy!

Merry Christmas!

Love, Betsy, Ben, Reagan, Raleigh and Lucy