Sisters 2025: Draw Near

Draw Near to God

Scripture References

Primary text

• Genesis 3
• James 4
• John 17

Other references

• Hebrews 13:3
• Hebrews 3:13
• Hebrews 12
• Hebrews 11
• Matthew 6:21
• Matthew 15
• Philippians 3
• Revelation 3
• John 3:16

Overview

Pastor Amy called the sisters’ gathering to one clear response: draw near to God. Using Adam and Eve’s fall in Genesis 3 and James 4’s command, she showed how easily our hearts drift through deception, distraction, and self-reliance. Eternal life is not an occasional encounter but an ongoing, intimate knowing of Jesus (John 17). Because God already moves toward us, we respond by throwing off everything that hinders, repenting of tolerated sin, and pursuing radical closeness every day.

Main Points

Knowing God > sporadic encounters

• Jesus defined eternal life as personally knowing the Father (John 17).
• Stories like the burning bush are amazing, yet a steady walk with God is even better.
• Amy compared 34 years of growing in marriage with 35 years of growing in Christ: the latter is far greater.

We are prone to drift

• Illustration: Adam and Eve exchanged God’s clear word for the serpent’s attractive lie (Genesis 3).
• Deception blinds us by mixing truth with desire; it always “looks good.”
• Three common drift-lanes:
  • Pleasures (good or sinful)
  • Problems and burdens
  • Productivity & self-reliance

Throw off what hinders and fix our eyes

• Hebrews 12: run with perseverance, “throw off everything that hinders,” and fix eyes on Jesus.
• Amy’s son-in-law tossed his phone to be fully present with his wife—picture of throwing off distraction.

“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”

A bride preparing for her Groom

• The Church is Christ’s bride; a bride does not approach her wedding day apathetically.
• On her own wedding day Amy was single-minded, undistracted, and expectant—our posture toward Jesus should match that intensity.

Repentance and humble nearness

• James 4 calls drifting believers “adulterous,” yet offers more grace.
• Humility = God-reliance, not self-reliance.
• Practical repentance: name the tolerated sin, mourn it, cleanse hands, purify hearts, and receive grace.

What drawing near can look like

• Daily gratitude, Bible intake, worship, stillness, and moment-by-moment dependence.
• Story: In quiet stillness Amy experienced an overwhelming awareness of God’s presence—nothing she could manufacture.
• Moses, after 40 days on Sinai, still cried, “Show me Your glory.”
• Paul (Philippians 3) counted “everything loss” compared to knowing Christ.

A call to wake up the lukewarm

• Revelation 3 warns against losing first love and settling for lukewarm faith.
• God’s question echoes through the room: “Where are you?”
• Every circumstance—high or low—is an invitation to draw near.

Key Truths

• Eternal life is intimate, experiential knowledge of God, not mere belief.
• Drifting begins when we trade God’s truth for an attractive lie.
• Anything we treasure more than Christ will eventually distance our heart from Him.
• God eagerly moves toward repentant, humble people with more grace.
• Radical devotion is the only fitting response to a Savior who gave everything for us.

Response

• Examine what you currently call “acceptable” that God calls sin; repent.
• Throw off specific distractions—devices, habits, relationships—that dull your hunger for God.
• Schedule unhurried, undistracted time with God every day this week.
• Join or re-engage in Christian community that encourages you daily (Hebrews 3:13).
• Replace self-reliance prayers with “Jesus, live through me today.”

Closing

Pastor Amy urged every woman to resist cultural Christianity and pursue wholehearted devotion. God is already asking, “Where are you?”—not to condemn but to invite. Whether you have known Him five minutes or fifty years, there is always more of Him to know. Run toward Him like a bride down the aisle, confident that He will meet you with grace and joy.

Prayer

Pastor Amy led the room in two prayers:

1. A corporate prayer of repentance—confessing drift, asking the Holy Spirit to expose lies, and receiving God’s grace to walk in truth.
2. A salvation prayer for those beginning with Jesus, surrendering their lives, trusting His death and resurrection, and asking the Holy Spirit to make them new.