This word is submitted by Teresa Seputis [ts@godspeak.net]

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            Don't Be Afraid To Draw Near

Child of Mine, don't let distractions push you away from the place of
intimacy with Me. Your enemy the devil wants to distract you so that
you will not enter into the fullness of My presence. He wants to
point out your mistakes or past failures, as if they had power to 
separate you from Me. He wants you to think that I am so displeased 
with you that I don't want you to draw near to Me.

Child, those are lies and they should not have any power over you.
Do not believe them, for that empowers them against you, and allows
your enemy to separate you from Me.

The truth is that I love you dearly and I want you to walk close to 
My heart. I want to have prolonged times of intimacy with you, where
I can shower My love and My acceptance upon you. I want you to bask 
in it; I want you to come and wait before Me. 

Dear one, you don't have to be perfect to come into My presence, for 
I know that you have a fallen and carnal nature. That is why My Son 
came on your behalf. You can't clean yourself up to make yourself 
acceptable to Me--don't even try it. Instead, receive the grace that 
has been so freely given. Be washed in the blood of the Lamb and know 
that you My Son has made you fully and totally accepted. Draw near
to Me and be cleansed.

Yes, dear one, I know you are flawed, I know you have weaknesses and 
faults. Don't hide from Me because of them--instead bring them to
Me and allow My presence to wash them away from you. Don't you know
that you are changed and transformed as you come before Me, as you
bask in My nearness? My Holy Spirit is at work within you to make you
more like Me. If you cooperate with Him, He will even change the very
desires of your heart to be more like Mine. Yes, He is doing a good 
work in you because you are precious to Me. 

So draw near, dear one, and don't be afraid to enter into My presence.
Don't let the enemy keep you away from it any longer. Don't you know
that good things happen when you draw near to Me? I heal hurts of the 
past and I break the power of the lies that have kept you bound. I 
reveal more and more of Myself and My nature to you and I make you 
secure in My great love for you. I breathe My life into you and I fill 
you with joy. I strengthen your inner being and I empower you to walk
in holiness and purity. I restore your destiny and purpose; I make you 
truly alive and I give you abundant life.

I have many good things for you, so come into My presence and receive
them from My hand. Don't be afraid to draw near to Me, dear one, for
I am waiting eagerly to receive you.