‘Presence’ Withdrawn? [v257]

JULY 2020

Most of the time, the withdrawal of ‘something’ tends to be negative—it reduces something. However, when a ‘person’ withdraws their PRESENCE, it can be devastating—sometimes leading to total ruin.

In general, when a ‘withdrawal’ is made, something is removed, extracted, or taken away. We all have withdrawn money for a bank account, and after we do so, the balance is reduced.

On a more personal level, ‘withdrawing’ from another person, especially someone close like a family member or a spouse, can cause a great deal of pain in the short term and can be ‘devastating’ in the long term—especially if it is a ‘contentious’ divorce where children are involved. This can ‘destroy’ a person for a lifetime!

[ “Marriage Story” trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDFdroN7d0w ].

‘INTIMATE’ RELATIONSHIPS
According to the “psychology of attraction” people tend to become attracted to those who are similar to them. People do become attracted to those who have complementary personality traits, but some similarity is also needed in order for ‘real’ attraction to happen (‘likes’ do attract!). People like those who are similar to them because similarity creates ‘familiarity’ which makes the person feel ‘comfortable’.

Physical proximity makes people become familiar with each other and thus increase the chance of ‘deeper’ attraction.

Now, it’s “physical proximity” that ensures that continued exposure continues to happen until intensifying attraction. Then, in order for attraction to become ‘intimate’, physical proximity must be accompanied by a positive ‘stimuli’.

 

Intimacy is the closeness between people in personal relationships. It is what builds over time as you ‘connect’ with someone, grow to care about each other, and feel more and more ‘comfortable’ during your time together. It can include physical or emotional closeness, or even a mix of the two.

Now, intimacy isn’t synonymous with sex (It’s possible to have sex without intimacy, as well as intimacy without sex). For example, if you describe a party with friends as an “intimate gathering,” what are you trying to convey? You’re probably saying the party was a small group of ‘close friends’ as opposed to a huge crowd with many strangers. You might also be referring to the ‘quality’ of the time you spent together. Because of your ‘intimate’ connection with each other, you all feel comfortable opening up about personal details with each other.

 

All of our relationships with family, friends, and other trusted individuals all include ‘elements’ of intimacy.

Intimacy falls into several different categories: Emotional, intellectual, physical, experiential, and spiritual.

Emotional intimacy is what allows you to tell your loved ones personal things that you might not necessarily share with strangers. Think of it as letting your guard down—you can trust someone, you feel safe enough to let your walls down.

Intellectual intimacy involves getting to know how another person’s mind works and sharing the map to your mind too. It builds as you exchange ideas and have meaningful conversations.

Physical intimacy is about touch and closeness between bodies. In a romantic relationship, it might include holding hands, cuddling, kissing, and sex.

Experiential intimacy is developed by spending quality time with someone and growing closer over common interests and activities.

Spirituality means different things to different people, so spiritual intimacy can vary too. Generally speaking, spirituality is about belief in something beyond the physical realm of existence.

It seems that intimacy comes down to a few ‘key’ factors: Trust, acceptance, honesty, safety, compassion, affection, and communication.

Trust
In order to share personal parts of yourself—like your most embarrassing secrets or your deepest fears—you have to be able to trust that person. In addition to that, showing another person that you’re trustworthy can help them feel closer to you, too.

Acceptance
You know you have established some intimacy when you feel like a person accepts you for who you truly are.

Honesty
Honesty and intimacy ‘feed’ one other. You often can’t have one without the other. You feel comfortable telling your spouse exactly how you feel in part because you have become so close to each other. In the same vein, every time you open up, you can grow a little bit closer. You will then know your spouse is willing to listen the next time you want to share something personal.

Safety
Sharing your deepest, truest self with another person can put you in a pretty ‘vulnerable’ position. That is why you may tend to have your ‘guard’ up when you meet someone new. You don’t yet know if they will accept you as you are. So, intimacy means feeling safe enough to take the risk of putting yourself ‘out there’, knowing the other person cares enough not to criticize or let you down.

Compassion
Feeling cared for is a lovely feeling—like your best friend being there for you after a bad ‘breakup’. Forgiveness and understanding can only exist with compassion between people, and compassion is a natural ‘component’ of caring about one another’s well-being.

Affection
Caring about each other is one thing, but you also build intimacy by showing that you care. Affection can be physical—like a kiss between lovers or a hug between a parent and child—but it doesn’t have to be. Sometimes affection is in the unspoken ways you ‘show up’ for each other, like when your friend spends their day off helping you move simply because they care.

Communication
There is a reason why good communication is so often named as the ‘key’ to a healthy relationship. When you make an effort to listen to someone and tell them how you really feel, you build a ‘deeper’ understanding of each other. The more you understand each other, the closer you become.

 

Now, intimacy usually doesn’t happen quickly—it is more like a quality that you continue to ‘cultivate’ over time. The more time you spend sharing experiences and feelings, the more elements you have to work with to build intimacy.

Intimacy doesn’t come easy either. You might feel some apprehension, or even fear, about building intimacy, and that’s understandable, considering that intimacy requires you to be vulnerable and put faith in other people when there is a chance they will fail to support of help you as you had hoped or expected.

All that said, here are a few ‘practical’ ways to nurture intimacy in any relationship:
– Make it a point to show your appreciation
– Make an effort to learn about each other
– Set aside time for each other
– Unplug and focus on each other
– Show physical affection (even without sex)
– Tackle a project together
– Talk about what intimacy means to you
– Make the relationship a priority!

 

‘MARITAL’ INTIMACY
Marriage counselor and author Dr. Gary Chapman explains that intimacy between the husband and wife is one of the characteristics of a healthy marriage. He says that one of the problems is that both have different ideas as to what it means to have intimacy. For some husbands “intimacy” means “sex.” For most wives, intimacy is something far more emotional. In fact, without emotional closeness, sex would be meaningless. ‘Real’ intimacy involves sharing all of life. That is what marriage is all about.

 

Now, for a Christian, ‘real’ intimacy in a marriage adds another ‘component’: Jesus. So, a ‘spiritually intimate’ marriage between believers is where Jesus is not just valued, but where He is Lord and ‘Head’ of the union: “But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female. Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate” [ Mark 10:6-9 ]. A few characteristics of this kind of marriage are:

– Two people committed to growing in their relationship with God (both personally and as a couple)
– An openness of heart toward your spouse—feeling safe to open up and reveal who you really are while trusting that the other person will still love, value and unconditionally accept you
– Shared core spiritual values, purposes and goals
– A consistent prayer life (both for and with your spouse)—prayer facilitates intimacy and vulnerability between you and your spouse
– A shared commitment to studying and memorizing God’s Word and living it out daily
– A passionate, romantic sex life

 

Co-director of the Biola University Center for Marriage and Relationships, Alisa Grace has learned, over the past 25 years, some effective strategies that have helped her to connect more creatively, consistently and deeply in her husband and their relationship with Jesus.

The following are 12 practical, easy-to-apply strategies she and her husband compiled to deepen the spiritual intimacy of any Christian marriage. They have found that when spouses implement them they start seeing real change in how they connect with each other and with God:

1. Make a commitment to each other that you will seek to grow spiritually as a couple. Write it down and add the date. The act of actually putting it in writing makes your commitment more accountable, concrete, and absolute in your minds and hearts.

2. Begin praying for/with each other daily and for your marriage regularly. Share personal prayer requests and follow up with each other, asking about how the requests turned out.

3. Call, email or text an inspiring Bible verse, prayer, or affirming thought to each other daily. The timing of these can be vital. Does your spouse have an important meeting, doctor appointment, or is it a special occasion like your anniversary? And never underestimate how powerful these little affirmations can be on the regular, mundane days as well!

4. Begin reading a daily devotional or prayer book for couples and discuss it. You can do this either together or individually. Ideally, you would do this together. But if you aren’t able to, then do it individually and set regular times to discuss what you read and how the Lord is processing it with you.

5. Set spiritual goals as a couple. These can be daily, weekly, monthly, and/or annual goals. For example, your goals could focus on committing to pray more together, memorizing scripture, serving in a ministry together, evangelism, joint daily time with the Lord, etc.

6. Find an area of ministry in which you can participate together as a couple. Serving as a couple has benefits that go beyond bonding, contentment, and peace. There’s a sweet intimacy that comes with working together on a service project or giving together to those in need. Couples who embrace God’s call to serve others experience an added closeness, and there are special moments and memories that naturally come when you do things together (Susan Mathis, Serving Together as a Couple).

7. Join a couples Bible study. Regularly discuss what you are learning and how God is working in your life as a result.

8. Read a book or watch a movie together that is faith-based. Talk about what you liked (or disliked), the questions it raised for you, or things you plan to change as a result.

9. Attend faith-based events together. Afterwards, talk about what you learned or liked about it.

10. Share your deeply held hopes or dreams with each other; commit to praying for your spouse’s dreams and doing what you can to make them a reality if at all possible. Even if you can’t directly help them accomplish it, make sure they know you are behind them 100%. According to marriage expert John Gottman, “Understanding the basis of each other’s dreams, each other’s most deeply felt hopes and desires for the future, is one of the most rewarding (and bonding) experiences you can have in a relationship.”

11. Memorize Scripture together. Choose passages that are particularly relevant or meaningful to you, and share why.

12. Develop a regular, frequent, and passionate sex life. We recommend reading together through the book Sheet Music by Kevin Lehman. God gave us this drive to know Him and be known by Him, but He also gave us these sexual longings which mirror how we long to be truly united with our (spouses) and with God—to be truly and wonderfully KNOWN. (Sheila Gregoire, 29 Days to Great Sex Day 27: Experiencing Spiritual Intimacy While You Make Love).

 

Now, as you seek to grow more spiritually intimate—to thrive and not just survive in your marriage—be encouraged, you are NOT ALONE! Other couples share the same struggle. But God is faithful!

So, as spouses cooperate with each other—and the Holy Spirit—they can celebrate the new ‘roadways’ in the wilderness and the new ‘springs’ in the desert that a spiritually intimate relationship with each other with Jesus being the Person that ‘directs’ both of their interactions with each other.

 

Now, intimacy—that openness, transparency; spiritual, emotional, intellectual, physical closeness—DOES NOT occur naturally. Couples must spend time and energy to build intimacy in their marriage. It requires vigilance because there are many hindrances and barriers to intimacy. These barriers breakdown intimacy and can lead to the breakdown of the marriage relationship.

Barriers to intimacy are those things that block or prevent intimacy from occurring in marriage relationships and they sometimes make it difficult to understand or connect with our spouse. Some of the barriers to intimacy can be (not an exhaustive list): Addictions, busyness, children, criticism, disrespect, exhaustion, expectations, fatigue, financial problems, hurtful communications, illness, impatience, lack of acceptance, lack of communication, miscommunication, poor self-image, rejection, sarcasm, secrets, sin, stress, tension, unforgiveness, and wrong priorities.

There are many different things working against intimacy in marriage. Since the fall of mankind, intimacy is not a ‘natural’ part of marriage. Our tendency is toward separateness, not connectedness. Some of the barriers to intimacy are out of our control. We don’t decide to get sick, but illness is a barrier to intimacy. There may be great demands at work and children can consume a couple’s time with the many needs they have, but we still have a choice about whether or not these demands will build ‘walls’ between us as a couple.

However, many of the barriers to intimacy ARE under our control. In reality, we DO have a choice regarding our expectations, criticism, disrespecting our spouse or keeping secrets. Our defense mechanisms are often hurtful to our spouse and mankind’s bent is toward selfishness and self-centeredness. Walls will build up between husband and wife if we let them.

Even though barriers to intimacy build up naturally, couples CAN work together to break down the walls that develop between them. Even couples in good marriages will tend to drift apart from time to time. The ‘key’ is being purposeful about reconnecting on a regular basis and to continue to ‘grow’ in intimacy. Whether it is a little separation or huge walls between husband and wife, couples can and need to reconnect to bring intimacy back into their relationships.

 

‘INTIMACY’ WITH GOD
It seems to me that just like ‘physical’ and ‘emotional’ proximity plays an important role in promoting ‘intimacy’ in a human relationship (not necessarily sex), this would be similar for one’s ‘spiritual’ relationship with God.

Just like intimacy in a ‘human’ marriage, intimacy with God IS AVAILABLE to the believer, and just like marriage, it takes ‘concerted’ effort to develop it. The thing is, God ‘invites’ the believer to enjoy an intimate ‘fellowship’ with Him. However, it probably will put your faith to the ‘test’ more than anything else (James 1:2-4).

 

Now, author and co-founder of “Desiring God,” Jon Bloom says that, “Biblical knowledge is far better than gold when it fuels our trust in God. Otherwise, it only fuels our pride.” Trust is at the ‘heart’ of intimacy.

The more we trust someone, the closer we let them get to us. The degree to which trust is compromised in a relationship is the degree to which intimacy evaporates.

This is as true in our relationship with God as it is in our relationships with other human beings. Our experience of God’s nearness or distance is not a description of His actual ‘proximity’ to us, but of our experience of intimacy with Him. Scripture shows us that God is intimate with those who ‘trust’ Him. The more we trust God, the more intimately we come to know Him. A ‘felt’ distance from God is often due to a disruption in trust, such as a sin or a substantial life ’situation’.

This reality is vitally important to understand. As Christians, we want to experience intimacy with God. With the psalmist we say, “For me it is good to be near God” [ Psalm 73:28a ]. Believers should want to heed James’s exhortation: “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you” [ James 4:8 ].

 

One common mistake is thinking that nearness to God can be achieved through knowledge accumulation. Now, of course, to intimately know God, we must know crucial things about God. Jesus said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” [ John 8:32 ], and He pointed out that many worship what they do not know (John 4:22).

The thing is, knowledge IS NOT ‘synonymous’ with trust. That’s why Jesus said to the religious leaders of his day, some who possessed an encyclopedic knowledge of Scripture: “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about Me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.” [ John 5:39-40 ].

So yes, biblical knowledge is far better than gold when it fuels our trust in God, because it fuels our intimacy with God (Psalm 19:10). BUT, when biblical knowledge replaces our trust in God, it only fuels our pride (1 Corinthians 8:1).

 

The ‘secret’ to drawing near to God and having Him draw near to the believer is revealed clearly in the Bible: We draw near to God through faith in Jesus, Who ALONE gives us ‘access’ to God the Father (Hebrews 4:14–16; 7:25; Philippians 3:9). The believer also puts their trust in all of God’s “precious and very great promises” which find their fulfillment to them ‘in’ Jesus (2 Peter 1:4; 2 Corinthians 1:20).

When God sees someone whose heart fully trusts his promises and lives by them, God comes to strongly support that saint (2 Chronicles 16:9) and ‘manifests’ himself to him: “Whoever has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him” [ John 14:21 ].

God wants intimacy with the believer, and Jesus has done all the hard ‘work’ in the Cross to make it possible. All he requires is that you believe in him (John 14:1). He wants you to TRUST HIM with all your ‘heart’ (Proverbs 3:5).

 

The thing is, it is likely that your ‘flesh’ will want to decline God’s invitation to you to draw near to Him—because deep down, we all ‘hate’ God (Psalm 10:13-15; John 15:18). HOWEVER, the “great cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1) all agree that the greatest testing of a believer’s faith is the path to the greatest joy (James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 1:8-9; Philippians 3:8; Romans 8:18).

Intimacy with God often occurs in the ‘places’ where we must trust Him most. “Heaven on earth” is the inexpressible joy and the peace that surpasses all understanding, and it comes from TRUSTING GOD WHOLLY (Philippians 4:6-7). It is like Frances R. Havergal wrote in his old hymn, “They who trust him wholly find him wholly true.”

 

So, let me try to help by first ‘informing’ you with some KNOWLEDGE, then give you some suggestions of HOW to draw closer to God. Pastor and author Charles Stanley said it better than I can: “Our intimacy with God—His highest priority in our lives—determines the impact of our lives.”

 

GOD’S ‘OMNIPRESENCE’
The first thing to know about the God of the Bible associated with His ‘presence’ is that He is “everywhere,” or omnipresent. So, what does that really mean? Is God everything and everything God? Is the dirt, plants, trees, animals, and us humans all ‘part’ of God?

Well, that’s NOT what the Bible teaches, that’s pantheism. Pantheism is the view that everything is part of an all-encompassing, immanent god. Pantheism is the view that the universe (in the sense of the totality of all existence) and god are identical (implying a denial of the ‘personality’ and ‘transcendence’ of the biblical God). Ideas resembling pantheism are, in some ‘form’, a belief of Sikhism, Hinduism, Confucianism, and Taoism.

However, the Bible teaches that God is “transcendent”—He is an ‘entity’ that is above and beyond the universe. So, although God may be fully present in the universe, He is also outside of it. Simply put, He transcends the totality of objects in the world. According to Christian theology, the transcendent God, who cannot be approached or seen in essence or being, becomes immanent primarily in the ‘God-man’ Jesus Christ, who is the incarnate Second ‘Person’ of the Trinity.

Secondly, the Bible teaches that God has “personhood”—Who has beliefs, desires, intentions, and ‘agency’. He has a will and can ‘act’ in and upon the universe.

 

God’s omnipresence then raises a question about what it meant by the “presence” of God. How can one talk about being in the presence of God at a ‘certain’ time when we all are in God’s presence ‘all’ the time?

Well, God’s omnipresence is affirmed in Psalm 139: “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me” [ Psalm 139: 7-10 ].

So, given that God is omnipresent, and that He is present in believers by His ‘Spirit’, can there be specific experiences of God’s ‘presence’? If so, how can we be careful to guard against ‘minimizing’ God’s presence with us all the time?

 

Theologian A. W. Tozer uses the book of Acts to define God’s omnipresence: “[ The Scriptures ] teach that God is at once far off and near, and that in Him men move and live and have their being” (Acts 17:28). He goes on to say that the NEARNESS of God should be one of the Christian’s HIGHEST ASPIRATIONS!

It would seem that before the “Fall,” Adam and Eve enjoyed an intimate ‘fellowship’ and ‘communion’ with God. We can infer that God daily “walked” in the garden in the cool of the day, and that Adam and Eve enjoyed this time with Him (Genesis 3:8). But when they chose to trust the Devil and to disobey God, they ‘broke’ that fellowship with what is called a “SIN.” Their sin caused them to withdraw from God out of fear. They then ‘hid’ themselves from Him. Sin results in ‘separation’ from God.

[ Note: The rest of the Bible is about the plan and purpose of God to deal with mankind’s sin so they can once again enjoy fellowship with God in His presence (Isaiah 59:1-2), and how sinful mankind can once again ‘draw near’ to a holy God (Exodus 33:15-16) ].

 

So, God is ‘present’ in different ways and in different places, and God acts differently in different places in His creation. God’s presence sometimes ‘punishes’, sometimes ‘sustains’, and sometimes ‘blesses’.

A terrifying passage in the book of Amos vividly portrays how the presence of God punishes: “Not one of them shall flee away; not one of them shall escape. If they dig into Sheol, from there shall my hand take them; if they climb up to heaven, from there I will bring them down. If they hide themselves on the top of Carmel, from there I will search them out and take them; and if they hide from my sight at the bottom of the sea, there I will command the serpent, and it shall bite them. And if they go into captivity before their enemies, there I will command the sword, and it shall kill them; and I will fix my eyes upon them for evil and not for good” [ Amos 9:1-4 ].

However, at other times, God is merely present to sustain (or to keep the universe existing and functioning in the way he intended it to function). In this sense, the divine nature of Jesus is everywhere present: “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together” [ Colossians 1:17 ], and Jesus is continually “upholding the universe by His word of power” [ Hebrews 1:3b ].

Yet, at other times or in other places, God is present to ‘bless’. King David says that, “in Your presence there is fulness of joy, in Your right hand are pleasures for evermore” [ Psalm 16:11 ]. In fact, MOST OF THE TIME that the Bible talks about God’s presence, it is referring to God’s presence TO BLESS.

In the Old Testament, God especially made His presence known and especially manifested His character through the ‘physical’ Ark of the Covenant in the Temple. In the New Covenant, however, there is no one place on earth that God has chosen as His particular dwelling place (For all eternity God has chosen the place the Bible calls “Heaven” to be the focus of the manifestation of His character and the presence of His blessing and glory). [ So when the New Jerusalem comes down out of Heaven from God, John, in his vision, hears a loud voice from God’s throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling of God is with men. He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be with them” (Revelation 21:3) ].

The Apostle Paul notes how the believer is, “In Him the whole fulness of deity dwells bodily” [ Colossians. 2:9 ]. The Bible never speaks about God’s presence in unbelievers in a direct way (probably to avoid any connection between God and the responsibility or blame for evil deeds). ‘In’ Christ, God’s own nature is present to bless and to manifest His character in the fullest and most complete way possible ‘in’ the believer. “If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him” [John 14:23 ]. This verse talks about God’s presence and assumes that we understand that it means God’s “presence to bless.”

 

In a parallel kind of expression, when the Bible talks about God being “far away” it usually means He is “not present to bless.” For example, “Your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God” [ Isaiah 59:2 ] and declares, “The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous” [ Proverbs 15:29 ].

So, in other senses, God chooses either to manifest or withdraw His presence in certain times and places. God sometimes ‘pours out’ His Spirit and His presence (Exodus 33:15; 2 Chronicles 5:13-14; Acts 2:17-18), He sometimes ‘withdraws’ His presence (for example, Isaiah 59:1-2; James 4:1-10), and He sometimes manifests’ His presence to us in order to bless us with all that He is (Luke 11:13; Psalm 16:11; John 14:16-23).

 

Therefore, God is present in every part of space with His whole being, yet God acts differently in different places. A ‘MYSTERY’!

In “The Doctrine of God,” Herman Bavinck illustrates the practical application of the doctrine of God’s omnipresence:

“When you wish to do something evil, you retire from the public into your house where no enemy may see you; from those places of your house which are open and visible to the eyes of men you remove yourself into your room; even in your room you fear some witness from another quarter; you retire into your heart, there you meditate: he is more inward than your heart. Wherever, therefore, you shall have fled, there he is. From yourself, whither will you flee? Will you not follow yourself wherever you shall flee? But since there is One more inward even than yourself, there is no place where you may flee from God angry but to God reconciled. There is no place at all whither you may flee. Will you flee from him? Flee unto him.”

 

Finally, the omnipresence of God should inspire us to “practice the presence of God.” I must admit I have heard this expression often, but I have never truly grasped what it meant “to practice the presence of God.” Paul’s teaching on this matter, practicing the presence of God is living each day as though God were present (which He is!), so it should behoove us to remember that our conduct, our witnessing, our service, is always conducted ‘before’ God, Who is ever ‘present’ (see Jeremiah 17:16; John 1:48; 2 Corinthians 2;17; 4:2; 7:12; 8:21; 12:19).

 

The thing is, Scripture IS CLEAR that God is omnipresent and His presence can be ‘tangible’ to us. In the Old Testament, King David describes God’s presence this way: “In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” [ Psalm 16:11 ]. In the New Testament, James describes God’s presence this way: “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you” [ James 4:8 ].

 

GOD’S ‘MANIFEST’ PRESENCE
God is always ‘with’ the believer. But there are certain moments where they are particularly ‘aware’ of that presence and are ‘moved’ by it. This is known as the “manifestation” of God’s presence.

The story of the Garden of Eden is important because there you have a ‘picture’ of what God intended in creation: God coming down being ‘face-to-face’ with His creation, and talking and walking with them. This is what God INTENDED for creation.

BUT, of course, God’s presence with His creation was ‘DISRUPTED’ because of SIN, and that ‘fellowship’ was broken. God is totally and completely ‘separate’ from sin and, in fact, He will not dwell in the midst of sin because He is such a holy God. (That is what the book of Leviticus is all about). It is our sin that ‘separates’ us from God.

So, there is a ‘tension’ that exists: A holy God who wants to be present with His creation, and a sinful creation that desperately needs the presence of its Creator. Scripture then becomes a record of a holy God dealing with human sin in order to restore His full presence with creation—the work of redemption—so that He can once again, be FULLY PRESENT with His creation: “I will be their God and they will be My people.”

God is committed to ‘doing’ certain things and ‘being’ certain things for the believer. If we are going to be the people of God, live in His presence, enjoy the blessings of the Covenant, and be part of the covenantal community, then, “If you will indeed obey My voice, if you will indeed keep My Covenant, then you shall be My treasured possession among all peoples” [ Exodus 19:5 ].

 

On one occasion, Moses asked God if he could see His glory. God responded by offering that Moses may see His ‘back’, but could not see His ‘face’:

“Moses said, ‘Please show me your glory.’ And he said, ‘I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But,’ he said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.’ And the Lord said, ‘Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen’” [ Exodus 33:18-23 ].

So Moses goes up the mountain and “The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” [ Exodus 34:6 ]. God revealed Himself to Moses so that he could know more of Him and obey His ways more fully: “By keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity an transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation.” How else could you respond to that epiphany, that vision of God, other than how Moses does, “And Moses quickly bowed his head toward the earth and worshiped. And he said, “If now I have found favor in your sight, O Lord, please let the Lord go in the midst of us, for it is a stiff-necked people, and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for your inheritance” [ Exodus 34:8-9 ].

 

In the Old Testament, God ordained that His “presence” be directly associated with the Tabernacle in the wilderness or the Temple in Jerusalem so that people could speak of entering into God’s presence in the sense that they came near to the ‘physical’ place where He had appointed His name to dwell or to be identified with.

In the New Testament with the coming of Jesus into the world, we now have God in human flesh, which does have a ‘spatial’ dimension. People back then could go right up to Jesus and touch Him, or they could walk away from Him (like Judas did). Jesus could be ‘physically’ touched then.

Jesus now exists in ‘dimensions’ that we don’t fully comprehend in a human ‘body’ that is different from ours—as a “spirit”—that the believer will one day also have that kind of ‘body’ in Heaven!

 

So now, the ‘ordinary’ way of speaking about the presence or nearness of God in the Bible is not connected with ‘spatial’ orientation. His presence as we experience Him today is the ‘heightening’ of His reality in our lives either for good, if we are in His grace, or for ill, if we are under His wrath. (Which is why Jesus makes all the difference, since He ‘shields’ us ‘from’ God and makes God a welcoming reality or presence for us).

 

The experience of the manifest presence of God is a great privilege, and one that has been sought after by the great ‘saints’ of the past, such as Moses and David. In fact, God Himself actually encouraged David to seek His manifest presence (His ‘face’): “You have said, ‘Seek my face.’ My heart says to you, ‘Your face, Lord, do I seek’” [ Psalm 27:8 ].

One of the best-known prayers of the Old Testament is Aaron’s High Priestly Blessing, where he prays, “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace” [ Numbers 6:24-26 ]. Since the Hebrew word for face and presence are synonymous (“panim”), this could equally be translated as God making His presence shine upon us, or even God giving us the experience of His manifest presence.

 

Now, in the New Testament, when Jesus died on the Cross, the veil in the Temple was actually torn, and the experience of God’s face shining on us is now available to all believers! “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in out hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” [ 2 Corinthians 4:6 ].

 

GOD’S ‘INDWELLING’ PRESENCE
Access to God was always a ‘problem’ for the Jewish people. As I said, God told Moses that, “You cannot see My face, for man shall not see Me and live” [ Exodus 33:20 ]. So, back in the Old Testament times, once each year, on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), the Jewish high priest entered into the “Holy of Holies,” where God’s ‘presence’ dwelt (in a unique sense), to approach Him on behalf of the people, and offer sacrifices for everyone’s sins.

God’s “Covenant” with Israel was the basis for their ‘communion’ with Him. The sacrificial system that accompanied the Old Covenant gave the people an ‘outward’ act to represent their inner repentance. They needed a perfect priest and sacrifice to provide access to God permanently. That’s exactly what Jesus was and did!

Jesus offered His body as a once-for-all ‘sacrifice’ for mankind’s sins, then ‘sat down’ at the right hand of God the Father (Hebrews 10:10, 12). That was a ‘revolutionary’ concept to Jewish thinking. None of their priests on duty in the Temple would ever sit down, because his work was never done. BUT, Jesus introduced a new and wonderful ‘element’ into the sacrificial system—one sacrifice, offered once, sufficient for all believers for all time! His ‘work’ IS DONE, and that was the ‘basis’ of the “New Covenant” of God with His people.

Jesus’ “priesthood” in now permanent and perpetual: “Because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them” [ Hebrews 7:24-25 ].

It wasn’t easy for the Jewish people to accept the need for a new ‘Covenant’, and most rejected Jesus outright. Similarly, many people today reject Jesus’ ‘priesthood’, supposing they can gain access to God the Father on their own ‘terms’. But, they are TRAGICALLY MISTAKEN! Jesus was clear about this: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” [ John 14:6 ].

[ FYI: If you want more details about Jesus being the “only way” to God/Heaven, read this previous “Life’s Deep Thoughts” post: https://markbesh.wordpress.com/the-only-way-v253/ ].

 

Today, believers enjoy unlimited ‘access’ to God the Father ‘through’ Jesus: “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water” [ Hebrews 10:19-22 ].

So, as a member of God’s ‘priesthood’, the believer can ‘approach’ God with confidence, knowing He loves and welcomes the believer into His presence as much as He welcomes His own Son! Woo-hoo!!!

 

THE “SANCTUM SANCTORUM” OF GOD’S PRESENCE
The veil in the Temple was there to shut out the unqualified from God’s holy ‘face’. As I mentioned, when Jesus died, the veil of the temple was torn from top to the bottom—not from the bottom to the top—symbolizing Who was making the first ‘move’. The tearing of the veil opened the ‘way’ for the believer to enter God’s presence!

King David said, “One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life” [ Psalm 27:4 ].

A hymn in the songbook of the Salvation Army says it well:

“Show me thy face, one transient gleam
Of loveliness divine,
And I shall never think or dream
Of other love save thine;
All lesser light will darken quite,
All lower glories wane,
The beautiful of earth will scarce
Seem beautiful again.

“Show me thy face, I shall forget
The weary days of yore,
The fretting ghosts of vain regret
Shall haunt my soul no more.
All doubts and fears for future years
In quiet trust subside,
And naught but blest content and calm
Within my breast abide.

“Show me thy face, the heaviest cross
Will then seem light to bear,
There will be gain in every loss,
And peace with every care.
With such light feet the years will fleet,
Life seem as brief as blest,
Till I have laid my burden down,
And entered into rest.”
[ Unknown author ]

 

The thing is, there are actually two ‘veils’ to deal with. The one that God took away when Jesus died on the Cross—and now says to the believer, “Come, enter boldly now,” and the other ‘veil’ is one that God did not ‘make’. It is the closely woven veil of the human’s “CARNAL SELF.” It hides the face of God from the worshiping heart.

This is the ‘veil’ of self-love, self-pity, self-trust, self-admiration, self-content, and other ‘SELF’ SINS—and it demands a life of holiness in order to enter beyond the veil of self.

The thing is, to be in God’s presence, one has to be on their ‘best behavior’—all ‘dressed up’ and alert all the time. Sadly, some Christians want to ‘relax’ and be ‘comfortable’, so they are willing to wait until Heaven to have the experience of always being in the presence of God. It’s mandatory for the believer to tear down that second veil and expose their soul to the presence of God.

The 18th-century archbishop, François Fénélon offered this about the other veil: “Cut and tear and burn and destroy and spare nothing of the old flesh, of the old veil.” God is taking away the veil He had up to keep you out, now, it’s up to you to take the veil that you are keeping Him away with down. As Fénélon suggested, the believer MUST DO ANYTHING to remove their ‘veil’ from restricting them from God’s presence!

 

Unfortunately, many Christians ‘settle’ for less than God’s conscious, manifest presence in their daily walk. So, why do so many Christians shy away from the holy presence of God? Well, God’s ‘face’ burns away all the ‘dross’ of a person like refining gold. Sometimes it ‘hurts’ to be in God’s presence, but it’s just preparation for their Heavenly home!

 

The very nature of God’s presence transcends human nature, and is therefore beyond the grasp of mere human thought. God transcends life, time, space, matter, motion, and law. The ‘mystical’ element of all this is that the human ‘heart’ is the only thing that can know God the Father, and it’s ONLY ‘through’ a relationship with Jesus that one can have it. In a manner of speaking, Jesus is our ‘go-between’ to God.

 

God is constantly ‘inviting’ the believer into His presence, and the nearness to Him is not one of ‘distance’, but it has to do with a rich person-to-person and soul-to-soul relationship. It has to do with trust, love, and intimacy of heart.

So, GO DO EVERYTHING you can to experience that relationship!

 

GOD ‘IS’ NEAR!
Have you ever had that experience when you can’t see something and it’s right in front of you? Now, when someone ‘points it out’ to you, you might feel a bit foolish for not seeing it, but in the overall scheme of things, it’s really not a big deal. However, it does matter—and it is a ‘big deal’—when it concerns the ‘big things’ of life… like God’s ‘presence’ in a believer’s life.

More spiritual ‘attuned’ believers might tell someone that, “God is right there beside you,” but you may respond that you are not ‘sensing’ Him. So, when you can’t ’sense’ God’s presence what should you do? That can be a ‘dark’ place to be, but it is similar to how some of Jesus’ followers they were thinking on Sunday after His crucifixion.

 

The last time they saw Jesus, He was dead. They had made it through the last couple days, but were sad and depressed. BUT NOW, they’ve heard word from several women who followed Jesus, that His body wasn’t in the tomb and that angels had appeared to them telling them Jesus is alive! They don’t believe it and just feel more confusion and in a ‘dark’ place. They had come to Jerusalem for the Passover feast, and now it is time for them to go home.: “Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him” [ Luke 24:13-16 ].

So, these two friends are walking home from Jerusalem to the village of Emmaus—about seven miles from Jerusalem. As they are talking about the Crucifixion and empty tomb, Jesus comes up to them and begins to walk alongside them in the most unassuming way (they don’t recognize Him yet).

The Greek literally means that, “their eyes were kept from recognizing Him.” Why would God do that? Well, probably because He wants them—and us—to ‘see’ Jesus in a ‘different’ way now.

So Jesus asks them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” [ Luke 24:17 ]. They stood still, their faces downcast. “One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, ‘Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?’” [ Luke 24:18 ]. “What things?” Jesus asked.

“‘About Jesus of Nazareth,’ they replied. ‘He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed Him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified Him; but we had hoped that He was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place’” [ Luke 24:19-21 ].

They are now calling Jesus a “prophet”—no longer referring to Him as the “Messiah” or “the Christ”—because they have lost their faith. It’s too ‘dark’ for them right now. They are really disappointed that He wasn’t the chosen ‘Messiah’ they were hoping for. The One that was supposed to liberate His people. But that didn’t happen.

Now, when things get ‘dark’ in our life—when we lose our job, a loved one dies, or a tragedy happens, and our hearts don’t ‘sense’ Jesus—it’s easy to say, “Maybe He’s not God. Maybe Jesus is not as powerful as I thought He was.” The thing is, the two disciples on the road to Emmaus WERE WRONG, and so are we if we think that way!

 

When we are struggling, fatigued, or frustrated, and can’t ‘sense’ Jesus, and can only think of everything wrong with our lives, just pause and check your memories and ask, “Am I being selective in what I am remembering? How has Jesus done ‘good’ things for me and shown Himself to me in the past? If He has been good for years and years why would I assume He would stop now?”

Back to the story. Jesus answers them, and He actually starts to open their eyes to him ‘spiritually’, but not yet in the visible way they would prefer (or how you may prefer!). Instead, He ‘points’ to Himself in the Old Testament: “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter His glory?” [ Luke 22:25-26 ].

Jesus essentially ‘scolds’ them for not having hope and having not realized what has REALLY happened. They thought the Messiah was going to be a political liberator, but Jesus shows them, from the Scriptures, this wasn’t what the Messiah was ‘supposed’ to do.

Now, this is a confusing concept to them because it isn’t ‘clearly’ said that the Messiah was going to suffer, but it was STRONGLY ‘IMPLIED’ throughout the Old Testament Scriptures (Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53) that He would.

 

Jesus then comes at it with a ‘bird’s eye’ view of the Old Testament to tell them that it is ALL ‘pointing’ at Him—not every word, but every ‘major’ concept. (Many passages even ‘prefigure’ Christ—tell us about him without telling us exactly). In presenting Moses and the prophets, here a few things that Jesus may have referred to:

– The opening chapters of Genesis talk about the descendent of Eve who is going to crush the serpent
– Noah’s ark shows us what God’s judgment is like against sin and we need rescue only he can provide
– Abraham shows us the type of faith we need to have in God and his promises
– Abraham’s son Isaac carries firewood (a tree) up a mountain so he can be a sacrifice just like Jesus carries the Cross
– Joseph was betrayed by his brothers and Jesus was betrayed by his disciples
– Moses was almost killed by an evil king at his birth and so was Jesus
– The whole sacrificial system of sheep and cows points to the need for a lasting sacrifice
– Samson gave his life to rescue his people and so did Jesus
– King David, a good but imperfect king, prefigures Jesus, the perfect king

Essentially, Jesus was saying to these disciples—and us—that He IS the FULFILLMENT of it all!

 

So, as the two disciples listen to Jesus talking they begin to realize they’ve missed something. Jesus had come to ‘liberate’ His people, not as a mighty warrior, but as a SACRIFICIAL ‘LAMB’.

HOWEVER, they still don’t recognize the One standing in front of them is Jesus. “As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged Him strongly, ‘Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.’ So He went in to stay with them” [ Luke 24:28-29 ].

 

So, why do you suppose these two men were “kept from recognizing” Jesus for hours on end? Well, I think the clue is when Jesus called them “foolish” and “slow of heart to believe” the Scriptures (verse 25). Their OUTWARD INABILITY to recognize Jesus mirrored their INWARD UNBELIEF of what the Scriptures revealed about Him.

Now, Jesus fully intended to help them ‘see’, but notice the priority of Jesus’ revelation: before He opened their ‘physical’ eyes, He purposed to open their ‘heart-eyes’ (as He will do with us, too).

Again, why? Well, I’m thinking it’s because it was of utmost importance that they “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).

 

There will be times when we are tempted to doubt the Word, ‘lose’ faith, and as a result, lose ‘sight’ of Jesus. However, not being able to ‘see’ Jesus physically doesn’t necessarily mean that He isn’t there ‘walking’ beside us!

When we don’t recognize Him, that is NOT the time to neglect His Word (the Bible). Rather, those ARE the times to spend MORE TIME looking intensely into the Scriptures! That is where you will begin to recover your ‘sight’ and perhaps the ‘feeling’ of His presence.

 

Continuing with the story, Jesus pretends like He is going to keep going but, like good hosts, they invite Jesus in to stay with them for the night. As they are eating dinner, Jesus breaks the bread—much like he did at the feeding of the 5,000 and the Last Supper (Luke 9:16; 22:19). THEN, finally, He stops ‘restraining’ their eyes and they recognize Him for who He is—just as He hands them the bread. Then HE’S GONE! They immediately marvel at what Jesus was saying about the Scriptures: “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” [ Luke 24:32 ].

The disciples had been staring into the face of the risen Jesus, yet they were prevented from seeing Him until they ‘buried’ their faulty expectations. Then, a careful review of the Scriptures gave them a divine perspective on what they once saw as dismal circumstances. Once their eyes were opened to the reality and implications of the resurrection, Jesus became visible to their physical eyes. The Greek phrase, “ophthalmos dianoigo epiginosko,” roughly translates to “eyes were opened and they recognized Him,” but literally means “their eyes were completely opened” and “they came to fully comprehend Him.” This action was more than a mere recognition of His ‘FEATURES’. They came to recognize Jesus in all His significance as the Messiah, the Son of God, and their risen Lord!

 

Now, just like the disciples did after Jesus disappeared, the more we understand God’s Word, the more our hearts will ‘burn’ for Him: “They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, ‘It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.’ Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when He broke the bread” [ Luke 24:33-35 ].

Once they understood how all of the Scriptures pointed to the Messiah needing to suffer, die, and rise again, it changed everything. They REALLY believed!

So, the Bible is all about Jesus: His suffering, His death, and His life-giving Resurrection. Anyone who repents of their sins and puts their faith and trust in Him will one day rise again, too. When the believer is frustrated and discouraged and can’t ‘sense’ God’s presence, that’s exactly what they need to focus on—how Jesus died as the ‘propitiation’ for our sins, and rose from the dead such that the believer will have ‘life’ and will one day be in Heaven with Him!

 

THREE ‘OPENINGS’
When Jesus began to open the Scriptures to Cleopas and his wife Mary(?), He initiated the first of three ‘openings’: He opened the Scriptures; He opened their eyes; and He opened their understanding.

This is as true today as it was then. If you will open the Scriptures, God will open your ‘eyes’ by means of His Holy Spirit so you will ’see’ Jesus, and these three results should also occur for you when your Bible, eyes, and minds are ‘opened’.

As Jesus opened the minds of these disciples to ‘really’ understand the Scriptures, they doubtless entered into a phase of their life in which they understood both the Scriptures and the Lord Himself differently. Before, much of the Word of God was a mystery.

After this, they would see the seed of the woman who would bruise the serpent’s head (Genesis 3:15) as Jesus, recognizing He was the fulfillment of this ‘prophecy’. They then would also see Jesus ‘prefigured’ in the life of Joseph. In Exodus, He would be perceived as the Passover lamb. In Numbers, He is the rock in the wilderness from Whom we all receive the water of life freely. He is also the ‘cloud’ Who guides His people and covers them with His protection. In Joshua, He is the captain of the Lord’s hosts. In Psalms and in the prophets we are told of His suffering, death, and Resurrection. In some others (Ezekiel, Daniel), we learn of His Second Coming in great power and glory, and Malachi portrays Him as the Son of Righteousness risen with healing in His wings.

When the Bible is opened and we see the Lord Jesus Christ as He is interpreted to us by the divine operation of the Holy Spirit, we will NEVER BE THE SAME again! It will all make sense, and be the place where we ‘MEET’ with Jesus.

 

So what’s the application here? When you can’t ‘see’ or ‘sense’ Jesus, look to the Scriptures. When you can’t see what Jesus is doing in your life or can’t hear Him ‘speaking’ to you, look to the Scriptures. Go to your Bible—that’s where you will ‘sense’ Him!

I have never heard Jesus speak ‘audibly’ to me, but I get strong ‘impressions’ during prayer that ‘seems’ to be from Him and the Holy Spirit, but that can be ‘dangerous’ (it could be last night’s pizza ‘talking’). HOWEVER, FOR SURE, they DO ‘talk’ to me through the Bible. So, if you want to hear God’s voice, read His Word. Read the Scriptures. Be like the two disciples on their way to Emmaus, AFTER Jesus opened their spiritual ‘eyes’.

 

Now, I do believe that as we read and meditate on the Bible the Holy Spirit takes what we are reading and helps apply it to our hearts and lives. So, as you are reading the Scripture and are ‘sensing’ how you should apply it to your life, that’s perhaps the Holy Spirit ‘speaking’ to you.

 

Like the two despondent disciples on the road to Emmaus, we cannot help but identify with their pain. We, too, are ‘pilgrims’ on a journey through life. We, too, despair of life’s circumstances from time to time. We, too, lose ‘heart’ when our expectations come to a tragic end. BUT remember, every trial is an opportunity to discover what God wants you to ‘see’. We must allow God to open our ‘eyes’. While this is something He must do on our behalf, we can nonetheless make the process less difficult in four specific ways: Invite God in; Surrender your expectations; Seek God’s perspective,; and Trust God’s timing.

Invite God in: Have you invited the Lord into your life? Cleopas and his companion listened intently to the Voice of truth and invited Him into their home. If you haven’t begun a relationship with God, you will continue to struggle in vain.

Surrender your expectations: Therefore, I must accept that the outcome I desire is not what You desire. Lord, I release my expectation, and I humbly ask You to accomplish Your will in whatever manner You see fit and in whatever time You consider appropriate.

Seek God’s perspective: To help the two disciples see their circumstances from God’s perspective, Jesus explained the Scriptures. And we have the same opportunity to share God’s vantage point by reading our only completely reliable source of truth, the sixty-six books of the Bible. Seek God’s perspective. To help the two disciples see their circumstances from God’s perspective, Jesus explained the Scriptures. We have the same opportunity to share God’s vantage point by reading our only completely reliable source of truth, the 66 books of the Bible.

Trust God’s timing: God, in His perfect discernment, did not allow the two disciples to recognize Jesus until the time was right. He didn’t allow them to suffer in grief a moment longer than was absolutely necessary, yet He didn’t end their discomfort too soon. Spiritual maturity rarely occurs instantaneously. Growth usually requires a journey, and journeys take time. Submit to God’s will and trust His timing. He is faithful!

Now, I’ve got to believe that many believers have had an ‘Emmaus Road’ experience, and we wonder ‘where’ God is, when, all along, He has been ‘walking’ BESIDE US all the time!

Like the two on the road to Emmaus, you do not travel alone. God is with you. Are you willing to open your ‘mind’ to ‘see’ Him?

 

GOD ‘SPEAKS’ ALL THE TIME!
There’s a sense in which God is never ‘silent’. Primarily, He has already ‘spoken’ in His Word (the Bible). What believers call God’s ‘silence’ may actually be their inability, or in some cases (certainly not all) their unwillingness, to ‘hear’ Him. Fortunately, that ‘hearing loss’ for God’s children need not be permanent—and given the promise of their resurrection, it certainly won’t be permanent, since we will ‘hear’ perfectly in Heaven!

God speaks not only through His Word, but also through His world. When my heart is ‘heavy’, I usually just go out to one of Michigan’s beautiful places around me, which is sometimes, for me, better than listening to a great sermon or even reading a good book on theology!

Still, when we can’t ‘hear’ God, we MUST keep ‘showing up’ and opening His Word, day after day, to look at what He has already ‘said’—and done—and contemplate until we realize this is NOT silence, but is God ‘SPEAKING’ to us! Naturally, there remains a ‘subjective’ sense in which we long to hear God in a more personal way, like God spoke to Elijah in “a low whisper” (1 Kings 19:12).

The problem with ‘low whispers’ is they’re not easy to hear—especially when all around us the ‘wind’ is howling! Why does God sometimes speak so quietly that it’s hard to hear Him? The answer may be to bring us to the ‘end’ of ourselves. To prompt us to BE STILL and SEEK Him. To build up our faith so that we can more clearly ‘hear’ Him, or that He actually heals our hearing ‘problem’.

 

I FEEL ‘ABANDONED’ BY GOD
The Protestant Reformer Martin Luther’s wife, Katherine, saw him discouraged and unresponsive for some time. One day she dressed in black mourning clothes. Luther asked her why. “Someone has died,” she said. “Who?” Luther asked. “It seems,” Katherine said, “that God must have died!” Luther got her point. Since God hadn’t died, he needed to stop acting as if he had.

What can we do when God seems ‘silent’ and life is ‘dark’? Well, for one, we can pray with biblical writers who cried out to God:

– “To you, O Lord, I call; my rock, be not deaf to me, lest, if you be silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit” [ Psalm 28:1 ].

– “O God, do not keep silence; do not hold your peace or be still, O God!” [ Psalm 83:1 ].

– “I cry to you for help and you do not answer me; I stand, and you only look at me” [ Job 30:20 ].

 

Now, most of the Bible is about God’s ‘presence’: His ‘creating’ presence; His ‘intervening’ presence’ His ‘sustaining’ presence; and His ‘incarnate’ presence. These all resonate throughout the pages of Scripture. Occasionally, however, the Bible is about God’s ABSENCE: His presence ‘withdrawn’; His presence ‘withheld’; and His presence ‘expected’.

God’s absence should elevate our view of Him, making the believer more full of awe and fear. It should increase their appreciation and love for God, since He became present with them even though their presence is something He DOES NOT need. God’s absence should also make them long for His presence, not just in the here and now, but when they actually ‘see’ His full majesty in Heaven!

 

There was a time when King David was going through a season of feeling far from God. He depicts his feeling of God’s absence as God forgetting him and hiding His ‘face’: “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” [ Psalm 13:7 ]. Now, while it is impossible for God to forget anything, David felt ‘forgotten’ by God. (This expression refers to a period in which one feels estranged from God). David later phrases his pain most succinctly: “You hid your face; I was dismayed” [ Psalm 30:7 ]. The thing is, there WILL BE times when God feels ‘hidden’ from you.

 

IT’S ‘PRIMARILY’ BECAUSE OF SIN
There will be a time(s) when God withdraws His presence from you, and it’s PRIMARILY because of your SIN!

An example of this is when King David finally came to his senses after his adultery with Bathsheba and his ‘murder’ of her husband, a year later, when the prophet Nathan confronted him. David cried out to God saying, “Cast me not away from Thy presence; and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me” [ Psalms 51:11 ]. Similarly, pastor and theologian Charles Spurgeon said: “But what would we do now without His Presence? It is He who has accomplished all that has been done, so again we cry to Him, ‘If Your Presence go not with us, carry us not up hence.’”

 

Just like King Davis and Spurgeon did, this should be the very ‘CRY’ of EVERY believer, continually yearning for God’s presence after honestly SCRUTINIZING oneself for SIN and REPENTING.

 

As a ‘help’, the following are some of the sins mentioned by Charles Spurgeon that may ‘drive away’ God’s presence:

– We can easily get rid of God’s Presence if we grow proud

– You can easily drive away the Holy Spirit by sloth. As lukewarm as too many professing Christians are, they shall soon find that the Lord has withdrawn Himself from them.

– Disunion, too, among yourselves will soon cause the Holy Spirit to leave

– If we wish to have God’s Presence taken away, there is another quick way of securing that end—by being slack and slow in prayer

 

Spurgeon goes on to suggest how to keep the Spirit of God with us, by cultivating those Divine Graces which are just the reverse of the evils I just mentioned:

– Walk humbly with your God, walk humbly towards one another, be patient towards all men

– Then, let us be united. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians, “I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.”

– With a mind to work. I do not think I ever have to whip you to work—I do get a great deal of work out of you. I always seek, whenever there is anything extra to be done

– Fervent hearts full of prayer

– Ask for greater faith. Take away our unbelief! Help us to believe Your Word and teach us to act as though we believed it! Then shall we see far greater things than we have ever yet seen.

 

Theologian and author James Montgomery Boice said that he would go so far as to say that Romans 6:2 (“By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?”) is the most important verse in the Bible for believers in the evangelical churches to understand today. “Sin” is a three-letter word with “I” right in the middle. I think the fact that we find ourselves right in the middle of sin is what makes it all so difficult. If we are ‘in’ Christ, sin just doesn’t ‘fit’ in our life anymore. It’s been said that in a moment of “temporary insanity” in the life of a believer. Deep down inside, the Holy Spirit convicts us that sin is not consistent with who we are in Jesus… and it should be ‘UNCOMFORTABLE’ for the believer!

 

Is it possible that if we truly believe that we are “dead to sin” that we can break free from it? The Apostle Paul sure did think so (in Romans 6): “Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him… For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus” [ Romans 6:8, 10-11 ].

This is incredible stuff! How many of us try to ‘fight’ with something that is already dead?! It doesn’t work very well, does it? But, if we count ourselves “dead to sin,” and we REALLY embrace the truth that our old, sinful self was crucified with Jesus—that we are born again, regenerated, and made alive in the Spirit of Christ— then we are no longer in bondage to the control of indwelling sin in our lives! The believer CAN choose to walk in intimate dependency with Jesus, moment by moment, because He ‘indwells the believer! If you don’t think you have a choice, you’ve been deceived by the Devil into thinking that!

 

Now, when a person persists in sin despite God’s frequent attempts to call them toward obedience and warns them of what will happen if they continue down the path they are on, there comes a point where sometimes, God simply WITHDRAWS His ‘hand’ of protection and allows people to suffer the consequences of their sin, for chaos to reign, and for Satan to bring death and destruction. (This is definitely the ‘last resort’ for God). On the other hand, when bad things happen to us in life, we should not be too quick to believe that God has withdrawn His hand of protection, but instead, should go first consider some of the other elements for what has happened to us.

Nevertheless, there are times when God withdraws from some people so that they can suffer the consequences for their sin and rebellion against Him. Usually, when this happens, this withdrawal is only after NUMEROUS and VARIED attempts by God to get the people to repent of their ways and return to Him, and to warn them of what will happen if they continue to rebel.

 

There are several examples of this in Scripture about people ‘departing’ from or being ‘sent away’ from God’s presence. After Adam and Eve’s ‘original’ sin and were banished from the Garden of Eden, there came the first murder, Cain killing his brother Abel. After the deed, God told Cain that, “You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth” [ Genesis 4:12b ]. Cain responded, “My punishment is greater than I can bear,” since knew he was going to be sent out of God’s presence: “Then Cain went away from the presence of the Lord and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden” [ Genesis 4:16 ].

[ Note: Last month’s “Life’s Deep Thoughts” post discussed what happens to a country when God’s ‘protection’ is removed: https://markbesh.wordpress.com/protection-removed-v256/ ].

 

Later in Old Testament times, God had sent numerous prophets to Jerusalem to call the Israelites back to obedience. But, rather than listen, they continued to stone the prophets to death that God sent. Jesus mentioned this when He was giving His “Seven Woes” to the scribes and Pharisees, that God has wanted to gather them under His ‘wing’ for protection, but they have not been willing to come back to Him! (Matthew 23:37).

 

So, how should we understand the language of ‘departing’ from God’s presence? Well, not in ‘spatial’ terms, but in ‘relational’ terms. Or, to put it another way, it is a ‘spiritual’ separation that we experience because of our sin, not strictly a ‘local’ separation.

The Westminster Larger Catechism (question 29) says it this way: “The punishments of sin in the world to come, are everlasting separation from the comfortable presence of God, and most grievous torments in soul and body, without intermission, in hell-fire forever.”

 

“Spiritual desertion” is the sense that God has ‘forgotten’ us, leaving the believer feeling isolated and directionless. But through faith, we can affirm God’s loving presence, even when He seems silent and we feel deserted. “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8) is a PROMISE God WILL NOT BREAK, despite how we FEEL!

Consider it this way. When you are in a deep relationship with somebody (parent, child, sibling, spouse, friend), you don’t have to ‘FEEL’ them close to you or even be physically near them to be convinced that they love you and have good intentions towards you. Even when circumstances and things that people say may seem to contradict that reality, you know, from past experience and a ‘deep’ relationship, that they love you and have good intentions towards you.

So, if you have felt as though God had abandoned you and sense only a black ‘wall’ of silence? Let me say that feelings are ‘indicators’, but NOT the truth!

The ‘world’ misleads us and tells us “Follow your heart” or “Go with your feelings.” However, our hearts and our feelings are NOT stable. They sway with the events of each day. They can mislead us as they vacillate and often take us into the depths of deception and pain.

Why would we follow what is unstable, inconsistent, and unreliable? Why wouldn’t we instead choose to follow unchanging truth? The truth of God’s Word?

As for indicators, our feelings point to a deeper ‘wound’. We need to acknowledge not only ‘WHAT’ we are feeling, but ‘WHY’ we are feeling it.

Get honest with God. He says, “Come to Me” (Matthew 11:28). I believe He means in complete transparency. Symbolizing our trust, His love beckons a deep exchange: “I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name” [ Isaiah 45:2-3 ].

 

So, if you feel that God has left your side, I urge you to continue pursuing a deep relationship with Jesus by incorporating these strategies into your daily life. Then, a day will come where you will once again ‘feel’ His presence and see His handiwork. Some things you can do are:

– Pray boldly and authentically. Pour out all that lies in the heart.

– Listen for His answers. Sometimes we speak and do too much, drowning out the subtle voice of Jesus.

– Praise God for all He is! Gratitude and praise are powerful weapons against pain.

– Worship Him even when it’s difficult. Maintaining a life of worship keeps our hearts in tune with Him.

– Read God’s Word keeping it sealed in the heart. Learn of the hope within those pages.

– Counteract feelings with Truth. Taking every feeling before the Word of God. Rewriting it with the light of His Truth will bring healing and show the traces of God’s hand in each step.

God is ‘there’ with you. He will never leave you or forsake you! (Hebrews 13:5).

 

Theologian John Owen spent much time contemplating whether or not if God ‘hides’ Himself from a believer. He commented:

“He withdraws himself in order to make us appreciate him more so that we diligently seek for him as we would seek for a lost precious treasure.

We all too easily take Christ for granted and become lazy in seeking fellowship with him… By withdrawing himself he aims to awaken his people to search for him, and to mourn over their sin in taking him for granted… While we are busy with other things, Christ withdraws himself and we cannot find him. Yet even this discipline is for our recovery and sanctification.”

 

What an amazing ‘picture’ of God’s grace and the deep communion He desires with His people. According to Owen, when God withdraws Himself, it is to cause us to seek Him more and repent from beholding something else. His withdrawal is a gracious discipline with the purpose of making us more like Christ. What an astounding thought! What a compelling reason to run an ‘audit’ of our heart’s affections and recalibrate the direction of our soul’s ‘gaze’!

Owen then asks how can we know that God has withdrawn himself:

“The first consequence of Christ’s withdrawing himself from us is that inward graces grow weak and we tend to rely more and more on outside helps. Above all, we lose the desire for holy meditation and we spend less and less time with Christ. Just as frost withers the plants in the garden, so the grace in our hearts also withers when the ‘Sun of Righteousness’ withdraws and hides himself…”

What does your heart long for more than anything else? To see the glory of Christ or something lesser? If your answer is 100% Jesus, then God will grow more distant until you make Jesus your first longing.

So, how can we best do this? Well, allow the Holy Spirit to powerfully renew and transform our soul. Make beholding of the glory of Jesus a chief goal in your life!

Now, this is more than mere intellectual assent of facts about Jesus, it is meditating on the person and work of Christ who has secured for us immeasurable riches in a glorious inheritance to the praise of His glory. This beholding will shine the ‘Sun of Righteousness’ into our hearts and cause the grace in our hearts to both take root and bear fruit.

So, the next time you ‘feel’ distant from God, let these truths drive your heart’s affections back to behold the glory of Christ.

 

As you have seen, there is a ‘tension’ created by God’s absence and presence. Author David Bowden said it well: “God is often absent in the ways we most desire, but present in the way we most require.”

God has been, and still is, ‘present’ with us in all the ways we require: sustaining the world, revealing His Word, making Covenants, sending His Spirit, and, preeminently, ‘giving’ us Jesus.

But, God is also, simultaneously, often ‘absent’ in the ways we most desire. While we live on this earth and inhabit unglorified bodies, we cannot see the ‘face’ of God (1 Corinthians 15:35–50; 1 Timothy 6:16). Again, the Bible uses God’s “face” to refer to His ‘tangible’, unmediated presence (Revelation 22:4). This is the presence of God that we will only experience when Jesus returns, glorifies believers’ bodies, and brings the New Heaven and New Earth (1 John 3:2). It is this ‘form’ of God’s full presence that we most desire (Psalm 73:25), and that “We would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8).

So, until then, we are like Moses, asking to see the glory of God but running into the ‘limits’ of what our fallen, human existence can bear (Exodus 33:18-20). Until that day, we are like the woman from the Song of Solomon, hearing the king at the door only to fling it open and find that he is gone (Song 5:4-6). Until Jesus brings the full presence of God, we are also like King David, who knew that fullness of joy and everlasting pleasure can only be found before God’s face and at his right hand (Psalm 16:11). We are like Paul, “groaning” with all creation for the day of Jesus’ return (Romans 8:22-23).

 

Now, God’s absence is no ‘accident’. You may feel guilty, as if you were a ‘second-class’ Christian, because God feels far away. You fear that you are lacking in faith because God’s nearness isn’t as immediate as you would like it to be. BUT such guilt, doubt, and fear do not necessarily follow from God’s ‘absence’. Again, God is absent in the way you desire, but present in the way you most require. Knowing this can give ‘shape’ to how you experience God in this life, while still extending all the hope and assurance you long for.

 

Therefore, since God always seeks His glory and the good of those who love Him, we can know that our experience of God’s absence in this life is actually for God’s glory and for our joy (Isaiah 64:4; Romans 8:28). So, consider four ways God’s absence is for your joy: Pleasure in pursuit; Elation in expectation; Wonder in waiting; and Merriment in mystery.

PLEASURE IN PURSUIT
We do not pursue what we already possess. We do not chase that which we already hold close. So, God uses the ‘distance’ of His full presence to ‘provoke’ us to strive for Him. ‘Running’ after God is one of the great joys of the Christian life (Psalm 34:10).

If God feels distant, perhaps God is using His absence to draw you into a ‘chase’. Take pleasure in pursuing the One most worthy of ALL of your energy and effort!

ELATION IN EXPECTATION
Do you remember what it felt like to be a kid on Christmas morning? You would wait eagerly in your bed for that moment when you could run downstairs and discover what untold treasures lay beneath that tree, hidden behind wrapping paper. God made us to experience that kind of great joy in expectation.

As our desire for God’s nearness rises, our expectancy of His “Coming” grows. God will elate your heart in a unique way as you uncover the gift of expecting His return. “Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him” [ Hebrews 9:28 ].

WONDER IN WANTING
Consider when your spouse or a close family member is ‘away’ from you. You miss them, right? Why? Well, because you love them. That may seem like an obvious statement, but we miss this logic in our relationship with God. We think that something is wrong with us when we don’t feel as close to God as we desire. We desire God’s presence, but something is just not right. He feels ‘distant’. Could it simply be that we love Him and miss Him like a loving husband misses his wife?

Your desire or want is NOT NECESSARILY proof that God is far from you in a bad way. Perhaps you just want Him to be nearer. Your sense of lack or wanting, proves that your desires for God are strong. That’s good! In this way, God’s absence helps prove that you long for His presence (which is a gift of the Spirit). Allow yourself to wonder in amazement at His ‘working’ on you and in your ‘wanting’.

MERRIMENT IN MYSTERY
Humans love mystery, but most mysteries come to an end. When the mystery resolves, the thrill of the mystery fades—and there is no greater ‘mystery’ than God! (Romans 11:33).

The fact that there remains an elusive element to God’s presence can fill us with joyful wonder. What will His glory look like? What will the full revelation of His mercy feel like? The unresolved mysteries of God—which we get to experience more acutely in this present absence—is for our joy.

 

Now, beyond the ‘mystery’ is the discovery. Each layer we ‘peel back’ reveals just how deep the journey of discovering God’s majesty truly is—and that discovery will be NEVER ENDING! This constant uncovering is but a glimpse into what we WILL ENJOY FOR ALL ETERNITY! We will never cease discovering the depths of God’s goodness, mercy, faithfulness, justice, and power.

So, consider that God’s absence is sometimes a GIFT OF GRACE giving us a foretaste of this eternal discovery as we press into those ‘places’ in our lives where He feels absent. What an amazing truth it is that God has given us a ‘down payment’ of His future presence by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the believer (Ephesians 1:14).

Even the fullest joys we experience now in His absence—in pursuing, expecting, wanting, inquiring, and wondering—are but an ‘appetizer’ to the never-ending feast of revelation we will receive when His full presence comes!

 

HINDRANCES TO GOD’S PRESENCE
The greatest challenge facing every Christian is to overcome hindrances to God’s presence. The enemy of man’s soul (Satan), however, is determined to make the pathway as virtually impossible to travel as he can. For the most part, he has done a great job of discouraging ‘pilgrims’ in their quest for God’s presence.

Certainly, the opposition is there and it is real, but it is not of such a nature as to keep us from God’s presence. We can overcome all the wiles of the enemy and anything he puts in our way. “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” [ 1 John 4:4 ].

Certainly, the importance of coming into God’s presence is worth overcoming every obstacle along the way. Penetrating the holy presence of God is the reward of fighting the good fight and overcoming all obstructions in the way.

 

Medicine sitting on the shelf and never taken has never cured anybody. Food left in the refrigerator and never eaten has never nourished anybody. Heat not turned on has never warmed anybody. In the same way, the Bible itself, though it is nourishment, though it is light, though it is warmth, though it is medicine to the soul, yet it never helps anybody where there is not serious attention given to it. The believer needs to give it serious attention!

 

Sin ‘cauterizes’ the conscience, and soon it does not bother us that we are sinning. This is the work of the blinding ‘agent’ of the unholy one we call the Devil. (2 Corinthians 4:4). Unless we are serious about our approach to God, we will be hindered every step of the way.

The thing is, especially here in America, there is a preoccupation with “making a living.” Jesus called it the “cares of this life” (Matthew 13:22). If everyone would put as much earnest time and give as much serious attention to seeking God as they put into making a living, they would become someone God is looking for, and they would be ashamed of the way they had been living before! The simple fact is that God gets the ‘leftovers’. He gets the ‘hand-me-downs’. The thing is, you do not have to choose between making a living and going forward with God. You can do both! (walk and chew bubble gum at the same time!).

An excellent example was a woman by the name of Susannah Wesley, who had 19 children. The great hymn-writer John Wesley was her eighteenth child. She kept that house spic and span and was known as one of the greatest women of faith of her time. She decided she could look after her family and still make spiritual progress. Her domestic duties did not distract her in the least from her spiritual pursuits.

Another hindrance is the constant seeking after pleasure: physical comforts, food, amusements—pleasant ‘sensations’. We give over our time to acquiring a pleasant sensation when we ought to be giving over our time to the advancing of our souls. The Apostle Peter said, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation” [ Acts 2:40b ].

 

So, if you are going to give attention to the things of God and save your own soul, you are going to have to have a good intention, a good resolution, and then see to it that you do it. Do not let the Devil prevent you. Seek the ‘face’ of God constantly!

 

Society is in a conspiracy to make us all bad—not too bad, though because if we get too bad, we become a problem for the police. Society wants to keep us nice, trimmed down, going to church, supporting overseas missions, and local homeless shelters. Certainly, those things are all good things to do, but the general society wants to keep us just good enough not to be a problem to the police but bad enough not to bother their conscience! Whatever causes us to overcome all hindrances is handsomely rewarded when we break through to the glorious sunshine of His blessed presence.

 

As I mentioned last month, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth… Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves… And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done” (Romans 1:18, 24, 28).

So then, does the Holy Spirit ever ‘leave’ an individual believer? Can we go so far and ‘fall away’ from God to a place where His Spirit actually leaves us? Then, if He does actually leave us, at what point does He do so?

Well, once a person is saved, “born again” and sealed by the Holy Spirit, there is little we can do to ‘push’ Him out of our life! [ Other than “blaspheming” Him, with most theologians say really only happen with the Pharisees ]. Though the Holy Spirit is a ‘gentleman’ and will not remain where He is unwanted, one then has to be concerned about if they were are even saved!

When one is saved and are born of the Spirit (John 3:3), they are “sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, Who is the earnest (guarantee) of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession” (Ephesians 1:13-14).

 

The believer is saved by grace (God’s unmerited favor) through faith, and not of works (Ephesians 2:8-9). If they are saved apart from anything they do, forgiven of all their sins and declared the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:21), then how can they possibly do anything to lose it or cause the Holy Spirit to give up on them and leave them? This, I’m sure, is possible but not probable. The Holy Spirit will ‘go after’ them, even when they are ‘running’ from Him, and go to great lengths to bring them back from the brink of sin and rebellion, before ever giving up or leaving them (the Shepherd leaves his flock of ninety-nine sheep in order to find the one which is lost – Matthew 18:12-14).

The believer’s salvation is all of grace and does not depend on them at all: “Of His fullness have all we received, and grace for grace” (John 1:16), and “Unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ” (Ephesians 4:7). If it doesn’t depend on them, but is totally and completely all dependent upon God and His grace, then can they ever do anything to lose it or cause the Holy Spirit to leave and withdraw Himself from them? No!

 

HOWEVER, the Bible does say that, “Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, ‘Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts’” [ Hebrews 3:7-8b ].

We all struggle with doubt and unbelief at times, but is it possible to come to a place where all faith is gone? Is it possible to be so hardened of heart that we lose our faith and actually reject Christ? Is it possible to go so far and come to a place where the Holy Spirit ceases to work in our life and leaves us? From a thorough examination of Scriptures, I have to acknowledge that this is possible, but not very probable.

Sin does, over time, have a ‘hardening’ effect on us. We must conclude that at least there is the possibility, however remote, that after continuing in sin for an extended period, our hearts become so hardened toward God, that we reject our faith in Christ and the Holy Spirit removes His ‘hand’ from our lives and leaves us. This is, without a doubt, something that would take place over a long period of time. Only God knows if and when this would take place (I’m thinking that it would bring to the fore that they were never really saved).

 

So, the Holy Spirit doesn’t leave us as a ‘result’ of sin(s) but was given to us ‘because’ of sin. The WHOLE POINT of Jesus coming and dying for us, taking our place, and ‘becoming’ sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21) was because we sin and are in need of a Savior. The Holy Spirit, however, was given to ‘convict’ us of sin and show us our need of a Savior. Jesus said, “When He (the Holy Spirit) is come, He will reprove (or convict) the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on Me” (John 16:8-9). He does the same when we are straying because of sin.

Now, even though King David cried out and struggled at times, we know that from Scripture, God never totally withdrew His SPIRIT from David, and WILL NEVER totally withdraw His presence from a believer!

 

Since Pentecost, the Holy Spirit now ‘indwells’ all born again believers. The Apostle Paul said, “Don’t you know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” [ 1 Corinthians 3:16 ].

It must be noted that there is a difference in God dealing with mankind in general (Genesis 6:9) and His dealings with men as individuals (Genesis 6:3). There is also a time in the ‘near’ future that God will get ‘fed up’ with mankind and will execute His judgment on this world once again.

 

The Apostle Paul explained this same truth like this: “[God] set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come” [ 2 Corinthians 1:22 ]. When God becomes ‘present’ with a believer here on earth, it makes them long for a richer experience of His presence in Heaven.

Again, as I’ve mentioned, the one time when God’s (Jesus’) absence was actually ‘good’ was when Jesus said, “I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you” [ John 16:7 ].

It was going to be to the disciple’s advantage that Jesus goes away so that they may RECEIVE the Holy Spirit. This absence was (and is) advantageous because the Spirit will “testify about Jesus and bring to remembrance everything” (John 15:26). However, this was never meant to be a permanent condition. In this same final talk to his disciples Jesus said, “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also” (John 14:3). Even though we have the Spirit (an inexpressibly great treasure), Jesus is absent from us in the way we most desire. Our deepest longing is to be present where He is—Heaven!

 

So, will you follow Jesus NO MATTER THE ‘COST’? (Luke 14:25-34). Will you follow Him, even if you can’t always feel Him there or feel His love or His goodness? Will you still choose to trust Jesus regardless of your circumstances?

[ For more details on what the Christian life could ‘cost’ you, review this previous “Life’s Deep Thoughts” post: https://markbesh.wordpress.com/it-will-cost-you-v233/ ].

 

Yep, this can be REALLY HARD to do! There may be times in your life (usually during sickness or a fearful ‘situation’ like war). When you have reached the end of yourself and have nothing left to give, when continuing to breathe is less desirable than death. When you reach that place, and you are unable to feel God and His peace and presence. That is where the ‘rubber meets the road’. That is when RELATIONAL TRUST has to takeover!

When your reality is that God has left you to face the onslaught of the Enemy (Satan) all by yourself. When all you feel is fear, anxiety, and hopelessness, ‘faith’ says, “I haven’t been given a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind” [ 1 Timothy 1:7 ]. ‘Faith’ says, “If God is for me, who can be against me?” [ Romans 8:31 ].

There has to be a point in your relationship with God, where you are not dependent upon your ‘feelings’ to know He is near! Your faith has to grow FROM a place of ‘feeling’, TO a place of unshakable ‘knowing’. You need to be confident enough in God and His love and goodness towards you that NOTHING will separate you from Him: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” [ Romans 8:38-39 ].

This unshakable ‘knowing’ is what kept Jesus on the Cross. Even as He cried out in desperation, “My God, My God! Why have You forsaken Me!” [ Matthew 27:46 ].

To have feelings is not a sin, it’s what we DO with those feelings. If Jesus had trusted entirely in His feelings, He would have never stayed on that Cross. He would have chosen to save Himself instead of the world. BUT, LOVE compelled Him to stay!

Love always begets trust. As I discussed previously related to marriage, one learns to trust someone as that person shows you selfless love, and you begin to love them even more as you realize you can trust them. Then there comes a point when you develop a deep relational trust—a trust that speaks without words or presence—because it has ‘superseded’ feelings and become truth. Jesus knew the truth. (He literally IS the truth!).

Now sometimes, in our deepest hour of need, the believer seems to have forgotten this earth-shattering truth, that God IS love. He has always ‘been’ love and He will never stop ‘being’ love. Every word that comes out of His mouth is TRUTH, and the truth is He will NEVER leave the believer. He will NEVER abandon them. Even if they can’t ‘see’ or ‘feel’ Him, He was ALWAYS right there, loving them and choosing them EVERY SECOND!

 

‘WAITING’ ON GOD
Trusting God when we don’t ‘hear’ or ‘sense’ Him ultimately strengthens and purifies the believer’s faith. The thing is, if faith is based on lack of struggle, affliction, and an absence of doubt and questions, that’s a foundation of ‘sand’ (Matthew 7:26-27). Such faith is only one frightening diagnosis or shattering phone call away from collapse. A ‘token’ faith like this will not survive feeling ‘abandoned’.

When we think God is silent or absent, God may just be showing us that our faith is false or superficial. The thing is, God may be ‘prompting us to learn to rebuild our faith on the ‘Rock’ (Jesus), the only foundation that can bear the weight of our trust (Matthew 7:24-25).

 

So, are there times in the Christian life when God chooses to ‘withhold’ His presence from the believer, thus abrogating all hope that they would experience Godward affections? Well, the Puritans seemed to operate from this assumption. Puritan theologian Thomas Goodwin addressed the reality of “spiritual desertion”:

“Think with yourselves, what is the worst thing, next to the eternal loss of God, really and indeed, that can be supposed to befall this man. What worse than to have that cranny, through which he first espied that beam, to be as it were clean shut up, the ‘light of God’s countenance’ withdrawn; yea, all light and appearance to him of his own graces withheld and overclouded; the face of heaven so overcast with darkness that neither sunlight nor starlight appeareth to him, so as he hath no light; yea, further, finds his soul beset and besieged round with all the powers of hell and darkness, and the terrors of the Almighty shot into his soul? And he, thus quite left, walking in this darkness, is filled with strong fears and jealousies that God is not his God.”

 

So, yes, God will sometimes lift His ‘hand’ from His children, or He will ‘cover’ the believer with darkness at times and seasons of desertion. The prophet Micah said, “Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD will be a light to me” [ Micah 7:8 ].

Micah is confessing that sometimes the believer ‘sits’ in darkness—there are ‘clouds’. He continues, “I will bear the indignation of the LORD because I have sinned against Him, until He pleads my cause and executes judgment for me. He will bring me out to the light; I shall look upon His vindication” [ Micah 7:9 ].

 

If this is true, and God withdraws from the believer at times—making joy in God impossible—doesn’t that just heap more ‘guilt’ upon such a person?

Well, when a believer feels discouraged, defeated, ‘dark’, and having little joy, God might just be wanting them to ‘EMBRACE’ THEIR GUILT. So, what does one do with their guilt? Well, as I previously mentioned, Micah responds with: “When I fall I shall rise” [ Micah 7:8 ]. The person in ‘darkness’, even if it’s lengthy, should keep holding on to the hope that God is going to vindicate them and bring them out to the ‘light’.

 

Probably the used most often verses used for discouragement and disheartenment for believers is Psalm 40: “I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD.”

[ U2’s song “40”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3z_LBNF_-xI ].

 

So, if there is ‘darkness’ over your head, and God isn’t showing up right now, WAIT! Wait as long as it takes! Wait for God’s timing to restore your joy. Trust in the Lord!—He’s probably ‘working’ on you to be the image of His Son, Jesus! It will be WORTH IT!

 

God is continually and constantly ‘involved’ in our lives. However, He is not dragging us to participate in His way—we always have a choice to choose God’s way or to continue in Satan’s way. God ‘calls’ or draws us to Him via Jesus (John 6:44), and He leads us in growing in grace and knowledge (2 Peter 3:18). All along the way, Satan is ‘whispering’ in our ears, as it were, trying to tempt and deceive us to stray from God’s way and eventually reject it.

Now, because God is sovereign, He can intervene in our lives at any time (in His omnipotence, He can do all things). However, God has reasons for the things He does and does not do—as well as for the degree He put ‘hedges’ about us protecting us from additional trials from Satan—so sometimes God brings us to a point in our lives where He tests us to see what we will do. Sometimes God is waiting for us to do something, and sometimes He wants to see what our attitude will be while we wait. So, our responsibility is to maintain a proper attitude and perspective at all times, not expecting God to do the things for us that we can do for ourselves, but waiting patiently and faithfully while God chooses the right moment to ‘intervene’.

 

Christian pastor Andrew Murray wrote about this in his book “Waiting on God”: “It is God’s Spirit who has begun the work in you of waiting upon God. He will enable you to wait… Waiting continually will be met and rewarded by God himself working continually.”

Again, King David warns us not to let one’s faith erode one’s trust in God: “For God alone my soul waits in silence… my hope is from Him” [ Psalm 62:1, 5 ].

If we ‘lean’ on God while we wait, He will give us the grace to wait and to listen carefully as we pray, talk with trusted believers for encouragement, and keep opening His Word and asking Him to help us ‘hear’ or ‘sense’ Him.

 

HOW TO ‘LISTEN’ TO GOD
Mankind is naturally ‘drawn’ toward God’s presence—He put it ‘in’ us—and is the only creature ‘implanted’ with spiritual aspirations, leading him to be engaged in some sort of ‘worship’, and because of that, he sometimes ‘invents’ his own god [ i.e. “mother earth (Gaia),” “mother nature,” Osiris, Horus, Re, Zeus, Artemis, Aphrodite, etc.].

Down through history, man has taken many ‘paths’ in his quest for God’s presence, all to no avail. Only one path is correct, and that path is revealed in the WORD OF GOD. Only in the Bible do we begin to understand what these inward stirrings are, and how to find ‘entrance’ into the presence of God.

There are no shortcuts on the pathway to God’s presence, and only Jesus can direct us in this path into the presence of God. “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” [ 1 Timothy 2:5 ].

 

THE DAILY ‘PRACTICE’
The Bible says that any believer who will apply simple spiritual disciplines in their daily life will see a marvelous difference in their spiritual ‘walk’. One must ‘shun’ the worldly impulses for entertainment and amusement. These tend to be hindrances to experiencing the presence of God. They are, if I may say, cheap ‘substitutes’ for the real experience with God. These elements of the world dull our sense of God’s presence among us, and hinder us in several ways.

The first would be in our ability to ‘CONCENTRATE’. Most people today cannot concentrate on any one thing for a significant amount of time. To occupy a man with things other than spiritual things is the predominant agenda of the Devil. Pastor Adrian Rogers used to say, “If Satan can’t make you bad, he’ll make you busy.” I remember one “B.U.S.Y” acrostic that meant “Being Under Satan’s Yoke.” It’s subtle, so one has to always aware of it.

Most of the time, the average believer’s expectation every day is in the direction of the ‘world’ around them instead of expecting God’s presence. So, it’s a very important discipline to ‘shut out’ the world and all its distractions. Every person needs to devise some way to discipline themselves FROM the things of the world.

 

Secondly, the believer must discipline themselves in ‘MEDITATING’ on God’s Word. This is prayerful reflection where you ask the Holy Spirit to illumine your understanding (as Jesus did with the disciples on the Emmaus Road). Meditation includes picturing, speaking, feeling, and study. Meditation is the Holy Spirit using all faculties in man’s heart and mind.

Joshua got some good counsel about this from God: “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it” [ Joshua 1:8 ].

 

Thirdly, the believer must also discipline themselves to come to the Word with holy ‘ANTICIPATION’ to meet with God. I would suggest that one discipline themselves to read the Bible until it comes ‘alive’—until they can almost feel the ‘breath’ of God upon them.

King David felt this way, particularly when he wrote, “As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God” [ Psalm 42:1 ]. He knew what it was to ‘pant’ after God. I have discovered that sometimes, after some ‘wrestling’ with the Scripture, the result is an ‘experience’ with God.

 

Fourthly, another discipline is that of ’SOLITUDE’. We live in a very ‘noisy’ world, which are most distracting.

Solitude perhaps is one of the most difficult of the spiritual disciplines. Everything in our life and the world around us mitigates against this. Because of its difficulty, this discipline is very important. What could be more important than sitting in silence before God?

Many times, when we come to God in prayer, we come with a grocery list of things we are asking for. I believe in asking God for things. I believe that it is important to come before God with a list of things that we are trusting Him for. But after all that is done, some time must be given to cultivating silence before His presence.

We must ’silence’ all the voices clamoring for our attention—voices calling us away from God to do things, sometimes very important things, but ‘things’ nevertheless. “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth” [ Psalm 46:10 ]. It is in silence that we begin to see and then hear the pulsating ‘heart’ of God. All of the nervous activity of our culture hinders us from really getting to know God as He desires to reveal Himself.

We must overcome this American mindset that says a moment of silence is a moment wasted. The discipline of silence is the price we pay to get to know God.

 

Fifth, the believer must ‘die’ daily to the thoughts of ‘SELF IMPORTANCE’. Coming before God in quietness and waiting upon Him in silence can sometimes accomplish more than days and weeks of feverish activity can.

 

Sixth, the believer must truly ‘EXPECT’ that they will encounter God. Jeremiah admonishes us by saying, “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart” [ Jeremiah 29:13 ]. Solomon stated about God: “I love them that love Me; and those that seek Me early shall find me” [ Proverbs 8:17 ]. It is the Word of the Lord that gives direction to our daily expectation of God’s presence.

 

Seventh, each day presents a new opportunity to ‘FELLOWSHIP’ with God. Start the day seeking to ‘experience God, and the look for Him all throughout the day and revel in the gracious encounters He presents throughout the day. Nothing should so occupy the mind of the Christian than to fellowship with God.

 

Eighth, the believer should cultivate a sense of reverential ‘AWE’ of God being in our midst—a healthy appreciation of His holy presence, especially in congregational assemblies. Sadly, there tends not to be a ‘holy fear’ of God anymore—a holy ‘hush’ that comes upon us as we supposedly sit before the living God.

This is a ‘healthy’ fear—to love Him as He deserves to be loved. Not the coarse, irreverent, Hollywood romantic love, but the reverent and holy rapturous love of our Master. It is a sense of His awe shrouding the believer’s heart and mind as they look to Him in humility.

 

Ninth, the believer needs to develop a discipline of ‘OBEDIENCE’. Obedience is not something that comes naturally to any of us, particularly in the spiritual realm. There are many things arrayed against us necessitating us to endeavor with all diligence in obeying God’s commands.

Each day the believer must diligently follow the leading of the Scriptures and of the Holy Spirit. The key to disciplining ourselves in the area of obedience is always keeping in mind to WHOM we are being obedient to.

 

Tenth, the believer needs to ‘MAKE ROOM’ for God in their life. To experience the presence of God is a ‘pilgrimage’ for the believer. Doing things—even ‘good’ things—sometimes hinders one’s experiencing a conscious, manifest presence of God in our everyday life. May God not be just a ‘guest’ but rather an INTIMATE ‘COMPANION’ in our daily ‘walk’ with Him.

 

I am confident that if the believer diligently seeks to develop these disciplines—seeking God with all of their heart—He will, in His goodness, bring them to a deep experience of Himself!

 

‘ENTERING’ GOD’s PRESENCE
I’ve never met any ‘royalty’, like the Queen of England (and probably never will), but I understand that before you meet the Queen, you need to learn some rules of proper etiquette of what to do or say, and not to do or say in her presence. The basic rule is not to be chummy and overly ‘familiar’. Respect and proper formality are essential. Even Prince Charles bows to his mother and calls her “Ma’am.” In America, we don’t have royalty, so based on the English definition, we are probably a bit too ‘chummy’ on how we greet our political leaders.

But, the far more important question is, how do you enter God’s holy presence? Is He your “Good Buddy” in the sky? Do you just ‘barge’ into His presence and ask whatever ‘favors’ you want? Or, is there a right and wrong way to enter the ‘presence’ of the King of kings?

The truth is, one day ALL will ’stand’ in God’s glorious presence, either for commendation (“Well done, good and faithful servant” – Matthew 25:23a) or for condemnation (“I never knew you, depart from Me” – Matthew 7:23b). The difference will be determined by whether, in this life, you have come into His holy presence by the way that He has ‘prescribed’.

 

To enter God’s holy presence you MUST come through the ONLY ‘WAY’ that He has provided. In the Old Testament, it was the Temple. If you tried to approach God in any other way, the consequences could be severe!

Nadab and Abihu, Aaron’s two sons who were priests, got creative and offered “strange fire,” which God had not commanded: “Fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord” [ Leviticus 10:2 ].

You may think, “But that was the Old Testament!” Well, even today, if you try to come into God’s holy presence by your own way, rather than God’s way (now Jesus), one day you will be ETERNALLY ’SHUT OUT’ of God’s presence! (Matthew 25:10-12). So it’s REALLY IMPORTANT to get this right!

 

The glory of God’s love, holiness, justice, and grace was also displayed supremely at the Cross. Jesus, the perfect and final High Priest—through offering Himself as the Lamb of God—opened the ONLY ‘WAY’ into God’s presence…HIMSELF! As I mentioned, when He died, the veil in the Temple separating the holy place from the holy of holies was torn from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51). The Old Testament tabernacle pictured Jesus and His sacrificial death as the only way we can enter God’s holy presence (Exodus 40:1-38; John 14:6). In fact, this is where God is taking all of history.

The Apostle John wrote, “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God’” [ Revelation 21:1-3 ].

Because the Tabernacle is such an amazingly accurate ‘type’ of Jesus—written about 1,400 years before He was born—it serves as strong evidence for the divine inspiration of Scripture, and proof that Jesus is God’s Messiah. It could not be coincidental that Jesus fulfilled so many aspects of the Tabernacle.

God ordained every detail of the tabernacle: The Ark; The Table of Showbread; The Golden Lampstand; The Altar of Incense; The Altar of Burnt Offering; The Laver; and The Court. Thus, God’s way into His presence was through the Tabernacle, which ‘pictures’ Jesus as THE ‘TRUE’ tabernacle.

When Jesus died, the ‘WAY’ into God’s presence was ‘OPENED’ through His death. Now, every believer in Him is a ‘priest’ with access, not only to the holy place, but even into the ‘holy of holies’—into God’s holy presence! (Ephesians 2:18; 1 Peter 2:9). Believers have the great privilege of daily drawing near to God through Jesus: “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” [ Hebrews 4:14-16 ].

 

The thing is, believers MUST pay attention to God’s commands when ‘entering’ His presence. A bit of a shocking example was when King David wanted to bring the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:5-15). It had been in another location for over 20 years. This was a BIG DEAL! A really special moment for the Jews.

So, they set the Ark of God on a cart to transport it back to Jerusalem. The thing is, this WAS NOT the way God had instructed them to do it!

When the cart came to the “threshing floor,” the oxen stumbled and the Ark started to fall off the cart. Hoping to push the Ark back onto the cart, Uzzah put out his hand and touched the Ark. God struck him down dead—instantly—for the ‘error’!

You may say, “Wow! Why did God kill him for the good intention of wanting to steady the Ark?” Well, primarily because God was VERY CLEAR that it was to be “CARRIED” by priests and not to be placed on a cart and drug by animals. Secondly, biblical scholars also note that ‘sinful’ man is NOT ALLOWED to be ‘in’ (or touch) God’s presence, and that it would have been just okay if the Ark was to ‘touch’ the dirt, since it IS NOT ‘sinful’.

 

Something of God’s presence associated with the Ark of the Covenant seems to be lost in the Church today. In the time of Moses, the people knew the awesomeness of God’s absolute holiness. They had witnessed great miracles when the Ark was with them. They respected that God’s ways and thoughts are much higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). In truth, the more we try to bring God down to our worldly way of thinking or reasoning, the further away He will seem to be. Those who would draw near to God and have Him draw near to them are those who approach Him in reverence and holy fear. Uzzah forgot that lesson, and the consequences were tragic!

Theologian and author A.W. Tozer wrote, “With our loss of the sense of majesty has come the further loss of religious awe and consciousness of the divine Presence. We have lost our spirit of worship and our ability to withdraw inwardly to meet God in adoring silence.”

 

Encountering God’s presence is made possible entirely by His grace, so it is available apart from any good or bad thing you do. He lovingly ‘calls’ you to meet with Him and waits for you to make ‘space’ in your life to receive what He longs to give.

There is NO life-giving pursuit a believer can embark on than the pursuit of God’s presence. Spending time ‘resting’ in Him is meant to be the satisfaction that lays a foundation for you to live the life of abundance made available to you through Jesus. Your ‘role’ in encountering God is simply seeking Him. If you will make time to encounter Him, to open your ‘heart’, and have faith in His Word, then you will discover the WELLSPRING of life, joy, love, and transformation that is the presence of our heavenly Father! “You will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul” [ Deuteronomy 4:29 ]. Seek and find the presence of the living God today as you meditate on His Word and pray. “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth” [ Psalm 145:18 ].

Ask the Holy Spirit to make known God’s nearness. Seek His presence and have faith in His Word that when you seek Him you will find Him. “Your Spirit is everywhere I go. I cannot escape your presence. If I go up to Heaven, you will be there. If I go down to the place of death, you will be there!” [ Psalm 139:7-8 ].

 

The purpose of God from the very beginning of creation is fulfilled in the REGENERATED HEART of every believer, who now can enjoy the manifest, conscious presence of the living God. The way into God’s presence is the delight of the redeemed. It is where He belongs, naturally.

God’s expectations might seem ‘EXTREME’ to you but that is one of the ‘issues’ humanity has. We DON’T UNDERSTAND THE HOLINESS of God, and we think it should be okay to not ‘fully’ obey God’s instructions then not be punished for our errors. We think God is ‘supposed’ to be merciful of all of our sin.

Well, God IS MERCIFUL (He sent His Son Jesus to this earth to die for our sins), but He can’t allow ANY ‘error’ to go unpunished. God takes ‘accountability’ very seriously. “Every transgression or disobedience [will] receive a just retribution” [ Hebrews 2:2b ].

 

A believer should remember that, however long the silence seems, God promises it is temporary: “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing” [ Zephaniah 3:17 ].

Just because we can’t ‘hear’ God loudly ‘singing’, doesn’t mean He isn’t rejoicing over us with shouts of joy. A blind or deaf child may not see her father’s face or hear his words, but can learn to sense his love and affection nonetheless. God’s promise states that this brief life will be followed with an eternity in which His children “will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads” [ Revelation 22:4 ].

So, “seek the Lord your God and you will find Him, if you search after Him with all your heart and with all your soul” [ Deuteronomy 4:29 ].

 

‘DRAWING NEAR’ TO GOD
In the deep recesses of a man’s soul lies an overwhelming ‘yearning’ for its Creator. This is a common thread throughout all humanity—since we are all created in the ‘image’ of God. So, unless and until this desire is fulfilled, the human soul remains restless—constantly striving for something that is not attainable by it alone. The highest accomplishment of humanity is entering the overwhelming presence of God. Nothing else can satiate this burning ‘thirst’.

St. Augustine, the Bishop of Hippo, captured the essence of this desire in his Confessions: “Thou hast created us for Thyself and we are restless until we rest fully in Thee.” It is God’s great pleasure for us to fully rest in His presence, moment by moment.

 

It is right that the believer wants to experience God’s manifest presence, and that they realize that when they do, they will NEVER BE THE SAME! Moreover, just as the Old Testament encouraged the believer to seek God’s ‘face’, the New Testament ‘instructs’ us to ‘draw near to God’: “Therefore, brothers, since we have the confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water” [ Hebrews 10:19-22 ].

Because of Jesus’ death and Resurrection, believers now have ‘access’ to draw near to God. Jesus opened up ‘the way’ and has freely given us a relationship with the Father. As believers, we are free to draw near to God, and James points out that as we do, we will find God reciprocating: “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” [ James 4:8 ].

So, if we want God to draw near to us, we need to begin by drawing near to Him. We show our ‘hunger’ for God’s presence by giving God OUR presence, and as we do, we can claim this promise of Scripture that He will draw near to us.

 

There are many ‘forms’ this nearness may take. What unites them is the motivating desire to incline your ‘heart’ to God. This could include repenting of sin, singing praise, humbling ourselves, serving the poor, praying, fasting, studying the Bible, breaking bread, coming together with other believers in unity, giving, waiting in God’s presence, and just listening.

The list above is not exhaustive and none of the things listed would automatically constitute drawing near to God. Performing the tasks alone is insufficient, as it is possible to do many of those things with other motivations. We shouldn’t see drawing near to God as an ‘automatic’ pursuit. The key is to DELIBERATELY ‘SET’ our hearts on drawing close to God, and allow what we do to give expression to this. Theologian and author A.W. Tozer summarized this well by saying, “We are not thinking of the nearness of place, but of nearness of relationship.”

 

Your spiritual ‘intimacy’ with Jesus is tied to your internal ‘restrictions’. This is an ‘indwelling’ work. In fact, the Greek word “dwell” means to “make oneself at home,” such that you ‘allow’ Jesus free reign to visit the ‘library’ of your mind, the ‘living room’ of your fellowship, and the ‘attic’ of your hidden thoughts. You ‘allow’ Him to be free to ‘maneuver’ anywhere He wants.

It is kind of like when you say to a family member (or good friend) staying in your house for a visit, to make themselves “at home”—allowing them access to most everything in your house. However, Jesus ‘REQUIRES’ access to EVERYTHING, and when you give it to Him, that’s when you will start to cultivate ‘REAL’ intimacy and awareness of His presence in your life! Jesus will only allow you to experience Himself as much as you ‘DESIRE’ to have!

The thing is, because of sin, mankind’s capacity to ‘house’ Jesus is limited in the here and now. However, a strong desire to develop that capacity here on earth will determine the ‘rewards’ and ‘authority’ you will receive in Heaven when you receive your glorified body! Spiritual intimacy determines your spiritual capacity, which in turn, will determine your spiritual authority eternally!

 

King David, anticipated the “fullness of joy” in God’s presence—“pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 21:6). He looked forward to the eternal pleasure of experiencing God’s presence, what we would refer to, from a New Testament perspective, as heaven. Not evident in the English translation of Psalm 16:11 is the fact that the word “joy” is plural in Hebrew. This plural form also occurs in Psalm 45:15. The plural form intensifies the joy David anticipated: ‘absolute’ joy, ‘various’ joys, or ‘intense’ joy. This was no idle or casual expectation on his part. He was absolutely looking forward to the multifaceted joy of dwelling in God’s presence forever.

Such anticipation comes from knowing God now. The deeper we know Him now, the more we will anticipate the joy of dwelling in His presence later!

 

Do you believe the nearness of God is your highest good? If not, you are pursuing a goal less than the best! Moses was a man who had the most intimate fellowship with God of all the Israelites (Exodus 33:11), and yet he was not content with this. He wanted to know God even more intimately, to be even nearer to Him (Exodus 33:17-18). Let us examine our hearts to see if we desire to be near Him. If our desire to be near Him is lacking, it is little wonder that we have no great yearning for Heaven. If we do not desire nearness to God, our desires are distorted at best and likely destructive.

Assuming you desire to have the kind of nearness to God of which the Bible speaks, do you actually sense God’s nearness to you? If not, the first ‘obstruction’ is the moral ‘bankruptcy’ of the human soul—it put mankind ‘in debt’ to God. What the moral conscience of all men requires and cries out for is a fund of merit sufficient to pay that debt.

“Religion” tries to ‘remove’ this through what is referred to as “good works,” which results in emptiness and a deep-seated sense of guilt that nothing can wash away—and it DOES NOT work! (Ephesians 2:8-9).

 

The human heart knows that it cannot enter into the presence of God because it has rebelled against Him. So, there must be something done to make it possible for that rebellion to end and be forgiven. The act of rebellion must be pardoned completely, and the rebel restored to full citizenship in the Kingdom of God, to be made a ‘child’ of God the Father.

The good news is, that Jesus has paid the debt and ‘bridged’ that gap to God for all! BUT, that is still not enough. There is another hindrance.

Man CANNOT enter the presence of God with the foul ‘stench’ of SIN upon him. The very presence of sinful thoughts, for example, inhibits our approach into the presence of God. We must exchange our filthy ‘garment’ for the pure ‘robe’ of righteousness. To come into the presence of God, we must conform in every way to His standard.

The blood of Jesus accomplished this stupendous act! He single-handedly ‘purged’ all of our sins—for EVERYONE who will believe in Him! Fulfilling ALL of God’s ‘requirements’ for man’s redemption!

 

Thomas à Kempis understood the delight of the conscious, manifest ‘presence’ of God, and wrote: “If you are to live an interior life you must learn to enjoy His intimacy, unhampered by any interruption from the world outside.” He expands this thought in his book “The Imitation of Christ,” saying, “For a man to make real spiritual progress, he must deny himself; a man who has made this renunciation enjoys great freedom and security.”

 

Unfortunately, the world is too much ‘in’ us, and it has successfully become entrenched upon our inner soul, making us unable to ‘court’ God’s presence. The good news is that the heart of man truly hungers for God’s presence and that all of the great barriers prohibiting that striving after God have been overcome in Jesus Christ!

 

So, it may be that you do not enjoy a sense of God’s nearness because you are a lost sinner (unbeliever), doomed for eternal separation from God. Know that in Jesus, God draws near to men to reveal Himself and provides a way whereby the problem of sin can be remedied, and fellowship between men and God can be restored. Jesus, the sinless Son of God, bore the penalty for your sin. So, by REPENTING OF YOUR SIN and ‘receiving’ God’s gift of forgiveness and eternal life in Jesus, you can become a ‘child’ of God and enjoy for all eternity the blessedness of being near to the heart of God!

If you are a genuine believer in Jesus and yet do not feel the “nearness of God,” your problem is rooted in sin as well. The solution to this dilemma is the same as it is for the unbeliever: REPENT!

 

‘CULTIVATING’ GOD’S PRESENCE
Sometimes I feel God is there and sometimes I don’t. Sometimes I’m close to Him, and sometimes I’m distant. Well, what’s going on when you feel close to Him? What makes you feel this distance from Him, when He says that He’s everywhere—and He is—He’s omniscient. Maybe a better way to say it is that everywhere is in His presence. He is here whether you are aware of Him or not, and your ‘awareness’ of Him doesn’t determine where He is.

The thing is, God CANNOT be in the presence of sin, and mankind is ‘replete’ with it—and that might just be why you are not ‘aware’ of His presence. Think about the sin in your life that is keeping you from wanting God’s presence or even ‘hiding’ from God in your life (like Adam and Eve did when they knew they have done something wrong).

It is kind of like when a thief hides himself when he sees the police—his conscience ‘tells’ him he has done wrong, and he doesn’t want to be caught and put in jail. The thing is, in a way, we put ourselves in ‘jail’ with our sins against a holy God, trying to ‘hide’ from Him because of our shame—even though we would REALLY like to ‘experience’ His presence!

King David had this exact feeling after he had knowingly sinned by his adultery with Bathsheba, and his subsequent ‘cover up’ of it by essentially murdering her husband, Uriah (Psalms 32, 51, 86, and 122 were written after this episode).

Though probably written before King David’s episode with Bathsheba—possibly during the war in Mahanaim, caused by his son Absalom’s rebellion against him—Psalm 23 was grief-stricken and heartbroken, but said that, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” Why is that? Well, he answers that with, “For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” The thing is, it’s evident from the Scriptures that our awareness of God’s presence is vital to whatever He wants to do in our life—as He did in King David’s life and many others in the Bible:

– God “walked” and “spoke” to Adam frequently
– God “asked” Cain what he had done
– Enoch “walked” with God
– God “told” Noah to build an ark
– God “spoke” to Job and his friends
– God “told” Abraham to take his family to another land
– God “said” to Abimelech that he needed to return Abraham’s wife Sarah
– God “appeared” to Isaac
– God “visited” Jacob
– God “spoke” to Joseph
– God “spoke” to Moses numerous times, and “walked by” him (allowing Moses to see His “back”)
– God “spoke” to Joshua about taking Moses’ place
– God “told” Gideon He would be with him
– God “spoke” the Samuel
– King David “sensed” God was with him when he was fighting Goliath
– God “told” Nathan to confront King David about his adultery with Bathsheba
– God “appeared” to Solomon to ask what he wanted
– God “came” to Jehu about overcoming Baasha
– God “spoke” to Elijah in a still small voice
– God “told” Isaiah not to be afraid
– God “spoke” the King Ahaz about “Immanuel”
– God “told” Hosea to go and get his wife out of whoredom
– God “told” Jonah to go to Nineveh
– God “spoke” to Manasseh but he paid no attention
– God “told” Jeremiah that He would go with him
– God “came” to Ezekiel
– God “spoke” ‘through’ an angel to Daniel
– God “came” to Haggai
– God “came” to Zechariah
– God “spoke” to people at Jesus’ baptism
– Jesus (God) “told” the Apostles many things
– Jesus “told” the Apostle Paul to stop persecuting His people
– God “appeared” to the Apostle Peter to tell him that the Gentiles will be ‘grafted’ into the faith
– God “spoke” to believers at the church in Antioch
– God “revealed” Himself to the Apostle John on the Isle of Patmos

 

The thing is, a ‘believer’ has JUST AS MUCH of Jesus ‘inside’ of them—in the ‘Person’ of the Holy Spirit—as did the Apostle Paul or any of the other Apostles! Jesus said that, “I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you” [ John 14:20b ]. Even though He was going to be ‘physically’ gone, He would still be with them ‘spiritually’.

God DOES desire that you have an ‘awareness’ of Him. SO, what can a believer do when they are not ‘fully’ aware of God’s presence in their life? Well, here are a few suggestions:

– Try to continually ‘think about’ God consciously
– Continually seek God guidance for your decisions (His will)
– View God (Jesus) as a constant ‘Companion’
– View everything in the ‘light’ of His presence—no ‘secrets’
– View peace in the midst of a ‘storm’ as His presence
– Desire a ‘hunger’ for His Word—His will and wisdom
– Be more conscious of the ‘blessings’ God sends your way
– Be ‘dependent’ upon God for your needs
– Prayer should be a priority (God IS interested in EVERY aspect of your life!)
– Continue to have hope even when things ‘look’ hopeless
– Try to focus on Him in your ‘communal’ worship (not necessarily all the other ’things’ at church)
– Walk in obedience to Him (you DON’T have to sin!)
– Develop a more ‘intimate’ relationship with Jesus—Ask for His ‘joy’ in your life

[ “Joy” is different than “happiness” – View this previous “Life’s Deep Thoughts” post for more details on this: https://markbesh.wordpress.com/having-joy-through-trials-v198/ ].

 

As a believer, you will never reach the ‘maximum’ of your potential—you’ll never have a sense of satisfaction and contentment and fulfillment—until you find out what God is ‘desiring’ in your life. So, start using the ‘gifts’ He gave you to be of service to Him. I’m thinking that you will ‘sense’ His presence when you are doing His will for your life.

British runner and rugby player, Eric Liddell, after winning the gold medal in the 1924 Summer Olympics said, “I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast! And when I run I feel His pleasure.” After the Olympics and graduation from the University of Edinburgh, Liddell, like his parents, went to Northern China to serve as a Christian missionary in the Hehei province. According to a fellow missionary, Liddell’s last words were, “It’s complete surrender,” in reference to how he had given his life to God.

[ Note: “Chariots of Fire” and “On Wings of Eagles” are movies depicting different times of Eric Liddell’s life ].

 

‘EXPERIENCING’ GOD’S PRESENCE
Most of us are ‘caught up’ in a kind of self-indulgence and self-centeredness that views God only in terms of WHAT HE CAN ‘DO’ for us. God becomes a sort of a utilitarian ‘genie’. You rub your little theological ‘lamp’, and He pops out and says, “You can have three wishes.” We want a God who makes us ‘comfortable’.

The thing is, as I mentioned, we don’t understand God’s ‘nature’. God is majestic. God is fearful. He is mighty. He is awesome. He is transcendent. In fact, in Exodus 15:11, it says the most important trait about God is that He is HOLY, and we ARE NOT—and NOTHING ‘UNHOLY’ can be in His ‘presence’!

 

Related to this, Moses was up on a plain old dirt hill one day—which he probably walked up many times—and he turned around to see a burning bush (not being consumed), and a voice said, “Take off your sandals” [ Exodus 3:5b ]. Why? Well, God said that, “for the place on which you are standing is holy ground” [ Exodus 3:5c ].

Now, if you were in Moses’ sandals, might your reaction be, “What? I come here all the time.” But, whenever the divine presence of God appears, everything is immediately ‘sanctified’. This was not “holy ground” for any virtue in and of itself, but because God was there and His pervasive presence sanctified the earth under His ‘feet’.

Again, remember when God says to Moses, and I’m paraphrasing, “You’re going to be my man. Go lead my people. My ‘presence’ will go with you. I will go with you.” Moses responded by saying, “That’s a nice promise God, but I’d like some proof. Would You just prove it by showing me Your glory.” God says, “No man can see my glory and live.” No creature could withstand the sight of the blazing fullness of the glory of God. God promises ‘proximity’ but never full revelation. So God says, “I’ll tell you what. I’ll tuck you in the cleft of a rock, and I’ll let you see My ‘back’” (Exodus 33:23).

 

As another example of this, when the prophet Isaiah was going to be in God’s presence—when he sees the holiness of God—he can only see his ‘defilement’, and not any of his goodness! “Then said I, woe is me!” [ Isaiah 6:5a ]. That’s not just a sign of despair, although I think there’s despair in it. It’s far more than that! He can all but pronounce a ‘curse’ upon himself.

He then says, “For I am ruined” [ Isaiah 6:5b ]. In Hebrew, it’s “Nid methi,” which comes from a root word which means, in the passive tense, to “be lost,” “to perish,” “to be annihilated,” or “to be destroyed.” So, Isaiah is saying that he is destroyed and devastated by the holiness of God. He knew how ‘WRETCHED’ he was! “I am a man of unclean lips” [ Isaiah 6:5c ]. For the first time I see myself; I’m a ‘dirty’ man. I’ve seen the great “LORD Almighty”!

 

The thing is, NO ONE can stand in the presence of God without becoming profoundly and devastatingly aware of their own wretchedness and sinfulness. That’s why I’m suggesting that if we don’t understand the holiness of God, then we don’t understand how heinous our sinfulness is, such that we then don’t understand the ‘consequences’ of it. To see even the smallest glimpse of God’s holiness is to be devastated!

 

The prophet Habakkuk prayed, “When I heard my belly trembled” [ Habakkuk 3:16a ]. He then said, “My lips quivered at the voice, rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble” [ Habakkuk 3:16b-c ].

Look what happened: His belly trembled and his lips quivered. Why? Because God ‘spoke’. Then he knew he was in the ‘presence’ of God, he almost ‘fell apart’.

 

Now, let’s see what happened to Job when God ‘spoke’ to him: “The Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind. Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?… What ignoramus stands before Me?” [ Job 38:1-2, 41:10 ].

So, Job gets the worst ‘browbeating’ in human history—for more than three chapters—with God literally batting him from ‘pillar to post’. Then Job says, “I abhor myself. I repent in dust and ashes.” [ Job 42:6 ]. NO ONE ever comes before the holiness of God without ‘DEVASTATION’!

 

The Disciples also had an experience with God (Jesus) ‘speaking’: “And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey Him?” They were 100X more afraid when they saw Jesus’ power than when they saw the sea raging, because instantly they knew they were in the ‘presence’ of God! They were ‘shattered’ because they then realized that their hearts were ‘open books’ to His omniscience!

 

It is literally the ‘grace’ of God that you and I are not this moment ‘consumed’ by the fire of His wrath! People say, “Oh, why is it that there’s so much trouble in the world? If the God of the Bible is a God of love, why do ‘bad’ things happen?” The thing is, if He weren’t a God of love, only one sin by one individual just one time would be the end of everything!

We want a God who’s non-threatening, but that’s NOT the God of the Bible. All the people I just mentioned were ‘AFRAID’ to be in the presence of God—and ALL OF US should be, too!

 

Christians tend to ‘compromise’ all the time, disobeying whenever they feel like it, right in the ‘face’ of a holy God. If they ‘saw’ (or ‘heard’) Him just once—like Isaiah or Moses did—I would be amazed if they ever would do that again!

 

So now, let’s get back to Isaiah. This man is DEVASTATED and ‘shattered’. Now, is God going to leave him that way? Well, “Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: ‘Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for’” [ Isaiah 6:6-7 ].

So, do you know what it takes to get to that point where you are ‘purged’? Well, it takes a ‘broken’ and a contrite heart in the face of the holiness of God (Psalm 51:17). No “cheap grace” here. No “easy believe-ism.” There is ‘pain’ involved in TRUE REDEMPTION!

Talking about this reminds me of John Bunyan, the author of “The Pilgrim’s Progress.” He said that before he had the sense of knowing Jesus Christ, he agonized over his sin for no less than 18 months! He said it was actually “painful.”

All of this is not easy. It takes a broken and a shattered heart, and the pain of giving up sin to embrace the sovereign God! BUT, once it is done, God says, “‘Whom shall I send and who will go for us?’ Then said I, ‘Here am I, send me’” [ Isaiah 6:8 ]. You will be ‘cleansed’! The only way a person is fit to serve is when they are cleansed by the grace of God (Psalm 51:2; 1 John 1:9).

So, when was the last time you ‘trembled’ in the presence of God?

 

‘PRACTICING’ THE PRESENCE OF GOD
When Moses had an encounter with God, it was SO REAL that his face literally ‘glowed’ to the degree that he had to wear a veil over his face when he would go out into public.

Now, the sad thing is that there was a time when that ‘glow’ had faded, but Moses continued to wear the veil (to keep the people from knowing that the glory of God had left him).

 

Was there ever a time that you went ‘through the motions’—still wearing that ‘veil’? You were still ‘outwardly’ saying, “Yes, Jesus is real and precious to me,” but ‘inwardly’ you knew that you were hiding behind some kind of a ‘veil’.

So then, let me present some suggestions from pastor Adrian Rogers, to help the believer get their ‘glow’ back. Rogers speaks of determination, preparation, isolation, expectation, adoration, intercession, observation, and transformation.

Pastor Rogers uses the book of Exodus—and Moses as the example—of how to practice the presence of God. First off, Moses says to God, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here” [ Exodus 33:15b ]. He doesn’t even want to bother trying to lead the Israeli nation without God’s help. Moses was ‘DETERMINED’ to have the conscious presence of God with him.

Secondly, there must be ‘PREPARATION’. Moses is getting ready to go up Mount Sinai to ‘meet’ with God (and be presented the Ten Commandments—the first time). The believer must also prepare and be ready to ‘meet’ God, not in a careless or haphazard way—but one that means ‘business’! The Bible speaks of preparing one’s ‘heart’ to meet God (Amos 4:12; Hebrew 4:16). [ How NOT to prepare: 2 Chronicles 12:14 ]. One should prepare by putting away any ‘distractions’.

Then one should seek ‘ISOLATION’ (just as Moses was alone on Mount Sinai with God). Jesus says that when you pray that you enter into your ‘closet’. Now, He didn’t mean a clothes closet. He meant a ‘closed place’ where you shut the doors and open the ‘window’ to Heaven.

Abraham was alone when he received that first “Covenant.” Moses was alone in the wilderness when God gave him the Ten Commandments. Daniel was alone when God spoke to him and gave him a prophecy. Paul was alone in Arabia where God ‘inspired’ him to write the epistles and the other ‘letters’. Peter was alone on a rooftop when he had a vision to open the ‘door’ to the Gentiles. John was alone on the Isle of Patmos on the Lord’s Day when God gave him the book of the Revelation. Jesus went into the wilderness to pray to the Father by Himself.

The next thing to do is to have an ‘EXPECTATION’ to meet God. When you are having a ‘quiet time’ with God, to expect God to ’show up’ and to ‘communicate’ with you. Also, be ready to write down what you ‘sense’ God ‘saying’. It’s been well said that, “The faintest ink is more powerful than the strongest memory” or “The faintest pencil is better than the sharpest memory.” You will be surprised how writing things down clarifies the mind and the ‘heart’! (Jeremiah 31:33).

After this, then comes ‘ADORATION’. After meeting with God, Moses made haste to bowing his head and worshipping—humbling himself and receiving God’s instructions with meekness.

Then, in some instances, there comes ‘INTERCESSION’—for others. Moses begged God for a favor in leading the “stiff-necked” people to where God wanted them to go. Sometimes we don’t know how to pray for others, so just ask God to tell you how.

Then comes ‘OBSERVATION’—obeying God’s commandments. It’s primarily why God isn’t ‘real’ to most believers. Jesus said, “Whoever has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him” [ John 14:21 ].

This mentioned the “manifest” presence of Jesus. If the believer really wants Jesus to be ‘real’ to them, they must ‘keep’ God’s Word!

Finally, there is ‘TRANSFORMATION’. After God created the second set of tablets—the first of which he broke when he saw the Israelites worshipping a golden calf—Moses came down off Mount Sinai again. However, this time, unaware, Moses’ face ‘glowed’ so bright, Aaron suggests he put on a veil so the people would not be afraid of him.

Moses’ face begins to shine as a reflection of the Shekinah glory of God. I’m thinking it was like my fireplace ‘poker’. I can quickly poke around in the fire and then take it out, and the metal will hardly be hot. But, if there’s a roaring fire and I leave that poker in the fire for a while, it will begin to glow. Not only will the poker be in the fire, but the fire will be ‘in’ the poker. When you spend enough time in the presence of God, the presence of God gets ‘into’ you! Just like Moses beholding the glory the Lord was ‘infusing’ itself into Moses—and Moses was ‘transformed’—this can also happen to you!

The thing is, the Apostle Paul tells us that even though the Israelites could not gaze upon Moses’ face because of God’s glory being outwardly ‘expressed’, the New Testament believer, having the Holy Spirit ‘indwelling’ them, will HAVE EVEN MORE GLORY! (2 Corinthians 3:8). In addition to that, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” [ 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 ].

If Moses in the Old Testament spent time going up there on Mount Sinai to get the Ten Commandments, how much more will we be changed as we look into the ‘face’ of our Lord through His Word! THAT’S the presence of God!

So, BE READY to ‘practice’ God’s presence NOW, and don’t be satisfied with just with eternal security—which is fantastic—but develop a ‘CONSCIOUS’ presence of God in your life!

 

God is especially ‘near’ to us at CERTAIN TIMES. He is ever near us in “time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). He is near when we confess and forsake our sins (Psalm 76:7; Isaiah 59:2; 2 Corinthians 6:16-18). He is near the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18; compare Matthew 5:3ff.; 2 Corinthians 7:6). He is with us when we exercise church discipline in His name (Matthew 18:20). He is with us as we carry out the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). He is with us when we are being disciplined by Him as a loving Father (see Hebrews 12:3-13). He is near when we call upon Him in truth (Psalm 145:18). He is near when we treat Him as holy (Leviticus 10:3). He is near to us when we “draw near” to Him (James 4:8).

 

Again, theologian A.W. Tozer summarizes this well: “The presence and the manifestation of the presence are not the same. There can be one without the other. God is here when we are wholly unaware of it. He is manifest only when and as we are aware of His Presence.”

There is a sense of God’s presence that goes beyond our day-to-day experience. Pastor and author John Piper describes this as the manifest, trusted, conscious presence of God: “There is a sense in which God’s presence is not with us always. For this reason, the Bible repeatedly calls us to ‘seek the Lord… seek his presence continually’. God’s manifest, trusted, conscious presence is not our constant experience.”

The Apostle Paul also expressed that not only is God omnipresent, but He ‘indwells’ us by His Holy Spirit: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” [ Galatians 2:20 ], and that the believer should ’sense’ the closeness and presence of God: “May the God of peace be with you all.” [ Romans 15:33 ].

 

So, can the believer enjoy the manifest, conscious presence of God? Well, the purpose of our redemption is to bring us into a ‘right’ relationship to God in order that He might bring us into a manifest, conscious relationship with Himself.

Therefore, until a person is ‘saved’, “born again,” they remain ‘outside’ of God’s plan for fellowship. They are WITHOUT HOPE, sinners outside the ‘wall’, and will go to an ETERNAL ‘HELL’ after they die.

[ For more details on having a “blessed hope,” view this previous “Life’s Deep Thoughts” post: https://markbesh.wordpress.com/blessed-hope-v245/ ].

 

HOWEVER, if you are a believer’, having a ‘sense’ of God’s presence should be a DAILY DESIRE to experience!

 

GOD WILL NEVER ‘LEAVE’ YOU!
Moses said in his famous ‘prayer’ of intercession for the Israelites: “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?” [ Exodus 33:15-16 ].

God then promised that He would not ‘forsake’ them, and would go before them: “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” [ Exodus 33:14 ], and “This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in my sight” [ Exodus 33:17 ]. The thing is, this not only happened back then in Old Testament times, it happened in the New Testament times (of Jesus and the Apostles), and still happens today!

When Jesus was preparing to leave this earth, He said that the Father “will give another Helper, to be with you forever” (John 14:16b-c).

Similar to making a down payment on a car or a house, God has provided all believers with a ‘down payment’ on their future relationship with Him by sending the Holy Spirit to ‘indwell’ them (Romans 8:11; 2 Corinthians 6:16; John 16:13; Galatians 5:22-23).

The Apostle Paul also tells us that the Holy Spirit will never leave a believer since they are “sealed” with the Holy Spirit, “who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of His glory” [ Ephesians 1:14 ], and that the Holy Spirit has “set his seal of ownership on us… guaranteeing what is to come” [ 2 Corinthians 1:22 ].

 

While the Holy Spirit will never ‘leave’ a believer, it is possible for our sin to “quench the Holy Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 5:19) or “grieve the Holy Spirit” (Ephesians 4:30). Sin ALWAYS has ‘CONSEQUENCES’ in our relationship with God. While our relationship with God is secure ‘in’ Christ, unconfessed sin in our lives can ‘hinder’ our fellowship with God and effectively quench the Holy Spirit’s ‘working’ in our lives. That is why it is so important to CONFESS OUR SINS because God is “faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” [ 1 John 1:9 ]. So, while the Holy Spirit will never leave us, the BENEFITS and joy of His presence can in fact ‘depart’ from us!

To not make that happen, Jesus taught: “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples” [ John 15:4-8 ].

Jesus is teaching that treasuring and seeking the presence of God is essentially done by abiding ‘in’ Him. So, in order to bear ‘fruit’ and live ‘fruitful’ lives for God’s glory, the believer must seek God’s presence and grace by striving to fulfill the conditions of His promises through the strength that He supplies. God is actively dwelling within every believer, and He will never ‘withdraw’ from us: “I will never leave you nor forsake you’” [ Hebrews 13:5 ]. In other words, even in the worst of horrible, dark times, my Shepherd is with me: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me” [ Psalm 23:4 ].

 

The old Puritans put it all together by talking about the manifest presence of God., and they used a phrase—the manifest, experienced, known, tasted the presence of God—to distinguish it from the omnipresence of God, which may or may not be experienced intensely from time to time. I think this is really, really helpful. In other words, sometimes God withdraws the ‘sweetness’ of His presence from us—primarily to make us feel our desperate need for Him.

 

All that said, the Apostle Paul encourages us that God WILL NEVER LEAVE the believer:

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” [ Romans 8:35-39 ].

 

‘ETERNAL’ PRESENCE!
A believer LONGS to have a ‘connection’, be ‘spoken’ to, or just ‘feel’ the presence of God. Well, there is a REALLY GOOD reason for that: “He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end” [ Ecclesiastes 3:11 ]. God has put ‘eternity’ in the ‘heart’ of man.

Now, as was mentioned, since we are sinful beings, God CANNOT be in our presence—His holy ‘essence’ would just FRY US to ashes instantaneously! (That’s why Jesus is SO IMPORTANT, since we CAN be in His presence!).

BUT, there WILL BE a day for the believer when they will be in the presence of God the Father—and that would be in Heaven! The ‘place’ Jesus said—after His Resurrection—that He would go to to “prepare a place for you,” and then He would “come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also” [ John 14:3 ]. WHAT A DAY that will be!!! Finally in the ‘place’ that mankind was originally created for!

 

While the Apostle Paul emphasized the reality of an immortal, spiritual body (in 1 Corinthians 15), John called attention to the reality of our ETERNAL ‘PRESENCE’ with God: “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people,[b] and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” [ Revelation 21:3-4 ].

Then, in the next chapter of Revelation, John says, “No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever” [ Revelation 22:3-5 ].

The day WILL COME when our perfected spirits and immortal bodies are forever united! In that glorious condition, “we will be with the Lord forever” [ 1 Thessalonians 4:17). HALLELUJAH!!! At that time, the believer will experience the FULL REALITY of the unsearchable riches of God! (Ephesians 3:8).

 

However, before we experience that glorious reality, we still live in this ‘broken’ world. We are not just to wait for our ‘blessed hope’ (more about this in a previous post: https://markbesh.wordpress.com/blessed-hope-v245/), the believer is to be actively and vigorously be ‘engaged’ in becoming more like Jesus (the process called “sanctification”), and of extending the ‘rule’ go His Kingdom (referred to in the first three petitions in the “Lord’s Prayer” in Matthew 6:9-13).

 

WRAP UP
If you have a good marriage and have been married for at least 5-10 years, your relationship with your spouse is not the same as it was during your dating days, or even the first few years of your marriage. You have grown closer. Your love has deepened, matured, and expanded.

If, however, your marriage is in ‘trouble’, you know there is something missing. The connection is not quite right. There is complacency, apathy, and a ’dullness’. Maybe there’s no desire to divorce, but you’re just ‘existing’ together instead of ‘being’ together.

The same applies to our relationship with God. We can fall into a habit just “going to church,” doing our Bible reading. and saying our prayers. But we, like the Laodicean Christians (Revelation 3:15), we may have grown “lukewarm.” We have ‘settled’ for much less than we could have.

Just like the physical relationship with your spouse and the spiritual relationship with God, they both take ‘work’ to grow and mature. They necessitate DAILY involvement, demand deep commitment, and require ‘communion’ beyond a surface level.

 

Author H.G. Wells was never particularly religious, but after he had studied the history of the human race and had observed human life, he came to an interesting conclusion: “Religion is the first thing and the last thing, and until a man has found God and been found by God, he begins at no beginning, he works to no end. He may have his friendships, his partial loyalties, his scraps of honor. But all these things fall into place and life falls into place only with God.”

Wells was right. Life in all its fullness ‘begins’ with God. While it is sad that an irreligious world doesn’t make the connection, it is sadder still that too many Christians fail to grow, develop, and enhance their relationship with God.

 

The warm ‘fuzzy feelings’ that are commonly associated with God’s presence today are not highlighted in Scripture. The effects of meeting with God go way beyond this.

What IS consistent with the experience of those who actually ‘sense’ God’s manifest presence, is that they are NEVER THE SAME AGAIN!

When Moses experienced God in a burning bush, the encounter shaped the direction of Moses’ life from that point forward. The same is true for Isaiah when he was given a vision of the Lord sitting on his throne. It is impossible to truly experience God’s presence and not be changed by it.

The apostles, who had spent 3+ years in the presence of Jesus, saw that experience as something that formed the foundation for everything that followed: “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us” [ 1 John 1:1-2 ].

 

It seems that as the believer steps out on ‘mission’ that they will have a greater experience of God’s presence. Then, it is as they experience and enjoy the manifest presence of God, that they see their mission bearing ‘fruit’ (Proverbs 11:30; Psalm 92:12; Isaiah 32:17; Matthew 13:23; John 15:16; Romans 7:14).

God’s presence then becomes the REAL ’DEAL’ for the believer. The exciting thing is, whatever the believer has experienced of God’s manifest presence so far, there is MORE to experience and to enjoy in the future, as the ‘river’ gets deeper (John 7:38). God promises that if the believer draws near to Him, He will draw near to them! (James 4:8; Isaiah 55:1-3; Isaiah 55:6-7; Psalm 65:4; Psalm 145:18; Psalm 100:2-4; Micah 6:6-8; Hebrews 7:19).

 

God makes His influence more manifestly felt and experienced in particular ways and particular times. This is what we are referring to when we say with the psalmist, “For me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord my refuge, that I may tell of all your works” [ Psalm 73:28 ], and that “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth” [ Psalm 145:18 ]. That doesn’t mean that God traveled some ‘distance’. It means He is near in the sense that He exerts His ‘influence’ for the believer’s good in special ways, and causes us them to experience the ‘sweetness’ of His reality in special ways.

Pastor and theologian Charles Spurgeon said that, “The Presence of God is absolutely essential for the edification, instruction, growth and perfecting of Believers! If we have not this, the means of Grace are empty, vain and void.” He then went on to say, “To go anywhere without our God is terrible—but to die without the Presence of God would be awful beyond expression. To go down into death’s dark river with no kind helper, with no loving voice saying to us, ‘Fear you not, for I am with you; My rod and My staff shall comfort you,’ would be sad, indeed. It would be, indeed, a solemn thing to meet death alone, to have no Presence of God to cheer us in the last dread conflict!”

 

Mankind has always revolted against the presence of God, starting in the Garden of Eden. The first Adam took us away from the presence of God, while the second Adam, Jesus, leads us straight into God’s presence. The revolt of man is overturned by the redemptive action of Jesus, and that’s Who you need to be ‘connected’ with (born again) before you can be in God the Father’s presence.

God wants to ‘meet’ with you on a far more regular basis that when you are in ‘trouble’. In fact, turn to God only when you are hurting, struggling, or confused greatly ‘limits’ the quality of your relationship with God. The truth is, God wants to meet you in good times and bad. He wants to ‘guide’ you, ‘empower’ you, and ‘fill’ you with joy beyond your wildest dreams! His plans for you, as a believer, well beyond any momentary crisis.

 

The Psalms tell us about who God is like. In fact, the writer to the Hebrews put it this way: “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word” [ Hebrews 1:1-3a ].

More than anything, God wants a ‘relationship’ with the believer. He wants so much to establish an intimate ‘bond’ with mankind that He sent His Son, Jesus, to reveal some of what He is like. The Apostle John tells us that, “The Word [Jesus] became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” [ John 1:14 ].

On the night before Jesus’ death, Philip, one of the Twelve, asked Jesus, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us” [ John 14:8 ]. Jesus then replied, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” [ John 14:9b ]. So, everything said about God through the Psalms is ‘illustrated’ in Jesus.

So, if we want to ‘experience’ God, one must get to know Him ‘by’ His Son, Jesus. Notice how Jesus ‘reflects’ the character of God as illustrated in the Psalms:

Psalm 139: Jesus in your Creator
Psalm 73: Jesus is the Sovereign Lord
Psalm 51: Jesus is your Savior
Psalm 77: Jesus is your Deliverer
Psalm 23: Jesus is the Good Shepherd
Psalm 46: Jesus is your refuge
Psalm 90: Jesus is your Friend

Through Jesus, the believer is ‘allowed’ to be fully conscious of God’s greatness, life’s brevity, sin’s seriousness, and the mercy that is available to every believer. Jesus said to His followers on the last night before His death that, “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you” [ John 15:15 ]. Jesus wants to make known to the believer how to live, what to do, and how to do it. He LONGS to be your “friend.”

 

So, would you like to ‘experience’ God all the time? Every day? Would you like to ‘encounter’ God not only in times of distress, but also in times of peace? Would you like to know God in a ‘personal’ way, leading and encouraging you? Would you like to know that you are NEVER alone no matter what happens? Would you like to have an eternal ‘hope’ that will NEVER ‘fade away’? Would you like to sense God’s ‘presence’ as you live out EVERY MOMENT of your life?

Well, these are ALL POSSIBLE! For the believer that ‘knows’ Jesus personally (has been “born again”), He has made them an awesome promise: “I will be with you always, even to the end of the age” [ Matthew 28:20 ]. Jesus’ ‘presence’ in the believer’s life is the “how” to every one of the questions I asked above.

 

Now, there other many other things that hinder experiencing intimacy with God, but they all boil down largely to the SIN that results when we give in to our ‘flesh’. The Apostle Paul clarified it this way: “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want” [ Galatians 5:16-17 ]. As Paul further reiterated, this ‘war’ between the flesh and the Spirit has eternal consequences: “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace” [ Romans 8:6 ].

So, let me encourage you to make every effort to start building an intimate relationship with God by seeking Him daily in prayer, delighting in approaching Him (Isaiah 58:2), and studying and obeying His Word daily (2 Timothy 2:15). By seeking rest and dwelling in God’s presence, your will find rest and peace for your spirit and soul on a continual and consistent basis (Matthew 11:28-30; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

 

To be ‘practical’ here’s few of the most important ‘things’ the believer needs to do to experience the presence of God each and every day:

– Spend time reading the Bible every day (Matthew 4:4)
– Confess your sins, desiring to obey God’s commandments (1 John 1:9)
– Spend time each day telling God what’s on your ‘heart’, and ask Him for help (Luke 11:2-2)
– Find a good, bible-believing church to get involved with (Hebrews 10:24-25; Acts 2:42-47)
– Look for opportunities to express God’s love to others (1 Corinthians 13; Hebrews 13:16; John 5:12; Proverbs 19:17; Matthew 5:16; Proverbs 3:27; Philippians 2:4; Matthew 25:44-45)

 

In the deep recesses of a man’s soul lies an overwhelming ‘yearning’ for its Creator. This is a common thread throughout all humanity—since we are all created in the ‘image’ of God. So, unless and until this desire is fulfilled, the human soul remains restless—constantly striving for something that is not attainable by it alone.

The HIGHEST ACCOMPLISHMENT of humanity is entering the overwhelming presence of God. Nothing else can satiate this burning ‘thirst’!

St. Augustine, the Bishop of Hippo, captured the essence of this desire in his Confessions: “Thou hast created us for Thyself and we are restless until we rest fully in Thee.”

People that have success at being in the ‘presence’ of God have been those who had a ‘desperate’ need to ‘connect’ with God. Are you ‘DESPERATE’?

 

When the believer REALLY recognizes that God’s ‘presence’ IS ‘with’ them, they can be MUCH MORE courageous! It grows as they ‘draw’ on His strength. Without God’s ‘power’, they will find that hardship and stress will ‘drain’ them emotionally and ‘hurt’ them physically, leaving them vulnerable to attacks from the Devil.

The Bible details the courageous way that the Apostle Paul handled his trials: He was opposed by religious leaders, manhandled by magistrates, and mobbed by crowds. Yet, throughout it all, he stood firm because he claimed that he had been ‘pushed’ beyond his ability to endure: “For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers,[b] of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself.” [ 2 Corinthians 1:8 ]. In fact, once his fear was so strong, an angel exhorted him not to be afraid (Acts 27:24).

So, what did the Apostle Paul know that could help us? Well, ‘wherever’ Paul was, God was ‘personally’ present! Paul TRUSTED the ‘guiding’ presence of the Holy Spirit, and he took to heart Jesus’ assurance of His nearness: “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you” [ Acts 18: 9b-10a ]. With Jesus ’standing’ right next to him, Paul didn’t have to be afraid of anything!

So, when one ‘belongs’ to Jesus (“born again”), they can KNOW FOR SURE that He is ALWAYS with them, as well as having the Holy Spirit as their permanent ‘companion’! I feel much ‘braver’. What about you?

 

I like how theologian, pastor, and author R.C. Sproul summed up the overarching, ultimate ‘goal’ of the Christian life: “The big idea of the Christian life is “Coram Deo.” Coram Deo captures the essence of the Christian life.”

“Coram Deo” is a Latin phrase that is translated “in the presence of God,” which summarizes the idea of Christians living in the presence of, under the authority of, and to the honor and glory of God.

Sproul goes on to say that to live in the presence of God is to understand that whatever we are doing and wherever we are doing it, we are acting under the ‘gaze’ of God. God is omnipresent, and there is NO PLACE that we can escape His penetrating ‘gaze’.

To be aware of the presence of God is also to be acutely aware of His omnipresence. To live a life “Coram Deo,” is to be fully ‘open’ before God. It is a life lived by principle, not expediency. Lived by humility before God, not defiance. It is a life desiring to experience the ‘presence’ of God on a moment-by-moment basis.

 

As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, when we withdraw money from a bank account, the balance is reduced. However, if you didn’t ‘overdraft’, it’s really not LIVE CHANGING—you can always do a deposit in the future to increase that balance back to where it was, or to even more than it was.

However, when God WITHDRAWS HIS ‘PRESENCE’, it can be MUCH MORE SERIOUS, and it COULD BE ‘LIFE-CHANGING’! One needs to FIND OUT RIGHT AWAY why it is happening, since after being “born again,” having a ‘sense’ of God’s presence should be the believer’s HIGHEST GOAL for experiencing moment-to-moment in their life!

When God withdraws His presence from the believer, it is PRIMARILY because of your SIN, so REPENT, ask God for FORGIVENESS, and then ask the Holy Spirit to help to AVOID REPEATING it.

 

God says He WILL ‘meet’ with you as much as you WANT to meet with Him (James 4:8). So, ‘meet’ with Him DAILY by reading your Bible—He WILL ‘show up’! It will also help you develop a ‘REAL’ INTIMACY with Him and ‘fine-tune’ your ’AWARENESS’ of His presence!

Ask God for your own ‘Emmaus Road’ experience that ‘OPENS’ your spiritual ‘eyes’ to be able to fully comprehend Him and ‘see’ Him better in your daily life. Make it your OVERARCHING DESIRE to SEEK God’s presence with all your ‘heart’, mind, soul, and strength, and desire that He becomes ‘tangible’ to you!

 

I pray God ‘draws near’ to you in a LIFE CHANGING way! “In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” [ Psalm 16:11 ].

 

[ Excerpts from: Randy Alcorn; John MacArthur; Tom O’Toole; David Bowden; Jonathan Rowmig; Craig Denison; Dr. Bill Maunze; Steven J. Cole; Lori Schumaker; R.C. Sproll; Bob Deffinbaugh; Wayne Stiles; Rachel Hargreaves; Bill Elliff; Kevin Halloran; Dr. Gary Linton; A.W. Tozer; Jerry Bridges; Charles Stanley; Adrian Rogers; Jon Bloom; Charles R. Swindoll; Dr. James Boice; Wayne Grudem; John Piper; Laura Maguire; Janet Brito; Alisa Grace; Chris Garner; Jon Bloom; Ken Weliever ]

 

>>> SUMMARIZATION OF POST <<<

‘INTIMATE’ RELATIONSHIPS
All of our relationships with family, friends, and other trusted individuals all include ‘elements’ of intimacy.

Intimacy falls into several different categories: Emotional, intellectual, physical, experiential, and spiritual.

It seems that intimacy comes down to a few ‘key’ factors: Trust, acceptance, honesty, safety, compassion, affection, and communication.

All that said, here’s a few ‘practical’ ways to nurture intimacy in any relationship:
– Make it a point to show your appreciation
– Make an effort to learn about each other
– Set aside time for each other
– Unplug and focus on each other
– Show physical affection (even without sex)
– Tackle a project together
– Talk about what intimacy means to you
– Make the relationship a priority!

‘MARITAL’ INTIMACY
Marriage counselor and author Dr. Gary Chapman explains that intimacy between the husband and wife is one of the characteristics of a healthy marriage. He says that one of the problems is that both have different ideas as to what it means to have intimacy. For some husbands “intimacy” means “sex.” For most wives, intimacy is something far more emotional. In fact, without emotional closeness, sex would be meaningless. ‘Real’ intimacy involves sharing all of life. That is what marriage is all about.

Now, for a Christian, ‘real’ intimacy in a marriage adds another ‘component’: Jesus. So, a ‘spiritually intimate’ marriage between believers is where Jesus is not just valued, but where He is Lord and ‘Head’ of the union: “But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female. Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate” [ Mark 10:6-9 ].

Now, intimacy—that openness, transparency; spiritual, emotional, intellectual, physical closeness—DOES NOT occur naturally. Couples must spend time and energy to build intimacy in their marriage. It requires vigilance because there are many hindrances and barriers to intimacy. These barriers breakdown intimacy and can lead to breakdown of the marriage relationship.

Barriers to intimacy are those things that block or prevent intimacy from occurring in marriage relationships and they sometimes make it difficult to understand or connect with our spouse. Some of the barriers to intimacy can be (not a exhaustive list): Addictions, busyness, children, criticism, disrespect, exhaustion, expectations, fatigue, financial problems, hurtful communications, illness, impatience, lack of acceptance, lack of communication, miscommunication, poor self-image, rejection, sarcasm, secrets, sin, stress, tension, unforgiveness, and wrong priorities.

Even though barriers to intimacy build up naturally, couples CAN work together to break down the walls that develop between them. Even couples in good marriages will tend to drift apart from time to time. The ‘key’ is being purposeful about reconnecting on a regular basis and to continue to ‘grow’ in intimacy. Whether it is a little separation or huge walls between husband and wife, couples can and need to reconnect to bring intimacy back into their relationships.

‘INTIMACY’ WITH GOD
It seems to me that just like ‘physical’ and ‘emotional’ proximity plays an important role in promoting ‘intimacy’ in a human relationship (not necessarily sex), this would be similar for one’s ‘spiritual’ relationship with God.

Just like intimacy in a ‘human’ marriage, intimacy with God IS AVAILABLE to the believer, and just like marriage, it takes ‘concerted’ effort to develop it. The thing is, God ‘invites’ the believer to enjoy an intimate ‘fellowship’ with Him. However, it probably will put your faith to the ‘test’ more than anything else (James 1:2-4).

Now, author and co-founder of “Desiring God,” Jon Bloom says that, “Biblical knowledge is far better than gold when it fuels our trust in God. Otherwise, it only fuels our pride.” Trust is at the ‘heart’ of intimacy.

This is as true in our relationship with God as it is in our relationships with other human beings. Our experience of God’s nearness or distance is not a description of His actual ‘proximity’ to us, but of our experience of intimacy with Him. Scripture shows us that God is intimate with those who ‘trust’ Him. The more we trust God, the more intimately we come to know Him. A ‘felt’ distance from God is often due to a disruption in trust, such as a sin or a substantial life ’situation’.

This reality is vitally important to understand. As Christians, we want to experience intimacy with God. With the psalmist we say, “For me it is good to be near God” [ Psalm 73:28a ]. Believers should want to heed James’s exhortation: “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you” [ James 4:8 ].

The ‘secret’ to drawing near to God and having Him draw near to the believer is revealed clearly in the Bible: We draw near to God through faith in Jesus, Who ALONE gives us ‘access’ to God the Father (Hebrews 4:14–16; 7:25; Philippians 3:9). The believer also puts their trust in all of God’s “precious and very great promises” which find their fulfillment to them ‘in’ Jesus (2 Peter 1:4; 2 Corinthians 1:20).

Intimacy with God often occurs in the ‘places’ where we must trust Him most. “Heaven on earth” is the inexpressible joy and the peace that surpasses all understanding, and it comes from TRUSTING GOD WHOLLY (Philippians 4:6-7). It is like Frances R. Havergal wrote in his old hymn, “They who trust him wholly find him wholly true.”

GOD’S ‘OMNIPRESENCE’
The Bible teaches that God is “transcendent”—He is an ‘entity’ that is above and beyond the universe. So, although God may be fully present in the universe, He is also outside of it. Simply put, He transcends the totality of objects in the world. According to Christian theology, the transcendent God, who cannot be approached or seen in essence or being, becomes immanent primarily in the ‘God-man’ Jesus Christ, who is the incarnate Second ‘Person’ of the Trinity.

Secondly, the Bible teaches that God has “personhood”—Who has beliefs, desires, intentions, and ‘agency’. He has a will and can ‘act’ in and upon the universe.

God’s omnipresence then raises a question about what it meant by the “presence” of God. How can one talk about being in the presence of God at a ‘certain’ time when we all are in God’s presence ‘all’ the time?

So, God is ‘present’ in different ways and in different places, and God acts differently in different places in His creation. God’s presence sometimes ‘punishes’, sometimes ‘sustains’, and sometimes ‘blesses’.

Therefore, God is present in every part of space with His whole being, yet God acts differently in different places. A ‘MYSTERY’!

The thing is, Scripture IS CLEAR that God is omnipresent and His presence can be ‘tangible’ to us. In the Old Testament, King David describes God’s presence this way: “In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” [ Psalm 16:11 ].

GOD’S ‘MANIFEST’ PRESENCE
God is always ‘with’ the believer. But there are certain moments where they are particularly ‘aware’ of that presence and are ‘moved’ by it. This is known as the “manifestation” of God’s presence.

BUT, of course, God’s presence with His creation was ‘DISRUPTED’ because of SIN, and that ‘fellowship’ was broken. God is totally and completely ‘separate’ from sin and, in fact, He will not dwell in the midst of sin because He is such a holy God. (That is what the book of Leviticus is all about). It is our sin that ‘separates’ us from God.

So now, the ‘ordinary’ way of speaking about the presence or nearness of God in the Bible is not connected with ‘spatial’ orientation. His presence as we experience Him today is the ‘heightening’ of His reality in our lives either for good, if we are in His grace, or for ill, if we are under His wrath. (Which is why Jesus makes all the difference, since He ‘shields’ us ‘from’ God and makes God a welcoming reality or presence for us).

The experience of the manifest presence of God is a great privilege, and one that has been sought after by the great ‘saints’ of the past, such as Moses and David. In fact, God Himself actually encouraged David to seek His manifest presence (His ‘face’): “You have said, ‘Seek my face.’ My heart says to you, ‘Your face, Lord, do I seek’” [ Psalm 27:8 ].

GOD’S ‘INDWELLING’ PRESENCE
Jesus offered His body as a once-for-all ‘sacrifice’ for mankind’s sins, then ‘sat down’ at the right hand of God the Father (Hebrews 10:10, 12). That was a ‘revolutionary’ concept to Jewish thinking. None of their priests on duty in the Temple would ever sit down, because his work was never done. BUT, Jesus introduced a new and wonderful ‘element’ into the sacrificial system—one sacrifice, offered once, sufficient for all believers for all time! His ‘work’ IS DONE, and that was the ‘basis’ of the “New Covenant” of God with His people.

Jesus’ “priesthood” in now permanent and perpetual: “Because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them” [ Hebrews 7:24-25 ].

So, as a member of God’s ‘priesthood’, the believer can ‘approach’ God with confidence, knowing He loves and welcomes the believer into His presence as much as He welcomes His own Son! Woo-hoo!!!

King David said, “One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life” [ Psalm 27:4 ].

God is constantly ‘inviting’ the believer into His presence, and the nearness to Him is not one of ‘distance’, but it has to do with a rich person-to-person and soul-to-soul relationship. It has to do with trust, love, and intimacy of heart.

So, GO DO EVERYTHING you can to experience that relationship!

GOD ‘IS’ NEAR!
Have you ever had that experience when you can’t see something and it’s right in front of you? Now, when someone ‘points it out’ to you, you might feel a bit foolish for not seeing it, but in the overall scheme of things, it’s really not a big deal. However, it does matter—and it is a ‘big deal’—when it concerns the ‘big things’ of life… like God’s ‘presence’ in a believer’s life.

So, these two friends are walking home from Jerusalem to the village of Emmaus—about seven miles from Jerusalem. As they are talking about the Crucifixion and empty tomb, Jesus comes up to them and begins to walk alongside them in the most unassuming way (they don’t recognize Him yet).

Jesus then comes at it with a ‘bird’s eye’ view of the Old Testament to tell them that it is ALL ‘pointing’ at Him—not every word, but every ‘major’ concept. (Many passages even ‘prefigure’ Christ—tell us about him without telling us exactly).

So, why do you suppose these two men were “kept from recognizing” Jesus for hours on end? Well, I think the clue is when Jesus called them “foolish” and “slow of heart to believe” the Scriptures (verse 25). Their OUTWARD INABILITY to recognize Jesus mirrored their INWARD UNBELIEF of what the Scriptures revealed about Him.

Now, Jesus fully intended to help them ‘see’, but notice the priority of Jesus’ revelation: before He opened their ‘physical’ eyes, He purposed to open their ‘heart-eyes’ (as He will do with us, too).

Again, why? Well, I’m thinking it’s because it was of utmost importance that they “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).

There will be times when we are tempted to doubt the Word, ‘lose’ faith, and as a result lose ‘sight’ of Jesus. However, not being able to ‘see’ Jesus physically doesn’t necessarily mean that He isn’t there ‘walking’ beside us!

When the Bible is opened and we see the Lord Jesus Christ as He is interpreted to us by the divine operation of the Holy Spirit, we will NEVER BE THE SAME again! It will all make sense, and be the place where we ‘MEET’ with Jesus.

So what’s the application here? When you can’t ‘see’ or ‘sense’ Jesus, look to the Scriptures. When you can’t see what Jesus is doing in your life or can’t hear Him ‘speaking’ to you, look to the Scriptures. Go to your Bible—that’s where you will ‘sense’ Him!

Now, I’ve got to believe that many believers have had an ‘Emmaus Road’ experience, and we wonder ‘where’ God is, when, all along, He has been ‘walking’ BESIDE US all the time!

Like the two on the road to Emmaus, you do not travel alone. God is with you. Are you willing to open your ‘mind’ to ‘see’ Him?

GOD ‘SPEAKS’ ALL THE TIME!
There’s a sense in which God is never ‘silent’. Primarily, He has already ‘spoken’ in His Word (the Bible). What believers call God’s ‘silence’ may actually be their inability, or in some cases (certainly not all) their unwillingness, to ‘hear’ Him. Fortunately, that ‘hearing loss’ for God’s children need not be permanent—and given the promise of their resurrection, it certainly won’t be permanent, since we will ‘hear’ perfectly in Heaven!

I FEEL ‘ABANDONED’ BY GOD
There will be a time(s) when God withdraws His presence from you, and it’s PRIMARILY because of your SIN!

Now, when a person persists in sin despite God’s frequent attempts to call them toward obedience and warns them of what will happen if they continue down the path they are on, there comes a point where sometimes, God simply WITHDRAWS His ‘hand’ of protection and allows people to suffer the consequences of their sin, for chaos to reign, and for Satan to bring death and destruction. (This is definitely the ‘last resort’ for God). On the other hand, when bad things happen to us in life, we should not be too quick to believe that God has withdrawn His hand of protection, but instead, should go first consider some of the other elements for what has happened to us.

Nevertheless, there are times when God withdraws from some people so that they can suffer the consequences for their sin and rebellion against Him. Usually when this happens, this withdrawal is only after NUMEROUS and VARIED attempts by God to get the people to repent of their ways and return to Him, and to warn them of what will happen if they continue to rebel.Now, when a person persists in sin despite God’s frequent attempts to call them toward obedience and warns them of what will happen if they continue down the path they are on, there comes a point where sometimes, God simply WITHDRAWS His ‘hand’ of protection and allows people to suffer the consequences of their sin, for chaos to reign, and for Satan to bring death and destruction. (This is definitely the ‘last resort’ for God). On the other hand, when bad things happen to us in life, we should not be too quick to believe that God has withdrawn His hand of protection, but instead, should go first consider some of the other elements for what has happened to us.

Nevertheless, there are times when God withdraws from some people so that they can suffer the consequences for their sin and rebellion against Him. Usually when this happens, this withdrawal is only after NUMEROUS and VARIED attempts by God to get the people to repent of their ways and return to Him, and to warn them of what will happen if they continue to rebel.

So, how should we understand the language of ‘departing’ from God’s presence? Well, not in ‘spatial’ terms, but in ‘relational’ terms. Or, to put it another way, it is a ‘spiritual’ separation that we experience because of our sin, not a strictly a ‘local’ separation.

“Spiritual desertion” is the sense that God has ‘forgotten’ us, leaving the believer feeling isolated and directionless. But through faith, we can affirm God’s loving presence, even when He seems silent and we feel deserted. “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8) is a PROMISE God WILL NOT BREAK, despite how we FEEL!

Get honest with God. He says, “Come to Me” (Matthew 11:28). I believe He means in complete transparency. Symbolizing our trust, His love beckons a deep exchange: “I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name” [ Isaiah 45:2-3 ].

So, if you feel that God has left your side, I urge you to continue pursuing a deep relationship with Jesus by incorporating these strategies into your daily life. Then, a day will come where you will once again ‘feel’ His presence and see His handiwork.

As you have seen, there is a ‘tension’ created by God’s absence and presence. Author David Bowden said it well: “God is often absent in the ways we most desire, but present in the way we most require.”

God has been, and still is, ‘present’ with us in all the ways we require: sustaining the world, revealing His Word, making Covenants, sending His Spirit, and, preeminently, ‘giving’ us Jesus.

Therefore, since God always seeks His glory and the good of those who love Him, we can know that our experience of God’s absence in this life is actually for God’s glory and for our joy (Isaiah 64:4; Romans 8:28). So, consider four ways God’s absence is for your joy: Pleasure in pursuit; Elation in expectation; Wonder in waiting; and Merriment in mystery.

The greatest challenge facing every Christian is to overcome hindrances to God’s presence. The enemy of man’s soul (Satan), however, is determined to make the pathway as virtually impossible to travel as he can. For the most part, he has done a great job of discouraging ‘pilgrims’ in their quest for God’s presence.

So, will you follow Jesus NO MATTER THE ‘COST’? (Luke 14:25-34). Will you follow Him, even if you can’t always feel Him there or feel His love or His goodness? Will you still choose to trust Jesus regardless of your circumstances?

Now sometimes, in our deepest hour of need, the believer seems to have forgotten this earth-shattering truth, that God IS love. He has always ‘been’ love and He will never stop ‘being’ love. Every word that comes out of His mouth is TRUTH, and the truth is He will NEVER left the believer. He will NEVER abandoned them. Even if they can’t ‘see’ or ‘feel’ Him, He was ALWAYS right there, loving them and choosing them EVERY SECOND!

‘WAITING’ ON GOD
Trusting God when we don’t ‘hear’ or ‘sense’ Him ultimately strengthens and purifies the believer’s faith. The thing is, if faith is based on lack of struggle, affliction, and an absence of doubt and questions, that’s a foundation of ‘sand’ (Matthew 7:26-27). Such faith is only one frightening diagnosis or shattering phone call away from collapse. A ‘token’ faith like this will not survive feeling ‘abandoned’.

Probably the used most often verses used for discouragement and disheartenment for believers is Psalm 40: “I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD.”

So, if there is ‘darkness’ over your head, and God isn’t showing up right now, WAIT! Wait as long as it takes! Wait for God’s timing to restore your joy. Trust in the Lord!—He’s probably ‘working’ on you to be the image of His Son, Jesus! It will be WORTH IT!

Christian pastor Andrew Murray, wrote about this in his book “Waiting on God”: “It is God’s Spirit who has begun the work in you of waiting upon God. He will enable you to wait… Waiting continually will be met and rewarded by God himself working continually.”

Again, King David warns us not to let one’s faith erode one’s trust in God: “For God alone my soul waits in silence… my hope is from Him” [ Psalm 62:1, 5 ].

If we ‘lean’ on God while we wait, He will give us the grace to wait and to listen carefully as we pray, talk with trusted believers for encouragement, and keep opening His Word and asking Him to help us ‘hear’ or ‘sense’ Him.

HOW TO ‘LISTEN’ TO GOD
Down through history man has taken many ‘paths’ in his quest for God’s presence, all to no avail. Only one path is correct, and that path is revealed in the WORD OF GOD. Only in the Bible do we begin to understand what these inward stirrings are, and how to find ‘entrance’ into the presence of God.

The Bible says that any believer who will apply simple spiritual disciplines in their daily life will see a marvelous difference in their spiritual ‘walk’. One must ‘shun’ the worldly impulses for entertainment and amusement. These tend to be hindrances to experiencing the presence of God. They are, if I may say, cheap ‘substitutes’ for the real experience with God. These elements of the world dull our sense of God’s presence among us, and hinder us in several ways.

– Concentrate
– Meditating
– Anticipation
– Solitude
– Self importance
– Expectation
– Fellowship
– Awe
– Obedience
– Mark ‘Room’

I am confident that if the believer diligently seeks to develop these disciplines—seeking God with all of their heart—He will, in His goodness, bring them to a deep experience of Himself!

‘ENTERING’ GOD’s PRESENCE
But, the far more important question is, how do you enter God’s holy presence? Is He your “Good Buddy” in the sky? Do you just ‘barge’ into His presence and ask whatever ‘favors’ you want? Or, is there a right and wrong way to enter the ‘presence’ of the King of kings?

To enter God’s holy presence you MUST come through the ONLY ‘WAY’ that He has provided. In the Old Testament, it was the Temple. If you tried to approach God in any other way, the consequences could be severe!

Theologian and author A.W. Tozer wrote, “With our loss of the sense of majesty has come the further loss of religious awe and consciousness of the divine Presence. We have lost our spirit of worship and our ability to withdraw inwardly to meet God in adoring silence.”

Encountering God’s presence is made possible entirely by His grace, so it is available apart from any good or bad thing you do. He lovingly ‘calls’ you to meet with Him and waits for you to make ‘space’ in your life to receive what He longs to give.

Ask the Holy Spirit to make known God’s nearness. Seek His presence and have faith in His Word that when you seek Him you will find Him. “Your Spirit is everywhere I go. I cannot escape your presence. If I go up to Heaven, you will be there. If I go down to the place of death, you will be there!” [ Psalm 139:7-8 ].

So, “seek the Lord your God and you will find Him, if you search after Him with all your heart and with all your soul” [ Deuteronomy 4:29 ].

‘DRAWING NEAR’ TO GOD
In the deep recesses of a man’s soul lies an overwhelming ‘yearning’ for its Creator. This is a common thread throughout all humanity—since we are all created in the ‘image’ of God. So, unless and until this desire is fulfilled, the human soul remains restless—constantly striving for something that is not attainable by it alone. The highest accomplishment of humanity is entering the overwhelming presence of God. Nothing else can satiate this burning ‘thirst’.

St. Augustine, the Bishop of Hippo, captured the essence of this desire in his Confessions: “Thou hast created us for Thyself and we are restless until we rest fully in Thee.” It is God’s great pleasure for us to fully rest in His presence, moment by moment.

So, if we want God to draw near to us, we need to begin by drawing near to Him. We show our ‘hunger’ for God’s presence by giving God OUR presence, and as we do, we can claim this promise of Scripture that He will draw near to us.

There are many ‘forms’ this nearness may take. What unites them is the motivating desire to incline your ‘heart’ to God. This could include repenting of sin, singing praise, humbling ourselves, serving the poor, praying, fasting, studying the Bible, breaking bread, coming together with other believers in unity, giving, waiting in God’s presence, and just listening.

Your spiritual ‘intimacy’ with Jesus is tied to your internal ‘restrictions’. This is an ‘indwelling’ work. In fact, the Greek word “dwell” means to “make oneself at home,” such that you ‘allow’ Jesus free reign to visit the ‘library’ of your mind, the ‘living room’ of your fellowship, and the ‘attic’ of your hidden thoughts. You ‘allow’ Him to be free to ‘maneuver’ anywhere He wants.

God DOES desire that you have an ‘awareness’ of Him. SO, what can a believer do when they are not ‘fully’ aware of God’s presence in their life? Well, here’s a few suggestions:

– Try to continually ‘think about’ God consciously
– Continually seek God guidance for your decisions (His will)
– View God (Jesus) as a constant ‘Companion’
– View everything in the ‘light’ of His presence—no ‘secrets’
– View peace in the midst of a ‘storm’ as His presence
– Desire a ‘hunger’ for His Word—His will and wisdom
– Be more conscious of the ‘blessings’ God sends your way
– Be ‘dependent’ upon God for your needs
– Prayer should be a priority (God IS interested in EVERY aspect of your life!)
– Continue to have hope even when things ‘look’ hopeless
– Try to focus on Him in your ‘communal’ worship (not necessarily all the other ’things’ at church)
– Walk in obedience to Him (you DON’T have to sin!)
– Develop a more ‘intimate’ relationship with Jesus—Ask for His ‘joy’ in your life

As a believer, you will never reach the ‘maximum’ of your potential—you’ll never have a sense of satisfaction and contentment and fulfillment—until you find out what God is ‘desiring’ in your life. So, start using the ‘gifts’ He gave you to be of service to Him. I’m thinking that you will ‘sense’ His presence when you are doing His will for your life.

‘EXPERIENCING’ GOD’S PRESENCE
Most of us are ‘caught up’ in a kind of self-indulgence and self-centeredness that views God only in terms of WHAT HE CAN ‘DO’ for us. God becomes sort of a utilitarian ‘genie’. You rub your little theological ‘lamp’, and He pops out and says, “You can have three wishes.” We want a God who makes us ‘comfortable’.

The thing is, as I mentioned, we don’t understand God’s ‘nature’. God is majestic. God is fearful. He is mighty. He is awesome. He is transcendent. In fact, in Exodus 15:11, it says the most important trait about God is that He is HOLY, and we ARE NOT—and NOTHING ‘UNHOLY’ can be in His ‘presence’!

Christians tend to ‘compromise’ all the time, disobeying whenever they feel like it, right in the ‘face’ of a holy God. If they ‘saw’ (or ‘heard’) Him just once—like Isaiah or Moses did—I would be amazed if they ever would do that again!

Was there ever a time that you went ‘through the motions’—still wearing that ‘veil’? You were still ‘outwardly’ saying, “Yes, Jesus is real and precious to me,” but ‘inwardly’ you knew that you were hiding behind some kind of a ‘veil’.

So then, let me present some suggestions from pastor Adrian Rogers, to help the believer get their ‘glow’ back. Rogers speaks of determination, preparation, isolation, expectation, adoration, intercession, observation, and transformation.

So, BE READY to ‘practice’ God’s presence NOW, and don’t be satisfied with just with eternal security—which is fantastic—but develop a ‘CONSCIOUS’ presence of God in your life!

HOWEVER, if you are a believer’, having a ‘sense’ of God’s presence should be a DAILY DESIRE to experience!

GOD WILL NEVER ‘LEAVE’ YOU!
God then promised that He would not ‘forsake’ them, and would go before them: “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” [ Exodus 33:14 ], and “This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in my sight” [ Exodus 33:17 ]. The thing is, this not only happened back then in Old Testament times, it happened in the New Testament times (of Jesus and the Apostles), and still happens today!

When Jesus was preparing to leave this earth, He said that the Father “will give another Helper, to be with you forever” (John 14:16b-c).

Similar to making a down payment on a car or a house, God has provided all believers with a ‘down payment’ on their future relationship with Him by sending the Holy Spirit to ‘indwell’ them (Romans 8:11; 2 Corinthians 6:16; John 16:13; Galatians 5:22-23).

The Apostle Paul also tells us that the Holy Spirit will never leave a believer since they are “sealed” with the Holy Spirit, “who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of His glory” [ Ephesians 1:14 ], and that the Holy Spirit has “set his seal of ownership on us… guaranteeing what is to come” [ 2 Corinthians 1:22 ].

All that said, the Apostle Paul encourages us that God WILL NEVER LEAVE the believer:

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” [ Romans 8:35-39 ].

‘ETERNAL’ PRESENCE!
A believer LONGS to have a ‘connection’, be ‘spoken’ to, or just ‘feel’ the presence of God. Well, there is a REALLY GOOD reason for that: “He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end” [ Ecclesiastes 3:11 ]. God has put ‘eternity’ in the ‘heart’ of man.

Now, as was mentioned, since we are sinful beings, God CANNOT be in our presence—His holy ‘essence’ would just FRY US to ashes instantaneously! (That’s why Jesus is SO IMPORTANT, since we CAN be in His presence!).

BUT, there WILL BE a day for the believer when they will be in the presence of God the Father—and that would be in Heaven! The ‘place’ Jesus said—after His Resurrection—that He would go to to “prepare a place for you,” and the He would “come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also” [ John 14:3 ]. WHAT A DAY that will be!!! Finally in the ‘place’ that mankind was originally created for!

The day WILL COME when our perfected spirits and immortal bodies are forever united! In that glorious condition, “we will be with the Lord forever” [ 1 Thessalonians 4:17). HALLELUJAH!!! At that time, the believer will experience the FULL REALITY of the unsearchable riches of God! (Ephesians 3:8).

WRAP UP
The warm ‘fuzzy feelings’ that are commonly associated with God’s presence today are not highlighted in Scripture. The effects of meeting with God go way beyond this.

What IS consistent of the experience of those who actually ‘sense’ God’s manifest presence, is that they are NEVER THE SAME AGAIN!

It seems that as the believer steps out on ‘mission’ that they will have a greater experience of God’s presence. Then, it is as they experience and enjoy the manifest presence of God, that they see their mission bearing ‘fruit’ (Proverbs 11:30; Psalm 92:12; Isaiah 32:17; Matthew 13:23; John 15:16; Romans 7:14).

Mankind has always revolted against the presence of God, starting in the Garden of Eden. The first Adam took us away from the presence of God, while the second Adam, Jesus, leads us straight into God’s presence. The revolt of man is overturned by the redemptive action of Jesus, and that’s Who you need to be ‘connected’ with (born again) before you can be in God the Father’s presence.

God wants to ‘meet’ with you on a far more regular basis that when you are in ‘trouble’. In fact, turn to God only when you are hurting, struggling, or confused greatly ‘limits’ the quality of your relationship with God. The truth is, God wants to meet you in good times and bad. He wants to ‘guide’ you, ‘empower’ you, and ‘fill’ you with joy beyond your wildest dreams! His plans for you, as a believer, well beyond any momentary crisis.

So, would you like to ‘experience’ God all the time? Every day? Would you like to ‘encounter’ God not only in times of distress, but also in times of peace? Would you like to know God in a ‘personal’ way, leading and encouraging you? Would you like to know that you are NEVER alone no matter what happens? Would you like to have an eternal ‘hope’ that will NEVER ‘fade away’? Would you like to sense God’s ‘presence’ as you live out EVERY MOMENT of your life?

Well, these are ALL POSSIBLE! For the believer that ‘knows’ Jesus personally (has been “born again”), He has made them an awesome promise: “I will be with you always, even to the end of the age” [ Matthew 28:20 ]. Jesus’ ‘presence’ in the believer’s life is the “how” to every one of the questions I asked above.

Now, there other many other things that hinder experiencing intimacy with God, but they all boil down largely to the SIN that results when we give in to our ‘flesh’. The Apostle Paul clarified it this way: “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want” [ Galatians 5:16-17 ]. As Paul further reiterated, this ‘war’ between the flesh and the Spirit has eternal consequences: “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace” [ Romans 8:6 ].

So, let me encourage you to make every effort to start building an intimate relationship with God by seeking Him daily in prayer, delighting in approaching Him (Isaiah 58:2), and studying and obeying His Word daily (2 Timothy 2:15). By seeking rest and dwelling in God’s presence, your will find rest and peace for your spirit and soul on a continual and consistent basis (Matthew 11:28-30; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

To be ‘practical’ here’s few of the most important ‘things’ the believer needs to do to experience the presence of God each and every day:

– Spend time reading the Bible every day (Matthew 4:4)
– Confess your sins, desiring to obey God’s commandments (1 John 1:9)
– Spend time each day telling God what’s on your ‘heart’, and ask Him for help (Luke 11:2-2)
– Find a good, bible-believing church to get involved with (Hebrews 10:24-25; Acts 2:42-47)
– Look for opportunities to express God’s love to others (1 Corinthians 13; Hebrews 13:16; John 5:12; Proverbs 19:17; Matthew 5:16; Proverbs 3:27; Philippians 2:4; Matthew 25:44-45)

The HIGHEST ACCOMPLISHMENT of humanity is entering the overwhelming presence of God. Nothing else can satiate this burning ‘thirst’!

When the believer REALLY recognizes that God’s ‘presence’ IS ‘with’ them, they can be MUCH MORE courageous! It grows as they ‘draw’ on His strength. Without God’s ‘power’, they will find that hardship and stress will ‘drain’ them emotionally and ‘hurt’ them physically, leaving them vulnerable to attacks from the Devil.

I like how theologian, pastor, and author R.C. Sproul summed up the overarching, ultimate ‘goal’ of the Christian life: “The big idea of the Christian life is “coram Deo.” Coram Deo captures the essence of the Christian life.”

“Coram Deo” is a Latin phrase that is translated “in the presence of God,” which summarizes the idea of Christians living in the presence of, under the authority of, and to the honor and glory of God.

When God WITHDRAWS HIS ‘PRESENCE’, it can be MUCH MORE SERIOUS, and it COULD BE ‘LIFE CHANGING’! One needs to FIND OUT RIGHT AWAY why it is happening, since after being “born again,” having a ‘sense’ of God’s presence should be the believer’s HIGHEST GOAL for experiencing moment-to-moment in their life!

When God withdraws His presence from the believer, it is PRIMARILY because of your SIN, so REPENT, ask God for FORGIVENESS, and then ask the Holy Spirit to help to AVOID REPEATING it.

God says He WILL ‘meet’ with you as much as you WANT to meet with Him (James 4:8). So, ‘meet’ with Him DAILY by reading you Bible—He WILL ‘show up’! It will also help you develop a ‘REAL’ INTIMACY with Him and ‘fine tune’ your ’AWARENESS’ of His presence!

Ask God for your own ‘Emmaus Road’ experience that ‘OPENS’ your spiritual ‘eyes’ to be able to fully comprehend Him and ‘see’ Him better in your daily life. Make it your OVERARCHING DESIRE to SEEK God’s presence with all your ‘heart’, mind, soul, and strength, and desire that He becomes ‘tangible’ to you!

I pray God ‘draws near’ to you in a LIFE CHANGING way! “In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” [ Psalm 16:11 ].

>>> END OF SUMMARIZATION <<<

 

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“Two ‘Choices’, One Way”:
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“The Only ‘Way’”:
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“‘Hope’”:
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“‘Perseverance’”:
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“Daily ‘Effort’”:
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“‘Master’ Quilter”:
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“Who/What ‘Influences’ You?”:
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“Too Busy to ‘Wait’?”:
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“What Does God ‘Desire’?”:
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‘PRAYER’ OF REPENTANCE
In the Bible, there is a parable that Jesus told about a Pharisee and a tax collector praying in the Temple. He notes that the tax collector didn’t even dare to lift his eyes toward Heaven as he prayed. Instead he “beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner’”—and Jesus said that the tax collector “went home justified,” he had been “born again” and ‘reconciled’ by God. (Luke 18:9-14).

If you are ‘sensing’ something like that right now, let me strongly encourage you to HUMBLE YOURSELF, CRY OUT to God, and PLEAD for Him to mercifully ‘SAVE’ YOU! None of us have a ‘claim’ on our salvation, nor do we have any ‘works’ that would cause us to deserve it or earn it—it is purely a gift of Divine grace—and all any of us can do is ask. So, CONFESS YOUR SINS and acknowledge to God that you have no hope for Heaven apart from what He provides through Jesus.

There is no ‘formula’ or certain words for this. So just talk to God, in your own words—He knows your ‘heart’. If you are genuinely sincere, and God does respond to your plea, one will usually have a sense of joy and peace.

Jesus said, “He that comes to Me, I will not cast out” [ John 6:37 ].

[ FYI: This is a great sermon on the “Call to Repentance” by John MacArthur from his book “The Gospel According to Jesus”: https://www.gty.org/library/sermons-library/90-22/the-call-to-repentance
(Transcript: http://www.spiritedesign.com/TheCallToRepentance-JohnMacArthur(Jul-27-2019).pdf) ].

[ NOTE: If you have ‘tasted the kindness of the Lord’, please e-mail me—I would love to CELEBRATE with you, and help you get started on your ‘journey’ with Jesus! ].

 

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RESOURCES:

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“The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work: A Practical Guide from the Country’s Foremost Relationship Expert”
By: John Gottman PhD and Nan Silver

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Over a million copies sold! “An eminently practical guide to an emotionally intelligent—and long-lasting—marriage.”—Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence

The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work has revolutionized the way we understand, repair, and strengthen marriages. John Gottman’s unprecedented study of couples over a period of years has allowed him to observe the habits that can make—and break—a marriage. Here is the culmination of that work: the seven principles that guide couples on a path toward a harmonious and long-lasting relationship.

Straightforward yet profound, these principles teach partners new approaches for resolving conflicts, creating new common ground, and achieving greater levels of intimacy. Gottman offers strategies and resources to help couples collaborate more effectively to resolve any problem, whether dealing with issues related to sex, money, religion, work, family, or anything else.

Packed with new exercises and the latest research out of the esteemed Gottman Institute, this revised edition of The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work is the definitive guide for anyone who wants their relationship to attain its highest potential.

—————-
“The High-Conflict Custody Battle: Protect Yourself and Your Kids from a Toxic Divorce, False Accusations, and Parental Alienation”
By: Amy J. L. Baker PhD, J. Michael Bone PhD, and Brian Ludmer BComm LLB

Is your ex-spouse trying to gain custody of your kids? Has he or she launched a campaign to make you look like a bad parent, both in the eyes of your children and the law? You aren’t alone. Unfortunately, high-conflict custody battles are all-too-common in today’s world. So how can you arm yourself with the mental and legal resources needed to survive this difficult time and keep your kids safe?

In The High-Conflict Custody Battle, a team of legal and psychology experts present a practical guidebook for people like you who are engaged in a high-conflict custody battle. If you are dealing with an overtly hostile, inflammatory, deceitful, or manipulative ex-spouse, you will learn how to find and work with an attorney and prepare for a custody evaluation. The book also provides helpful tips you can use to defend yourself against false accusations, and gives a realistic portrayal of what to expect during a legal fight.

Going through a divorce is hard, but going through a custody battle can feel like war. Don’t go in unprepared. With this book as your guide, you will be able to navigate this difficult process and learn powerful skills that will help you maintain a healthy relationship with your kids, fight unfair accusations, and uphold your rights as a parent.

—————-
“Experiencing God’s Dream for Your Marriage”
By: Chip Ingram

Would you like a fresh breeze to blow in your marriage? Do you long for a marriage where intimacy and communication are reality instead of dreams? Experiencing God’s Dream for Your Marriage is a topical series by Chip Ingram that examines God’s design for marriage, with practical instruction to help you make your marriage what God desires it to be.

—————-
“The Intimate Marriage: A Practical Guide to Building a Great Marriage”
By: R. C. Sproul

Does your marriage fulfill your dreams? Are you not yet married but eager to wed? Are you afraid to marry because you’ve seen so few happy marriages?

R. C. Sproul offers this practical guide to help married couples—or those seeking to get married—develop the skills of marriage. Diligently scriptural, The Intimate Marriage shows how marriages can have an abundance of joy when grounded in the wisdom of God.

Sproul walks through some of the toughest things couples struggle with today: communication, sex, roles, divorce, anger, and more. He shares what the Bible says about each, as well as lessons he has learned from his own marriage of forty years.

“My hope is that your marriage will be an adventure, exciting and fulfilling,” says Sproul.

Questions at the end of each chapter will help couples apply these biblical principles to their marriages.

—————-
“Marriage That Works: God’s Way of Becoming Spiritual Soul Mates, Best Friends, and Passionate Lovers”
By: Chip Ingram

When it comes to marriage these days, anything goes. No wonder you can find a book on marriage from every perspective–or no perspective. How can you experience a great marriage that lasts? What works?

This book answers that question by shining a light on the biblical design for marriage. In a world of sexual and relational confusion, isn’t it time to consult the One who created marriage? Author and pastor Chip Ingram, with his characteristic compassion, transparency, and engaging storytelling, discusses

– what marriage really is
– the biblical model
– a man’s unique role in marriage
– a woman’s unique role in marriage
– the bigger picture of why God created marriage

A marriage that works, says Ingram, is more wonderful than you thought possible and harder than you imagined–but worth the work. Couples will learn the power of making a covenant with their spouse and fulfilling their design in an atmosphere of respect, resulting in the spiritual, psychological, emotional, and physical oneness they long to have with each other.

—————-
“Marriage on the Rock 25th Anniversary: The Comprehensive Guide to a Solid, Healthy and Lasting Marriage”
By: Jimmy Evans

Marriage on the Rock 25th Anniversary: The Comprehensive Guide to a Solid, Healthy and Lasting Marriage.While many people desperately want a marriage that works, fewer of them really believe they can experience success. In this book, leading marriage expert Jimmy Evans discusses practical real-life challenges and offers solutions on how to have a healthy and thriving marriage. Whether you’ve been married for years or are just preparing for the journey, Marriage on the Rock is the essential resource that will transform your relationship.

—————-
“Sacred Marriage: What If God Designed Marriage to Make Us Holy More Than to Make Us Happy?”
By: Gary Thomas

In this popular bestselling book, Gary Thomas uncovers how your marriage can become a doorway to a closer walk with God and each other.

What if God’s primary intent for your marriage isn’t to make you happy . . . but holy? What if your relationship isn’t as much about you and your spouse as it is about you and God?

Starting with the discovery that the goal of marriage goes beyond personal happiness, bestselling author Gary Thomas invites you to see how God can use marriage as a discipline and a motivation to love God more and reflect more of the character of his Son.

In addition to life-changing insights from Scripture, church history, and time-tested wisdom from Christian classics, you’ll find practical tools and techniques to make your marriage happier by becoming holier husbands and wives.

Sacred Marriage reveals how good marriages . . .

– Train us to love God and others well
– Expose sin and makes us more aware of God’s presence
– Foster good prayer
– Cultivate a sexual relationship that feeds the spiritual life

With provocative discussion questions for couples and small groups, this book will most certainly change you. Because whether it is delightful or difficult, your marriage can become a doorway to a closer union with God.

Also available: Sacred Marriage gift edition, small group video study and study guide, Spanish edition, and more.

—————-
“The Emotionally Destructive Marriage: How to Find Your Voice and Reclaim Your Hope”
By: Leslie Vernick

Something Has to Change…

You can’t put it into words, but something is happening to you. Your stomach churns, your heart aches, and the tension in your marriage is making you feel weary and a little crazy. The constant criticism, disrespect, cruelty, deceit, and gross indifference are eroding your confidence and breaking your spirit.

For any woman caught in an emotionally destructive marriage, Leslie Vernick offers a personalized path forward. Based on decades of counseling experience, her intensely practical, biblical advice will show you how to establish boundaries and break free from emotional abuse. Learn to:

– Identify damaging behaviors
– Gain the skills to respond wisely
– Promote healthy change
– Stay safe
– Understand when, why, and even how to leave
– Recognize that God sees and hates what is happening to you

Trying harder to be a perfect fantasy wife won’t help fix what’s wrong your marriage. Discover instead how you can initiate effective changes to stop the cycle of destruction and restore hope for the future.

“Women in an emotionally abusive marriage do not need another book on how to have a good marriage; those books rub salt in raw wounds. No, they desperately need this book so that they can diagnose just how bad their marriage is and then, with Leslie’s clear expertise, develop a plan that will either begin to turn their marriage around…or give them a wise route of escape.”
—Dee Brestin, author of Idol Lies and The Friendships of Women

—————-
“When God Isn’t There: Why God Is Farther than You Think but Closer than You Dare Imagine”
By: David Bowden

Why does God feel so far away? Why is my worship so empty? Has God left me?

David Bowden knows these questions firsthand, having wrestled for years with God’s apparent absence and studying what the Bible says about it. In this new book, Bowden tackles the subject head-on, finding the key to understanding it in the Bible’s depiction of a God who is infinitely far from us, free to move where he wants, but who chooses to come near in the person of Jesus.

A resource of encouragement for those who struggle with feeling God’s absence and a wake-up call to those who take God’s presence for granted, When God Isn’t There will forever change your understanding of why God sometimes seems to vanish and how he can be found again.

Praise for the work of When God Isn’t There:

“A must-read for anyone who’s felt far from God.”
—Bobby Gruenewald, LifeChurch Innovation Leader and a founder of YouVersion

“A masterful treatment of what it means to suffer the pain of God’s apparent absence and the inexpressible joy of feeling his presence.”
—Sam Storms, lead pastor for Teaching and Vision, Bridgeway Church

“David wrestles with theological concepts in a down-to-earth way. . . . Many will benefit from this very helpful book.”
—Kyle Idleman, bestselling author of Not a Fan

—————-
“God in Our Midst: The Tabernacle and Our Relationship with God”
By: Daniel R. Hyde

Christians often wonder whether it is worth their time to read and study the seemingly odd narratives about God’s instructions for the tabernacle in the second half of the book of Exodus. The answer, according to Daniel R. Hyde, is an emphatic yes.

In God in Our Midst: The Tabernacle and Our Relationship with God, Hyde shows that the tabernacle narratives have much to teach us about God Himself, about sin, about redemption in Christ, and about how we are to live for God today. Above all, by interpreting these narratives according to solid hermeneutical principles and New Testament revelation, Hyde shows that these passages reveal Christ.

Ultimately, Hyde says, it is good to read the tabernacle narratives because they are part of our family history. We need to read and meditate on that history because we have the same God, the God who told His old covenant, “I will dwell in your midst,” and who tells us that Christians are the true tabernacle, the dwelling place of God under the new covenant (Eph. 2:22).

—————-
“Knowing God”
By: J. I. Packer

For over 40 years, J. I. Packer’s classic has been an important tool to help Christians around the world discover the wonder, the glory and the joy of knowing God. In 2006, Christianity Today voted this title one of the top 50 books that have shaped evangelicals. This edition is updated with Americanized language and spelling and a new preface by the author. Stemming from Packer’s profound theological knowledge, Knowing God brings together two important facets of the Christian faith― knowing about God and also knowing God through the context of a close relationship with the person of Jesus Christ. Written in an engaging and practical tone, this thought-provoking work seeks to transform and enrich the Christian understanding of God. Explaining both who God is and how we can relate to him, Packer divides his book into three sections: The first directs our attention to how and why we know God, the second to the attributes of God and the third to the benefits enjoyed by a those who know him intimately. This guide leads readers into a greater understanding of God while providing advice to gaining a closer relationship with him as a result.

—————-
“Experiencing the Presence of God: Teachings from the Book of Hebrews”
By: A.W. Tozer

“True and absolute freedom is only found in the presence of God.”–A.W. Tozer

Deep in the soul of every person on earth is a longing for the presence of God. But how do we get there?

Experiencing the Presence of God is a never-before-published collection of teachings from A.W. Tozer on the book of Hebrews that shows us the way. Tozer, the renowned pastor and theologian, challenges our status quo, invites us to explore a fresh understanding of what it means to dwell in God’s presence, and leads us to experience the divine fulfillment for which we were created!

As Tozer says, “We should come to church not anticipating entertainment but expecting the high and holy manifestation of God’s presence. . . . Worship is not some performance we do, but a presence we experience.” Come alongside Tozer and enter into God’s presence right now.

—————-
“I Am With You Always: Experiencing God in Times of Need”
By: Chip Ingram

Applying the psalms to everyday problems, the author points to a God that is compassionate to those who are troubled and hurting, and uses inspirational, real-life examples to illustrate how a loving God works to offer refuge to those in need.

—————-
“A. W. Tozer: Three Spiritual Classics in One Volume: The Knowledge of the Holy, The Pursuit of God, and God’s Pursuit of Man”
By: A. W. Tozer

Encounter God. Worship more.

What Tozer lacked in formal education, he more than made up for in experiential wisdom. Tozer was a man who really knew God, and it showed. People came from all over to hear his sermons because they knew they would go home more in awe of God. That’s why millions keep coming back to his writings, but particularly these three books.

Considered to be Tozer’s greatest works, Knowledge of the Holy, The Pursuit of God, and God’s Pursuit of Man are now available in a single volume. In 3 Spiritual Classics, you will discover a God of breathtaking majesty and world-changing love, and you will find yourself worshipping through every page. Encounter Tozer and the God worth worshipping today.

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“2 Chairs: The Secret That Changes Everything”
By: Bob Beaudine

In this inspiring book, Bob Beaudine helps you live a life guided by your relationship with God by asking three critical questions.

In this world you will have trouble. Count on it!
It might be something small or something big, but you know you don’t have an answer. You’ve come to a realization there is a limit to what you can do alone. For such times as these, 2 Chairs asks three vital questions:
Does God know your situation?
Is it too hard for Him to handle?
Does He have a good plan for you?

Following these questions, Bob Beaudine offers seven practical steps to walk courageously, faithfully, and cheerfully through your trouble whether it is a minor issue or a major crisis.

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“4 Keys to Hearing God’s Voice”
By: Dr. Mark Virkler

Based on the highly popular and successful book, How to Hear God’s Voice, this exciting new book emphasizes the 4 Keys to Hearing God’s Voice.

“When I learned to hear God’s voice after 11 years as a believer without it, every part of me was radically transformed. Thousands have told me they have had this same metamorphosis, and I believe that this will become your testimony also,” writes co-author, Mark Virkler.

The keys that are examined, discussed in detail, and can be immediately applied to your life are:

– How to recognize God’s voice as spontaneous thoughts.
– Learning how to become still before the Lord.
– Looking for vision as you pray.
– Realizing the importance of two-way journaling.

Filled with insights from years of hearing from God, 4 Keys to Hearing God’s Voice also includes visual aids that enhance the teaching and learning experience. Very reader-friendly, you will find that the concepts and principles are easily adapted to your personal circumstances and lifestyle.

Designed to bring even more depth to your relationship with God, this book is part of an integrated package that includes a DVD and seminar guide for either individual or group study. Either as a stand-alone book or as part of a package, you are sure to gain valuable encouragement and motivation to seek intimate communication with God, your heavenly Father.

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“Trusting God”
By: Jerry Bridges

Why is it easier to obey God than to trust Him?
Because obeying God makes sense to us. In most cases, His laws appear reasonable and wise, and even when we don’t want to obey them, we usually concede that they are good for us. But the circumstances we find ourselves in often defy explanation. Before long, we begin to doubt God’s concern for us or His control over our lives. We ask, “Why is God allowing this?” or “What have I done wrong?”

During such a time of adversity, Jerry Bridges began a thorough Bible study on the topic of God’s sovereignty. What he learned changed his life, and in Trusting God he shares the fruit of that study. As you explore the scope of God’s power over nations, nature, and even the details of your life, you’ll find yourself trusting Him more completely―even when life hurts.

This new edition replaces both Trusting God (paperback ISBN 9781600063053) and the study guide (paperback ISBN 9781600063060) by combining both resources into one volume!

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“The Pursuit of Holiness”
By: Jerry Bridges

This new edition replaces both The Pursuit of Holiness (ISBN 9781576839324) and the study guide (ISBN 9781576839881) by combining both resources into one volume!

“Be holy, for I am holy,” commands God. But holiness is something that is often missed in the Christian’s daily life. According to Navigator author Jerry Bridges, that’s because we’re not exactly sure what our part in holiness is. In The Pursuit of Holiness, he helps us see clearly just what we should rely on God to do―and what we should take responsibility for ourselves. As you deepen your relationship with God, learn more about His character, and understand the Holy Spirit’s role in holiness, your spiritual growth will mature.

The included study guide contains 12 lessons.

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“Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life Study Guide”
By: Donald S. Whitney

This updated companion guide to Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life (see description below) takes you through a carefully selected array of disciplines that will help you grow in godliness. Ideal for personal or small-group use.

Drawn from a rich heritage, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life will guide you through a carefully selected array of disciplines. By illustrating why the disciplines are important, showing how each one will help you grow in godliness, and offering practical suggestions for cultivating them, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life will provide you with a refreshing opportunity to become more like Christ and grow in character and maturity. Now updated and revised to equip a new generation of readers, this anniversary edition features in-depth discussions on each of the key disciplines.

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“When the Darkness Will Not Lift: Doing What We Can While We Wait for God–and Joy”
By: John Piper

“It is utterly crucial that in our darkness we affirm the wise, strong hand of God to hold us, even when we have no strength to hold him.”
John Piper

Even the most faithful, focused Christians can encounter periods of depression and spiritual darkness when joy seems to stay just out of reach. It can happen because of sin, satanic assault, distressing circumstances, or hereditary and other physical causes. In When the Darkness Will Not Lift, John Piper aims to give some comfort and guidance to those experiencing spiritual darkness.

Readers will gain insight into the physical side of depression and spiritual darkness, what it means to wait on the Lord in a time of darkness, how unconfessed sin can clog our joy, and how to minister to others who are living without light. Piper uses real-life examples and sensitive narrative to show readers abundant reason to hope that God will pull them out of the pit of despair and into the light once again.

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“The Glory of Christ”
By: John Owen

John Owen was educated at Oxford, where he was awarded a master’s degree at the age of nineteen. While pastoring a church in Essex, he preached before the English parliament. This led to Oliver Cromwell appointing him dean of Christ Church Cathedral and vice-chancellor of Oxford University. Owen later declined the presidency of Harvard College and concentrated instead on his work in England as a leader of the Puritan and Congregationalist movements. THE GLORY OF CHRIST was Owen’s last work. It takes the form of an extended series of meditations on John 17:24. In them Owen urges the constant contemplation of the glory of Christ as the correct way to live. By faith, the glory of Christ is present to us in the world, in Scripture, and in the church. We should think of Christ in every moment.

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“When I Don’t Desire God: How to Fight for Joy”
By: John Piper

We all want to experience liberating, love-producing, risk-taking satisfaction in God. But the reality is that we often struggle to find, and hold onto, true and lasting joy―even when we have embraced the good news of God’s grace. So we face a crucial question: What should I do when I don’t desire God?

John Piper aims to help us find joy in Jesus that is so deep and so strong that it frees us from bondage to comfort and security, and impels us to live merciful and missional lives. Written with the radical hope that all Christians would experience the fullness of life in Christ, this book will help you fight for joy daily by leading you to rediscover the soul-satisfying glory of God.

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“How to Listen to God”
By: Charles F. Stanley

Often the purity and the freshness of your initial experience with God becomes clouded by the daily routine of life. The clamor of other voices obscures your hearing, leavingyou confused and frustrated with your relationship with God.

How to Listen to God helps you distinguish God’s voice from all the others. Dr. Charles Stanley shares personal lessons in listening and discusses:

Why God wants to communicate with you
How God gets your attention
Four ways God speaks to you
Scriptural guidelines for recognizing God’s voice
The joys and fruits from listening to God
Ten hindrances to hearing God
Your relationship and attitude to God can be free from distortion. Learn to listen to the God who wants to speak to you.

His voice waits to be heard and, having heard it, we are launched into the greatest, most exciting adventure we could ever imagine.

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“Joy Unspeakable”
By: Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Martyn Lloyd-Jones explores the assertion of John the Baptist that Jeus would baptize with the Holy Spirit. The result is a classic call to submit afresh to the Spirit for power, purity and assurance, while keeping our heads in the face of pitfalls that might distract or ensnare us.

[ Martyn Lloyd-Jones ]

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“Deserted by God?”
By: Sinclair B. Ferguson

Suffering, failure, sin, illness, loneliness, disappointment. They all come in a seemingly endless variety of shapes and sizes. At times there seems to be no way to turn, either backwards or forwards; there is no light at either end of the tunnel. For many people such experiences raise the question: Why has this happened to me? Has God abandoned me? Can nobody help? Is despair all that is left to me? Large numbers of people today share such experiences and privately ask these very questions. But there is an answer. In fact there is a whole series of answers. Deserted by God? begins with the question ‘Can Anyone Help Me? and draws on the experience of the psalmists in the Old Testament to help us to being to understand the ways of God. It shows how others have walked the same pathway before us. They provide us with wisdom which will lead us to the conviction of the closing chapter that we are ‘Never Deserted’.

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“The Soul’s Quest for God”
By: R. C. Sproul

Through stories of Bible characters and Christian leaders, Sproul leads readers to a deeper intimacy with their Creator, emphasizing awareness of the Holy Spirit, obedience to God, and the feeding of the soul.

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“Road To Emmaus: The Greatest Mystery Revealed” (DVD)

This engaging video tells the story of Jesus’ walk with two disciples on the road to Emmaus during the afternoon of Easter Sunday. During the journey, Jesus explained why it was necessary for him to suffer and rise from the dead, dialog that touches on the doctrines of redemption and justification by faith alone. The lead role of Jesus is played by Bruce Marchiano, the same actor who played Jesus in the movie Matthew

DVD: https://online.nph.net/catalog/product/view/id/25503/

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“Drawing Near: Daily Readings for a Deeper Faith”
By: John MacArthur

“Like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation.” 1 Peter 2:2

It’s a fact of life: our health declines if we don’t nourish our bodies every day with food and water. That’s true physically. It’s true spiritually as well.

If we neglect to regularly feed our souls on the Holy Scriptures, our faith becomes weak and we start to lose touch with our Savior. Growth is stifled… if it happens at all.

Drawing Near, used daily in combination with God’s Holy Word, can not only help bring you closer to God but also keep you from spiritual stagnation. This book will guide you in a growing relationship with Him.

As Pastor MacArthur says in his Introduction: “Our entertainment-conscious, quick-fix, fast-food society does everything it can to divert us from setting aside time to study God’s Word. As you well know from your own efforts, Bible study is not often entertaining―it’s hard work. It takes discipline to set aside time each day to reap the benefits such study has to offer. If you reach an impasse when it’s time to sit down, open your Bible, and try to decide what to do, you’re not alone. Without some plan to follow, it’s easy to become frustrated and eventually give up after only one or two days. That’s where this book comes in.”

If you desire greater understanding of the precious Word of God, if you want a daily guide to draw you closer to the Lord, this outstanding collections of 365 devotional readings by one of America’s most respected and trusted Bible teachers is for you!

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“Mighty Hand Of God: Find Promotion, Provision, Protection, Power and Purpose”
By: Dale Evrist

God has incredible plans and purpose for your life! But in order to see them realized, you need to humble and submit yourself under His hand. A new and exciting life awaits you as you are covered under: •His hand of promotion that lifts you up •His hand of provision that supplies all your needs •His hand of protection that will keep you safe and secure •His hand of power that gives you all authority in Jesus’ name •His hand of purpose that points the way to His specific and spectacular plans for your lifeThoroughly biblical, The Mighty Hand of God shows you how to get under the powerful covering of God-where you will learn to live by prophetic assignment and in proper alignment with His will. Build and maintain trust until His hand brings forth all the best of everything in your life.

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“In The Presence Of God Devotional Readings On The Attributes Of God”
By: R. C. Sproul

Theologian R.C. Sproul has the unique ability to take difficult Christian concepts and make them both fascinating and personal. In his first devotional ever, this popular author provides an intimate portrait of God’s numerous attributes. In The Presence of God is divided into 15 sections, based on 15 distinct attributes of God. Each brief reading contains a Scripture verse and a message of encouragement and wisdom from the pen of R.C. Sproul. If you’re spiritually hungry for a devotion of substance, let R.C. Sproul take you In the Presence of God.

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“Waiting on God”
By: Andrew Murray

“I send forth these meditations; I can only cast them on the love of my brethren, and of our God. May He use them to draw us all to Himself, to learn in practice and experience the blessed art of WAITING ONLY UPON GOD. Would God that we might get some right conception of what the influence would be of a life given, not in thought, or imagination, or effort, but in the power of the Holy Spirit, wholly to waiting upon God.” This slender but profound book of daily devotionals for the Christian seeking closer communion with God is more than a century old, but it continues to inspire and stir the faithful today. Written by the influential 19th-century preacher and missionary, here are 31 meditations on the Almighty, one for each day of the month. A book that can truly, and deeply change your relationship with God and your life in one month. A South African of Scottish ancestry, Dutch Reformed Church minister ANDREW MURRAY (1828-1917) was a prolific writer, publishing more than 200 powerful books, including Waiting on God, The School of Obedience, Absolute Surrender, and The Deeper Christian Life.

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“Waiting on God: A 31-Day Study”
By: Andrew Murray

Wait for the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart; wait, I say, for the LORD – Psalm 27:14

Too little time is given to waiting on the Lord at our conventions and assemblies, and in our private devotions. Isn’t He willing to make things right in His own divine way? Has the life of God’s people reached the utmost limit of what He is willing to do for them? Surely not. We need to wait on Him and put away our experiences, however blessed they have been; our personal concept of truth, however sound and scriptural we think it is; our plans, however needful and suitable they appear. We must give the Lord time and place to show us what He could do and what He will do. The Lord has new developments and new resources. He can do new things, unheard-of things, and hidden things. Let us enlarge our hearts and not limit Him.

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“THE SEARCH FOR MEANING” WEBSITE

This site presents discussions on the 12 most commonly asked questions about the Christian faith.

The 12 discussions are accessed by the “tabs” at the bottom of the page. The tabs are numbered 1-12. Roll your mouse over them and you will see the question displayed at the right. Click on the number to select that question.

Within each question (i.e. tabs 1-12), there are subtopics (or dialogues) to select that appear as smaller tabs underneath the numbered tabs. Roll your mouse over them and the title of these topics is also displayed to the right. Click on the open rectangle to select that dialogue.

For each question (1-12), a link to related resources and an optional flowchart is provided. To access this material, click on the respective words, “Related Resources” or “Options Flowchart.”

To play a more detailed discussion of the subject, between two people, select the desired dialogue and click on “Play Audio Dialogue.”

In the upper right-hand corner of the page, there is an icon that looks like binoculars looking at a question mark. Click on this icon to return to the homepage.

In the upper right-hand corner of a “Related Resources” page, there is an icon that looks like some books. Click on this icon to get to an “overview” page that has links to all of the resources for all of the questions. There also are additional “appendices” for most of the questions.

In the upper right-hand corner of a “Flowchart” page, there is an icon that looks like an Org chart. Click on this icon to get to an “overview” page that has links to all of the flowcharts.

http://4vis.com/sfm/sfm_pres/sp_q1_d1_1of10.html

[ Content by: Bill Kraftson and Lamar Smith; Website by Mark Besh ]

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“FRUITS OF THE BEATITUDES” WEB SITE
(The ATTITUDES of Jesus that produce the CHARACTER of Jesus)

CLICK ON THE LINK to view:
http://fruitsofthebeatitudes.org/

FACEBOOK PAGE:
https://www.facebook.com/FruitsOfTheBeatitudes/

[ Mark Besh ]

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[ P.S.: IIf you would like to investigate further how you can grow closer to God in the here and now, visit the following link:
http://www.4vis.com/sfm/sfm_pres/sp_q12_d1_1of10.html ].

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ARTICLES:

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“Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse”

Certain negative communication styles are so lethal to a relationship that Dr. John Gottman calls them the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. They predict relationship failure with over 90% accuracy if the behavior isn’t changed. So, what can you do?

Practice these four research-based antidotes to save your relationship from certain destruction. Want to learn more? Visit http://www.gottman.com for more information.

[ The Gottman Institute ]

Explainer Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1o30Ps-_8is

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“How to Deal With (And Recover From) a High Conflict Divorce”

Despite all the attention given to divorces that end up in a trial in front of a judge, the reality is that about 95% of all cases settle before that happens.

Spouses work out the issues by themselves or they use alternative resolution methods such as mediation or collaborative divorce.

But for those couples who wind up in litigation, either through a negotiated settlement, arbitration or an actual trial, there’s a good chance that a fair amount of conflict is going to be part of the process. Children may temper the animosity between parents, or they may be the source of a highly emotional battle that will take a toll on everyone who is involved.

As much as 70% of all divorces are initiated by women, which is a bit counterintuitive because divorce generally reduces the standard of living for women and improves it for men. But this is balanced by the fact that women have a higher degree of sensitivity to relationship issues. This creates more dissatisfaction that can propel a woman to take action.

This dissatisfaction leads to higher levels of stress which is further impacted by a general imbalance of power that traditionally exists between genders. Despite changes in society, there is still a high degree of traditional gender roles in society, supported by the fact that women still take care of a vast majority of household responsibilities. [more…]

[ Nicole Crowley ]

Article: https://www.survivedivorce.com/high-conflict-personality-divorce

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“Turn Towards Instead of Away”

Let’s say your eccentric uncle Kevin gives you $10,000 on your wedding day. The only catch is that you have to invest it for six years with one of two firms that Kevin suggests. Firm A is well respected on Wall Street for both its ethics and its returns, and most clients are very happy even with sometimes modest gains. Firm B guarantees they’ll squander your money and blame you for it. Which one would you choose?

Or let’s say that on your wedding day, you get a diagnosis of a rare blood disease that usually kills its victims within six years. Your wacky aunt Cathy had that same disease and she knows of the only two doctors in the world that work with it. One doctor is actively doing research, testing new treatments, and curing patients with great success. The other is a drunk. Which doctor would you choose?

Or let’s say that on your wedding day, the universe starts a giant egg timer set for six years. When the egg timer goes off, you’ll either be divorced or you won’t. You’ve heard the rumor that 50% of marriages end in divorce, but Kevin and Cathy know some tips that can increase your odds of making it. More importantly, they know of a single strategy that would virtually guarantee that you would divorce before the timer went off. Would you want to know it?

Of course you would. You would invest with Firm A. You would choose the sober doctor. And you will do whatever it takes to ensure that you protected yourself from divorce. As it turns out, your aunt and uncle are onto something: there really is a secret. [more…]

[ Zach Brittle ]

Article: https://www.gottman.com/blog/turn-toward-instead-of-away/

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“Marriage Psychology and Therapy: The Science of Successful Relationships”

Have you ever considered therapy for your marriage? Have you contemplated therapy before saying, “I do?”

If you’re reading this article chances are it’s because you’re married and struggling, thinking about getting married, or contemplating divorce. You’re looking for answers to that age-old question: Can we make this work?

You’re not alone.

There’s a lot of good news when it comes to getting and staying married. In the US and parts of England, for instance, divorce rates are dropping (Wood, 2018). Younger people are delaying marriage, not avoiding it. They’re waiting until they finish school and have money to support a marriage.

As you read, you’ll discover that one key benefit is how marriage positively affects your health and longevity. If you’re looking for tips, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading.

If you wish to learn more, our Positive Relationships Masterclass© is a complete, science-based training template for practitioners and coaches that contains all the materials you’ll need to help your clients improve their personal relationships, ultimately enhancing their mental wellbeing. [more…]

[ Kori D. Miller ]

Article: https://positivepsychology.com/marriage-fulfillment-lifelong-relationship/

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“Putting Jesus First”

Most couples do not realize that glorifying God is the deeper meaning of a Biblical marriage.

In This Series:
1. An Affair: ‘The Beginning of the End’
2. Guarding Your Heart in Marriage
3. Divorce Begins with Deception
4. The Truth About Divorce
5. Putting Jesus First

Most couples do not realize that glorifying God is the deeper meaning of a Biblical marriage. In most marriages, the focus on Jesus is the missing puzzle piece to the abundance God planned. We seek the ways of the world (riches, lust, vanity, self-absorption) to guide us in marriage, while Jesus is waiting for us to seek Him through His Word. Gary Thomas, in his book Sacred Marriage, says, “What if God designed marriage to make us holy more than to make us happy?” A marriage between a husband and wife is not about them, but about God, and how running after Him, and taking the focus off of ourselves, gives us the abundant marriage He wants for us. Does this mean a marriage cannot be successful without Christ? No, it does not. By the looks of things, Jeff and I had a wonderful marriage, but did not know what we were missing. Now we know our ignorance, and understand what it means to allow Christ into our marriage and to capture our hearts. This time around, we are experiencing far more than we could have ever asked or imagined. How do we miss the importance of putting Jesus first? Many times, it is ignorance. We had no idea how the depth of our spiritual focus related to the state of our marriage. Now that we know the difference, we cannot imagine going back to how we were living, back to the lack of focus we had. I wrote about the dawnings of this realization in I Do Again: [more…]

[ Cheryl Scruggs ]

Learning Series: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/marriage/putting-jesus-first/

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“The Emotionally Destructive Marriage Webinar”

Join RBC Ministries as we again offer one of our most popular webinars to expose the destruction that emotional abuse brings into the home. Featured guests Leslie Vernick, author of the book The Emotionally Destructive Marriage, and Chris Moles, pastor and certified batterer intervention group facilitator, share insights into recognizing behaviors that can lead married couples beyond the boundaries of a nourishing relationship. Visit us at rbc.org/topics/marriage for more resources.

[ Our Daily Bread ]

Webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nY-rQQsgvs

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“Barriers to Emotional Intimacy”

Marriage Ignited brings practical & spiritual tools to ignite your marriage in our weekly podcast & YouTube channel. NEW episodes every Tuesday!

Episode 2 Summary: In this episode we are beginning a series on Barriers to Intimacy, beginning with a look at Barriers to Emotional Intimacy.

Teaching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iq-a0CLGpBo

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“What is Spiritual Intimacy?”

Marriage Ignited brings practical & spiritual tools to ignite your marriage in our weekly podcast & YouTube channel. NEW episodes every Tuesday!

Episode 3 Summary: In this episode, as we continue our series on Barriers to Intimacy, we’re going to talk about what is Spiritual Intimacy and what does it look like in marriage.

Teaching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fslgNsgKYDM

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“Barriers to Spiritual Intimacy”

Marriage Ignited brings practical & spiritual tools to ignite your marriage in our weekly podcast & YouTube channel. NEW episodes every Tuesday!

Episode 4 Summary: In this episode we are continuing our series on Barriers to Intimacy, Today we’re talking about Barriers to Spiritual Intimacy. What obstacles prevent us from growing spiritually as a couple?

Teaching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhlmFEiJqjg

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“Barriers to Physical Intimacy”

Marriage Ignited brings practical & spiritual tools to ignite your marriage in our weekly podcast & YouTube channel. NEW episodes every Tuesday!

Episode 5 Summary: In this episode we are continuing our series on Barriers to Intimacy, Today’s the day you’ve been waiting for!! In today’s podcast we’re going to look at 3 common barriers to Physical Intimacy.

Teaching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lx78Y0Cwbo

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“What Went Wrong? Barriers to Intimacy”

[ Chip Ingram ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRxRXXg8XRU
Article: https://livingontheedge.org/broadcast/what-went-wrong-barriers-to-intimacy/

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“Four Keys to Intimacy”

[ Chip Ingram ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2bQALDy1XA

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“Barriers to Intimacy”

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTksrBs3hsM

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“Barriers to Intimacy”

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tD5mlu4JQLw

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“Boldness to Enter God’s Presence”

David Wilkerson – Boldness to Enter God’s Presence | Full Sermon
Hebrews 10:19-23New King James Version (NKJV)

Hold Fast Your Confession
19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

[ David Wilkerson ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DE9lcCWOABU

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“The Awareness of God’s Presence”

Do you feel isolated? Alone? Full of fear or anxiety? In times like we face in the world today, believers need to hold on to the promises of Christ. Friend, God hasn’t abandoned you. But are you conscious that He’s with you right now, at this very moment? This message encourages you to be mindful of divine activity in your life right now and become more aware of God’s presence.

[ Charles Stanley ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGfmFyVVGYE

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“Waiting on God’s Timing”

God loves us and desires to meet the needs of our lives. He promises to answer our prayers, but not always according to our timing or method. Dr. Stanley reminds us that waiting on the Lord is a vital principle for every Christian. God, above all others, knows when the timing is right for His perfect plan to go into action. After all, He knows our lives from beginning to end, so He knows exactly where we are at this moment.

[ Charles Stanley ]

Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRs5brImLH8
Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFVM43iMSGo

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“Waiting on God”

Your life will be blessed, and you will gain clarity into life’s detours. Join Dr. Tony Evans as he examines the life of Joseph and the many detours God placed in his path. It is through this study you will find comfort and guidance on how to recognize, sustain, and grow while on these detours in order for you to reach God’s destiny—not your destiny, but God’s.

[ Tony Evans ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBwnejh_nZk

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“How can I have a “personal, intimate relationship” with God?”

No matter who you are, or what you’ve been through – you can have a personal relationship with God, the Father. Dr. Charles Stanley shares how it’s possible – and what God’s purpose is for those who receive His Son, Jesus.

[ Charles Stanley ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RsQYcUpROE

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“Our Intimacy With God”

Do you have an intimate relationship with the Lord? God designed us with the emotional and spiritual capacity to have a deep relationship with Him. Learn how our heavenly Father desires to reveal Himself to you in a personal, life-changing way.

[ Charles Stanley ]

Sermon: https://www.intouch.org/watch/life-principles-to-live-by/our-intimacy-with-god

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“When God Himself Speaks to You”

John Piper says that good news is so dense and so constant in Romans 8 — and so vastly superior to all earthly good news — that we scarcely feel the force of it until we take every verse of Romans 8 and restate it as the miracle it means for our lives.

[ John Piper ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sN1EMndF0-U

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“How Does God Speak to Us”

[ Todd Friel ]

Presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNxgK-7yI6Y

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“How to Hear God’s Voice Today?”

Seminar held at Salem church in Stavanger, Norway 10. mai 2015

[ Justin Peters ]

Presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JItLcIFL2F8

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“Is God Speaking to Me? Is It My Conscience? How Can I Tell?”

Greg Koukl of Stand to Reason answers the question: Can we trust that the inner voice in our head is God?

[ Greg Koukl ]

Presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_O5sBLkjWDI

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“Session 3: Hearing from Heaven: How to Know the Voice of God”

[ Justin Peters

Presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZEEdgr5nbA

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“How to Hear From God”

[ Jack Graham ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dh5LwMDvG5

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“Does God Verbally Speak to Me?”

EPISODE 386 // JULY 16, 2014

[ John Piper ]

Presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNpZSWjSEG4

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“How does God speak to Christians?”

How does God speak to Christians? Dr. Sinclair Ferguson explains how God does and does not speak to Christians.

[ Sinclair Ferguson ]

Presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBbyHp3BwF4

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“Listening to the Voice of God”

Today we are trained to assert ourselves and it’s often easier to speak than to listen. In this brief clip from this series The Basics of the Christian Faith, Sinclair Ferguson explains how we can all begin to listen.

[ Sinclair Ferguson ]

Presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBbyHp3BwF4

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“Do People Really Hear Jesus’ Voice?”

[ Todd Friel ]

Presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEF9BI58ZAw

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“How to Have Friendship with God”

Have you ever wanted to have a deep and meaningful relationship with God? Well, you can! Pastor and Teacher Greg Laurie opens up God’s word and lets us know how to draw closer to Christ!

[ Greg Laurie ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGrlQgT8WLQ

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“Speak Lord!”

Because Eli’s sons had rejected God’s sacrifice as the basis for forgiveness, the Lord declared judgment against Eli’s house. Acting as God’s prophet, Samuel presented His message to Eli, experiencing for the first time the immense challenge of conveying God’s word—especially the truth of coming wrath. As Alistair Begg explains, though, God’s word will always accomplish His purposes, whether spoken faithfully by Samuel or fully and finally through the Word of God Himself, Jesus Christ.

[ Alistair Begg ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seWWl3jLSEU

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“Word Study: Shema – ‘Listen’”

Is hearing and listening the same thing? This video, discover how sound entering your ear-drums isn’t synonymous with “listening”, at least from a biblical perspective. This video is the first installment of our Word Studies series, a six-part exploration of the ancient biblical prayer called “The Shema.”

[ Bible Project ]

Teaching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KQLOuIKaRA

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“How can I hear God’s voice?”

Dr. Stanley responds to the question: Does God still speak to us today?

[ Charles Stanley ]

Q&A: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4ocm31RJ7g

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“How to PERFECTLY Hear the Voice of the Holy Spirit”

How do you hear the voice of the Holy Spirit with perfect accuracy? How can you be sure that you are hearing from God accurately? In today’s video I’m going to show you four simple steps to ensure that you discern the voice of the Holy Spirit every time.

[ Allen Parr ]

Teaching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmIQugKwLK8

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“Hearing God’s Voice”

God will speak specifically to any situation when we petition Him through prayer

[ Tony Evans ]

Presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGwao05ksgs

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“7 Ways to Hear Gods Voice”

Sometimes in prayer we really need to speak what’s on our minds and hearts. Other times, we really want to hear God speak.

It so happens that an incident from the Bible may help you listen. It’s an account from the life of Samuel, recorded in 1 Samuel 3, and it offers 7 helpful tips for hearing from God.

1. Get humble.
The story begins:

The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli (1 Samuel 3:1, NIV).

Notice that God spoke not to the grown-up priest, Eli, nor to the priest’s haughty sons or anyone else. Just to “the boy Samuel.” Maybe because he was a boy. Maybe because he was the lowest on the totem pole, so to speak.

It is a grace to hear God’s voice. So if you wish to hear God’s voice, humble yourself.

2. Get quiet.
The story continues:

One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. Then the Lord called Samuel (1 Samuel 3:2-4, NIV).

God spoke when “Samuel was lying down.” That’s probably not incidental.

They say that Londoners who live in the shadow of St. Paul’s Cathedral never hear the church’s great bells, because the ringing blends in with all the noise of that busy city. But on those rare occasions when streets are deserted and shops are shuttered, the bells can be heard.

Do you want to hear God’s voice? Get quiet.

3. Get into God’s presence.
Did you notice where Samuel “was lying down?”

Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. Then the Lord called Samuel (1 Samuel 3:3-4, NIV).

Samuel’s mother had dedicated him to the service of God, so he was in the temple. But the account says more. He was “where the ark of God was.” That is, he was in the place of God’s presence.

For you, that may signify a church service. But that is far from the only place to get into God’s presence. Some people have a “prayer closet” where they spend time with God. For others it’s a city park or a forest path. For some, it’s not even a place, but a song, a silence, a state of mind.

4. Get counsel.
Verses 4-8 of the story relate how God spoke repeatedly to Samuel, even calling to him by name. But Samuel was slow to catch on at first. It’s likely to be the same with you. But notice verse 9:

Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place (1 Samuel 3:9, NIV).

Though Eli was not the one hearing God’s voice, he nonetheless gave wise counsel to Samuel.

If you believe God is speaking, but you’re not sure, go to someone you respect, someone who knows God, someone who is spiritually mature.

5. Get into the habit of saying, “Speak, Lord.”
The story continues:

So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:9b-10, NIV).

It is one of my favorite and most frequent prayers. Oswald Chambers wrote:

Get into the habit of saying, “Speak, Lord,” and life will become a romance. Every time circumstances press, say, “Speak, Lord.”

If you face a decision, large or small: “Speak, Lord.”

When you lack wisdom: “Speak, Lord.”

Whenever you open your mouth in prayer: “Speak, Lord.”

As you greet a new day: “Speak, Lord.”

6. Get into a listening attitude.
When God finally spoke, He said:

“See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears of it tingle” (1 Samuel 3:11, NIV).

Samuel heard it because he was listening. Not talking, not singing, not reading, not watching TV. He was listening. And God spoke.

If you want to hear God’s voice, get into a listening attitude. God is a gentleman. He does not like to interrupt, so He seldom speaks unless we are listening.

7. Get ready to act on what God says.
When God spoke to Samuel, it wasn’t great news. In fact, it was a message of judgment on Eli (Samuel’s “boss”) and Eli’s family.

If you intend to hear God’s voice, and then decide whether or not you will heed it, you’re not likely to hear God’s voice.

But if you are ready to act on whatever He might say, you may truly hear His voice. And then life becomes a romance.

[ Bob Hostetler ]

Presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MweTMVyB1vA

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“How to Listen to the Lord (Mark 4:21-34)”

Mark chapter 4, verses 21 to 34. Now, just prior to this passage, our Lord had given the parable of the soil. Remember that? And He had distinguished to kinds of soils basically. The kind of soil that produces nothing – that was the first three: hard soil, rocky soil, thorny or weedy soil produces nothing. That is they don’t hear the truth of the Gospel and respond.

And then he talked about three kinds of good soil that produced thirtyfold, sixtyfold, and a hundredfold in terms of fruitfulness. And then He went on to say the difference between the soils that produce nothing and the soils that are productive is hearing the truth. Hearing it. Hearing it in the sense that you embrace it and you believe it. And that, of course, is what sets believers apart from nonbelievers. Nonbelievers cannot understand the things of God; they do not hear the Gospel with believing, submissive ears. Those who are Christ’s do.

So, we can sum it up by saying this, “The greatest grace gift given to us, of course, is salvation. But we would know nothing about that salvation were it not for Scripture. So, in reality, the greatest grace gift is divine revelation. The greatest grace gift is divine revelation. Nothing is more important than divine truth. You have to have the truth in order to be saved, and sanctified, and to have the hope of glory, and to be instructed in righteousness. [more…]

[ John MacArthur ]

Sermon: https://www.gty.org/library/sermons-library/41-20

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“Can You Hear God’s Voice?”

As Christians, one of the most important questions we can ask is, “Of the countless voices I will hear today, where can I hear God’s voice?”

[ David Mathis ]

Presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p88WR2TqCBI

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“Am I Hearing God’s Voice or Just My Own Desire?”

How do we know that when we pray we are hearing God’s voice and not just hearing exactly what we want to hear? What does the Bible sat about it?

[ John Barnett ]

Teaching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FcLk2Xyzug

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“Be Still And Know That I Am God”

Be Still And Know That I Am God
Psalm 46:10

[ Carter Conlon ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blieyzEsbKI

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“Rick Warren and Mark Batterson on Hearing God’s Voice”

The confusion that is taught within evangelicalism about hearing the voice of God.

[ Chris Rosebrough – “Fighting for the Faith” ]

Presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awQjRglmS48

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“DawnCheré Wilkerson: Hearing God’s Voice”

The hole still small voice low whisper thingy in Elijah in the story of Elijah in first Kings 19 has nothing to do with you hearing the voice of God.

[ Chris Rosebrough – “Fighting for the Faith” ]

Presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6n7uJvDDZEo

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“Do Prophets Need to Practice Hearing God’s Voice?”

Have you ever been told that if you want to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit you need to practice hearing the voice of God yeah if you’ve ever been told that go ahead and like the video hit the subscribe button down below don’t forget to ring the bell you’ve been taught something false regarding God.

[ Chris Rosebrough – “Fighting for the Faith” ]

Presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKAog1xJf9I

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“When God Talks”

Pastor Evans speaks on recent events in this message preached on September 3, 2017.

[ Tony Evans ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIRTk92Meng

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“How Do You Hear the Voice of God”

How do we hear God’s voice? Nick believes God speaks to us in many ways! Here’s his answer to this question. We’d love to hear your questions too

[ Nick Vujicic ]

Presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUx1OOjCBh8

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“4 Keys to Hearing God’s Voice”

Mark Virkler is an Author/Speaker/Founder of Communion With God Ministries

[ Interview of Mark Virkler ]

Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqvi8-86Rak
Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwkSHuuig3k

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“God Speaks Most Through THIS”

How can you know Gods will without listening to him? God speaks to us in many ways, one of which being his invaluable word.

[ Charles Stanley ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgv_hb9mY_U

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“Hearing the Voice of God”

[ David Wilkerson ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mM87mGp97M

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“Acts 8 Part 2 – Learning to Hear God’s Voice”

Pastor Paul LeBoutillier of Calvary Chapel Ontario (Oregon) teaches through the Bible from the book of Acts. Go to http://www.ccontario.com for a complete list of Bible teachings or to watch services live.

[ Paul LeBoutillier ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwKcKiAyti8

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“God Dropped By”

Lonely and spent,
discouraged was I,
God dropped by.

Courage and power He brought for that hour,
when I wanted to die,
God dropped by.

Beaten and weary, depress was I,
then God dropped by.

Cheering my way and lighting my day,
a star in my sky
God dropped by.

Frightened and lonely beaten was I,
then God dropped by.

Lifted my head, and thought I was dead,
and I started to cry.
but God dropped by.

Cared for was I
when God dropped by.

Healing of peace, the soul’s sweet release,
mended was I
when God dropped by.

[ Jill Briscoe ]

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“How to Hear the Voice of God: Easy Steps to a Listening Spirit”

Charles Stanley sermon. Psalm 25.

[ A & Ω Productions ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bsCzokFK5o

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“A Promise for Those Who Seek God”

[ Paul Washer ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlC83WGNjAI

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“How to Experience God’s Presence Right Now”

If you’ve been experiencing a season of spiritual dryness or even slumber, you need a fresh experience in the presence of God. Here are 5 keys to help you experience God’s presence today.

[ Troy Black ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7kAO5mOWpo

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“Intimacy With God”

Dr. Tony Evans, Senior Pastor, Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship, Dallas, TX, encourages us to pursue spiritual intimacy with God as we’re led to expanded spiritual capacity and, in turn, increased spiritual authority.

[ Tony Evans ]

Presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APH3HVckbsw

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“How To Hear God Speak | Episode 1 | Does God Still Speak?”

God still speaks.

Maybe you’re like me and you’ve always felt like God doesn’t really speak. I mean I knew he speaks when I read the Bible, but other than that I believed God was silent. He didn’t seem to speak anymore like he used to in all the stories that I am so familiar with in the Bible.

But what if that way of thinking is all wrong?

What if that idea came more from my experience than it did from what the Bible actually teaches?

There are two big reasons I came to this conclusion about God speaking:
There were a lot of spiritual abuses of God’s voice.
I didn’t ever experience it.

But what if God actually was speaking to me. And if I was honest, when I read the Bible, the most natural conclusion is that that God will speak and still does speak to us. The problem isn’t that God isn’t speaking, it’s that we haven’t learned to listen.

In John 10 Jesus says, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

Jesus also says before he leaves the disciples about the Holy Spirit, “He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.”

In other words, the Holy Spirit is going to tell you some amazing things.

This isn’t a new idea, it’s a very old idea.

The challenge is this is not the way most of us have learned to pray. We pray mostly by making speeches at God. But what if our prayers became more conversational? What if our prayers were just as much about listening as it was about what we have to say?

In this series we are going to learn how to listen for the voice of God. We will do that through teaching about what the Bible teaches about listening and prayer. We are also going to do that by practicing it and learning from what people throughout history have done to practice these habits.

And know this, it takes practice.

You might try and feel like it’s not working. You might feel like you’re not hearing anything. Don’t let that stop you. It takes practice to learn how God speaks into your mind and imagination.

God still speaks.

Let’s start listening.

Note: Luther quote referencing listening to God in prayer is from “A Simple Way to Pray” by Martin Luther

[ Faith – Troy, MI ]

Teaching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a95mOEEMrBE

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“Presence of God”

The Book of Acts is full of exciting stories! Coming on the heels of Luke’s epic narrative about Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection, Acts provides keen insight into the early stages of the Church. The Gospels present the disciples as ordinary people, but now, they are full of power and courage to spread the good news of Jesus. And the opening of Acts shows us just where that power comes from. [more…]

[ Amber Dillon ]

Article: https://bibleproject.com/blog/presence-of-god/

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“How to Practice the Presence of God”

Are you just going through the motions? Was there once a time when God was more real to you than right now? Dr. Rogers looks at an encounter Moses had with God that was so transformational it shone on his face! Let God invade every part of your life, so that He can shine through!

[ Adrian Rogers ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBaumukzUZU

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“What Does It Mean to Live in God’s Presence?”

I think the first thing I should say is that the biblical writers were not naïve in the sense that they thought God had a body with spatial dimensions so that he could have a locality in the universe. Stephen said in Acts 7:48, “The Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands.” The point being, God is not that kind of being.

Therefore, I think all the biblical imagery about drawing near to God or departing from God or being before the face of God — which is, by the way, the literal translation of presence. The word “presence” is almost always translating the Hebrew penae or peneme and it means “face.” I think all of those images are metaphors or pictures. [more…]

[ John Piper ]

Teaching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzdGXeEO6j0
Article: https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/what-does-it-mean-to-live-in-gods-presence

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“Experiencing the Presence of God”

Certainly it’s apparent to you, if you’re a Christian, as it is to me, that we live in a profane, godless, secularized, and for the most part atheistic culture. Even our religion is a kind of atheism, for it attempts to erase the true God and substitute in His place a God who makes men comfortable. And whenever I read that 50 million people in America are supposed to be born again, and I see in comparison with that statistic the constant ever increasing secularization of our society, I find that the two don’t go together very well. We’re supposed to be a Christian nation – it’s even popular to be born again – yet the impact of Christianity on our country seems to be weak, seems to be shallow, it seems to be superficial, it seems to be saccharine.

Being a Christian may be in, but it doesn’t seem to be having much of an impact. We are caught up in a kind of self-indulgence and self-centeredness that even views God only in terms of what He can do for us. God becomes sort of a utilitarian genie; you rub your little theological lamp, he pops out and says, “Three wishes.” People are preoccupied with relational things. A person who criticizes the teaching of the Word of God by saying, “Well, it’s too strong. It alienates people,” is really saying, “We want a God who makes us comfortable.” [more…]

[ John MacArthur ]

Article: https://www.gty.org/library/sermons-library/1280/experiencing-the-presence-of-god

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“Sitting In the Presence of the Lord”

[ Zac Poonen ]

Presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERiTryThKZA

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“Sight, Place, and the Presence of God”

A great debate and controversy over what is proper worship before God is going on in our time. As I have wrestled with this question, I keep going back to the Old Testament. I know this is a dangerous practice because we now live in the New Testament era, but the Old Testament gives detailed, explicit instructions for worship, whereas the New Testament is almost silent on the conduct of worship. In the Old Testament, I find a refuge from speculation, from human opinion, and from the vagaries of human taste and preference because there I find God Himself explicitly demanding that certain things take place in worship. I believe it is both possible and right to mine principles for worship from the Old Testament, for the Old Testament books remain part of the canon of Scripture, and while there is a certain discontinuity between the Old and New Testaments, there is also a continuity that we must not discount.

One of the principles I learn from the Old Testament is this: the whole person is to be engaged in the experience of worship. Certainly, the minds, hearts, and souls of the worshipers are to be engaged, but when we come to worship on Sunday morning, we do not come as disembodied minds, hearts, or souls. None of our experiences are purely intellectual, emotional, or spiritual. The experience of human life also involves physical aspects. This means that all five senses are involved in the experience of living. We are creatures who live life not merely with our minds, hearts, and souls, but with our senses of sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch.

I do not have enough space in this brief article to touch on how all five senses are engaged in worship, or even to explore the full dimensions of even one of the senses. So, I want to consider just one way in which the visual sense can be impacted so that our hearts are moved to worship.

Surveys routinely tell us that the two leading reasons why people stay away from church are that they find worship boring and they find the church irrelevant. These reasons, especially the first one, astound me. I have often said that if God Himself were to announce that He would appear at my church one Sunday morning at 11 a.m., there would be standing room only at the appointed hour. I am sure that no one would come to that service, witness God’s arrival, and go away saying, “I was bored.” When we read the biblical accounts of people’s encounters with God, we see the whole gamut of human emotions. Some people weep, some cry out in fear, some tremble, some pass out. However, we never read of anyone who was bored in God’s presence.

So, given the fact that worship is, in its most basic sense, a meeting with God, how can we account for the surveys that tell us people come away from church feeling bored? I must conclude that they are experiencing no sense of the presence of God. That is tragic, because if people have no sense of the presence of God, they cannot be moved to worship and glorify God.

One of the elements that helps people gain a sense of the real presence of God is the form of the worship environment. I used to enjoy asking my seminary students, who were Protestants, whether they had ever been in one of the great Roman Catholic Gothic cathedrals. Many had, so I would ask them to share their visceral response upon walking into a cathedral. Most would say, “I felt a sense of awe” or “I felt a sense of the transcendence of God.” That gave me the opportunity to point out how the architecture of the cathedrals, the form of the worship environment in those buildings, put my students in the “mood” for worship, as it were. That, of course, was the very reaction the cathedrals were designed to spark. Great care and thought went into the design of the cathedrals. The designers wanted a form that would quicken in people a sense of the loftiness of God, of the otherness of God. It saddens me that Protestants do not usually take the same care in church design. Our worship environments are often utilitarian. Sanctuaries are designed along the lines of cinemas or television studios. Such environments are not wrong, but many people would testify that such settings do not inspire worship in the way traditional church interiors do.

It behooves us, I think, to note the great care with which God gave His people plans for the tabernacle, their first worship environment. Like the temple that followed, the tabernacle was a place of beauty, glory, and transcendence. It was like no other place in the lives of God’s people. We need to understand that our church architecture communicates something to our visual senses, and, therefore, that architecture can promote or hinder our sense of the presence of God.

[ R.C. Sproul ]

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“Should I Feel God’s Presence in My Life?”

This question brings to mind an experience I had early in my ministry. In fact, I’d only been ordained a few months and was teaching at a college. One church had a minister who was much loved by his congregation; he had served there for twenty-five years but had become critically ill. The man was at the point of death. I was supplying the pulpit for several months and helping the congregation deal with this tragedy in their midst.

On a Saturday night, before the Sunday morning service in which we were to celebrate Communion, I received an urgent call that it was possible the minister would not live to the next day. When I came to the church the next morning, I was keenly aware of the profound sense of concern that was in the congregation. I felt an enormous weight to try to have the most meaningful Communion service I could possibly lead. I agonized in prayer, saying, “God, please let me have a special anointing as I come before these people in their need.” I don’t think I ever mounted the pulpit in my entire ministry with a greater desire to know the presence of God than I did that Sunday morning.

I preached, and I went through the sacrament, and it was awful. It was terrible. I just felt a total absence of God, as if I’d been utterly and completely abandoned by Him. My preaching was dead, and it seemed as if I were talking to myself. When I pronounced the benediction and went to the back of the church, I really wished there was a hole in the ground I could jump into so I wouldn’t have to face those people. I felt so miserable for having let them down.

I stood at the back door, and as they started to file out of the church one by one, I couldn’t believe what happened. These people came out, and it was like they had been hit between the eyes. They were stunned. They were in shock. One after another said that they had never been so moved by the powerful presence of God as that which they’d experienced in that worship service. One lady said to me, “The Holy Spirit’s presence was so thick today we could have cut it with a knife.” I just couldn’t believe it. I felt like Jacob when he woke up from his dream and said, “Surely God was in this place and I knew it not.” That really had an impact on me that day. I said, “Wait a minute. God promised that He would be here.” I didn’t feel His presence, and so I thought He wasn’t there. I had become a sensuous Christian, allowing my strength of conviction to be determined by the strength of my feelings.

I realized that I’ve got to live by the Word of God, not by what I feel. I think that’s how you deal with doubt. You begin to focus on what God says He’s going to do rather than on your feelings.

[ R.C. Sproul ]

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“Entering God’s Holy Presence (Exodus 40:1-38)”

Life of Moses.

[ Steven J. Cole ]

Article: https://bible.org/seriespage/20-entering-god-s-holy-presence-exodus-401-38

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“What Does “coram Deo” Mean?”

I remember Mama standing in front of me, her hands poised on her hips, her eyes glaring with hot coals of fire and saying in stentorian tones, “Just what is the big idea, young man?”

Instinctively I knew my mother was not asking me an abstract question about theory. Her question was not a question at all—it was a thinly veiled accusation. Her words were easily translated to mean, “Why are you doing what you are doing?” She was challenging me to justify my behavior with a valid idea. I had none.

Recently a friend asked me in all earnestness the same question. He asked, “What’s the big idea of the Christian life?” He was interested in the overarching, ultimate goal of the Christian life.

To answer his question, I fell back on the theologian’s prerogative and gave him a Latin term. I said, “The big idea of the Christian life is coram Deo. Coram Deo captures the essence of the Christian life.”

This phrase literally refers to something that takes place in the presence of, or before the face of, God. To live coram Deo is to live one’s entire life in the presence of God, under the authority of God, to the glory of God.

To live in the presence of God is to understand that whatever we are doing and wherever we are doing it, we are acting under the gaze of God. God is omnipresent. There is no place so remote that we can escape His penetrating gaze.

To be aware of the presence of God is also to be acutely aware of His sovereignty. The uniform experience of the saints is to recognize that if God is God, then He is indeed sovereign. When Saul was confronted by the refulgent glory of the risen Christ on the road to Damascus, his immediate question was, “Who is it, Lord?” He wasn’t sure who was speaking to him, but he knew that whomever it was, was certainly sovereign over him.

Living under divine sovereignty involves more than a reluctant submission to sheer sovereignty that is motivated out of a fear of punishment. It involves recognizing that there is no higher goal than offering honor to God. Our lives are to be living sacrifices, oblations offered in a spirit of adoration and gratitude.

To live all of life coram Deo is to live a life of integrity. It is a life of wholeness that finds its unity and coherency in the majesty of God. A fragmented life is a life of disintegration. It is marked by inconsistency, disharmony, confusion, conflict, contradiction, and chaos.

The Christian who compartmentalizes his or her life into two sections of the religious and the nonreligious has failed to grasp the big idea. The big idea is that all of life is religious or none of life is religious. To divide life between the religious and the nonreligious is itself a sacrilege.

This means that if a person fulfills his or her vocation as a steelmaker, attorney, or homemaker coram Deo, then that person is acting every bit as religiously as a soul-winning evangelist who fulfills his vocation. It means that David was as religious when he obeyed God’s call to be a shepherd as he was when he was anointed with the special grace of kingship. It means that Jesus was every bit as religious when He worked in His father’s carpenter shop as He was in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Integrity is found where men and women live their lives in a pattern of consistency. It is a pattern that functions the same basic way in church and out of church. It is a life that is open before God. It is a life in which all that is done is done as to the Lord. It is a life lived by principle, not expediency; by humility before God, not defiance. It is a life lived under the tutelage of conscience that is held captive by the Word of God.

Coram Deo … before the face of God. That’s the big idea. Next to this idea our other goals and ambitions become mere trifles.

Scriptures for further study: Matthew 24:13; Romans 8:31-36; 2 Corinthians 4:7-16; Hebrews 6:9-12; 10:35-39

[ R.C. Sproul ]

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“UNC-Chapel Hill Researchers Ask Americans: ‘What Does God Look Like?’”

A team of psychologists at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have used a new technique to construct what a large sample of 511 American Christians think God looks like.

Participants in the study saw hundreds of randomly varying face-pairs and selected which face from each pair appeared more like how they imagined God to appear. By combining all the selected faces, the researchers could assemble a composite “face of God” that reflected how each person imagined God to appear.

Their results were both surprising and revealing. From Michelangelo to Monty Python, illustrations of God have nearly always shown him as an old and august white-bearded Caucasian man. But the researchers found that many Christians saw God as younger, more feminine, and less Caucasian that popular culture suggests. [more…]

[ UNC-Chapel Hill ]

Report: https://college.unc.edu/2018/06/face-of-god/

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“The Faces of God in America: Revealing Religious Diversity Across People and Politics”

Abstract:
Literature and art have long depicted God as a stern and elderly white man, but do people actually see Him this way? We use reverse correlation to understand how a representative sample of American Christians visualize the face of God, which we argue is indicative of how believers think about God’s mind. In contrast to historical depictions, Americans generally see God as young, Caucasian, and loving, but perceptions vary by believers’ political ideology and physical appearance. Liberals see God as relatively more feminine, more African American, and more loving than conservatives, who see God as older, more intelligent, and more powerful. All participants see God as similar to themselves on attractiveness, age, and, to a lesser extent, race. These differences are consistent with past research showing that people’s views of God are shaped by their group-based motivations and cognitive biases. Our results also speak to the broad scope of religious differences: even people of the same nationality and the same faith appear to think differently about God’s appearance.

[ Joshua Conrad Jackson, Neil Hester, and Kurt Gray – Plus One ]

Report Findings: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0198745

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The Presence of Christ (Lecture 6, )
This Lecture is from the Teaching Series Kingdom Feast.

About the Teaching Series, Kingdom Feast
What happens when Christians take the Lord’s Supper? Throughout the history of the church, there has been debate over the meaning of Holy Communion. Even today there is much disagreement about the purpose and significance of the sacrament. As Dr. R.C. Sproul demonstrates, a proper understanding of the Lord’s Supper can be found only in Scripture.

In considering various opinions about this sacrament, Dr. Sproul helps to clarify the view held by the sixteenth-century reformer John Calvin. Dr. Sproul also examines related biblical themes, such as the Passover, the kingdom of God, the person and work of Christ, and justification by faith alone.

Article: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/series/kingdom_feast/the-presence-of-christ/

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“Are Those in Hell Aware of God’s Presence?”

Is hell the absence of God? Or are those in hell aware of God’s presence—and wrath? In this Q&A video from Ligonier’s 2016 National Conference, Albert Mohler and William VanDoodewaard consider what makes hell hellish.

[ Ligonier Ministries ]

Q&A: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZF4mLziopsk

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“The Peace and Presence of God | 2 Thessalonians 3.16-18”

Pastor Colin Smith preached this sermon titled “The Peace and Presence of God” at The Orchard Evangelical Free Church, in Arlington Heights, IL.

[ Colin Smith ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-Xs4W3ABHY

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“Men Marked by the Presence of God”

[ Paul Washer ]

Presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uR0r2PyMIbs

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“Pursuing The Presence of God”

How do we pursue Christ when we feel we have little energy, little desire, or maybe even little faith? This weekend Dusty Brown gives us some insight on what the word says to do in this standalone service, “Pursuing The Presence of God”

[ Dusty Brown ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Go9LTXvDqkk

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“Preserving the Powerful Presence of God”

Dr. Vic Anderson, Department Chair and Professor of Pastoral Ministries, reminds us that dishonoring God in our spiritual lives can lead to God’s presence departing from our ministries.

[ Victor D. Anderson ]

Presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01X5nPpyED4

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“The Road to Emmaus: When You Can’t See Jesus | Luke 24:13-35”

Have you ever had that experience when you can’t see something and it’s right in front of you? This week I needed to give Elijah his milk and I knew Monica had put some in the fridge but I couldn’t find it. When I opened the fridge it wasn’t there and when I moved some of the food and other items it wasn’t there either. So I called Monica and I asked her if she had put the milk in the fridge and she said she had and I told her I couldn’t find it. I looked again but nothing. When she came home she found it in less than 5 seconds.

I think what happened is that when I looked in one part of the fridge, the bottle ran to a different part of the fridge. It’s frustrating when you can’t see something but you’re told it’s there. Now a baby’s milk bottle matters for our family, but in the overall scheme of things it’s not a big deal. Does this ever happen to us with the big things in life? Where we’re looking for something important but just can’t see it?

How about when you look for God but can’t sense his presence? We look for him, and we’re told by our pastors and more spiritually attuned friends that “he’s right there!” but we just can’t see him for ourselves. Instead of sensing God you feel like he’s gone or like he’ll talk to anyone but you. When you can’t see God or sense Christ’s presence what should you do? That’s a dark place to be at but it’s similar to where some of Jesus’ followers found themselves Sunday after his crucifixion.

The last time they saw Jesus he was dead. He was gone. They thought he was never coming back. They’d made it through the last couple days, but are sad and depressed. But now they’ve heard word from several women who followed Jesus that his body wasn’t in the tomb and that angels had appeared to them telling them Jesus is alive. They don’t believe and just feel more confusion and darkness. They’d come to Jerusalem for the Passover feast and now it’s time for them to go home.

Luke 24:13-16 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him. (NIV®)

So these two friends are walking home from Jerusalem to the village of Emmaus. It’s about 7 miles from Jerusalem, or 10 kilometers. When we were in France our European GPS pronounced it “kilo-meters.” And as they’re talking about the crucifixion and empty tomb Jesus himself comes up to them and begins to walk alongside them. This is actually the first time in Luke 24 where we see Jesus alive. The angels announced it in the first 12 verses, but this is the first time Luke shows the living-breathing Jesus to his readers, and he does it in the most unassuming way. Jesus just starts walking alongside them.

The Greek literally says “their eyes were kept from recognizing him”. It’s like when you’re walking your dog and she sees a squirrel and lunges for it. You have to restrain her and hold her back. Their eyes wanted to see Jesus but God restrains recognition. He holds them back. Why would God do that? Because God wants them, and us, to see Jesus, but not yet with our eyes. He wants us to first see Jesus a different way.

Luke 24:17-18 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”

They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” (NIV®)

Luke gives us the name Cleopas because he’s citing his source. He’s showing us this account is reliable.

Luke 24:19-21 “What things?” he asked.

“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. (NIV®)

They call Jesus a prophet. They no longer say Jesus was the “Messiah” or “Christ.” They’ve lost faith. They’re finding it too hard to believe. It’s too dark. Jesus is dead he must have just been a prophet like the prophets of old who died. He can’t possibly be the Messiah chosen by God. The Messiah is supposed to come and liberate his people, and Jesus is dead. When things get dark in our life, when we lose our jobs or a loved one dies or a tragedy happens, and our hearts don’t sense Christ, it’s easy to say, “Maybe he’s not God, maybe Jesus is not as powerful as I thought.” But they were wrong and so are we if we think that way.

Luke 24:22-24 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.” (NIV®)

In Israel at that time Jewish rabbis disagreed over whether or not women could testify in court. Many thought their witness was unreliable, so if you’re going to make up a story this isn’t the best way to do it. But this is a proof the Bible’s account is true. Instead of being written in a way so as to appear real in its culture and time, having men be the first witnesses, it’s a historical account of what actually happened. But Cleopas and his traveling companion don’t know about that. They have trouble believing the women, citing the other disciples who didn’t see Jesus. But their memories are selective because in just a few verses (v34) they’re going to remember that Jesus already appeared to Simon (Peter), which outside of this mention isn’t shown in the gospel accounts.

When we’re struggling, maybe fatigued or frustrated, and can’t see Jesus and can only think of everything wrong with our lives, we should pause and check our memories and ask, “Am I being selective in what I am remembering?” How has Jesus done good things for me and shown himself to me in ways in the past. If he has been good for years and years why would I assume he would stop now? Lord, may we not have selective memories but memories full of the goodness of Christ.

But now it’s time for Jesus to answer them. And he actually begins to open their eyes to him, but not yet in the visible way they would prefer, and we would too. Instead he points to himself in the Old Testament.

Luke 22:25-26 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?”

Jesus scolds them for not having hope and not realizing what has really happened. They thought the Messiah was going to be a political liberator but Jesus shows them this isn’t what the Messiah was going to do. He didn’t come to be victorious like a military leader, but to achieve victory another kind of way, through his own suffering. Now this is a confusing concept to them and all Jews because it doesn’t clearly say in the Old Testament that the Messiah is going to suffer. But if we were to look at two passages, Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53, they tell us about one who is chosen by God and will suffer, especially the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53. So although the suffering Messiah isn’t clearly stated it is implied throughout the Scriptures.

Just like our Messiah suffered so too Christians will suffer. God doesn’t promise us pain free lives where we always feel his presence near us. We will go through trial and darkness and sometimes feel alone (James 1:2-4). It’s actually pretty normal to go through times when you struggle to see Christ because of everything going on in your life, but God can use this time to draw you nearer to Christ. One of the ways we draw near to Christ is by meditating on and reading the Scriptures.

Luke 24:27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. (NIV®)

Jesus goes through a bird’s eye view of the Old Testament to say that it’s all pointing towards him. It’s not that every word is about Jesus but that they tell us about our sins and so our need for Jesus and a coming savior. Many passages even prefigure Christ—tell us about him without telling us exactly.

The opening chapters of Genesis talk about the descendent of Eve who is going to crush the serpent. (Gen 3:15)
Noah’s ark shows us what God’s judgment is like against sin and we need rescue only he can provide.
Abraham shows us the type of faith we need to have in God and his promises.
Abraham’s son Isaac carries firewood (a tree) up a mountain so he can be a sacrifice just like Christ carries the cross.
Joseph was betrayed by his brothers and Jesus was betrayed by his disciples.
Moses was almost killed by an evil king at his birth and so was Jesus.
The whole sacrificial system of sheep and cows points to the need for a lasting sacrifice.
Samson gave his life to rescue his people and so did Jesus.
King David, a good but imperfect king, prefigures Jesus, the perfect king.
And the list goes on and on and on as we think about all the ways the Scriptures point to Christ Jesus. He is the fulfillment of it all. So what’s the application here? When you can’t see Jesus, look to the Scriptures. When you can’t see what Jesus is doing in your life or can’t hear him speaking to you, look to the Scriptures. Go to your Bible. See him there. Hear him there.

Honestly, I get a bit frustrated when people ask me if God talks to me. I don’t know if I’ve ever heard Jesus audibly speak to me. I get strong impressions and thoughts through prayer that seem from him and the Holy Spirit, but does that count? But at the same time he does talk to me through his Word. If you want to hear God’s voice, read his words, read the Scriptures. I do believe that as we read and meditate on the Bible the Holy Spirit takes what we are reading and helps apply it to our hearts and lives. So as you’re reading Scripture and sensing the way you should apply it to your life that’s perhaps the Holy Spirit and in that way Jesus does speak to us. When you can’t see Jesus (or hear him), look to the Scriptures.

As the two travelers listen to Jesus talking they begin to realize they’ve missed something. Jesus had come to liberate his people, but not as a mighty warrior but as a sacrificial lamb. But still they don’t recognize the one standing in front of them is Jesus. But now they’ve seen him in the Scriptures and so they’re ready.

Luke 24:28-31 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.

30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. (NIV®)

Jesus pretends to keep going but like good hosts they invite Jesus in to stay with them the night. And when he breaks the bread, much like he did at the feeding of the 5,000 and the Last Supper (Luke 9:16; 22:19), then finally he stops restraining their eyes and they recognize him for who he is as he hands them the bread. Then he’s gone. And what do they immediately marvel at—the Scriptures!

Luke 24:32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” (NIV®)

But we don’t yet get to see Jesus like they did. Luke knows that we his contemporary audience won’t be able to see Jesus so he wants us to go to the Scriptures to see him. The more we understand God’s word the more our hearts will burn for God. You want to sense God’s presence? You want to know Jesus is alive? Dive into God’s word! When you can’t see Jesus, look to the Scriptures. But they don’t stop with the Scriptures because they focus specifically on the resurrection—Jesus rising from the dead.

Luke 24:33-35 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread. (NIV®)

Once they understand how all of Scriptures points to the Messiah needing to suffer and die and rise again it changes everything. They believe! Of course the descendent of Eve would be struck by the serpent, of course it was the Father’s will to crush him for our iniquities, of course Jesus is the one and final sacrificial lamb that takes away the sins of the world. Of course the resurrection happened because that was the plan all along. When you can’t see Jesus, look to the Scriptures and to his resurrection.

When Terry preached two weeks ago he suggested I might love quoting Timothy Keller. I can’t remember who told me this story or if it’s an urban legend but I once heard that a church was going through a hiring process and when they interviewed a pastor they asked him if he liked Lord of the Rings and he said yes. They said that if he came to their church he could never quote Lord of the Rings because the previous pastor brought up Lord of the Rings every single week. So it could be worse!

Tim Keller talks about the movie The Sixth Sense. He said you can only see that movie twice because once you know the ending it changes how you see the whole thing. The ending is shocking. I heard about the ending before I ever saw it and if you don’t know the ending or have not seen the movie, I’m sorry but it came out in 1999. You’ve had your chance. To quote Keller, “I don’t want to spoil the ending for you but Bruce Willis is dead.” Bruce Willis, a child psychologist (super believable), is trying to help a young boy who sees dead people and it turns out Bruce Willis is one of the people who is dead. And if you go back through the movie it’s so obvious he is dead. His wife doesn’t look at him or interact with him. No one really talks to him except for the young boy. You can’t help but watch the whole movie in light of the ending.

But the the story of Jesus is the exact opposite of The Sixth Sense. When you get to the end Jesus isn’t dead but alive. The gospel is the good news that the hero of the story is alive and well. And now as you go back through the Scriptures you can’t help but read them in light of that good news. It’s all about him. It’s all pointing to our need for him. It’s all about this coming savior who is going to pay the ultimate sacrifice. It’s all about Jesus, his suffering, his death, and his life-giving resurrection so that anyone who repents of their sins and puts their faith and trust in him will one day rise again too. And when we’re frustrated and discouraged and can’t sense God’s presence that’s exactly what we need to focus on—the Bible and how he rose again from the dead. When you can’t see Jesus, look to the Scriptures and to his resurrection.

Pastor Jonathan Romig preached this message at Cornerstone Congregational Church. You can download a PDF copy of this sermon above, which includes further endnotes and references. Click to listen to sermons or to read our story.

The Sixth Sense sermon illustration also appears on page 103 of Tremper Longman III’s How to Read Proverbs.

Painting by Fritz von Uhde – 1. kunstkopie.de2./3. Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=33827191

[ Jonathan Romig ]

Sermon: https://cornerstonewestford.com/sermons/the-road-to-emmaus-when-you-cant-see-jesus-luke-2413-35/

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“When God Isn’t There”

God’s absence makes us uncomfortable. I titled a book When God Isn’t There, and people kept asking me, “When God isn’t there? Don’t you know God’s always there!”

It isn’t easy to think about God being absent, but if we avoid the tension created by God’s absence and presence, we forfeit joy. I’ve learned to state the tension like this: God is often absent in the ways we most desire, but present in the way we most require.

God has been, and still is, present with us in all the ways we require: sustaining the world, revealing his word, making covenants, sending his Spirit, and, preeminently, giving us Jesus. [more…]

[ David Bowden ]

Article: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/when-god-isnt-there

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“GOD HAS SPOKEN–The Doctrines of God Are Revealed To Us”

From BYT-33 – The Scientific Foundation for Our Faith Is Genesis 1:1

[ John Barnett ]

Teaching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GC-T8Cterpc

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“GOD IS SPEAKING: ARE YOU LISTENING?”

Life for us as followers of Christ is all about Listening to Jesus. Jesus said that as His sheep we need to hear Him and follow Him.
Listening to Jesus: Jesus came on an unannounced visit to a church in central Asia Minor, two thousand years ago, and then wrote back a startling letter to them about their deteriorating spiritual health. They really should have listened to Him.
In that letter, Jesus Christ starts with His credentials. The opening words introducing Christ in Revelation 3:14 are like getting an official, hand-delivered letter: with a medical diagnosis from the leading doctors of the Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins, or another a world-renowned group doctors.
The medical advice of someone at work or school is nice and possibly helpful.
The medical advice of a trusted family member is nicer and even more helpful.
But the medical advice, diagnosis, and prognosis from a trained, skilled, qualified, and almost universally trusted medical expert, renowned in their field: is almost beyond foolishness to resist, and dismiss lightly.
The diagnosis and treatment regimen from the highest authority on spiritual wellness in the Universe is what is contained in Revelation 3 today. Jesus Christ introduces Himself as the One who can be supremely trusted. He is truth incarnate, the Amen. Then He goes on to say that He has a perspective no one else can have: the is a witness, He alone has seen all, knows all, and can testify by personal experience a reliable report. Finally, He speaks as the One who:
as Creator, designed us;
as Redeemer, bought and owns us; and as Judge has the final say over what goes on in our lives. Jesus Christ.
These three titles are a unique combination and all stand together to declare that what Jesus says will happen. Jesus is introducing Himself as:
The God We Can Trust. He can be trusted, He is reliable, and there is no one else like Him. Jesus is the Amen of God, the One who is in perfect agreement and able to make His promises come true.
First Jesus calls Himself the Amen, then the Faithful and True Witness, and finally the Beginning of the creation of God. Each of these titles is unique, each is powerful, and all reflect the truth that Jesus is the One to listen to. What He says will happen, and when He speaks it is Ultimate Truth.
(CLW-29; 111127AM)

[ John Barnett ]

Teaching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18dZNbRIBQs

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“God Speaks Through His Scriptures”

GOD PRIMARILY SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS SCRIPTURES
We can get a very clear overview of how God has communicated over human history. If you believe that God’s Word is true, as Jesus Christ affirmed it to be, then we have a tool to frame every single one of God’s recorded contacts with humanity.
We know today that God has given us a record, written down, confirmed by Jesus Christ in person, and still in our hands today. God’s Word the Scriptures are given for us to know what God wants us to know. What God tells us is what He wants to shape our understanding, and frame our analysis of current events as we live through the last days.
To best understand our study of God’s record of His communications with humanity, turn to Hebrews 1:1-2. Here is a summary of God’s inspired Word, called the Scriptures or the Bible.
God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;
Think of what this passage says: God is making a very big statement about how He has and will communicate. Here is a simple guide to understanding whether we need to have angelic visits, visions, and voices to really be spiritual, and really know we are hearing from God.
Jesus is the Word of God. Jesus came and lived and spoke as God with us, as Emmanuel, and as God the Son Incarnate.
What did Jesus say about the Bible? Jesus Christ authenticated our Bible.
First He told the people that they had in their possession the Scriptures (Jn. 5:39). Jesus authenticated that the Hebrew Old Testament’s books that all the people had, read, and knew exactly what he was talking about: were the only inspired revelation of God recorded for authoritative discussions of Divine Truth. Nothing else. There were many books of the Apocrypha that the Roman Catholic Church today recognizes, that were known in Christ’s day, but Jesus Christ said those are NOT the Scriptures. Just the 39 books we still have in our Bibles. Those Jesus Christ said are God’s Word.

[ John Barnett ]

Teaching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVgENqvlg2M

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“Does God speak to me apart from His Word and would God speaking to me be considered prayer?”

2014JUL27 – Q&A-73

[ John Barnett ]

Teaching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-SkrXc_7lI

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“What is the Greatest Barrier to Intimacy with God?”

Ken Wytsma, President of Kilns College and Pastor of Antioch Church in Bend, OR, answers a question about intimacy with God

[ Ken Wytsma ]

Q&A: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksPD1aKAk-E

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“Three Barriers Between You and God”

There are 3 main things that separate us from God, Dr. Stanley takes time to highlight these areas. Are any of these an issue in your life?

[ Charles Stanley ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unkRYlnnl7c

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“When God Withdraws the Sense of His Presence”

We regularly pray personally and corporately for God to increase the sense of his presence among his people. But what happens when it feels like God has withdrawn his presence? What introspective questions should we ask? What prayers should we pray?

Ryan Kelly, pastor of preaching at Desert Springs Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Council member for The Gospel Coalition, talks with Mark Mellinger about the doctrine of desertion. He describes how this doctrine helps us make sense of the Psalms and our experience of spiritual dryness. Kelly reflects on a scary time in his life and directs us to Puritan writing on this topic, since so few modern writers address desertion directly.

If after listening to and learning from Kelly you want to learn more about this overlooked but deeply personal subject, check out the recently re-released book Spiritual Desertion by Gisbertus Voetius and an extensive list Kelly provided on books and articles on spiritual depression and desertion.

[ MARK MELLINGER and RYAN KELLY ]

Podcast: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/podcasts/tgc-podcast/when-god-withdraws-the-sense-of-his-presence/

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“Does God Ever Withdraw His Presence from His Children?”

Are there times in the Christian life when God chooses to withhold his presence from us, thus nullifying all hope that we would experience Godward affections? The Puritans seemed to operate from this assumption. If this is true, and God withdraws from the Christian at times, making joy in God impossible, doesn’t Christian Hedonism — the call to be happy in God — doesn’t that plea just heap more guilt on such a person? [more…]

[ John Piper ]

Podcast: https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/does-god-ever-withdraw-his-presence-from-his-children

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“That I Might Know Him”

That I might know Him! Let this be life’s aim, Still to explore the
wealth stored in His Name.
With heaven-bought intelligence to trace
The glories that light up His sinless face:
That I might know His power day by day,
Protecting, guiding in the upward way:
That I might know His Presence, calm and pure,
Changeless midst changes, and midst losses sure: To
dwell with Him, in spirit, day and night;
To walk with Him by faith, if not by sight;
To work with Him, as He shall plan, not I:
To cleave to Him, and let the world go by:
To live on earth a life of selfless love;
To set the mind and heart on things above:
Till I shall see Him without vision dim,
And know Him as I know I’m known of Him.

[ Max I. Reich ]

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“Within the Holy Place”

His priest am I, before Him day and night,
Within His Holy Place;
And death, and life, and all things dark and bright,
I spread before His Face.
Rejoicing with His joy, yet ever still,
For silence is my song;
My work to bend beneath His blessed will,
All day, and all night long—
For ever holding with Him converse sweet,
Yet speechless, for my gladness is complete.

[ Gerhard Tersteegen ]

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“God Reveals His Presence”

God reveals His presence:
Let us now adore Him,
And with awe appear before Him.
God is in His temple:
All within keep silence,
Prostrate lie with deepest reverence. Him alone
God we own,
Him our God and Saviour:
Praise His Name for ever!

God reveals His presence:
Hear the harps resounding;
See the crowds the throne surrounding;
“Holy, holy, holy!”
Hear the hymn ascending,

Angels, saints, their voices blending.
Bow Thine ear
To us here;
Hearken, O Lord Jesus,

O Thou Fount of blessing
Purify my spirit,
Trusting only in Thy merit:
Like the holy angels
Who behold Thy glory,
May I ceaselessly adore Thee.
Let Thy will
Ever still
Rule Thy Church terrestrial,
As the hosts celestial.

[ Gerhard Tersteegen ]

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“The Presence of God”

[ Paul Washer ]

Teaching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWDZW0at068

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“The Presence of God”

[ Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gHP8JGZwfQ

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“The Presence of God or Mysticism?”

There are many people who talk about “the presence of God”. Is this biblical or is it mysticism? Anytime we’re dealing with experiences in the Christian life, we need to be careful and we need to look at what the Bible says. We need to make sure that we’re not looking for something more than what’s revealed in the Bible; but we also need to be careful that we’re not satisfied with something less than what we see in the Bible.

[ Tim Conway ]

Teaching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8SsIFrqY8g

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“How to Experience the Presence of God”

Philippians 4:8–9 // Part 3

[ John Piper ]

Teaching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJGlVqVx28w

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“The Presence of the Ever-Present God”

CONSIDER:
– What do you think of when you hear the phrase ‘the presence of God’?
– What experiences have you had of the presence of God?

God’s Omnipresence

God is omnipresent. This means that he is always present in every place. Omnipresence is part of what it means for God to be God.

God’s omnipresence is affirmed in Psalm 139, “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.” (Psalm 139: 7-10) and in Jeremiah, “’Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him?’ declares the Lord. ‘Do I not fill heaven and earth?’ declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 23:24)

God’s omnipresence raises a question about what we mean when we talk about the presence of God. How can we talk about being in the presence of God when we are all in God’s presence all the time? [more…]

[ Tim O’Toole ]

Article: http://www.thebroadcastnetwork.org/articles/presence-ever-present-god/
Hangout: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6S-0D07sLXc&feature=youtu.be

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“Moving”
(No. 2811)

A SERMON INTENDED FOR READING ON LORD’S-DAY, DECEMBER 28, 1902.
DELIVERED BY C. H. SPURGEON,
AT NEW PARK STREET CHAPEL, SOUTHWARK, ON LORD’S-DAY EVENING, MARCH 24, 1861

“If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here.” Exodus 33:15.

THIS is a prayer which has been used hundreds of times and which is found quite in place on many different occasions. Moses was in the wilderness when he uttered it. He was about to lead the people into Canaan, the land that flowed with milk and honey, yet he felt that he would rather continue to endure the inconveniences of the tent and of the wilderness, with the Presence of his God, than enjoy the rest and the fatness of the land of promise without Him. God had made the desert to become to Moses like a garden, but he felt that all the gardens of Canaan and the vineyards of Eshcol would be as nothing to him if God should withdraw His Presence. [more…]

[ Charles Spurgeon ]

Printed Sermon: https://www.ccel.org/ccel/spurgeon/sermons48.lii.html

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“What to Do When God Feels Distant”

When we feel no joy, when we go to Scripture and walk away discouraged, when God feels distant, what can we do?

Brandon writes in with a very common question: “What do we do when God has seemed silent for a really long time? I feel almost no joy. I go repeatedly to the Scriptures and most often walk away still discouraged and unhelped. I pray continuously and feel like I get no response. I am so cast down, Pastor John. What do I do?”

[ John Piper ]

Presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZv9T8KzaOU

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“How to Deal with Dark Times”

‘Prayers [like Psalm 88] indicate God’s understanding: he knows how people speak when they’re desperate; he identifies with us in our suffering.’

Guest speaker, Tim Keller, speaks on Psalm 88 and about how to deal with hard times.

[ Tim Keller ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulmaUtbayGY

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“Waiting When God Seems Silent”

In a time of suffering, David engaged in righteous self-talk about how he should respond in light of God’s goodness: “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14).

The call to wait on God is an invitation to trust and hope. It entails believing that one day — even if today is not that day — he will make all things right. In times of waiting, as we seek God in prayer, we must learn to listen to him as well as talk to him — to shut out the clatter and quietly wait as he unfolds to us his person, purposes, promises, and plan.

But what about when we wait and listen, and God still seems silent?

God Is Near
In Deserted by God? Sinclair Ferguson discusses what our Christian forefathers called “spiritual desertion” — the sense that God has forgotten us, leaving us feeling isolated and directionless. But through faith, we can affirm God’s loving presence, even when he seems silent and we feel deserted. “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you” (James 4:8) is a promise God will not break, despite how we feel.

Several years ago, for no apparent reason, I went through four months of depression. I had to learn to trust God for his presence despite what I felt. Eventually, as I continued to open his word daily and seek his face, while still in that depression, I gradually regained my ability to sense and hear him.

Many of us have walked the Emmaus road (Luke 24:13–32). Overwhelmed by sorrow. Plagued by questions. We wonder where God is. When, all along, he walks beside us.

Is This Your Best for Me?
A pastor friend told me about his experience after his teenage son’s death: “Nearly every morning, for months, I screamed questions at God. I asked, ‘What were you thinking?’ And, ‘Is this your best for me?’ And finally, ‘Do you really expect me to show up every Sunday and tell everyone how great you are?’ Then, when I became silent, God spoke to my soul. He had an answer for each of my questions.”

Waiting on God involves learning to lay our questions before him. It means that there is something better than knowing all the answers: knowing and trusting the only One who does know and will never forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

Trusting God when we don’t hear him ultimately strengthens and purifies us. If our faith is based on lack of struggle and affliction and absence of doubt and questions, that’s a foundation of sand. Such faith is only one frightening diagnosis or shattering phone call away from collapse. Token faith will not survive the dark night of the soul. When we think God is silent or absent, God may show us that our faith is false or superficial. Upon its ruin, we can learn to rebuild on God our Rock, the only foundation that can bear the weight of our trust.

His Silence Is a Matter of Perspective
There’s a sense in which God is never silent. He has already spoken in his word and by becoming man and dying for us on the cross, purchasing our eternal salvation. This is speech, and speech is not silence! What we call God’s silence may actually be our inability, or in some cases (certainly not all) our unwillingness, to hear him. Fortunately, that hearing loss for God’s children need not be permanent. And given the promise of resurrection, it certainly won’t be permanent.

Psalm 19:1 tells us the heavens shout about God’s glory. Romans 1:20 shows how clearly creation proves God’s existence. God speaks not only through his word, but also through his world. When my heart is heavy, walking our dog Maggie or riding a bike through Oregon’s beauties is often better than listening to a great sermon or reading a good book.

Still, when we can’t hear God, we can keep showing up and opening his word, day after day, to look at what he has already said — and done — and contemplate and memorize it until we realize this is not silence but is God speaking to us. Naturally, there remains a subjective sense in which we long to hear God in a more personal way. God spoke to Elijah in “a low whisper” (1 Kings 19:12).

The problem with low whispers is they’re not easy to hear — especially when all around us the wind is howling! Why does God sometimes speak so quietly that it’s hard to hear him? The answer may be to bring us to the end of ourselves. To prompt us to be still and seek him. And to build our faith and eventually speak more clearly or heal our hearing problem.

When Life Goes Dark
Martin Luther’s wife, Katherine, saw him discouraged and unresponsive for some time. One day she dressed in black mourning clothes. Luther asked her why. “Someone has died,” she said. “Who?” Luther asked. “It seems,” Katherine said, “that God must have died!” Luther got her point. Since God hadn’t died, he needed to stop acting as if he had.

What can we do when God seems silent and life is dark? We can pray with biblical writers who cry out to God:

To you, O Lord, I call; my rock, be not deaf to me, lest, if you be silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit. (Psalm 28:1)

O God, do not keep silence; do not hold your peace or be still, O God! (Psalm 83:1)

I cry to you for help and you do not answer me; I stand, and you only look at me. (Job 30:20)

We also can remember that, however long the silence seems, God promises it is temporary. Consider Zephaniah 3:17:

The Lord your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, he will be quiet in his love, he will rejoice over you with shouts of joy. (NASB)

Just because we can’t hear God exulting doesn’t mean he is not rejoicing over us with shouts of joy. A blind or deaf child may not see her father’s face or hear his words, but can learn to sense his love and affection nonetheless. The blood-bought promise states that this brief life will be followed with an eternity in which his children “will see his face” (Revelation 22:4).

My Soul Waits for God
My wife, Nanci, while going through chemotherapy treatments that ended just a few months ago, read me this from Andrew Murray’s Waiting on God: “It is God’s Spirit who has begun the work in you of waiting upon God. He will enable you to wait. . . . Waiting continually will be met and rewarded by God himself working continually.”

“For God alone my soul waits in silence . . . my hope is from him” (Psalm 62:1, 5). If we lean on him while we wait, God will give us the grace to wait and to listen carefully as we pray, go to trusted Christ-followers for encouragement, and keep opening his word and asking him to help us hear him.

[ Randy Alcorn ]

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“No Maverick Module”

The dominant view in our culture is that the universe and everything in it arose by chance. Today, R.C. Sproul critiques this view and appeals to the only logical alternative: God, who created everything in the world, rules over it all.

[ R.C. Sproul ]

Teaching: https://renewingyourmind.org/2020/04/26/no-maverick-molecule

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“Four Pillars of Walking with God”

Joy comes before obedience, rather than after. If you don’t understand that, you will really be messed up all of your days. Joy is not the result of obedience, joy is the result of what God has done. So now your joy is fixed on a fixed and stable source. When your joy is based on your performance it is going to be up and down like the wind.

[ Paul Washer ]

Teaching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gVDRhzE8nw

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“Overview: Psalms”

Watch our overview video on the book of Psalms, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. The book of Psalms has been designed to be the prayer book of God’s people as they wait for the Messiah and his coming kingdom.

[ Bible Project ]

Teaching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9phNEaPrv8

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“Summary of the Book of Psalms”

Author: The brief descriptions that introduce the psalms have David listed as author in 73 instances. David’s personality and identity are clearly stamped on many of these psalms. While it is clear that David wrote many of the individual psalms, he is definitely not the author of the entire collection. Two of the psalms (72) and (127) are attributed to Solomon, David’s son and successor. Psalm 90 is a prayer assigned to Moses. Another group of 12 psalms (50) and (73—83) is ascribed to the family of Asaph. The sons of Korah wrote 11 psalms (42, 44-49, 84-85,87-88). Psalm 88 is attributed to Heman, while (89) is assigned to Ethan the Ezrahite. With the exception of Solomon and Moses, all these additional authors were priests or Levites who were responsible for providing music for sanctuary worship during David’s reign. Fifty of the psalms designate no specific person as author.

Date of Writing: A careful examination of the authorship question, as well as the subject matter covered by the psalms themselves, reveals that they span a period of many centuries. The oldest psalm in the collection is probably the prayer of Moses (90), a reflection on the frailty of man as compared to the eternity of God. The latest psalm is probably (137), a song of lament clearly written during the days when the Hebrews were being held captive by the Babylonians, from about 586 to 538 B.C.

It is clear that the 150 individual psalms were written by many different people across a period of a thousand years in Israel’s history. They must have been compiled and put together in their present form by some unknown editor shortly after the captivity ended about 537 B.C.

Purpose of Writing: The Book of Psalms is the longest book in the Bible, with 150 individual psalms. It is also one of the most diverse, since the psalms deal with such subjects as God and His creation, war, worship, wisdom, sin and evil, judgment, justice, and the coming of the Messiah.

Key Verses:

Psalm 19:1 “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”

Psalm 22:16-19, “Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet. I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me. They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.”

Psalm 23:1, “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.”

Psalm 29:1-2, “Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.”

Psalm 51:10, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”

Psalm 119:1-2, “Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD. Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart.”

Brief Summary: The Book of Psalms is a collection of prayers, poems, and hymns that focus the worshiper’s thoughts on God in praise and adoration. Parts of this book were used as a hymnal in the worship services of ancient Israel. The musical heritage of the psalms is demonstrated by its title. It comes from a Greek word which means “a song sung to the accompaniment of a musical instrument.”

Foreshadowings: God’s provision of a Savior for His people is a recurring theme in the Psalms. Prophetic pictures of the Messiah are seen in numerous psalms. Psalm 2:1-12 portrays the Messiah’s triumph and kingdom. Psalm 16:8-11 foreshadows His death and resurrection. Psalm 22 shows us the suffering Savior on the cross and presents detailed prophecies of the crucifixion, all of which were fulfilled perfectly. The glories of the Messiah and His bride are on exhibit in Psalm 45:6-7, while Psalms 72:6-17, 89:3-37, 110:1-7 and 132:12-18 present the glory and universality of His reign.

Practical Application: One of the results of being filled with the Spirit or the word of Christ is singing. The psalms are the “songbook” of the early church that reflected the new truth in Christ.

God is the same Lord in all the psalms. But we respond to Him in different ways, according to the specific circumstances of our lives. What a marvelous God we worship, the psalmist declares, high and lifted up beyond our human experiences but also close enough to touch and who walks beside us along life’s way.

We can bring all our feelings to God—no matter how negative or complaining they may be—and we can rest assured that He will hear and understand. The psalmist teaches us that the most profound prayer of all is a cry for help as we find ourselves overwhelmed by the problems of life.

[ Got Questions (S. Michael Houdmann) ]

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SONGS:

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“God Is Present Everywhere”

They who seek the throne of grace
Find that throne in every place;
If we live a life of prayer,
God is present everywhere.

In our sickness and our health,
In our want, or in our wealth,
If we look to God in prayer,
God is present everywhere.

When our earthly comforts fail,
When the woes of life prevail,
’Tis the time for earnest prayer;
God is present everywhere.

Then, my soul, in every strait,
To thy Father come, and wait;
He will answer every prayer:
God is present everywhere.

[ Oliver Holden ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2JGZyo9kQI

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“Love Divine, All Love Excelling”

Love divine, all love excelling,
Joy of heaven, to earth come down;

Fix in us thy humble dwelling;
All thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesus, thou art all compassion,
Pure, unbounded love thou art;
Visit us with thy salvation,
Enter every trembling heart.

Breathe, oh, breathe thy Holy Spirit
Into every troubled breast;
Let us all thy grace inherit;
Let us find thy promised rest;
Take away the love of sinning;
Take our load of guilt away;
End the work of thy beginning;
Bring us to eternal day.

Carry on thy new creation;
Pure and holy may we be;
Let us see our whole salvation
Perfectly secured by thee;
Change from glory into glory,
Till in heaven we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before thee,
Lost in wonder, love, and praise.

[ Charles Wesley ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwHxRxER650

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“Come Hither, All Ye Weary Souls”

Come hither, all ye weary souls,
Ye heavy-laden sinners, come;
I’ll give you rest from all your toils,
And raise you to my heavenly home.

They shall find rest who learn of me:
I’m of a meek and lowly mind;
But passion rages like the sea,
And pride is restless as the wind.

Blest is the man whose shoulders take
My yoke, and bear it with delight:
My yoke is easy to the neck;
My grace shall make the burden light.

Jesus, we come at thy command;
With faith and hope and humble zeal,
Resign our spirits to thy hand,
To mould and guide us at thy will.

[ Isaac Watts ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLxfsjUH_3A

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“Speak, O Lord”

Speak, O Lord, as we come to You
To receive the food of Your Holy Word.
Take Your truth, plant it deep in us;
Shape and fashion us in Your likeness,
That the light of Christ might be seen today
In our acts of love and our deeds of faith.
Speak, O Lord, and fulfill in us
All Your purposes for Your glory.

Teach us, Lord, full obedience,
Holy reverence, true humility;
Test our thoughts and our attitudes
In the radiance of Your purity.
Cause our faith to rise; cause our eyes to see
Your majestic love and authority.
Words of pow’r that can never fail—
Let their truth prevail over unbelief.

Speak, O Lord, and renew our minds;
Help us grasp the heights of Your plans for us—
Truths unchanged from the dawn of time
That will echo down through eternity.
And by grace we’ll stand on Your promises,
And by faith we’ll walk as You walk with us.
Speak, O Lord, till Your church is built
And the earth is filled with Your glory.

[ Keith and Kristyn Getty, with Stuart Townend – “In Christ Alone” album ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zAIHIjyPgU

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“Moses, Take Off Your Shoes”

[ Eddie Robinson & Mount Olive Fort Lauderdale ]

Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKC2m24hXP8

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“Be Still and Know”

Be still and know that he is god
Be still and know that he is holy
Be still oh restless soul of mine
Bow before the prince of peace
Let the noise and clamor cease

Be still and know that he is god
Be still and know that he is faithful
Consider all that he has done
Stand in awe and be amazed
And know that he will never change
Be still

Be still and know that he is god
Be still and know that he is god
Be still and know that he is god
Be still
Be speechless

Be still and know that he is god
Be still and know he is our father
Come rest your head upon his breast
Listen to the rhythm of
His unfailing heart of love
Beating for his little ones
Calling each of us to come
Be still
Be still

[ Steven Curtis Chapman – “Speechless” album ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgaHaioAjyg

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“All I Need”

[Verse 1]
From the voiceless dark
I could hear You call my name
To a world apart
To a life of love awake
With a beating heart
And a simple-sighted faith
Safe within Your arms
Quiet by the light of grace

[Pre-Chorus]
There in the cradle of life You held my breath
And here at the table of wine and broken bread I find

[Chorus]
All I need, You are all I need
In the air I breathe, in the joy of being
Hidden in Your time, until the life ahead
You are all I need, You are all I need

[Verse 2]
When I’m lost in joy
In a timeless song of praise
You’re the sacred voice
Singing purpose into place
Even in the void
In the sudden wake of pain
When the shadows join
Still I’m in the light of grace

[Pre-Chorus]
There in the waves of this life You hold my breath
And here at the table of wine and broken bread I find

[Chorus]
All I need, You are all I need
In the air I breathe, in the joy of being
Hidden in Your time, until the life ahead
You are all I need, You are all I need

[Verse 3]
When my time has come
And I hear You call my name
To a world beyond
To a life of love awake
To a risen Son
To a full and finished faith
Safe within Your arms
Glowing in the light of grace

[Chorus]
All I need, You are all I need
In the air I breathe, in the joy of being
Hidden in Your time, until the life ahead
You are all I need, You are all I need

[ Citizens – “The Joy of Being” album ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owmJWThY4YI

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“Speak to Me”

I want to be where You are
I want to know who You are
So when You call my name
I’ll say to You here I am
I’m listening Lord speak to me

I want to see how You see
Change my heart Lord make me holy
If there’s anything in my life
That doesn’t honor You tonight
I’m listening Lord speak to me

[ Dave Lubben ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qsr52EWh1yU

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“I Will Listen”

Hard as it seems
Standing in dreams
Where is the dreamer now
Wonder if I
Wanted to try
Would I remember how
I don’t know the way to go from here
But I know that I have made my choice
And this is where I stand
Until He moves me on
And I will listen to His voice

This is the faith
Patience to wait
When there is nothing clear
Nothing to see
Still we believe
Jesus is very near
I can not imagine what will come
But I’ve already made my choice
And this is where I stand
Until He moves me on
And I will listen to His voice

Could it be that He is only waiting there to see
If I will learn to love the dreams that He has dreamed for me
Can’t imagine what the future holds
But I’ve already made my choice
And this is where I stand
Until He moves me on
And I will listen to His voice

[ Twila Paris – “Where I Stand” album ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUnk1td2sQU

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“I’m Listening”

When you speak, confusion fades
Just a word and suddenly I’m not afraid
Cause you speak and freedom reigns
There is hope in every single word You say

I don’t wanna miss one word You speak
Cause everything You say is life to me
I don’t wanna miss one word You speak
Quiet my heart, I’m listening

When sorrows roll and troubles rage
You whisper peace when I don’t have the words to say
I won’t lose hope when storms won’t break
You keep your word and your promises will keep me safe

Your ways are higher
You know just what I need
I trust you, Jesus
You see what I cannot see

[ Chris McClarney featuring Hollyn – “Breakthrough” album ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ef52AmdVwYI

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“Here I Am, Lord”

Based on Isaiah 6. In God , nothing is impossible. The creator of everything..

[ Dan Schutte ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uk2CHhjlFj4

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“Speak Lord I’m Listening”

[ John B. Miller ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87QoP21iM6A

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“I Will Wait”

In the morning, I will rise up
Shed the darkness, and bathe in Your light
And I recount all, every blessing
The words You’ve spoken, that bring me new life

I am reminded from where You have brought me
And where You have placed me for today
And I won’t forget that Your hand will hold me
Your love sustains me through the wait
I will wait on You, Lord
I will wait on You, Lord

Oh the burdens, that I’ve carried
They are heavy, oh too heavy to hold
There’s a river, there’s a sunrise
There’s a new day, and it’s bringing new life

I am reminded from where You have brought me
And where You have placed me for today
And I won’t forget that Your hand will hold me
Your love sustains me through the wait
I will wait on You, Lord
I will wait on You, Lord, oh

Bless the Lord, oh…

[ David Leonard – “The Wait” album ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJAuF-GK0W8

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“Wait For You”

VERSE 1
I will wait for You
I will wait for You
When these mountains won’t move
Still I’ll wait here for You

VERSE 2
I will take Your hand
I will take Your hand
When I don’t understand
Still I’ll take Your hand

CHORUS 1
For You know my lying down
And You know my rising up
And where can I go that
You won’t always be there waiting

REPEAT VERSE 1
REPEAT CHORUS 1

CHORUS 2
You know my lying down
And You know my rising up
And where can I go that
You won’t always be there waiting for me

BRIDGE 1
I won’t give up on You
‘Cause You don’t give up on me
When I don’t understand
You keep me standing

BRIDGE 2
I won’t give up on You
‘Cause You don’t give up on me
Lord, in my unbelief
You keep believing in me

BRIDGE 3
And someday through Heaven’s door
I’ll find what it all was for
And hope isn’t far away
‘Cause You’re here waiting

REPEAT VERSE 1
REPEAT VERSE 2

CHORUS 3
For You know my lying down
And You know my rising up
And where can I go that
You won’t always be there waiting

TAG
And where can I go that
You won’t always be there waiting for me

CHORUS 4 (x2)
And You know my lying down
You know my rising up
And where can I go that
You won’t always be there waiting

[ Leeland – “Better World” album ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKTSJwwtF0Q

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“Waiting Here For You”

If faith can move the mountains
Let the mountains move
We come with expectation
We’re waiting here for You, waiting here for You
You’re the Lord of all creation
And still You know my heart
The Author of Salvation
You’ve loved us from the start
Waiting here for You
With our hands lifted high in praise
And it’s You we adore, singing Alleluia
You are everything You’ve promised
Your faithfulness is true
And we’re desperate for Your presence
All we need is You
Waiting here for You
With our hands lifted high in praise
And it’s You we adore, singing Alleluia
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, singing Alleluia, we’re singing Alleluia
Waiting here for You
With our hands lifted high in praise
And it’s You we adore
Singing Alleluia

[ Martin Smith – “God’s Great Dance Floor Step” album ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3O6JlAKENk8

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“Stir a Passion
Worship Central
Stir a passion in my heart, God
Let it overflow, let it overflow
Stir a passion in my heart, God
Let it overflow, let it overflow

Breathe on me, Holy One
Come reveal Your wonder now
Open wide my eyes to see
There’s so much more

Jesus, You are where it all begins
Your beauty calls me deeper in

Stir a passion in my heart, God
Let it overflow, let it overflow
Stir a passion in my heart, God
Let it overflow, let it overflow

Breathe on me, Holy One
Come reveal Your wonder now
Open wide my eyes to see
There’s so much more

Jesus, You are where it all begins
Your beauty calls me deeper in

Stir a passion in my heart, God
Let it overflow, let it overflow
Stir a passion in my heart, God
Let it overflow, let it overflow
Stir a passion in my heart, God
Let it overflow, let it overflow
Stir a passion in my heart, God
Let it overflow, let it overflow, oh!

Let it rise, let it rise
Holy fire burn inside
Let it rise, let it rise
All for Jesus
Let it rise, let it rise
Holy fire burn inside
Let it rise, let it rise
All for Jesus!

Stir a passion in my heart, God
Let it overflow, let it overflow
Stir a passion in my heart, God
Let it overflow, let it overflow

Let it rise, let it rise
Holy fire burn inside
Let it rise, let it rise
All for Jesus
Let it rise, let it rise
Holy fire burn inside
Let it rise, let it rise
All for Jesus!

Stir a passion in my heart, God
Let it overflow, let it overflow
Stir a passion in my heart, God
Let it overflow, let it overflow
Stir a passion in my heart, God
Let it overflow, let it overflow
Stir a passion in my heart, God
Let it overflow, (oh) let it overflow!

Let it rise, let it rise
Holy fire burn inside
Let it rise, let it rise
All for Jesus
Let it rise, let it rise
Holy fire burn inside
Let it rise, let it rise
All for Jesus!

Stir a passion in my heart, God
Let it overflow, let it overflow
Stir a passion in my heart, God
Let it overflow, let it overflow
Stir a passion in my heart, God
Let it overflow, let it overflow
Stir a passion in my heart, God
Let it overflow, let it overflow
Stir a passion in my heart, God
Let it overflow, let it overflow

[ Worship Central featuring Josh Gauton – “Stir a Passion (Live)” album ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1B7Wj6dJefY

*****************************
“Speak Your Name”

Every day is filled with voices
So much noise inside my head
When I’m scared and when I’m
Feeling all alone
All I’ve got to do is speak your name

CHORUS
Say it by day
Say it by night
Say it ‘till the end of time
All I gotta do is speak your name

When I wake up in the morning
You’re my friend throughout the day
When I close my eyes to sleep the night away
All I’ve got to do is speak your name

Jesus your name
Covers my heart
Covers my mind
All of the time

[ Nick & Becky Drake ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTPIaSDZWjo

*****************************
“Come and Listen”

Come and listen, come to the water’s edge, all you who know and fear the Lord.
Come and listen, come to the water’s edge all you who are thirsty, come.

Let me tell you what He has done for me.
Let me tell you what He has done for me,
He has done for you,
He has done for us.

Come and listen,
come and listen to what He’s done.
Come and listen,
come and listen to what He’s done.

Praise our God for He is good.
Praise our God for He is good.
Praise our God for He is good.
Praise our God for He is good.

He has done for me,
He has done for you,
He has done for us.

Come and listen,
come and listen to what He’s done.
Come and listen,
come and listen to what He’s done.

[ David Crowder Band – “A Collision” album ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fvSfrt6fUE

*****************************
“Write It On My Heart”

[ Brian Barrett ]

Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blNc2LZ8RsU

*****************************
“Psalm 84”

The Refreshing, Terry’s latest release – a devotional/meditative project featuring original songs with a couple of hymns included. Full orchestral accompaniment. 61 minutes of beautiful Anointed music.

[ Terry MacAlmon ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tS9ZuvQrEtQ

*****************************
“Committed To The Call”

I hear his voice and I’m convicted
To rise above the status quo
He’s asking me to live and listen
And to let His will move my soul

His Holy spirit beckons
I can’t help but answer

I am committed to the call
I vow to walk in blind faith
Willing to sacrifice it all
To reflect amazing grace
I am committed to the call

I will revel in the Son’s light
And let His love come shining through
I will seek life from the true vine
And bear the fruit of Holy truth

I’m drawn by words of wisdom
Whispering my name

[ Kim Hill ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cs-6hjgH_1Q

*****************************
“Hold Me Close”

I’m ready to stop running, let myself be caught
Stop pretending, let myself be known
I’m ready to stop hiding, let myself be found
Held safe and sound, in Your loving arms

So hold me close in Your arms of mercy
Look inside, show me what You see
Touch my life, and I will stop my searching
And find that place in You, that waits for me

Whatever I held onto, I’m ready to let go
Burn my bridges, and dance within the flames
All of my wrong choices have lead my heart back home
To the love that swallows up my pain

I can see You’ve been there all along
You’ve reached into my recklessness
And filled me with Your song

[ Kim Hill – “Arms Of Mercy” album ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keoxIFYeGRA

*****************************
“You Are Still Holy”

Holy, You are still holy
Even when the darkness surrounds my life
Sovereign, You are still sovereign
Even when confusion has blinded my eyes

Lord, I don’t deserve Your kind affection
When my unbelief has kept me from Your touch
I want my life to be a pure reflection
Of Your love

And so I come into Your chamber
And I dance at Your feet, Lord
You are my Saviour
And I’m at Your mercy
All that has been in my life
Up ’til now
It belongs to You
You are still holy

Holy, You are still holy
Even though I don’t understand Your ways
Sovereign, You will be sovereign
Even when my circumstances don’t change

Lord, I don’t deserve your tender patience
When my unbelief has kept me from Your truth
I want my life to be a sweet devotion
To You

And so I come into Your chamber
And I dance at Your feet, Lord
You are my Saviour
And I’m at Your mercy
All that has been in my life
Up ’til now
It belongs to You
I belong to You

And so I come into Your chamber
And I dance at Your feet
You are my Saviour
And I’m at Your mercy
All that has been in my life
Up ’til now
It belongs to You
I belong to You
You are still holy
You are still sovereign
You are still holy, Lord
You are still righteous
You are all-knowing
You are still holy

[ Kim Hill – “Arms Of Mercy” album ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWEtd7ih7Bw

*****************************
“I Feel God”
(“I Got You (I Feel Good)” by James Brown)

Whoa!
I feel God – I do that a lot now
I feel God – I do that a lot now
So what? So what?
How ‘bout you?
Whoa!
I feel Christ – His Spirit’s inside
I feel Christ – His Spirit’s inside
For life! For life!
How ‘bout you?
Man, I told you He’s my Lord
You know that I can’t do no more
And when I told you He’s my Lord
The Lord put proof in my heart
And I feel Christ – His Spirit’s inside
I feel Christ – His Spirit’s inside
For life! For life!
How ‘bout you?
Man, I told you He’s my Lord
You know that I can’t do no more
And when I told you He’s my Lord
The Lord put proof in my heart
And I feel Christ – His Spirit’s inside
I feel Christ – His Spirit’s inside
For life! For life!
How ‘bout you?
Whoa!
I feel God – I do that a lot now
I feel God – I do that a lot
So what? So what?
How ‘bout you?
So what? So what?
How ‘bout you?
So what? So what?
How ‘bout you?
Hey!

[ ApologetiX – “Transformed Soul” album ]

*****************************
“It’s You in Me”
(Parody of “Just You ‘N’ Me” by Chicago)

You are the Lord of my life
You are my inspiration
It’s You in me – people can see
Gave me each clever thing I ever dreamed up
Made me Your own precious child
Promised You.d never leave me
It’s You in me – people can see
I’ve been so peaceful since You’re inside me
Come Holy Ghost – shepherd and lead me
Oh, I pray I won’t aggrieve Thee!
Open our hearts, cleanse us from sin
Every sin, every sin, every sin
Help me do right – help me do better and better You know I want perfection
LEAD
It’s You in me – You cheer me on
People can see You love me
You told us, Lord, You loved the world
I want to go and show them Jesus
You are the Lord of my life
You are my inspiration
It’s You in me – people can see
Saved me from everything I’ve been redeemed from

[ ApologetiX – “Churchigo” album ]

*****************************
“Gimme Helper”
(Parody of “Gimme Shelter” by The Rolling Stones)

Ooooh Ooooh Ooooh (REPEAT 3X)
Ooh, well, the Lord has said that
Christ will abide in me
If I don’t get the Helper
Today, I’m gonna wait and pray

Lord Jesus, please send Him right away
Please send Him right away
Lord Jesus, please send Him right away
Please send Him right away – yeahh

Ooh, see the fire appearing
Now over people’s heads
Heard mighty wind blow across me
My Lord brought a friend

Lord Jesus, He sends Him out today
He sends Him out today
Lord Jesus, He sends Him out today
He sends Him out today – yeahhh

Pray, brothers!
He’s just a shout away, He’s just a shout away
Pray, brothers! Yeahh
He’s just a shout away, He’s just a shout away
Pray, brothers!
He’s just a shout away, He’s just a shout away
Hey, yeah yeah

Mmmm – well, the Lord is sending
Christ’s Spirit right to me
Gives me, gives me a Helper
So, I’m gonna pave the way

Lord Jesus, He’s just a shout away
He’s just a shout away
He’s just a shout away
He’s just a shout away
He’s just a shout away

I said, the Father, listens
He hears His kids who pray
He gives His gift today
He gives us gifts today
He gives us gifts today
He gives us gifts today, gifts today, gifts today, hey

[ ApologetiX – “Singles Group” album ]

*****************************
“Spirit Inside”
(Parody of “Spirit in the Sky” by Norman Greenbaum)

When He died and was raised from the dead Taught us all 40 days then He said
Well my friends, It’s time to fly
But wait up for the Spirit to arrive
Go wait up for the Spirit from on High
That’s who you’re gonna know when I fly
When I fly and you may be depressed
He’s gonna grow you in faith to pass the test

Prepare yourselves, but don’t get so rushed
God’ll have a Friend come teach ya
Don’t you know that when I fly
I’m gonna recommend He put the Spirit in you guys
Gonna recommend He put the Spirit in you guys
To show you miracles, make you wise
When I fly if you wait you’ll be blest
He’s gonna blow through this place in just a bit

LEAD

SPOKEN:
When the day of Pentecost came,
They were all together in one place.
Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven And filled the whole house where they were sitting.
They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire
That separated and came to rest on each of them.
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit
And began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Never been a preacher but ever since
I got that Friend from Jesus
Don’t you know I’ve been on fire
‘Cause God has filled me up with the Spirit inside
God has filled me up with the Spirit inside
That’s why I’m gonna go far and wide
Far and wide with the faith I confess
I’m gonna go every place and tell the rest
Show ‘em the way that’s the best.

[ ApologetiX – “Jesus Christ Morningstar” album ]

*****************************
“Emmaus”
(Parody of “Shambala” by Three Dog Night)

Walked away our troubles, walked away our pain
When today the Son rose up
Talked as we walked our road towards Emmaus way
When a stranger stunned both of us
Oh oh woo hoo hoo hoo hoo yeah … Emm-a-a-a-us!
Oh oh woo hoo hoo hoo hoo yeah … Emm-a-a-a-us!

Tell me what has happened, said the other guy
How come you both look glum a lot
We said, come on, buddy, everyone here knows why
Out on this road you’ve stumbled on
Oh oh woo hoo hoo hoo hoo yeah … Emm-a-a-a-us!
Oh oh woo hoo hoo hoo hoo yeah … Emm-a-a-a-us!

Galilee’s bright light was a prophet from above
Now Jesus Christ died, and things all have crumbled up
LEAD

I can tell you, mister, there’s no doubt that Jesus died
How all of the Romans humbled us
Now some of our sisters tried to tell us He’s alive
Got all the hopes of some folks up
I don’t know-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh yeah, He was de-yay-yay-yay-ead
Oh oh woo hoo hoo hoo hoo yeah, then the stra-a-anger said

How are your eyes blind when this all comes from above?
Doubts fill your bright minds, and your thoughts are jumbled up
There are countless divine signs in the Prophets, Psalms, and Law
Telling how
How the Lord’s lifetime would involve such sufferin’ love

Oh oh woo hoo hoo hoo hoo yeah … Emm-a-a-a-us!
Oh oh woo hoo hoo hoo hoo yeah … now we know who that Someone was
Oh oh woo hoo hoo hoo hoo yeah … Son of God had come along
Oh oh woo hoo hoo hoo hoo yeah ,,, on the road to comfort us

[ ApologetiX – “Easter Standard Time” album ]

*****************************
“Talk Daily to Me”
(Parody of “Talk Dirty to Me” performed by Poison)

You know, you never — you never pray when things go good
And they work out the way they should
But our Lord did
And I know He’d like you to — the way that Christ taught you
It’s all in Matthew — oh, yes, that’s true

Remember, in chapter 6 it’s laid out great
He showed us how we ought to pray — yes indeedy
And I know He says that we should pray unceasingly
First Thessalonians 5:17, babe

As you’re risin’ — in the early morn
As high noon approaches — until you’re sleepin’ and snorin’
All occasions — God, the sovereign Lord
Says, baby, talk daily to me

Suppose I called you — I called you on the telephone
But only called to ask for loans — could I get near you?
Yet you pray for what you need — and miss when your God speaks
But God’ll hear you – just seek His will, babe

As you’re drivin’ — when you mow that yard
Or dry the dishes — when your life’s easy or hard
All occasions — God, the sovereign Lord
Says, baby, talk daily to me

See, see, pick up at the Psalms and, uh, start to read
LEAD
Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo!

So pray and you’ll see
As you’re strivin’ — it can open doors
Behind them — look in
You’ll be seekin’ Him, more, more, more
Now just praise Him — your God, the sovereign Lord
Says, baby, talk daily to me, yeah
Says, baby, talk daily to me, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
And, baby — talk daily to me
Mmm
Woooooh
That’s the way that Christ did, baby
Ooh yeah!

[ ApologetiX – “From Hair to Eternity” album ]

*****************************
“Talking Inner Peace”
(Parody of “Talking in Your Sleep” by The Romantics)

When you close your eyes can you go to sleep?
Can you drown out the sounds of a hard week?
Are there fears and things that you’re seething about?
Are you hopin’ that your heart makes it through somehow?

You tell me that you want peace
You tell me that you need peace
You tell me that you’d love peace
And I know where to find
All the peace you’ve been denied

Find here the secrets that you seek
When you talk of inner peace
Find here the secrets that you seek
When you talk of inner peace

When you hold it in, your heart has strife
Don’t you know to keep it in is not right
Give all your cares back to Jesus Christ
5:7 in First Peter gives the best advice

You tell me that you want peace
You tell me that you need peace
You tell me that you’d love peace
And I know where to find
‘Cause it’s here in Jesus Christ

Find here the secrets that you seek
When you talk of inner peace
Find here the secrets that you seek
When you talk of inner peace
Find here the secrets that you seek
When you talk of inner peace
Find here the secrets that you seek
When you talk of inner peace

When you to Christ things’ll fall in place
Check Philippians chapter 4, verse 6-8

You tell me that you want peace
You tell me that you need peace
Isaiah 26:3
Now you know where to find
‘Cause it’s here it’s in the Bible

Find here the secrets that you seek
When you talk of inner peace
Find here the secrets that you seek
When you talk of inner peace
Find here the secrets that you seek
In the Gospel John 14
Right here is the verse that you need
27 take a peak
Find here the secrets that you seek
When you talk of inner peace
Find here the secrets that you seek

[ ApologetiX – “Play Nice” album ]

*****************************
“I Can’t Escape”
(Parody of “I Can’t Explain” by The Who)

God filled me inside (Can’t escape)
I’m servin’ Christ (Can’t escape)
He filled up a hole (Can’t escape)
Way down in my soul, yeah (Can’t escape)

I said, can’t escape
I mean, I could run, yeah, but (Can’t escape)

Visited my friends I still do
I think you said I’m crazy, that’s true
They’re making fun of me again, they’re agape
I know how it seems, but

Can’t escape our Savior’s love
I’ve been prayin’ for you
You might still move, but
Can’t escape (Can’t escape)
You can’t hear what I say, though (Can’t escape)

Visited the friends I still had
Some things I said have got them real mad
I guess they wanna see my head on a plate
I know how it seems, but

Can’t escape our Savior’s love
Christ can save you, too
You might need proof, but
Can’t escape (Can’t escape)
So hear me one more time now, yeah yeah (Can’t escape)

LEAD

(Ooh ooh) Said I can’t escape now (Can’t escape)
(Ooh ooh) They call me out of my mind (Can’t escape) (Ooh ooh)
But I know what I’ve got here (Can’t escape)
(Ooh ooh) I said I can’t escape

[ ApologetiX – “Doves in Snakes Clothing” album ]

*****************************
“Sin Can Be Resistible”
(Parody of “Simply Irrestible” by Robert Palmer)

We cannot be invincible – but God provides the principle For Baptist or Episcopal – that any sin’s resistible
Sin’s pervasive – can’t ignore it – it’s a powerful force But He’ll provide a way out when there’s no other door And you can stay put or leave – but now I’ve found that Sin can be resistible
Our lusts can be so powerful – that sin seems unavoidable But James says if we resist the devil,
He’ll run away so miserable
It’s a natural law – that no temptation befalls ya
‘Cept the kind that is common to the rest of us all
It used to look good to me – but now I find that
Sin can be resistible
Please hold tight – there’s no tellin’ when he’ll run away Jesus Christ tells the devil where to go
Sin’s unavoidable but that don’t mean we’ll fall Read First Corinthians verse 10:13 because
God made a promise, baby, Satan ain’t allowed
To tempt us more than we can bear I’ve found that Sin can be resistible …
LEAD
Our weapons aren’t shootable – but truth is irrefutable
Our struggle isn’t physical – so fight him with the biblical Jesus faced him in the desert – he’s a powerful tempter Even Christ could have fallen – but you know He knew better He used the Good Book you see – that’s how we find out
Sin can be resistible …

[ ApologetiX – “Spoofernatural” album ]

*****************************
“Dancing with the Ark”
(Parody of “Dancing in the Dark” by Bruce Springsteen)

I read about King David
When the Ark of the Covenant came
Got caught up in the moment
Why don’t we just – worship the same way?
I ain’t often inspired
When I’m just too absorbed with myself
Hey there baby – try some music and it’ll help We can’t start the choir
We can’t start the choir without your part
Lift God’s name higher
Even if you’re not dancing with the Ark
My savior keeps gettin’ nearer
Readin’ the Psalms and I’m learnin’ how to praise James says God’s book is a mirror
Wanna raise high both my hands like Dave’s
And I’m betting bolder
Might just give a little jump like this
In Psalm 150 it’s all there
And in Second Sam-u-el 6
CHORUS
You sing along with the oldies
Cause you know them so well and it’s O.K.
But take a song that is holy
How come, baby, you’re not so free
Stay in your seats with heads down
But when you party you’re up all night
You say it’s not the same Sunday
Hey, baby, you best read Psalm 149
The time to dance is happenin’
I think it’s written down here
Yeah, it’s right in this book
Go read Ecclesiastes
C’mon, chapter 3, give it just one look
We can’t start the choir
Sittin’ down – quiet – in the cold and dark
Lift God’s name higher
Even if you’re not dancing with the Ark
We can’t start the choir
Worryin’ ‘bout your linen robe fallin’ apart
Lift God’s name higher
Even if you’re not dancing with the Ark

[ ApologetiX – “Wise Up and Rock” album ]

*****************************
“Bends to Low Places”
(“Friends in Low Places” by Garth Brooks)

Blamed it all on my youth
I screwed up and goofed
And ruined my life, I declared
My past was a joke and I’d gone so low
God was the last one I thought would be there And I was sort of surprised
At what appeared in the Bible
When I took a glance at that page
Cause Acts chapter 2:21 says Jesus rescues Whosoever calls on His name
Cause my God bends down to low places
And He’s with me now and I feel safe ‘cause My dues are paid and I’ll be O.K
And my God’s big on total grace cause
If we slip and fall He will go save us
Oh my God bends to low places!
I did stuff that’s wrong
I was messed up so long
But then God bent near the floor
Ever since that night
I put faith in Christ
And I know my hope is assured
Hey, I didn’t need
A washing machine
To give me a shower and rinse
I will rely on His life-giving power
To forgive my sins

[ ApologetiX – “Biblical Graffiti” album ]

*****************************
“Look Yourself”
(Parody of “Lose Yourself” by Eminem)

Look, if you have one God and one offer of eternity
That exceeds everything you’ve ever wanted, with one opponent
Would you ask for it … or just let it slip? Yo

He parks his Chevy, needs sleep, heart is heavy
He’s thought about repentin’ already, sun is setting
This church is not having service it looks almost dead as he
Drops by but they keep on the electric
What a ghost town, he knelt down, don’t know how
He opens his mouth just the word “Help” comes out
He’s broken down, yet his heart is open now
The lost one’s found, winds up homeward bound
Heads back to his family – Look who’s home, daddy
And, look, he’s so happy, he chose his own path but he
Won’t give up babbling, he broke his old habits they
Don’t seem so bad to me, hope it’s some fad like new Coke or Shaun Cassidy Don’t need no radical holy-rollin’ masochist quotin’ old passages
That’s what’ll happen then, though, he’ll go fanatic-y
Better go batten the hatches and hope it don’t last

You’d better look yourself in the mirror
You know that you wanted to get to Heaven when you’re old
Do you really want God or not? Is it yes or no?
It’s awful soon you say, but what is the right time?
You’d better look yourself in the book since you own it
In Romans, you never read it yet I know
You only get one shot to God, here’s your chance to know
His offer to you may come once in your lifetime

His soul’s been saved even though his whole family’s gaping
This world is blinded by Satan – they can’t see
As he moves forward – it’s true George Orwell
The moral of the story is truth’s ignored, emotion’s most important
He’ll only cause problems, the Holy Ghost got him
He blows him all over, he knows the call’s on him
Goes to go show his bros at his Alma Mater, “Welcome Back, Kotter”
They know he’s just one of their own, so don’t bother
Said, “Go home you barely know the Our Father”
Well hold the phones cause he knows it holds water
If those don’t want him no more he’ll go farther
And he moved on and he read the Romans Road
Till he knows it cold and shows others
He’s on his soap box and his tone becomes bold, I suppose he’s no martyr But the weak grows strong and the dumb becomes smarter

You’d better look yourself in the mirror
You know that you wanted to get to Heaven when you’re old
Do you really want God or not? Is it yes or no?
It’s awful soon you say, but what is the right time?
You’d better look yourself in the book since you own it
In Romans, you never read it yet I know
You only get one shot to God, here’s your chance to know
His offer to you may come once in your lifetime

No more names, I’ve been changed, but you call it strange
To tell my mother ‘n father truth off the true God’s page
I was saying if you’ve been sinning pursue God’s grace
I’ve been shooed off and spit at like Rudolph the Reindeer
But I kept shinin’ a lamplight that I can’t stifle,
You best believe somebody paid for my revival
Call the name of Christ and go find a Bible
Fact is I can’t deny that I’m liable
To die if my plans collide with life’s iceberg
Like the Titanic ‘cause man needs God and you can’t go buy a lifeboat And it’s no movie; there’s no surprise survivors
This is high tide and you’re tryin’ to row hard
And you’re hittin’ deeper waters tryin’ to flee piranhas I see
Plus seaweed’s got ya caught up between PBJ Otter and Bikini Bottom Babe it’s not a submarine you’re on and you must believe the Son
He’ll save you on the spot, He’s comin’ ready or not
I’ve got to be to the point just like a nail on the cross
I formerly was lost, horrendously frail and fraught
With questions I know how Mother Hubbard’s dog felt – famine, drought Mom, I love you but this world has got to know
I cannot grow cold when Hell is hot
So please don’t go into shock, let the family talk
This way is their only opportunity to find God

You’d better look yourself in the mirror
You know that you wanted to get to Heaven when you’re old
Do you really want God or not? Is it yes or no?
It’s awful soon you say, but what is the right time?
You’d better look yourself in the book since you own it
In Romans, you never read it yet I know
You only get one shot to God, here’s your chance to know
His offer to you may come once in your lifetime

You can do anything if He gets inside you, man

[ ApologetiX – “Adam Up” album ]

*****************************
“Don’t Try”
(Parody of “Don’t Cry” by Guns N’ Roses)

Back in the garden
There’s something that occurred
Adam and Eve were naked
And hid from the Lord
But He knew where they were hiding
He knew what they’d done
You ain’t the first to try it
So don’t you run, don’t you try to hide
Where would you run to, baby?
Don’t you try to hide
Don’t you try to hide
There’s a Heavenly Father who loves you
Don’t you try to hide
If you will listen – Psalm 139
Says that there really isn’t
A place He can’t find
Where can you flee from His presence?
You know that He could still tell
If you ascend to Heaven
If you descend to Hell, baby

CHORUS
And even in darkness
There will still be light
And even in darkness
Still the night is bright to Him now
I know you’re makin’ your own bed
But it don’t matter where you do it ‘Cause even if it’s in Hell, now
Still He’ll find you there now, baby .

CHORUS

[ ApologetiX – “Isn’t Wasn’t Ain’t” album ]

http://www.spiritedesign.com/Don’t_Try(ApologetiX).mp3

 

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DEEP THOUGHTS:

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“One hour in heaven and we shall be ashamed that we ever grumbled.”
[ Vance Havner ]

“Cancel every friendship that only makes withdrawals, not deposits.”
[ Author unknown ]

“If you allow people to make more withdrawals than deposits in your life, you will be out of balance and in the negative before you know it. Know when to close the account. It’s always better to be alone with dignity than in a relationship that constantly requires you to sacrifice your happiness and self-respect.”
[ Auliq Ice ]

“Rather than constantly questioning and challenging our beliefs and being willing to think differently about the opportunities that are out there, we withdraw into what we’ve done before. And in a world that’s rapidly changing, that’s a formula for vulnerability.”
[ John Hagel III ]

“You gave me the key of your heart, my love;
Then why did you make me knock?”
[ Rupert Brooke ]

“God, Who is everywhere, never leaves us. Yet He seems sometimes to be present, sometimes to be absent. If we do not know Him well, we do not realize that He may be more present to us when He is absent than when He is present.”
[ Thomas Merton ]

“Why do some persons ‘find’ God in a way that others do not? Why does God manifest His Presence to some and let multitudes of others struggle along in the half-light of imperfect Christian experience? Of course the will of God is the same for all. He has no favorites within His household. All He has ever done for any of His children He will do for all of His children. The difference lies not with God but with us.”
[ A.W. Tozer]

“We want to bring the presence of God to the people, but forget in the process that only God Himself is able to do that.”
[ Sunday Adelaja ]

“How often we neglect, ignore, overlook, or simply miss the presence of our loving God. We often look for Him in the great rolling thunder when, more often than not, He comes in gentle whispers . . . in the soft cooing of a baby, through the touch of a loved one’s hand, in the warm embrace of a trusted friend, in the pitter-patter of a sudden summer shower on a tin roof, or with the cool touch of an evening breeze on an Autumn night. Through hundreds of ways, God whispers, “I love you and I am always with you.” Don’t miss Him or His presence as you go through this day. Open your eyes of faith and look for Him in the most simple of ways. The experience can be extraordinary and life-changing!”
[ Ron Lambros ]

“Your presence fills every space of a heart that seeks to find; Your love is here to save us and Your name is love defined.”
[ Lisa Mischelle Wood ]

“God is always with you, even in the darkest night or in the deepest pit. You just need to hold on. Never doubt His presence and His power, He will see you through.”
[ Gift Gugu Mona ]

“Whatever form and shape prayer takes, our first concern is not to press God for the things we think we need or the matters we are concerned about, but rather a quest for God’s presence and relationship.”
[ Charles Ringma ]

“Living in the Glory of God’s presence is to extend his domain of love”
[ Sunday Adelaja ]

“When your eyes are open to God’s presence in your life, you will always feel His love.”
[ Gift Gugu Mona ]

“The Lord watches over us every moment of every day. He is there–and He cares–about every step and every breath.”
[ Dillon Burroughs ]

“Selah Moments: those times we lean into God’s presence, hear His voice, and willingly receive the golden nuggets of truth-revelation He gifts us with.”
[ Jo Ann Fore ]

“There is no brightness without the light, and there is no life, without God’s presence.”
[ Gift Gugu Mona ]

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RELATED SCRIPTURE VERSES:

God Abandoning Individuals
Hebrews 12:17
For you know that even afterwards, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears.

Judges 16:20
She said, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” And he awoke from his sleep and said, “I will go out as at other times and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the Lord had departed from him.

1 Samuel 15:23
“For rebellion is as the sin of divination,
And insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the Lord,
He has also rejected you from being king.”

1 Samuel 16:14
Now the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord terrorized him.

1 Samuel 16:1
Now the Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have selected a king for Myself among his sons.”

Psalm 22:1
My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?
Far from my deliverance are the words of my groaning.

Matthew 27:46
About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

Mark 15:34
At the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

Isaiah 57:15
Verse Concepts
For thus says the high and exalted One
Who lives forever, whose name is Holy,
“I dwell on a high and holy place,
And also with the contrite and lowly of spirit
In order to revive the spirit of the lowly
And to revive the heart of the contrite.

Acts 17:28
Verse Concepts
for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’

Psalm 139:7
Verse Concepts
Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?

Exodus 33:14
Verse Concepts
And He said, “My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Psalm 16:11
Verse Concepts
You will make known to me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.

Jeremiah 29:13
Verse Concepts
You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

1 John 4:12
Verse Concepts
No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us.

Acts 3:20-21
and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time.

Matthew 5:8
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

John 15:9
Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.

Exodus 3:2
The angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the midst of a bush; and he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, yet the bush was not consumed.

Exodus 16:10
It came about as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the sons of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and behold, the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud.

Exodus 19:18
Now Mount Sinai was all in smoke because the Lord descended upon it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently.

1 Kings 8:27
“But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain You, how much less this house which I have built!

Job 38:1
Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said,

Psalm 139:18
If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand.
When I awake, I am still with You.

Genesis 3:8
They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.

2 Samuel 6:2
And David arose and went with all the people who were with him to Baale-judah, to bring up from there the ark of God which is called by the Name, the very name of the Lord of hosts who is enthroned above the cherubim.

Matthew 28:20
teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Exodus 25:8
Let them construct a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them.

John 14:16
I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever;

Psalm 71:11
Saying, “God has forsaken him;
Pursue and seize him, for there is no one to deliver.”

Matthew 5:8
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

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“A quick summary of the Christian “Gospel”:
JESUS’ PROPITIATION made our SINS FORGIVEN and IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS to us so that we have GOD’S ACCEPTANCE into His Heaven and receive ETERNAL LIFE.”
[ Mark Besh ]

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Hope you enjoyed some of these insights—share them with your friends and colleagues—so we can have a larger ’pool’ to receive from, and more to share with! Also, remember to include your name as the “source,” if some of this wisdom is of your doing—I would like to give credit where credit is due!

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FOCUS VERSES:

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“You will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.”
[ Deuteronomy 4:29 ]

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace”
[ Numbers 6:24-26 ]

“If you will indeed obey My voice, if you will indeed keep My Covenant, then you shall be My treasured possession among all peoples.”
[ Exodus 19:5 ]

“Moses said, ‘Please show me your glory.’ And he said, ‘I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But,’ he said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.’ And the Lord said, ‘Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen.’”
[ Exodus 33:18-23 ]

“I love them that love Me; and those that seek Me early shall find me.”
[ Proverbs 8:17 ]

“How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?”
[ Psalm 13:7 ]

“In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
[ Psalm 16:11 ]

“You have said, ‘Seek my face.’ My heart says to you, ‘Your face, Lord, do I seek.’”
[ Psalm 27:8 ]

“To you, O Lord, I call; my rock, be not deaf to me, lest, if you be silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit.”
[ Psalm 28:1 ].

“You hid your face; I was dismayed.”
[ Psalm 30:7 ]

“As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God.”
[ Psalm 42:1 ]

“Cast me not away from Thy presence; and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.”
[ Psalms 51:11 ]

“For God alone my soul waits in silence… my hope is from Him.”
[ Psalm 62:1, 5 ]

“For me it is good to be near God.”
[ Psalm 73:28a ]

“O God, do not keep silence; do not hold your peace or be still, O God!”
[ Psalm 83:1 ].

“Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.”
[ Psalm 139: 7-10 ]

“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”
[ Psalm 145:18 ]

“I cry to you for help and you do not answer me; I stand, and you only look at me.”
[ Job 30:20 ]

“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”
[ Jeremiah 29:13 ]

“I will be with you always, even to the end of the age.”
[ Matthew 28:20 ]

“I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.”
[ John 14:20b ]

“Whoever has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”
[ John 14:21 ]

The Emmaus Dialogue
“This resurrection account is one of the most dramatic stories in the Bible. Part of what makes it such an enjoyable story is that the reader knows more about what is taking place than the two disciples who unknowingly encounter Jesus. The British would call such a story “cheeky,” because it pokes fun boldly at the doubting of resurrection. The reversal of emotion within the account shows how powerful a truth resurrection is. If God has power over Jesus’ life and death, he also has power over all life and death. God is the Creator of life and is sovereign over death. If he points an endorsing finger at Jesus, how can humanity doubt him?

“This meeting occurs as two disciples journey to Emmaus. They are sixty stadia, or about seven miles, from Jerusalem (the exact location of ancient Emmaus is not known today). The recent events have given them plenty to discuss, just as a major political event does among us today. In fact, the text portrays their discussion as rather intense, since syzeteo can refer to debating (Mk 8:11; Lk 22:23; Acts 6:9).

“As they journey, a man joins them. Now Luke cleverly notes that it is Jesus, but he also mentions that the men cannot recognize him as Jesus. For once the joke is not on the reader but on the participants. Jesus is not being cruel here, but his gradual revelation of himself allows them to learn certain lessons about trusting God’s promises. The disciples had been told about these events many times, but they cannot conceive how they could come to pass. The gradual revelation drives the point home vividly and calls on them to remember God’s Word while trusting that what he says will come to pass. As we remember God’s promise, we should rest in it (vv. 5-7). Luke’s detailed account gives the reader an inside glimpse at how events were understood by disciples before they became aware that Jesus had risen from the dead. In all of these encounters, God shows himself to be in total control (note also v. 31).

“So Jesus asks the two men about their conversation. Their countenance says it all: they stood still, their faces downcast. For these disciples, hope had been buried in the tomb provided by Joseph. In fact, one of them, Cleopas, is shocked that their new companion is unaware of recent events. His question’s irony can hardly be overstated: “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” (so correctly RSV). If anyone knows, it is the One they are speaking to! But to draw them out, he asks them about their discussion.

“Reviewing the story of Jesus of Nazareth, they refer to him as a prophet, a popular conception of who Jesus was (4:16-30; 7:16; 9:7-9, 18; 13:31-35). In fact, this view of Jesus, when comparing him to a prophet like Moses, correctly reflects an aspect of his ministry (Acts 3:14-26; 10:38-39). This Jesus was powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. But the leadership, chief priests and rulers, handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him (23:13). The disciples’ hope had been different: “We had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel.” For them, Jesus’ death had spelled a seeming end to that hope. The leaders had handed the promise over to Rome, and their persistence had extinguished its flame. Where these disciples place responsibility for Jesus’ death is clear, and so is their disappointment.

“But the story is not over. Three days have passed, and new events have caused a stir. Some of the female disciples journeyed to the tomb, only to find no body inside. They claimed to have seen a vision of angels. They claimed that he was alive. Still others went to the tomb and found it empty, but they did not see Jesus. This empirical note seems to be key for the two, since it seems they are not yet convinced that Jesus has been raised from the dead. Thomas gets all the contemporary press as a doubter of the resurrection, but Luke 24 makes it clear that he was merely one of a crowd, including these two followers. Like modern people in their skepticism, they will be persuaded only if they actually see Jesus. As readers we almost want to yell at the two, “Take a close look!”

“Here is the major lesson of the Emmaus Road experience. Though resurrection is hard to believe, be assured that it took place. Its reality means that Jesus’ claims are true. He was more than a teacher and more than a prophet. He was the promised, anointed one of God. A host of skeptics saw that this was so, and they believed. Do not be skeptical as these men were. Remember what God required of his Messiah: suffering, then vindication in exaltation.

“Jesus starts to break their misconceptions with a rebuke: “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” For the second time in the chapter, Luke notes how these events were necessary (dei; compare v. 7). Jesus reviews the rest of the story from the book that reveals it. Events and Scripture together raise the issue of faith in God’s promises. The disciples have been slow to believe. They have not read Isaiah 52—53 or Psalm 16 with understanding, not to mention Deuteronomy 18:15, Psalm 2:7, Psalm 110:1, Psalm 118 or Daniel 7:13-14. No doubt when beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself, Jesus used many of the texts that show up in other places in Luke and Acts. By taking them back to the Scripture, Jesus is noting that what took place was part of God’s plan and promise. Luke highlights the point by speaking about all the Prophets and interpreting all the Scripture. Scripture’s promise centers on Jesus. This text is a primary witness to Jesus. We can rest assured that Jesus is who he claims to be.

“The lesson has not ended, but it is getting late. So as they draw near to Emmaus, Jesus pretends (NIV acted as if; Greek prosepoiesato) he would journey on, but the men prevail upon him to stay with them. Since he has revealed the plan, now it is time to reveal the person.

“It is in the intimacy of fellowship that Jesus is recognized. This setting is no mistake; it is a major Lukan theme. Many of the resurrection appearances he describes are associated with table fellowship (Lk 24:41-43; Acts 1:4; 10:41; also Jn 21:9-15). As Jesus sits at the table, takes the bread, blesses it, breaks it and gives it to them, their eyes were opened. In a situation that recalls the feeding of the five thousand and the Last Supper, the disciples realize that they have been talking with the Lord himself (Lk 9:22; 22:19). Though not a reenactment of the Last Supper, this meal does show that Jesus is present and is known when his disciples remain close to him. The lack of recognition of verse 16 is reversed. Their perplexity over recent events is removed. It is through sitting with Jesus and listening to him that we get to know him.

“After his recognition by the disciples, Jesus disappears. That Jesus is alive is all the disciples need to understand. They can now appreciate that he is with them. All of a sudden the entire discussion on the road makes sense. Like a lost key found or a huge mystery solved, the direction of recent events becomes clear and the way to understand life anew is opened up. Because of this new awareness, the disciples recall their recent scriptural review in a new light: “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” Their words point to how emotional the exposition had been for them, like a message being sown into the soul.

“With a flame relit in their hearts, they return to the gathering of disciples in Jerusalem. The news is too good to keep to themselves. To know Jesus is to be thrilled at the prospect of sharing news of him with others.

“Good news travels fast, and news of the verification of the resurrection was no exception. Jesus has, in effect, been everywhere. The two returning disciples are greeted with a report like their own: “The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon!” This is a new detail in chapter 24, since earlier all Luke had reported was the empty tomb Peter saw (v. 12). So the message of the Emmaus disciples is preempted. Jesus is among all of them. It is becoming clear to all in the community that the women were right after all. Jesus is alive, and their hope remains as firmly in place as ever. The Emmaus report follows. Luke stresses that Jesus revealed himself to the two disciples during the breaking of the bread. In the quietness of the table Jesus is especially revealed.

“We can imagine the flood of emotion in the room as these stories of Jesus’ appearances flowed in. It must have been like a newsroom full of reporters collecting facts on a breaking story. The room was probably abuzz.

“What is more, though it is late and much has already happened, Jesus’ appearances are not over quite yet. Despite his “physical” absence, he has actually been with all of them all along through resurrection—a very crucial message for the disciples to learn about how Jesus will be with them in the future. To say Jesus is risen is to say that he is with us.”
[ Luke 24:13-35 ]

“Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you.”
[ Acts 18: 9b-10a ]

“Don’t you know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?”
[ 1 Corinthians 3:16]

“For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in out hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
[ 2 Corinthians 4:6 ]

“I will never leave you nor forsake you.’”
[ Hebrews 13:5 ]

“Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, ‘Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.’”
[ Hebrews 3:7-8b ]

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
[ Hebrews 4:14-16 ]

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.”
[ Galatians 2:20 ]

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you” [ James 4:8 ]

“If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me.”
[ Revelation 3:20 ]

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.’”
[ Revelation 21:1-3 ]

Mark

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If you have a ‘neat’ story or some thoughts about an issue or current event that you would like me to try to respond to, I would be glad to give it a try…so, send them to me at: mbesh@comcast.net

Disclaimer: All the above jokes & inspirations are obtained from various sources and copyright are used when known. Other than our name and headers, we do not own the copyright to any of the materials sent to this list. We just want to spread the ministry of God’s love and cheerfulness throughout the world.

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