The Gift of God's Presence

A shooting star, a sale at the store on the exact item you need, a flower growing in the sidewalk crack, a simple solution for a giant problem, and so many more examples are all revelations of God's goodness - a special kiss from Him just for us. He even uses a quick glance at a clock, with a special arrangement of the numerical order, to give me special hugs throughout the day.
( http://carm.org/what-biblical-numerology )

We do not need to earn the gift of salvation, because it is a free gift through Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23). However, the gift of God's presence entails our obedience and love for Him. Walking in God's Spirit allows us to maintain this constant communion with Him (Galatians 5:16-25). We walk in fulfillment and find joy in the simplest revelation of His goodness.

We must guard against allowing the good activities, which we are invited to participate in, from becoming the enemy of God's best for us. The frantic pace of our world thwarts us from enjoying a contented life in God's presence. The good people and events, which demand our attention, are robbing us of quality time with God, His Word and His perfect will.

Our hectic lifestyle prevents us from entering into the rest of God's presence (Hebrews 13:5). It is only as we love the Lord with our entire heart, having no idols in His place and ordering our steps to seek Him throughout the day, that He will provide His guidance and protection while showering us with His peace and love (Proverbs 3:5-6; Psalm 62:5-8).

Prayer:

Father God, what you desire from us more than anything else is for us to love You with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30). Remind us to walk in Your Spirit's filling, which is new every day, and to live in the center of Your will. Help us not to forget that only one thing is needed in this life, and Mary made the better choice. Thank You for promising never to take away from us our intimacy with You (Luke 10:42).

Thought for the Day:

At times, we cannot hear God's voice, due to the roar of people's expectations requiring our time and talents.

The Presence of Christ in Us

 

 

We often walk around in life with our chin dragging the ground because of the temporary trials we experience, instead of holding our head high as a child of the King (2 Corinthians 4:17). We wallow in sin and degradation, because we do not realize that our flesh is already dead, and we are raised to walk in a new life (Colossians 3:3; Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12).

We fail to take advantage of the fact that we can enjoy unbroken fellowship with the Creator of the Universe. God’s presence is with us each moment of our day, unless we grieve the Holy Spirit by our sinful desires, actions, motives and thoughts. Pride, self-centeredness and rebellion thwart God’s work in our life. If we repent of sin, which separates us from the fullness of Christ in us, He readily forgives us (1 John 1:9).

God longs to fellowship with us; at times, even in companionable silences. He desires to reveal Himself to us in intimate communion, if we will only take the time to listen. Are you willing to repent and to listen? Then, pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18),  and God will fill you with Himself (Ephesians 1:23; Romans 5:13). Not only on your knees, but in your spirit as you travel throughout your day.

When we come to Christ in Salvation, He moves in with the full power of the Godhead: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Think about that! The full power and majesty of the Trinity dwells in each authentic Born Again Believer. God brought us out of the world and into the rest of God in Christ (Hebrews 4:3,10). Jesus is our whole life now (Colossians 3:4), unless we keep our focus on carnal, earthly issues.

The strength of God’s holiness gives us the power of the supernatural in our life. The presence of Christ in us gives us love, joy and peace regardless of what life, Satan and the flesh bombard us with. There is no circumstance in life...not sickness, imprisonment, abandonment, persecution, neglect, the death of a loved one, or anything else...that can separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:35-39).

Prayer:

Father God, we want to listen...to consult You all through our day. We want Your Holy Spirit to guide us each moment. Reveal Yourself to us in intimate fellowship and companionable silences. We want nothing in life but more of You. Teach us to walk in the power of the Godhead each moment of our day; so that we can do the works that Jesus did on the earth; and even greater works than those, because Your Spirit abides within us (John 14:12). 

Thought for the Day:

A life centered on Christ gives us a life blessed by Christ.

– Colossians 1:27

Each New Day

 

We all pay a litany of consequences for our choices. Even Saints who are forgiven may still suffer the consequences of our behavior, just as the thief who had to die on the cross. However, for those who surrender to God, we are forgiven from the penalty of our sins. Jesus paid the debt for us and takes us with Him to heaven for eternity. This gives us a reason to rejoice as we read His Word, as well as to stay far away from everything, which tarnishes or stands against His name.

Those who trust in God can rejoice with each new day and gladly face the hardships that come (Psalm 118:14,24). When we hide in the refuge of our Savior, no one can do anything to us that is outside of His will. There is no reason for us to fear the trials in this world or for us to rely on anyone other than our Father God (Psalm 118:6, 8-9). God is our strength and shield. He puts His song in our heart at the moment of our salvation. God’s continual loving kindness and truth endures forever (Psalm 117:2).

Our help comes directly from the Lord, the Creator of the heavens and the earth. He will not allow us to stumble or to be cast down. He even watches over us in our sleep. He is our protector and provider. He gives us shade in the intense heat of daily life and safety from the terrors of the night (Psalm 91; 121:1-6). When we find our rest in Him, we quiet our soul and do not worry. We are as safe as a child in its mother’s loving arms (Psalm 131:1-2).

As we seek Him with our whole heart, walk blamelessly before him, and keep His precepts, He blesses us in every area of our life. He provides us with His light in our darkest experiences. He keeps us from evil and preserves our soul for eternity. He watches over us each moment of the day both now and forevermore (Psalm 121: 7-8). This is why we love Him with all of our heart, and live in faithful obedience to Him to the end of our days (Psalm 119: 1-2,105,112).

Prayer:

Father God, You know everything we think, say and do. There is no place for us to hide from Your care and concern over our life (Psalm 139:8). You give great peace to everyone who loves Your ways. As we keep our focus on You, nothing will cause us to falter from our life in You (Isaiah 26:3). We love You with our whole heart and we rejoice in Your ways (Psalm 119:162-168). In the quiet hours of the night, we join the trees clapping their hands in praise to You, as they perform in perfect harmony with the wind. We give our life and love to you (Isaiah 55:12), and we live each day for the glory of Your name.

Thought for the Day:

If we look at all the worries in our life, we get overwhelmed with stress. If we walk in the Spirit each moment of the day and leave the rest to God, we will live victoriously.