Abiding in God’s Presence

“And it came to pass, when Moses entered the tabernacle that the pillar of cloud descended and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the LORD talked with Moses… So the LORD spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.” – Exodus 33: 9-11

It’s about abiding in God’s presence that God speaks to us. But how do we continually abide in God’s presence? How do we take His presence into every area of our lives – our everyday lives?

I believe it’s as we spend time in God’s presence, that His character comes through in our attitudes, and in the way we think about things, and how we respond to people, and the way we handle situations. In this way we are being transformed, and as a result we are able to take His presence with us wherever we may go. Sometimes we can get so busy ‘doing’ that we neglect just ‘being’ in God’s presence. For it’s out of being in God’s presence that we can hear God speak, and inspiration can flow, creativity can flow and service can flow. But it’s firstly coming into God’s presence, and daily walking in it, before we have this ‘outflow’.

God longs to have this fellowship with us. But sometimes we feel ashamed or unworthy, so we hide from Him. We also may feel as though we have no time in our busy schedule to spend time just basking in God’s presence. But I believe God wants us to put off all these ‘hindrances’ and ‘excuses’ to just commune with Him. So why don’t you choose today, and every day, to abide in God’s presence – despite how we feel.

Word of Truth

“For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and spirit, and of joints and marrow, exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.” – Hebrews 4:12

Nothing compares to the Word of God. It is Active, Operative, Energizing and Effective. The work that the Word of God does is like no other. There is something about God’s Word that reaches into the unreachable places of our spirits and exposes what needs exposing. God’s Word brings into alignment our thoughts, actions and our plans – with His truth.

Whatever there is within us contrary to the Word of Truth, it will be exposed so we can make changes. Sometimes this can be a painful time, if it is a past hurt or a painful memory we have long before buried deep within. We often don’t want to revisit the past, when it brings us so much pain.

God’s Word can bring healing, restoration, comfort and hope. It builds up our faith to be able to stand firm. We need to allow God’s word to do a thorough work within, and align our lives to God’s truth. The world disguises lies as truth, but God’s Word will stand and expose it for what it is. Don’t get caught up in what the world says, but measure it up with what God’s Word says.

Same Spirit, Same Power

“And if the Spirit of Him Who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He Who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also restore to life your mortal bodies through His Spirit Who dwells in you” – Romans 8:11

When you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, the Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit makes His home inside of you. That’s God Himself, the same Spirit with the same power that raised Jesus from the dead! His resurrection power can bring back health, strength and life to your physical body. He can restore hope and breathe life into your dreams. In fact, He can resurrect any area that may seem dormant on the inside of you!

The next time you feel overwhelmed by sickness, challenges or despair, remember, the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells in you through Christ Jesus. You may have been burdened by an addiction, fear or worry, but there’s nothing that can stand against the power of God. Rise up and declare by faith, “He whom the Son sets free is free indeed. I am restored and healed in the name of Jesus! No weapon formed against me can prosper!” Receive His truth, declare the Word, and activate His power within you.

A Touching Story

A few years ago at the Seattle Special Olympics, nine contestants, all physically or mentally disabled, assembled at the starting line for the 100 yard dash. At the gun, they all started out, not exactly in a dash, but with a relish to run the race to the finish and win. All, that is, except one boy who stumbled on the asphalt, tumbled over a couple of times and began to cry.

The other eight heard the boy. They slowed down and looked back. They all turned around and went back. Every one of them. One girl with Down’s Syndrome bent down and kissed him and said, “This will make it better.” All nine linked arms and walked across the finish line together. Everyone in the stadium stood, and the cheering went on for several minutes. People who were there are still telling the story. Why? Because deep down we know one thing. What matters most in this life is more than winning for ourselves. What truly matters in this life is helping others win, even if it means slowing down and changing our course.

In our personal life we come across such scenarios on regular basis and our reaction to such situation has mostly been very selfish. It is time to spare a thought, if the world continues to move as it is going right now, in the days to come it would be difficult to find help from someone, when you need the most. It is up to us to make a difference.

What about Tomorrow?

“So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble.” – Matthew 6: 34

There is so much in life we can be anxious of, but by worrying about it we only magnify the problem. We get ourselves in a state where we cannot think clearly or rationally about it. We cannot possibly be effective in prayer, and in working out a solution to it if we are caught up in ‘worry’.

What of tomorrow? Tomorrow hasn’t come; today is what we need to concern ourselves with. When we start to get anxious of the things that may or may not happen, the only thing we can do is give it over in prayer. There we can find God’s peace in place of our worry.

Don’t let worry take root for it is all consuming. You cannot have ‘faith’ if you are worried all the time. Take your eyes off the ‘what ifs’ and place them on Jesus. It doesn’t matter how bad your situation is, you can walk through it with your eyes on Jesus. We don’t have to live in anxiety of our ‘tomorrows’.