“THE PRESENCE OF GOD”
INTRODUCTION:
A friend of mine stated that “Purpose is one thing, but PRESENCE is quite another.” Intrigued by that statement, I began to reference and research the word “PRESENCE” in my Bible and found 108 references in the King James version and not all of them related or referred to God.
I found the “PRESENCE” of God has it’s own agenda!
In Ex. 33:14 we find a man who understood the importance & need of the “PRESENCE of GOD!” He understood it so much that he would not move without “PRESENCE of GOD!” Moses said....
“If Your (PRESENCE) does not go with us do not send us up from this place. How will anyone know that You are pleased with your people...unless You go with us. What else will distinguish Your people from all the other people...”
I’ve decided that my goal is to draw closer to God than ever before in my life! That’s going to take a lot on my part, not because of Him but because of me, life in general, job, even family! But that is my goal & it is an attainable goal!
I’ve stepped up my Bible Studying and book reading already. I started reading a book this past week titled “HOSTING THE PRESENCE OF GOD!”, by Bill Johnson! It was a gift from a close friend of mine! As I’ve been reading the book I’m realizing more & more, what I already knew but sadly, relegated to a lower priority! I’m realizing as God is dealing with me that if I’m going to draw closer to God I have to have “HIS PRESENCE” in my life more so than before. More than last year, more than last month, more than last night!
The “PRESENCE of GOD” affects every area of my life! Personal, Professional, Pastoral, Marital, Familial, Parental, Grand-Parental every area of my life!
If I’m going to be “EFFECTIVE” for God I have to have “HIS PRESENCE!” If I’m going to “GROW” in God I have to have “HIS PRESENCE” If I’m going to be a “WITNESS” for God I have to have “HIS PRESENCE!”
If I walk in “HIS PRESENCE” I walk in the “POWER” of God Himself!
If you’re going to be “EFFECTIVE” for God you have to have “HIS PRESENCE!” If you’re going to be “GROW” in God you have to have “HIS PRESENCE” If you’re going to be “WITNESS” for God you have to have “HIS PRESENCE!”
To walk in the “PRESENCE of GOD” is to know God in a “VITALLY IMPORTANT” way!
In 2013 the “PRESENCE of GOD” will affect every area of your life if you allow it to! But it takes more than just allowance it takes “DETERMINATION, DESIRE, DILIGENCE, COMMITMENT & PASSION!” These won’t all come at once but begin now to acquire #5 attributes in your life & 2013 will not only be the greatest year of your life it’ll be the beginning of a the “GREATEST LIFE!” Not to mention what it will do for the Assembly!
Here is some of the problem as I see it in the world today, even in the church today! People know God but the don’t "really know" God! They know "about" Him but they don’t “KNOW” Him!
Moses realized the need of the “PRESENCE of GOD” in his Life & Ministry! Before Moses God there were others, but none like Moses!
Exodus 6:2-3 says...
“God spoke further to Moses and said to him, I am the Lord; and I appeared to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as God Almighty, but by My name, (LORD), I did not make Myself known to them.”
Moses learned quickly the importance of the “PRESENCE of GOD!” Moses knew he had a purpose but he realized that the “PURPOSE” had to take second place to the “PRESENCE of GOD!” For without the “PRESENCE” the “PURPOSE” serves little.
There are Christians sitting in churches across the world right this minute who know the Bible, they even know the “PURPOSE OF GOD” but they don’t know the “PRESENCE OF GOD!”
I’ve known alcoholics who knew the Word of God quoting chapter and verse but they had not understanding of the “PRESENCE OF GOD!” If they did they wouldn’t be in the place they were! I “PURPOSE” in my heart to seek “HIS PRESENCE”
WHEN I HAVE HIS “PRESENCE” HIS “PURPOSE” WILL FOLLOW IN PLACE MORE POWERFULLY THAN EVER!
Let’s dissect Ex. 33:14
“If Your (PRESENCE) does not go with us do not send us up from this place. How will anyone know that You are pleased with your people...unless You go with us. What else will distinguish Your people from all the other people...”
Moses stated without the “PRESENCE OF GOD” no one would know that God was “PLEASED” with them!
He also knew that the “PRESENCE OF GOD” of God would “DISTINGUISH” them from all the peoples of the world!
So understand this early in 2013! The “PRESENCE OF GOD” will show others and “YOU” that God is “PLEASED” with you and the “PRESENCE OF GOD” will also “DISTINGUISH YOU” from all the peoples of this world!
Paul stated in I Cor. 1:29...
“That no flesh should glory in His Presence.”
I Peter 2:9 says
“You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own
special (DISTINGUISHED) people, that you may proclaim the praises of
His who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light...”
Being in the “PRESENCE OF GOD” is being “In-Sync” with God!
It is to understand “HIS PURPOSE” in greater detail!
The “PRESENCE OF GOD” is the
“GREATER PARADIGM” of your life!
You need the “PRESENCE OF GOD” in your life in 2013!
Here is what the “PRESENCE OF GOD” will do for your life!
The “PRESENCE OF GOD” will Lead & Guide you!
Psalm 48:14
“For this God is our God for ever and ever: He will be our guide even unto death.”
The “PRESENCE OF GOD” will Protect you!
2 Chronicles 20:17
“You will not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you.”
The “PRESENCE OF GOD” will Comfort you!
I Corinthians 1:3-4
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all COMFORT, who comforts us in our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
The “PRESENCE OF GOD” will give you Insight & Understanding!
II Timothy
“...and the Lord give you understanding in all things.”
CONCLUSION:
