Jean Oathout- Our coming before the Lord with thanksgiving, making a joyful noise to Him for His goodness and mercy, is the beginning of a meaningful and intimate time of responding to His Presence.
As we prayerfully read the Bible, and ask God for direction for the way we need to go, and the thing we're to do, we find that His counsel goes deep in our hearts. Once we understand His directives, we can draw from them to live by, and share with others, if the occasion arises. (Google image, Abiding in the vine)
It will be like deep waters to our souls, as we understand what we read from the Bible to gather words of life. As we look to our Maker with eyes that respect Him, the Holy One of Israel, we find that He will be faithful to over-shadow us with His wings of protection and mercy. (See Ps. 91: 1-4).
This drawing near to God is not a physical act, not necessarily being in a building, nor achieving some great feat to please Him. It is an invisible act of the heart. You can do it while standing absolutely still, or while lying in a hospital bed, or on the train as you commute to work. (See Hebrews 10:22).
This is the center of the gospel—this is what the garden of Gethsemane and Good Friday are all about—that God has done astonishing and costly things to draw us near to Himself. He sent His Son to suffer and to die so that through Him we might draw near. And the nearness is for our joy and for Christ's glory. (See Psalm 16:11)
[The above 2 paragraphs are my version of a friend's texted message of John Pipers' message in a devotion he read].
Our responding to the Lord's presence is our opportunity to embrace His Love for us. We can reaffirm our devotion to Him by our worshipping at any time, anywhere. When we want to sense His presence, we can pray for Him to make Himself known to us. Then, as we're quiet and submissive, He'll become real to us.
Welcome His presence when you're praying, reading the Bible, and speaking with someone about your experiences with Him. Others need to be encouraged to seek His presence, and are often ready to be taught to do so.
This is what the world needs to hear: Jesus is near and longs to show His Father's Love. He draws folks who are open and ready to know Him. They may long to know such a Savior as ours, so let's be ready to share what we've learned to help others get to know Him too!
From a journal entry, God's message to me:
"My dear, I love it when My children honor My son. What He did is outstanding, as He was free to choose whether or not He would obey what I told him to do. I honor him, too. Because He was a man like you folks, He did have to experience firsthand all you have to endure. I helped Him, yes, but it was still His choice to obey, knowing what He'd have to go through. His love for you all was what He remembered, as He walked through each day, and then through the ordeal that actually brought you salvation. The joy of having many come to glory because of what He would accomplish, is what kept Him submissive to His calling. The joy of what you'll receive, is what will urge you on in your particular ministry, too."
Let's pray-
Father, our coming to You with thankful hearts for Your goodness and mercy, helps us respond to Your Presence. As we meditate on what we read in Your Word, we find that it speaks to our hearts and goes in deeply and becomes counsel to us, as to what we should believe, say or do.
As our Maker, we look to You with great respect, for You have been faithful to shield us with wings of protection and mercy. We ask that You draw us near to Your Heart, and bathe us with Your Presence whenever we're at a moment of need.
The verses below are some of the ones I've shared with folks over the years: daily
one-line verses with comments. Finding the verse that compliments the notes on a devotion that day is the challenge, as so many verses could be used, but to choose the one the Lord directs usually fits well.
I'm in the process of compiling a 20-page encouragement booklet of some of the verses and comments, entitled, Godly Inspirations. Hopefully, it will be ready and printed soon.
406-610 one-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted-
~ Is Jesus calling you to do something beyond your fears? What if that calling will help you broaden your concept of His Reality? Can He depend on you to answer His call? Are you watching, ready and listening for the next time He offers you some task? Let's be willing to step past our fears and believe.
Today's guest post-
Practicing the Presence
Max Lucado- How do I live in God’s presence? How do I detect His unseen hand on my shoulder and His inaudible voice in my ear? A sheep grows familiar with the voice of the shepherd. How can you and I grow familiar with the voice of God?
The North Country Christian Fellowship Center Churches,
located in the St. Lawrence county of NY,
You can view past services too.
Amen and amen. Great poat.
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