Lucky in His Presence

When was the last time you felt the presence of God? Was it while you were alone in nature? As you prayed? Extended grace to another? While you were reading scripture? When you were shining your smile to cheer someone? When alone listening for His voice? Was it when you were broken, absolutely dependent on God? What was happening the last time God interrupted the moment and made Himself, His presence known to you? What emotion came over you? Lucky to know you are so loved? Lucky to be chosen? Tears of joy, gladness, peace, mighty assurance, needed confidence, a sense of safety, a shudder of goose bumps, or sweet comfort? When we ASK the Holy Spirit to flush us, to fill us, to give us comfort, and the wisdom to employ our application of scripture in a situation ~ He does. Asking the Holy Spirit to guide us, in that invitation is our willing surrender to His lead ~ we then must trust Him and obey, otherwise the communication was as if we defiantly "HUNG UP" on Him. Next time you sit intentionally stilled to be with God, ask the Holy Spirit to give you revelation of God's word. Then seek to feel the pleasure of God as you surrender to His will that we listen and obey the nudge of the indwelt Holy Spirit. Yes the Word of God is living and active and it is sharper than a double edged sword. He does not allow us to be double minded. The Person of the Holy Spirit delights in letting us know He is able to "enable us" to speak a word that will do His bidding ~ BUT do we maintain the required position of surrender to allow Him the pleasure of extending God's will through us?
God makes Himself known to us in unique and powerful ways...to encourage us, to energize us, to equip us to do that which we are unable to do without God, our Father, Son, Holy Spirit, the Holy ALL in ONE. "Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted ( Judas the fool doubted. Do ye ever feel like the black sheep amidst the mockers? Remember Peter denied Jesus when he was not in the presence of Jesus, but IN HIS PRESENCE, Peter's faith "ENABLED" him to walk on water) "Faith is being sure of what you hope for, and certain of what you do not see" Hebrews 11:1 --- Therefore, let us be CERTAIN of our FAITH in Jesus and that the ENTIRE Bible is the inspired Word of God. "Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:16---Now without airplanes, the internet, cell phones, trains, or cars ~ some might think HOW did the eleven disciples teach all nations to obey what Jesus commanded? Each disciple had witnessed miracles, and had FELT the powerful presence of Jesus --- "some doubted" Jesus knew their hearts, their doubts about HOW TO REACH all of mankind about His birth, brutal death and miraculous return from the tomb. Jesus returned from the grave and spent 40 days with a group of about 120 disciples which included His mother Mary. "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." John 14:26 Jesus made His Presence known to His disciples then, and today our Father, our Jesus, sent "another" just as He promised. The Person of the Holy Spirit makes His presence known to us TODAY when we invite Him to do so. God sent His Son to walk among us, to shed His blood, to make us holy, and to fill us with His beloved Holy Spirit ~ to change us, to polish us, to guide us, to use us to bring the lost back to Himself. His greatest command was that we love ourselves as we are loved, and to love one another. How do you describe God's presence? Is it in the kindness shown to you in that secret place within? Is it in that moment when you are able to forgive and let go? Is the evidence of the Holy Spirit at work in your life obvious by your changed character? The truth of God's redemption plan seems foolish to those without the Holy Spirit's wisdom, understanding and comfort. Jesus taught by His Word and His example ~ at the last supper when the disciples were too proud to wash feet, Jesus, the Son of God humbled Himself and washed their feet. John the Baptist said “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" Foolish people have too much pride to admit that they are not holy ~ even their unbelief is a sin. Jesus knew the hearts of his disciples were concerned about how they would be equipped to carry His mission of reconciliation to the world and He assured them "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—" John 14:16. So the TRUTH is that where ever we are, God is! By His word He gave us "another" Advocate, the Holy Spirit to help us and be "in" us forever. We are in His Presence, and He is "in" us waiting for us to invite Him to give us understanding, revelation, confidence and courage to stand up and speak that which He gives us to speak. "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness" 2 Timothy 3:16. Some folks say "I believe God is everywhere, and in everything. In the trees, in the ocean, stars, mountains, in the animals etc". God's word does not claim to be in everything. God the almighty Creator of heaven and earth is omni-present, which means everywhere is in the sight of God, or in His presence. God is in the body, heart, mind, in a very personal way, of those who believe in Jesus. He waits for us to turn to Him, to invite Him, to call on Him, to trust Him, to get to know Him. The magnificient mountains, the depth of the seas, the height of the stars are all exhibitions of God's power, His creation of beauty for His beloved to live in. God never intended to be unknown, NOT be found, NOT heard, NOT felt in the great out yonder somewhere. God desires to be in a personal, intimate relationship with us. God makes it most definetly clear in His word where He is NOT present. God does not abide in those who do not claim Jesus as the Lord. "The Lord is FAR from the wicked but He hears the prayer of the righteous. A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones. He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise" Proverbs 15:29-31 --- In the life, in the midst, in the heart of a believer of Christ, God is present, as He promised "I will be with you always, even till the end of the age." The wicked, the wayward, those who do not believe in God, those have no concept or desire to know God, those who deny He exists, those who deny the Truth, that Jesus is Lord --- The Lord is FAR from those that choose to NOT believe. "All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord. Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. The Lord works out everything for His own ends --- even the wicked for a day of disaster. The Lord detests all the proud of heart." Proverbs 16:2-6 --- Those who know God, are delighted to obey God, enjoy tremendous contentment in God, show great boldness for God, have supernatural energy to do His will, and have Spirit filled conversations about God. Consider Paul's escape from Damascus, his time being shipwrecked, alone at Sea, in prison --- all the while He was filled with peace not fear as he praised God. Paul carried the word of God to far off places perhaps singing. "You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And being with you, I desire nothing on earth...But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds."
Psalm 73:25-28 --- Blessed are we who meditate day and night on His law! King Solomon wrote a majority of the Psalms and Proverbs. Halleluiah and AMEN ~ on this St Patricks Day we are indeed LUCKY to be indwelt by the Holy Spirit of the King of Kings, Jehovah God!