THE PRESENCE OF GOD

As they traveled along, Jesus entered a village where a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. 39She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to His message.40But Martha was distractedby all the preparations to be made. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me!” 41“Martha, Martha,” the Lord replied, “you are worried and upset about many things. 42But only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10

 Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. James 1:22

 And the one on whom seed was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the worries and distractions of the world and the deceitfulness [the superficial pleasures and delight] of riches choke the word,and it yields no fruit. Matthew 13:22 AMP

God created us to live in His presence. We shouldn’t allow any hurt suffered, trial we are going through, sin we have committed, blessing we have received, or level we have attained in life make us neglect, hide from or get bored with God’s presence. Even when we have sinned, God is waiting with open arms to receive us into His presence (Luke 15: 20-22).

Oh, to grace how great a debtor. Daily I'm constrained to be. Let Thy goodness like a fetter

Bind my wandering heart to Thee.… Prone to wander, Lord I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love

Here's my heart, oh take and seal it, Seal it for Thy courts above.

 1Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3Then Mary took about a pint a of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5“Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” 6He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. 7“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” 9Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him. John 12 NIV

 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35

7 Reasons why we should spend time with God; we should abide in Him:

    1.  There is joy in God’s presence.

 “In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11)

   2.  We receive protection from dwelling in God’s presence.                         

 Staying in His presence brings us under His shadow of protection.

 “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty’’ (Psalm 91:1).

 Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

 19Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them.  The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, 20coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long. Exodus 13

   3.  We find peace in His presence.

 The LORD said, "I will go with you and give you peace." Exodus 33:14 CEV

  4.  God leads, guides and directs us as we spend time with Him.

 “Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand. You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory” (Psalm 73:23-24).

   5.   The fire and power of His presence melts away every mountain.

 The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the Lord” Psalm 97:5 NKJ

 Devise your strategy, but it will be thwarted; propose your plan, but it will not stand, for God is with us. Isaiah 8:10

   6.  Our fears and insecurities, our pains and burdens are lifted, are taken away as we come into God’s presence.

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."Matthew 11:28-30

 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,  Acts 3:19-20 ESV

   7.  We are changed, refined and transformed in His presence.

 Whenever, they turn to face God as Moses did, God removes the veil and there they are—face-to-face! They suddenly recognize that God is a living, personal presence, not a piece of chiseled stone. And when God is personally present, a living Spirit, that old, constricting legislation is recognized as obsolete. We’re free of it! All of us! Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him.2 Corinthians 3:18 MSG

My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you. Isaiah 26:9

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. 2My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. Psalm 42

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7