Sunday, September 20, 2015

Abiding Continually in God’s Presence



 
Pastor Allan began his message as I took notes and edited his sermon.  He was reading from the 91st Psalm.

It is essential for the Believer to appropriate the Presence of God each and every day, not just on Sunday.  No matter the situation to apply the grace and Presence of God 24/7.

He, who dwells in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

It is important to know we can safely trust God and when we do, there is no fear.

I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”

The Holy Spirit will comfort, encourage, and even correct us as He leads us into the presence of God.

Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge;

Darkness is a reality in this world.  We are told it is okay to change our bodies and lies about marriage.  God’s Word is Truth and we must speak truth, not arguments and discussions.  We must pray for our leaders as they need prayer that God’s will be done in the decisions ahead. Their judgments will set the tone for generations to come.

You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

We can remove our selves from the Presence of God.  Jonah tried to run from God’s presence, until he finally realized God could meet him in the belly of the whale where he began to repent.

Pastor mentioned he was tired of the status quo.  Each morning when he wakes, he says, “Lord what would you have me do today?”  It is understandable that we must go to work, and accomplish the duties of the day, but you can still do that within the presence of God.

We have conversations with God and we say, “Why is this happening? Am I doing something wrong?”  God answers back, “I know better than you the reasons, just keep dwelling in my Presence."  Allow His presence to crowd out all the other unproductive stuff; and let Him push out the nasty stuff still hanging on.

When our heart is right, the fruit of the Spirit will be produced as the roots go down deep and are watered with the living water.

The disciples were in a boat with Jesus lying there asleep, when a storm came up and they were fearful.  To Jesus this was no big deal, because they were all in this together. 

Jesus knows ahead of time what the future holds, and He has miracles yet to be spoken.

A crippled man lay at the pool of Bethesda, and Jesus asked him, “Do you want to be well?”  The man gave an excuse, because he was waiting for an intercessor, a person to be his miracle.  Jesus wanted to know the desire of the man’s heart.

Some of us here today have carried an infirmity for years, struggling to be free.  Jesus is the miracle we need, and we have been looking in all the wrong places.  We have searched, stolen, and taken substances all which lasted only for a moment.  We wait for the buzz, but everything remains the same.  Our search brings a mirage not the miracle that Jesus can provide. 
 
Jesus is the best choice you will ever make, for without Him we are nothing.  Self condemnation says you are not worthy, because you are struggling with a hang up.  
 
That doesn’t mean that Jesus is not able, it just means God continues to clean us up as we stay in His presence.  There is power in the name of Jesus.

Understand that His Grace does NOT give us permission to deliberately sin, and Paul says, God forbid.  When God reveals something in our life that must go - - It is time to Stop it - - Quit it - - Drop it.

Jesus does not want anyone to be lost, but it is a choice. 

Storms may be there, but the truth is Jesus is there with us in the thunder and lightening. 
 
Keep your relationship with Jesus fresh and up to date, so you can say, “He is my refuge and in Him I can fully trust.”

 

4 comments:

Ifeoma Samuel said...

Amen! Psalm 91 is one of the chapters I have as a go-to when I need to be armed.
Thanks for sharing Aunt Hazel.
God Bless

caryjo said...

Thank you for sharing re: the Word of God.

Unknown said...

Uplifting post, Hazel. We are under His protection and provision. May we worship the Provider before the former.

Lisa notes... said...

Staying in his presence. Yes, that's the best place to be. And the only true safe place. Thanks for sharing this, Hazel.