The Presence of God

The Presence of God

Proverbs 3:5-6 (King James Version)5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

God keeps His Word. We just have to trust Him freely and with our whole heart. We have direct access to God through His spirit and His Word. The richness of that access far exceeds anything in this life. It is energizing, living and exciting! As we go through our life motions we can always be excited no matter what because when we recognize His presence we are so set free to tackle and enjoy anything. Everything is golden! Nothing need weight us down. Nothing!

Saturday we were anticipating our flight home to Chicago from Boston Logan. We had squeezed a delightful trip into the city that day and as we checked in, it was announced that O'Hare was closed by the FAA and our flight might be canceled. Pilots and stewardesses were standing around just like the passengers. People were in festive moods and it was fun. People were hooked up to whatever device they could be hooked up to so they could be the first one to say we were going. It was fun. My cell was beeping every 30 minutes or so with flight updates. What makes an event different from another event? It is how we live each moment. We can always be in the presence of God anytime, anyplace even if we don't have a cell phone! He is there where we are! We would get to Chicago when we got there and God stays with us.

Holiday hoopla comes and goes; life is dynamic. Think about Joseph in Genesis, how his life changed over and over again. He got tossed out on his ear by his brothers but he ended up a very powerful man in Egypt., He then was accused erroneously and was sent to prison. He then became head of the prison. His story is tremendous as God continually was involved in his life. He was a great leader because of whom he followed, listened to and believed - God!

This morning I read a section in the Old Testament about the man of God, Samuel, and how discouraged he got when Israel wanted a king to rule instead of God. God didn't sweat it and he told Samuel the best way to handle it.

1 Samuel 8:6-9 (King James Version):
6But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD.
7And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.
8According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee.
9Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them.

We have even greater opportunities today because we live in a fantastic biblical  segment of timeline called the 'grace' administration! Our spiritual tools exceed those of any other administration thus far in the Kingdom of God. When we think about our  connections, we've got the greatest communication tool available. We are internally hot wired to the mainframe of the universe through the gift of holy spirit!

Looking up at the sky, the beauty of the stars against the dark sky and the patterns of the constellations are remarkable(one has to get away from the blinding artificial lights to see them clearly).

Genesis 1:14-18 14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: 15And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so. 16And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.17And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, 18 And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.

The lights in the sky are for signs. The root word of 'signs' is 'to mark'. It means to mark something of significance to come. Jesus Christ was and is the plan for the ages. The story of God's plan is what the whole Bible is about. The old testament believers looked forward to his coming the first time and we as new testament believers are looking to his second coming. We find it 'remarkable'!

In Philippians 2:13-15, Paul tells us that it is God that 'works in us to will and 'to do of His good pleasure' and that 'in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation we shine as lights'. 'Lights' is the Greek word 'phoster' and is used and refers to starlight and reflected light. We shine as starlight against the backdrop of dark night. Each star is part of a constellation and the constellations tell the story of God's plan. Jesus Christ is the pole star. As the earth turns all the constellations seem to revolve around North star representing Jesus Christ. This drama of the ages has been played out over our heads faithfully day after day, night after night.

An astronomical conjunction refers to a configuration in which heavenly bodies line up in straight line that will extend to the North Star. Spiritual conjunctions occur when the body of Christ lines up together and is in conjunction to the head Jesus Christ.

We as individuals shine as lights. Living the mystery together has always been God’s faithful desire. The body of Christ consists of individuals who live the mystery together and this is how the story gets told. Ephesians 3 is a 'we' section that reflects the heart of the mystery.

Ephesians 3:9-11
9And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
10To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
11According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

Having been around for a few years years, aside from getting older (by the way is not such a bad thing, we do get wiser), we continue to grow seasoned by application of truth. It is apparent through the years that the Bible has led the way in teaching the truth of God’s heart and pointing the way toward the living of the Word as God intended. God will not budge on the mystery and that concept is absolute proof of His love.

The stars still shine day or night, during tornadoes, thunderstorms, tsunamis, elections, economies, wars, human failures, stupidity, politics, scandal and good ole religion; despite whatever cloud tries to obscure the light. Because of what has been available to us we are seated in the heavenlies (Ephesians 2:6) up above the clouds and we shine as lights in this world (Philippians 2:15).

Ever heard the expression ‘out of the frying pan into the fire’? That expression is used to describe getting rid of one problem only to find oneself in a worse situation. Being in ‘the midst of the fire' biblically has a whole other connotation. Moses heard from God out of the ‘midst of the fire’. Remember the burning bush? In Deuteronomy the expression regarding God’s voice out of the ‘midst of the fire’ is used ten times. The fire of God is something good. The use of fire can mean to purify, to cleanse and to heal.

Deuteronmomy 4:35-36
35 Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him. 36 Out of heaven he made thee to hear his voice, that he might instruct thee: and upon earth he shewed thee his great fire; and thou heardest his words out of the midst of the fire.

Religion can sometimes be just like the frying pan. Things just sizzle in their own juices. People can get burned and then the fire of God goes out in their minds. God never intended his Word to do that. His Word is purifying, cleansing and healing. It is so exciting, vibrant and energizing.

In order to raise Jesus Christ up from the dead, it took the ultimate form of energizing. All we have to do is believe it and our lifeless lives become fully equipped for the same energy surge, not only in the future but right now.

At the day of Pentecost, tongues like as a fire sat on each apostle as he spoke in tongues when the holy spirit was given on the day of Pentecost.

Acts 2:1-4
1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Holy spirit is that inner voice of God in our hearts. It is ‘heart burn’ in a good sense for God. We have it in the grace administration that we live in today. God always wanted to speak to His people individually. We can ‘Prayeverysec’ (not Prilosec) because we have the connection individually with God! It is amazing what we can do.

I know its Monday morning, but God’s heart is portable. He doesn’t mainly reside any more in a tent-like tabernacle or a temple or a church building on the corner. We carry Him around in our hearts. So today if you find yourself in the frying pan, remember the fire! It’s in the ‘midst of your heart’!

Man is not God and he never will be (that's why Atlas should have shrugged). God created man (who else could have done it - a gyrating amoeba in a concoction of a primeval slim pit? Puleeze!) God designed our wonderful reasoning mind better than man ever gives Him credit for. But man's purpose has nothing to do with wallowing around in the slim pit. God made us to know him and to love him (thank you Baltimore Catechism). So how do we get to know Him really? God had a book written. He didn't use ghost writers exactly, but he did have men jot down His exact thoughts.

2 Peter 1:21 (Amplified Bible)
21For no prophecy ever originated because some man willed it [to do so--it never came by human impulse], but men spoke from God who were borne along (moved and impelled) by the Holy Spirit.

The Bible is nothing without God! Without God it would be just philosophy,a way of life, a self-help book, or just some book we ought to read. Jesus Christ lived it in actual reality because the scrolls were more than words to him, it was the book of life. God gave it life through His spirit. We can live it too and prove it for ourselves.

Jesus Christ was the greatest leader of all times. He was a servant to all and that is part of what made him a great leader, but anybody can be a servant to others. That's a no brainer. What made Jesus Christ the very best, was that not that he was a good follower (anybody can do that too), but that he was a follower of God. True unity as Christians is that we have that same mindset. We follow God.

So why did Atlas carry the whole world on his shoulders? I don't know. It's really too hard to play God.

"No Spin Zone"

In today’s culture the word ‘spin’ is used to describe statements made to influence or enhance one’s opinion in a specific direction. Older uses of this word describe a process by which fibers are pulled and twisted and interwoven into fabric. Fabrication is also an outcome of our modern definition of ‘spin’.

God’s Word is definitely a ‘no spin zone’. It is not subject to private pulling and twisting. It is the source of peace and true security. Its reality is rest and freedom from anxiety. It does not twist or pull us. It is all about free-will choice.

Matthew 6:28-33 (King James Version)
28And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

The Bible says in other places that we are to work heartily (Colossians 3:23). Is there a contradiction to Matthew 6:28 and Colossians 3:23? Not at all. All one has to do is consider the context of Matthew 6 where God is encouraging us to ‘Take no thought’ in the sense of anxiety or stress. God is our sufficiency and not just on Sundays! Our lives are not to spin nor are we to spin them. We rest and enjoy the great trust we have in a faithful God who declares that we are to be to the ‘praise of his glory’! He works with us individually. We have direct access individually and we can fellowship with others richly who have the same respect and love for God and for each other.

It is a reassuring sound hearing the dishwasher running and knowing that the crusty plates and ringed coffee cups are getting squeaky clean. Hot running water runs into every nook and cranny (yup! Sometimes even the saw teeth edge of a knife blade comes out sparkling! We have a good dishwasher!)

Matter exists in three states: solid, liquid and gas. Solids have a definite shape. The molecules in a solid are more dense and more rigid than the other two states.
Fluids like water for example, take the shape of the container they are in or when poured out, the molecules move into every possible place they can get into. A solid becomes a liquid when the molecules are heated up. The heat makes them move around and causes melting and thus it takes on fluid qualities and starts to flow instead of keeping its shape.

In Romans 5:5-6, we can see this principle applied to how the love of God affects our lives and melts our hearts:
5And hope (trust in God) maketh not ashamed (disgraced, put to shame); because the love of God is shed abroad (poured out into every corner of our heart)in our hearts by the Holy Ghost (Spirit of God) which is given unto us.
6For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

The red hot love of God was made available to us through the resurrection of God's son by our free-will believing in what it accomplished. God appointed Lordship to Jesus Christ. It is legitimate power and authority not possessiveness or control. By our free-will choice we can tap into the very power and essence of God by accepting this lordship.

Our dishwasher has a few bells and whistles to accomplish its job and we have a complete owner's manual that spells out how to use it properly. I found out by reading this manual there are certain buttons I can push to get the ultimate dried on crud off and come out with squeaky clean plates.

The Word of God is the complete Owner's manual. We don't have to read the Word. We don't have to even think about it. It is our choice and that is what is so wonderful about God. Lordship is completely different from despotism. God is not controlling. We have a lot of freedom in Christ and all he represents. However, we can have freedom from misery, doubt and that cruddy, crusty feeling because the love of God is poured like energized living water into our hearts and we can be 'more than conquerors' (Romans 8:37) in everything when we use the Owner"s Manual!

Reformation

As I sat in Starbucks yesterday enjoying my low-fat pumpkin spice latte, reading the record of Joseph in Genesis, I wanted to stand up and sing! Yup, it was that good. The record in Genesis 37-50 is a stellar account of true forgiveness and the incredible love to see a long process through to the end of producing impacting glory for God and His truth. Joseph exhibits all along the way, great faithfulness, leadership and meekness to God's wisdom in handling a tough situation.

Forgiveness is a much written about subject. Some good and some not so good. However God is the best source on the subject and the story of Joseph occupies significant space in a very foundational book. When you read the section, see the change in Judah. He grows up and becomes courageous in standing for what's right. This is important for he is a part of the Christ line in the Old Testament.

Genesis also shows the growth of Jacob, Judah's father. Jacob grows from a contender to a man that God becomes his sufficiency. We all are growing. There is absolutely no one that has all the answers and has no need of growth. If you meet somebody that thinks like that - RUN!

II Timothy 3:16 says:
16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness..

Everybody knows that the Bible is all about doctrine and reproof. I'm not so sure we understand correction as well as we could. Why is correction necessary? It is really an important thing. The world is ever around us teaching, pulling, pushing us in many directions, but as we look to God's Word and allow it to correct our spiritual GPS system, we become so thankful and see God's power provide for us and as a result trust God with all the details of our lives.

II Timothy 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able (because they get know God as their sufficiency) to teach others also.

I didn't stand up and sing at Starbucks, but I have been sharing and will continue to share what I learned from the record of Joseph.

Boldness and Confidence

True boldness, true confidence can only come from the creator of the Universe (and that’s no ‘secret’ for those who have read The Secret) God’s heart has always been visible. It’s everywhere around us in His creation, His Word and in those who truly tap into His love and manifest it to others.

Ephesians 3: 9And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:10To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 11According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 12In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

Boldness in this verse ‘frankness’. ‘Access with confidence’ is that we no longer have to feel separated from God. Nothing stands between us and God. No person, no altar rail, no weakness, or the undertow of the world,-- absolutely nothing -- can prevent us from finding the way to God’s heart. With plainness of speech we can stand before Him and expect Ephesians 3:20 kind of help. God is faithful and trustworthy. Read Ephesians 3!

With the help of my four-footed friends I have fine-tuned my understanding of the words: ‘meekness’ and ‘submissiveness’.

The dog on the right, Tucker, is a wonderfully meek dog. E.W. Bullinger defines meekness as: “meek, gentle, enduring all things with an even temper. Tender, free from haughty self-sufficiency, tender in spirit.” Maggie, in the middle, has strong submissive traits and she is highly trained as a hunting dog; a job she totally enjoys (Sadie on the left is just too cute and sweet!).

Both meekness and submissiveness can be positive behavior patterns. Humans who have cognitive minds, have the God-given, free-will choice in exhibiting neither, either or both. Allowing the love of God to be ‘shed abroad' in our hearts, we can be tenderhearted and deliberately place ourselves in a proper arrangements (marriage is a good example of this). We can also be meek and not submit to something we don’t believe is best (our free-will right). If we are tenderhearted and decide to submit to something that is not the best, we have to bear with a little hypocrisy. And finally we might not be meek and not be submissive. It’s all our choice.

We all have multiple opportunities to submit to something like family, friendship, work, the law, and marriage just to name a few. Even in the small details of life, meekness and submission are helpful qualities.

It is our free-will choice to put ourselves in subjection to God through His Word and His son Jesus Christ. It’s an easy choice when we realize and get to know His heart toward us. In Psalm 1:1-3, God prefaces the wonderful book of psalms with His heart for His own.

1 BLESSED (happy, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather.
2But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night.
3And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity]. (Amplified version)

19 We love Him, because He first loved us. I John 4:19

Where is your Ephesus?

Last spring I brought home from Wisconsin a flat of Impatiens to plant in two pots for our patio. I planted them and since they like shade, we moved them to the front porch. It is a tighter space so the two pots were side by side. Recently I noticed that one pot was completely green - no flowers! The other pot was over-flowing with flowers. So I separated them and within days the flowerless pot produced flowers!   H-m-m-...

In I Thessalonians 4:11-12 there is great practical application of the Word for each of us individually:

And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

 Paul writes about this practical walk that just doesn’t apply to us physically but spiritually as well. He lists three things to do and two explanations of the purpose of doing those things:

1. Study to learn by exerting oneself from a love of self (self-honor) to be at rest or at ease within oneself.

2. Do your own business (personal affairs) in a continuous  and on-going process. Romans 12:11

3. Work with your own hands. Colossians 3:23, II Timothy 2:6

4. That you may walk honestly toward them that are without. Walk as it becomes one who has the fullness of the spirit in him.

5. That you have need of not one thing!

God has made us complete spiritually. It is God that causes us to bloom as we bask in his sonlight individually and rely on him . As we do this we have so much to give others.

Organic Wisdom

To be labeled organic, food must be certified. In order to be certified, standards must be met. No synthetic substances, genetically altered or radiation-treated substances will pass the tests. Even the seeds from which a crop is planted have to pass standards.

The Word of God is like organic food to our minds.
In Philippians 4:8 God tells us how to wholesomely nourish our minds:

8Finally, brethren,
whatsoever things are true (God’s Word is true),
whatsoever things are honest (respectful),
whatsoever things are just (God is right),
whatsoever things are pure, (uncontaminated)
whatsoever things are lovely(dear to one),
whatsoever things are of good report (well-written);
if there be any virtue (spiritual excellence), and
if there be any praise (applause),
think on these things.

When we are free of the pollutants and contamination of the world, we can live Philippians 4:6-7:

6Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7And the peace of God, which passeth (juts out over) all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.