God’s Presence (Day 2.5)
November 29, 2009 by Christine
Filed under BF-Week 02
“As you go through this day, look for tiny treasures strategically placed along the way. I lovingly go before you and plant little pleasures to brighten your day. Look carefully for them and pluck them one by one. When you reach the end of the day, you will have gathered a lovely bouquet. Offer it up to Me with a grateful heart. Receive my peace as you lie down to sleep with thankful thoughts playing a lullaby in your mind.” From Sarah Young, Jesus Calling Copyright ®2004 Published by Thomas Nelson
We’re still Breaking Free with Beth Moore as we complete week two in the workbook. Some people are just joining us or reading a week behind, so make sure you look at the comment links in the right side column, and see what they’re discovering in Breaking Free. Also remember to post a reply or comment, your name and email is not required in this study.
Today’s lesson is about God’s Presence in our lives and something we frequently discuss at the Bible Cafe. Each of us have a different level of intimacy with God and experience His Presence is a variety of ways. I recall a sermon at church as we discussed Daniel 2:2 “Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his mind was troubled and he could not sleep.” The pastor explained that God’s Presence is revealed to us in a manner we are most likely to hear Him. “The great God has shown the king what will take place in the future. The dream is true and the interpretation is trustworthy.” (Daniel 2:44) Some may feel His Presence in dreams, hear His Word on Music, see His glory in people or find God where you seek Him.
As we learn in our lesson, God is always with us. Are we always with Him.
Looking back in my life I have vivid memories of God carrying me like the Footprints In the Sand Poem. Then I have fuzzy memories where I’m sure God was present, and I was not seeking Him. Presently, He is centered in my life and when I breathe, think, do, say and act-He is in the center of it all. My intimate relationship with God evolved from a few years of Bible Study, daily exposure to Christian Music, devotions and prayer, and surrounding myself with other Christians. Though I fear the Lord, I also experience Him in an intimate way. Sometimes I’ll laugh at something I know He created, other times I’ll catch my breath with a smile and know He is with me, or I’ll sit quietly and wait in obedience for His command. Once I screamed at Him in frustration and then listened with a daughters heart.
He is present, because I call upon the Lord and I allow Him into my heart. I sense Him most when I am in prayer or fasting because I have turned away from my worldly vision and turned my eyes up towards Him. When I’m busy, angry or pleasing other people, I do not feel His Presence.
Prayer Requests
Heavenly Father,I give you full control over my heart, soul, body and mind. I reap the rewards of knowing You intimately and completely as I turn over my life to the Great Provider, Healer, Comforter and Prince of Peace. In Your Presence, I do not hold back a single ounce of control-and give it all to You. In Your hands I experience forgiveness and unconditional love. Be My Daddy, the hero I seek, and the soft place to fall. Carry me through rough waters and sit beside me in peace. Be my rock, my strength, my eternal Friend-in Jesus name we pray.
Beth Moore Quotes
- Christ’s presence is the basis for our courage in our storms -Beth Moore
- The enemy has tried to convince us that the Christian life is sacrificial at best and artificial at worst -Beth Moore
Today’s Scripture Verses
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. Isaiah 43:1
Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Isaiah 43:5
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29
You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence. Psalm 16:11
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1 John 4:4
Let’s Talk About It!
On page 50 of the workbook, Beth asks “Why do you think we experience times when we sense God’s presence more clearly than others?” What did you write as a response to this question? Please post a comment and share your answer with others.
Breaking free,
i know for me…when i’m feeling lost or alone that there is this calmness that comes over me and that i’ll be okay. i know that God is with me.
My response was that we don’t always seek His presence even though it is always there.
It reminds me of the Sky. Sometimes it is so beautiful that you notice the clouds, colors, or clearness. Most of the time we don’t even notice the Air/Sky…Just because we don’t notice it doesn’t mean it isn’t there.
I take great comfort in the knowing that the Lord my God is with me every second, every day, all the time!!!
Wow-good visual aid! Thank you for sharing Theresa.
What I wrote was alot like Theresa’s. “Sometimes we seek Him. Sometimes we seek understanding of our troubles from other sources…” I agree completely with Theresa. He is always present…but are we seeking him or seeking answers, comfort, etc elsewhere?
As I read along further in today’s study, I really liked what Beth said about God “desires to grow us up and teach us to walk by faith and not by sight…
… most challenging when we’re delivered through frightening experiences rather than from them.”
He doesn’t always calm the storm but he is always willing to calm us!! I like it!
Our lives get so busy, not always with things that are important, that we’re not always cognizant of His presence. For me I find His presence to be more pronounced when I listen to Praise & Worship music. May sound trivial to some but when I am concentrating on words of praise to Him I “cannot” concentrate on other things at the same time and I am “aware” of His presence more and at times in an intense way. It’s these times that I also find it easier to get into prayer. The Bible says to come into His courts with Thanksgiving and Praise. We were made to worship Him.
I know that I hear and see God more clearly when I MAKE the time to listen and look. I spend much of my life in the urgent day to day things, and I do see and hear Him there . . .But I do need to “Be Still” a little more often. God’s presence is always more evident to me when I am outdoors enjoying His creation.
There have been many times when God’s presence was clear as day to me. When I was a child my greatest fear was losing one of my parent’s, especially my mom who seemed to be the only person who could soothe my anxiety attacks. I would be so lost in fear as a child and somehow being next to her, I was ok. If I could get to momma it would all be ok. When I was about 16 or 17 I found out my mom had a terrible congenital heart defect. She was going to have open heart surgery. Now, from my pervious experiences you would think I would have been terrified, but I wasn’t. It was in my darkest hour, my worst nightmare that the Lord showed up greater than He had ever before! I was calm, I felt like I was held, I felt safe ( as I was if I was in someone’s arms) during the whole surgery. It was really an amazing experience. I think the Lord chose to show me His presence in this way to allow me to see that He is the source of my comfort. That Yes, my mother is one of my strength sources (actually the biggest one I have other than Jesus and my husband) but Jesus, My Father is the greatest of them all. He showed me right then and there that no matter what happens to me or those I love He is always there, always present, always nearby to catch me and provide a comfort that can’t be found in anyone else.
Thank You Jesus for being my comforter, for loving me, and always “showing up” when I need you the most. I love you, Jesus.
Love, your daughter
beautiful story LeAnn, thank you for sharing. I’m working on teaching my own daughters how to value themselves as a Daughter of the King. Your comment shows how important that is, so in times of need our daughters can seek comfort from Him.
there are times that i can feel god’s presence more clearly than others when i am listening to or partking in praising and worshiping him. i can be singing praise and worship songs or just listening to it. i think it is because we are seeking him or we feel closer to him and we are able to exeprience him better when we are not distracted.
For me it is I find that I feel far away when life gets busy. I can slow down but have chosen to keep going in the never ending rat race. He gets my attention by putting a raod block in my path. I say oh, Lord I need to ask you to forgive me for leaving without you. I must be still and slow down so I can spend time with Him and thats when I start to feel His presence.