Presence

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The Glory of God 1

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The Glory of God 1

The Devil knows that the answer for us is in Christ. He knows that there is a spiritual principle available to us, that if we look at Jesus, we will be changed to be like Him. Paul said that we are changed from one level of glory to another as we consider the Lord through meditating on Him in scripture.

“But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate a the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 3:18

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The Bride of Christ - Part 8

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The Bride of Christ - Part 8

One thing I am noticing now days is that there is a lot of contention as to who the Bride of Christ is. I don’t profess to have cornered the market but I’m more inclined to believe that she is a believer who is in love with Jesus. As you know, not everyone is in love with Jesus. Yes we are saved by faith, but not all Christians pursue Him as a bride. “This is what the Lord says:

“ ‘I remember the devotion of your youth, how as a bride you loved me ..” Jeremiah 2:1 (NIV)

The Bible mentions her in the Book of Revelation and all through the scriptures and it likens Israel and then the Church as a Bride. I feel it’s important to explore this thought. I am convinced that it’s the Church today, but is it all the Church? The Bride speaks of someone who is in love with the Bride Groom - Jesus, it’s someone who is close to Him. Jesus said to Peter three times, “Do you love me,” after he had denied the Lord just before His death. There was a need for Peter to repent of His sin and get back into a right loving relationship with the Lover of His soul. As you have probably noticed there are Christians out there that aren’t walking in love. Look at this verse.

“If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.” (1 Corinthians 3:12-15)

Practicing His Presence - Part 6

Practicing His Presence - Part 6

“How beautiful your love, dear, dear friend— far more pleasing than a fine, rare wine, your fragrance more exotic than select spices.” Living Bible

“How satisfying to me, my equal, my bride. Your love is my finest wine—intoxicating and thrilling. And your sweet, perfumed praises—so exotic, so pleasing.” The Passion (TPT)

I have been reading through the Passion Translation of the Song of Songs and find that it really brings out what the Lord thinks about His Church, His Bride. Here is a portion by the author, explaining the above verse.

“Your life of devotion pleases Him more than any other beautiful thing He's created.”

It intoxicates Him! Jesus is essentially saying that your love for Him is more valuable than anything else in the universe. Your love thrills His heart. He values your love more than any other pleasure there is. He measures it, not by its strength, but by its sincerity. He knows you love Him although you may fail and sin at times. You are desired just the way you are. Never let these words go in one ear and out the other. Take a moment and meditate on this truth. It will make your heart soar and cause you to live differently. Knowing how much He loves you will ignite passion that becomes an unquenchable fire.

How could this possibly be? How could God want and appreciate our fickle love so much? We see in John chapter 4 when Jesus was talking to the woman at the well that God is actively looking for worshippers.

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Practicing His Presence - Part 4

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Practicing His Presence - Part 4

The Book of Genesis is called the book of beginnings. It’s here we find out the ‘whats,’ ‘whys’ and ‘wherefores’ of man’s existence. It’s interesting to know that before God made living creatures, He made a place for them to live first. He made the sea first then the fish to swim in it. He made soil then plants to grow in it. He made the firmament for the stars before He made the planets that He placed there. He made Eden for man to live in before He made man. When you take the fish out of water it malfunctions. When you take a plant out the soil it malfunctions and when you take a star out of its place it becomes a meteor. Take a man out of Eden and he kills someone.

No one has ever found Eden for it was not so much a place but an environment. Man was created to live in God’s presence and when he is outside of His presence he malfunctions. In a previous message we looked at how King David said that there was one thing he desired more than anything else, and that was to live in God’s presence every day of his life.

“One thing I have asked of the Lord, and that I will seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord [in His presence] all the days of my life, To gaze upon the beauty [the delightful loveliness and majestic grandeur] of the Lord. And to meditate in His temple.” Psalm 27:4

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Practicing His Presence - Part 3

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Practicing His Presence - Part 3

As I said in the previous message, that you may never have a literal vision of God this side of heaven, but you don’t necessarily need one either. There is another more effective way for us to experience God’s presence in this life and the word says that this method can be far better one for us. Jesus told Thomas after he refused to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead, that those who believe what He says, believe the promises of God are even more blessed than those who have seen Him in the flesh. He wants us to believe like this too. Believe what His word says about Him and His promises even though there is nothing there at the moment to be seen. It’s trusting Him. 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