God's Presence
November 2012
"Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”
Exodus 33:15-16
My prayer for the last couple of weeks has been to experience God's presence on a greater level. God then led me to Exodus 33:15 which says,"And Moses said to the Lord, If Your presence does not go with me, do not carry us up from here!" What a bold, strong, and confident declaration! I tell you, this adamant statement to God from Moses has stayed in my spirit for weeks. Lately, God has been heavy on my heart to pray that His will be done in my life and to trust and find rest in Who He is. "The will of God...nothing more, nothing less, NOTHING ELSE," is what God wants my motto to be. A few days ago while I was praying about the different opportunities that have been presented to me post-graduation, God asked me, "If my presence is not there, will you still go?" Sometimes we get so excited about the many doors opening that we not only forget to consult with God, but we forget to desire His presence more than anything in this world! I don't know about you, but I don't want "it" (a man, a friend, an opportunity etc.) if God did not give it and I don't want to go "there" if God's presence is absent. I admire Moses for this bold declaration because it teaches me so much. The example that Moses set in Exodus 33:15 and Elisah set in 2 Kings 2:9 where he only desired a "double portion of His spirit to be upon him," shows me that more than we desire anything in this world...we must desire Christ and His presence more! One thing is for sure walking with God and experiencing His presence in the day-in/day-out course of life will swell your assurance that God is faithful and enjoyable; request met or unmet. Matter of fact, the moment you get into the presence of God, you will be satisfied. He is more than enough for you. He will take care of every facet of your life. Your satisfaction is not based on what you have or don't have, but on your fellowship with God! So you may be asking...."What is the big deal? Why do I need God's presence in my life?" Moses in Exodus 33:16 answers your question. "How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?” Wow! This completely got me! How will others who don't know Christ come to know Christ if His presence is not with me? My educational status won't distinguish me, my relationship status won't distinguish me, my "words" won't distinguish me, my past, present, or future won't distinguish me.....BUT the presence of Christ in my life will distinguish me from all the other people on the face of this earth! You see, I don't just want to be a Christian who "knows of" God or can just quote scriptures: NOPE!! I want to be a woman that has the very presence of God operating in her life. A popular quote says, "Preach the Gospel and if necessary use words." You preach the Gospel when you not only talk like Christ, but walk like and with Christ! You preach the Gospel when others who come into your presence can sense the very presence of God because of your committed relationship with Christ! Whew! Self-check time! I know for sure that God's presence can and will change lives! Matter of fact, it is impossible to be in the presence of Jesus and not be changed! Hallelujah! In His presence, there is joy in times of sadness and sorrow, there is love in times of hate, and there is armor in times that we are in need of protection and peace in times of extreme anxiety and stress! Friend, let your prayer from here on out be to experience God's presence! We must make it our life's purpose to major in the grace of God. Focus on the cross of Christ. Grow fluent in the language of redemption and faith. Linger long at the foot of the cross. And immerse ourselves in the curriculum of God's love! We must stay in the place or go to the place where God's presence abides. Where His presence abides is a place where his anointing and appointing resides. That place is a place of power, provision, protection, peace, and PURPOSE! It's time that we as Christians desire Christ more than anything that this world has to offer! Knowing that God will not only take care of us, but that we will also be completely pleased and satisfied in Him! Today, no matter what, be like Moses and say,"God if Your presence does not go...neither will I! Where You go, I'll go. Where You stay, I'll stay. Where You move, I'll move. I WILL FOLLOW YOU! Be blessed!
Exodus 33:15-16
My prayer for the last couple of weeks has been to experience God's presence on a greater level. God then led me to Exodus 33:15 which says,"And Moses said to the Lord, If Your presence does not go with me, do not carry us up from here!" What a bold, strong, and confident declaration! I tell you, this adamant statement to God from Moses has stayed in my spirit for weeks. Lately, God has been heavy on my heart to pray that His will be done in my life and to trust and find rest in Who He is. "The will of God...nothing more, nothing less, NOTHING ELSE," is what God wants my motto to be. A few days ago while I was praying about the different opportunities that have been presented to me post-graduation, God asked me, "If my presence is not there, will you still go?" Sometimes we get so excited about the many doors opening that we not only forget to consult with God, but we forget to desire His presence more than anything in this world! I don't know about you, but I don't want "it" (a man, a friend, an opportunity etc.) if God did not give it and I don't want to go "there" if God's presence is absent. I admire Moses for this bold declaration because it teaches me so much. The example that Moses set in Exodus 33:15 and Elisah set in 2 Kings 2:9 where he only desired a "double portion of His spirit to be upon him," shows me that more than we desire anything in this world...we must desire Christ and His presence more! One thing is for sure walking with God and experiencing His presence in the day-in/day-out course of life will swell your assurance that God is faithful and enjoyable; request met or unmet. Matter of fact, the moment you get into the presence of God, you will be satisfied. He is more than enough for you. He will take care of every facet of your life. Your satisfaction is not based on what you have or don't have, but on your fellowship with God! So you may be asking...."What is the big deal? Why do I need God's presence in my life?" Moses in Exodus 33:16 answers your question. "How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?” Wow! This completely got me! How will others who don't know Christ come to know Christ if His presence is not with me? My educational status won't distinguish me, my relationship status won't distinguish me, my "words" won't distinguish me, my past, present, or future won't distinguish me.....BUT the presence of Christ in my life will distinguish me from all the other people on the face of this earth! You see, I don't just want to be a Christian who "knows of" God or can just quote scriptures: NOPE!! I want to be a woman that has the very presence of God operating in her life. A popular quote says, "Preach the Gospel and if necessary use words." You preach the Gospel when you not only talk like Christ, but walk like and with Christ! You preach the Gospel when others who come into your presence can sense the very presence of God because of your committed relationship with Christ! Whew! Self-check time! I know for sure that God's presence can and will change lives! Matter of fact, it is impossible to be in the presence of Jesus and not be changed! Hallelujah! In His presence, there is joy in times of sadness and sorrow, there is love in times of hate, and there is armor in times that we are in need of protection and peace in times of extreme anxiety and stress! Friend, let your prayer from here on out be to experience God's presence! We must make it our life's purpose to major in the grace of God. Focus on the cross of Christ. Grow fluent in the language of redemption and faith. Linger long at the foot of the cross. And immerse ourselves in the curriculum of God's love! We must stay in the place or go to the place where God's presence abides. Where His presence abides is a place where his anointing and appointing resides. That place is a place of power, provision, protection, peace, and PURPOSE! It's time that we as Christians desire Christ more than anything that this world has to offer! Knowing that God will not only take care of us, but that we will also be completely pleased and satisfied in Him! Today, no matter what, be like Moses and say,"God if Your presence does not go...neither will I! Where You go, I'll go. Where You stay, I'll stay. Where You move, I'll move. I WILL FOLLOW YOU! Be blessed!
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