Matthew
28:20 “And surely I am
with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Believers
in Christ all need to learn the joy of practicing the presence of God. Hebrews
11:1 tells us that “faith is the
substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Living in
a material world, the Lord God is the “unseen” that created and controls the “seen”
scene, which is difficult wrap our minds around in a physical based world and
must be taken on faith, His loving holy Word and the fingerprint evidence. How
do we practice the presence of God? In Prayer anywhere, in worship, in devotional
reading and mediating on Holy Scripture, in Bible Study or Sunday School, in Christian
documentaries, stories and teachings in CD’s, DVD’s, books and electronic
devices … spending time with God. Then, like a needle on a compass, our mind is
free to return to return our thoughts to the Lord and the comforting
contentment of His holy Word, Will and Way with the help of the indwelling Holy
Spirit. We see the flesh, but we experience the Spirit. Galatians 5:16 speaks to
and explains about “walking in the Spirit”,
and the key is to remind ourselves of His Presence.
John 14:15-21 “If you love
me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you
another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of
truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor
knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I
will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the
world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you
also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and
you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is
the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and
I too will love them and show myself to them.”
Articles
state, but we can see daily, that we live in a very busy, hectic and stressful
era. However, stress is not due to what is outside of you. Technically speaking,
physiological or biological stress is an organism's response
to a “stressor”. It is not caused by the things that happen to us. It is
not your schedule. It is in our mind’s perspective. It is how we react to
situations, and nothing reduces stress like practicing the presence of God.
Knowing that God created it all, it all is in His almighty hands, that we are
His children/people and where we are going when this earthly life comes to an
end, produces a peaceful eternal outlook on life and living in the Christian
heart, mind and soul. Stressors become like water on a duck. We know, believe
and trust that God has it handled and He is with us always. What do you see in
those around you who don’t?
John
14:26-27 “The Advocate, the
Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all
things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I
leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world
gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
I
read that a 17th Century French monk, Brother Lawrence, learned about
“practicing the presence of God” in his life and wrote a magnificent book with
that title. It was just another way of talking about seeking the peace of God. He
found that perfect peace and tranquility on focusing upon the Lord God in every
experience and during hectic times experienced that peace through practicing
the presence of God. Brother Lawrence wrote: “The world appears very little to a soul that contemplates the greatness
of God. My business is to remain in the presence of God.”
So, today, no
matter how hectic it may get, remember to recognize the presence of the Lord
with you. We are not left alone; Jesus is with us always. Live like it! We need
to practice His presence at all times, every day, in every situation,
everywhere. Love, peace and joy are there.
In
Christ, Brian
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