So today we will be learning on “The presence of GOD”
I would like to begin with a question…..
what is the presence of God
Another question,what happens in the presence of God? in your perspective?
I would say the presence of God is a setting where by you can encounter God,a close place with Him And at this place is where you find freedom,joy,comfort,deliverance,name them…the goodness of God,where his power and glory is manifest
It is true that you cannot know God if you have not encountered Him
Meaning if you cannot recognize the presence of God,you have not encountered him And you do not know Him
May be you know about Him,theories on him or testimonials but no encounter…
..which is not enough
you must taste of Him to become of full knowledge is this true and are we together?
We should also know that there are some things that enhance the presence of God just as there things that separate us from the presence of God
This is in Adam’s and Eve’s case,they hid from the presence of God…..why?they had landed themselves in sin,and sin was separating them from the presence of God
so sin is one Of the things that can separate us from the presence of God,and the vice versa is true too
Meaning staying out of sin is key for us to experience the presence of God inorder to have a continual unbroken experience in the presence of God you have to keep away from sin
We know that God has promised always to be with us,but often we’re not aware of his constant presence in our lives….right?
so what do you do when you feel you are not in the presence of God,when you feel He is not near you?and what will be happening ?
Because God has promised to be with us,this means His light is always shining upon us,and when we feel we are not in the light,it does not mean God is not there….it means we are in a wrong place,say a place of darkness…..God is still there,you are the one in a wrong place….a place of sin is what will make make you hid from the presence of God…..is this right?
This brings us to what can we do in pursuit of God’s presence ,what can we do to maintain and cultivate God’s presence
1.Repentance – repent of your sins and return back to your creator,sin is key in cutting you off from the presence of God
2.Let go of whatever is distracting you from giving God your full attention,what is making you land into sin and draw away….let it go
3.Be open to the works of the Holy Spirit,after Jesus ascended to heaven he left us the Holy Spirit,who is our helper in everything….including helping us in knowing who God is and how He works.If you cannot embrace the holy spirit it is difficult to understand how God works
4.Fervent and Frequent prayer….you cannot know know someone you talk to,someone you relate with one on one,you will encounter God in prayer
KJV Bible. Colossians 4:12-13 [12]Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. [13]For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis. Daniel 6:10 When Daniel learned that the decree had been signed and posted, he continued to pray just as he had always done. His house had windows in the upstairs that opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he knelt there in prayer, thanking and praising his God
Labouring fervently for you in prayers…note that Daniel used to pray,giving thanks three times a day
5.The word of God….the only way to understand God is through his word,He is the word….have a relationship with your Bible an respect it,through His work you gain knowledge,with knowledge you cannot perish…because you will be rebuked,balanced and shown a way forward providing answers to your all life issues
Deut 6:4-9,Joshua 1:8
Josh.1.8 – This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success.
6.Obedience
After you repenting and turning around ,this should lead to obedience,no turning back,obedience….daily walk in holiness and surrender to Christ,remember God draws to the righteous…..why did you even repent if there will be no change and walking in obedience towards the right path?
7.Perseverance….Be focused and diligent on seeking after God,persevere in your hunt for God,day in day out,months,years,decades…..seek until you find,knock until the door is opened
Do not give up on God,remember He is always there for you,He will never leave even when you thinK you have hit a dead end…He will never give up on you so do the same….Be a steward