Knowing God

In His Presence

“And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way…”  Luke 24:32 (KJV)

 After experiencing the presence of the Lord, it is hard to return to “business as usual.”  As His truth and righteousness burn in our hearts, we leave renewed and ready to follow the path He has designed for our life. 

In His presence, Peter, James and John experienced the transfiguration of Christ (Matt. 17:1-13).  They were so astonished with what they saw and heard that they desired to build a tabernacle to glorify the Lord.  These disciples came desiring to be part of Jesus’ “in crowd” but left instead as witnesses of the Christ (Acts 1:8). 

 In His presence, the Samaritan woman found the chance for a new beginning (John 4).  Often ostracized and demeaned by both men and women, this woman was offered refreshment that satisfied the soul’s true thirst—unconditional love and forgiveness.  The woman at the well came desiring physical water but found instead a Savior and everlasting life (John 4:14).   

 In His presence, Zacchaeus initially came as a seeker (Luke 19:2).  He hoped to merely catch a glimpse of this great prophet.  Imagine Zacchaeus’ (and the hypocritical observers’) surprise with Jesus’ invitation to “abide” at his home.   Zacchaeus came to observe from a tree but became the object of Jesus’ attention and the “poster child” for true reconciliation. (Luke 19:9)

 We often come into God’s presence unknowingly like the woman at the well.  Other times, we are like Zacchaeus, very intentional in our desire to see the glory of the Lord.  Regardless of how we come into His presence, it is important that we leave changed for the better and ready to accomplish the purpose He has established for our life. 

 Good to the Last Byte…

We often face obstacles that hinder our ability to come into God’s presence.  Don’t let the distractions of this world or the deception of Satan keep you from the best God has for you.  “…in your presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore (Ps. 16:11).

Knowing God

Practicing the Presence of God

“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?”  Psalm 139:7 (NKJ)

What exactly is meant by the phrase, “practicing the presence of God”?  In pursuit of an answer to that question, I found the best definitions from two renowned practitioners of this spiritual habit.  Following are their responses for your consideration. 

 “…to acknowledge the Presence of God who is really there is actually a form of prayer, a way of praying always as the Scriptures exhort us to do.  When we do this, the eyes and ears of our hearts are open to receive the word He is always speaking.  We enter into a path of obedience perhaps unknown to us before where we joyfully acknowledge, ‘Jesus is Lord.’   

Leanne Payne, The Healing Presence

 “…continual conversation with Him, with freedom and in simplicity.  That we need only to recognize God intimately present with us, to address ourselves to Him every moment, that we may beg His assistance for knowing His will in things doubtful, and for rightly performing those which we plainly see He requires of us, offering them to Him before we do them, and giving Him thanks when we have done.” 

Brother Lawrence, Practicing the Presence of God  

 Practicing the presence of God is built on several foundational truths about God and His relationship with believers. 

 1)      God lives within us.  “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” 1 Cor. 3:16.  Before returning to His Father, Jesus promised to send “another Comforter” that would abide with them forever (John 14:16).  That Comforter was the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity.  He guides believers in all truth—truth that He hears from the Father (John 16:13). 

2)      God desires to communicate with us.   “Then God went up from him in the place where He talked with him.” Genesis 35:13.  God is not some distant deity disinterested in His children’s daily affairs.  We cry “Abba Father” (Gal. 4:6) knowing He hears our every word; in response we are to listen intently as He directs us:  “this is the way walk in it” (Isa. 30:21).  Communication between the Father and His children result in unity of thought and agreement in purpose.   

 3)     God wishes to be in relationship with us.  “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” James 4:8a.  It has always been God’s desire to be in unbroken fellowship with man.  By instituting His plan of salvation, He created the means by which that which was lost in the Garden of Eden could be restored.  Now reconciled to God (Col. 1:20-21), man is once again free to fellowship with his Creator. 

 Jesus Christ was the greatest practitioner of living in the presence of God.  Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus synchronized His every move based on what He heard from His Father (John 5:30).  Living in continual communion with God, Jesus modeled the power of practicing the presence.     With these definitions and truths in hand, the spiritual reality of practicing the presence of God releases His fullness into the believer’s life.  There is peace, joy and love in abundance.   In unhindered communion with God, believers are able to live life more victoriously.    

 Good to the Last Byte…

In practicing the presence of God, believers live moment to moment in awareness and acknowledgement of God’s presence.  Awareness of God’s presence means that in our heart, we proclaim Christ is Lord.  In Him “we live, and move, and have our being” (Acts 17:28).   Acknowledgement of God’s presence means that we live our life attentively listening to His voice.  We live in unbroken communication with Him—“He in us and we in Him” (John 17:23).   

Spiritual Maturity

Are You Overcome or an Overcomer?

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“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world. even our faith.” 1 John 5:4

The vision of In the Word Ministries is: “Equipping People to Live Victoriously.” Victorious doesn’t mean that, as believers we walk around oblivious to the challenges of this life. Nor does it mean that we don’t experience discouragement or disappointment. Living victorious involves an acknowledgement that God has provided us that “special power” to sustain us through our darkest hour so that we finish our race well (2 Timothy 4:7).

I heard a minister comment that believers should never be in despair. Despair indicates a point where there is no hope … no way out. Whether I agree with his point of view isn’t important but I do know these two things. Satan using negative circumstances (problems) in our life to: (1) weaken our trust in God and, 2) ruin our testimony. We don’t like problems. They are uncomfortable, inconvenient. and unnerving. But Jesus said, “In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

“Tribulations” are those negative circumstances that cause us problems and pain. Tribulations can range from relationships that don’t work to misfortune that persists. “The world” is the physical realm in which we operate. ‘It is the social system including its various economies and influences. Now when Jesus tells us to be of “good cheer.” what exactly does He mean? And what does it mean to be an overcomer?

“Be of good cheer” infers that the believer can find confidence in an outcome which God has already seen in their life. There are no surprises. He makes all things work together for good and His purpose (Rom. 8:28)–even those “things” which aren’t of His initial choosing.

“I have overcome” is a strong declaration by Jesus that, His work of the Cross has proven His ability to bring into His control those things that might be overwhelming to us. The verb tense is one showing completed action–I have “already” overcome. It is a completed action that is now ours to take. He knows what concerns us and how to deliver us (2 Peter 2:9).

Knowing the end of a story often helps to relieve the stress of anticipating its outcome. Revelation 12:11 gives us the closing chapter on Satan and all problems he causes in “this world”. In the end, God overcomes and solidifies our ultimate triumph. So next time you come across a problem that appears to be winning “the battle,” remember who has already “won the war.”

God's Word

Myths, Lies, and Misunderstandings, Part 3

We will close our last session on “Myths, Lies, and Misunderstandings” by discussing “some truths” that keep people from reading the Bible.
 
 
Truths-in accordance with experience, facts, or reality  
 
 
Truth #1 The Bible is written just for Christians
 
 
While anyone can read the Bible their understanding may not have the same impact as with a believer. The believer’s understanding or revelation of the Bible’s meaning is aided by the Holy Spirit, who comes to reside in the believer when they accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  Paul speaks of it as “Spiritual Wisdom or Discernment”
 
 
1 Corinthians 2:13-15 (NLT)   When we tell you this, we do not use words of human wisdom. We speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit's words to explain spiritual truths.  But people who aren't Christians can't understand these truths from God's Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them because only those who have the Spirit can understand what the Spirit means.  We who have the Spirit understand these things, but others can't understand us at all.  
 
 
The Bible is the written record God has preserved for the express purpose of revealing Himself to His people.  It is through His Word that He build a relationship with us and shares His purpose for our life. As you read the Bible, you gain not only an understanding of God’s ways but also begin to change your thoughts and action.  Believers in reading His Word become transformed by the renewing of their mind (Romans 12:2) and conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:20).
 
 
 
Truth #2   I don’t have to read the Bible if I’m a Christian—there are other sources of truth and moral truth and instruction.
 
 
This is true statement, but the Bible is the “primary source of truth” God has provided for believers.  Here are some “truth statements” from the Bible which support my statement.
 
 
John 17:17   “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”   Word is interpreted   “logos” which is defined as the word spoken or written.  The Word is also a title for Christ emphasizing His own deity and communication of who God is and what He is like. 
 
 
Romans 12:2  “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-- his good, pleasing and perfect will.” When we saturate ourselves with God’s Word, our thoughts will gradually begin to follow the pattern of God’s way, rather than the world’s. 
 
 
Luke 11:28   He (Jesus) replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it."
 
 
Kay Arthur, renowned author and Bible teacher, stated it best this way:
 
 
“Understanding God’s Word is not enough.  It must be energized by the Holy Spirit in the believer’s heart and life.”  
 
 
I love studying and teaching God’s Word for it is the source of life and freedom.  It gives me great joy and is a privilege to invite you to begin reading your Bible—it is there that you will hear from the Master Himself about Who He is and the wonderful plans He has for your life:
 
 
Jeremiah 29:11-13   For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Knowing God

Love’s Holy Enabler

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And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.  Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him.  And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.  1 John 3:23-24 (NKJV)

It is not always easy for believers to exhibit “agape” love.    Agape love is more than an emotional response.  It is an intentional act of one’s will.  This type of love demands that believers do what’s best for others.  It values and esteems, unselfishly ready to serve (John 15:13; 1 John 3:16, 17).   In 1 Corinthians 13, the Apostle Paul describes agape love “in action”: Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.   Love never fails.  

But what about that person who abuses you or maligns your reputation?  Jesus’ teaching on love directs believers to not only love our enemies, but also “bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matt. 5:44).  Love, bless, do good, AND pray?  Is this a difficult request?  Yes but not impossible.   Our ability to love as God commands is NOT natural; it can only be accomplished “supernaturally” through the enabling of the Holy Spirit.  How does that happen?

When the Holy Spirit takes residence in the believer’s life at conversion, He begins to conform the believer to the image of Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:29); this includes instilling in them the desire to obey His commandments: I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. (Ezekiel 36:27)

As the believer’s personal relationship with the Lord grows (through prayer, reading God’s Word, and meditation), the Holy Spirit enables the believer to better express agape love.  Love is the “first fruit” of the Spirit (Gal. 5: 22).  It is God’s Spirit abiding within us that enables us to love like God.  “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God and God in Him” (1 John 4:16).

Good to the Last Byte… 

In the past, God has directed me to pray for people who have not treated me very nicely.  I asked, “Why me? He didn’t answer.”  And what were the results?  Did the person treat me better?  No but being obedient to His directive resulted in new freedom and personal insight about the Holy Spirit’s awesome power.   In His power, I could see that person as God did and love them (Rom. 5:8).   In His power, I learned I can do things that seem impossible in my “natural strength”.  God is faithful to His promise when He said, “I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Is. 41:10).

Our Faith Walk

Do Men and Women Sin Differently?

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In the latest Barna study, the data was put forward that for the most part, men and women admit to being tempted by the same things at about the same level.  There are a few temptations that seem to affect men and women differently.
 On the men list
  •  Pornography (28% versus women 8%)
 On  the women list
  •  Gossiping or saying mean things about others (29% versus men 22%)
  •  Jealousy or envy (68% versus men 20%)
  •  Eating too much  (58% versus men 52%)
  • Spending more money than you have or can afford (39% women versus men 32%)
 I personally think eating and spending more money are really close and should be called a “temptation tie.”
Our Faith Walk

The Top Lessons GOD Taught Me in 2012

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God is the greatest teacher in the universe.  He began when He walked with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.  I can image He shared with them what He wanted them to know about Himself along with how He wanted them to behavior while living in the garden.  The most painful and consequential lesson was what obedience looked like.  Adam and Eve learned that lesson the hard way!
God continues to teach us today.  He uses our life experiences and relationships to conform us to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29), to transform our minds (2 Cor. 3:18), and to renew us in knowledge of Him (Col. 3:10).   God also teaches us through the tutorledge of His Holy Spirit, who lives within us (John 16:13).
As I reflect on 2012, I am always obligated to assess my spiritual growth the past year.  To that end, God has put it on my heart to develop a list of the “Top Lessons God Taught Me in 2012.” While I didn’t initially assign a “specific number”, it did result in a list of 20 items–and the list continues to grow.  For the purposes of “sharing” I will list my top 10 items.  It’s been fun reviewing the Scripture God has led me to memorize and become part of my personal “rhema.”

  1. What it means to forgive. 
  2. How to prayer daily for those who “do spitefully use and mistreat you.”
  3. The value of Christian community (outside your local church)
  4. I don’t have to have it “my way”!
  5. What it means to love like God.
  6. Daring to believe God for greater things than I can imagine.
  7. How extraordinary the gift of salvation really is and to read Scripture about it daily.
  8. God’s Word is the final word.
  9. What submission to God’s will looks like. 
  10. Learning to silence myself, listen for God and follow His leading.   
 Like Paul, “I do  not claim to have apprehended.” (Phil. 3:13) I will continue to embrace these lessons and learn from them until either The Rapture or God calls me to heaven.  Now it’s your turn.  We will make it easy only asking for three bt feel free to further expand your list for your own “spiritual review of 2012.”
Knowing God

The Timeless Cross

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F.B. Meyer

As we closed 2012, there are still those things which time cannot contain or engineer.  It is the magnificent Cross of Jesus Christ.  With an eye on 2013, enjoy these God inspired words of hope and power from F. B. Meyer concerning the “Timeless Cross.”


“How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”   Hebrews 9:14  (KJV)
What is the meaning of that great word eternal? Too often it is employed as though it were synonymous with everlasting. But the two words stand for two very different things. Everlasting conveys the idea of the duration of time; whereas eternal stands for the quality and character of the existence referred to which is absolutely timeless.  The eternal is that which is not measured by duration, which has I no succession of years, which cannot be described as past or future. It is the dateless present, and can only be used, therefore, of God, the I AM, because He lives in the eternal now. He never was and never will be anything that He is not at this present moment, and only that which partakes of His Being can be termed eternal.  
 When, therefore, we are told that our Lord offered Himself to God through the Eternal Spirit, we must believe that in the Cross there was this element of Timelessness. Our Lord was the Lamb slain from before the foundation of the world (Rev. 13:8). The Cross of Christ has been contemporaneous with all the generations of mankind, and it is this attribute of Timelessness which gives the Cross its perennial power. There is a sense in which Christ is always being wounded by our transgressions, bruised by our iniquities, chastised for our peace, and bearing the stripes that procure our healing.
The Cross of Christ stands with open arms to welcome every sinful soul. The nails are not rusted or blunted by the years that have passed since they were driven into the flesh of Christ our Lord. And as we humble ourselves, and submit our proud and selfish soul-life to be nailed with Him to the Cross, in the power of the Eternal Spirit, out of suffering comes life to those to whom we minister, as we serve the Living God, and we can say with the Apostle: “Death worketh in us, but life in you.” (2 Cor. 4:10-12).
 PRAYER:  We bless Thee, Lord Jesus, that Thou didst not withhold Thyself from the Cross. Enable us by the Eternal Spirit to surrender our life to Calvary, that Thy risen life may become manifest in our mortal flesh.
Knowing God

Meeting God in the Psalms

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If you’re like me, there are certain books of the Bible which hold a fond spot in your heart. In the New Testament, my favorites are Romans, Hebrew, and both letters to the church at Corinth.  I like these books because they communicate God’s indescribable love for sinful man and our desperate need for His grace.  In the Old Testament, my favorites are Isaiah and the Psalms.  Both books bestow comfort and reassurance to my spirit.  The Psalms, which I call the “Songbook of the Soul”, provide spiritual context for my daily activities.  God “meets me” in the Psalms.   Here are a few of our “favorite meeting places.”  
Psalm 4:8             “I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.”  Dangers and perils are ever present in our community; when I pray “deliver me from evil” I can safely rest knowing He is with me.  I am never alone.  His eye is continuallyon me—He is my peace. 

Psalms 42:1         “As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God.”   When my life becomes hectic and crazy with the events of living, I thirst for the Lord.  He is my release and my relief.  He provides the basics of life—He is my living water.
Psalm 62:1          “Truly my soul silently waits for God; From Him comes my salvation.”  To silently wait is a personal challenge for me.   My flesh wants what it wants right now.  God is teaching me to depend on Him for all my needs—He is faithful and dependable.
Psalm 66:2b        “Make His praise glorious.”  All things are created by Him and there is no other like Him.  My praise to Him acknowledges His universal Lordship.  He deserves praise and honor for His goodness and His greatness—He alone is worthy of my total loyalty and all my praise.    
Psalm 107:1        “Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!  For His mercy endures forever.”  If I lived a lifetime, there would not be sufficient time to thank God for all He has done, is doing, and will do for me How do I say thanks?  By living for Him daily—He is my God both now and through eternity.   
Where do you meet God?      
Knowing God

God’s Largesse and Bounty

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F.B. MEYER
 
“Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?  Behold, he smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed; Can he give bread also?  So they did eat, and were well filled.”  
Psalm 78:19, 20, 29  
This is always the cry of unbelief, Can God?  Whilst the triumphant assertion of faith is: God can. What a difference is wrought by the collocation of words!  Can God furnish a table in the wilderness? God can spread a table, even in the wilderness, and in the presence of our enemies our cup cam overflow.  Can he give bread also? He can satisfy the desire of every living thing, by the opening of His hand. Canst thou do anything for us; our child is grievously possessed of the devil? If thou do anything for us, our child is grievously possessed of the devil?  If thou do anything for us, our child is grievously possessed of the devil?  If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
The wanderings of the Israelites for forty years were due to the fact that they looked at their difficulties and questioned is God could overcome them. Amongst the people, only Caleb and Joshua looked away from the Canaanites and their fortified cities to Him who had brought them where they were and was pledged to extricate them. Some people speak of Giants with a capital G and forget to magnify the power of God. What wonder that they account themselves as grasshoppers and lose heart! Let us not forget that we are sons and daughters of God, “heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ (Compare Num. 13:33 and Rom. 8:17).
Look back on the past; see what God has done for you; remember He is pledged to finish what He has begun. If He gave water, He can certainly give bread.
“They did eat and were well filled.” When we are poor and needy, we are inclined to humble prayer. But if suddenly our lot is changed and there us abundance instead of poverty, how often there is a change in our demeanor. We are apt to become self-indulgent and forgetful of the needs of the world. Instead of remembering that we are still God pensioners, we magnify ourselves as though we were exclusively owners. Probably this is why God keep some of us in poverty, for no greater temptation could befall us than to find ourselves with riches. In this way he answers our daily prayer, “Lead us not into temptation!”

Prayer:  We thank Thee our heavenly father, for the new mercies of each returning day, for all that Thou hast given to us, and not less for that which Thou dost withhold.  May we be receptive of all things that pertain to life and godliness.  AMEN.