Experiencing The Presence of God

 

Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! (Psalm 34:8 ESV)

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." - John 15:4-5 ESV

Christianity is uniquely rational and mystical, historically accurate, and experiential. "Christ in you the hope of glory" is factual and can be perceived by our senses. All followers of Jesus have the spiritual capacity to "taste and see that the Lord is good."

The key to the Christian life is to stay connected to the Vine. The Apostle Paul writes: 

"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." - Colossians 3:1-4 ESV

 

Our spiritual life flourishes when we realize we are in Christ and Christ is in us. The truth of being in Christ is both biblical and experiential. We can't earn God's manifest presence; we can only position ourselves spiritually to perceive Him.

A mind focused on Christ will attract the presence of the Holy Spirit. 

 

"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." - Psalm 16:11 ESV

Joy can't be learned or earned; it can only be experienced. Joy is one of the benefits of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. 

"These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full." (John 15:11 ESV)

God gives us the means to experience his presence.

Some warn against meditation and contemplation, and rightly so. It's possible to fall into error if we lack truth and sound doctrine. Meditating on the truth of Scripture and praying it back to God (not emptying your mind) is a safe passage into God's presence. The focus of our meditation is Scripture. Our contemplation is on God himself. Meditation should lead to contemplation. Taking Communion (also referred to as the Eucharist)  deepens our experience with Christ.

Contemplating the cross of Christ, with the sobering realization that our sins necessitated his sacrifice, is a profound truth. Jesus is our source of strength, and the cross serves as his means to transform us. When we embrace it daily, the power of the cross revolutionizes our lives. On a practical level, the transformation into Christ-likeness is a lifelong process.

My Prayer:

"As the deer pants for the water brooks,
So pants my soul for You, O God." - Psalm 42:1

Wesley’s “Rules of the Band-Societies,” December 25, 1738.

John Wesley wrote his "Rules of the Band-societies," in 1738. Putting these rules into practice in Church small groups might be a good idea! Accountability and transparency among believers are needed like never before. It may seem a bit strict or legalistic to the modern mind. But why not try it? It could be life-changing. It could help us become more like Jesus. 

"The band meeting, a proven discipleship model for growing in love through the accountability of small, same-gender groups, was one of the defining characteristics of the Methodist movement started by John Wesley in the mid-1700s. In reflection on Wesley’s class meeting and band meeting structure, George Whitfield once said, “My Brother Wesley acted wisely, the souls that were awakened under his ministry he joined in class, and thus preserved the fruits of his labor. This I neglected, and my people are a rope of sand.”  - www.seedbed.com

                 John Wesley's Rules

"The design of our meeting is, to obey that command of God, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.”

To this end, we intend –

1. To meet once a week, at the least.
2. To come punctually at the hour appointed, without some extraordinary reason.
3. To begin (those of us who are present) exactly at the hour, with singing or prayer.
4. To speak each of us in order, freely and plainly, the true state of our souls, with the faults we have committed in thought, word, or deed, the temptations we have felt, since our last meeting.
5. To end every meeting with prayer, suited to the state of each person present.
6. To desire some person among us to speak his own state first, and then to ask the rest, in order, as many and as searching questions as may be, concerning their state, sins, and temptations.

Some of the questions proposed to every one before he is admitted among us may be to this effect: —

1. Have you the forgiveness of your sins?
2. Have you peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ?
3. Have you the witness of God’s Spirit with your spirit, that you are a child of God?
4. Is the love of God shed abroad in your heart?
5. Has no sin, inward or outward, dominion over you?
6. Do you desire to be told of your faults?
7. Do you desire to be told of all your faults, and that plain and home?
8. Do you desire that every one of us should tell you, from time to time, whatsoever is in his heart concerning you?
9. Consider! Do you desire we should tell you whatsoever we think, whatsoever we fear, whatsoever we hear, concerning you?
10. Do you desire that, in doing this, we should come as close as possible, that we should cut to the quick, and search your heart to the bottom?
11. Is it your desire and design to be on this, and all other occasions, entirely open, so as to speak everything that is in your heart without exception, without disguise, and without reserve?

Any of the preceding questions may be asked as often as occasion offers; the four following at every meeting: —

1. What known sins have you committed since our last meeting?
2. What temptations have you met with?
3. How were you delivered?
4. What have you thought, said, or done, of which you doubt whether it be sin or not?
5. Is there anything you desire to keep secret?" 

I'm Groaning

 The Scripture:

For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." - Romans 8:22-26  ESV

Reflection:

Is it just me? Is it just my age? Or is anyone else groaning?  What about creation?

The answer is yes to all of the above questions. There is a lot of groaning - Scripture says that all creation is groaning.  We groan in our physical bodies and long to be "swallowed up" in immorality.

There is a heaviness in the air. Real opposition.

It is the world, the flesh, and the devil (in collusion) bringing depression and hopelessness to the inhabitants of the earth. The heaviness that the enemy of our soul brings is to keep us from completing the assignment God has given to his children to accomplish. 

The Apostle Paul wrote; "So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day." - 2 Corinthians 4:16 ESV

Whatever else predestination means - it means God has a people. A people being conformed to the image of Jesus and doing good works. 

Our assignment is to bring the values and ethics of Jesus to those around us. I have failed at this often.

Only spiritually transformed people (not perfect) can advance God's agenda on earth.

Transformation only comes to those who have the joy of the LORD through fellowship with the Father and the Son.

God wants to be known, loved, and valued. While He is not lonely he desires our company. Our time with Him in prayer empowers us to live a life pleasing to him and beneficial to those around us.

He reveals himself to those who humble themselves and acknowledge their spiritual poverty. Only through God's Word and Presence can this transformation take place. 

It's still possible to seek Him. As long as we have breath - it's not too late. 

Salvation is in Jesus alone. (John 14:6) Our hope is in Jesus the King who will return to set up his Kingdom and restore the earth to its original purpose. 

All things will be summed up in Christ - the maker of Heaven and Earth.

Scripture To Meditate On:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,

    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." - Matthew 5:3 NIV

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." - Ephesians 2:10 ESV

"For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers." - Romans 8:29 ESV

"When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”

“O death, where is your victory?

O death, where is your sting?” - 1 Corinthians 15:54-55 ESV

" For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.  And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.  And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent." -  Colossians 1:16-18 ESV

"Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea." - Revelation 21:1 ESV

Formed By The Presence

 

The Quote:

"Our hearts need to come to the fixed conclusion that God is everywhere present - that He is more real than the things we may think of as "real" and is deeply and utterly committed to our transformation into the image of His beloved Son. Any Christianity that embraces a less-integrated worldview is rendered increasingly powerless. It is a Christianity whose God exists only in an abstract sense. Such a life is madness in the end. It cannot but be encumbered with doubt while fostering opinion and argument in the place of faith. The result is an intellectualized faith (however simple or sophisticated), always driven by culture, either in ignorant subservience or in whatever form its political masters direct for the "culture wars." What Christianity in its various secularized forms has not done and cannot do is to produce true culture. The production of culture is not the goal of the Christian faith, but a faith that is truly integrated and grounded in the God who is everywhere present cannot help but produce culture - for it produces a whole humanity. (1)

My Thoughts:

How we think about and interact with God determines how we live life. God is committed to our transformation into Christ-likeness. The things we speak and the actions we take come from our hearts. I hear very little about the awareness of God's omnipresence and our transformation into the image of His Son as the answer to our cultural meltdown. 

I fear many evangelicals have "kissed the ring" of political power to the detriment of the Gospel message. A secularized form of Christianity is weak and non-efective. 

Moral transformation only becomes a reality for those who - have been formed by the Presence of God. There is no division between the secular and sacred for those who acknowledge His presence. 

The Holy Spirit is here, among us now.

 God is not "the man upstairs" - He is ever present.

Scriptures For Meditation:

"Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. - Colossians 3:2-4 ESV 

 "Do not conform 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." - Romans 12:2

"Where shall I go from your Spirit?

    Or where shall I flee from your presence?

If I ascend to heaven, you are there!

    If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!

If I take the wings of the morning

    and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

 even there your hand shall lead me,

    and your right hand shall hold me." - Psalm 139: 7-10

"Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” - John 18:36

(1) Every Where Present, Stephen Freeman, pages 95-96.

Abiding In The Vine

 

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:1-5, ESV)

Those who abide in the vine have rock-solid faith. Their faith is demonstrated by loving God and loving others. Spiritual nourishment comes from the Son of God himself. They can say of Jesus what the apostle Thomas said, “my Lord and my God.” Discipleship is simply following and obeying Jesus. 

The disciple is in-dwelt by the Holy Spirit and desires to be holy like God. Seeking to follow Jesus in our own power produces frustration, guilt, shame, and legalism.

Without the abiding presence of the Paraclete (Holy Spirit), we can do nothing. While salvation is a free gift, the life of overcoming power promised to us is only given to those who are obedient. Abiding and obeying go hand and hand. A deep sense of joy is available to those who delight in God. 

Jesus did not only come to take us to heaven when we die but to give us the fullness of joy now, even as we experience tribulation in this world. 

The Father prunes those who belong to him. So that we can stay spiritually healthy and connected to Jesus. 

He is the life-giving Vine.