In His Presence

Everyday this week I've gotten up before the wife and kids and spent time in the living room beside the window with my bible and a cup of coffee (good combination). The reason I'm sharing this with you is because I've gotten away from my personal morning devotion (only human!) and have only been relying on my studies for sermons to be my "personal devotion". It's not supposed to work that way! We have to have a time of personal reflection, of personal commitment, of personal time in His presence with our own individual lives in order to find the graces and mercy of God. We often forget what it means to have a "personal relationship" with Jesus.

Oswald Chambers said, "Get into the habit of dealing with God about everything. Unless, in the first waking moment of the day you learn to fling the door wide back and let God in, you will work on a wrong level all day. But, swing the door wide open and pray to your Father in secret, and every public thing will be stamped with the presence of God." I like the first sentence in this comment, get into the habit of dealing with God about everything. I think there is a lot of truth to that because when we get into a habit about something, it becomes who and what we are and we need to become people that walk in the presence of God with everything about us.

Let me share with you a devotion from Once a Day Every Day that lines up with this:
"Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast." Psalm 139:7-10

If God is everywhere, why does He sometimes seem so far away? The answer to the question, of course, has nothing to do with God and everything to do with us. When we begin each day on our knees, in praise and worship to Him, God often seems very near indeed. But, if we ignore God's presence or rebel against it, the world in which we live becomes a spiritual wasteland. Today, and every day, thank God and praise Him. He is the Giver of all things good. Wherever you are, whether you are happy or sad, victorious or vanquished, celebrate God's presence. And be comforted, for He is here.

Practice being in His presence in your life today!