Chapter 7 Questions1. Which is more constant, the presence of God or the evidence of His presence?
2. Is your enjoyment in God's presence increasing or decreasing?
3. What is the most satisfying part of your relationship with God?
I guess I believe that both the presence of God and the evidence of His Presence are constant in my life. It is the lack of evidence that causes me great distress in the times in which we are living and me being away from the comforts of USA home and in a foreign country makes this a daily need for me.
I agree with what Beth wrote when she says that "sometimes we receive the most benefit from seeing many visible "prints" of His invisible hands during a difficult season." And also that at "Other Times we profit most from seeing fewer evidences." I realize that God does not love me less but desires me to grow and walk by faith, yet because of my own inadequacies or insecurities, that lack causes me to feel as if God has rejected me for "something" and I'm off on a wild goose chase searching for who knows what, when my faith should lead me. I know that I cannot rely on my feelings but I know that I must admit that is my biggest downfall even with God. He knows that... ohhh, yes, He knows that ever so well. Rejection and rebellion are my biggest pit problems.
I clearly know that God's Presence is an absolute fact, even when I was in the darkest places of my life...sadly He was there with me, I brought Him there. I invited Him along with me and acted as if He wasn't there and did not know me. But He did and He does, even better than I know myself. I rejoice so much more now to now that He goes with me to the mountaintops and through the valleys and I no longer fear but gladly accept His companionship.
I enjoy knowing that when I'm alone driving or even living here, He is my fresh breath of each day. I dive into His Presence now more than ever. I was ready long ago and accepted His ever-abiding Presence. I want to abide in Him and desire for Him to abide in me. I can ever so gladly declare like Beth that "He is the absolute JOY of my life... I love loving Him!" He gets me! Beth says, "He works for me." When I read Beth's words I enthusiastically agreed, YES... that's how it is and not anything to do with sounding proud of our relationship with God... but I heard Beth's heart and knew that indeed this is the greatest JOY and she was speaking my heart. Inside of me, even did a little leap of JOY, Beth enjoys His aMazing grace like me!!!
My enjoyment in God's Presence has been steadily increasing since 1990! Yes, there have been waves of higher corporal enjoyment mostly in my home church but my personal times with Our Lord have been much more intimate since my life and way was focused on Him and His way. I rely on Him and must sense His Presence to be able to move under and with His Presence wherever He sends me.
My prayer and worship time have increasingly become the most satisfying part. There is nothing like a dialog or communication with God through His Word or confirmed in your life. These songs just come from within me as I wrote this and they burst forth as I'm in His Presence! First one and then the next and then IN YOUR PRESENCE, the final one... so you may choose, or allow these videos to walk you into His Presence and know that you belong there... and He waits... (I think the last one is my favorite... if my tears of JOY count)
COME WITH ME INTO THE SANCTUARY
OF HIS PRESENCE
Dwelling daily in Your presence
I don't want to worship from afar
Draw me near to where You are
I just want to be where You are
In Your dwelling place forever
Take me to the place where You are
I just want to be with You
I want to be where You are
Dwelling in Your presence
Feasting at Your table
Surrounded by Your glory
In Your presence
That's where I always want to be
I just want to be
I just want to be with You
Oh my God
You are my strength and my song
And when I'm in Your presence
Though I'm weak You're always strong
Chapter 7 Questions
ReplyDelete1. Which is more constant, the presence of God or the evidence of His presence?
2. Is your enjoyment in God's presence increasing or decreasing?
3. What is the most satisfying part of your relationship with God?
1. Which is more constant, the presence of God or the evidence of His presence?
ReplyDeleteI'd have to say they're both there all the time. However, the way I perceive His presence varies all the time depending on my feelings or my circumstances. Then again, the evidence of His presence is all around us IF we take the time to look for it. It's in our relationships, our surroundings, in the thousand little things we take for granted like food, sunshine, animals, etc.
2. Is your enjoyment in God's presence increasing or decreasing?
Oh definitely increasing - absolutely getting better! The older I get, the more I appreciate what God has done for me, and the more I feel closer to Him. I have grown in my knowledge ABOUT Him, and therefore, have grown in my relationship WITH Him.
3. What is the most satisfying part of your relationship with God?
Being able to serve Him - with my gifts and talents, with my money, with my time - giving back a small portion of the wonderfully gracious things He has given me. Also, just talking about Him to others brings me great joy.
Thanks, Peggy - GOD BLESS!