http://youtu.be/psEGRkf3Nww - I just want to be where You are - Don Moen
I do just want to be with Jesus, walking daily in His Presence. I want to experience His closeness. I don't want to worship Him from a distance. I want to be so aware of His presence that I am in constant communion with Him. Every thought I have, every word I speak, every thing I do - everything weighed and measured beforehand in the knowledge that He is right next to me giving me the strength and wisdom to do what honors Him.
Psalm 84:10 NLT
A single day in your courts
is better than a thousand anywhere else!
I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God
than live the good life in the homes of the wicked.
I can't imagine how wonderful it would be to have that closeness every second of the day. I know it's mine for the taking. The Holy Spirit is living in me - I'm never far away from God. But because I fail to remember and to acknowledge His Presence, I don't get to enjoy that constant communion with my LORD. It's my failing - not HIS. HE is here with me always.
http://youtu.be/98nG3xH02wo - I know You're there - Casting Crowns
I'm not alone. NEVER EVER ALONE! God is with me everywhere I go. All I have to do is call on Him and listen for His voice. He is my safe place, my strong tower.
Proverbs 18:10 ESV
The name of the LORD is a strong tower;
the righteous man runs into it and is safe.
John 16
"I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. 5But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, 'Where are you going?' 6But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
12"I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
16 "A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me." 17So some of his disciples said to one another, "What is this that he says to us, 'A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me'; and, 'because I am going to the Father'?" 18So they were saying, "What does he mean by 'a little while'? We do not know what he is talking about." 19 Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, "Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, 'A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me'? 20Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. 21 When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. 23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
25"I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. 26In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; 27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father."
29His disciples said, "Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! 30Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God." 31Jesus answered them, "Do you now believe? 32Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 33I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."
The apostles walked with Jesus. They lived daily in His Presence. They faced all kinds of struggles and sufferings but Jesus was with them. His Presence gave them strength and courage to keep going no matter what they faced. But then Jesus told them He was going to leave and go back to His Father. I can't imagine how afraid they must have been at the thought of facing all their challenges without Him by their side. But Jesus made a promise. He would not leave them alone.
John 14:12-20
"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it."
Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit
"If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.
When Jesus ascended to Heaven, He was able to send His Spirit to the disciples. His Holy Spirit, the Spirit of the living God, would make His home in each believer. Even though we don't have a physical Jesus walking by our side, we do have His Spirit living in us every single moment of every single day. That is powerful and comforting.
There were twelve apostles. What happened when they were spread out around the country? Jesus couldn't not be with each apostle every second of the day because He had a human body. But once He went back to His Father and then sent His Spirit, He can now be with each of us every day - all day long. He never leaves us nor forsakes us. The Holy Spirit is the very Spirit of God and lives in each of us! HE is with us always, even unto the end of the world!
Matthew 28:16-20
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
The first paragraph of this prayer is from Beth Moore's Stepping Up bible study. Beth says she gets on the floor, face to the ground and prays like this. You'll never feel closer to God than when you are face to the ground, humbled in His mighty Presence.
Lord, I thank You again this morning that You are still God upon the throne of all creation. You are holy. Mighty beyond comprehension. So worthy of my praise and the outpouring of my life's energies. Today I gladly give myself to You. I am convinced that You are always with me and for me. Obedience to You will always mean Your very best for me. I'm so grateful that I can come boldly and without shame before Your throne because I pray all these things in Jesus' name.
Father God, thank You for not leaving us as orphans when Jesus came back home to You. Thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit to live in Your children. Thank You for never leaving nor forsaking us. Father help me to realize Your Presence this day. I want to walk with You, unafraid, not anxious for anything, as I trust in You. Spirit of God living in me, please take control of my thoughts, my words and my actions. Prompt me to do what's right and to flee from what's wrong. Show me the right path and thank You for not giving up on me, no matter how often I fall. I love You God! I want my life to bring You glory. Your Will be done, what ever that takes, Lord, I'm Yours.
http://youtu.be/HGCHecATSGs - The Arms that hold the Universe - Fee
I know it seems
Like this could be
The darkest day you've known
But believe you me
The God of strength
Will never let you go
He will overcome, I know
And the arms that hold the universe
Are holding you tonight
You can rest inside
It's gonna be alright
And the voice that calmed the raging sea
Is calling you His child
So be still and know He's in control
He will never let you go
Through many dangers, toils and snares
You have already come
His grace has brought you safe this far
(And) His grace will lead you home
Revelation 3:20 ESV
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
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