July 20, 2023
The great conviction of my life is this: Everything flows from the presence of the Lord. Everything. If you are experiencing the presence of Christ, you have everything that matters and lasts. If you are not, you have nothing of value.
Paul, in summing up his last letter to his young disciple, Timothy, begins the final words with this statement:
"I solemnly charge you IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD AND OF CHRIST JESUS, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom ..." (2 Timothy 4:1)
The Wuest Expanded Translation read this way:
"I solemnly charge you as one who is living in the presence of our God, even Christ Jesus, the One who is on the point of judging the living and the dead, I solemnly charge you as not only living in His presence but also by His appearing and His kingdom ... "
Paul was living in His presence. He had learned the art of unceasing prayer and unceasing communion. No intermission and no interruptions. He was not continually quenching or grieving the Spirit. So, he could make this statement.
"I am making this statement," he was saying, "because I'm right now in the presence of God and Jesus (the One who is going to judge us all) and He is coming back, and also, I'm making it in light of the importance of His kingdom."
A current song says, "Holy Spirit, You are welcome here. Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere ... make me more aware of Your presence."
So, here's the question: Are you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus? Surely you are, for where can you go from His Spirit? But are you aware of His presence? Are you so living that you are inviting His presence so that God is pleased to manifest Himself in and to and through you today?
If not, go to Him and repent. Cry out for His fullness, for everything flows from the presence of the Lord. It is a wasted day without His presence!
Lord, thank You that You are present now. That I am standing in Your presence! Make this real to me today, precious Father. Let me, right now, enter in and shut the door and consciously live in two worlds today--connecting with others in this world but bringing Your kingdom and will from the other world.
December 20, 2024
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