We look for presents while God looks for presence in this season. That is why He sent Jesus to pay a debt He did not owe for a people who could not pay. Think about it. Christmas is about celebrating our heavenly Father sending His only Son. He is the reason for this season. It was His gift to mankind. Why? It was to pay a debt He did not owe to a people who had no ability to pay their debt because of its magnitude.
That debt was sin. Sin is what separates mankind from God’s presence. Remember this, He made a way for us to come into His presence…. forever. But we don’t have to wait for eternity to enjoy His presence. Remember with gratitude:
John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
Colossians 2:11-15 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.
God Longs For Us to be Present in His Presence!
What does it cost us? Time. He just wants us to spend some time with Him, in His word and speaking with Him and listening to Him in prayer.
I am reminded of Matthew 25 which teaches us the parable about the five foolish and five wise virgins. I think, the five foolish virgins would only spend time with our LORD during Christmas or Easter. The five wise, take advantage of going into God’s presence every day.
The beauty is, that we cannot outgive our Heavenly Father. While we spend time in His presence the scripture reveals He is always giving us so much more.
Psalm 21:9 For You have made him most blessed forever; You have made him exceedingly glad with Your presence.
Psalms 9:3 When my enemies turn back, They shall fall and perish at Your presence.
Psalms 16:11 11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalms 17:2 Let my vindication come from Your presence…
Psalms 68:8-9 8 The earth shook; The heavens also dropped rain at the presence of God;
Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel. 9 You, O God, sent a plentiful rain, Whereby You confirmed Your inheritance…
Psalms 97:5 5 The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the LORD, At the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
So you see as we give our presence to Him, He gives us joy, peace, gladness, vindication, inheritance and every mountain we face, melts in His presence.
The key to having God’s presence in your life, is you choosing to spend your presence in His. All you have to do is to show up and be present in His presence. Then you will find:
Psalms 46:11 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
Brenda and I pray that you and yours would have a very Merry Christmas and that your New Year would be blessed.
Remember our Kingdom Family in Burma
I want to thank all of you who helped us bless the kids and refugees who are connected to John Mark and our orphanage and house of prayer. I am so pleased to share that they have received the generous gift. At the same time I strongly urge you to remember them in prayer as only three days ago an annoucement was made that military operations were being launched in their city. Pray Psalm 91 for them.
