The Omnipresence of God..Craig Denison Ministries;

 The Omnipresence of God

Craig Denison Ministries;

Weekly Overview:

Living an unveiled lifestyle is the way in which we experience the fullness of what’s available to us in our restored relationship with God. It’s a powerful lifestyle of faith, direct encounters with our heavenly Father, and life transformation. It’s when we live our lives in light of the perfect sacrifice of Jesus that we begin to experience all his death was purposed to bring us. God longs for his children to walk in intimacy with him directly connected to his wellspring of love for us. May you experience a more tangible, loving, and powerful connection with your heavenly Father this week.

Scripture: “Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars.” Psalm 84:3

Devotional:

The presence of our God is everywhere. He moves, lives, breathes, and works all around us. Psalm 84:3 declares the extensiveness of our heavenly Father’s presence in saying, “Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars.” Psalm 84 proclaims that even the birds of the air find their home before the altars of the almighty, living God. Even the birds of the air come before God’s presence as they lay their young in the canopies. The psalm begs the question: if the birds come before their Creator while simply existing here on Earth, how much more available is the presence of our heavenly Father to us, his children? How much farther does his hand reach to us who are now covered by the powerful sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ?

There is nowhere we can run to and escape God’s reach. David writes in Psalm 139:7-12, “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, ‘Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,’ even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.” The God of all comfort, of all mercy, of all forgiveness, and of all love surrounds you right now. And as a child of God, his Spirit now dwells within you.

Prior to Jesus’ death, God’s people did not have constant access to the fullness of his presence. The nature of his holiness and our sin created an insurmountable crevasse between us and him. But through Jesus’ death, we now have access to God’s nearness any time, any place. The veil between God and us has been torn, and we can now live our lives constantly experiencing the manifest presence of our heavenly Father.

Where do you need God’s presence to fill you today? Where do you need comfort, peace, or patience? Where do you need to be loved, held, liked, or wanted? Your heavenly Father is waiting to run out to meet you as the father did with the prodigal son. He’s waiting to throw you a party where you are his guest of honor. He loves you, likes you, wants you, and now, he has you. There is no better experience in life than connecting directly with your heavenly Father. May you open your heart and experience all that he longs to pour out over you today as you spend time encountering him in prayer.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on the omnipresence of God. Renew your mind to the availability of his tangible presence.

“Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars.” - Psalm 84:3

“Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, ‘Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,’ even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.” - Psalm 139:7-12

2. Now ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his presence around you. Ask him to show you his face. Ask him how he feels about you and what he wants to do in, around, and through you today. Open your heart and mind to him. Tear down any walls you have built up between you and him.

3. Rest in the glorious presence of your heavenly Father. Take time to allow his presence to go deeper and deeper. Ask him to make you increasingly aware of his goodness and nearness.

“How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise!” - Psalm 84:1-4

We are created for direct connection with our heavenly Father. Experiencing him is meant to be our lifeblood. Walking and talking with him is the absolute most important part of life. From this type of relationship with God comes purpose, ability, grace, and love for others. This connection is what fuels us to live life here fulfilled, satisfied, empowered, and open to the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Fight for your relationship with God above all else. Let nothing come before time spent with your heavenly Father in experiencing his goodness. May you live, breathe, move, and work in the presence of God today.

Extended Reading: Psalm 84

Requirements of Waiting..Dr. Charles Stanley

 Requirements of Waiting

Dr. Charles Stanley

Psalms 25:3-5

Waiting for God's timing is neither passive nor idle--it takes discipline and commitment. I can think of four basic requirements for successful waiting.

Faith. The Lord's ways and timing are nothing like ours (Isa. 55:8-9). From a human standpoint, He usually does things in a totally different way than we expect. But as we trust Him more, we'll discover that His approach isn't so strange after all. And when we live in harmony with God's will, His timing starts to make sense.

Humility. To wait for the Lord, you must be convinced of your need for Him. Submission to His divine will requires humility--you cannot charge ahead with your own plans and at the same time be fully surrendered to God.

Patience. Are you willing to remain in your current position until you receive clear divine direction? Pausing for clarity from God does not mean that you disengage and allow circumstances to fall apart around you. Waiting upon the Lord is a deliberate decision that requires patience.

Courage. Waiting for God often takes courage, especially when there is pressure to act. If you're not careful, you might stop listening to the Lord and follow other advice. So keep your ear attuned to the voice of Almighty God, and you won t go wrong.

Waiting upon the Lord is one of the wisest, most important decisions we make in life. And contrary to popular assumptions, it is an active endeavor that requires faith, humility, patience, and courage. When you rely upon God and wait for His timing, the various facets of life fall into place.

Looking for the Lord’s Nearness in Postpartum.. Emily Rose Massey

Looking for the Lord’s Nearness in Postpartum
By Emily Rose Massey

“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” - Psalm 145:18 ESV

I reflect on my postpartum experience after my first son was born, I am burdened to pray for other mothers who may be struggling like I did. There were no concerns at my six-week postpartum check-up regarding signs of postpartum depression or anxiety, so I thought I was free and clear from the dreaded PPD. 

But as the weeks went on, I began to experience behavior and emotions that did not seem normal. I constantly argued with my husband over the most insignificant things, and I felt like I had no support, even though that couldn’t have been further from the truth. My husband is the most supportive and selfless man I know. I would belittle and snap at the drop of a hat. I was suffering continuously from anxiety attacks to the point of hyperventilation because I didn’t like who I was becoming.

My attitude went beyond the effects of the normal sleep deprivation of life with a newborn- I felt out of control and miserable. When my son finally fell asleep, I could not doze off and would stare at the ceiling until 4 AM. I really noticed there was a problem as I felt rage welling up inside me when my newborn would not stop crying. I couldn’t console him whatsoever. Although I felt like a failure, I knew it wasn’t my fault.

“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” - Psalm 145:18 ESV

I reflect on my postpartum experience after my first son was born, I am burdened to pray for other mothers who may be struggling like I did. There were no concerns at my six-week postpartum check-up regarding signs of postpartum depression or anxiety, so I thought I was free and clear from the dreaded PPD. 

But as the weeks went on, I began to experience behavior and emotions that did not seem normal. I constantly argued with my husband over the most insignificant things, and I felt like I had no support, even though that couldn’t have been further from the truth. My husband is the most supportive and selfless man I know. I would belittle and snap at the drop of a hat. I was suffering continuously from anxiety attacks to the point of hyperventilation because I didn’t like who I was becoming.

My attitude went beyond the effects of the normal sleep deprivation of life with a newborn- I felt out of control and miserable. When my son finally fell asleep, I could not doze off and would stare at the ceiling until 4 AM. I really noticed there was a problem as I felt rage welling up inside me when my newborn would not stop crying. I couldn’t console him whatsoever. Although I felt like a failure, I knew it wasn’t my fault.

I began to research hormonal imbalances after pregnancy and PPD symptoms. I discovered more issues associated with PPD, such as PPA (Postpartum anxiety). The more information I read about the symptoms of PPD and PPA, the more I was aware of my behavior and the more I could control it instead of it controlling me. As a Christian woman, I knew to also fight with prayer and focus on renewing my mind by listening to His Word day by day.

Many scriptures encourage weary souls when we are suffering, especially in the Psalms. Let Psalm 145:18 bring courage and hope to you that the Lord hears your cries. You are not alone:

“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth” (ESV).

Intersecting Faith and Life:
As a mom of little ones who may be struggling mentally, you most likely will not be able to sit down and do in-depth Bible studies or devotions as you used to, and that’s okay. You can listen to an audio Bible from your phone or play chapters of the Bible on YouTube. Your mind must be renewed with the truth to combat the lies the enemy tries to throw at you. In addition to prayer, I reached out to PPD/PPA support groups and other Christian women who have walked through it. I also began watching my diet because the food you consume also affects your endocrine system, which produces and releases hormones in your body in major ways.

Everyone’s body and situation are different. Some women need to be prescribed medication and/or see a counselor.  (Seek medical attention if you feel as if your symptoms are severe- you want to harm yourself or your baby.) You are loved. You are not a failure. Do not suffer in silence. Tell someone what you are going through. Don’t hesitate to ask for prayer or a listening ear. The enemy longs for you to isolate or stay in a state of denial, allow your symptoms to worsen, and drag you down into the pit of depression. You must remember that you are not alone; The Lord is near. Cry out to Him!

Further Reading:

• Psalm 73:23-28
• James 4:8-10

When We Get Too Weary.. Anne Peterson

 When We Get Too Weary 

By Anne Peterson

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. - Galatians 6:9

Let’s face it, we all get weary. Wiping the sleep out of our eyes, we know that we’re doing what we’re supposed to be doing. A pandemic was one of the worst things some of us have been through. It is scary to see the infection numbers and the rising count of those lost. Even though we know, at least here in America, that following the guidelines is helping. We are doing what is good. But even that can be taxing.

And sometimes, we look around and see others who are not following suit. And inside of us rises similar feelings like that of the prodigal son’s brother. Here he had been the obedient one and yet, when his prodigal brother returned, he saw his father run to him. Put a robe on his back and a ring on his finger (Luke 15: 11-32).

Sometimes it’s hard to do the right thing when everyone is not complying. And sometimes, like Peter who saw John coming and wondered what John’s position would be with Jesus (John 21:20-22). Instead of just doing what we know we should be doing, we start wondering about others.

What do we do when we get weary? When we think we can’t keep going? The answer is to go to the one who never tires or grows weary (Isaiah 40:28).

God tells us that he will strengthen us and help us (Isaiah 41:10).

He tells us when our strength starts waning, he will renew it and we will soar like eagles (Isaiah 40:31).

And when we think we can no longer do what is asked of us, like Paul we can recognize the source of our strength (Philippians 4:13).

We rise and go through the motions, often feeling helpless. But we must remember that God is sovereign. We are not in this alone. God has promised that he would never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5-6). And God is not a man that he should lie (Numbers 23:19).

We are not alone. So do not grow weary in doing good.

With Me

I told the Lord, “This journey’s long,”
He said, “I know the length.”

I told Him, “But I’m faint and weak.”
He said, “I’ll give you strength.”

No matter what my words—God heard;
He listened patiently.

But what has meant the most is this,
my Father walks with me.

-Anne Peterson

A Prayer for the Busy Day Ahead..Megan Evans

 A Prayer for the Busy Day Ahead

By Megan Evans

“The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.” - Psalm 37:23 NLT

Busy days often leave us feeling overwhelmed. With a mountain of tasks in front of us, it can be challenging to know where to start. Long to-do lists scramble our thoughts and leave us feeling stuck in place, but we can turn to the One True God who delights in every detail of our lives. As it says in Psalm 37, He will direct our steps. When was the last time you prayed over your to-do list? Does this challenge you as it does me? We might quickly pray about the big things in life, but do we try to shoulder the seemingly small stuff ourselves? What would our day look like if we surrendered the details to Jesus?

As I paused in a moment of anxiety this week, I pondered my familiar pattern of overwhelm. The lack of clear direction was leading me once again into distraction and avoidance of tasks. As time pressed in, my thoughts began to jumble. “Where do I start? What comes next? How will I ever finish?” I felt alone and defeated in my struggle, yet that is not where God calls His children to live out our days. We may fall, but Jesus will help us get back up again. The Holy Spirit reminded me that I could ask for guidance, and I prayed a simple prayer:

“Lord, help me. I don’t know what to do first.”

“The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.” - Psalm 37:23 NLT

Busy days often leave us feeling overwhelmed. With a mountain of tasks in front of us, it can be challenging to know where to start. Long to-do lists scramble our thoughts and leave us feeling stuck in place, but we can turn to the One True God who delights in every detail of our lives. As it says in Psalm 37, He will direct our steps. When was the last time you prayed over your to-do list? Does this challenge you as it does me? We might quickly pray about the big things in life, but do we try to shoulder the seemingly small stuff ourselves? What would our day look like if we surrendered the details to Jesus?

As I paused in a moment of anxiety this week, I pondered my familiar pattern of overwhelm. The lack of clear direction was leading me once again into distraction and avoidance of tasks. As time pressed in, my thoughts began to jumble. “Where do I start? What comes next? How will I ever finish?” I felt alone and defeated in my struggle, yet that is not where God calls His children to live out our days. We may fall, but Jesus will help us get back up again. The Holy Spirit reminded me that I could ask for guidance, and I prayed a simple prayer:

“Lord, help me. I don’t know what to do first.”

 It wasn’t a major project or accomplishment. God simply met me in the middle of a busy day. I needed to write thank you notes, replace my child’s swimsuit, buy a present, return a call, fill out forms, pay a bill, send an email, and run back to the store for a forgotten ingredient for tonight’s supper. It didn’t seem big, but it felt big. Have you had an afternoon like that lately? God’s Word wisely counsels us against procrastination. As it says in Proverbs 6:6,“Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and become wise!” In addition, Colossians 3:23 instructs, 

“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” 

We don’t have to let our to-do lists get the best of us--we can bring glory to God in our busy days ahead. God wants a personal relationship with each of us and wants to be part of our day! In our restless and confusing moments, He calls us to His side. He invites us to seek His counsel through prayer and His Living Word. Never in the Bible does God tell us to spare Him from the trivial stuff. Philippians 4:6 tells us,

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” 

We can pray about anything and everything—even our busy days! He delights in every detail. Jesus is our peace and direction, and He will direct the steps of the godly. Being godly isn’t about being perfect and always knowing what to do next. It’s about obeying God and surrendering to His grace and lead. The Lord directed my steps on my busy day, and He will direct yours too. Peace filled my heart and mind as I prayed through the list of tasks. Confidence and purpose filled my body, and I began to put one foot in front of the other, tackling the duties with His help. Does your mind feel cluttered with tasks today? Whether you are tackling a big project or just a daily to-do list, God wants to be part of your day.

Let’s pray:
Father God, I confess my need for your peace and direction in my daily activity. I am easily overwhelmed, and I ask you for clarity and motivation today. Lord, I want to honor you in my work and be a good steward of your blessings. Break any chains of procrastination and fill my steps with your purpose. Renew my strength to accomplish what is set before me today. Thank you for loving me and delighting in the details of my life. Remind me often to seek your counsel and to enjoy dwelling in your wonderful presence. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.