Pastor's Sermon

This last Sunday, the Pastor of my church spoke on Joy in the Presence of the Lord. How we can miss the joy, because we don't come into the presence of God. We don't spend time praying, that we don't read His word, that we don't sit and listen to what God has to say. We are so busy with our lives that we don't take time to be with Him.

I agree with the pastor, but I also see that it isn't just spending time to pray, but living in His presence. I recall the last post "Busy about many things" that I had about living in the presence of God, that it isn't just a morning thing, not just in the car, it is taking every opportunity to pray, to thank God for those things that come our way. It says in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 "16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." It doesn't say make a time to do it, it says to spend each moment in our day to bring glory to God. I think it is easy to get busy in our lives and miss that every opportunity we have to give thanks, to pray, to worship God in just how we are.

I think our thought process of today says well, I am at work, I have to work, but maybe it isn't closing your eyes, it is in your head saying Lord help me bless this person I am going to call. Lord help this interaction I am going to have, it is keeping God at the center of every moment of our lives, I believe that is what it means to pray without ceasing, to give thanks to God in all circumstances. I believe we seem to think that we can only hear God in the quiet of our prayer closet. We put God in a box and only take Him out when we have time, but maybe it is time to realize that Jesus is with us all the time, that all we have to do is ask for His help no matter when and where, to thank Him for the circumstances we are in, that it isn't just about doing it when it is good for us, because what does that say about our relationship with God? I believe that saying when it is good for us, makes it about me, not about Him, It becomes selfish and to love God we have to be selfless, we have to put Him first in ALL area's, it isn't about what is God for me, not my timing, but about His timing.  When we walk in His presence moment by moment, He will fill us with His JOY, because it is no longer about what I want, but what He wants.

Today take the opportunity to thank Him in all circumstances, take the time to put Him first in all decisions, phone calls, interactions with coworkers and practice Joy in His presence, instead of making about what fits your schedule, make Him your schedule and allow Him to lead the way. His timing, His way and I believe He will minister to you right where you are at. No longer will it be about when it is good for you, but what He wants.

As I had posted this post, I felt that God was saying to add the following song:

Blessed Assurance

1 Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine;
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.

2 Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending, bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

3 Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest;
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.