In The Presence of God
Lately I have shared this message with many congregations, and while waiting for God to speak to me as to what to write in this months issue of Christian Online Magazine, I realized that He wanted me to continue with this same message. It is a message of importance. It is a message of love from, and for our Father. It is a message about a relationship with God.
About mid January I was asked by someone very close to me why they didn't feel the same things that I felt when it came to a relationship with God. It was apparent to them that I experienced much joy, pacification, and overall sense of peace. Why didn't they feel the power of the Holy Spirit come upon them in the same way that I seemed to feel it? These were tough questions to answer, because we all experience God's love in different ways. Knowing this person like I do made it easier for me to give an explanation, and if you are like this person I pray that the following will help you come to a closer relationship with our Lord.
We must understand that God desires for us to have a relationship with Him. He created us to have a relationship with Him. He wants to hear us tell Him that we love Him. God wants to feel our love for Him by our actions. Imagine the kind of relationship that you would have with your spouse if he or she never told you, or showed you, that they loved you. Imagine what it would be like if you never told, or showed, your spouse that you loved them. The relationship would become very stale. Eventually both of you would begin to feel unloved, and that your relationship was meaningless, even void. You would drift apart, not feeling any kind of affection for each other. Now turn the relationship around. Think about how great your feelings would be toward your spouse if they constantly reminded you of the love that they have for you. Not only telling you with simple words, but they reminded you with their attitude and actions towards you. You would respond favorably, and in a like manner to this kind of attention. Your actions toward your spouse would be actions of reciprocating love and care.
In order to feel the love that God has for us, we must give ourselves to our Father. We must give Him all of our love in everything that we do. God likes to hear us give praise to Him. He wants to hear us tell Him that we love Him. In the morning when you wake up, God wants you to tell Him good morning. When you begin your day and start making plans, God wants you to include Him in those plans. Then throughout the day, God wants you to share your feelings with Him. He wants a relationship with you. He wants to know by your actions that He is important to you. Too often, the only time that some of us go to God is when we need something. In those times we run to God, only to be disappointed when we do not feel that our prayers are answered. Why can't we spend more time just praising God for everything that He has given to us, or done for us? Why do we have to be a child that comes to our Father with it's hands open in wanting, instead of a child that comes to our Father with it's arms opened in thanks?
Why are we afraid to have a relationship with God? Why are we afraid to draw so close to God that He is the basis of our very lives? Genesis 3:8,9 shows us God's desire to have a relationship with us. “Toward evening they heard the Lord God walking about in the garden, so they hid themselves among the trees. The Lord called to Adam, “Where are you?”” These verses also show why we are afraid to have a relationship with Him. When Adam and Eve heard God approaching, they hid from Him. God was looking for them because He wanted to fellowship with them, but because of their sin, they were afraid. Sin had broken their close relationship with God. In the same way, our sins have broken our close relationship with God. But, Jesus Christ provides the way for us to renew our relationship with our Father. God is a Father that wants to hold His children close in His arms. His love for us is always without condition. We are afraid to have a relationship with our Lord because we are ashamed of our sins, or we feel like God will not want a relationship because of our sins. We must know that God loves us. We must know that He loves us despite our faults. Once we know and believe this, then we can begin to build our relationship with God.
“Inside the Tent of Meeting, the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Afterward Moses would return to the camp...” Exodus 33:11 God and Moses talked to each other as if they were the very best of friends. We are given the very same privilege today. Just as Moses could fellowship with God, we can be best friends with God, and fellowship with Him everyday. Have the courage to share everything that you do and think with God. Talking with God about everything will build and strengthen your relationship with Him.
As you begin to build your relationship, always give praise to our Lord. Keep telling Him how much you love Him. Always remind Him that you are thankful for his love for you. In everything that you do, do it for the glory of God. If you have any broken relationships, mend them. Broken relationships with friends can become obstacles in our relationship with God. “Try to live in peace with everyone, and seek to live a clean and holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14. As your relationship with God grows, you will feel a definite friendship developing. You will begin to feel His presence around you. You will feel more of His blessings. You will feel the peace, the joy, the love that comes with being in the presence of God.
He has been waiting for you, waiting with the patience of a loving father.
Now if you are reading this article and you haven't yet asked Jesus Christ into your life, please don't hesitate any longer, today can be the day of your salvation. Pray this prayer and come into the family of God.
Dear Heavenly Father, I come to You in the name of Jesus Christ, the Name above every name. I accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and confess unto You that I am a sinner. I ask You to forgive my sins and to come into my heart. In Your forgiveness I am washed clean of my sins, by the shed blood of Jesus. I have become a new creation in Christ and an eternal member of the FAMILY OF GOD. I thank you for my new birth in the wonderful Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
Copyright 2002 Steven R. Ridenour
