Presence driven, not, purpose driven!

The Presence of God…
When someone is away from you on a trip, at work, simply in another room…and they come into your presence, there is no longer a distance between you…but they are with you, and you’re together.
You are aware of their presence…especially if it’s someone you love, cherish and long to be with on a consistent basis…and when they go to heaven you may sense them, but their presence is no longer there, and you miss them.
As children of God, we learn about God, we talk about him, sing about him, we even pray to him but, it’s, as if, he is in a faraway place. We paint pictures of him, write stories about him, think about him, we love him but act like he’s not really there. He’s up in heaven sitting on his throne, he’s too busy with more important things to do than to be bothered by our insignificant lives. But that’s not what He wants.
He said, draw near to him…he said come unto me all you who are burdened and heavy laden and I will give you rest. He said, to enter his courts with praise and thanksgiving. He calls to us, “Where are you?” He says, “You are mine; I’ve called you by name.”
He even sent His son so that he could be closer to us. He gave us His Spirit to be in us so we could be with him all the time. We are the ones who are too busy, too consumed with our own agenda’s. Living complicated lives that could not stop for a moment to inquire of Him!
He waits patiently and lovingly for us to acknowledge Him; he wants us to know him in a deep intimate way so that we dwell (be aware of him) in His Presence. Oh, but when we learn to do that, it’s a time of such peace that you never want to leave. That’s when we begin to be transformed into His image. Here’s some guidelines I found that may help…
How to Cultivate a Sense of God’s Presence
  1. Meditate on God’s Word. Don’t just read it; reflect on it. …
  2. Confess and forsake any known sin. Sin creates a gap between us and God (Isa. …
  3. Pray in the Holy Spirit. …
  4. Fast to the Lord. …
  5. Sing to the Lord. …
  6. Go to church. …
  7. Be a generous giver. …
  8. Tell others about Jesus.
God’s presence can be felt in different ways. If you’ve ever been in a group of people who are praying, sometimes it feels like there is a large, comforting, presence in the room, other than that of the people you are with. Sometimes you sense that same presence in church, as I said above.
We lie down and sleep in peace because we are always in His presence. When the Lord God Almighty is your dwelling place, you possess peace. You have guidance, protection, deliverance, spiritual blessings and eternal security. You will never be separated from His love. What does it mean to walk in the presence of God?
Secondly, it dispels our fear because wherever we are His presence is with us and we will not lose our way. Thirdly, walking in the light of God’s presence ensures His blessing because it is the way of obedience. In Scripture obedience and blessing go hand in hand.
How do I get closer to God and feel his presence?
Here are some things each of us can do to foster a greater relationship with our creator.
  1. Pray. This is how we talk with God. …
  2. Read the Bible. …He speaks to us…
  3. Give thanks. …
  4. Practice humility. …
  5. Memorize scripture. …
  6. Honor God with your body. …
  7. Start and End your day with God. …
  8. Take thoughts captive.
What does the tangible presence of God feel like?
I compare a touch from the Holy Spirit to a butterfly who has alighted on my arm; some say it is like a dove on the shoulder. It is tender, precious and easy to miss if we are not looking for it.
What is God’s presence called?
God’s omnipresence means He is always there—even when the awareness is not. His Holy Spirit indwells believers at all times. God’s manifest presence, however, is something that occurs in our lives as He chooses to reveal Himself. It is something that is sometimes experienced and other times not.
God’s presence is an awareness, a smell, a knowing of total and complete peace, tranquility, engulfed in Him. There’s no time, no space just a place of being still and you don’t want to leave… ~MO.
(David Hernandez Ministries) The Power of the Holy Spirit is what He does. The Presence of the Holy Spirit is Himself. God’s message is endorsed by the power of the Holy Spirit. God’s people are endorsed by the presence of the Holy Spirit. The power of the Holy Spirit can change your circumstance, but the presence of the Holy Spirit can change your heart. The Power of the Holy Spirit comes upon you. The Presence of the Holy Spirit dwells within you.
The Power is for service.
The Presence is for salvation.
The Power helps you to do.
The Presence helps you to become.
Here is the presence within you:
Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? (1 Corinthians 6:19, NLT)
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. (Acts 1:8, NLT)
The power stirs you.
The presence stills you.
The power activates the gifts.
The presence is the glory.
The power inspires praise.
The presence inspires worship.
The key to the power of the Holy Spirit is the presence of the Holy Spirit.  ~David Hernandez Ministries.
References: Exodus 3:2-6, 1 Kings 19:9–13, (Luke 1:26-38), Psalm 16:11, James 4:8, Hebrews 10:19-22,
Exodus 33 :13-14
Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people. And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave or forsake You.
Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? “Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Being in the Presence of God changes your perspective for the better…and your purpose will automatically, show up!
Without the Presence of God, your Purpose won’t matter.
Find a quiet place and worship Him until you are engulfed (surrounded, amerced, saturated) in His presence…there is nothing like being in the Presence of the Living God…you won’t, want, to leave. I promise it will change your life. In His presence if fullness of Joy and at His right hand there are pleasures forevermore!!
Just like being with family and enjoying their fellowship…God desires us to fellowship with him…it’s so sweet, so good, fulfilling it’s a peace that is indescribable…
Lord, I come into your presence with praise and thanksgiving, I love you Papa God because you first loved me! Amen! Oh, father how good and pleasant it is to dwell with you in heavenly places…I will come often and stay late…
“Come on child…I can’t wait!”
~Marla Shaw O’Neill, December 12, 2023
Marla
I love the Lord Jesus Christ and am passionate about writing. I hope you enjoy the blog and come to visit often. Then the Lord answered me and said: “Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry. “Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith. Habakkuk 2: 2-4