In GOD's Presence - Part Ten

Worship is not just about having a supernatural encounter with the Almighty... Worship is a lifestyle that's designed to conform our wills to GOD's, thereby aligning our hearts with His.

My illustrious pastor was teaching on prayer this past Sunday evening (7/19); and, once again, just when I thought this series was over, the Holy Spirit used him to drop another nugget of insight regarding a life in GOD's presence that I needed to write about.

When we pray (petition the throne of GOD), we ought to be specific regarding our requests. General, blanket-style prayers are ineffective because (1) we're unclear about what we're really asking of GOD and (2) we would have no idea of determining when our prayers are indeed answered. So the question raised then is why are we not making known our SPECIFIC requests unto GOD? I submit to you that believers pray so generally because they lack clarity concerning the will of GOD for their lives.

The Word says that GOD will give (or wills to give) us the desires of our hearts (our will). This scripture is trying to convey that there must exist between the grantor and the grantee the power of agreement. How so? Because no matter how badly we want something, GOD is not obligated to give us that which does not line up with His will and intentions for us. I know that's a hard pill to swallow; but trust me, it will save us all a lot of grief.

So you may be asking then, "How am I supposed to know the will and intentions of GOD and tap into this power of agreement?" I'm so glad you asked. The solution: dwelling in GOD's presence. Our quest as Kingdom citizens should be knowing the heart (the will) of our King. Doing so, however, requires spending quality time with GOD.

In our human relationships, we're able to determine the intentions of others through our interactions with them. These encounters create opportunities for us to discern each others' characters, beliefs, mindsets and wills through spoken words and behavioral actions. The clarity we gain from these experiences then empowers us to know exactly who and what we're dealing with as well as what we are able to receive from them. If this is of importance to our human relationships with each other, then how much more so with our heavenly Father.

Let me take this to another level for you. Holiness (or "wholly-ness", "oneness") is simply one's words being consistent with one's actions, which are both consistent with one's identity. For example: GOD identifies Himself to us as our provider, His Word promises us provision, and we experience Him providing for us. See the consistency? But it takes us interacting consistently with GOD to achieve this level of confidence in Him and His holiness.

When we are in GOD's presence, we breathe GOD's air. GOD's very character fills us, and we receive His inspiration. Worship is not just about having a supernatural encounter with the Almighty. I recently heard a quote from Judson Cornwell that says, "Worship is extravagant love and extreme obedience." Worship is a lifestyle that's designed to conform our wills to GOD's, thereby aligning our hearts with His. Worship inspires an unshakeable, unwavering confidence in GOD because our interactions with Him literally knit our hearts to His. Our longings and desires become consistent with His. This is what harnesses the power of agreement to produce powerful prayers that achieve results.

You see, when our hearts are aligned with GOD's, we're only petitioning Him to do what He's already purposed to do for us. It's just another degree of "homologeo", saying what has already been said. GOD only needs a conduit in the earth realm through which His will and intentions can be made manifest. Therefore, an objective of living in GOD's presence is for our desires to match GOD's purposes. Whatever GOD purposes to do in the earth, He's going to do through us. This how we impact the world.

I encourage you to resolve today (1) that general prayers are henceforth unacceptable, (2) that you will spend quality time with GOD to better know His heart, and (3) that you will allow your heart to become aligned with His. GOD wills to give you the desires of your heart when your will is in harmony with His purpose. Therefore, whatsoever you ask in Jesus' name, YOU CAN BELIEVE WITH CONFIDENCE that you already have it.

Until next time, be blessed beyond measure!

In GOD's Presence - Part Nine

When provision is priority, need is unnecessary.

GOD NEVER intended for us to have needs. Yes, those are strong words, but they're the truth. We inherited the legacy of need from Adam & Eve, whose act of rebellion set mankind up to be born, to live, and to die in need.

Prior to man's eviction from Eden, he dwelled in a perpetual state of provision. GOD did not meet Adam's needs in Eden because no such thing existed there. Why so? Because GOD provided for Adam. Adam was designed with a GOD-ordained purpose in mind, and he was equipped by GOD with every tool and resource necessary to fulfill his assignment. Therefore, we can conclude that provision ("pro" meaning "before"; "vision" meaning "the ability to see") is proactive, it's an offensive measure envisioned and implemented beforehand to ensure success. When provision is priority, need is unnecessary.

When sin entered the earth realm, man lost dominion of the earth and its resources, thereby cursing his environment and halting GOD's provision. No longer would the earth freely yield its fruit; but man would be forced to toil and labor for everything he obtained, even his righteousness (right standing with GOD). He would spend the balance of his life merely reacting to his surroundings and never dominating. This is when "need" enters the picture, just as provision exits. Man, now disconnected from his Source and oblivious to his purpose, is forced to make sense of his surroundings minus the spiritual relationship formerly enjoyed with his creator. The five senses become the portals through which man lives and interacts with his surroundings. His mentality then becomes that of a survivor, which (for those believers who feel so inclined to identify themselves as such) is not what GOD created man to be. The will to survive is born out of a life of sin, which is man's only hindrance from the life of victory, purpose and provision that GOD desires for us IN HIS PRESENCE. Needy people are simply people who live purposelessly outside of GOD's presence: they have no idea who they are and aimlessly go about life trying to find themselves the wrong way.

When we're in rebellion, we're not in GOD's presence (Eden). We find ourselves cast out of the ideal established atmosphere, now standing in "Need". Oh yes, did you not know that Need was a place? Why, it's that place where plans go haywire and, despite what seems to be your best efforts, you can't ever seem to get ahead. You're always reacting to situations, constantly on the defensive. Some of us even say, "Well, that's just life," and proudly wear our struggle to make it each day as a badge of honor.

As far as GOD's kingdom is concerned, this is totally unacceptable and unconstitutional! Born again believers are supposed to be daily living in GOD's presence. As kingdom citizens, we have rights. So why are we living in self-imposed exile? Why are we dwelling in a place that does not extend to us (or even recognize) the rights and privileges that have been afforded us by the King Son?

Everything GOD created with a purpose is guaranteed provision to fulfill that purpose BEFORE it even begins to operate IN its purpose. For example, your vehicle's purpose is to mobilize you from one destination to another. That's quite simple. Before you purchased that brand new vehicle, it was designed, built and equipped with all the necessary tools to fulfill the aforementioned purpose, so much so that the manufacturer issued you a product warranty. This guaranteed that their product would operate according to the manufacturer's specifications for a specified period of time as long as the vehicle is being operated in its ideal established environment (that is, under the proper conditions). Now how much simpler can this thing get?

If you find yourself needing from GOD, it's time you evaluate the quality of your fellowship with Him and change your thinking regarding this matter of need. I know I have. GOD is not our need meeter; He's Jehovah Jireh, our provider. Therefore, it's time we commit to maintaining a life in GOD's presence in pursuit of purpose, that we may dwell in a state of provision just as Adam and Eve did before the fall of man.

Until next time, be blessed beyond measure!

In GOD's Presence - Part Eight

Every characteristic of Eden that our minds can grasp is for us - perpetual peace, divine health, no lack, absolute abundance, complete fulfillment - it's all available to us as kingdom citizens IN GOD's PRESENCE.

Recently, as I conversed with an older cousin of mine, whom I also learned is a long-time student of the teachings of my favorite author, Dr. Myles Munroe, I was brought back to this series "In GOD's Presence". (Oddly enough, every time I think it's over, GOD plants another seed in my spirit that quickly germinates into fresh insight.) Our conversation somehow meandered to Eden, and she mentioned something that Dr. Munroe said on a cd that immediately caught my attention: Eden is not so much a physical place, but more so a spot, a moment, an atmosphere. So you can imagine how my mind quickly raced back to the statement that launched this whole series: "The presence of God is the established ideal ATMOSPHERE in which mankind was designed to function."

We can agree that Eden was the beginning of GOD's kingdom influence in the earth realm. It is the spot in the earth realm whereunto GOD established the atmosphere of His kingdom. This seed was planted in the hope that Adam and Eve would be fruitful and multiply that atmospheric seed through strategic initiatives of GOD-inspired colonial expansion. When GOD gave man dominion over the earth and its resources, it was incumbent upon man to start in the spot GOD created and enlarge the territory with the expectation of the kingdom eventually subduing the entire planet. After all, GOD made available to man everything he necessary to carry out such a program of continued domination.

Now this atmosphere of GOD's presence is just as relevant today as it was in the earliest days of creation. We were created to daily live in this GOD environment. Every characteristic of Eden that our minds can grasp is for us - perpetual peace, divine health, no lack, absolute abundance, complete fulfillment - it's all available to us as kingdom citizens IN GOD's PRESENCE. Why do you think man hasn't been able to pinpoint the exact physical location of Eden? It's an atmosphere (which is spiritual by the way) that mankind must harness by faith and put to work in order to yield, in the physical realm, the GOD kind of results that can ultimately be perceived by the human senses.

Yes, Eden does symbolize completion and perfection, but it's a completion and perfection that man can not achieve of himself. It's as simple as starting in "the moment" (when you received salvation by grace through faith) and allowing the Word of GOD to transform you by the renewing of your mind. Transformation is necessary because we need to be reprogrammed to both hear and understand the kingdom way of doing things. Therefore, it is this transformation that brings man's soul (which is his mind, will and emotions) into compliance with his spirit man. (As a brief aside, a major problem with the body of Christ is the disproportionately low number of transformed believers among the born again. But that's another blog for another time.) Before we can even begin to have our bodies (our actions) line up with the Word, our souls (our thoughts and attitudes) must be in submission to our spirits, which are governed by GOD the Holy Ghost. As you can see, we were created to live from the inside out, much like how GOD designed His kingdom influence in earth to start in Eden (His presence) and visibly branch outward throughout the world.

There's a popular song out now penned by Donald Lawrence entitled "Back To Eden", which admonishes believers to get back to Eden and live on top of the world. While I truly enjoy this song, it ever so slightly falls short of expressing that Eden is, in fact, GOD's presence. You see the power is not just in the principle of Eden, but the atmosphere of Eden. When we make up our minds to live in GOD's presence, the established ideal atmosphere for mankind, we begin the process of living on top of the world. You haven't lived until you've lived in GOD's presence. No, it's not easy; but yes, it's very much worth the effort. For the Word says, "In His presence there is fulness of joy and at His right hand pleasures forever more." In Matthew 6:33 it says, "Seek ye first the kingdom of GOD (His way of doing things) and His righteousness (being in right standing with Him) and all these things [after which the Gentiles seek] shall be added unto you." Basically, we can't afford not to live in GOD's presence.

Take a few moments to ponder on how much your life reflects Eden. Could your life stand to be more fruitful? Are you really progressing in your own personal transformation? Or are you honestly stuck in a rut and possibly in denial about it? How much of your life are you truly dominating? Are you living on top of the world? Or is the world living on top of you? I pray that through this blog the eyes of your understanding have been further opened to the need for a life in GOD's presence. Until next time, be blessed beyond measure.

In GOD's Presence - Part Seven

Nothing is worth our ability to hear from God, to perpetually be at peace, to consistently achieve the desired results, and to NEVER fail.

One thing I've come to learn in my own quest to live in God's presence is that my perspective on life has dramatically shifted. I actually find myself trying to find the good in everyone and everything I come in contact with. I'm not always successful in this effort, but my willingness to try indicates vast improvement. My threshold for the negative, gossip and simple carnal mindedness is steadily decreasing because I now know that these things only exist to draw me from God's presence.

The ways of this world are designed by Satan to build a barrier between people, in general, and God. The idea is to keep unbelievers in a state of unbelief and believers in a state of denial. In God's presence, it's God's way and there's no "other" way. Everything is as God ordained, and there's no room for deviation. God established the pattern; He only needs man, particularly the church, to follow it that His will may be done in earth as it is in heaven. Our problem lies in the mismanagement of our thought lives, which are constantly barraged by the adversary's rhetoric.

Let's face it: Satan's goal is to incite rebellion among the citizens of God's Kingdom. If he can just get us to begin thinking that God's way of doing things won't bring about the desired results, it's a wrap for us. The very second we consider "another" way of doing things, we've stepped outside God's ideal environment for us and been rendered powerless. Even though Satan can in no way separate the believer from God, he tries his best to separate us from God's way of doing things, thereby denying us access to our rights and privileges as Kingdom citizens. And what's the point in being a citizen of a country, yet unable to enjoy the rights and privileges associated with one's citizenship?

This is why being a citizen of the Kingdom is much more than cute cliches and colloquialisms. You can't just proclaim that you're part of the Kingdom and do whatever you're big and bad enough to do. There is an unmistakable culture of the Kingdom that clearly identifies who the citizens are, so save those catchy phrases for something else, okay? Simply integrating popular phrases and expressions heard on religious broadcasting into our daily conversations won't do it. This thing has to become a REAL way of life because the manner in which we live will indicate who's being ruled by God and dwelling in His presence.

Don't forget, the presence of God is the ESTABLISHED ideal environment for mankind. It was ordained before "beginning" that humans would be created in the image and likeness of God to operate like God in the environment that God created just for them. Therefore, salvation is merely the beginning of one's journey in pursuit of the life God intended for man from the beginning before sin entered the Earth realm. Yes, as believers, we are Kingdom; but we weren't born Kingdom. We had to be born again, not of corruptible seed (the flesh), but of incorruptible (God's spirit), the Word of God which lives and abides forever. It takes a spiritual awakening -- or quickening, if you will -- to even begin grasping the most basic concepts of Kingdom life. For the flesh cannot receive the things of the spirit insomuch that it considers it to be foolishness.

God wants us to fellowship with Him continually. He wants us to dwell in His presence, not just spend a couple of hours here and there. It is God's desire for us to be consistently exposed to the ideal conditions that we may yield top notch fruit. Did you know that in God's presence, failure is nonexistent. As humans, failure is one of our greatest fears; and no matter how strong we may become, we're never quite able to deal with it. But what if I told you that a life of willful, obedient submission in God's presence guarantees you a life free of failure? Well, it does...that is, if you're willing to make the sacrifice.

Yes, it may mean giving up some things, letting some people go, and changing your mindset; but, at the end of the day, nothing is worth our ability to hear from God, to perpetually be at peace, to consistently achieve the desired results, and to NEVER fail. Consider for a few moments the tactics Satan has used to lure you from God's established environment for you. Study how the enemy attacks you and commit his strategies to your memory, that you may easily recognize him as you discern your thoughts and cast down anything Satan sends your way. Until next time, be blessed beyond measure!

In GOD's Presence - Part Six

Satan has no place in our lives and in God's presence, so why do my brothers and sisters in Christ continuously choose to give him an open invitation for an extended stay?

In the previous blog of this series, it was mentioned that we give the enemy way too much credit...and, sadly, we do. It grieves me to hear God's people going on and on about what the devil did because it's unnecessary.

The saints who are truly living in God's presence give the enemy no airtime. Satan has no place in our lives and in God's presence, so why do my brothers and sisters in Christ continuously choose to give him an open invitation for an extended stay? There's NO ROOM for the enemy in my life, and Satan gets no airtime with me. When he raises his ugly head, he's called to the carpet and handled immediately. That's how we are to operate in God's presence.

After all, David said in Psalm 34:1, "I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise continually in my mouth." (I've heard so many people quote this scripture, but all they're doing is quoting it if they're living defeated lives.) If you're truly going to bless the Lord at all times, then His praise MUST continually be in your mouth, right? Then there's simply no room for us whining and complaining about what Satan is doing. He's doing exactly what he's supposed to be doing: his job. So how about we get on ours?

The Greek word "eulogeo" translates to "bless", which means to speak well of someone. No matter what's facing us, we must continuously speak well of our God and not give the enemy any airtime. Our praise (public lauding of God in words or songs) maintains the ideal atmosphere God established for us. (Side note: God created Eden, but Adam was given authority over the garden to ensure its upkeep. See the pattern?) Praise keeps us in God's presence and positions us to hear from Him.

Take some time to reflect on these sayings and how they can impact your life. Declare today that Satan no longer gets any more airtime because God's praise is continuously in your mouth. Resolve to speak well of the Lord that you may remain in God's ideal environment for YOU.

Until next time, be blessed beyond measure!

In GOD's Presence - Part Five

If we're not being exposed to the ideal conditions God has already established for us, then we can't expect the ideal results He's promised in His Word.

Functioning anywhere other than in God's presence positions us, as Kingdom citizens, to function beneath our potential. No matter how hard we may try, we can't ever beat God's system. God is eternal and He created the universe, particularly the earth, its inhabitants and the earth's resources. Before anything was created, God purposed His creation to ideally function in His presence. (This was established "in beginning", not in "the" beginning. Remember, God is "eternal"; so, definite articles can't be used to limit Him to the concept of "time").

What we must understand is that as long as we choose to function in a less than ideal atmosphere, we can never realize our full potential. If we're not being exposed to the ideal conditions God has already established for us, then we can't expect the ideal results He's promised in His Word. As I said before, we can't beat the system. No matter how successful we become when functioning in the less than ideal environment, it's just a fraction of the prosperity God desires to give us. We must be clear in our understanding that the atmosphere determines the quality of our product.

As I continue to grow and mature in the faith, it's become even more clear to me that I can't blame anyone else but myself for my life's shortcomings. If we'd all be completely honest with ourselves, we're our own worst enemies and we give the enemy way too much credit. We feel like we know what's best for us and repeatedly rebel against God's will for our lives. I know for a fact that each time I've rebelled (sinned), it's led to some degree of disappointment.

Furthermore, like in any other form of government, rebellion leads to a loss of privileges enjoyed by citizens in good standing. As long as a citizen ascribes to the accepted code of conduct, he/she has complete, unrestricted access to the rights and privileges citizenship affords. That means, as citizens of the Kingdom, when we seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness (His way of doing things), we're guaranteed that all these things (after which the Gentiles seek) will be added - that is, freely given - to us. In other words, when we die to our wills (present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable unto God) and submit ourselves to daily living in the established atmosphere in which we've been designed to function (which is our reasonable service), then we're guaranteed the bare minimum privileges of the Kingdom (provision without worry by our sovereign ruler).

In God's presence we are assured the very best that this life has to offer. As citizens of God's Kingdom, we are a reflection of our King. We should, therefore, strive to stay in line with the Constitution of the Kingdom (the Bible), thereby positioning us to receive God's best for our spirits, souls and bodies.

Take some time to reflect on your civic responsibilities to God's Kingdom and determine where you're quite possibly falling short. Pray for increased sensitivity to these areas as well as better discernment of the enemy's tactics concerning them. It's my prayer that the Holy Spirit illuminates the dark places and exposes any areas of weakness that are a hindrance to our daily living in God's presence.

Until next time, be blessed beyond measure!

In GOD's Presence - Part Four

We must be willing to kill those things which interfere with our ability to daily live in God's presence.

In the presence of God, we experience change. Many people purposefully (and/or even subconsciously) avoid entering into God's presence because they're not willing to change. The mindset at work here wills to have a relationship with God on their terms and their terms only, which is basically a set-up for a life of defeat.

When we look at the pattern of worship in the Bible, particularly in the Old Testament, the people had to bring a sacrifice. We're not talking about any kind of sacrifice here. God required high quality livestock be brought to Him that it might be killed and offered up to Him on the temple altar. Both something living and of value had to be put to death that a suitable environment be created for God to fellowship with man.

Many believers rarely, if ever, experience the manifested presence of God because they refuse to sacrifice their beloved bad habits and behaviors on the altar. We must be willing to kill those things which interfere with our ability to daily live in God's presence. Yes, those things we hold so dear must die in order for us to embrace new dimensions of worship, power and anointing. Is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid? Does your heart the Spirit control? Well, you can only be blessed, have peace and sweet rest, when you GIVE Him your body and soul.

I don't know about anyone else, but it's my burning desire for God to have all of me. Yes, it may mean giving up a lot of things and letting go of a lot of people, but it's my quest to reach untapped places in my worship of the Almighty. Witnessing God move as He did in days of old is well worth the sacrifice. No relationship, feeling, craving or addiction is worth me not being God's conduit here in the earth realm.

So when YOU go to worship, what will YOU sacrifice? What will YOU bring into God's presence to die on the altar? Just as Isaac said to his father Abraham, "I see the fire and the wood, but where is the sacrifice?"; I can hear the Holy Spirit saying, "I see you here praising and worshipping, but where is your sacrifice?" Why experience the manifested presence of God and remain the same? Why breathe His air and not be filled with His character?

I beseech you brothers and sisters to not let that which grieves the Holy Spirit to live within you and prevent you from REALLY living. Remember where we started: God's presence as mankind's ideal environment for fulfilling His purposes for our lives. Real life for us as Kingdom people is life in God's presence. Anywhere and everywhere else is less than ideal, which means you are living beneath your potential.

Think about it...Selah. Until next time, be blessed!

In GOD's Presence - Part Three

"It's not about you needing more of GOD, but about Him getting more of you."

Often times I think about how different my life could have been had I spent more time in God's presence earlier in life. I can't help but wonder how much farther along I'd be in my journey to fulfilling God's purpose for my life. Of course, the past is what it is - THE PAST. However, it's during those times of quiet meditation that I determine within myself that I won't allow the enemy to rob me of any more time in my ideal environment of God's presence.

Once you gain an understanding of this, you'll never again settle for less. We, as humans, are endowed with free will to choose our environments. Our experiences in these environments are the brushstrokes across the canvases of our lives; therefore, we must be vigilant in not allowing any and every thing to happen to us because we are products of our environments.

We can't go wrong living each day in God's presence. A life in God's presence is the ideal environment for our personal growth and development as Kingdom Citizens. There we can expect to be subjected to the conditions most conducive to us fulfilling our God-ordained purposes. Just as the image of a healthy plant indicates that it's received the proper amount of water and sunlight as well as the appropriate nutrients and soil, successful citizens of the Kingdom similarly indicate quality time has been spent in God's presence allowing those personal encounters with the Almighty to impact their daily lives.

God wants for us to be successful, healthy, fulfilled and at peace. All these things can be gained through a lifestyle of worship, a daily life walk with God. It's not about you needing more of God, but about Him getting more of you. If you may be struggling in wholly surrendering your life to God, look at it this way: you have very little (if anything at all) to lose, but you have so much more to gain. God gives us the power to achieve results. Instead of talking about how you wish and hope to accomplish great things, get on the path and start doing great things.

God's presence is where greatness is the norm. In God's presence there's no such thing as miracles because the miraculous is commonplace. When you dwell in God's presence, the cares of this world grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace. The ideal environment of God's presence shifts your perspective and causes you to see your physical environment quite differently than before. It's there that you begin to grow and truly experience the metamorphosis God promises to all who draw near to Him.

Until next time, be overwhelmingly blessed!

In GOD's Presence - Part Two

As it was stated in the previous blog, it is God's will for us to exist in His presence, the ideal environment in which we've been designed to function. Therefore, there should be no more excuses for us not dwelling in God's presence.

Understand that our very lives depend on us existing in God's presence because that's where we were created to dwell. For instance, all fish were created to live in water. Agreed? This means that fish were specifically designed and equipped to function in the ideal environment of water. When a fish is removed from its ideal environment of water, it will struggle to merely survive; and if it remains out of water too long, it eventually dies. However, when a fish remains in its ideal environment, it can function according to the way in which the Creator designed it to function.

You see, being in God's presence is more than just a supernatural encounter with the Almighty. It's more than duplicating the atmosphere of heaven in a corporate worship setting. Existing in the presence of God is the key to us realizing God's purposes for our lives, being empowered to fulfill those purposes, and walking out those very purposes daily.

As Kingdom Citizens, we must stay plugged into the home country of Heaven. We can not afford to lose contact with Heaven as we go about our daily routines. After all, Jesus taught the disciples in Matthew 6 to pray "thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven." In order for the will of God to be accomplished in the earth, the people of God must remain in a perpetual state of fellowship with the King-Father. In other words, gone must be the days of God's people "laying their religion down" to take on a carnal mindset and behavioral pattern. It's time for the called-out, blood-bought believers to discipline themselves and manifest to a hopeless, dying world what it truly means to be a citizen of God's Kingdom.

For far too long, luke warm Christians, trying to be powerful in the church and popular in the streets, have perverted the Gospel of the Kingdom with their rebellious lifestyles. The world sees no need in accepting Christ because too many who claim to have accepted Him act just like them. The world sees no witness, no victory & no power in the lives of many believers.

Sadly, our churches are filled with people who are like fish out of water. They come to church and experience the ideal environment for a set period of time, but they're unable to maintain that environment away from the sanctuary. Some even swim in waters polluted by the enemy week after week, barely getting through those dark waters back to the crystal clear waters of the church.

It's time the people of God be empowered to take control of their lives. It's time we determine within ourselves to exist in God's presence. It's time we position ourselves for the great successes God has promised us. THE TIME IS NOW...

Don't let another day go by struggling to do what God has already created, called and equipped you to do. Submit yourself to God's will FOR YOU: life more abundantly in His presence. Meditate on what you've allowed to hinder you from experiencing the fullness of life in the Kingdom, the God-kind of life. Determine within yourself that you're ready to let go of these hindrances, and ask God to remove them from your life. Step out in faith and trust God for the outcome.

Until the next installment, be blessed beyond measure.

In GOD's Presence - Part One

PREFACE: Well, I've finally jumped onto the Blogger bandwagon. This blog series began a month and a half ago on MySpace. It currently has eight installments, which can be read in their entirety at http://blogs.myspace.com/eltontaylor along with a vast collection of others penned over the past three years. As I introduce myself as well as my thought life to a whole new audience, I'll spend the next week or so reposting the MySpace entries to give everyone here a chance to catch up. Thanks for reading and be blessed!

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I recently read an article online penned by a worship leader, in which he stated, "The presence of God is the established ideal atmosphere in which mankind was designed to function." That statement immediately struck a chord with me and I began to meditate on this saying.

As a worship leader, it is my assignment to usher into the presence of God those who so desire to enter in and instruct others who are without knowledge in the corporate worship setting. (I've been designed and equipped to operate in this work, and I take it seriously every day.) God's presence is what I daily seek after because it's there where I find everything I need. My life is steeped in worship so that I can remain sensitive to the Holy Spirit throughout my day.

Now in the past, I've heard people, including pastors & teachers, describe the manifested presence of God as "rarefied air"; and yes, I do understand that the weight of God's glory may, in fact, be seldom experienced by many. However, God never intended for this to be and we should accept nothing less than His best for us.

You see, there's really no excuse for us rarely experiencing the manifested presence of God. Even after Adam rebelled in Eden, causing mankind to lose dominion over the Earth's resources and prompting the Holy Spirit to be recalled out of the earth back to heaven, God still chose to manifest His presence among the people. As a matter of fact, the Law was given to Moses that the people might know the conditions upon which God would fellowship with them and dwell in their midst. As long as the conditions were met, the atmosphere was ideal for our holy God to step out of eternity into time. It was not until after Jesus redeemed mankind from sin that man's dominion on earth could be restored and the Holy Spirit could once again dwell inside of man. The work of redemption through salvation was not accomplished by man, and the maintenance of that same work is - to this very day - a feat that only God Himself could handle. Man could only freely receive the gift of salvation, forgiveness of sins, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It is God's Spirit inside of the born again believer that grants us access to His presence. Therefore, God's presence should not be rarefied air for the Kingdom Citizen, but rather the daily norm.

God established this atmosphere from the very beginning that man, His crowning achievement in creation, could operate in the earth like He does. We were designed to mimic Him; otherwise, why would God breathe His Spirit into us? We must get out of our heads the notion that God's presence is only manifested on special days, in certain places, or at appointed times. We have been created to EXIST in God's presence - it should be our place of habitation, people of God; not an occassional stop along life's way.

Please take a few moments to meditate on what you just read and ask God to further illuminate these insights for your daily application and edification. Stay tuned for the next installment, and - until then - be blessed beyond measure!