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!