You will never go where God is not! Envision the next few hours of your life. Where will you find yourself? In a school? God indwells the classroom. On the highways? His presence lingers among the traffic. In the hospital, the boardroom, the living room, the funeral home? God will be there.

Acts 17:27 says, “He is not far from each one of us.” Each of us. God doesn’t play favorites. All people can enjoy God’s presence. But many don’t. They plod through life as if their only strength was their own. As if their only solution comes from within and not from above. They live God-less lives. Lay claim to the nearness of God. Grip God’s promise like the parachute it is. Repeat it to yourself over and over: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

By Max Lucado
used by permission
From: You’ll Get Through This

To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at:
https://maxlucado.com/about/

Learn more about knowing Jesus at: https://thoughtsaboutgod.com/four-laws/

FURTHER READING

In His Presence

Living in God’s Presence

My Life Has Purpose

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“O Lord, You have searched me and known me.  You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down, and are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, O Lord, You know it all. You have enclosed me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is too high, I cannot attain to it.” Psalms 139:1-6 (NASB)

I will never forget the moment I could have lost my little grandson forever. We had gone for a walk with friends along the edge of the ocean. My grandson was enjoying the challenge of climbing over rocks, up steep banks, and over trees on the rough trail, but suddenly, there he was, hanging by a root over the ocean and rocks below. My heart skipped a beat! He did not say a word. I quickly grabbed his wrists and lifted him back onto the trail. He simply said, “Thank you Papa.” And off he went down the trail.

That moment played over and over in my thoughts for days. Two things struck me: What if he had fallen onto the rocks and into the ocean? What amazing confidence he seemed to have in me!

I had been with him every step along the way, saying again and again, “Let me help you.” But he insisted each time, “Me do it, Papa!” But when crisis came, he knew I was there to help. I’m sure he did not fully understand the danger he was in, but his “thank you” communicated his appreciation.

God promises to be with us always. In fact, as Psalm 139 declares, we cannot escape His presence. He fully grasps the implications of all the dangers we face. Yet we, like my grandson, do not. God’s commitment is to journey with us in relationship. He seeks to provide for us and to protect us. If we resist Him we may end up in grave circumstances. Each day we have a choice: we can walk under the guidance of his direction or choose to be independent of it. How will you respond to His presence with you today?

Dear Father, Thank You for Your presence in my life journey. May I understand and trust the reality of Your moment-by-moment guidance today and not resist. Amen.

By Mike Woodard
used by permission

FURTHER READING

God is With Us by Randy Keycik

Trusting an Unchanging God

Life’s Uncertainty Teaches God Can be Trusted

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“Woe to him who strives with him who formed him, a pot among earthen pots! Does the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’ or ‘Your work has no handles’? Woe to him who says to a father, ‘What are you begetting?’ or to a woman, ‘With what are you in labor?‘”  Isaiah 45:9-10 (ESV)

I went into town the other day and was attracted by the sound of a woman’s voice reverberating off the surrounding buildings. As I came closer to the point of origin, I found a very smart woman speaking on her mobile phone. By her tone of voice, I could tell she was not happy with the other person. She walked this way and then that: back and forth looking. Not wishing to get a firm rebuke, I passed by and continued on my errand.

On my way back from this chore, I was surprised to find the same person still talking on the telephone. This time her voice was almost into the supersonic sound range as her frustration discharged into the street. To me she sounded reminiscent of a gaggle of tropical fruit bats chattering away as they fight over their food. Reflecting on personal experience, I thought it best to leave well alone because she seemed not to be dismayed, just emotionally aggressive. I presume someone was in for trouble when they finally met up. I hoped for his sake, it was not a first date!

Anyway, as I wandered off, I realized that this had to be written down.

No amount of remonstrating was going to make any difference. I believe she needed to be still, listen to an understanding voice and clear directions.

Lately, I have allowed the inner little boy to get the better of me, in my talk with God. I have remonstrated with God about my personal circumstances. I have been presumptuous and proud, like the clay telling the potter how it wants to be formed. Now I have confessed my error and so I have been forgiven. What a joy it is to find my way into His presence! Jesus said:  “follow me“.

Luke 9:23:- And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. (ESV)

PRAYER: Lord, please quiet our hearts and minds, enable us to let you have your way in our lives, and guide our path today, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

By Roderick Marshall
used by permission

FURTHER READING

Quiet Time with God

Nurturing a Quiet Soul

Choosing What Rules Your Heart

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“For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”  Isaiah 41:13

Thought

Life crashes in and we wish we could be children again and have someone to take care of us and protect us. Into our confused and chaotic world, God’s promise comes to us once again. Like a loving parent with a frightened child, God reaches out and takes hold of our hand and comforts us with his precious words:

“Don’t be afraid. I’m here with you. I will help. Even when he seems distant, the echo of this thought can remind us that we are never alone or forgotten” (cf. Hebrews 13:5-6).

Prayer

Abba Father, whose presence and help are always near, please help me have faith that you are there. I confess that at certain points in my life, you have seemed distant and I have felt alone. Please remind me through your Spirit of your nearness and your care. In my moments of struggle and doubt, please make your presence known. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

By Phil Ware
Used by Permission
Phil’s daily devotionals: https://www.verseoftheday.com.

Further Reading

•  Going Deeper with God

•  How to Pray

•   Stories:  Why God

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“Pray in the Spirit at all times with all kinds of prayers, asking for everything you need.” Ephesians 6:18 (NCV)

How do I live in God’s presence? How do I detect his unseen hand on my shoulder and his inaudible voice in my ear?…How can you and I grow familiar with the voice of God? Here are a few ideas:
Give God your waking thoughts. Before you face the day, face the Father. Before you step out of bed, step into his presence.

Give God your waiting thoughts. Spend time with him in silence.

Give God your whispering thoughts.…Imagine considering every moment as a potential time of communion with God.

Give God your waning thoughts. At the end of the day, let your mind settle on him. Conclude the day as you began it: talking to God.

By Max Lucado
Used by Permission
From: Just Like Jesus

To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at:
https://maxlucado.com/about/

Further Reading

• How to Know I am Really Saved

•  God’s Plan – A Study on God’s Destiny for Me?

•  Salvation Explained

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Don’t assume God is watching from a distance. Isolation creates a downward cycle of fret. Choose instead to be the person who clutches the presence of God with both hands! We can calmly take our concerns to God because he is as near as our next breath! And because the Lord is near, we can be anxious for nothing!

By Max Lucado
From: Anxious for Nothing

To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at:    
https://maxlucado.com/about/

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