[SPEAKER_00]: In the middle of our series on Grace, we're going to look at how experiencing God's presence gives a true or more heartfelt sense of God's grace.
[SPEAKER_00]: As we begin, let's set aside every burden and simply be present with God today.
[SPEAKER_00]: And may our focus for the next few minutes empower us to experience to greater depths the grace-filled presence of our loving God.
[SPEAKER_00]: Welcome to the first 15 podcast.
[SPEAKER_00]: Our Scripture for today comes from number 6, verse 25, Scripture says, the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you.
[SPEAKER_00]: The most gracious gift God continues to give us as His children, is His presence.
[SPEAKER_00]: Moses writes a beautiful and powerful prayer in number 625, the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you.
[SPEAKER_00]: Rest in the sweet imagery of that prayer for a moment.
[SPEAKER_00]: Reflect on the goodness of having God's face shine upon you.
[SPEAKER_00]: Feel the peace that comes from God's graciousness.
[SPEAKER_00]: There is nothing better in life than encountering God, because it's only in His presence that we are truly satisfied.
[SPEAKER_00]: Scripture illustrates this truth in Psalm 84, when the Psalmist writes, for a day in your court is better than a thousand elsewhere.
[SPEAKER_00]: I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tense of wickedness.
[SPEAKER_00]: For the Lord God is a son and shield, the Lord bestows favor and honor.
[SPEAKER_00]: No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly, a Lord of hosts.
[SPEAKER_00]: Blessed is the one who trusts in you.
[SPEAKER_00]: To encounter God is to experience His goodness.
[SPEAKER_00]: To spend time in His presence is to experience the very favor and honor that only come from His nearness.
[SPEAKER_00]: What would it be like to live your life entirely in the presence of God?
[SPEAKER_00]: What would change if you were to experience his goodness with every moment, waking or sleeping?
[SPEAKER_00]: How would the reality of his presence change the way you live your life for the better?
[SPEAKER_00]: the remarkable thing is that we have no reason to live our lives apart from God.
[SPEAKER_00]: When Jesus died, God tore the veil from top to bottom that separated us from Him.
[SPEAKER_00]: His tearing of the veil symbolizes the entire reason for the death of Jesus that God can once again dwell among His people.
[SPEAKER_00]: And furthermore, when you became a Christian, you were filled with God Himself.
[SPEAKER_00]: He's closer to you than the very breath that fills your lungs.
[SPEAKER_00]: You see, it's by God's grace that we have His presence.
[SPEAKER_00]: It's by His love that He makes Himself near to us.
[SPEAKER_00]: God's word tells us we can never escape His presence.
[SPEAKER_00]: Psalm 139 verses 9 through 10 says, if I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there, your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.
[SPEAKER_00]: Acts 17 verses 27 through 28 says, yet he is actually not far from each one of us.
[SPEAKER_00]: For in him we live and move and have our being.
[SPEAKER_00]: Your greatest gift is always available to you.
[SPEAKER_00]: No matter where you turn, God will be there.
[SPEAKER_00]: No sin can separate you from His presence, because His presence comes to you by grace, not by your works.
[SPEAKER_00]: So great is God's love for you that He offers you His gracious presence, regardless of anything you do, right or wrong.
[SPEAKER_00]: All that is required of you is to open your heart and receive the gift he offers.
[SPEAKER_00]: There is an endless amount of God's presence to receive.
[SPEAKER_00]: He is a fast and endless ocean that will never be fully discovered, but still he calls you to come and dive in.
[SPEAKER_00]: The Bible commands us in Ephesians 5A team to be filled with the Spirit, to be filled with God Himself.
[SPEAKER_00]: This passage is better translated, be being filled.
[SPEAKER_00]: God asks us to constantly be filled with His presence, because He knows it is our greatest gift.
[SPEAKER_00]: And the death of Christ has paved the way for us to receive this gift constantly.
[SPEAKER_00]: Spend time today simply being filled with God's presence, offered to you by His grace.
[SPEAKER_00]: May you experience the favor and honor that can only be found by resting in the presence of your Heavenly Father.
[SPEAKER_00]: As we begin, meditate on Scripture about God's presence.
[SPEAKER_00]: Renew your mind to the fact that He is with you right now, and that His presence is your greatest gift.
[SPEAKER_00]: Psalm 84, verses 10 through 12, says, for a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere.
[SPEAKER_00]: I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tense of wickedness.
[SPEAKER_00]: For the Lord God is a son and shield.
[SPEAKER_00]: The Lord bestows favor and honor.
[SPEAKER_00]: No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.
[SPEAKER_00]: O Lord of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you.
[SPEAKER_00]: and next, receive God's presence, open your heart and ask him to come near to you.
[SPEAKER_00]: Take note of how you feel different in response to his presence.
[SPEAKER_00]: James 4-8 says, draw near to God and he will draw near to you.
[SPEAKER_00]: And now live today in the continual presence of your heavenly father.
[SPEAKER_00]: If you notice yourself living outside of the nearness of God, just take a minute and receive his presence again.
[SPEAKER_00]: Psalm 139 verses 9 through 10 says, if I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there, your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.
[SPEAKER_00]: As you go out today in pursuit of the presence of God, keep this quote from Brother Lawrence close to your heart.
[SPEAKER_00]: May it fuel you toward the goodness and simplicity of encountering your Heavenly Father in all you do.
[SPEAKER_00]: He does not ask much of us, merely a thought of him from time to time, a little act of adoration, sometimes to ask for his grace, sometimes to offer him your sufferings, at other times, to thank him for the grace his past and present he has bestowed on you.
[SPEAKER_00]: In the midst of your troubles, to take solace in him as often as you can.
[SPEAKER_00]: Lift up your heart to him during your meals and in company.
[SPEAKER_00]: The least little remembrance will always be the most pleasing to him.
[SPEAKER_00]: One need not cry out very loudly.
[SPEAKER_00]: He is nearer to us than we think.
[SPEAKER_00]: Thanks for listening to today's podcast.
[SPEAKER_00]: I'm Josh with Verse 15.
[SPEAKER_00]: As you go about your day today, look for another opportunity to set aside every other focus and simply be present with God.
[SPEAKER_00]: It could be in your commute before a meeting, a few minutes over lunch.
[SPEAKER_00]: Whatever it is, touch points of connection throughout the day can make a huge difference in our ability to abide meaningfully.
[SPEAKER_00]: Thanks again for being here.
[SPEAKER_00]: As always, we would love to hear from you, send us a note at podcast at first15.org.
[SPEAKER_00]: Have a wonderful rest of your day and may God bless you as you see Kim.