WORSHIP THOUGHTS

13/05/06 - Aware of God’s presence - Part Two

Last week we looked at how Jesus spoke to his disciples at the end of Matthew’s gospel and told them that he would be with them. This passage also refers to the fact that he is with us. He is with us! Hallelujah! Emmanuel, God with us. We concluded that if Jesus is with us, then his presence is also with us. This is something as Christians that we can be sure of. As worshippers – that includes singers and musicians – we have to be aware of the presence of God. It will help us when we are ministering to the Lord. In fact without the presence it is impossible to minister fully to him.

In Exodus 33 v 14-16 God spoke to Moses and told him that his presence would go with him. Moses replied, “If your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.” How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth.”

For so long the church has been playing catch up with the world, but, the church should be constantly filled with the presence of God and totally distinguishable from the world. The church should be filled with presence. Our lives should be filled with presence. Our worship should be filled with presence. Our playing and singing should be filled with presence. I am sure that a factor in this is that we must be fully devoted to God and the outworking of HIS purpose in our lives. God wants us to worship him, love him, adore him, obey him, and seek after him with all our hearts. We have the Holy Spirit resident inside us to help us in this pursuit.

My prayer is that this week you find a new closeness with God and become more aware of his presence in your life.