Presents or Presence

It’s all about the presents!

When my children, Brian and Karen, were young their grandparents would make the 7 hour drive from Southern California to our home in Oakland to celebrate Christmas.  The kids would run excitedly out the front door as Grandma and Grandpa pulled up in the driveway in that big Ford LTD. Then, with great fanfare, the huge trunk would open stuffed to the gills with tons of beautifully wrapped boxes.  Wow! What fun and excitement as we carried all those presents into the house and placed them around the tree where they would spill out all over the floor.

The anticipation of opening all those presents brought joy to all of us, but was it really about the presents?  Why did Grandma and Grandpa make that trip? What did they really want? What they really wanted was our presence. They came all that way so that they could be with us, so that they could see the smiles on the grandchildren’s faces, so that we could all just be together.

It’s not just about the presents, it’s about the Presence!

God had that very same desire. We were so very far away, but he was willing to make that  long and costly trip because he so wanted to be with us and have the joy of bringing us gifts.

And, oh, the gifts he brought all beautifully wrapped in his love - the joy, peace, strength and calm assurance. Every good and perfect gift that we would ever need all wrapped up in his Presence. He smiles when we open the gifts he came so far to bring. It brings him great joy when we abide in him. He himself, is the very best gift of all. He, himself is that good and perfect gift that came down from heaven.

Lord, you extended and expended yourself to give us the gift of yourself and along with your presence every good and perfect gift that we will ever need. Let us open and receive those gifts today and especially enjoy your Presence this Christmas time.  Thank you for coming all that way and paying the price so that we can have the extreme joy of being with you.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down

from the Father of the heavenly lights.

James 1:17

The Joy of His Presence

For the joy that lay before him,

 he endured the cross,

 despising the shame,

 and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:2 CSB

Let's take time today to rest in his presence.  In his presence is fullness of joy. 

Joy comes from relationship with God and others. Because God wanted to have the joy of our company, Jesus endured a painful death.  Now we have a place in his presence. 

Some days we feel far away because of fear or guilt. Yet, he is still the same.  He is still there. Oh, for the return of those days of blessedness when we feel his presence - the warmth, peace and calm assurance.  It makes it so much easier for us to give the gift of loving presence away to others when we are experiencing it ourselves.

Lord, thank you today for the gift of your presence, for the gift of communion and fellowship.  I am so happy that you want to be with me.

Today, even if I have feelings of guilt or fear, may I still acknowledge that you are here.  Set me free so that I may come again into your presence where I can experience full fellowship with you and give it away to others.  Amen.

You will show me the way of life,

granting me the joy of your presence 

and the pleasures of living with you forever.

Psalms 16:11 NLT

Presence

And I will ask the Father, 

and he will give you another Advocate, 

who will never leave you.

No, I will not abandon you as orphans

—I will come to you. 

John 14:16,18 

It is for your good that I am going away. 

Unless I go away, 

the Counselor will not come to you;

but if I go, I will send him to you. 

John 16:7

Jesus knew the sadness and fear that his followers were feeling when he told them he would be leaving. He was concerned for them. For three years they had enjoyed his companionship, deriving strength and encouragement from his presence. Jesus comforted them by telling them that he would not leave them but would come to them in the person of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit would become their close companion to help, cheer, strengthen and encourage them just as he had done.

The Holy Spirit is God's gift to us. Because of this gift we have the privilege of living in the presence of God. It is just like the disciples walking with Jesus except now the Holy Spirit is not just with us and around us, but also in us. Jesus sent the Spirit to us to be our companion as we walk here on this earth. He didn't want us to feel alone but wanted us to walk every day with a sense of his presence. We experience his presence all around us. Even in those times when we cannot feel his presence we rely on the truth of God’s promise. He said that he will always be with us, will never leave or forsake us, so we take him at his word knowing no matter how we feel, he is there.

Thank you, Jesus for asking the Father to send the Holy Spirit to abide with us. We know you are always there to comfort and encourage us no matter how we may feel. We seek more and more the experience of your presence, Holy Spirit.

And when you believed in Christ, 

he identified you as his own

by giving you the Holy Spirit, 

whom he promised long ago. 

2 Cor. 1:22

The Spirit is God’s guarantee 

that he will give us the inheritance he promised 

and that he has purchased us to be his own people. 

Eph 1:14 

Holy Spirit

Francesca Battistelli

There's nothing worth more

That could ever come close 

No thing can compare

You're our living hope. 

Your presence, Lord.

I've tasted and seen

Of the sweetest of loves 

Where my heart becomes free

And my shame is undone 

Your presence, Lord.

Holy Spirit, You are welcome here

Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere.

Your glory, God, is what our hearts long for

To be overcome by Your presence, Lord 

Your presence, Lord 

There's nothing worth more

That could ever come close

Let us become more aware of Your presence 

Let us experience the glory of Your goodness 

Listen to Holy Spirit by Francesca Battistelli

Abide with Me

We are faced with so much uncertainty in life - an unexpected illness, a loss, a crisis.  He hasn't promised us perfection in this sinful world.  There is always the possibility that we will face heartache and suffering. The only thing we can count on is God's steadfast presence with us.  The knowledge that he is always there, no matter what happens, is our constant comfort. 

He tells us,  "Be of good cheer, for I have faced it all and have overcome it all by my spirit and I give that spirit to you."   He overcame the world.  What should I fear? We need not fear change or suffering or an unexpected crisis of health or life because we know that God has already seen it.

In the midst of sorrow and sadness, pain or suffering, let us ask for a consciousness of his abiding presence to cheer and to guide us.  Great is his faithfulness. No matter what happens he is there to help us. This is his promise, "I will be with you always even to the end of time." (Mt. 28.20)

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33 (NLT)

Abide with Me

Abide with me - fast the eventide!

The darkness deepens - Lord, with me abide;

When other helpers fail and comforts flee,

Help of the helpless, 

O abide with me!

Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day,

Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away;

Change and decay in all around I see - 

O Thou who changest not, abide with me!

I need Thy presence every passing hour -

What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's power?

Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be?

Thru cloud and sunshine,

O, abide with me!

I fear no foe with Thee at hand to bless,

Ills have no weight and tears no bitterness;

Where is death's sting? where, grave, thy victory?

I triumph still if thou abide with me!

Hold Thou Thy Word before my closing eyes,

Shine thru the gloom and point me to the skies;

heaven's morning breaks and earth's vain shadows flee -

In life, in death, 

O Lord, abide with me!

Henry F. Lyte (1847)

To hear this beautiful hymn go to:  http://youtu.be/Rw5TtwJFIKU

In Times of Struggle

I will not fail you or abandon you.

Josh 1:5 (NLT)

Sometimes our emotions get the best of us and we feel like we are in the bottom of a deep, dark well.  Here is were we need the encouragement that God is with us where ever we are and will never leave or abandon us.  This is the encouragement he gives over and over again.  He does not change and is not affected by our moods.  He is forever constant, there abiding with us through all of our struggles.

This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. (Josh. 1:9)

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)

For I hold you by your right hand— I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you. (Isaiah 41:13)

Read Because We All Have These Days:  When We're Just Hanging on by a String, 9/26/12.

 www.aholyexperience.com 

Glory

Sunrise over Four Peaks - Cave Creek, AZ

"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."

Isaiah 6:3 (NIV)

Glory is the word used to describe God in all his transcendent beauty, majesty and holiness.  His glory fills all the earth and the heavens.  We see his glory all around us in the creation.  We experience his glory as we walk in his presence.   We are transformed by his glory.

When we look at our mundane lives we wonder “Where’s the glory?  What could it possibly mean that I am being transformed into his image?”  Yet, as I allow my mind to expand to encompass thoughts of his glory, I find amazing things happening in me.  First is worship.  As I contemplate his glory all around me, a sense of worship rises inside of me opening my heart to his transforming power. Then, even though I may face troubles of all kinds, as I acknowledge his glorious presence, I have a sense of peace and joy continually renewing my inner being.

God's desire for us is nothing less than that we should see and share his glory.  He has high hopes for us.  As we see and reflect his glory, he works in us to change and transform us into his very image – the image of Christ who is the exact representation of God’s glory.

Therefore we do not lose heart. 

Though outwardly we are wasting away,

 yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 

  For our light and momentary troubles

 are achieving for us an eternal glory 

that far outweighs them all. 

  2 Cor 4:16-17 (NIV)

And we all, with unveiled faces

 reflecting the glory of the Lord, 

are being transformed into the same image

 from one degree of glory to another.

2 Cor 3:18 (NET)

Constancy

Every good and perfect gift is from above,

coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,

who does not change like shifting shadows.

James 1:17 (NIV)

The big difference between us and God is he is constant and we are fickle.  Our moods can fluctuate from day to day making us sometimes erratic and unstable.

God, on the other hand does not change.  He cannot change his mind.  His plans and purposes are secure and steady.  

He is like a strong, steady sun that does not move across the sky but shines constantly down upon us - no shifting shadows.  We do not have to worry that he will grow tired and look away or ignore us.  He is always available when we need him, always watching over us.  His love and care never leave us. 

Lord, thank you for your steady light smiling down upon us. 

He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.

Psalms 121:3-4 (NLT)

No longer will you need the sun to shine by day, nor the moon to give its light by night, for the Lord your God will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.

Isaiah 60:19 (NLT)

Exchanged

My old self has been crucified with Christ.

It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.

So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God,

who loved me and gave himself for me. 

Gal 2:19-21 (NLT)

I read this word with disbelief.  How can I be dead to sin when I so often feel the pull of temptation and often yield to its call.  I am so conscious of my own weakness and failure, its hard for me to get my mind around the idea that Christ actually lives in me.

The scriptural and theological picture is that of us dying with him and then being raised again to new life.  When we surrendered to Christ and trusted him as our savior he gave us new life, his life. Paul exhorts us to consider or deem this to be our true condition no matter how we feel. (Romans 6:11.) There is great power in this reckoning.

The truth of the matter is that the eternal Christ has chosen to take up residence in us.  We now have the power to choose not to give in to our own ways, but to yield to his. As we recognize and yield each moment to his life within, we begin to experience victory over those things that bring us down.  We live by faith in his indestructible life within us.  It is an exchanged life - my life for his.

I declare, "It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me."  You are here living in me, Lord. Help me to yield and defer to your life within at every moment so that I may experience victory and joy.  I turn away from myself and recognize your presence in me.

He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have.

And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us

by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. 

Romans 8:3 (NLT)

Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?

 We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ

so that sin might lose its power in our lives.

We are no longer slaves to sin.

 For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin.

  So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin

and alive to God through Christ Jesus.

Romans 6:2,6,7,11 (NLT)