Coming into the presence of God!
Now all of us, both Jews and Gentiles, may come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us (Ephesians 2:17-18, NLT).
Because of her superlative experience and skills, Susie was granted a great honor and privilege -- she was invited to serve in the office of the President of the United States.
She was very excited about it, but she humbly wondered whether or not she would be able to make a very significant contribution.
The first time she met the President she was literally awestruck and overwhelmed. She was speechless. She did not know how to communicate and left in embarrassment and frustration.
The second time she felt more a little more at ease. One day the President embraced her and thanked her on different occasions for the good job she was doing. She became more and more at home and found herself coming into the presence of the President with anticipation and excitement. She was no longer reluctant, nor did she continue to have feelings of inadequacy. She was gradually able to make a very significant contribution to the President and his administration.
It is the same in the life of the believer. The more we come into the presence of God the more comfortable and natural we are around Him. Of course, as Suzie was with the President, we, in our relationship with our Lord, are always aware of who He is and we always behold Him with deep respect and awe. But we are no longer strangers. His presence becomes more of a wonderful, natural experience for us.
Also, the more we understand who He is and His great grace on our behalf, the more we can come boldly into His presence. The writer of Hebrews asks us to, "come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it" (4:16, NLT).
God desires our fellowship and intimacy. The Son of God shed His own blood to provide this access and intimacy. "He has broken down the wall of hostility that used to separate us.... He has brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and to us Jews who were near. Now all of us, both Jews and Gentiles, may come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us" (Ephesians 2:17-18, NLT).
Hoping for all of us to come into His presence with love and comfort,
Pastor Mike
Because of her superlative experience and skills, Susie was granted a great honor and privilege -- she was invited to serve in the office of the President of the United States.
She was very excited about it, but she humbly wondered whether or not she would be able to make a very significant contribution.
The first time she met the President she was literally awestruck and overwhelmed. She was speechless. She did not know how to communicate and left in embarrassment and frustration.
The second time she felt more a little more at ease. One day the President embraced her and thanked her on different occasions for the good job she was doing. She became more and more at home and found herself coming into the presence of the President with anticipation and excitement. She was no longer reluctant, nor did she continue to have feelings of inadequacy. She was gradually able to make a very significant contribution to the President and his administration.
It is the same in the life of the believer. The more we come into the presence of God the more comfortable and natural we are around Him. Of course, as Suzie was with the President, we, in our relationship with our Lord, are always aware of who He is and we always behold Him with deep respect and awe. But we are no longer strangers. His presence becomes more of a wonderful, natural experience for us.
Also, the more we understand who He is and His great grace on our behalf, the more we can come boldly into His presence. The writer of Hebrews asks us to, "come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it" (4:16, NLT).
God desires our fellowship and intimacy. The Son of God shed His own blood to provide this access and intimacy. "He has broken down the wall of hostility that used to separate us.... He has brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and to us Jews who were near. Now all of us, both Jews and Gentiles, may come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us" (Ephesians 2:17-18, NLT).
Hoping for all of us to come into His presence with love and comfort,
Pastor Mike
posted by Mike Sanderson @ 8:58 AM
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