YOU don't have to SAY A WORD!

 

I love quiet nights at home with Stephanie. 

We have been married for 47 years. We have ridden across country together on motorcycle, flown to far away lands, worked together, worshipped together, and ministered together. Now, temporarily, we get to work together again as we are still in the process of hiring a new church administrative assistant. Because we have spent so much time together, WE DON'T HAVE TO SAY A WORD. We just enjoy each other's presence and when we are a part, we miss each other. We just miss each other's presence. 

Sure there is a lot of joy in our adventures, but there is also a lot of joy in just being with each other. 

Is that our same attitude about God?

Research on how we experience JOY tells us that just being together with the RIGHT PERSON can flood our minds with JOY. That is certainly true for Stephanie and me. Is it true about just being together with GOD? Do you revel in just sitting in the presence of God? Do you miss him when you don't get to spend time with him? 

I was talking to a dear friend the other day who was saying he is struggling spending time in God's word. I told him it is a common battle many of us face. But, I asked him, "WHY DO YOU PRAY? WHY DO YOU READ SCRIPTURE?"  I would say most of us would say we love to gain knowledge about how we are to live life. We love to learn more about God. Most of us would admit that we pray because we need God's help with something. God speaks to us through his word and through prayer. But, SOMETIMES, we just need to sit quietly and appreciate being in the PRESENCE of the MOST HIGH GOD, the CREATOR of the UNIVERSE, OUR SAVIOR. Sometimes we just need to sit quietly, don't ask for anything, don't open the Bible, don't listen to a sermon, just sit in the PRESENCE OF GOD. 

It really takes a bit of training to sit quietly before the Lord. For me, my mind just doesn't like to stop thinking, planning, and playing the WHAT IF game. If you have never just sat quietly before the Lord, here is my practical advice. Start slow, maybe five minutes. If you mind starts to drift, don't panic, just bring yourself back and empty your mind of those thoughts. Don't give up. Slowly increase your time and eventually build up to 20-30 minutes. I think you will find the PEACE, the HOPE, the JOY, and the LOVE that fills your soul will make it worth the effort. 

"I will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me. I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety. For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your holy one to rot in the grave. You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with your forever." (Psalm 16:7-11, NLT)

Just sitting in the presence of the Lord brings great joy. Just being in the presence of JESUS gives extreme pleasure that lasts forever. Joy is deeply connected to our relationship with GOD. The Psalmist expresses that ultimate joy is found in God's presence. This kind of joy lasts, it is eternal, it is not just a fleeting moment in time. We need to prioritize time with the Lord, but don't ALWAYS fill that time with TALK and STUDY. Sometimes just sitting quietly before his throne is all we really need. 

Heavenly Father, draw me closer to you. Fill me with the JOY of YOUR PRESENCE. Calm my heart, quiet my mind, and let me just FEEL your hug, your presence, and your love. Thank you Lord for the JOY of just being with you. Amen!

Can you find some time just to SIT IN THE PRESENCE of the GOD of the UNIVERSE?

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If you haven't repented of your sin, accepted what Jesus did for you on the cross, dying for your sins, or if you have not committed your life to Jesus, TODAY could be that day. give your life to the Lord. 

"because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved." (Romans 10:9-10, ESV)

If you gave your life to Jesus today, text the word "faith" to (765)-896-4302 and we will follow up with material for you and join you in your walk of faith!