SMOKE WITH A RAKE

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

 

“Running from the presence of God has the futility of "trying to shovel smoke with a rake".” – Tripp

For:

“Always, everywhere God is present, and always He seeks to discover Himself to each one” ― A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God

 

Are you “running away from or EMBRACING the presence of GOD today?

It is a fair question.

 

Oh, we try to isolate ourselves, dodge GOD’S presence, hide, and do our best to seal ourselves away, but as that duo of Tripp and Tozar remind, we have a GOD who is OMNIPRESENT.

 

But that is NOT to say GOD is OPPRESSIVELY PRESENT.

Quite the contrary.

 

GOD generously and lovingly makes Himself available to us.

He patiently waits for us to acknowledge Him, encounter Him, engage Him, trust Him, intersect Him, and allow Him to instruct and impact our day!

He is always there. What we do with that truth is up to us!

 

That is why trying to escape His presence and His loving involvement is as futile as Tripp eludes.

 

Instead we should remember that…

…in (GOD’S) presence there is fullness of joy; at (HIS) right hand are pleasures forevermore Psalm 16:11 (ESV)

 

Psalm 139:7-10 (NIV)

...where can (we) flee from Your presence? If (we) ascend to heaven, You are there; If (we) make (our) bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. If (we) take the wings of the dawn, If (we) dwell in the remotest part of the sea…

Even there Your hand will lead (us)…

And Your right hand will lay hold of (us).

 

If you are like me I find that at times reassuring and other times quite convicting.  For there are times in my life where the intimacy of GOD is like a welcomed blanket on a cold fall morning, but when I am out of step with Him, I would love to have a closet or hiding place to escape His view.

 

But the truth of the matter is…

…The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Watching the evil and the good. Proverbs 15:3 (NIV)

 

So, we have a choice today as we do every day.

Embrace the presence and ALL that it promises or pointlessly try to “duck and weave” the watchful eye of the Father.

 

Let's trust Him! He has a GREAT plan for the day! He is beckoning all of us to ENGAGE! For God created us to live in close relationship with him, and He is meant to be embraced.

 

So here is your chance.

 

There can be such sweet reward

When we wait upon the Lord

As we take the time, he gives us his perfect wisdom.

To be found in Him alone,

All our deepest secrets known, we're surrounded by his grace

When we seek his face

 

In your presence there is comfort,

In your presence there is peace,

When we seek to know your heart,

We will find such blessed assurance

In your holy presence, Lord. – Tunney

 

Love ya all!

Have a blessed DAY!

OPPORTUNITIES for HOPE