CONTEND for the PRESENCE

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.

We know that the presence of the LORD can and will bring transformation.  

We know that when we contend for His presence real change can and will occur.

The question is then, ARE we seeking that transformation, are we looking for the refining change that His presence can and does offer us? 

Remember:

"The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him." 2 Chronicles 16:9

Therefore, let’s ask ourselves the tough questions today:

As the Lord searches the earth will he find US committed, will he find US seeking Him in the same way He is seeking us?  Will He?

Are we aware of GOD’s pursuit? Embracing it? Allowing it?

Are we aware of the opportunities and life changes available?

Or have we traded the presence of GOD for the pursuit of other things or settled for the status quo?

The eyes of the Lord are indeed searching and I will be the first to admit there are more days that not that I am sure He is having a challenge finding me.  Yet in spite of my “hiding”, His desire for me and you for that matter to wade deeper into His intimate presence is never in question. 

NEVER!

That is why we must be diligent to and ALLOW GOD’S CAPTIVATING presence in our days and lives! Let’s not become so busy that we miss it.  

I am preaching to my exhausted self today.  

Don’t become so distracted that it escapes our awareness.

Don’t be so preoccupied that it is ignored!

Ortberg says it this way:

For most of us, the great danger is not that we will renounce our faith. It is that we will become so distracted and rushed and preoccupied that we will settle for a mediocre version of it. We will just skim our lives instead of actually living them.

I don’t want a mediocre life and I am confident one spent in the presence of the Lord will be anything but! For it is often forgotten that the in the presence of the LORD there is only the amazing never the mediocre!

In Your presence there is freedom

In Your presence there is hope

In Your presence there is healing

Love restores me, I am whole

No matter how far I run

You are with me

No matter how far I fall

Your love is everlasting

Your kindness never ends

God, You never leave me

Your presence goes before us

Your glory has no end

In Your presence there is power

Through Your spirit, strength will rise

In Your presence there is mercy

And in Your presence I'm alive

You will be our guide

To the end, to the end.

Is it time to be INTENTIONAL again for the PRESENCE of GOD?

It will be the best thing that we can do!

Will we allow it and contend for it? 

I love you all…

Opportunities for Hope (Champions Charge)