The Awareness of God's Presence
"Be still, and know that I am God..." (Psalm 46:10, KJV)
I can remember my salvation experience and the peace that accompanied it afterwards. To make an attempt to put into words, the sensation and feeling that went along with it is virtually impossible. One way I would try to describe it would be, "a total unceasing joy, an unspeakable love". It was a feeling that was constantly with me. I would wake up with it, would progress through the day with it, and would lay down in bed at night with it. In addition, my entire demeanor changed. I had a completely new attitude, as if I was continuously aware of God, and his grace.
However, this did not last forever but would begin to diminish with time. This being the result of allowing the daily pressures and preoccupations to creep in and overtake my spirit. The fire that had been an inferno had dwindled down to merely a flame. (One point I would like to make regarding the previous. Though I have given a description of my own experience. I would not put forth such as a test for truth regarding salvation. It was my subjective experience and others should not use it as a measure for their own. A true testimony of my salvation will be borne out of the spiritual fruit I bear.)
Over time I found myself allowing negative thoughts to take control. I would give in to unreasonable anger. I'd have days that were dominated by a bad attitude. My prayer life had become pitiful and my mind was far away from God. I had even fallen into gross sin.
I came to a point and began questioning myself, "What happened?” “Why wasn't that feeling as strong as it once was?”, “Was I still saved?”, “Had I even been saved to begin with?”, “Had I done something wrong?”
I had done something wrong...
In the midst of my everyday activities and settling into and becoming comfortable with my new Christian life. Somehow or another I had allowed God to fade into the background. It was as if I had been walking with God, and like a child I’d become distracted with some shiny object. Just as a child would release the hand of a parent and scurry away, I had done the same and now found myself lost. Not in the sense I had lost my salvation but, I had lost my way.
After this revelation, I became determined I would remedy the problem. I began reading my Bible and praying more. I was even making an effort to witness more. But, still something wasn't right.
First, of the above mentioned things I was doing, holy as they are, I was doing them of the flesh. I think subconsciously I was attempting to appease, or atone, for my past lacking. When all I needed to do was flee to the cross of Christ, and ask forgiveness.
Second, in conducting these activities with such a mindset, I had busied myself to the point that I still was not aware of God's presence. The Lord had been calling to me. But just as the husband who is cutting his lawn is unable to hear his wife's calls, so I was. Bible studies were for the most part, merely readings. I would scarcely come from the same with anything impressed upon my spirit, and could seldom remember a couple of hours later what it was I had read. Prayer became a repetition of words that I could recite in my sleep, empty and insincere in some ways, and done in a hurried manner. I had increased the quantity of both, but the quality was poor.
Praise God and his Holy Spirit, which would not give me rest in my own soul until I came to the realization of what I was doing.
After having this revealed to me by the Holy Spirit, I resolved to give it all up to Him. I began to slow down and meditate on the Lord, His glory, and His grace. So much on his grace. Grace that I most certainly do not deserve. Before prayer, before Bible study, and throughout the day. This has done wonders as it has greatly increased my fellowship time with the Lord. Those feelings of joy and love have once again manifested. I now have an awareness of God's presence being close to me.
For those of you, who are believers, and who feel a lacking in your spirit. That distance from God. I would counsel, take a step back and examine your life and your heart. First, are you in the midst of some sin that could interfere with your relationship? Second, what is the motivation behind your offerings, such as prayer and Bible study? If there is something wrong in your spiritual life, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal it to you. Third, slow down and listen for the voice of God. He is there if we will only take the opportunity to listen to him. Not only to tell us what to do, but to reassure and impart his love and peace to us. It is so important to remain in fellowship with the Lord. It is the primary way to keep us from wandering into sin.
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (Philppians 4:8, KJV)
Remember, it is not He who has went missing, but us. We are his lambs and he is looking and calling out to us. He loves us more than we could ever know.
"And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together, his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost." (Luke 15:5-6, KJV)
I can remember my salvation experience and the peace that accompanied it afterwards. To make an attempt to put into words, the sensation and feeling that went along with it is virtually impossible. One way I would try to describe it would be, "a total unceasing joy, an unspeakable love". It was a feeling that was constantly with me. I would wake up with it, would progress through the day with it, and would lay down in bed at night with it. In addition, my entire demeanor changed. I had a completely new attitude, as if I was continuously aware of God, and his grace.
However, this did not last forever but would begin to diminish with time. This being the result of allowing the daily pressures and preoccupations to creep in and overtake my spirit. The fire that had been an inferno had dwindled down to merely a flame. (One point I would like to make regarding the previous. Though I have given a description of my own experience. I would not put forth such as a test for truth regarding salvation. It was my subjective experience and others should not use it as a measure for their own. A true testimony of my salvation will be borne out of the spiritual fruit I bear.)
Over time I found myself allowing negative thoughts to take control. I would give in to unreasonable anger. I'd have days that were dominated by a bad attitude. My prayer life had become pitiful and my mind was far away from God. I had even fallen into gross sin.
I came to a point and began questioning myself, "What happened?” “Why wasn't that feeling as strong as it once was?”, “Was I still saved?”, “Had I even been saved to begin with?”, “Had I done something wrong?”
I had done something wrong...
In the midst of my everyday activities and settling into and becoming comfortable with my new Christian life. Somehow or another I had allowed God to fade into the background. It was as if I had been walking with God, and like a child I’d become distracted with some shiny object. Just as a child would release the hand of a parent and scurry away, I had done the same and now found myself lost. Not in the sense I had lost my salvation but, I had lost my way.
After this revelation, I became determined I would remedy the problem. I began reading my Bible and praying more. I was even making an effort to witness more. But, still something wasn't right.
First, of the above mentioned things I was doing, holy as they are, I was doing them of the flesh. I think subconsciously I was attempting to appease, or atone, for my past lacking. When all I needed to do was flee to the cross of Christ, and ask forgiveness.
Second, in conducting these activities with such a mindset, I had busied myself to the point that I still was not aware of God's presence. The Lord had been calling to me. But just as the husband who is cutting his lawn is unable to hear his wife's calls, so I was. Bible studies were for the most part, merely readings. I would scarcely come from the same with anything impressed upon my spirit, and could seldom remember a couple of hours later what it was I had read. Prayer became a repetition of words that I could recite in my sleep, empty and insincere in some ways, and done in a hurried manner. I had increased the quantity of both, but the quality was poor.
Praise God and his Holy Spirit, which would not give me rest in my own soul until I came to the realization of what I was doing.
After having this revealed to me by the Holy Spirit, I resolved to give it all up to Him. I began to slow down and meditate on the Lord, His glory, and His grace. So much on his grace. Grace that I most certainly do not deserve. Before prayer, before Bible study, and throughout the day. This has done wonders as it has greatly increased my fellowship time with the Lord. Those feelings of joy and love have once again manifested. I now have an awareness of God's presence being close to me.
For those of you, who are believers, and who feel a lacking in your spirit. That distance from God. I would counsel, take a step back and examine your life and your heart. First, are you in the midst of some sin that could interfere with your relationship? Second, what is the motivation behind your offerings, such as prayer and Bible study? If there is something wrong in your spiritual life, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal it to you. Third, slow down and listen for the voice of God. He is there if we will only take the opportunity to listen to him. Not only to tell us what to do, but to reassure and impart his love and peace to us. It is so important to remain in fellowship with the Lord. It is the primary way to keep us from wandering into sin.
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (Philppians 4:8, KJV)
Remember, it is not He who has went missing, but us. We are his lambs and he is looking and calling out to us. He loves us more than we could ever know.
"And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together, his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost." (Luke 15:5-6, KJV)