I cannot imagine how religious persons can live satisfied without the practice of the presence of GOD.
Yesterday, at our staff meeting, God showed up in power! While Michael Brymer, our Road worship pastor, led us in worship, the Holy Spirit’s manifest presence came down and the whole room was lit up by God. Our chorus was so loud and empowered, I wondered if someone a block away couldn’t have heard us. People who hardly ever pray shouted out their prayers with faith and conviction. People, young and old, were caught up in the presence of God.
As Michael led us in the classic melody, “I’ve got a river of life flowing out of me…” God came with torrents of His living water and liquid love upon our team. It was holy, it was exciting, it was out of human control. God came down.
That same morning, at our 6 a.m. Morning Fire, a similar move of God’s Spirit happened. It was a powerful moment in time where heaven opened up and God came down. Last year at our men’s conference, “Wholeheart Advance,” while Mark Tedder led us in worship, the same kind of manifestation happened. God came down and none of us in that room could even move. We were in a kingdom paralysis under the Father’s love. It was like time stopped and we glimpsed a bit of the throne room of God.
The Bible is full of stories where God came down—with Elijah, Elisha, David, Solomon and the early Church. Is this not God’s way? Might it be that such times should be more frequent than rare? Yesterday, at staff meeting, should we have been silent before Him and waited for Him to speak? Should we have jumped for joy? Should we have continued to call out to Him? I don’t know. I’m learning and growing. I want to steward and cultivate the presence of God better.
Pondering the presence of God,
Steve
Steve Holt M.A., D.D.
