THE PRESENCE THAT COUNTS (4)

THE BENEFITS OF DIVINE PRESENCE – TESTIMONIES

TEXT: Acts 10:38

Today we conclude the series on the inevitability of God’s presence for a triumphant and blessed life with brief testimonies of some Biblical characters. It is true that your life cannot resist change when you carry God.

Taking a scriptural spotlight on Jesus’ life and ministry, the presence of God was so evident in His life that even the unbelievers testified that the results and virtues that streamed from Him on earth could only have been possible by God being with Him:

“For no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him” (John 3:2b).

It is glaring that God’s presence silences doubters and overcomes oppositions. If they doubt you, they cannot doubt His presence. If they refuse you, go and seek for God’s presence and those who disbelieved and rejected you will return looking for you. By this, Jesus, the rejected stone became the chief cornerstone (Acts 4:11).

1)    Divine presence equals divine ability (John 3:2)

Ability is a function of God’s presence. There are things that you do and miles you go, not by your power, but by His presence. His presence is an anti-dote for weakness and laziness. When Samson lost God’s presence he lost divine strength and ability: “And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him” (Judges 16:20).

2)    Divine presence is key to a victorious life

“And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him” (1 Samuel 18:12).

King Saul was afraid of ‘little’ David not because David had guns and bodyguards, but because David carried God. The presence of God is spiritual immunity from the enemies and a source of spiritual authority against them. No devil, demon or witch can cross their limits when you possess God’s presence. Timidity is an offshoot of lack of divine presence. Saul was scared, not because he didn’t have armour bearers and weapons, but because the Lord had departed from him (1 Samuel 18:12b).

3)    True Greatness is a symbol of divine presence

Solomon attained greatness in life, not because of riches or positional status, but by the working of God’s presence:

“And the LORD his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly” (2 Chronicles 1:1b).

If you must go far for God, then you must go with God.

4)    Divine presence is the generator of the anointing, power and a life that counts in destiny and eternity

“How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him” (Acts 10:38).

I pray that you shall not lose God’s presence. Samson lost it and landed in the enemies camp. King Saul lost it and came under demonic manipulation. The most vulnerable man on the street is the man without the presence of God. You may carry the biggest Bible in your hand, if you don’t carry God in your life; you are the cheapest commodity the devil can have.

Beloved, the secret of true greatness is not in struggles or by connection, it is by divine presence. You cannot carry God and ‘carry last’!!! God bless you.

THE PRESENCE THAT COUNTS (3)

THE BENEFITS OF DIVINE PRESENCE – JOSEPH’S TESTIMONY

TEXT: 1 Samuel 5:10

In furtherance of our series on the virtues and values of God’s presence we shall undertake in-depth considerations of the impact of God’s presence in the life of some Bible characters.

What makes the difference in a man’s life most times is regarded as grace and the anointing. But deeply, what makes the difference is God’s presence. Grace and anointing are products of God’s presence. The exploits of Jesus on earth and the measure of unction and anointing upon His life were summed up in these words: “for God was with him” (Acts 10:38d). It is ‘God with you’ that gives you edge in life!

Joseph’s journey through life was characterised by God’s presence; from his father’s house, through the three (3) Ps he went through (pit, Potiphar’s house, prison) and to the palace. We here consider just four (4) of the impact divine presence had on his divine destiny.

1)      DIVINE DIRECTION

Joseph became a wanderer at a point in his life not knowing the way to go (Genesis 37:15). And then suddenly direction appeared and he entered the path of destiny. The rest is history today.

You cannot carry God’s presence and end up in the wrong direction. Divine presence has affinity for divine destiny. Even when you are at a junction of confusion, God’s presence takes over the atmosphere, confusion dissolves and your path becomes defined because it is divine (Proverbs 4:18).

2)      PRESERVATION

Joseph left home at seventeen (17) and came before Pharaoh at thirty (30). For thirteen years he moved from the pit, becoming a house boy and then a prisoner. His brothers could not kill him, Potiphar could not execute him; his life was preserved in God because he carried God.

The presence of God generates an atmosphere of preservation around you (Genesis 35:5), and you become untouchable. Any demon who dares will be electrocuted by the supernatural voltage that is emitted by divine presence (Psalm 105:13-15).

3)      FAVOUR

“But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour…” (Genesis 39:21).

Divine presence is the raw material for divine favour. The way it works is that the presence of God makes mercy available, and where mercy is, favour is birth (Psalm 102:13).

Take for instance, you may not be allowed access into a security enclosed place. But when you walk with the Chief Executive of the place, his presence automatically gives you access because they cannot question him and so won’t question you. The same explains God’s presence and divine favour; when God is with you, doors open to you.

4)      PROSPERITY

“The LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper” (Genesis 39:23).

God’s presence is an inestimable asset. You cannot be loaded (with it) and not be needed. When God is with you, His life is in you, and this life flows into everything (positive) you lay your hands upon to do. What makes the difference is not the size, location or competition of what you are doing but the availability of God’s presence. It facilitates supernatural marketing and edges out conspiracy.

Beloved, I know of no other power behind divine destiny than divine presence. And as you spend time with Him and step out for Him, may His presence anchor your life and be the pillar of your eternal focus. Amen.

THE PRESENCE THAT COUNTS (2)

"AND TO BE WITH HIM"

TEXT: Revelations 22:1-5

The ultimate purpose of God for wanting us to be in Heaven at the end of our lives here on earth is not just for us to see the beauty of Heaven, but to be with Him forever. It is beyond beauty; it is about fellowship! It is this fellowship that Paul longed for when he said: "And to be WITH Christ; (which) is far better" (Philippians 1:23b, emphasis mine).

What drives us in the pursuit of Heaven is not because we are frustrated by life here or we are trying to escape the temptations here, it is because there is a 'better country we see, that is, an Heavenly: a city prepared for us' (Hebrews 11:16). This was what Abraham and others saw, and even though they were very rich here on earth, they were looking for that blessed hope. Unlike unbelievers assume; they think we are a bunch of confused and frustrated beings seeking Heaven as mere consolation. But we desire Heaven because that is where our Father dwells and we desire to be with Him when we leave here. We seek Heaven, not out of frustration, but for fellowship and the eternal joy of being with God forever.

"And they shall see His face...and they shall reign for ever and ever" (Revelation 22:4-5, Abridged).
And the beauty is that God has promised us Heaven and this fellowship and He is coming to take us home. And I want to point you to something important: Who are those that will see Him when He returns? Hebrews 9:28 gives an answer: "And unto them that LOOK FOR HIM shall He appear the second time". Are you (truly) looking for God? How can you say you are looking for Him when you barely have time for Him? How much of God do you know? How much of God do you seek to know? If you have no time and place for God on earth, is it the same God you want to welcome you with open arms in eternity?

What will happen in Heaven is not a fresh fellowship; it is a continuation of fellowship and the latter on a higher platform and deeper realms of devotion and worship. If you don't know fellowship here on earth, you may not be a part of fellowship in Heaven. And you cannot talk about fellowship without abiding in His presence.

In 2014, His presence is the key to ceaseless fellowship. If you want to go far with God, spend time with God. Spiritual dryness is anti-divine destiny. It is those who are loaded that are needed.
God's presence has a transforming power that makes you more like Him. I recommend you to the way to life and sweet fellowship: the presence of God. It will change your life forever!

THE PRESENCE THAT COUNTS (1)

TEXT: Psalm 91:1

Blessings! I trust it has been a triumphant day thus far. And so it shall continue.

On Spirit’s Sword Devotional today I want to draw your attention to three categories of people;

The first category comprise of people who come alive when they are in the midst of other people. They look for where to spend time, and so they go out to public places and associate with people who share their passions. They spend hours talking politics, football, movies, among others. But when it comes to God, they struggle to flow. They live without God in their lives. Even when they mention God, His name only exists on their lips; He has no place in their lives.

The second category of people know God to a certain measure. These ones would physically appear before God a maximum of once in a day and this may be in the morning or night; during the day God does exist, neither in their thoughts nor in their lives. The only time God ever crosses their minds is when they wake up in the morning or get back home at night and about to rest, and so they give God some time. This was Samson’s style, remembering God only when he needed help.

And while some people come into God’s presence, others carry God’s presence. This third category of people are mobile carriers of divine presence. They are connected (to God) wherever they go – office, driving or in public transport and walking on the street: God fills their thoughts. This is what it means to carry God’s presence. This was Joseph’s style, everywhere he went God was with him (Genesis 39:21, 23). And this was what Moses prayed for: “If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence” (Exodus 33:15). And this is what your life should typify – one who abides/dwells in God and not one who visits God.

In 2014, if you want to thrive in God and excel in His will, you must give priority to one place – the secret place; where you spend time in praying, fasting, fellowshipping, worshipping and all that are both spiritual and eternal. I decree that every seed of laziness and lukewarmness dies in your life now in Jesus’ name.

God’s presence is a destiny changer and eternity definer. Your life will never remain the same!