Recognize the Presence of God

The Presence of God - Week 1

Have you ever felt the presence of God?

Or what you thought might have been,

could have been,

was a possibility

of the presence of God?

Or did you consider it a

50/50 chance,

outside chance,

potentially

the presence of God?

I have a strong feeling that a lot of you may not have a complete certainty that you feel the presence of God or ever have felt it. Well sweet ladies I am going to put a stop to this guesswork today!

The great quandary of:

“Do I feel the presence of God?” or “Will I ever feel it?”

is about to be resolved by these hands, an insider story and a message from the Creator Himself!

WOW! Did I just make such an audacious and courageous claim? Girls it is courageous for me! Honey, I am not all that (as they say). Sometimes I am just barely hanging on to plausibility instead of unwavering faith. But most days, more and more, I am steadfast trusting in our Creator. So here goes.

Allow me to put this hazy issue (Do I feel the Presence of God?) to rest. Let’s end this confusion. It will be easier than you think. It is not a complicated heart-intensive or time-consuming drudgery. It is fun!

Let’s begin with my insider story:

I will announce (without fear of losing your trust) that I do feel the presence of God at times. We can call it the presence of God, the Holy Spirit or Jesus. I am naming it the presence of God for this Bible Study series, but it can be all three of them.

My most recent occurrence was in church. “Big surprise!” you say. Well this particular event was not what you call a worship or preaching atmosphere. This event of God’s presence was in a classroom type setting. It was held in an auditorium filled with students (the audience) and a teacher. It was a class teaching the purpose and principles of the church. This place had no worship music and no preaching – just a learning atmosphere.

As I sat and took notes with my fellow students; IT HAPPENED. I felt the presence of God. I am humbly honored to be familiar with this experience. It is not easy to describe, but I will attempt it.

For me personally I feel:

• a consciousness of something near me but not physical in nature (it’s spiritual girls)

• a sensation of peace unexplained (not based on any circumstance; peace that surpasses understanding)

• an awareness of joy close by

• a contentment in my being

• a calmness around my mind

• an encompassing of love (love surrounding me on all sides)

Any of these feelings cause my emotions to be charged with gratefulness and deep appreciation for my Creator God and the creation of me. This causes tears to want to emerge in total praise and thanksgiving to our Father God. I tend to hold back the tears in public, because I can’t explain to others my emotions at that time. It is not my time and place to share this.

Maybe these descriptions can give you an idea of my experience in the presence of God. I am sure that many of you have your own unique set of words to depict your feelings of the presence of God. My sole purpose in this study is to help others become more acquainted with God’s presence in their lives. This Bible Study Series is God’s plan. I even questioned God if it was too bold for me to write. He directed me to continue. God wants you in his presence. This is His message to you.

I have no doubt whatsoever that I feel the presence of God sometimes. You most likely feel something also that cannot be clarified or defined by your physical surroundings or events. You may dismiss it quickly due to your physical self in need of an earthly explanation. Maybe Satan has you believing a lie that you are not good enough for such a gratification from God. This is a lie! God never condemns you. Never. Romans 8:1 says “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” There could be a lot of reasons you find it difficult to accept a feeling that you are in God’s presence. Well, ladies I don’t care what reasons you have for this doubt and uncertainty because: the presence of your Father God is with you always and there are times it can be perceived and received.

Psalm 139: 7-8 NIV

Where can I go from your Spirit?

Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there;

if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

Our first steps on this journey to feel the presence of God are very basic and satisfying to your soul. You will learn to recognize the presence of God!

Two Easy Steps to Start to Recognize the Presence of God:

1. Mediate on the fact that God is always with you. Use Psalm 139:7-8 or another Bible verse of your choice. Let the truth of God on this subject penetrate your heart and demand your brain to think about the fact that God’s presence exists on earth.

2. Stop denying that you could be feeling the presence of God.

When you feel

peace,

joy,

satisfaction,

fulfillment,

love,

or any other good thing

that seems to come out of nowhere and you don’t understand it - do not reject it as the presence of God. Feel free to accept it as the presence of God when it is not clear why you feel these good things.

If this is just too ambitious for you, here is an even easier start:

When you encounter peace (or any good feelings) that surpass earthly understanding, thank God for these pleasing sensations.

Philippians 4:7

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Thank God for:

awareness of good, consciousness of peace, perception of calmness, contentment or any pleasant state of mind, especially if you don’t find a reasonable explanation for it in your world at that time.

To describe the presence of God as a feeling or sensation just does not give it justice. It is amazing and powerful. The more you let yourself become aware and conscious of it, the more you will appreciate the wonder of it. You will begin to see the affection God is bringing you.

This week start with gratitude. Thank God for good, satisfying feelings particularly when you don’t understand an earthly reason for it. I told you this would be fun! Please do this and see your week bring you a new exciting sense of gladness!

The basic 2 steps are the beginning of a journey that will reassure and comfort you so very much in your relationship with God.

TWO BASIC STEPS (Week 1) – Recognizing the Presence of God

1. Mediate, ponder and consider the truth of the Word of God.

Psalm 139: 7-8 NIV

Where can I go from your Spirit?

Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there;

if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

2. Thank your Father God for good feelings (most of all when they don’t make sense from you circumstances presently.)

Published 3/13/2017

Writer: Truly Kernea

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