Embracing God's Presence: Living in the Now

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing God's Unique Presence

Presence over formality invites divine purpose and power. The church is called to be a place where God's presence is not just welcomed but is the central focus. This means prioritizing authentic worship and praise over structured services. It is in the atmosphere of true worship that the church finds its unique calling and taps into the power that comes from aligning with God's will. Worship should not be a performance for the congregation but an offering to the divine, a space where the presence of God is so tangible that it transforms lives and fulfills the church's true purpose.

"Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel." - Psalm 22:3

Reflection: How can you cultivate a personal atmosphere of worship in your daily life that prioritizes God's presence over routine?

Day 2: Prophetic Encounter Through Worship

Prophetic words flow from divine presence, transforming lives. The prophetic encounter is a pivotal moment where the presence of God is so profound that it releases His word into the lives of the worshippers. This encounter is not a passive experience but an active engagement in worship that invites the divine to speak and bring about a shift in the atmosphere. It is a reminder that prophecy is not just about foretelling but about forth-telling—speaking God's truth into existence, aligning the church with His will, and initiating change.

"And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed." - Acts 14:23

Reflection: What changes in your life might God be initiating through your worship and attentiveness to His presence?

Day 3: The Power of Now in God's Presence

Living in the present is where one encounters God and finds peace. Dwelling on the past can lead to depression, and anxiety often stems from concerns about the future. However, the present moment is where one can truly meet with God, who is the "I Am." It is in the now that healing from past hurts occurs and where the foundation for a future in God's promises is laid. By being present and mindful of the current moment, individuals can experience the fullness of God's peace and receive what He has for them right then and there.

"Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old." - Isaiah 43:18

Reflection: What is one step you can take today to become more present in your daily walk with God?

Day 4: Authentic Worship Attracts Divine Attention

Genuine praise is a magnet for God's presence and favor. Authentic worship is not about imitation but about a personal, heartfelt response to the divine. It is an act that attracts God's attention and invites His presence into the worshipper's life. When praise is genuine, it creates an atmosphere where God is pleased to dwell, and in that presence, there is fullness of joy and the power to influence the world around us. Worship is not a means to an end but an end in itself, a way to honor God and enjoy His presence.

"But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him." - John 4:23

Reflection: In what ways can you make your daily worship more authentic and focused on God's presence?

Day 5: Present Actions Shape Future Blessings

Forgiveness and obedience in the present pave the way for future blessings. The actions taken in the present moment have a profound impact on the future. Releasing past hurts and extending forgiveness are not just acts of obedience but are liberating steps that open the way for God's blessings. The present is the time to sow into the kingdom, to worship, and to obey, setting the stage for a future that is aligned with God's promises and filled with His presence.

"Do not say, 'Why were the old days better than these?' For it is not from wisdom that you ask this." - Ecclesiastes 7:10

Reflection: What is one act of forgiveness or obedience you can commit to today that will shape your future with God's blessings?

Sermon Summary

In my sermon, I emphasized the unique calling of our church to be a place of presence, not just another church. I reminded the congregation that we often get busy with good things that aren't necessarily God things, which can lead us away from our true purpose and power. Our church was birthed in a spirit of worship and praise, and we are not confined to a structured service but are called to worship until His presence is felt. I stressed that real praise and worship are not about the performers but about God Himself.

I spoke about the upcoming prophetic encounter and the importance of God's presence, which carries His word and brings a shift in the atmosphere. I explained that God dwells in the praises of His people and that when we create a place for Him, He comes and sits down, signifying that His work is finished. In His presence, things that are not part of His kingdom, like anxiety and rebellion, have no place.

I encouraged the congregation to be present in the now, as it is all we have. I shared a personal revelation where God reminded me that He is the "I Am," existing in the present, and that our past and future are not accessible to us. We can only interact with God in the now, which is where we find healing and freedom from past hurts and set up our future.

I also addressed the importance of praise and worship as a means to get God's attention, likening it to how we might compliment someone to gain their attention. I reiterated that our worship should be authentic and personal, not just a mimicry of others.

I spoke about the power of God's word as the initiator of everything and the necessity of being in His presence to receive a word from Him. I shared a testimony of a prophetic word I received from Dr. Mark Sharona, which was fulfilled in a remarkable way, highlighting the accuracy and impact of true prophetic ministry.

I called the congregation to release past hurts and to forgive, as this would set them free in the present and impact their future. I encouraged them to sow into the kingdom with their offerings, emphasizing that their current actions would affect their future blessings.

Finally, I concluded with a call to action, urging everyone to be present and to handle their "now" with care, as it is the only way to step into the space where God is—in eternity, which is always now.

Key Takeaways

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Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to the sermon, what is the unique calling of the church? ([01:09])
What does the pastor say about the importance of God's presence in worship? ([05:00])
How does the pastor describe the impact of authentic praise and worship on God's presence? ([15:08])
What personal revelation did the pastor share about living in the present? ([33:11])

Interpretation Questions

How does Psalm 22:3 relate to the idea that God inhabits the praises of His people? What does this mean for our worship practices?
In Exodus 33:15-16, why does Moses insist on God's presence going with the Israelites? How does this reflect the sermon's emphasis on the necessity of God's presence? ([06:34])
Isaiah 43:18-19 speaks about God doing a new thing. How does this passage connect with the sermon's message about living in the present and not dwelling on the past? ([39:20])
The pastor mentioned that real praise and worship are not about the performers but about God Himself. How does this align with the biblical understanding of worship? ([04:05])

Application Questions

The pastor emphasized that our church is a place of presence, not just another church. How can you personally contribute to making our church a place where God's presence is felt? ([01:09])
Reflect on a time when you were busy with good things that weren't necessarily God things. How did that affect your spiritual life, and what changes can you make to align more closely with God's purpose for you? ([02:17])
The sermon highlighted the importance of living in the present. What are some practical steps you can take to focus more on the "now" and less on the past or future? ([33:11])
Authentic praise and worship were described as powerful tools to attract God's attention. How can you ensure that your worship is genuine and not just a mimicry of others? ([22:02])
The pastor shared a testimony about a prophetic word that was fulfilled. Have you ever experienced a prophetic word or a moment of divine revelation? How did it impact your faith and actions? ([25:36])
Forgiveness was mentioned as a key to releasing past hurts and setting up future blessings. Is there someone you need to forgive, and how can you take steps to do so this week? ([47:19])
The sermon concluded with a call to handle our "now" with care. What specific actions can you take this week to be more present and attentive to what God is doing in your life right now? ([36:17])

Sermon Clips

"The more we worship and the more we get in his presence, the more his word is going to be loosed. Because when the king comes and sits on the throne, he never sits on the throne to hang out with everybody. This is not the hanging out room. This is the legal, judicial room." [20:14]( | | )

"If I want to get God's attention, I just got to start telling him, 'There's nobody like you. There's nobody like you. I looked high and I looked low. And I couldn't find nobody.' I'm going to stand right here and talk to you until you pay attention to me because I need you to put everything else down." [22:02]( | | )

"It is you that makes us different from all the other peoples. And I'm going to tell you that the only thing that makes us different from anybody else. Without God I'm just like the ordinary guy. But because I have his presence, I can walk into a restaurant after this service and there will be five people run to try to help me." [10:33]( | | )

"I only get in now. I never do get to go back in my past. I only get to deal with now. So if I want to get over something in my past, it's going to be how I handle my now. If I want to get something set up for my future, it's how I handle my now." [38:50]( | | )

"People who live in their past fight depression. People who live in their future fight anxiety. People who have peace learn to be present. Right now. What is God saying now? What is God doing now? What is God doing now?" [41:53]( | | )

"This house was established for a particular reason. This house is not just supposed to be another church. This house is all about presence. Sometimes we get busy doing things. Sometimes they're good things but they're not always God things." [01:09]( | | )

"The reality is this church was birthed in a spirit of worship. It was birthed in a spirit of praise. We were not ever called to worship to be up to date with the latest praise and worship songs. Real praise and worship will never be about me. It will always be about him." [04:05]( | | )

"Because when we worshiped and the presence came, He said, 'What's anxiety doing here? Anxiety? You're not a part of my kingdom. What are you doing in here? Rebellion? What are you doing in here? You're not a part of my kingdom.' And words began to come." [16:14]( | | )

"Because whatever the presence touches that's not like him, it will just explode. It's just going to explode. It's just going to blow up. And I'm telling you, His presence is going to make the difference. Somebody say his presence makes the difference." [13:50]( | | )

"If you don't love right now. If you don't forgive right now. If you don't come out of rebellion right now. If you don't start walking in obedience right now. It takes you off of the path that I have laid for you. And the only way you can really set your future up is by how you handle your now." [36:17]( | | )

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