Embracing God's Presence: The Habit of Connection

 

Summary

Today is a day to rejoice, a day crafted by the Lord, and I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to connect with you. I want to express my heartfelt thanks to our dedicated prayer team and everyone who reaches out to us from around the world. Your messages and prayers are a testament to the global community we are building together. Today, I want to explore the profound question: Where is God not? The Bible teaches us that God is omnipresent, larger than the universe itself. Psalm 139 beautifully illustrates that no matter where we go, God is there. Even in the darkest places, His presence is unwavering.

Paul, in his address to the people of Athens, emphasizes that God is not far from any of us. He speaks to those who have never heard of Jesus, affirming that in God, we live, move, and have our being. This brings us to the habit I want to discuss today: the habit of connection. Our lives are a series of habits, and one of the most crucial is the habit of building strong relationships. John Gottman, a leading marital researcher, highlights the importance of responding to bids for connection. These are moments when someone reaches out, seeking to share an experience or emotion.

In relationships, whether at work or home, we have the choice to turn toward, turn away, or turn against these bids. Turning toward strengthens bonds, while turning away or against can weaken them. Remarkably, God also makes bids for connection with us. Every breath, every moment of beauty in creation, is an invitation from God to connect. Even our frustrations and sighs are opportunities to turn toward Him. Today, I encourage you to cultivate the habit of recognizing and responding to these bids for connection, both with others and with God. Remember, God is not far away; He is present in every moment, inviting us into a deeper relationship with Him.

Key Takeaways:

1. God's Omnipresence: God is not far from any of us, regardless of our circumstances or beliefs. His presence is constant, offering comfort and guidance even in the darkest times. This understanding invites us to seek Him in every moment and place. [03:33]

2. The Habit of Connection: Building strong relationships hinges on recognizing and responding to bids for connection. Whether it's a simple gesture or a shared experience, turning toward these bids strengthens our bonds with others. [07:11]

3. God's Bids for Connection: Just as we make bids for connection with others, God continually reaches out to us. Every breath, every moment of beauty, and even our frustrations are invitations to connect with Him. [08:52]

4. Frustration as a Divine Invitation: Our frustrations and unmet desires can be seen as God's way of inviting us to seek deeper connection with Him. Instead of pursuing temporary satisfactions, we are called to find fulfillment in our relationship with God. [10:09]

5. Cultivating Awareness: Today, be mindful of the bids for connection around you. Whether through body language or conversation, recognize these moments and choose to turn toward them. This practice not only strengthens human relationships but also deepens our connection with God. [10:40]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:36] - Introduction and Gratitude
- [01:02] - Prayer Team and Global Community
- [01:59] - Where is God Not?
- [02:37] - Paul's Message in Athens
- [03:33] - God's Proximity
- [04:13] - The Habit of Connection
- [05:23] - Bids for Connection
- [06:57] - Responding to Bids
- [07:24] - Importance of Connection
- [08:05] - God's Bids for Connection
- [09:35] - Frustration as a Divine Invitation
- [10:25] - Cultivating Awareness
- [11:28] - Closing Remarks and Invitation to Engage

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Psalm 139:7-12
2. Acts 17:24-28

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Psalm 139, what does the psalmist say about God's presence in different places? How does this relate to the idea of God's omnipresence discussed in the sermon? [02:10]

2. In Acts 17, how does Paul describe God's relationship with humanity when speaking to the people of Athens? What does he emphasize about God's proximity to us? [03:33]

3. What are "bids for connection" as described in the sermon, and how do they manifest in everyday interactions? [05:23]

4. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of God making bids for connection with us? Can you identify any examples given? [08:52]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the understanding of God's omnipresence in Psalm 139 challenge or comfort individuals in their daily lives? What implications does this have for how one perceives God's involvement in their personal struggles? [02:22]

2. In what ways does Paul's message in Acts 17 to the Athenians about God's nearness challenge the common perceptions of God being distant or uninvolved? [03:46]

3. How might recognizing and responding to bids for connection, as discussed in the sermon, transform personal relationships? What does this suggest about the nature of human connection? [07:11]

4. The sermon suggests that frustrations can be seen as divine invitations. How might this perspective change the way one deals with personal challenges or unmet desires? [10:09]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt alone or distant from God. How might the understanding of God's omnipresence change your perspective on that experience? [03:33]

2. Identify a relationship in your life where you often turn away from bids for connection. What is one practical step you can take this week to turn toward those bids instead? [07:11]

3. Think of a moment today when you felt frustrated. How can you reframe that frustration as an invitation to connect with God? What might that connection look like in practice? [10:09]

4. Consider a time when you noticed a bid for connection from someone but chose to ignore it. What was the outcome, and how might you respond differently in the future? [06:57]

5. How can you become more aware of God's bids for connection in your daily life? What specific actions can you take to acknowledge and respond to these divine invitations? [08:52]

6. Reflect on a time when you felt God's presence in a moment of beauty or creation. How can you cultivate more of these moments in your daily routine? [09:07]

7. What is one habit you can develop to strengthen your awareness of both human and divine bids for connection? How will you implement this habit in your life starting today? [10:40]

Devotional

Day 1: God's Unwavering Presence
God's omnipresence is a profound truth that offers comfort and guidance. No matter where you are or what you are going through, God is there. Psalm 139 reminds us that even in the darkest places, His presence is unwavering. This understanding invites you to seek Him in every moment and place, knowing that He is not far from any of us. Embrace the comfort that comes from knowing God is always near, offering His love and support. [03:33]

"The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good." (Proverbs 15:3, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to recognize God's presence? How can you remind yourself of His nearness today?


Day 2: Building Strong Connections
The habit of connection is vital for building strong relationships. John Gottman emphasizes the importance of responding to bids for connection, which are moments when someone reaches out to share an experience or emotion. In every relationship, whether at work or home, you have the choice to turn toward, turn away, or turn against these bids. Turning toward strengthens bonds, while turning away or against can weaken them. Consider how you can cultivate this habit of connection in your daily interactions. [07:11]

"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:4, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent interaction where you turned away from a bid for connection. How can you respond differently next time to strengthen that relationship?


Day 3: Recognizing God's Invitations
Just as we make bids for connection with others, God continually reaches out to us. Every breath, every moment of beauty, and even our frustrations are invitations to connect with Him. Recognize these divine bids for connection and respond by turning toward God. Embrace the opportunities to deepen your relationship with Him, knowing that He is always inviting you into His presence. [08:52]

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3:20, ESV)

Reflection: What are some ways you can become more aware of God's bids for connection in your daily life? How can you respond to them?


Day 4: Embracing Frustration as a Divine Invitation
Our frustrations and unmet desires can be seen as God's way of inviting us to seek deeper connection with Him. Instead of pursuing temporary satisfactions, you are called to find fulfillment in your relationship with God. Embrace your frustrations as opportunities to turn toward God and seek His guidance and comfort. Allow these moments to draw you closer to Him and deepen your faith. [10:09]

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." (James 1:2-3, ESV)

Reflection: How can you view a current frustration as an invitation from God to deepen your relationship with Him? What steps can you take to seek His presence in this situation?


Day 5: Cultivating Awareness of Connection
Today, be mindful of the bids for connection around you. Whether through body language or conversation, recognize these moments and choose to turn toward them. This practice not only strengthens human relationships but also deepens your connection with God. By cultivating awareness, you can respond to the invitations for connection that surround you, both from others and from God. [10:40]

"Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: What specific actions can you take today to be more aware of and responsive to bids for connection from others and from God?

Quotes


The Christian faith is understood the teach is that God is everywhere that God himself is actually much larger than the universe, and um, that uh, uh for instance the psalmist in Psalm 139 says wherever I go if I Rise up to the heavens you're there if I make my bed and she'll if I'm just in hell in the worst darkest place you're there even if the night and the Darkness surround me the darkness is not dark to you you'll be there. [00:02:03]

Paul gives to people in Athens when he goes there he's on what's called Marcel and he wants to try to tell him about God and about Jesus and he says I saw this altar to an unknown God so I'll tell you about it uh the God who is Lord of the heavens of the earth made everything was not created by human hands done living in Temple doesn't need us to serve him rather he gives, he gives us life he gives breath, he gives everything to his creatures. [00:02:35]

For he is not far from each one of us, that's where God is not God is not far away wherever you are today whatever is going on in your life whatever looks dark or Bleak or difficult or joyful or good God is not far away, and remarkably Paul when he says this is not talking to a church he's not talking to a bunch of people who believe uh all the right stuff he's talking to people who have never even heard about Jesus. [00:03:27]

We are learning about habits our lives are a massive habit we are developing the habit of saying this is God's day I'll rejoice in it each day and what I want to talk about today is these single habit that will help you build strong relationships strong friendships strong marriage uh family parenting more than any other single connection this is from a researcher maybe the number one marital researcher in our day by the name of John gottman. [00:04:16]

Dallas Willard used to say that your life is basically experienced it's the ceaseless flow of awareness thought desire looking at there's the sun there's green I love that getting to talk to you getting to think about great thoughts our life is experienced and the connection or intimacy is shared experience and what happens is all the time we give to each other what the government's called bids for connection. [00:05:00]

We can either turn toward or turn away be neutral or turn against so for example, um if you're sitting at the breakfast table and your spouse size you could turn toward what's going on are you tired, indicate interest in caring or you could turn away just ignore pretend like you didn't hear it, or you could turn against what's your problem now, and then they would not be too likely to sigh again the next time. [00:05:51]

All the time we are offering bids for connection and responding to them one of the remarkable findings of the governments is that uh in couples that end up getting divorced when they studied them while they were still married they turned toward only 33 percent of the time when there would be a bid for connection, for couples that remain together and had a strong marriage they turned towards each other 86 percent of the time when there's a bid for connection. [00:06:42]

God wants to connect with you, God makes bibs for connections, one of the remarkable statements that Paul makes when he's teaching to those people in Rome is that God created us, he gives us life and breath and all things made the seasons he did this so that we might seek him, and perhaps fondle around fumble around to try to find him, so that we can be connected with him, in him we live and move and have our breathing he is not far away. [00:08:00]

Because he gives us our breath every breath is a bid for connection with God, it's God saying will you receive my spirit now would you receive my power in my life, the beauty of the earth creation the heavens declare the glory of God that's God's bid for connection would you just see when you look around you, would you hear the song of that bird and remember the one who feeds The Sparrows. [00:08:48]

Frustration itself is God's bid for connection you know if you just go after uh money or success or reputation or indulging anger it will not satisfy your soul let that frustration let that sigh let that grow remind you that you are made to be connected to me you don't ever have to be alone. [00:09:56]

The Habit to cultivate is the number one Habit to strengthen any relationship that you have when you are with people today be on the look at it could just be body language raise eyebrow a laugh a chuckle a comment, look for those when I see a bid for connection I will turn toward, and then be aware today as you go through the day to make bids for connection with other people. [00:10:22]

We find God in all things because every moment is a bid by our God who so loved the world that he gave his only son so that he could be connected with you so that you could know eternal life a participating relationship with God. [00:11:06]

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Transcript
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