Experiencing God's Presence in Everyday Life
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into the profound significance of being in the presence of God, using the story of Moses and the burning bush from Exodus 3 as our focal point. We began by acknowledging the omnipresence of God, emphasizing that He is everywhere, and thus, we are always in His presence. However, the real question is how we recognize and respond to His presence in our daily lives. Moses encountered God while performing his ordinary daily tasks, which teaches us that we don't need to go to extraordinary lengths to find God; He meets us right where we are.
We explored the concept of God's presence being a source of joy, comfort, and guidance. Psalm 16:11 reminds us that in God's presence, there is fullness of joy, and this joy should be evident in our lives regardless of our circumstances. We also discussed how God's presence provides comfort in times of trouble, as seen in Joshua 1:5, where God promises to be with us just as He was with Moses.
Moreover, we touched on the importance of humility in approaching God. James 4:10 teaches us that when we humble ourselves before the Lord, He will lift us up. This humility allows us to experience God's uplifting power, making our burdens lighter and our paths clearer.
In conclusion, we are encouraged to seek God's presence in our everyday lives, to praise Him continually, and to approach Him with a humble heart. By doing so, we can experience the fullness of joy, comfort, and guidance that comes from being in the presence of our Almighty God.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Omnipresence and Our Daily Lives: God's omnipresence means He is always with us, but recognizing His presence in our daily lives requires us to be attentive and responsive. Just as Moses encountered God while tending his flock, we too can experience God's presence in our ordinary activities if we remain open and attentive to Him. [12:34]
2. Joy in God's Presence: Psalm 16:11 highlights that in God's presence, there is fullness of joy. This joy is not dependent on our circumstances but on our relationship with God. By focusing on His presence, we can find joy even in difficult times, knowing that He is with us and will never leave us. [26:56]
3. Comfort in Times of Trouble: God's presence provides comfort and assurance in times of trouble. Joshua 1:5 reassures us that just as God was with Moses, He will be with us, providing the strength and support we need to face our challenges. This comfort is a reminder that we are never alone, no matter what we go through. [32:27]
4. Humility Before God: Approaching God with humility is crucial. James 4:10 teaches us that when we humble ourselves before the Lord, He will lift us up. This humility allows us to rely on God's strength rather than our own, making our burdens lighter and our paths clearer. [42:43]
5. Praising God in All Circumstances: Praising God should be a constant in our lives, regardless of our circumstances. By focusing on God's greatness and expressing our gratitude, we shift our perspective from our problems to His power and love. This act of praise not only honors God but also strengthens our faith and brings us closer to Him. [33:39]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:51] - Announcements and Prayer Requests
[04:25] - Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:50-58
[06:39] - The Freedom in Jesus Christ
[12:34] - Introduction to Exodus 3: Moses and the Burning Bush
[15:06] - Moses' Encounter with the Burning Bush
[19:09] - Finding God's Presence in Daily Life
[22:09] - The Power of the Holy Spirit
[26:56] - Joy in God's Presence
[32:27] - Comfort in Times of Trouble
[33:39] - The Importance of Praising God
[42:43] - Humility Before God
[46:35] - Experiencing God's Presence in Ordinary Tasks
[53:18] - Recognizing God's Presence
[57:26] - Invitation to Prayer and Closing Remarks
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Exodus 3:1-6 - The story of Moses and the burning bush.
2. Psalm 16:11 - "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
3. Joshua 1:5 - "No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you."
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Moses doing when he encountered the burning bush? ([19:09])
2. According to Psalm 16:11, what is found in God's presence?
3. How does Joshua 1:5 describe God's promise to Joshua, and how does it relate to Moses' experience?
4. What did God instruct Moses to do when he approached the burning bush, and why? ([15:06])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Moses' encounter with the burning bush illustrate the concept of God's omnipresence in our daily lives? ([19:09])
2. In what ways does Psalm 16:11 suggest that joy in God's presence is independent of our circumstances?
3. How can Joshua 1:5 provide comfort and assurance during times of trouble, similar to Moses' experience? ([32:27])
4. What does James 4:10 teach us about the importance of humility in experiencing God's presence and being uplifted by Him? ([42:43])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God's presence in an ordinary moment. How did it impact you, and how can you be more attentive to God's presence in your daily life? ([19:09])
2. Psalm 16:11 speaks of fullness of joy in God's presence. How can you cultivate a sense of joy in your relationship with God, even during difficult times? ([26:56])
3. When facing challenges, how can Joshua 1:5's promise that God will never leave you provide comfort? Share a specific situation where this promise could be applied. ([32:27])
4. James 4:10 emphasizes humility before God. What are some practical ways you can humble yourself before God in your daily life? ([42:43])
5. The sermon mentioned the importance of praising God in all circumstances. Identify a current challenge you are facing and discuss how you can shift your focus to praising God despite the difficulty. ([33:39])
6. How can you create an environment in your home or workplace where God's presence is recognized and honored? ([26:56])
7. Think of a person in your life who might be struggling to recognize God's presence. How can you encourage them and share the message of God's omnipresence and comfort with them? ([32:27])
Devotional
Day 1: Recognizing God's Presence in Daily Life
Description: God's omnipresence means He is always with us, but recognizing His presence in our daily lives requires us to be attentive and responsive. Just as Moses encountered God while tending his flock, we too can experience God's presence in our ordinary activities if we remain open and attentive to Him. This awareness transforms mundane moments into sacred encounters, reminding us that God is actively involved in every aspect of our lives. By cultivating a habit of mindfulness and seeking God in the everyday, we can deepen our relationship with Him and experience His guidance and love more profoundly. [12:34]
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Reflection: Think about your daily routine. How can you intentionally seek to recognize God's presence in one specific activity today?
Day 2: Joy in God's Presence
Description: Psalm 16:11 highlights that in God's presence, there is fullness of joy. This joy is not dependent on our circumstances but on our relationship with God. By focusing on His presence, we can find joy even in difficult times, knowing that He is with us and will never leave us. This joy is a deep, abiding sense of well-being that comes from knowing we are loved and cared for by our Creator. It transcends temporary happiness and provides a stable foundation for our lives, allowing us to face challenges with a positive and hopeful outlook. [26:56]
Nehemiah 8:10 (ESV): "Then he said to them, 'Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.'"
Reflection: Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. How did you experience or miss out on the joy of God's presence during that time?
Day 3: Comfort in Times of Trouble
Description: God's presence provides comfort and assurance in times of trouble. Joshua 1:5 reassures us that just as God was with Moses, He will be with us, providing the strength and support we need to face our challenges. This comfort is a reminder that we are never alone, no matter what we go through. God's presence acts as a refuge and a source of peace, helping us to navigate through life's storms with confidence and trust in His unwavering support. By leaning on God during difficult times, we can find solace and the courage to persevere. [32:27]
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."
Reflection: Identify a current struggle or worry in your life. How can you invite God's comforting presence into this situation today?
Day 4: Humility Before God
Description: Approaching God with humility is crucial. James 4:10 teaches us that when we humble ourselves before the Lord, He will lift us up. This humility allows us to rely on God's strength rather than our own, making our burdens lighter and our paths clearer. Humility involves recognizing our limitations and our need for God's guidance and grace. It is an attitude of surrender and trust, acknowledging that God's ways are higher than our ways. By embracing humility, we open ourselves to God's transformative power and experience His uplifting presence in our lives. [42:43]
Micah 6:8 (ESV): "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you have been relying on your own strength. How can you practice humility and seek God's guidance in this area today?
Day 5: Praising God in All Circumstances
Description: Praising God should be a constant in our lives, regardless of our circumstances. By focusing on God's greatness and expressing our gratitude, we shift our perspective from our problems to His power and love. This act of praise not only honors God but also strengthens our faith and brings us closer to Him. Praise is a powerful spiritual discipline that helps us to maintain a positive outlook and trust in God's sovereignty. It reminds us of His faithfulness and goodness, encouraging us to remain hopeful and steadfast in our faith, no matter what we face. [33:39]
Habakkuk 3:17-18 (ESV): "Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation."
Reflection: Think of a recent difficult situation. How can you intentionally praise God for His goodness and faithfulness in the midst of it today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "There is still power in the gospel message today. There really is. There is power in the gospel message, the power to change lives. And again, I don't, I just don't know where I would be in today's society if it wasn't for Jesus." [12:34] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "You know what? You just keep doing what God has you to do. Sometimes you think we got to go do something to find the presence of God. I got to go out into the mountain to pray. That's great. We need to do that. But you know what? You could find him in your living room just as much as on the mountain." [19:09] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Listen, the Holy Spirit's a powerful force that we have with us that gives us the authority and power of the gospel message. Use that for the power to change lives." [22:09] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Listen, salvation isn't a membership club. God's saying, listen, it's for whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. So it's a choice. It's a choice that we all have to make in life." [29:42] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Listen, the best place to start is praising God. Praising God. Because you know what I found what it does? It removes me and makes me just say, God, I have to put my faith in you. I'm going to praise you. Praise you. Listen, the creator of the universe." [33:39] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "But what does it mean to be in the presence of God? Because let's face it, when we think about this, you know, those of us that are saved, we know Jesus Christ is a personal savior. We have the Holy Spirit indwelling in us." [12:34] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "So what does this even mean when we say, boy, the presence of God, if God's everywhere? So we're going to look at this this morning and see, what does this mean here? As we look at our text in Exodus chapter number three, we see Moses was doing something right here. He was doing something, ordinary daily activities." [19:09] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "You know what? He stopped. He looked. And he said, wow. And in verse five, and he said, draw not nigh hither, put off your shoes from thy feet, for thy place whereon thou standest is holy ground. And he says, I am the God of the Father, God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob. And Moses, Bible says, he hid his face for he's afraid to look upon him." [24:40] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "But we see a lot of times in the Bible where people were afraid when they got in the presence of God. Now, again, example, not afraid as far as anything else, but afraid because they have failed the God. Think about this. What happened with Adam and Eve in the garden when God's presence was revealed to them? They hid. They hid." [24:40] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So this morning, being in the presence of God, you say, Pastor Matt, I don't feel like I'm in God's presence. Well, I can tell you something. If you are saved, first of all, he didn't go anywhere. All right." [52:47] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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