Living Daily in God's Transformative Presence

 

Summary

In our time together, we explored the profound concept of living each day in the presence of God, drawing inspiration from the disciplines exemplified by the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous and the practices of Frank Laubach. The essence of a blessed life is encapsulated in the presence of God with us, a life without lack. This presence transforms our daily existence, offering abundance and peace even amidst loss. We reflected on the story of Job, who, despite his unanswered questions, found solace in the presence of God. This narrative underscores the importance of seeking God's presence over answers.

To cultivate this presence, we must first desire it genuinely, as the Spirit of God does not intrude but waits to be invited. This desire must be accompanied by a decision to live intentionally with Jesus, as one does not drift into a life of companionship with Him. We discussed practical steps to integrate this presence into our daily lives, beginning with the biblical wisdom of starting our day in the evening. This involves preparing our hearts and minds for rest, resolving conflicts, and setting our intentions to meet God upon waking.

The practice of inviting God into every moment and relationship throughout the day was emphasized, using simple prayers or thoughts to maintain a God-centered perspective. This practice transforms our perception of the world, allowing us to see through God's eyes and experience His peace and joy. We are encouraged to let this peace flow through us to others, impacting them with the presence of God.

Finally, we are reminded to review our day, giving thanks for successes and seeking guidance for failures. This practice, when integrated into our daily routine, leads to significant spiritual growth and aligns us with the abundant life that Jesus offers.

Key Takeaways:

- The Presence of God as the Secret to a Blessed Life: Embracing God's presence transforms our lives, offering abundance and peace even amidst loss. Like Job, we find solace not in answers but in the presence of God, which is the true source of fulfillment. [02:35]

- Desire and Decision in Walking with Jesus: The Spirit of God desires to be wanted and does not intrude. We must genuinely desire His presence and make a conscious decision to live intentionally with Jesus, as this companionship does not happen by chance. [06:28]

- Starting the Day in the Evening: The biblical wisdom of beginning the day at sundown prepares our hearts and minds for rest and sets the tone for a God-centered day. This involves resolving conflicts and setting intentions to meet God upon waking. [07:18]

- Inviting God into Every Moment: By maintaining a God-centered perspective through simple prayers or thoughts, we transform our perception of the world, experiencing God's peace and joy. This practice allows us to see through God's eyes and impacts others with His presence. [15:02]

- Reviewing the Day for Spiritual Growth: Taking time to review our day, giving thanks for successes and seeking guidance for failures, leads to significant spiritual growth. This practice aligns us with the abundant life that Jesus offers and helps us progress in our walk with Christ. [21:22]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:19] - The Power of Discipline
- [00:51] - Walking with Jesus Daily
- [01:18] - Frank Laubach's Practice
- [01:59] - God With Us: A Life Without Lack
- [02:35] - Job's Encounter with God
- [03:31] - The Desire for a Different Life
- [04:26] - Inviting God's Presence
- [05:08] - Preliminaries to Walking with Jesus
- [06:28] - The Importance of Decision
- [07:18] - Beginning the Day in the Evening
- [08:15] - The Role of Light and Rest
- [09:10] - Resolving Conflicts and Preparing for God
- [10:13] - Awakening with Praise
- [11:31] - Filling the Mind with God's Word
- [12:44] - Prayer and Dependence on God
- [14:07] - Watching for God's Hand
- [15:02] - God's Eye View of the World
- [16:52] - Inviting Jesus into Every Situation
- [17:35] - Willing Peace and Joy to Others
- [19:43] - Lifting Heart and Mind to God
- [21:22] - Reviewing the Day
- [22:33] - Success in God's Kingdom
- [23:21] - Progress in Christ
- [24:21] - Prayer of Paul for Spiritual Growth

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Job 42:5-6 - Job's encounter with God and his realization of God's presence.
2. Psalm 33:13-22 - A description of how the world looks to God, encouraging us to adopt a God-centered perspective.
3. Colossians 1:9-12 - Paul's prayer for spiritual growth and living a life worthy of the Lord.

#### Observation Questions
1. What was the significance of Job's encounter with God, and how did it change his perspective? [02:35]
2. How does Psalm 33:13-22 describe God's view of the world, and what does this imply about His presence in our lives? [14:48]
3. According to the sermon, what are the preliminaries necessary for walking with Jesus daily? [06:28]
4. What practical steps were suggested in the sermon for inviting God into every moment of our day? [15:02]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Job's story illustrate the idea that God's presence is more important than having all the answers? [02:50]
2. In what ways does the biblical concept of starting the day in the evening prepare us for a God-centered life? [07:18]
3. How can the practice of reviewing our day lead to spiritual growth and alignment with the abundant life Jesus offers? [21:22]
4. What does it mean to have a "God's eye view" of the world, and how can this perspective transform our daily interactions? [15:02]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God's presence in a challenging situation. How did it change your perspective or actions? [02:35]
2. What specific steps can you take to begin your day in the evening, preparing your heart and mind for a God-centered day? [07:18]
3. Identify a moment in your daily routine where you can invite God into the situation. How might this change your experience of that moment? [15:02]
4. Consider a relationship in your life that could benefit from God's peace flowing through you. What practical steps can you take to allow this to happen? [17:48]
5. How can you incorporate the practice of reviewing your day into your routine? What might be the benefits of doing so? [21:22]
6. Think of a specific area in your life where you struggle to see through God's eyes. What can you do to adopt a God-centered perspective in that area? [15:02]
7. How can you intentionally cultivate a desire for God's presence in your life, ensuring it is a genuine longing rather than a routine obligation? [06:28]

Devotional

Day 1: The Transformative Power of God's Presence
Living in the presence of God is the essence of a blessed life, offering abundance and peace even amidst loss. This presence is not about having all the answers but finding solace and fulfillment in God Himself. The story of Job illustrates this truth, as he found comfort not in understanding his suffering but in experiencing God's presence. Embracing this presence transforms our daily existence, allowing us to live a life without lack. [02:35]

Psalm 16:11 (ESV): "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you seek answers more than God's presence? How can you invite His presence into those areas today?


Day 2: Intentional Desire for Companionship with Jesus
The Spirit of God desires to be wanted and does not intrude. To walk with Jesus, one must genuinely desire His presence and make a conscious decision to live intentionally with Him. This companionship does not happen by chance; it requires a deliberate choice to invite Jesus into every aspect of life. By doing so, we align ourselves with His will and experience the fullness of life He offers. [06:28]

James 4:8 (ESV): "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."

Reflection: What intentional steps can you take today to draw nearer to Jesus and invite Him into your daily routine?


Day 3: Beginning the Day with God in Mind
The biblical wisdom of starting the day in the evening prepares our hearts and minds for rest and sets the tone for a God-centered day. This involves resolving conflicts and setting intentions to meet God upon waking. By doing so, we create a space for God's presence to guide us from the moment we rise, allowing His peace and direction to shape our day. [07:18]

Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV): "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

Reflection: How can you prepare your heart and mind this evening to meet God upon waking tomorrow?


Day 4: Inviting God into Every Moment
Maintaining a God-centered perspective through simple prayers or thoughts transforms our perception of the world. By inviting God into every moment and relationship, we experience His peace and joy, seeing through His eyes. This practice not only enriches our own lives but also impacts others with the presence of God, allowing His love to flow through us. [15:02]

Colossians 3:17 (ESV): "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

Reflection: What simple prayer or thought can you use today to invite God into your interactions and tasks?


Day 5: Reflecting on the Day for Spiritual Growth
Taking time to review our day, giving thanks for successes and seeking guidance for failures, leads to significant spiritual growth. This practice aligns us with the abundant life that Jesus offers and helps us progress in our walk with Christ. By reflecting on our day, we become more aware of God's presence and learn to rely on His guidance for future growth. [21:22]

Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV): "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

Reflection: As you review your day, what successes can you thank God for, and where do you need His guidance for growth?

Quotes


The secret of the blessed life is God with us. God with us is life without lack, and perhaps if some of you are uneasy with the idea that nothing good is lost, I will certainly affirm a slightly weaker version of it, that if you live a life with God, whatever is lost will not be missed. [00:02:01]

When Job finally has his encounter with God, you remember towards the end of the book of Job, God comes and meets Job, and God does not answer a single one of Job's questions, and he doesn't seem to care any longer. He doesn't answer a single one of his questions, but Job sees God. [00:02:35]

The Spirit is a kind of being that wants to be wanted, that does not intrude, does not push itself, so it must be something that we not only understand but that we really do desire, and it helps if we have gone nuts about Jesus. We're not prepared just to put up with him. [00:05:38]

Decision is fundamental. This is the point where intention takes hold. You will not drift into a life of constant companionship with Jesus. So those are the preliminaries now, and then you must make arrangements. That's another part of the preliminaries. You set up things so that it can be done. [00:06:28]

The day really begins in the evening. The biblical day begins in the evening, as you know if you have Jewish friends. Now, for example, you know that Shabbat begins at sundown, right? Doesn't begin in the morning, and this is a very deep wisdom that is built into the biblical record and tradition. [00:07:18]

We begin our day at sundown, the early evening we might call it. This is God's appointment of the end of our labor. We have a harder time with that now that we have electric lights, and electric lights are really significant for our practice of spirituality. They disturb the natural units of time. [00:07:43]

We should resolve household conflicts as appropriate. I will phrase the old song, nothing between my soul and my Savior. That should be nothing between us and the other members of our household, and then as you decide as you retire, decide now that you will meet with God first thing when you awake. [00:09:31]

You may need to fill your mind with the word of God, scripture memorization, knowledge of hymns, or songs. We fill our minds with good things, and then when we arise, we use those good words to pour forth our praise to God, our thankfulness to God. If you can go alone for a short time and bow and pray, I would do it. [00:11:31]

Settle your mind into the God's eye view of your world and what is transpiring around you. I love the Psalm 33:13-22. It's a description of how the world looks to God, and if you will put that in your mind, and then you look at the world as if you were seeing it through God's eyes. [00:15:02]

When you have done this and now you're feeling the flow of God in your life and in you around the world, and you need to start to will the peace and joy which you are experiencing to pass from you like living water to those you are engaged with. It doesn't matter that they don't know what's happening. [00:17:35]

Take 15 minutes to review the day. Give thanks for the successes, try to understand any failures that did occur, what occurred, ask Jesus for guidance in continuing the project, and if you will do this and I recommend this instead of at evening late afternoon, separate this from your preparation for the next day. [00:21:22]

What I can tell you from experience and with assurance is that if you will do this, and especially if you put this in the framework of a practice of disciplines and all the other things we talked about in the way of the gospel and so on, you will experience a tremendous progress toward where you want to be for Christ. [00:23:21]

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Transcript
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