Pursuing His Presence: Living Beyond the American Dream

Devotional

Day 1: Pursuing God’s Presence Wholeheartedly

The presence of God is not just a feeling or a fleeting moment; it is the very face of God, “panim,” that we are invited to seek with our whole hearts. When we pursue Him half-heartedly, we often miss the fullness of His presence and the transformation He brings. Just as we would not expect a relationship to thrive without intentional pursuit, so too our relationship with God deepens when we seek Him with undivided devotion. The promise is clear: if you look for Him wholeheartedly, you will find Him. [01:12:02]

Jeremiah 29:13 (NLT)
“If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.”

Reflection: What is one practical way you can intentionally seek God’s presence with your whole heart today, rather than just going through the motions?

Day 2: Becoming Like Christ by Beholding His Glory

Transformation into Christ’s likeness is not achieved by striving or self-effort, but by beholding the glory of the Lord with unveiled faces. As we fix our gaze on Jesus, the Spirit works within us, changing us from the inside out. This is a continual process, not a quick fix, and it requires us to linger in His presence, allowing His image to be formed in us. The more we behold Him, the more we become like Him, reflecting His character to the world. [01:13:30]

2 Corinthians 3:18 (NLT)
“So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.”

Reflection: In what area of your life do you most need to behold Jesus today so that you can become more like Him?

Day 3: Dependence on God, Not Self-Sufficiency

The world teaches us that maturity means independence and self-sufficiency, but the kingdom of God flips this upside down: true maturity is found in dependence on Jesus. Apart from Him, we can do nothing of lasting value. Our worth and identity are not in our achievements or productivity, but in being beloved children of God who rely on His strength and presence. Letting go of self-sufficiency opens us to the fullness of what God wants to do in and through us. [01:21:27]

John 15:5 (ESV)
“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

Reflection: Where have you been relying on your own strength instead of depending on God, and how can you surrender that area to Him today?

Day 4: Authentic Community and Confession

God never intended for us to walk alone or keep our faith private; we are called to live authentically in community, confessing our struggles and sins to one another. When we walk in the light together, as He is in the light, we experience true fellowship and healing. Authenticity breaks the power of shame and isolation, allowing God’s presence to transform us and others through vulnerability and accountability. [01:33:28]

1 John 1:7 (ESV)
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.”

Reflection: Who is one trusted person you can be honest with about your struggles this week, inviting them to walk alongside you in the light?

Day 5: Practicing His Presence in Everyday Life

God’s presence is not reserved for special moments or church services; it is available to us in every moment of every day. By intentionally pausing, inviting Him in, and centering our lives around Him, we cultivate an awareness of His nearness and allow the fruit of the Spirit to grow in us. Simple practices—like setting reminders to pause and pray, or playing worship music in your home—help us remember that we are new creations, called to abide in Him and let His presence shape every part of our lives. [01:54:11]

Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

Reflection: Set a timer or reminder today to pause and invite God’s presence into whatever you are doing—how does this shift your awareness and attitude in that moment?

Sermon Summary

The invitation today is to pursue God’s presence with intentionality and authenticity, not as a fleeting feeling or a Sunday ritual, but as the very center of life. God’s presence is not just an abstract concept or a momentary emotional high; it is the face-to-face encounter—panim—with the living God, available to all through Jesus and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. In the Old Testament, God’s presence was selective and positional, but now, through Christ and Pentecost, it is poured out on all flesh. The call is to move beyond a consumer or comfort-driven faith and to orient every part of life around abiding in Him.

There is a stark contrast between the values of the American dream and the reality of God’s kingdom. The world prizes self-sufficiency, achievement, efficiency, image management, and individualism. But in God’s kingdom, maturity is found in dependence on Him, identity is rooted in being beloved before doing anything, and transformation comes not through busyness but through abiding, waiting, and lingering in His presence. Authenticity, not image, is the mark of a life shaped by God’s presence. The Christian life is not meant to be lived in isolation but in the context of a connected, accountable, and loving community.

Practical steps are essential. Practicing God’s presence is not reserved for spiritual elites; it is for everyone. Setting reminders throughout the day to pause and become aware of God, inviting Him into every moment, and cultivating an environment of worship—even in the mundane—are ways to make His presence central. The fruit of the Spirit cannot be manufactured by effort; it is the natural result of beholding and abiding in Christ. The challenge is to move from being a “Christian in name only” to one whose life is transformed by the continual pursuit of God’s face.

The invitation is clear: let God be the center, not just the first priority. Abide, surrender, become—God Himself is the blessing. Let His presence define, transform, and empower every aspect of life, both individually and as a community.

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Key Takeaways

1. Pursuing God’s Presence Requires Wholeheartedness and Intentionality God promises to be found by those who seek Him with their whole heart. Half-hearted pursuit leads to frustration and spiritual dryness, but when we seek Him as we would seek a loved one, we discover the reality of His presence. This is not about chasing a feeling, but about a daily, relational pursuit that transforms us from the inside out. [72:02]
2. Kingdom Maturity is Dependence, Not Self-Sufficiency The world equates maturity with independence, but in God’s kingdom, true maturity is found in recognizing our need for Him. “Apart from me, you can do nothing,” Jesus says, flipping the script on the American ideal of self-made success. Spiritual growth is marked by increasing dependence on God, not by self-reliance or personal achievement. [81:27]
3. Identity Precedes Achievement—You Are Beloved Before You Do Anything In a culture that ties worth to productivity and accomplishment, God’s word declares that we are beloved children before we ever achieve or fail. Mary chose to sit at Jesus’ feet, valuing presence over performance, and was commended for it. Our value is not in what we do, but in who we are in Christ, and this truth frees us from the tyranny of busyness and comparison. [84:08]
4. Authenticity and Community Over Image and Individualism The temptation to curate our lives for others, to “fake it till we make it,” is strong, but God calls us to walk in the light, confessing our struggles and inviting accountability. The Christian life is not private; it is lived out in the context of a body, interconnected and mutually responsible. Real transformation happens when we are honest with God and one another, allowing His presence to shape us together. [93:11]
5. Practicing God’s Presence is a Daily, Practical Discipline Transformation is not microwavable; it comes through abiding, pausing, and inviting God into every moment. Setting reminders to practice His presence, cultivating worship in our homes, and orienting our lives around Him—not just fitting Him into our schedules—are practical ways to grow. The fruit of the Spirit is the evidence of a life centered on God’s presence, not the result of human effort. [114:11]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[66:03] - Praying for Healing and Breakthrough
[68:13] - Reflections on Outdoor Service and Holy Spirit
[70:28] - Vision: Pursuing His Presence
[71:45] - Wholeheartedly Seeking God (Jeremiah 29:13)
[73:30] - New Testament Reality: Beholding His Glory
[75:01] - Old Covenant vs. New Covenant Presence
[76:17] - Jesus: The Face of God
[78:13] - Pentecost and the Outpouring of the Spirit
[79:24] - Challenging the American Dream
[81:27] - Dependence vs. Self-Sufficiency
[84:08] - Identity Before Achievement
[86:40] - Efficiency, Productivity, and Abiding
[91:13] - Image Management vs. Authenticity
[98:42] - Individualism and the Call to Community
[105:59] - Measuring True Church Success
[108:07] - Making God the Center, Not Just First
[114:11] - Practicing His Presence: The Pause Button
[128:24] - A Simple Method to Practice His Presence
[133:07] - Encouragement to the Next Generation
[135:14] - Invitation to Community and Worship
[136:58] - Letting God’s Presence Transform You
[157:57] - Practical Challenge: Worship in Your Home

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Jeremiah 29:13 (ESV) — > You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV) — > And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

John 15:5 (ESV) — > I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

Observation Questions

According to Jeremiah 29:13, what is the condition for finding God? How does this compare to the way people often seek God? [01:11:45]
In 2 Corinthians 3:18, what happens to us as we behold the glory of the Lord? What does “with unveiled face” mean in this context? [01:13:30]
Jesus says in John 15:5, “Apart from me you can do nothing.” What does this say about our ability to live the Christian life on our own? [01:21:27]
The sermon described the difference between God’s presence in the Old Testament and now. What changed after Pentecost? [01:18:13]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says that seeking God’s presence is not about chasing a feeling, but about a daily, relational pursuit. Why do you think wholeheartedness is so important in this pursuit? [01:12:02]
The world often values self-sufficiency and achievement, but Jesus teaches dependence and abiding. How does this challenge the way we usually measure success or maturity? [01:21:27]
The pastor mentioned that our identity as “beloved” comes before anything we do. How might this truth change the way we approach our work, family, or church life? [01:24:08]
The sermon emphasized authenticity and community over image and individualism. Why is it so hard to be real with others, and what does the Bible say about living in the light together? [01:33:11]

Application Questions

The pastor challenged us to set reminders throughout the day to pause and become aware of God’s presence. What would it look like for you to actually do this? Is there a time of day or situation where you especially need to remember God is with you? [01:54:11]
Think about the difference between making God your “first priority” and making Him the “center” of your life. What is one area where God is still on the back burner for you? What would it take to move Him to the center? [01:48:07]
The sermon contrasted the American dream’s focus on self-sufficiency with the kingdom’s call to dependence. Where do you notice yourself relying on your own strength instead of God? How can you practice dependence this week? [01:21:27]
The pastor talked about the temptation to “fake it till you make it” and image management. Is there a place in your life where you are tempted to hide your struggles? What would it look like to invite someone into that area for accountability and prayer? [01:33:11]
The fruit of the Spirit is described as something that grows naturally when we abide in Christ, not something we can manufacture. Which aspect of the fruit of the Spirit do you most want to see grow in your life? What is one practical step you can take to abide in Christ this week? [01:55:30]
The sermon said, “The Christian life is not meant to be lived in isolation but in the context of a connected, accountable, and loving community.” How connected do you feel to other believers right now? What is one step you could take to deepen your relationships in the church? [01:38:42]
The pastor gave a practical challenge to have worship music playing in your home. How could you create an environment of worship in your daily routine, even in small ways? [02:37:57]

Sermon Clips

So Jesus is the presence, the face, the panim of God in person. If you want to know who God is, you've got to know who Jesus is. That's what he says. If you've seen the Father, if you've seen me, you've seen the Father. That's what he says. So if you've beheld the panim of Jesus, the presence of Jesus, it is the same as beholding the presence of the Father. [01:16:15] (31 seconds) #JesusIsPanim

God's not after your money. He's after your heart. Where your heart goes, your money goes. If your heart's not in some place, you're not going to put your money where it is. So if you're getting poured into somewhere, you're going to put your money in there. If you're desiring to do something over here, you're going to put your money over here. The American dream has built up a lot of people, but it's also broken a lot of people. But God does more with people that are broken than he will, than you can ever hope to do by yourself. Praise the Lord. [01:19:31] (35 seconds) #HeartOverMoney

Self-sufficiency is part of the American dream. How do we know this? Pull yourself, pull yourself up by your bootstraps. Who's told you that in your life? Boy, you need to pull yourself up by your bootstraps. Make something of yourself. We equate independence with maturity. But what does the kingdom say? You guys interested in what the kingdom said? Or do I need to stop? I'm not going to even if you said yes. I'm like, huh. John 15, 5. Apart from me, you can do nothing. Apart from me, Jesus, you can do nothing. Nothing. Dependence on God equals maturity. That's how it flips. Blessed are the poor in spirit, those who know their need. [01:20:42] (61 seconds) #DependOnGodMaturity

We create programs instead of cultivating the presence. We want a worship experience which is consumer-based. Instead of becoming worshipers, we schedule God into our planners instead of orienting our lives around his presence. I don't have to schedule my church. I don't have to schedule my church. I don't have to schedule my time. My life right now is centered around what God is doing in my life. It didn't always materialize like that. I didn't always do that. A lot of times, I would tell people, especially in my early young days, that God was never off the stove. He just was on the back burner. When I started putting him into the front, that's when he started turning up the heat. [01:47:14] (52 seconds) #PresenceOverPrograms

If you take him from the first spot and make him the center, you don't have to worry about priorities. Because when you are revolving around his presence and revolving around everything that he is, his presence is shining on you all the time. All the time. Every day. Every situation. [01:48:29] (24 seconds) #CenterOnGod

``You become what you behold. You become what you behold. What is determined to be more important for you in your life is what you're going to focus on every single day of your life. And if Jesus isn't the center, if God isn't the center, if the powers of the presence of God is not evidence in your life, then you're not going to become more like him. [01:56:43] (32 seconds) #BecomeWhatYouBehold

You can attend church every Sunday. You can serve on a team. You can know all the right theology. You can sing all the worship songs. You can post every single Bible verse on your Instagram page or on Facebook or wherever you guys do social media at and still be a Christian in name only because you have Christianity without having Christ. You have religion, legalism without relationship, and you have a lot of infirmary. You have a lot of religion without relationship. You have a lot of but there is absolutely no transformation because the presence of God is not your goal. [02:00:56] (44 seconds) #RelationshipOverReligion

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