Enter God’s Presence.
Years ago, a friend asked me for a favorite verse for a framed print she made for me.
The verse I chose:
“One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple.”
Psalm 27:5
For years, I prayed this Scripture repeatedly.
I want to be with God, to dwell in His presence. I know that is the blessing of heaven, but I crave His presence now. Here on earth. Every day.
In God’s presence, there is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11) and I want to be there.
For years, I wondered if it really was possible.
Surprisingly, answered prayers have not been the highlight of my focused times of seeking God in prayer. Rather, I have received that one thing that I asked from Him: to dwell in His presence. At the end of every 21 days of prayer, I realize I am walking in greater awareness of His presence in my life.
Entering God’s presence every day is becoming reality.
It should not be that hard to be in God’s presence since He is omnipresent. His presence is everywhere.
Yet I frequently realize that I am walking alone. Has He left me? I can rest assured that no, He has not left me, because I have this promise: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV)
Never.
Why should I seek to enter His presence when He is always with me? Because my heart tends to isolate myself, to attempt this thing called life on my own. I worry. I fear. I strive.
I am the one who strays. I think it is safe to assume I am not the only one who strays. Do you tend to isolate yourself from His presence?
If you have a relationship with Jesus, it is not hard to enter His presence today.
“Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name.”
Psalm 100:4 (NASB)
Thanksgiving – Give thanks to Him.
What has God done in your life? In your family? In your heart? Just as we teach our children, let’s remember to say thank you.
Praise – Bless His Name.
Let’s take the Name of God that we are clinging to (Day 4) and praise God for Who He is. Even while we are still waiting for Him to reveal Himself in that manner. Beyond that, we can praise God that His nature is so complex, one name is not sufficient. Praise Him for His many Names.
Entering God’s presence is more about growing in awareness that He is right here. Right now. With me. With you.
We can enter God’s presence as we grow in our awareness of His presence.
We can grow in our awareness of His presence as we thank Him for what He has done and praise Him for Who He is.
Today’s Heart Challenge:
Give thanks for 10 gifts. Bless God for 10 of His names.
Give thanks for what He has done.
What are 10 ways God has blessed you recently? Write them down.
Be specific. Provision. Wisdom. Guidance. Comfort. Beauty. Healing. Protection.
Praise Him for Who He is.
Can you list 10 of God’s Names? Write them down.
- God, you are (Immanuel). All praise and glory belong to You because (You are God who is with us.)
- God, you are (King of Kings and Lord of Lords). All praise and glory belong to You because (Your Name is higher than all others).
Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise to grow in your awareness of His presence.
Today’s Homeschool Prayer:
Household Organization
Household organization is perhaps the area I most often seek rest for my heart. I love when everything is in its place even though that is rare in a house of six people. When our home is disorganized, my heart strays toward an unsettled state.
Organization and order are important. Often, I need to work hard to create a restful atmosphere for my family. Other times, I need to rest in the midst of the mess. Only the Creator of my family and home knows the true need of my heart.
Once again, we need to seek Him first.
Remember our goal: Seek Jesus first about these areas of homeschool unrest. We’re not trying to fix the problem, although He might reveal action we need to take.
Seek Jesus first. He can give rest to your heart in the midst.
Write out your prayer as you evaluate, surrender and receive rest with your household organization.
EVALUATE
- Ask yourself if this area of your homeschool life is currently restful.
- Ask God to reveal any cues of unrest in your heart.
SURRENDER
- Surrender your efforts to fix the problem.
- Surrender your expectation of the outcome.
RECEIVE
- Ask God to give you grace and rest in the midst of your current struggle.
- Ask Him to give you guidance for ONE THING you can do to cultivate rest in this area.
Keep seeking Jesus first!
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