Practicing the Presence of God
Scripture Foundation
Matthew 18:20 - "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them." (NIV)
Psalm 139:7-12 - "Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you have been there. If I rise up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you have been there. If I say, 'My right hand can save me,' then my right hand would fail me. But you are the one who will save me, Lord." (NIV)
Luke 17:3-4 - "So watch yourselves. If your brother or sister sins, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. And if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times in a day return to you, saying, 'I repent,' you must forgive them." (NIV)
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - "What? So you don't regard as anything the flesh that within you is making war against the soul, commanding you to do its evil desires. But those controlled by the sinful nature have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those controlled by the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires." (NIV)
Main Content
Jesus taught us that where two or three gather in His name, He is present. This isn't just a physical presence, but a spiritual one. He is with us always, even when we feel alone or disconnected from Him.
Psalm 139 reminds us that God is always with us, everywhere we go. He is our constant companion, guiding us through life's ups and downs.
In Luke 17, Jesus teaches us to forgive others as He forgives us. This isn't just about forgiving others for their mistakes, but also about acknowledging God's presence and involvement in our lives.
In 1 Corinthians 6, Paul reminds us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. We are not our own, but belong to God. This means that every thought, word, and action should be done in light of His presence and guidance.
Learning Objectives
- Identify the significance of Jesus' teaching on the importance of unity among believers in Matthew 18:20.
- Explain how Psalm 139:7-12 reveals God's constant awareness and involvement in one's life.
- Apply the concept of being 'in Christ' to daily thoughts, words, and actions as described in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.
- Demonstrate a willingness to be honest and authentic with God, acknowledging His presence and involvement in Luke 17:3-4.
- Analyze the connection between being aware of God's presence and experiencing a sense of peace and joy in one's daily life.
Application Steps
- Take a few minutes each day to reflect on God's presence in your life. Ask yourself questions like 'Where am I feeling God's presence today?' or 'How am I sensing God's guidance?'
- Write down specific ways you feel God's presence in your daily life. This could be a sense of peace, a word of encouragement from a friend, or a beautiful sunset.
- Pray for the ability to recognize and acknowledge God's presence more clearly in your daily life. Ask for wisdom to apply His teachings to your thoughts, words, and actions.
Reflection Questions
What are some ways you currently sense God's presence in your life? How do you respond to these moments?