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There have been times in my life where God Himself has shown up and just allowed me to spend a season of time in His presence. He is truly a very personal God and loving Father, longing to find those willing to spend time in fellowship with Him. Recently, I was in one of those deeply spiritual tasks (filing) when He decided to come down and share with me. How did it begin? At first, it just seemed that I had to go somewhere and be alone, and there was a tenderness in my heart that is not always there. A desire to just sit down and allow the tears to flow was a signal that my spirit was anticipating a visit from the Father. Music has always been important tome, and the combination of the songs on my CD and His timing ushered in a presence that I can only describe as awesome. Sitting down quickly, the tears began to flow, as all I could do was raise my hands to Him and just cry. No, not tears of sadness, but the waters of longing from deep in my soul. There was no praying, but this was not the time. With hands upraised and tears flowing like a river from deep inside, He began to wrap His loving arms around me. Finally, I could not take it any longer as I fell to my knees and just bowed to Him. No great words, not even a shout, just the presence of the Lord in my room hovering close and holding me. I felt as though this occurred in just a couple of minutes, when in reality close to an hour had elapsed on the clock. Feeling refreshed and more alive than I have been in a long time, I immediately went and found my wife and shared with her my experience. What led up to this encounter, I know not. I thought why me? Then stated why not me. I too am a child of His, and we were created for His pleasure. Am I the only one to feel His presence? Certainly not, for He will fellowship with all that will answer His beck and call. Pastor, how can I experience this too?
First of all, let the water flow. I am of course referring to those tears that we men so quickly eliminate for fear of seeming less manly, remember they are a sign of that which Christ promised us that out of our bellies shall flow rivers of living water. Tears are a cleansing agent, weeping being the avenue by which our soul is bared and made ready for His presence. Once they begin, allow them to do the work for which they were created. When Messiah sets up His kingdom, we are told that He shall wipe away every tear, and yet it is my prayer that He does not do away with joyful weeping. There is nothing more pleasurable to me personally, and I do not stand alone in that thought. He truly is the source of the river of life, bringing joy to my soul.
In Psalm 16, David ends with the emphasis that in the presence of the Lord there is fullness of joy and at His right hand are pleasures forever more. Amen. Throughout this psalm, we are given a glimpse of what it takes to usher His presence in to our lives. I for one can easily picture the season of time David must have spent with God in order to write these loving words. In the very opening sentence David states that He trusts the Lord. Use the word faith, trust, belief, it doesn’t matter, you must trust in Him for all things in order to accept His presence. Reading a little further you will discover in verse eight the true secret of David’s ability to be in God’s presence. “ I have set the LORD always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.” David has place the Lord in first place in his life. Not only is God first in his life, but he has given him the place of honor that He deserves. It matters not how religious you are, but it does matter the role that God is allowed in your heart and actions. Putting Him first will change your priorities which will allow God to fulfill your dreams. Healing marriages and relationships are child’s play for the Creator when He is given priority, and He promises to you and I to be our healer, deliverer, and the lifter of our head, if we will just acknowledge Him and seek Him and His will first. Out of our bellies shall flow rivers of water through the Holy Spirit, but to start the water, we must first get to the source. May God bless you.
Pastor Richard D. Helms, Jr.
Freeport Church of God Freeport, FL
835-4664 dublrd@intergate.com
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