"If only I could touch him!" Surely you have thought that - as I have. "Lord, I wish I could sit across from you right now ~ just to be in your presence."
Cognitively, we can believe that God is with us, but can we FEEL his presence? It is Christmas time, the most important time of year for us to be aware of and yes, even to feel God's presence; yet because of busy-ness, we could miss him.
Matthew recounts, The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.1 Immanuel means "God with us." Hmmm ... God with us. Let that settle on you just now. Be still a moment.
listen to podcast: https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/3e54cfa8/god-speaks-through-his-presence-121322
Throughout history, the people of God have been assured that God was with them. Let's remember--Joshua was told by God, the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.2
David wrote of God's presence throughout the psalms and you can be comforted by the same assurance he was, that though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me.3
Just before Jesus ascended into Heaven, he comforted his disciples with these words, lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.4
I am wondering . . . do you feel God's presence, do you feel him near?
>Let's stop and think, and truly desire God's presence. Consider Brother Lawrence,5 who said, "Oh my God, since you are with me, and I must now, in obedience to your commands, apply my mind to these outward things, I ask you to grant me the grace to continue in your presence." He was a dishwasher in a 17th century French monastery.6
>Look for Him - be aware/anticipate where God might be working around you.
>Ask God to reveal himself to you - Psalm 19 talks about the heavens declaring the glory of God all around us. Look up to the skies, listen for him around you.
>Make room for God with a little silence, so that you can hear him.
"God is the friend of silence . . .
See how nature, the trees, the flowers, the grass grow in deep silence.. See how the stars, the moon and the sun move in silence. The more we receive in our silent prayer, the more we can give in our active life." Mother Teresa
"Be still, and know that I am God." GOD, Psalm 46.10
Listen to this song:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLLDxdjrcP4
"I Am" Melody Noel, Influence Music. I hope you'll listen, and let God speak to you. Look for the great I Am.
He was . . . He is. . . the great I Am, and He is with you, Child. Look around and be with him.
Merry Christmas, dear Friends---I pray that you will invite, make room for and discover God's presence like never before.
Christine
1-Matthew 1.23
2-Joshua 1.9
3-Psalm 23.4
4-Matthew 28.20
5-Practicing the Presence of God, Brother Lawrence, from the 1600s