December 3rd, 2024
Last week, we talked about the power of every decision we make. This week I’ve been thinking about the choice to pursue the presence of God. God’s presence will absolutely change your life. It’s the tangible reality of heaven coming to earth and if you fall in love with God’s presence, nothing else will ever satisfy you.
Psalm 27:4 says,
“One thing I ask from the LORD, and this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life.”
One thing I ask.
This only do I seek.
Those are bold statements. Have we come to the point in our walk with God that we can say His kingdom is all we’re seeking?
Matthew 6:33 says,
“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
We must choose to pursue the presence of God, and that pursuit will only be lifelong if it’s birthed in genuine hunger for Him.
Psalm 42:1-2 says,
“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.”
If we genuinely encounter the purity and power of His presence, we will hunger and thirst for it. There is nothing that will fulfill the longing of our hearts except the presence of God.
In His presence is rest. (Exodus 33:14-16)
In His presence is joy. (Psalm 16:11)
In His presence is light. (Psalm 43:3)
In His presence is strength. (Isaiah 41:10)
In His presence is hope. (Psalm 62:5-6)
In His presence is freedom. (2 Corinthians 3:17)
His presence is what we were created for and there is nothing worth more. Jesus told two short parables about the kingdom of God that demonstrate this truth.
Matthew 13:45-46 says,
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”
Matthew 13:44 says,
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.”
The men in both parables sold everything because of the value of what they’d found. There is danger in believing that because Jesus died on the cross and we have access to the throne of God by His blood, we have no part to play. Nothing of value isn’t hidden and we do have to choose to actively pursue the presence and kingdom of God. There is a cost. We can’t spend all our time and energy pursuing the things of the world and expect to find the presence of God.
Jesus said to seek the kingdom, but we have the promise that when we seek Him, we will find Him.
Luke 12:32 says,
““Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
If it’s His good pleasure to give us the kingdom, we can rest assured that we will find what we seek. We don’t seek His kingdom because He’s hidden it from us. We seek the kingdom because He’s hidden it for us.
The kingdom of God comes in all its power only in the presence of the King. The authority of heaven evicts the darkness, destroying all the works of the enemy, when the One who holds all authority comes into the room. When we seek Him, we will find Him. That same promise has been available since He created mankind. He waits to be found by His people. He gives us the choice to pursue His presence because He will never force us to do anything. However, there is no pursuit too costly for the presence of God, because in it is everything you need. In Him only will you find rest for your soul!
Psalm 27:8 says,
‘You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, LORD, do I seek.”’
Jeremiah 29:13 says,
“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”
This week, we encourage you to pursue the presence of God, to pursue God Himself, with everything you have. The kingdom of heaven, and everything that comes with it, is available for you. He waits to be found by His people! Peace, joy, hope, strength, light and complete freedom are on the other side of your decision to not let go. He will keep every promise. He will do everything His word says He will do. He’s better than we could ever hope. He’s bigger than we could ever dream. He’s the King of Kings and He’s made a way for you to come as close as you desire. Choose to pursue Him! There’s nothing worth more.
Psalm 27:4 says,
“One thing I ask from the LORD, and this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life.”
One thing I ask.
This only do I seek.
Those are bold statements. Have we come to the point in our walk with God that we can say His kingdom is all we’re seeking?
Matthew 6:33 says,
“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
We must choose to pursue the presence of God, and that pursuit will only be lifelong if it’s birthed in genuine hunger for Him.
Psalm 42:1-2 says,
“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.”
If we genuinely encounter the purity and power of His presence, we will hunger and thirst for it. There is nothing that will fulfill the longing of our hearts except the presence of God.
In His presence is rest. (Exodus 33:14-16)
In His presence is joy. (Psalm 16:11)
In His presence is light. (Psalm 43:3)
In His presence is strength. (Isaiah 41:10)
In His presence is hope. (Psalm 62:5-6)
In His presence is freedom. (2 Corinthians 3:17)
His presence is what we were created for and there is nothing worth more. Jesus told two short parables about the kingdom of God that demonstrate this truth.
Matthew 13:45-46 says,
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”
Matthew 13:44 says,
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.”
The men in both parables sold everything because of the value of what they’d found. There is danger in believing that because Jesus died on the cross and we have access to the throne of God by His blood, we have no part to play. Nothing of value isn’t hidden and we do have to choose to actively pursue the presence and kingdom of God. There is a cost. We can’t spend all our time and energy pursuing the things of the world and expect to find the presence of God.
Jesus said to seek the kingdom, but we have the promise that when we seek Him, we will find Him.
Luke 12:32 says,
““Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
If it’s His good pleasure to give us the kingdom, we can rest assured that we will find what we seek. We don’t seek His kingdom because He’s hidden it from us. We seek the kingdom because He’s hidden it for us.
The kingdom of God comes in all its power only in the presence of the King. The authority of heaven evicts the darkness, destroying all the works of the enemy, when the One who holds all authority comes into the room. When we seek Him, we will find Him. That same promise has been available since He created mankind. He waits to be found by His people. He gives us the choice to pursue His presence because He will never force us to do anything. However, there is no pursuit too costly for the presence of God, because in it is everything you need. In Him only will you find rest for your soul!
Psalm 27:8 says,
‘You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, LORD, do I seek.”’
Jeremiah 29:13 says,
“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”
This week, we encourage you to pursue the presence of God, to pursue God Himself, with everything you have. The kingdom of heaven, and everything that comes with it, is available for you. He waits to be found by His people! Peace, joy, hope, strength, light and complete freedom are on the other side of your decision to not let go. He will keep every promise. He will do everything His word says He will do. He’s better than we could ever hope. He’s bigger than we could ever dream. He’s the King of Kings and He’s made a way for you to come as close as you desire. Choose to pursue Him! There’s nothing worth more.
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