Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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The Devine Presence that Moves with Us 

Bible Reading:  (Exodus 33: 12 -16)

Key Verse:  14-16

“And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”  And he said to him, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?” Exodus 33:14-16.

DEVOTION

Moses knew the value of God’s presence.  Moses is pleading with God to go with them. God said that I will not go with you because you are stiff necked people, you will sin, and I will destroy you.  Moses is saying, Lord, we don’t want your blessings, what we want is your presence.  This is the prayer that unlocks heaven. When we value his presence more than his presents, it will transform everything. When we desire his face more than his favor, we will tap into his glory. The presence of God demands certain things from our life. We must lead a holy life. We must lead a life separate from the worldly pleasures. We shall have no other God. We must be committed to him alone. 
What is the result of Lord’s presence in our life? First, he will give us rest.  His presence is not passive, it is active. His presence will transform our journey. When God’s presence goes with us, impossible things become possible. When God’s presence is with us, our fear will turn into faith. It is the realization that it is the God who placed me where I am now. It is the realization that God’s presence is with me in what I am doing now. That is what God says in Mathew 11:28 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.   
Second, v16 says ‘Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?” What makes each one of us distinct in our family, in our work, in our church, in our social life, is Lord’s presence in our life. It is not our ability, our strength or our influence, but it is lord’s presence in our life. People around us will recognize the Godly presence in us. For example, Potiphar recognized Lord’s presence in Joseph, Rahab recognized God’s presence in Israelites. Do others recognize Lord’s presence in each one of us?
What is God’s presence in our life? It is the love, joy and peace we experience in our life. It is the fruit of the spirit. God is saying, if we fully trust him, His presence will go with us. His presence will create a new environment around us. It will create a new reality for us. 

PRAYER

Thank you, Lord, for your presence in our life. Help us to live in your love, joy and peace.  Amen.

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Do not measure our life  by how far we can go  but by how closely we can walk with God.

John Philip
St .Thomas Mar Thoma Church Delaware Valley 
PA.

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