Christianity is not one more self-help program; it is becoming aware that we need God. It is believing on Jesus, putting our trust in Him. Yet, even after we have believed on Jesus, often we struggle with the question, “Is God with you? Is God with me?”
Would you prefer to listen to this teaching?
Ezekiel shares his prophetic dream of a city that God calls Jehovah Shammah which means “God is there.’ Easton’s Bible Encyclopedia says the city that Ezekiel saw is a type (symbol or picture) of the gospel Church.
Jehovah Shammah is considered by theologians to be one of the 7 redemptive names of God because Jesus’ death made it possible for God’s spirit to dwell in believers. Jesus promised in Matthew 28:20 that He would always be with us. Even though there is an abundance of Old and New Testament verses that assures us of God’s presence, there seems to be some doubt that God is really with us. ‘
Brady Boyd, in his book’ Sons and Daughters: Orphans on our way Home, writes that God spoke to his heart…”Brady, people are overwhelmed by the circumstances they face, because they’ve stopped believing I am near. Don’t give way to the panic. And tell others to stop panicking too. I am closer than the air you’re breathing, and my presence brings all the power you need.’
It breaks my heart to think that people have stopped believing God is with them. People seem to be wondering where God has gone, so I want to remind you’ God is with you!
Really?
I know you already know that, but do you really know that?
If I asked you “Do you know that God is with you?’ you would probably answer “Of course I do’! God is omnipresent like the air that is all around us. We don’t see the air, but it’s there.
We know and believe verses like: Psalms 139:7 NLT “I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence!’
Jeremiah 23:24 NLT “Can anyone hide from me in a secret place? Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?” says the LORD.’
God is omni-present
You’ve seen His fingerprints in creation and His Divine design as you’ve held a brand new baby or watched the reproductive process of a seed.
You’ve stood silently in awe as a glorious sunset painted the sky with color and you’ve craned your neck to see a sky full of stars. No one has to tell you that only God could do that! But, if you only know Him as a distant creator, it’s like recognizing Michael Jordan or Warren Buffet at a restaurant.
God wants you recognize Him, but He wants more out of your relationship with Him. He wants to share Himself with you! It is important that we experience four distinct dimensions of God’s presence.
1. Omni-present.
2. Indwelling presence.
3. Infilling.
4. Manifest presence.
Indwelling Presence
Every born again believer has received God’s indwelling presence. It is like what a baby does when it is born. It breathes air into its lungs and it lives. If you have been born again, He is with you!!! He’s in you! Ephesians 3:17 NLT “Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.’ Ephesians 2:22 NLT “Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.’
Be Filled with the Holy Spirit
Ephesians 5:18 NLT Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.
I love, love, LOVE to talk about the benefits of being Spirit filled.
I have so many pages on my website about Precious Holy Spirit, so I won’t allow myself to pause here.
It’s important for you to believe He is With You.
When you believe that you need to change your thoughts and words to reflect the belief that you are never alone, you don’t need to pray for Him to be with you. He already is. You simply need to become more aware of His presence.
Manifest Presence
Still there are times like those on a cold day that you can actually see your breath or times you see steam rising from boiling water on the stove.
Exodus 19:18 NLT “All of Mount Sinai was covered with smoke because the LORD had descended on it in the form of fire. The smoke billowed into the sky like smoke from a brick kiln, and the whole mountain shook violently.’ He manifests His presence when we seek Him.
Jeremiah 29:13 NLT “If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.’
Colossians 1:27b NLT “And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.’ (His glory is His manifest presence.)
In His manifest presence we are enfolded with His radiant love and joy. We were made to connect with God. Often as we move from thanksgiving to praise and then to worship, we can sense His nearness.
Not all the time, but often as I open my heart to God in the morning before my day begins or when I begin to tell someone about Jesus and how precious He is to me I can feel His nearness. It is a wonderful, wonderful feeling. Those precious God encounters have marked my life with His love.
He is With us!
Yet even when I don’t feel Him, He is still there. I am aware of His presence so, even when I don’t feel His presence I talk to Him, ask Him questions and ask for His help.
I’ve gone through Peggy Williams” 21-Day Formula for God Confidence three times. The first time I went through it I was caught off guard by her bold declaration “You are the woman/man God is with.’ When I read those words, I got a mental picture of myself at a party.’
The happy party was in a location with wide doorways emptying into several rooms with lots of people filling the space. I was a guest at the party when another guest leaned over and asked me quietly “Who is he with?’ and nodded toward a guest just inside the next room.
I knew immediately whom she was talking about. The guest was famous. His face and prestige was recognizable by everyone there. Everyone wanted to talk with him, touch him or at the very least get near him.
I smiled and answered, “He’s with me!’ as I moved to go to where He was.
I am the woman God is with!
I am not trying, neither was my friend, to say that we have an exclusive claim that no one else can share. Anyone can experience an intimate relationship with God. It begins by becoming aware that He is with you. But the fact is, I can and do have that kind of relationship with Him. My relationship with Jesus is a game changer.
Game Changer
Let me explain why I say and believe that because Jesus is with you it is a “game changer.’
Let’s say something happens and you think’ “Oh no. I don’t know what to do!” But, because He is with you, you immediately begin a conversation with Him. “Father, I don’t know what to do, so I ask you to give me wisdom. Show me what to do. Where do I need to go to find the wisdom I need for this situation?”
Another example. Let’s say a friend asks you to cover up something by telling a lie for them. Because Jesus is with you, you can lovingly, but courageously, reply “I love you, but I won’t lie for you because lying grieves the heart of Jesus and violates my values as a believer.’
Benefits
There are many fabulous benefits that come with having a friend like Jesus because He is with you, you can’¦
- be confident, peaceful, joyful, bold, loving and obedient to God.
- speak and live the truth boldly without harshness. You don’t have to hide behind lies or make excuses.
- be free from addictions.
- be released from every prison of un-forgiveness or fear.
- release your faith to experience provision, favor with God and man, and wisdom.
- enjoy eating and sharing the good fruit that His Spirit develops in you: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faith, Gentleness, Self-control.
I am learning to set myself up for success by believing and trusting God more and changing the way I think. Part of my strategy is to talk to myself, especially when I am facing something difficult.
Yes, I talk to myself.
My self-talk used to be destructive and discouraging, but I don’t do that anymore! (Praise God!) Since I believe that Jesus goes with me everywhere I go, I can confidently say,’ “I am the woman God is with.’
Here’s an example if I’m dealing with a difficult person. I say Pat, God is with you. He’s with you girl (Sometimes I don’t pay attention to myself and I need to repeat it!)
Pat, because He is with you, you can do the right thing. God’s gonna help you! You can be kind, Pat, cause God is giving you some of His kindness. He loves this person. You may not feel like you have any love to give, but He’s giving you some of His love to love them with.
I’d like to pray with you.
Father, I pray for my dear reader. Help them to have a new awareness of your presence. Help them to walk in greater confidence because they are confident in your greatness! Amen.
Here’s the link to sign up for Peggy Williams 21 Formula For Christ Confidence
Big Take Away– Christianity is not one more self-help program; it is becoming aware that “He is with me!” It is a sense of belonging to God’s family and experiencing His forgiveness, acceptance and love personally.
This article is part of a series on what the Bible says about your thoughts.
