Thursday, July 23, 2015

Soaking in His Presence


One of the most difficult things that I have learned to do is soak in God’s presence. Why you might ask? Well, I get easily distracted and during times when I am supposed to be still before the Lord I am going over my to-do list for the day. Any Type-A people would certainly understand my dilemma. I enjoy spending time with God and basking in His presence, but sometimes I just can’t turn off my mind!

It takes disciple to practice soaking in Jesus Presence. Some days you will not feel like soaking in God’s presence, do it anyways-it will be worth it!

Soaking in His presence is like a sponge that when it gets wet it absorbs all the water, just like when we soak in God’s presence we should be so saturated with God that we are drenched. When our “sponge” becomes dry it is time for us to soak again in the Lord’s presence. How do you know when your “sponge” is dry? You lack peace, joy, love, gentleness, meekness, humbleness, and long-suffering (sounds like the fruit of the Spirit). When we are not abiding with the True Vine, we are cut off from the life-giving fruit. We need to abide with the Vine to bear much fruit. The key is not being more active in church or ministry but abiding and soaking with Jesus. When we are connected to our source of nourishment than everything will flow as a result. When we decide to do life on our own strength, we are dooming ourselves to failure.

What does soaking with God look like?
It is not about doing but about being. So many times we are consumed with reading “x” number of pages from our Bible, or praying eloquent prayers. But what if Jesus’ way is much simpler, and He says, “Sit at my feet.”

I always start with praise music to help me with being so distracted. I always go to a quiet place and sometimes I light a candle. The key is that there is no formula to soaking in God’s presence. Jesus just says come and sit with me. Some days I am quiet before the Lord and sing worship songs in my heart, others times I am up dancing and singing out loud, and there are times I read several scriptures and there are days I read only one scripture. Sometimes I pray over my home and blow the shofar. I even will walk my property and pray over it if God directs me. My prayer life looks different every day. There are times that I am continually petitioning the throne of God for my family, and there are occasions where I do some warfare praying (as I like to call it). I also journal and sit quietly to listen to God’s voice. Yes, God does speak to His people. Like I said earlier, being still and quiet has been a challenge for me, but through disciplining myself in this area I am so much better.

While you are soaking with God leave your cell phone and all electronic devices out of the area you will soak with Jesus. These will become a distraction!

There is not a set time for soaking in God’s presence. If you are in a hurry in the morning, then try this when you get home at night. Some days you may soak for 30 minutes and other times 2 hours. Yes, this can be difficult if you have small children or a demanding career. It is important that we do not make soaking with God into something legalistic. We all have extra time, perhaps not watching T.V, or getting on social media will give more time to be in the Father’s presence. Soak when you can, but ask God to increase your time so that you can do all that you need to do. I am always amazed when I take this time to soak I always have more than enough time to get everything done, even though my flesh says, “No way.” Trust me your flesh will fight this time. I very rarely think I will have enough time to soak and do all what I need to do.

Nothing will change your life more than soaking in God’s presence In God’s presence His joy is poured upon us, as well as peace, Divine wisdom, strategic plans to defeating the enemy, and healing. Our minds will be transformed as well as we center our thoughts on Christ not our circumstances.

“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence is fullest of joy; at your right hand are pleasures fovermore. Psalm 16:11

In the cover of your presence you hide them from plots of men; you store them in your shelter from the strife of tongues. Psalm 31:20

What ways do you soak in God’s presence? What benefits come from soaking in God’s presence?


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