God sightings...God is with us all the time.
"20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse."
Romans 1:20
"The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands." Psalm 19:1
He is here. He is everywhere!
"Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast." Psalm 139:7-10
Anywhere we go God is there. There is no way to escape God. We are never alone.
God sees us. EL ROI -- means the God who sees.
13 She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen[a] the One who sees me.” Genesis 16:13
34 But whenever he entered the Lord’s presence to speak with him, he removed the veil until he came out. And when he came out and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, 35 they saw that his face was radiant. Then Moses would put the veil back over his face until he went in to speak with the Lord." Exodus 34:34-35
Being in God's presence made Moses glow!!
Outside of the Holy of Holies was a 24-inch-thick curtain. When Jesus died, it ripped from the top down! God's presence was in a sense released into the world for all of us to experience. Nothing and no one stood between us and God.
"18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate[a] the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." 2 Corinthians 3:18
9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?" John 14:9
We are never alone.
"Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God." Matthew 5:8
"19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
Behold = Pay Attention!
We are to absorb and exude the things of God. Be still.
23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them." John 14:23
"He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10
When we walk, we should walk knowing God's right with us.
When we talk, we should talk knowing God's right with us.
Adam and Eve heard God walking in the garden. They knew the sound of his footsteps. When you know someone well you know their sounds. You know what their voice sounds like. The more we know God the easier it will be to hear his voice. Constantly.
Application: How to live in the presence of God.
"2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2
"2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears,[a] we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is." 1 John 3:2
"16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16
Live shiny!
Make people jealous of your faith, of your relationship with Jesus, with His word.
"9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Be strong and courageous about our faith! And live knowing the best is yet to come!
"Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,”[a] for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’[b] or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:1-4