Pastor Rex: Communing with God is a thoughtful and deliberate process. Our time with Him is not just us presenting our petitions, but also calls for our realization that there will be times, when in order to know Him and recognize His will, we will need to be quiet. We need to lend our ears, rebuke the voices of strife and confusion and simply listen.
The Holy Spirit, sometimes called the ‘action arm’ of the Holy Trinity’ is always with us. It is the third plank of the trinity but is nevertheless God in His fullness. We must be cautious to avoid offending the Holy Spirit (yes, He can be offended—after all, think of the Israelites and how long they wandered, needing correction?). Our access to the Holy Spirit is 24/7 after all. Also, be aware that in Judaism, they are told to beware of ‘impure spirits’ -- the opposite of what we are to be seeking. We know of deliverance—isn’t that a rebuke of ‘impure spirits’ that are in conflict with the Holy Spirit? When we stand in the Holy Spirit, we resonate with those things with which He blesses us-the gifts of the spirit, and we are filled with His peace and joy.
That which we embrace (good or evil) will be manifest in us. When we worship together, we corporately bask in the glory He shows us—that we MUST honor. The first garden, where He walked, was full of beauty and love. The garden to come will be even more so and we can anticipate seeing Him face to face. We are travelers here, journeying to Him.
Isaiah 57:15: For this is what the high and exalted One says— He who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.
Pastor Rex: In their rebellion, Adam and Eve foolishly believed that they would benefit in some way by accepting the lie of ‘knowledge’. They turned their back on what they were promised and then lost the relationship He had shared with them. They knew fear and shame.
In getting back to being in His presence, understand that sin can undermine our relationship with Him, and undermine our blessings with curses. Their disobedience caused exile for us all. The free presence they enjoyed was removed. God still held out His hand, first at Mount Sinai (where the people appointed Moses to speak with God for them instead each of them seeking Him). God chose the Levites to act as priests-- but He wants all of us to act as priests and seek all of His gifts. Their corruption led to the destruction of the temple. Christ, too, said that He had to leave in order for the advocate (the Holy Spirit) to come among us.
Acts 1:6-9: Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
Acts 2:2-4: Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Pastor Rex: When Jesus gave His last breath, the veil between the inner sacred area of the temple and the outer area was split in two, and the floor was cracked. You might say that the bridge was laid, we were allowed to walk over it and given His way to salvation and eternal life.
To know Him is overwhelming and wonderful. Don’t keep Him on a shelf, only to be taken hold of when a crisis arises. Carry Him with you through every step of each day. A relationship of any kind takes time, work, focus and effort. Press in! with intent, to build a closer walk.
James 1:2: Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
1st Thessalonians 5:16-18: Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.