Jesus Is In The Room

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." - 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18

Have you ever been in the same room with someone - but it was like you were miles apart? Almost as if you both were unaware of each others presence.  I am certain you have -  we all have at one time or the other.  Well, very often that is the way it is with us and the Lord. When you pray, do you have an image in mind of the Lord listening from heaven - far, far away from you and your circumstances? I have a print by Harry Anderson right above my computer screen.  It is of a man sitting at his desk with Jesus sitting in the chair beside him - Jesus is talking to the man. the man is listening intently. At the bottom of the print is a reference to Psalm 1

"Blessed is the man [or woman] who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful" - Psalm 1:1

I would add the next few verses - "But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he  meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. The ungodly are not so" I love that Psalm - you might want to read it or read it again sometime. I love that picture too. My friend, Tom Kotouc, has one just like it - that is where I first saw it.  At any rate - my point is that the Lord is present. It is too easy to forget the we were inhabited by the Holy Spirit on he day we were born again. Just like the moment that a newborn takes its first breath - God "breathes" life into us - at the point He gives us eternal life. And we are never in a room alone again.

So what's the problem? Well ... the problem is that we can behave like we are ... 

"in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit." 1 Thessalonians 5:18-19

Literally do not put the fire out. We can live as if we have not been sealed by the Spirit and when we need God, we can act as though we must get His attention out there in Heaven somewhere. A monk named Brother Lawrence writings about being in the presence of God were compiled in a book called "The Practice of the Presence of God."  In the Forward the book is called "Spiritual insights into the heart of God". Brother Lawrence said, "I am doing now what I will do for all eternity. I am blessing God, praising Him, adoring Him, and loving Him with all my heart."  The practice of His presence is being aware that Jesus is in the room - the same room you are in - your room - that God is near. 

Do you see yourself as being sensitive to the Spirit - to the presence of God? To be aware, if you want to be aware, may require some significant changes in you routine - in your priorities.  Jesus is not on call like the paramedics, like dialing a spiritual 911.  It will require a new way of thinking on your part.  

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone