“Mommy, I was knocking on your door and you didn’t answer,” our youngest daughter told me today.
“Really?” I asked, confused.
“What were you doing? I knocked and knocked,” she said.
I paused and thought about it for a second and responded, “I’m not sure, but I didn’t—”
Mid-sentence, it hit me.
“Oh!” I said. “I was praying.”
Then our oldest daughter chimed in and told me Kaiah said she heard me sniffling in my room.
She sure did.
I was having a wonderful time of communion with the Lord, praying, worshiping and crying out to Him.
I had locked my door and shut the world out so I could shut myself in with Jesus. I wanted no distractions, just uninterrupted time with the Savior. In His presence, I find everything I need daily.
Today's experience made me reflect on something that happened in the beginning of the year.
“You’re glowing,” my husband said early one morning.
The way I felt inside must have shown up on the outside I guess.
“I had this amazing dream,” I told him.
In it, I was overcome by the presence of the Lord. It was so vivid and real.
When I woke up, I could feel Him lingering and it was marvelous to me. I felt light and joyful as my senses were bombarded with the sweet aroma of His presence.
As the latter half of Psalm 16:11 ESV says, “…in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Friend, life can be mundane, trying and even rocky at certain moments. Many people just want to escape, mentally check out and be transported away to another place where they don’t have to deal with any of it.
You may have even felt that way at some point. Your “some point” could be right now, because this road of life has some rough spots.
But God’s presence shifts atmospheres and transcends the worst circumstances.
I know existing on earth can feel crummy on particular days.
Depending on what you’re going through, it all feels a lot like driving on a stretch of highway with potholes and cracks that cause your vehicle to shake, rock, and jerk. A deep enough crater in the asphalt can even tear up tires and cause damage.
Where I live, in Buffalo, NY, the freezing temperatures create bad roads.
When a crack appears in the pavement, water pours into it and it freezes. As you know, water expands in its frozen state, enlarging that opening. Then, the vibrations resulting from cars rolling over those open spaces make them even bigger, and add a few more cracks. When the sun comes out and thaws the water, it drips deeper, re-freezes and the process starts all over again.
So motorists here deal with bump-bump-bumpy conditions.
Your struggles make for bump-bump-bumpy experiences too.
I know.
But the good news is the presence of the Lord sustains, strengthens and empowers you through it all. When He is with you, you can be going through tremendously trying times and still have peace, joy and a true sense that all is well.
Dark storm clouds may hover, but when the presence of God hovers, He shines through the darkness. You glow from the inside out. You smile when everything else is going crazy, because the joy of the Lord is radiating from within.
Today, if life has gotten hectic and things are out of control, the Lord is wooing you. He is saying, “Draw near to me and I will draw near to you.” Sometimes, you've got to disconnect from the usual stuff; shut out the noise of life; retreat from the world; and hide and abide under the shadow of God's wings.
His presence makes the difference. It changes everything, so get lost in it. There you will find rest for your weary soul.
To remind you of this truth, I’m stirring the words the Lord said to Moses in Exodus 33:14 into your cup of inspiration. “And he said, ‘My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’”
As you drink down the contents of your cup, you will be refreshed, renewed, replenished and rejuvenated by the power of God.
He is your comfort, guide and refuge. He will protect you from the impact of the raging storm, cover you from the fierce winds, and shield you from the relentless elements.
And in those moments when things aren’t changing in your reality, He will call you up higher to commune with Him spiritually.
Just as Moses was radiant and glowing after coming down from Mount Sanai in Exodus 34:29, after you have been with God, your situation may be, but you won’t be the same.
Can you feel Him calling you up higher?
Go with Him.
His presence makes it all better.
Now please join me in praying for the following individuals on our "Thoughtful Thursdays" intercessory prayer list.
Anonymous wrote:
My life is so overwhelming. My husband has been cheating for the past few years, my child is having a tough time in school, and the vision I believe God gave me seems unreachable. I am a broken woman who is barely hanging on. I've put trust in too many that have let me down and my heart seems irreparable. I am depressed and feel alone. Please pray for my heart and pray that God provides for my children and I. I am in need of hope, peace and direction. I trust God and I need to experience His strength to keep going. Thank you for your prayers. God Bless you sisters.
Anonymous wrote:
Please pray for me that I can withstand the problem of life. I have been given to charge in raising my grandson. Both parents are in jail. Pray that I can raise this child in the way God would want me to raise him. Pray that God will give me more patience and understanding while raising him. Thank you.
CeCe wrote:
I need a house. I have been homeless for three years in a motel. I want to get out of this hole!!!!!!
Anonymous wrote:
Requesting prayer again for my home, family, and marriage. I need clarity and the ability to discern TRUTH over LIES. I need the LORD to lead and guide me and to give me peace in the midst of the storm. I know that GOD can and will show himself MIGHTY and STRONG. I declare that NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST ME SHALL PROSPER! and I ask that you PLEASE INTERCEDE and pray that GOD'S WILL FOR MY LIFE BE DONE. Thank you kindly, and GOD BLESS, KEEP, AND CONTINUE TO USE YOU.
Anonymous wrote:
I have been employed with this company for 16 yrs. I never thought I would see some of the things that have transpired. We are relocating to a new facility and city. Things are very chaotic and have been for months. I pray that regardless of how things may seem that I still trust Him. That I not allow fear to take over my mind.
Patsy Barnes wrote:
That God would show me my mistakes I have made regarding my finances. I am in a lot of debt and I should not be. I make a decent living but I can't seem to keep any money. Pray that God will give me knowledge, wisdom and revelation of him and revelation to accept responsibility for the way I have lived my life regarding my finances. That he will reveal to me my purpose in this life. Reveal to me the reason my 21 year old daughter had to die so tragically. She was murdered. Thank you.
Kim wrote:
Today's post couldn't have come at a better time. Just what the good Lord ordered for me to read because I need divine direction. Prayer for my weariness and often aimless direction though goals surround me the agendas of others frequently get done leaving me unfettered and in continual pursuit. Its my turn and I choose to be bold and take it. Pray for my steps to be ordered. Faith to guide me and God's grace embracing me.
Sheila wrote:
I'm asking for prayer to be patient as I go through whatever journey this is that God is taking me through, as I don't understand it. I'm having a REAL hard time fighting the good fight. Thank you all for your continued intercession.
Ramona Pena wrote:
I am 52 years old and have been heavy set all my life. My husband and I will celebrate 25 years of marriage August 18, 2015 and I want to lose 50-75 pounds, but I want to do with God and prayers. I'm asking your readers to stand in prayer with me and to also send any words of encouragement and bible verse for me to meditate on. I have NO doubt that God will take me through this and bring me out of it. To God be the Glory!
Joy wrote:
Would like prayer for my family and for my faith and spiritual life strengthened.
Now let’s pray.
God, although things may not be going the way I want them to in my life right now, I praise You that I can find solace in You. When life gets too hectic for me, please remind me to retreat into Your presence, where I will find the refuge, strength, hope, joy and peace I need. I trust that You will work things out in my favor and yet, while I'm going through, I will commune with You. Your presence makes it all better. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!
If you need prayer, don't hesitate to request it. I would be honored to stand in faith with you. I know that prayer works. CLICK HERE to learn how to submit your prayer request.
