We are either living our lives based on God's presence or based on His existence. God showed me some time ago that I acknowledged His existence in my daily walk, but ignored His presence. There were many things in my life I was free to do because I saw God in terms of a vague existence rather than a presence in my life. I began to realize I did not recognize His actual presence as I went through the day. My decisions proved that; I would do things I would not have done if He were present. If we ignore His presence, can we benefit in His relationship with us? Are we living in His presence or His existence?

some time ago I was driving down the road at about 80 miles an hour and the Lord said, "Would you be
speeding if I were sitting in the car next to you?" I answered, "No." He then said, "You are willing to accept my
existence, while denying my presence." It became clear to me what He was saying. I had no problem defending
and acknowledging the existence of God and believing in Him personally, but to acknowledge His presence
could hinder my sovereignty, my freedom. if we are truly living in His presence, wouldn't we be doing those

I was keeping my relationship with God in a protected position, where He was welcome to be my Savior, but not positioned in my life to be my Lord. I had areas of desire which excluded Him and areas which included Him. Jesus didn't call me to watch TV, but I watched it anyway.

If you would have asked me, I would have told you that I loved the Lord and served Him with all my being. But
if this were true, then why was I willing to do things that were displeasing Him? What belief system, what
attitude and what knowledge permitted this action? Surely if God were present, I wouldn't say and do most of
these things. What permitted me to think I loved God while denying His presence?

We live in His existence, but not in His presence. We have denied His presence and have been content living by our own understanding. We are content with the "idea" we are His, but not really recognizing or fully accepting His authority over us.

A member of our fellowship gave an example that illustrates this principle. He said he was driving down the
road one day and as he looked in his rear view mirror, he saw a police officer following him. Well, he checked
his speed, his seat belt; used the proper turn signals, lane changes and made sure he wasn't speeding through

I once counseled an addicted smoker and listened to his complaints that he couldn't stop smoking. I asked him a simple question, "would you quit smoking if I gave you 50 million dollars?" Well, he smiled, and I know you know his response. He was willing to do for money what he was unwilling to do for God. If he was standing before Jesus at judgement day, would he light up a cigarette?

Why are we so willing to acknowledge His existence while keeping a distance from His presence?
Could the following verse be addressed to us also?
"For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed,

they were the children of Abraham. But evidence proved otherwise. Why didn't the evidence cause them to
admit their condition and seek His presence? Why didn't they experience, on a regular basis, the healing power
of God? Why is dying more the rule than healing? We may be producing the deepest teachings, but we lack life,
power and His presence. How long are we going to be satisfied to live without His presence? I am not referring
to the goose bumps we got from the last thrilling teaching, but the cry for repentance and the unwillingness to

Some years ago I met a man from China. He said something that shocked me. He said, "When I come to the churches in America, I do not see the presence of God. You handle the affairs of God rather well without God's presence. If God were in your meetings, you would see many healings."

We often look for His presence in an emotion or in some elevated way or situation. We talk of meetings where we felt His presence. But when we turn the TV on or are in a hurry to get somewhere, why do we ignore His presence? If we acknowledge His presence, we are faced with His authority.

The only way we are going to be able to be a part of God's remnant, is to be a part of His presence. The only
way we are going to have His presence is to walk in His presence every moment and in every decision we
make. The only way the world is going to acknowledge that we are God's children is to have His presence with

blade is so dull it cannot cut the saints free from demon oppression.
Until we recognize the missing ingredient in our lives, we will not seek it.
"And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new