STAYING IN GOD'S PRESENCE

There's nothing quite like the presence of the Lord. We read in the Bible of
prophets, disciples and followers of Christ who have experienced God's presence, but
when you have your own experience, it's something special. 

ILLUSTRATION: TRENDING ABOUT LUGAW IS ESSENTIAL

Spending time in God's presence is essential to our Christian journey. If you don't
spend time with a person, how can you know them? If you don't spend time with God,
then how do you expect to know Him. 

When Paul said, "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the
fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death" in Philippians 3:10,
he desired to know Jesus. He wanted to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and sacrifice
his life if need be. Paul's desire was birthed from his dedication in spending time with
the Lord. The more and more Paul spent with the Lord, the more God revealed to him.
But, the only way to have that experience is to stay in the presence of God. (Philippians
3:10, King James Version)

Filipos 3:10-11 Ang tanging hangarin ko ngayon ay lubusang makilala si Cristo,

maranasan ang kapangyarihan ng kanyang muling pagkabuhay, makibahagi sa
kanyang mga paghihirap, at maging katulad niya sa kanyang kamatayan upang ako
man ay muling buhayin mula sa mga patay.

Spending time in God's presence requires discipline and desire. Everything within you
must desire to be with Him. Jeremiah 29:13 says that when we have searched for Him
with our whole heart, then we will find Him. (Jeremiah 29:13, KJV)

Jeremiah 29:13 Kapag hinanap ninyo ako, ako'y inyong matatagpuan; kung buong puso
ninyo akong hahanapin.

One of the most beautiful things I've discovered while being a Christian is knowing our
God is accessible. The Word reminds us in John 4:24, "God is a Spirit: and they that
worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth."

Juan 4:24 Ang Diyos ay Espiritu kaya dapat siyang sambahin sa espiritu at sa
katotohanan.”

Omnipresence God – nasa lahat ng dako.

Therefore, no matter where you are, God is there also. We can call on God at all times.
We can worship Him in our cars, our homes and in the tabernacle because He is an
accessible God. We have an all-access pass with the Father. (John 4:24, KJV) 

In His presence, He has promised us blessings. 

 In His word, He said, "WHERE THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS, THERE IS
LIBERTY." Liberty means freedom. In God's presence, you are free. You are
free over everything that binds you. In God's presence, you are made whole. (2
Corinthians 3:17, KJV)

2 Corinto 3:17 Ang Panginoon ay Espiritu at kung saan naroroon ang Espiritu ng
Panginoon, naroroon ang kalayaan.

#2: “…and where the Spirit of the Lord is…” In contrast to the preceding part of the
verse, here, the common interpretation is that the “Spirit” refers to the actual Holy Spirit.
The meaning is “when the Holy Spirit indwells within Christians.”

#3: “…there is freedom.” Christians have spiritual liberty, meaning freedom from
Mosaic law (as the law of Jesus is superior) (Acts 15:10-11), freedom from the fear of
death (as we have everlasting life in Heaven) (Romans 8:2), freedom from the guilt and
penalty of sin (as Jesus died for our sins) (Romans 6:18), freedom from fear (Isaiah
43:1) and freedom from corruption (Romans 8:21).

 IN HIS PRESENCE, THERE IS FULLNESS OF JOY. The scripture reminds us

that we will have everlasting joy. Joy supersedes (humalili) happiness because
happiness is fleeting (panandalian). You can be happy today but sad in five
minutes. However, when you have joy, your house could be burning, but you still
have joy. This type of joy comes from God because we have a Father who can
provide it to us. (Psalm 16:11, KJV)

Awit 16:11 Itinuro nʼyo sa akin ang landas patungo sa buhay na puno ng
kasiyahan, at sa piling nʼyo, aking matatagpuan ang ligayang walang hanggan.

 He reminds us that all His righteousness will be added unto us when we seek His
face. (Matthew 6:33, KJV)

 IN HIS PRESENCE, WE FIND REST. Sometimes life gets tough, but Jesus said,
“Come all ye that are weary laden, and I will give you rest.” Let Him be your
burden bearer. (Exodus 33:14, KJV and Matthew 11:28)

When we desire to be in the presence of the Lord, He will draw closer to us. When we
prioritize drawing closer to God, God will draw closer to us.
SALIN: Kapag ninanais nating makapiling sa presensya ng Panginoon, lalapit Siya sa
atin. Kapag inuuna natin ang paglapit sa Diyos, lalapit sa atin ang Diyos.

His promises are true. But in order to receive the blessing, we have to stay in His
presence. (James 4:8, KJV)

Santiago 4:8 Lumapit kayo sa Dios at lalapit din siya sa inyo. Kayong mga
makasalanan, mamuhay kayo nang malinis. At kayong mga nagdadalawang-isip, linisin
nʼyo ang inyong puso.

There is a covering in God's presence. There is healing, peace, deliverance, spiritual

growth and favor in God's presence.

Start a relationship with Christ and draw close to Him. Begin by opening up your mouth
and saying, "Hi Jesus, it's me again." Pour out your heart to Him. Start a morning
devotion and ask God to use for His glory. Avail yourself to God and watch Him use
you. 

There's nothing like the presence of the Lord, and where God is, is surely where we
want to be. 

“When you enter His presence with thanksgiving, He enters your circumstances with
power.”

“Kapag pumasok ka sa Kaniyang presensya na may pasasalamat, pumapasok Siya sa

iyong mga kalagayan na may kapangyarihan.”