SEEKING THE PRESENCE OF GOD

Seeking the Presence of God

Do we sense the presence of God as we journey through this Lenten season? Do we seek his presence more? Does the Presence of God dwell in your church? Do you sense His Presence during times of corporate prayer? The Presence is most likely to show up when we pray together. When, we, the church body unite in prayer and worship, praising him, humbling ourselves before him - His Presence comes.   

        Terry Teykl, pastor and author of The Presence Based Church says:  

"As the body of Christ, we desperately need the Presence of God. We are nothing without it. His Presence, unrivaled in any aspect of beauty, power, fame or majesty, is our provision and glory. It should be the thing that holds us up and sets us apart. One moment in the Presence can do more than a lifetime of church services without it."

Do we believe this? Do we then, seek His face? Is worship a top priority? We won't sense His presence if our hearts are closed to Him or if we're holding a grudge against someone. We must prepare for worship, let go of unforgiveness, repent of our own sin or wrong doing - then we will be open to His Spirit.

   

Scriptures on the Presence of God say:

"One thing I have asked of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. (Psalm 27:4)

"In thy presence there is fullness of joy, in thy right hand are pleasures forever more. (Psalm 16:11)

In my book, Changing Churches, I write:  

"Worship connects us with the Presence of God. True worship, opening our hearts to God and praising Him, is fearful and astonishing. It changes us. Worship is as vital to our faith as breathing is to our bodies. We bow in adoration, devotion, respect, and awe. God is holy and eternal. We are finite. We humble ourselves in this holy encounter. We meet God weekly in corporate worship, as a church body. The fragrant aroma of His Presence in us and in the church increases in proportion to our prayer and worship."

Time in His Presence changes us. Perhaps this is why we don't seek Him. He changes us when we draw near to Him. Our flesh resists change. Change is scary. But it is worth it. Knowing Him personally is worth everything.

Terkyl says:  

"I love the local church. It is God's hope for transformation of lives, the expression of His glory in the earth, and His chosen bride for the Son. If someone today wants to sense and experience the real and manifested Presence of God, he shouldn't have to go any further than the local church...."

Is your church seeking God's Presence? Are you?

Blessings, Dottie

FAITH HEALS

Q. I believe people of faith are healthier and live longer than those who don’t believe in God. I also think prayer heals. A few people in my church were healed when it seemed there was no hope for them. My husband says these ideas are nonsense. He said if I could prove that church attendance, prayer or faith could heal a person or make anyone live longer he would start going to church with me. Is there any scientific proof that faith heals?

A. There is scientific evidence that faith heals. Hundreds of studies have demonstrated the healing power of prayer. In a 1995 issue of The Mind/Body Medicine Newsletter a feature article cited a study by Thomas Oxman of Dartmouth Medical School, New Hampshire. He investigated the role religion plays in the health of elderly people. Oxman’s study involved 232 patients who had open heart surgery. He found that the patients who gained strength and comfort from their religious beliefs were three times more likely to survive than those who had no comfort from religious faith.

  

In addition, those who participated in social and community groups had three times the survival rate of those who didn’t take part in any organized activity. Those who had both protective factors - religious and social support - had a ten fold increase in survival.

  

The researchers don’t understand why or how religious feeling can extend life. They speculate that having faith is physiologically calming and thus prevents problems during recovery. In other words, it boosts our immune system.They also suggest that having faith gives meaning to life which is medically helpful. In contrast, the person without faith leads a more stressful life due to the lack of purpose he attributes to life. These researchers believe that the social and religious factors in heart disease survival may be as significant as well known risks such as smoking or high blood pressure.

In addition to the above study, Larry Dossey, M.D., in his book Healing Words cites impressive scientific evidence that prayer heals. He says that studies have shown that prayer positively affected high blood pressure, wounds, heart attacks, headaches and anxiety. Dossey cites a double-blind controlled study conducted by cardiologist Randolph Byrd, formerly a professor at the University of California. In this study 393 patients were assigned to two groups. 192 patients were prayed for and 201 patients were not prayed for. The results were dramatic. 

The group that was prayed for were five times less likely to require antibiotics and three times less likely to develop pulmonary edema. He says “It is simply a fact that patients sometimes improve dramatically following prayer.” 

  

A Columbia University study reported in the New York Times Magazine, December 9, 2001, had startling findings about prayer. The study found that women in a fertility clinic were almost twice as likely to get pregnant when, without their knowledge, strangers were praying for them to conceive. Women in the prayed for group had a pregnancy rate of 50 percent versus 26 percent for women in the control group. 

  

Many studies show that social ties are good for our health and isolation shortens our life. Since our social support systems often decline as we age, involvement in a church can meet the social as well as the faith needs especially of senior citizens and can help all of us live healthier, happier and longer lives.

   

Hopefully your husband will accept this evidence and give faith and church a chance. Those of us who have experienced the healing power of prayer are not surprised by these findings. We know that faith, hope and love are healing! We know that Jesus Christ is Lord of all!

“The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from their troubles. Psalm 34:17 NLT

Blessings, Dottie

BOOKS TO READ DURING LENT

Killing Jesus: A History

By Bill O’Reilly

O’Reilly writes a gripping and detailed historical account of the trials, scourging and crucifixion of Jesus. The book is well researched and gives valuable information about Caesar Augustus, Herod the Great, and Pontius Pilate. It also explains the concerns of the Roman officials and the Jewish religious authorities in power at that time. Jesus ministry is touched on briefly and only to explain the outraged response of the religious authorities. The book describes the last week of Jesus’ life in depth, giving vivid and brutal details about his treatment from the time of his arrest to the crucifixion, burial and empty tomb.

The author leaves out much. The birth of Jesus in a manger is omitted but the book tells of Herod having all babies killed due to the report that a prophesied king had been born in Bethlehem. He also leaves out the voice of God “This is my son in whom I am well pleased”, but not the dove at Jesus Baptism. There is scant mention of his miracles, his teaching and his resurrection. He notes that women were treated very well by Jesus and his disciples – something not common at that time.

Though O’Reilly writes this as a secular history it is a worthwhile book for Christians to read. In addition it may well give pause to nonbelievers who want to learn more about Jesus. O’Reilly clearly states the worldwide impact of Jesus which continues to this day.

God’s Grace from Ground Zero: 

Seeking God’s Heart for the Future of Our World

By Jim Cymbala

God’s Grace at Ground Zero is a powerful book about the impact of the 911 disaster on New York in particular and on the United States as well. The Brooklyn Tabernacle opened their church doors to minister to those who walked by covered with soot and in shock. As time passed four members of the congregation were still missing. This is a gripping account of two who died and one who lived and how “God longs for us to place our faith in him, to trust him, no matter what happens.” Cymbala also says that many people who doubted God’s existence before 911 now are seeking him. This is a powerful book that can help us make sense of the tragedies and difficulties in life.

Edge of Eternity 

by Randy Alcorn

Edge of Eternity is an amazing novel written by Randy Alcorn in 1998. The story is about a business man, Nick Seagate, whose life is a wreck. Suddenly he finds himself in another world in which he faces many torments and trials but also meets and makes friends with fellow travelers as they attempt to reach the city of Light. There are many twists and turns to the plot. The writing is full of beautiful and profound words. Early in the book Nick walks with the Woodsman who tells him about a King. He tells Nick: The King is the fountain of life…The King is a rose full of beauty but also thorns…The King is the true vine, the tree of life, the giver of grain…The King is light…The King is a singer and a song and more. Pg 43 This is a very special book full of wisdom with word pictures of our journey in life with the God of the universe.

“I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.” John 11:25

Blessings, Dottie

VALUING ASH WEDNESDAY

Yesterday - March 6th - was Ash Wednesday, a special day celebrated in many Christian churches. Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, the beginning of the 40 weekdays before Easter. Lent is observed in many Christian churches as a period of prayer, fasting, confession, repentance, and self-denial. It echoes the 40 days in the wilderness Jesus spent fasting and overcoming temptation. It also assists Christians in focusing on Jesus resolute journey leading to his crucifixion and resurrection. We learn to identify with his unwavering obedience. We recognize the price he paid for us.

Our faith journey, described in Changing Churches, began in a United Methodist Church - a church that observes Ash Wednesday. Throughout our years there, Ash Wednesday marked the beginning of a solemn and holy time of reflection. While searching for a church in 2008 we attended an Ash Wednesday service at another Methodist Church. I noted in my journal:

           

We sang six verses of "Just as I Am" and "There is a Fountain Filled with Blood." The hymns, responsive readings, confession, and pastor's message, touched and filled us. We received ashes in the shape of the cross on our foreheads and took Communion - opening and recommitting ourselves to Him. What a sacred event!

Prayer Journaling

In 2004 the teacher of my ladies Bible class mentioned journaling Psalm 51 (about David's sin), one phrase at a time, for the forty days of Lent. This proved to be a sobering but valuable exercise. In order to build up the church, Christians must change and grow. We must face our own sin and repent. The next forty days are a good time to focus on this in prayer.

Understanding the Church Calendar

For those not in a liturgical church, Mark Galli's explanation from his book Beyond Smells and Bells, may help you appreciate the emphasis on the church calendar. He writes:

             

The church calendar aims at nothing less than to change the way we experience time and perceive reality. . . . Advent signals the new year. For the church, the annual rhythm is not winter, spring, summer and fall, but Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter and Pentecost. . . . The church calendar is not about the cycle of life - school or sports or harvest time - but about the movement of history toward a glorious goal. We celebrate the past events of history not merely to remember them, but note how they infuse the present with meaning and power, and point us to our future hope.

Let this be a Holy season for all Christians to ponder and pray and deepen our faith.

Blessings, Dottie