John 4: 39 Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman had said, “He told me everything I ever did!” 40 When they came out to see him, they begged him to stay in their village. So he stayed for two days, 41 long enough for many more to hear his message and believe. 42 Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard him ourselves. Now we know that he is indeed the Savior of the world.”
When Jesus moves in our hearts, soothes the hurts, and gives us a vision for living, it feels so good that we don't want it to end. Prayer times can be that way, and the presence of the Lord becomes not a want but a reality. These Samaritans came out to see Jesus, and He lingered with them for a while. Scripture says this So he stayed for two days, 41 long enough for many more to hear his message and believe. They saw Jesus in physical form, and they heard Him preach and teach. His presence was eye-opening and wonderful. We experience Jesus in a Spirit form and through His Word, but His presence is even more real because of the presence of the Holy Spirit.
How do you handle a hectic life that is way over the top in filling time with deadlines and appointments? You are pulled in every direction, and you suddenly realize that this life of peace you are supposed to have is not very peaceful at all. Here is the remedy for this over-the-top schedule problem and the lack of true peace. Step back and stop for just a while and ask Jesus to meet with you, and He will. God's presence is all around us and in us, but we can miss the fruit of that presence because we are ADD, and quality prayer time is lacking because of it.
I am almost 70 years old, and I find myself getting to church and other obligations way too early. my desire to "beat the clock" keeps me bottled up way too much. Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to make excuses for being lazy or disorganized. I am talking about our time with God. The Psalmist spoke to this in Psalm 139: 7 I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! 8 If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. 9 If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, 10 even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.
11 I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night, but even in darkness, I cannot hide from you. To you, the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you. God is omniscient, which means He knows everything. God is also omnipresent, meaning present everywhere at the same time. The Psalmist brings all of this into focus and helps me see that I need to slow down in my thinking, allow the presence of God to minister to me, and also pray for the Holy Spirit to fill me. Paul gives a great guideline for all of this in Ephesians 5: 15: So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, 19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
This doesn't mean we sit down and do nothing. It does mean that when we sit down and spend time with God, we linger in His presence and keep the worries of life at bay by centering our thoughts on the one who works all things out. God spoke the following words to the Prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 55: 8 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. 9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. Jesus is the Messiah, and here are His qualifications for ministering to us when we need it. Isaiah 9:6 For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor, David, for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!
Do this. Get alone with God and just lay everything out before Him and say one word: HELP!! All of who Jesus is will kick in. You will sense His presence, and it will be so good you will want Him to linger awhile. Jesus will stay right there with you and give you counsel, show His mighty power to answer your prayers and help you realize the big picture by reminding you that He has you for eternity. Also, ask Him to be your Prince of Peace, and He will be, but don't rush it. A.W. wrote this “God never hurries. There are no deadlines against which He must work. Only to know this is to quiet our spirits and relax our nerves.”
In fact, get alone and begin right now. Yes now! Philippians 4:6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. When you let go and let God, it will be difficult to leave that moment, so get ready to spend some "quality" time with God. Then your prayer will be, "Jesus stay awhile cause I really like spending time with You."
Today's Message,
David Warren
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