Presence Not Presents

                Have you ever wanted to be so close to God, you could feel His breath on you? That's where we are when we worship God Almighty from the very core of our hearts.

     Just singing a worship song is not enough: it may have a catchy rhythm or melody, the words may be easy to remember. But if you don't believe that God is real to His Word, or that His Word does not apply to you, even in this day, then not only are you a fool, but the song you sing is meaningless to God. He cannot even hear you; your voice, without a repentant heart, is just noise.

     Proverbs tells us that "The Lord loves a cheerful giver." Cheerful giving requires a cheerful heart. A cheerful heart is a heart that believes God is faithful in His Word. That when we repent of our sins, God is faithful and just to forgives us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Our worship to and for our God is our declaration of love and unswerving commitment to always be near Him and to do whatever He asks of us. Why do we strive to obey God? Because we love Him; not because we have to.

     We go to church because we want to, not cause we have to. We don't drink liquor because we don't want to. If we ever had that desire to get drunk or 'buzzed' by alcohol, because we repented and turned away from that sin, God has forgiven us, washed us whiter than snow, and created in us a new person, a new creature.

     That's what repentance is: a turning away from sin and not going back to it. It ls like a dog returning to its vomit and partaking of it. Pretty gross, huh? True repentance allows God to change a vile wicked sinner into a holy righteous saint. But to keep on changing we need to allow The Holy Ghost/The Holy Spirit to live in us and guide us in the ways of God's Word.

     Even now, when we are on the verge of Christ's return for His bride, we need The Holy Spirit to convict us of all unrighteousness that we may repent of any lingering desires that would take us away from The Truth of God's Word. Once Christ returns to bring His bride to her new home, The Holy Spirit will leave with us. And it will be harder, much harder, to repent and belong to God.

     Today is your day of salvation. Be in God's presence now and forever.