In this world of go, go, go and do, do, do, it’s easy to drift far from the One who holds us secure. The One who goes before us, stands at our right hand and has the ability to keep us from being shaken. The following verse has grown very dear to me:
“I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” ~ Psalm 16:8 ~
Following this verse are listed a few benefits of setting the Lord before us.
- my heart will be glad (v.9)
- my tongue will rejoice in Him (v.9)
- I can find rest physically and emotionally (v.9)
- my life will be preserved (v.10)
- I will not be alone (v.10)
- He will reveal to me His plan for my life (v.11)
- I will find joy (v.11)
- an eternal perspective will always be in the forefront of my mind
Reading over verses 9-11, I realized, I want all those things, furthermore, I NEED all those things. That made me ponder these questions,
How can I purposely ‘set the Lord always before me’? What does this look like in my everyday life?
5 Ways to Experience His Presence
1. Read His word.
This one may seem cliché because it’s always mentioned in lists like this. However, this is the one most of us struggle with.
We either put it off because we are so busy, or we think everything has to be perfect for us to get in His word and to experience His presence.
We think we need to be awake enough, tired enough, or needing to rest just a little so we don’t feel guilty about sitting and reading.
Maybe, we haven’t done it in a while so guilt sets in and that just makes the whole commitment even harder.
Our need for zero distractions or have nothing else to do before we spend time with God is us telling Him He’s not worth putting first.
Friend, if we aren’t purposeful about opening His word, we can be sure the enemy will be purposeful about working his evil purpose in our hearts, homes and lives.
So, even when you can’t find that quiet spot or that quiet moment, open his word.
Even when you’re exhausted, open His word.
Even when you feel guilt for not reading, open His word. Be brave. Stand up against the enemy, reject the white flag of retreat he wants to offer you, and open the Lord’s Word. God won’t condemn you. He will welcome you with open arms as you open His life giving book.
Just do it.
And laugh at the enemy.
Our REST Bible Study Method is a great way to dive deep into God’s Word. Grab one of the journals today and begin a journey that will satisfy your holy thirst.
2. Focus on the good.
Our God is only good. Why should we focus on anything else?
When we focus on the good, we will find more good.
Focusing on good will also keep our minds from being cluttered. When we have a clear mind, we are able to practice self-control more efficiently. Pairing a cleared mind with self control enables us to pray more effectively, strengthening our relationship with Him.
“be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.” ~ 1 Peter 4:7 ~
3. Find a prayer partner.
This has helped me greatly. Not just having someone to pray for me, but having someone to pray FOR. The prayers of others build a protecting wall around us to divert the fiery darts of the enemy.
Praying is how we draw near to God. Keeping a continual conversation with Him is key to drawing near to Him. Find a trusted friend to partner with you in prayer for added power in the eviction of the enemy.
4. Write God’s Word on your walls.
Placing His words on your walls brings His presence into your home like no other. It will have a positive effect all who enter, and most importantly yourself and your family.
“Fix these words of Mine…on the door frames of your houses and on your gates.” ~Deuteronomy 11:18-21~
5. Be still.
I am continually developing this habit, it seems; this strategy of resting with the Lord
But its hard for me. I love going and doing. I thrive on accomplishing tasks. So being still has been tough for me. Nevertheless, I have grown to love sitting still and just experience His presence.
After reading and dwelling on verses like,
“Be still and know that I am God.” ~ Psalm 46:10 ~
and
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still.” ~ Exodus 14:14 ~
I felt compelled to do the ‘being still’ part in the physical sense, not just the spiritual sense.
So, I sit.
I hold still and refuse to think on pressing matters. I watch my garden grow, watch a sunrise or sunset, and listen to the wind blow. The going is silenced. The doing undone.
Sit. Breathe. Feel. Listen.
He comes. He sits. We wait.
I rest. He strengthens.
I listen. Sometimes, He speaks. Most-times, He doesn’t.
But, always, He comes.
Always He strengthens.
Always He renews.
In everything He is always.
Doing this the first few times was hard. But, doing this has renewed my focus on God and His greatness in many ways. This practice has assured me that He is always at my right hand and I need not be shaken.
What are some ways that you are purposeful about getting to know the Lord and experience His presence?
I found this really refreshing to read! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Love your post! To answer your question, music REALLY helps me remember His promises and re-focus my mind. I especially love when the lyrics are riddle with scriptures and melodies and while you sing you are refreshing His word in your mind over and over again…music was a wonderful gift that He has given us 🙂 Be blessed darlin'!
Oh, yes! Praise and worship music is a great way to experience Him! It seems to set the mood of the household when I play it. Often I don't take the time to turn it on though. Instead, we sing a lot:) Might not sound as good, but He loves it just the same! 🙂 Thank you for sharing!
Being still is what speaks to me. Too often we are too busy to take time for the Lord.<br />Thank you for your post!
Yes, sadly we let busyness consume us. Being still is so freeing! Thank you for stopping by!
Early in the mornings I read from the Word, work on my Bible study and throughout the day I listen to christian music. I also read uplifting Christian books.
These are all wonderful, wonderful ways of experiencing Him, yes. When we are faithful to be still, to read the Word, to pray with others, to see the good, to display His truths, He is always so very faithful to show up. Thanks for these reminders.
Mine is our morning quiet time out on my back porch swing. It's just me, my coffee, the birds and God. 🙂
Oh, I love that! I'm still waiting for my back porch to be built! I have me, the coffee, the birds and God…just need a porch! 🙂 I usually end up on the couch or at he desk. No matter where I am, He is always reachable! But, I still want a porch! lol
Hi Kaylene,<br />What wonderful ideas and I agree…being still can be hard but it is a worthwhile practice to develop…nice to meet you via Kelli's blog 🙂
Hello, Dolly! Thank you for stopping by!
So inspiring and glad I read this today! My hubby and I like to pray together and do so in the mornings before eating breakfast at the table because we know our minds are cleared and we tend to not be as tired in the mornings compared to evenings; this way, we can focus on the prayer and reflections. Praise and worship music in the car and while I'm writing helps me, too. Visiting from Oh
Thank you for sharing, Bernadyn! I, too, love music. It seems to set the tone 🙂 I love that your husband prays with you! Such a powerful way to start your days and strengthen your marriage! Blessings!
So beautiful. Thank you for the reminder this morning. I needed it. I try to live #2 as well. I find I can make it through anything when I focus on the good. As for getting in my Bible time, I too struggle with that. I had to ask someone to hold me accountable. She texts me every morning to remind me. It has helped me a lot to remember to stop, put everything down, and read. Dropped by from So
Hi Kaylene,<br />Thank you for this wonderful post. I always seem to be running, my mind racing from one thing to the next. Sitting still and listening is my greatest struggle. My heart knows that He is in the silence of that quiet place if I can just Be Still and listen. Your post is for me tonight. Thanks too for sharing with us at our Wake Up Wednesday Linky Party. I'm very happy
Thank you for posting this. I really needed to read the word today. Its been stressful the past few days.
An excellent post, Kaylene! Thank you so much for sharing this at Grace at Home. I'm going to be featuring you next week!
Oh, how wonderful of you, Richella! Thank you for this! Thank you, also, for all you do to make your linky possible. Blessings!
This is really good. Adding you to my reading list.<br />Blessings,<br />Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage
These "always" blessed my heart. There's a song we sing, "The One who stands before us, the One who goes behind, the God of angel armies is always by my side." Don't you just love that? I find it hard to "be still" but God never fails to come when I am. ~Pamela
Love this post. I will enjoy sharing this on my page. I like the write it on your walls step– a good one to add to my list. I'm your neighbor at Beaty Observed today.
Yes, yes, YES! To all of it! I used to have God's Word everywhere throughout the house – and I have neglected that. Even if I think I don't need the Word hidden in my heart, I do…and so do my children!<br /><br />Singing Scripture is also a blessing to me!<br /><br />Thanks for the great post!
These things are all in short supply for me at times, especially sitting still. I should have Ps.46:10 on my wall for sure!
Focus on the good….this is gold! Dropping in from Coffee for Your Heart, and thanking you for these great reminders.
Being still is hard sometimes, but so necessary. Reading His Word is essential.
Good words Kaylene! Nothing we do is ever as good if we haven't been in God's presence. This is key to our our joy, our peace, our success in life, our everything. Thank you for sharing and rich blessings on you dear one!<br />Patti
Wow, this is an amazing post! I truly needed to be reminded and to be more mindful of each of these 5 ways of experiencing the Lord's presence. I thank the Lord that He placed this post and these reminders on your heart. Thank you for sharing & being obedient to His will. <br /><br /> *I also love experiencing the Savior's presence by listening to music that declares His
This wonderful post was featured on my blog as part of this week's "Tuesdays with a Twist" (blog hop): http://www.godsgrowinggarden.com/2014/09/time-to-link-up-tuesdays-with-twist.html<br />Thank you so much!<br />Angie
Thanks for linking up at the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Party.
I loved this line, Kaylene, “If we aren’t purposeful about opening His word, you can bet the enemy will be purposeful about working his evil purpose in your heart, home and life.” Nothing makes us find the time to be in His word like remembering this truth.
Ah, being still. That’s a tough one for me, too. Have you ever read the book Having a Mary’s Heart in a Martha’s world? (I did a review of it on my blog, if you’d like to know more about it). I have read that one a few times because I am always seeming to need that reminder. Be still. Sit and His feet. When we do that, we do all things better.
Thanks for the encouraging post!
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