How Can I Feel God's Presence?

During a recent Saturday visit to the local county jail, I got the opportunity to share with three inmates about the importance of following God's plan.  It was a wonderful discussion and great reminder of the blessings that come with being obedient to God.  I wonder how many people are confused about what His plans are for their lives.  How can someone feel God's presence and seek His will?  After all, it is difficult to follow a plan if you do not have the instructions.  Luckily for us, God gave us a blue print by creating the Ten Commandments for the world.  A series of commands that apply to both God and man to protect and keep us safe.

1) Have no other gods.
2) Have no idols.
3) Honor God's name.
4) Honor the Sabbath day.
5) Honor your parents.
6) Do not murder.
7) Do not commit adultery.
8) Do not steal.
9) Do not perjure yourself.
10) Do not covet.

I truly believe that when you commit yourself to knowing and being obedient to these commands, you are taking the proper steps to encountering God's presence.  Let's not forget that God is constantly pursuing us.  The Bible says, "Your thoughts towards us cannot be recounted to You in order; If I would declare and speak of them, They are more than can be numbered" (Psalm 40:5).  It is not a matter of whether He is pursuing us but rather are we pursuing Him.  When we are diligent in keeping His commands, we are being obedient which results in us seeking and finding His presence in our lives.  That is a beautiful place to be and a coming attraction to being in His midst forever in heaven.  How fast a day can pass with only slightly thinking about God.  Let's be mindful every day to marvel and reflect on our awesome and mighty God.  The fact He thinks of us so much and so often should be humbling. 

When we encounter God's presence, we get the opportunity to acknowledge His glory because He is working inside of us.  Being obedient to His commands opens the door to following His will and bringing glory and honor to His name.  His glory ultimately affects our decisions, words, actions and priorities.  Ask yourself these simple questions.  Do I include God in the decisions I make?  Are my words bringing glory to God?  Are my actions reflective of Christ living and working inside of me?  Are my priorities aligned so that He is first in my life?  Do you seek and thirst for God?  If you don't, it will be extremely difficult to encounter His presence.  If you do, He will meet you and you will find so much more value, worth and excitement in this life as you live according to His plan and purpose.  I encourage you to put on the new self.  "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father" (Colossians 3:15-17). 

Your Brother in Christ,

Miguel "The Hitman" Viera #40

"Committed to tackling souls for Christ"

Visit www.trafford.com/06-0375 to read about Miguel's book "Walking on Higher Ground and Awakening the Spirit Within: A Christian Student Athlete's Spiritual Journey Through the Doors of College and Beyond." To learn more about Playing for Jesus Ministries, visit http://miguelrviera.wix.com/pfjm
 



 

God Knows You Better Than You Think

During the writing of this blog, the population clock said there were 7,081,644,200 people in the world.  As astounding as that number is, the God that created the heavens and the earth knows each of us so well, the Bible says "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered (Matthew 10:30).  Let's put that into perspective.  Let's say God thought about each of us once a day.  His thoughts towards the people in this world would number 2,584,800,133,000.  That is a pretty staggering number; however, it really is only the tip of the iceberg when you read Psalm 139: 17-18.  It says "How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!  How great is the sum of them!  If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with you."  Thoughts in more number than the sand?  That would compute to a number larger than this blog or better yet this world can comprehend.

Does God really think about me that much?  Maybe you are reading this and have doubted whether God really cares about your life or you are wondering if your life matters in the grand scheme of things.  The answers to both of those questions are a strong and hearty "YES."  God really does care about your life and your existence matters in a big way.  As a matter of fact, God has a plan and purpose for your life.  Ephesians 2:10 says "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."  He not only knit us together in our mother's womb (See Psalm 139:13), He has good works that have been prepared in advance that we should strive to accomplish for His glory and honor.  

It is exciting for me to think God has created me with a plan and a purpose.  I think a book by John Piper called "Don't Waste Your Life" sums it up best when thinking about making the most of our time on earth.  He says "The opposite of wasting your life is living life by a single God-exalting, soul-satisfying passion."  He goes on to say that single passion, single focus and single goal should be to exalt Christ and His cross in all you do.  Why would someone make that the single focus of their life?  I believe the answer is because He created us, knows us intimately beyond our comprehension and ultimately sent His perfect Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins.  That makes Him more than worthy of our praise and honor.  Next time you feel like no one knows what you are going through, remember Psalm 139:3 that says "You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways."  Then take a deep breath and remind yourself that God knows you better than you think.          

Your Brother in Christ,

Miguel "The Hitman" Viera #40

"Committed to tackling souls for Christ"

Visit www.trafford.com/06-0375 to read about Miguel's book "Walking on Higher Ground and Awakening the Spirit Within: A Christian Student Athlete's Spiritual Journey Through the Doors of College and Beyond." To learn more about Playing for Jesus Ministries, visit http://miguelrviera.wix.com/pfjm.