Recognize God’s Presence

Recognize God’s Presence

Recognize God's Presence, Renew Inspiration

Peace comes not from the absence of trouble, but from the presence of God. – Alexander MacLaren

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Thought to Ponder – Every day is a new beginning. Take a deep breath, smile and start again.

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Let’s start with this question – How often do you seek to recognize God’s presence in your life? For some, seeking to recognize God’s presence is done daily and for others it is done on an as needed basis. What does it really mean to recognize God’s presence? Well, I believe recognizing God’s presence simply means to allow God to guide your every step and decision throughout your spiritual journey.

Here’s some ways for us to recognize God’s presence throughout our lives:

  • Read God’s Word, study it and meditate on it
  • Fasting and praying regularly
  • Confessing your sins and repenting to God regularly
  • Reading daily devotions and inspirational books
  • Singing praise and worship songs
  • Listening to sermons
  • Writing in your spiritual journal or notebook

STEPS TO IMPROVE AWARENESS OF GOD’S PRESENCE

We cannot attain the presence of God because we’re already totally in the presence of God. What’s absent is awareness. – Richard Rohr

The presence of God is all around us. Take a moment and close your eyes. Relax and breathe slowly. Can you feel God’s presence right now in this very moment? God inhabits every part of our lives except for the parts that we refuse to share with Him. When we don’t sense God’s presence in our daily routines, it’s not because God leaves us, but it’s because we have not developed a deep awareness of God’s presence in our lives. This process takes not only practice, but it also takes commitment and the willingness to surrender to God’s will throughout our lives.

Here’s some steps to improve awareness of God’s presence:

  • Step 1: Do everything in your life with good intention and for the love of God. It is important to give God your happiness and praises as well as your pain and suffering. God is always listening because He is your protector.
  • Step 2: Look for God’s goodness in all things. Remember, it is important to notice God’s presence in both simple and great things. Acknowledge this fact often throughout your life.
  • Step 3: Create stopping points in which to rest in God. Spend quality time throughout your day to pray, meditate and communicate with God.

INDICATIONS OF GOD’S PRESENCE IN OUR LIVES

The glory of God in our lives is the experience and expression of the presence of God. – Patrick Oben

Now, place yourself in the presence of God, breathe deeply and be aware of his loving kindness. Always remember to put God first in everything you do. Don’t forget to acknowledge God’s presence in the simple and more complicated things in life. Spending quality time in God’s presence has to be a priority in life.

Here’s some important qualities that are indications of God’s presence in our lives:

  • Peace (Romans 15:33; Philippians 4:9) – When you know God’s presence, you can have inward calm despite chaos around you because He is the God of peace.
  • Rest, Refreshment (Matthew 11:28; Acts 3:19) – When you acknowledge God’s presence within, you will always have rest and feel refreshed.
  • Encouragement (Psalm 16:11; 21:6) – When you are aware of God’s presence, you can’t help but be full of joy and gladness because with Him come eternal blessings.
  • Shelter (Psalm 16:8-11; 31:20) – When you acknowledge God’s presence, you can feel secure and protected at all times.
  • Enlightenment (Psalm 89:15; 90:8) – When you get in touch with God’s presence, you will allow God to order your steps, then you will follow.
  • Nearness (Psalm 145:18; James 4:8) – When you bask in God’s presence, you can feel a sense of comfort knowing that God accepts you right where you are and you feel Him close to you.
  • Contentment (Hebrews 13:5) – When you experience God’s presence, you can be satisfied because you know you have all you need.
  • Endurance (Psalm 46:1; Isaiah 41:10) – When you spend quality time in God’s presence, you can feel renewed as you find His strength to help move you forward.

SPIRITUAL AFFIRMATIONS

One of the greatest joys in life is spending time in God’s presence. – Unknown Author

Always remember, God woke you up today for a purpose and know in your heart that God loves you with an everlasting love. Take time to appreciate quiet moments every morning and recite spiritual affirmations. Reciting affirmations are a great way to boost confidence, mood, and self-esteem. Through the incredible power of repetition, you’re able to reconstruct your thought patterns, beliefs, and ideals in your subconscious mind. Begin to set yourself up for a more productive and spirit filled life by reciting these powerful spiritual affirmations.

  • I am grateful for each breath God gives me.
  • I know how to be quiet and still so I can hear God’s voice.
  • I will hold my head high because I am everything God said that I am.
  • I can have wisdom and guidance from God if I just ask for it.
  • I have confidence that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

As you travel throughout your spiritual journey, there are always obstacles that you encounter, but you must work around them in order to recognize God’s presence and see him clearly in your life. It’s always important to stay away from anything and anyone who blocks you from being in the presence of God. Through this spiritual process, remember to seek God’s face by calling and pleading for Him to fill your presence with His anointing from on high. Only then will you receive the necessary peace, comfort, security and healing from God. Be peaceful, be happy, be whole.

JOURNAL PROMPTS

When you think that everything is against you remember God is always with you. – Unknown Author

I love journaling because it is a safe place for me to put my feelings and emotions into words, then put my words into action. Remember, journaling is your very own personal journey throughout life, your ups and downs, your successes, and failures. Journaling also allows for past reflection, future insight, and present surrender. Ready, set, write!

  • What is the best way to recognize God’s presence in your life?
  • How do you plan to improve awareness of God’s presence?
  • What feels like a struggle in your life right now?
  • What advice do you need to receive from God?
  • Are you prepared to receive God’s advice?
  • How can you strengthen your relationship and faith in God?
  • How much time do you spend reading God’s Word, praying and/or meditating?

Let’s talk. Along your journey it’s important to work towards becoming more and more Christ like. In order to do this, you must learn to recognize God’s presence in any situation. How do you plan to recognize God’s presence in your life? Have you identified the necessary steps needed for this to take place? Please share your thoughts in the comments section. I look forward to reading your feedback!

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow, and forever!

Affiliate Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you purchase through any of the links (at no additional cost to you).

Copyright © 2023 – Renew Inspiration – All Rights Reserved

7 Simple Ways to Improve Your Personal Worship Experience

7 Simple Ways to Improve Your Personal Worship Experience

Renew Inspiration, 7 Simple Ways to Improve Your Personal Worship Experience

To worship God is to humble everything about ourselves and exalt everything about him. – Bob Kauflin

Affiliate Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you purchase through any of the links (at no additional cost to you).

Special Thought – Worry traps our hearts. Worship sets them free.

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Let’s welcome in the Spring season with a discussion centered around an inspiring and spiritual word called WORSHIP. Despite everything that life throws at you, it’s important to spend time developing your personal worship experience.

Worship can be defined differently for each person, but I believe worship is when you show reverence and adoration for a higher power, such as God.

As you grow spiritually, you will begin to experience God on a personal level when you:

  • Read and study God’s Word faithfully
  • Spend time in prayer and meditation consistently
  • Speak to God during your quiet time
  • Listen to and sing spiritual songs that feed your spirit
  • Praise God for all He has done in your life

Remember, this is your personal time with God where you pour out your heart, clear your mind, and strengthen your soul.

CORPORATE WORSHIP

Corporate worship is designed to stimulate worship by reminding you of who you are and what you need and who God is and what He’s given. – Paul Tripp

To take it a step further, do you realize how important corporate worship is as it relates to your spiritual growth? Corporate worship can be defined as time designated to assemble with fellow worshippers to praise God, encounter Jesus, fulfill God’s purposes in us as His Church and participate in eternal spiritual experiences using your gifts to help glorify God.

Here’s some examples of corporate worship:

  • Praise Team & Choir
  • Praise Dancers
  • Praise & Worship Music
  • Reading God’s Word
  • Corporate Prayer
  • Tithes & Offering

Think of it this way. Corporate worship allows God to give His graces and blessings to church congregations across the world. Believe it or not, there are benefits associated for worshipping together with other believers, such as:

  • Awakening – A fire is kindled in our hearts which helps us through our difficult times.
  • Assurance – A sense of community which helps our desires for belonging to a group.
  • Advance – Spiritual growth within is being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.
  • Accepting Another’s Leading – Embrace being led by someone else during worship.
  • Accentuated Joy – Our own adoration and joy increased during worship services.

As you can see, corporate worship plays a huge role in rekindling our spiritual fire and keeping it burning within. In addition, corporate worship brings together God’s Word, prayer and fellowship among fellow worshippers. Corporate worship, in most cases, will strengthen your own pure worship experiences as well as you become one with God.

7 SIMPLE WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR PERSONAL WORSHIP EXPERIENCE

Worship is an act of war against the enemy of our hearts. – Holley Gerth

However, it’s important to note that worship doesn’t have to be limited to meeting with other believers in church. Strive to improve your personal worship experience so that you can have a fulfilled and prosperous life. Here’s seven simple ways to improve your personal worship experience:

  1. Worship God Through Studying the Word of God

Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Psalm 119:97 NIV

Believers should read and study the Word of God. Be sure to live by it and love every promise that God makes to his children. Also, you should keep the Word of God hidden in your heart.

  1. Worship God Through Listening and Singing Music

Sing to the Lord a new song, sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Psalm 96:1–2 NIV

Music sets the tone, your mood, and your worship experience. Also, music is an avenue of worship that can direct your heart and comfort your spirit.

  1. Worship God Through Prayer and Meditation

May my prayer be set before you like incense, may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. Psalm 141:2 NIV

You can pray anytime and anywhere. God will always hear your prayers, but he will only answer them when he knows you’re ready. You must increase your faith and patience.

  1. Worship God Through Praise and Thanksgiving

Enter His gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. Psalm 100:4 NIV

Praise and thanksgiving show that you have an attitude of gratitude. Your heart is pure and you accept God’s love, forgiveness, patience, creation, and his gifts that are bestowed upon you.

  1. Worship God Through the Confession of Sin

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. Psalm 51:1–2 NIV

Did you know that sin breaks the heart of God? Admit your sins to God and ask for cleansing. Then, ask the Holy Spirit to help you stay clear from sin as much as you can. Remember, we’re not perfect, but we have to commit to doing our best.

  1. Worship God Through the Act of Giving

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Luke 6:38 NIV

God wants your heart and for you to share the gospel with others. Giving is a privilege and an act that comes from love.

  1. Worship God Through Silence

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10 NIV

God speaks to his children through His Word and in silence. I challenge you on today to just spend about 10 minutes per day sitting quietly so you can hear God’s instructions. This will take effort on your part and true intention. Remember, God knows your heart.

When it’s all said and done, it’s important to realize that worship isn’t about the people. Worship isn’t even about the music. Worship is about giving God the honor and glory He deserves.

SPIRITUAL AFFIRMATIONS

Only in the act of praise and worship can a person learn to believe in the goodness and greatness of God. – C.S. Lewis

Reciting spiritual affirmations can help you receive healing and spiritual awakening. Also, you can rediscover your inner spirit and bring yourself to a healthier work-life balance. Spiritual affirmations will give you a sense of peace and purpose that you will not be able to explain. Take a moment each day and recite the following spiritual affirmations:

  • I am made of the light of the Universe.
  • I am holy, sacred, and divine.
  • I emanate peace and love.
  • I am a channel for inspiration.
  • I am purpose-driven to fulfill my destiny.
  • I breathe in the light of God.
  • I am in tune with my inner guide.
  • I am protected by the mercy of the Holy Spirit.
  • My spirit is enlightened.
  • I am blessed because all things work out together for my good.
  • I am highly favored because the Lord is with me.
  • My true power lies in the present moment.
  • I am grateful for my life and live in victory.
  • I am overflowing with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and faithfulness.
  • I release the past and let go of the future.
  • I am open to be healed by the Universe.
  • I am only content with excellence.
  • I believe obstacles are opportunities to get closer to God.
  • Positive energy flows to me, through me, and from me.

Spiritual affirmations will help to align you with the Universe, to feel the love around you, and to put you in the mental and emotional space to choose peace.

TIME FOR REFLECTION – JOURNAL PROMPTS

Worship is simply giving God his breath back. – Lou Giglio

Journaling is a powerful way to process events in your life, build self-awareness, get more clarity, and keep yourself on track. Journaling also allows for past reflection, future insight, and present surrender. Keep in mind that this is a journey and everyone takes their own path.  Ready, set, write!

  • Define your own personal worship experience(s).
  • How often do you experience pure worship and/or corporate worship?
  • How important is worshipping God in your life?
  • Where can you improve with your personal worship experience(s)?
  • What is your favorite way to worship God?
  • Do you believe God hears and receives your worship? Why or why not?
  • How do you plan to improve your personal worship experience?

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

Affiliate Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you purchase through any of the links (at no additional cost to you).

Copyright © 2022 – Renew Inspiration – All Rights Reserved