Bible Study

What Is Hindering Us From Experiencing…

~ Phillip Hendren ~ Leave a comment

Thought & Theology

To experience God’s presence is to experience the shining of God’s face ( Psalm 67:1 ESV). Believers always live in God’s presence, and he notes all their deeds ( Mal 3:16 ESV ). He has promised to be with us until he comes again ( Matt 28:20 ESV)

Scripture References

How to Enter God’s Presence

Seeking the presence of God is a spiritual pursuit that many find integral to their faith and well-being. While the concept is deeply personal to each individual, here are general practices that can help you draw closer to the divine presence:

1. Intentional Prayer – Engage in sincere, heartfelt prayer, where you not only speak to God but also take the time to listen. Prayer can be a powerful way to feel connected to the divine.

2. Reflection and Meditation – Quiet your mind and reflect on spiritual truths. Meditation on holy scriptures or devotional literature can usher you into a deeper awareness of God’s presence.

3. Worship and Praise – Participating in worship, whether through song, dance, or quiet adoration, can elevate your spirit and bring you into a sense of communion with God.

4. Confession and Repentance – Acknowledging your shortcomings and asking for forgiveness can clear the barriers that may be separating you from feeling God’s presence.

5. Fasting and Self-Denial – Fasting can be an outward expression of an inward focus on spiritual matters, helping to strip away distractions and bring clarity to your spiritual quest.

6. Reading Scripture – The word of God is described as being alive and active; immersing yourself in the scriptures can bring a feeling of closeness to God.

7. Acts of Service – Love in action, by serving others, is often when people report feeling God’s presence most acutely. God is love, and serving reflects His essence.

8. Fellowship with Other Believers – Gathering with like-minded individuals can create a supportive environment that cultivates spiritual encounters with God.

Remember that everyone’s spiritual journey is unique and the experience of God’s presence can vary greatly from one person to another. Being open, patient, and persistent will aid you in your endeavor to seek divine presence in your life.

Hindrances to Entering God’s Presence

While seeking the presence of God is a noble and fulfilling pursuit, there are often obstacles on the path that can hinder this spiritual journey. Recognizing and overcoming these hindrances can greatly enhance one’s spiritual growth:

1. Unconfessed Sin – Sin that has not been acknowledged or addressed can form a barrier between an individual and God. Confession and repentance are key to restoring that connection.

2. Distraction and Noise – In today’s world filled with constant stimulation, finding silence can be challenging. Distractions can prevent us from quieting our hearts and minds enough to perceive God’s presence.

3. Doubt and Skepticism – Doubt can act as a blockade to experiencing God. Faith and trust are essential components of feeling connected to the divine.

4. Lack of Desire – Without a genuine desire to experience God’s presence, one might miss the opportunities to do so. Apathy can dampen the spiritual senses needed to discern God’s presence.

5. Impatience and Frustration – The quest to experience God’s presence often requires patience and time. Impatience can lead to frustration, which in turn might lead to giving up too soon.

6. Spiritual Warfare – Some believe that there is a cosmic battle between good and evil. This spiritual warfare can sometimes act as a hindrance to experiencing the peace and presence of God.

7. Poor Community and Fellowship – Being in the company of those who do not share the same spiritual goals or who may be negative influences can affect one’s spiritual well-being and ability to sense God’s presence.

8. Inadequate Understanding of God – Misconceptions about the nature of God or a lack of knowledge about spiritual principles can inhibit one’s experience of God.

Overcoming these hindrances typically involves intentional effort and may require guidance from spiritual mentors, personal reflection, discipline, and above all, a commitment to seeking a deeper relationship with the divine.

Understanding these three categories enriches our understanding of God. He is the transcendent God – present in every circumstance. He is the intimate God – dwelling in the hearts of His children. He is God made manifest – an ever-present help in times of trouble.

Suggested Reading: AW Tozer Book listing at http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/authors/a-w-tozer/2034

Experiencing The Presence of GOD Teachings from the Book of Hebrews

Excerpt_9780764216183

God Is Our Fortress –

[1] God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.

(Psalm 46:1 ESV)

Journeying Terminus

~ Phillip Hendren

(Spiritual walk to Eternity) 👣

But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. (1 Timothy 6:6 NASB)

for bodily training is just slightly beneficial, but godliness is beneficial for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. (1 Timothy 4:8 NASB)

Not that I speak from need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. (Philippians 4:11 NASB)

Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever abandon you,” (Hebrews 13:5 NASB)

Not that we are adequate in ourselves so as to consider anything as having come from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, (2 Corinthians 3:5 NASB)

And God is able to make all grace overflow to you, so that, always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; (2 Corinthians 9:8 NASB)

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:13,19 NASB)

Christians are to be satisfied and sufficient, and not to seek for more than what God has already given them. He is the source of true contentment.

NASB Study Bible Commentary

Journeying Terminus

~ Phillip Hendren ~ Leave a comment

(Spiritual walk to Eternity) 👣

Make Room and Take to Jesus

“What do you think? If any man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains, and go and search for the one that is lost? And if it turns out that he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that have not gone astray. So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven for one of these little ones to perish. (Matthew 18:12-14 NASB)

and I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. (John 10:28 NASB)

And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. (1 John 5:11 NASB)

just as You gave Him authority over all mankind, so that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life. (John 17:2 NASB)

This is the promise which He Himself made to us: eternal life. (1 John 2:25 NASB)

I am the good shepherd, and I know My own, and My own know Me, (John 10:14 NASB)

Journeying Terminus

~ Phillip Hendren ~ Leave a comment

(Spiritual walk to Eternity) 👣

Jesus the Example

But it is due to Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written: “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:30-31 NASB)

and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, (Philippians 3:9 NASB)

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(1 Thessalonians 5:23 NASB)

looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let’s show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; (Hebrews 12:2,28 NASB)

While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground and were terrified. And Jesus came to them and touched them and said, “Get up, and do not be afraid.” And raising their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus Himself alone. (Matthew 17:5-8 NASB)

Journeying Terminus

~ Phillip Hendren ~ Leave a comment

(Spiritual walk to Eternity) 👣

Confession of Christ

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ (Messiah), the Son of the living God.” And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.  (Matthew 16:16-18 NASB)

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; When shall I come and appear before God? (Psalm 42:2 NASB)

revealing yourselves, that you are a letter of Christ, delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. (2 Corinthians 3:3 NASB)

For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all mankind, especially of believers. (1 Timothy 4:10 NASB)

how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Hebrews 9:14 NASB)

Journeying Terminus

~ Phillip Hendren

(Spiritual walk to Eternity) 👣

Yet You have made him a little lower than God, And You have crowned him with glory and honor. (Psalm 8:5 AMP)

For I do confess my guilt and iniquity; I am filled with anxiety because of my sin. (Psalm 38:18 AMP)

But let the righteous be glad; let them be in good spirits before God, Yes, let them rejoice with delight. God is to us a God of acts of salvation; And to GOD the Lord belong escapes from death [setting us free]. (Psalm 68:3,20 AMP)

The LORD has made known His salvation; He has [openly] revealed His righteousness in the sight of the nations. (Psalm 98:2 AMP)

Blessed [happy and sheltered by God’s favor] is everyone who fears the LORD [and worships Him with obedience], Who walks in His ways and lives according to His comm

Journeying Terminus

~ Phillip Hendren

(Spiritual walk to Eternity) 👣

Oh, let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish the righteous [those in right standing with You]; For the righteous God tries the hearts and minds. I will give thanks to the LORD according to His righteousness and justice, And I will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High. (Psalm 7:9,17 AMP)

Trust [rely on and have confidence] in the LORD and do good; Dwell in the land and feed [securely] on His faithfulness.  The steps of a [good and righteous] man are directed and established by the LORD, And He delights in his way [and blesses his path]. (Psalm 37:3,23 AMP)

God be gracious and kind-hearted to us and bless us, And make His face shine [with favor] on us- Selah. [7] God blesses us, And all the ends of the earth shall fear Him [with awe-inspired reverence and submissive wonder]. (Psalm 67:1,7 AMP)

Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous ones [those whose moral and spiritual integrity places them in right standing with God], And praise and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. (Psalm 97:12 AMP)

Journeying Terminus

~ Phillip Hendren

(Spiritual walk to Eternity) 👣

Return, O LORD, rescue my soul; Save me because of Your [unfailing] steadfast love and mercy. The LORD has heard my supplication [my plea for grace]; The LORD receives my prayer. (Psalm 6:4,9 AMP)

How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! The children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.  For with You is the fountain of life [the fountain of life-giving water]; In Your light we see light.  (Psalm 36:7,9 AMP)

Come and hear, all who fear God [and worship Him with awe-inspired reverence and obedience], And I will tell what He has done for me. [19] But certainly God has heard [me]; He has given heed to the voice of my prayer. (Psalm 66:16,19 AMP)

Sing to the LORD, bless His name; Proclaim good news of His salvation from day to day.  Before the LORD, for He is coming, For He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness And the peoples in His faithfulness. (Psalm 96:2,13 AMP)

The LORD has done great things for us; We are glad! (Psalm 126:3 AMP)

Journeying Terminus

~ Phillip Hendren

(Spiritual walk to Eternity) 👣

But as for me, I will enter Your house through the abundance of Your steadfast love and tender mercy; At Your holy temple I will bow [obediently] in reverence for You. (Psalm 5:7 AMP)

Then my soul shall rejoice in the LORD; It shall rejoice in His salvation. (Psalm 35:9 AMP)

By awesome and wondrous things You answer us in righteousness, O God of our salvation, You who are the trust and hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest sea; (Psalm 65:5 AMP)

O come, let us worship and bow down, Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker [in reverent praise and prayer]. For He is our God And we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand. Today, if you will hear His voice, (Psalm 95:6-7 AMP)

Those who trust in and rely on the LORD [with confident expectation] Are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but remains forever. (Psalm 125:1 AMP)