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Sometimes I don’t feel like going to church.
Yeah, I know. I’m probably not supposed to admit that. But it’s true.
Even still, it’s amazing how my heart shifts once I’ve positioned myself in His presence. It happens when I read the Bible and get with Jesus on my own as well.
I could go to God mad at my man. (Happens.) I could go to God frustrated with my kids. (Happens.) I could go to God wounded by others. (Happens.) Yet, when my gaze turns from my frazzled to my Freedom… from my distance to my Deliverer … from my mountain to my Mountain Maker… from my anger to my Answer, everything changes.
Every. Time.
Grief yields to gratitude.
Distraction yields to direction.
Grumbling yields to grace.
Swirling becomes savoring.
Failures become forgiven.
Broken becomes beautiful.
In the presence of the One who opens holy arms with eternal, enduring love and welcomes wounded warriors to His soul-changing rest, I’m home. I’m helped. I’m healed.
Because God is good, loving and faithful… all the time. (Psalm 100:5)
Psalm 100 calls us to worship God in the sacred sanctuary of the throne room. To worship unbridled. With enthusiasm. With thanksgiving. With joy. With shouts!
In just five short verses, the psalmist invites us to move from where we are to where He is.
In just five short verses we’re invited to remember and celebrate who and Whose we are.
1 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.
(Psalm 100)
We are to be people who are all about the praises of the Lord because we are His chosen children, radically redeemed, set apart in the righteousness of Christ by the Master of all Mercy. (Somebody shout!)
We are to be people of gratitude because He is a God of goodness and unsearchable greatness who loves lavish and whose compassion is complete. (Somebody shout!)
We are to be people of joy and gladness because though this world is full of troubles, ours is a powerful Provider who tells us to take heart because He has overcome the world. He has defeated death and will never leave or forsake us. (Somebody shout!)
Don’t look now, but I think we just done-went to church!
Pass the plate.
Gracious Father,
Thank You for this invitation to be transformed in Your presence; heart, mind and soul. I belong with You. I need You. I love You. I worship You.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
FOR YOUR REFLECTION and RESPONSE
What would that look like for you to move from where you are to where God is today?
Is there pain, disappointment, resentment or unforgiveness in your heart that needs to be yielded to God?
Give me scoop! Leave a comment on my blog or hit me with a direct message on Instagram!
Have a beautiful, grace-filled day,
GWEN
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Comments 12
Hallelujah to Our Faithful God!
Loving God forever. Merciful and Majestic. Worthy to be praised.
God bless you Gwen.
Hello dear Gwen,
I am thankful for your e-mails, books I have read!!! You help me when it was sooo hard. – no regrets though!!!
I am still learning how to write in English. Thou I have lived in US fir 20 years. The enemy likes to still the laugh and joy but I fight back. I want let it paralized my face. It was for long time around 6 years l could not laugh something was squeezing my facial muscles – I didn’t have stroke or heart illness. It just happened- I was running and straggling big fear. I don’t fear now because I know my identity in Christ. Yes. And Amen.
Thank you thank you thank you!!!!
You don’t know how dear we’re your prayers for me.
Loved the blog on “Being in His Presence”. You were genuine in reference to not feeling like attending church and our attitude when we pray. That’s appreciated more than you will ever know!! I enjoyed the reading alot.
Author
Hi Dale,
Thanks for this message. It’s easier to write cleaned up versions of life, but I’m learning it’s way better to keep things real. LOVE that you connected with it, friend.
Gwen
I need prayer to break through this wall. I read, study, pray every day, but am at a point where I don’t feel anything. It’s like I am just going through the motions but not feeling a connection. I know it’s a constant and consistent attack by the enemy, but I have been fighting attack for MONTHS and I can’t seem to break through. I ask all of you faithful women to please pray for this woman to feel the messages deep in my heart, soul, and mind. I know I need to be filled by His word and Spirit.
Thank you!
I have lifted you in prayer. I pray that God will open the eyes of your heart so you can see him, feel his presence. Oh how I too, want to see him, look upon his face.
God is faithful,he will never leave you.
Gwen, you are so inspiring and your messages make me consider…and they move me towards a better place…spiritually and practically. At this point, I deal often with disappointment in the way things are. You remind me that God is my help and strength…and comforter. Thank you again for your faithfulness in yielding to how God has called you to minister. You bless so many!
Odessa
May 5, 2020
My dear Gwen, thank you so much for this praise break. I needed it.
Really thankful to Father God for you and the encouragement.
Worship the Lord with gladness!
Author
Thanks, Odessa! We all need a good praise break, friend! 🙂
GWEN
In the presence of Jehovah….troubles vanish, hearts are mended, in the presence of the king! This is the worship song your devotion brought to mind. Thanks to you and your devotions and blogs. You have become my praise partner during this time of isolation from my home church.
Amen, Gwen…
Last night was my “discussion” with God.
Frustration with the Covid19 situation, “cabin fever” with my hubbie, mask making has been a challenge with out the supplies needed, on and on…..
Then, “The Book of James”. Five short chapters. Every verse hits a nerve, of who we are as a flawed people. “James” will break your heart, but, what a powerful tool God has given us. We need to rely on God’s timing, the patience of Jesus ,Grace and Mercy! Thank You, for this am devotional!
I am always blessed by your messages, thank you!