Spiritual Atmosphere - 21 Jun 09

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13:14

The word “communion” comes from the root word “commute,” which means to travel. The communion of the Holy Spirit therefore refers to the moving in the Spirit. But before you can move powerfully in the Spirit, you must become familiar and comfortable with the realm or environment of the Holy Spirit. Spiritual atmosphere is something very real. We live under its influence all the time. There are times when you may come into a room and you feel so uncomfortable that you just want to run out as fast as you possibly can. Then there are other times when you come into a room and you can sense the presence and the power of God. When the Holy Spirit fills a room, exciting and powerful things happen. King Saul was totally transformed when he encountered a prophetic atmosphere (1 Sam. 10:6). One hundred and twenty priests collapsed instantly when the glory of the Lord descended upon Solomon’s temple (2 Chr. 5:12-14).

We must become skillful in discerning the moving of the Holy Spirit and the type of spiritual atmosphere we are in. A sign of spiritual maturity is knowing how to move with the “mood” and “tempo” of the Holy Spirit. Moving correctly with the “feel” of the spiritual atmosphere is so vital. There are a few ways by which we can build a strong spiritual atmosphere around us every day:

(1) Praise and worship. Heartfelt praise and worship always brings down the presence of God (Ps. 22:3; 2 Kin. 3:14-15).

(2) Attitude of faith. When we come before God, we need to let go of our fears, anxieties and worries. An attitude of faith helps us to let go and let God (Ps. 46:10).

(3) Waiting on the Lord. The head moves quickly but the heart moves slowly. The longest distance is usually between the head and the heart. We should daily wait before the Lord until we can “feel” the presence of the Holy Spirit coming upon us. Learn to delight in a prolonged worship time or prayer time before God. Give time for the words of our song or prayer to move from our head to our heart.

(4) Spiritual actions. Our clapping, kneeling, bowing and faith confessions create powerful Spirit-filled atmospheres. The lifting up of our hands is not just a nice worshipful act; it often brings down the anointing of the Lord (Ex. 17:8-13). As you learn to commune with the Holy Spirit in His tangible presence, He will take you on an adventure into the exciting realm of vision and dreams, miracles and the supernatural.

Church Worship - 19 Jun 09

Then David said, “No one may carry the ark of God but the Levites, for the LORD has chosen them to carry the ark of God and to minister before Him forever.” 1 Chronicles 15:2

Let us look at the way David established the tabernacle-which is a picture of the church. This is the way God desires for us to come into His presence in a church gathering.

(1) David prepared a place for the ark (1 Chr. 15:1). We need to be people who will prepare our hearts to worship. Jesus, the ark of God, now dwells in the midst of us (Matt. 18:20).

(2) David pitched a tent. David built a tabernacle, the house of the Lord. God’s presence is indeed everywhere but He chooses to make His glory and power known in His house-the church.

(3) The Levites shouldered the ark (1 Chr. 15:2). The shoulder in Scripture is symbolic of responsibility. All of us need to learn to bear the responsibility of shouldering the presence of God in our lives. Too often, we leave that to the “professional” pastors and preachers to do it on our behalf. In the new covenant, we are all Levites for we are called into a “royal priesthood” (1 Pet. 2:9). We need to know God for ourselves, and be involved in a personal revival. We need to learn how to live in the Spirit and know the abiding presence of God at all times.

(4) The people gathered together (1 Chr. 15:3). The place of agreement is the place of power. When church members come together in true unity, God commands His blessing among them (Ps. 133).

(5) They sanctifi ed themselves (1 Chr. 15:12). God will not trust His glory and presence to those who live in sin. We are told to sanctify ourselves and not to wait for an “easy” blessing or cleansing from God. Without holiness, no one can see God.

(6) They worshiped God in proper order (15:13). In worship, there is a need for order. We need to obey God in our preparation and approach to His presence. Out of our obedience comes security and confi dence in His presence.

(7) Singers and musicians were appointed (15:16). Skillful Levites were placed in their positions. Worship leading is a serious ministry and it is not meant for anyone who just wants to “have a go” at the musical instruments.

(8) David the king was willing to be a priest (15:27). David was already the king of Judah, and he was soon going to be crowned the king over all Israel. But in the presence of the Lord, he humbled himself and operated as a priest. You may be a very successful person in society or in the corporate world. But when you come into God’s presence, you must be willing to humble yourself, put down all your titles and achievements, and like David, humbly minister to the Lord.

Carriers of God's Presence - 18 Jun 09

And David and all Israel went up to Baalah, to Kirjath Jearim, which belonged to Judah, to bring up from there the ark of God the LORD, who dwells between the cherubim, where His name is proclaimed. 1 Chronicles 13:6

There was a period of time when the ark of the Lord was in captivity. The ark represented God’s presence to the people of Israel. But for 20 years, the ark was stolen and taken away by the Philistines. On the way back to Jerusalem, David decided to put the ark on a cart and that resulted in a tragedy. God’s presence cannot be carried on man-made traditions and methods. The presence of God is to be carried upon the shoulders of priests. Today, we are the priesthood of God. “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Pet. 2:9).

As believers, we are to carry the presence of God in our lives. We are to touch our world with the presence and the power of God (2 Cor. 2:14-15). We are the fragrance of Christ to believers and unbelievers. When the presence of God is upon you, people are affected when they are near you. Jesus carried a strong presence and power of God. The multitudes thronged Him, the children loved Him and they wanted to follow Him wherever He went.

People must be able to see the presence and power of God in your life. Paul says, “And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God” (1 Cor. 2:4-5).

How do you carry the presence of God?

(1) The presence of God comes through worship (Ps. 95:2, 6).

(2) The presence of God flows through a contrite heart (Ps. 34:18).

(3) The presence of God dwells in an atmosphere of holiness (Deut. 23:14). Make it a point to spend time in worship everyday. As you walk in humility, purity and holiness, God’s presence will be manifested in a greater way in your life. You will experience His power fl owing through you, empowering you to touch your world for Christ.