How does our relationship with God affect our lives? On this edition of Live the Promise Dr. Alec Rowlands returns to talk about the presence of God, and how we can intentionally pursue intimacy with Him every day.
Alec points to the writings of Richard Owen Roberts to explore three ways of looking at God’s presence.
• Omnipresence – the truth that God is everywhere.
• Manifest – a measure of God’s presence that accompanies regional or national revivals.
• Cultivated – referencing James 4:8 – if we embrace faith practices with a genuine hunger for God, we can personally experience His presence.
“He has placed a hunger in you in order to draw you into a pursuit of God. Pursue Him with regular times in the Word, regular intercession, and then just watch for the presence of God. I think He’s waiting to show Himself to us because He is love in so many ways, and maybe we just aren’t paying attention.”
Pastor Alec calls Christians to re-examine:
• The weight of the glory of God.
• How to balance a well-structured church service with the leading of the Holy Spirit.
• What true surrender looks like.
• How Christianity is more than a prayer, but an ongoing, “invasive” work of God and His presence in our lives.
• Why intimacy with God is tied to risk on our part.
Alec says the presence of God is both transcendent and deeply personal. If we draw near to Him, He will draw near to you. Jesus died to provide a way for us to reach God and live in His presence. Turn to Him and be saved; come to know this God who poured Himself out for you! In Alec’s words, “He has put the mechanisms in place for us to draw near to Him.”
Key Scriptures: James 4:8; 2 Corinthians 3:7-18; Psalm 19:1-6
Theme Song: Jesus Loves Me by Chris Tomlin
