The Abiding Presence of God

Our senior Pastor, Andy Elmes, has just shared a great word this morning about the abiding Presence of God. He reminded us that, under the old Covenant, priests had to go to a specific holy place to speak with God, but since Jesus gave His life for us and was reborn, we are now reborn in His likeness. 

Jesus stated that He was the True Vine and that we are its branches. (John 15:4-5 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.)

This means that the sap from that True Vine - Jesus' blood - is also flowing through us! This is the reason why the Holy Spirit can abide in us, because that sap - that blood of the Lamb - has washed us clean and made us brand new! (Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.) (Isaiah 1: 18 “Come now, and let us reason together,” says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.")

Where Moses, Eli, Samuel and all the Old Testament priests had to go to a specially sanctified place, and go through numerous cleansing rituals before they could speak to the Father, we have God with us always, wherever we go!

This is the good news, that through the sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf, the Holy Spirit now lives within us! We are now the tent of meeting, the temple of God! We are righteous, holy, sanctified and God is always accessible to us, because we take Him with us - everywhere!

Take heart! You are NEVER alone and He will NEVER leave you! (Deuteronomy 31:8 And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.)

Amen