I began week 4 of A Woman’s Heart: God’s Dwelling Place today. This week begins the study of the actual building of the tabernacle that God instructed the Israelites to build where He would come and dwell among them.

I first watched the video of Beth Moore introducing this week’s study. It was all about the presence of God and what it means to have His presence with us. She mentioned that many would ask the question what does it look like to have God’s presence with us? How would you know? The answer is sometimes it is subtle, and sometimes it is so overwhelming, it is almost palpable. (This is my answer, not her’s.)

She did give an example of being in a fast-food restaurant one day ordering and a woman was standing at the counter beside her. She said the presence of God was so strong on this woman that it made the hair stand up on the back of her neck. She said she just knew this woman was a believer even though she had never met her before. As it turns out, the woman was in fact a believer, and she said they stood there hugging like they had known one another forever. She made the point that people thought they were crazy…but…they didn’t blend in. Hmmm…

Moses got to experience the real, palpable presence of God. In Exodus 33, scripture tells us of how before the tabernacle was built, Moses would pitch a tent, which they called the “tent of meeting.” It was there that he would go to meet with God. Verse 11 tells us that “the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend.” Wow! Can you imagine? Verse 23 tells us that Moses could not look upon the face of the Lord but how amazing to have God Almighty Himself speak to you as a friend!

Oh to have His presence be that real in my life! To have it be so strong that I could almost touch it. To be so immersed in it that when another sees me who has never laid eyes on me before they would know immediately that I am a believer because the hair stands up on the back of their necks! That’s what I want!

I have lived my life out of His will before. Although I was sealed by His Holy Spirit at the moment of salvation and that same Holy Spirit never left me, I know what it is like to live in rebellion and disobedience so enmeshed in my sin that I can no longer feel His presence. I have never felt so bereft in my life, and I never want to feel that way again!

Thank You, Lord, for being a relational God. Thank You for creating me with a need and desire to know You and have a relationship with You. Thank You for wanting to have a relationship with me. I know You don’t need a relationship with me, but I am so thankful that You desire to have one. Thank You for sending Your Precious Son, Jesus, to save me from my sin so that one day I will stand face to face in Your glorious presence and worship You as I never have before. I love You, Lord, and while I am here on this earth, may your presence be so real to me that not only do I feel I can almost touch it, but may other’s want to know how they can have it, too. In that most Precious Name that is above all Names I pray, Amen.

If you are visiting my blog from Lysa’s site, then Welcome! I hope that we will not only become bloggy friends, but, hopefully, we will be able to meet in person at She Speaks.

If you are going to She Speaks, I would like to pose a question, well, a couple of them, actually. One, have you ever been before, and two, what led you to feel that you should go? Okay, I actually have another one. Could you tell a little about how you feel the Lord is leading you right now in this particular aspect of your life, i.e., your purpose and calling with regards to speaking and/or writing?

Thank you in advance for sharing, and I look forward to hearing your stories.

Dear Heavenly Father, I confess to You that I am often guilty of taking for granted the freedoms I enjoy in this wonderful land I call “Home.” Forgive me for that, Father. Many have suffered and died that I may enjoy those freedoms day in and day out. Because of their sacrifices, I do not fear that I will be shot or bombed when I step out of my house each day. Because of their sacrifices, I am free to worship You wherever and whenever I choose without fear of retribution. Because of their sacrifices, I do not worry when I lie my head down to sleep each night. Father, many have laid down their lives. Many are the families who grieve today because of loved one’s who have been lost. Lord, I have not suffered that kind of loss, and I thank You for that. Lord, I lift up to You today those who grieve because a loved one willingly sacrificed him/herself. I also lift up to You those who are separated today from loved one’s who are serving as they hope and pray for their safe return home. Thank You for those who serve, and thank You for their families for they are making a sacrifice as well. And thank You most of all Lord God for the One whose sacrifice gave us the ultimate freedom, Your Son, Jesus Christ. In His Most Precious Name I pray, Amen.