Presence or Performance?

Then he [Moses]said to Him, "If Your presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here. Exodus 33:15

How badly do you want the presence of God in your life?  What are you willing to give up or sacrifice to experience the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit?  Do you know what separates a godly spiritual and anointed person from one who is spiritually flat?  Three things:  Desire, discipline and sacrifice.  The spiritual giants in the land do more than just desire it, they discipline themselves and sacrifice time, money, energy, sleep whatever it takes to create an atmosphere where the Presence of God is welcome and manifest.  There are no short cuts, no secret pills,  no special giftedness just plain ol' discipline and sacrifice.  We are all as close to God as we choose to be.  James couldn't have made it any more plain for us, "Draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you." (James 4:8)

Moses understood the need for the Presence of God in his life.  In Exodus 33 he flat out told God "I'm not gonna do what you want of me unless you're with me all the way through."  That's the attitude we all need.  Unfortunately, we often do the opposite.  We in affect tell God, "I got this." and don't run to him and truly want him until we are overwhelmed and need him to save us from our dilemma.  

The key to your victory and peace in life is directly connected to the level of desire and activity you pursue Christ.  Period.  We must pay the price.  Discipline is required.  

Pastor Thomas Trask, the former General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God over 40 years ago asked the Holy Spirit to put him on a schedule.  And for the last 40 years he kept that early morning schedule of pursuing Christ in the morning hours in worship, word and prayer.  

When we haven't spent time in the presence of God then our life becomes more of a performance.  If we haven't daily spent time with the Holy Spirit then when we show up for church it often becomes a performance.  We're professional church goers.  We know how to act and what to say even if we're not feeling it.  Are you a performer?  Have you been acting the part but really you've been neglecting the presence?  

When we get alone with God...

1.  You will learn to hear and know His voice.

2.  You will learn what Jesus can do.

3.  You will receive answers in His presence.

4.  He will give you direction.

5.  Illumination takes place.

6.  Revelation takes place.

7.  You will draw strength.

There are no short cuts to growing in spiritual growth.  Be a person of worship, word and prayer.  Ask the Holy Spirit to put you on a schedule.  And keep it, guard it, protect it, fight for it for from it comes everything you could ever hope or imagine.