His Presence.

A few weeks ago I sat in a pew as my father began his sermon. 
Same routine as every other Sunday.
I always enjoy hearing my dad preach, in fact he is my favorite pastor to listen to. 
But I especially love hearing him preach about things that have been on my heart.

As in this instance when he preached on the presence of the Lord. 

For the past few months the message of the presence of God has constantly been brought up in my life. Worship music in particular. In many different songs introduced to me throughout late spring and the summer, this message has been pounded into my head. In the best, most beautiful way possible.

Now, I have had heard the words "presence of the Lord" thrown around throughout my many years in church, but it was not until recently that I truly felt His presence.

I am not saying it was the first time I had felt the Holy Spirit, I am simply saying it was the first time that I knew without a shadow of a doubt that God was present and that He was engulfing me in all that He is.

You see, the Scripture teaches that when Christ died for us He sent the Holy Spirit to us. For we are never alone and He never truly left us. In John 14:17&18 Jesus tells us:

"He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive Him because it isn't looking for Him and doesn't recognize Him. But you know Him because He lives with you now and later will be in you. No, I will not abandon you as orphans-I will come to you."

When we recognize God, we recognize the Holy Spirit.
And when we recognize the Holy Spirit, we experience God in a whole new way.

We feel Him.

How lovely that is.

How lovely that our God sent His Son to die as a living sacrifice
How lovely that His Son never left us alone
How lovely that we have His Spirit here on earth with us

How lovely.

                                                         

These three songs simply echo the things that have been revealed to me since starting college.

His presence is all I need, all I want, all I seek.

His presence is air, my song, and the love I need.

His presence is Heaven.

His presence is welcome.

His presence is glorified. 

His presence is good.

So, so, so good.