Practice the presence of God?

Pro 3:5,6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding - in all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.

Total 'dependence' on Father, by His Spirit - as Jesus did while here, as our only Example.

Mat 18:4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Mar 10:15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

Joh 14:16-18 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

Joh 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me.

Joh 16:13-15 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

Eph 1:17-23 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: and hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Mat 13:16,17 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear, for verily I say unto you, that many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

Joh 11:40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?

2Co 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

I love how the KJV put a "smilie" in that verse.

Luk 18:8 .... Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find Faith on the earth?

Php 1:9-11 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; that ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

Rev 4:8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
Rev 4:9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,
Rev 4:10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
Rev 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Isa 6:3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
Isa 6:4 And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.
Isa 6:5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.

After going offline last night and until now, I've been strongly convicted of our lack of PRAISE.

I think that many of us have heard that, "He inhabits the Praises of His people."

I thought again that, we had better get used to hearing these Praises, if we plan to be before His Throne.

I felt that none of us Praise Him as much as we ought.

That nothing on earth brings us closer to what actually takes place 'In His Presence' than Praise.

I remember one sister that started a Praise thread, where she'd come on daily to just Praise and for the most part, that thread wasn't understood. GOD forgive us - regardless of who writes such things - we should get happy when we hear true Praises being uttered. Please forgive my grieving on your thread, but with all that goes on in a day of late, I too have neglected my GOD in this fashion.

We often are embarrassed to Praise in public, because of the response of others.

When the Spirit begins to Praise Him - it lifts us to the reality of what is transpiring before His Throne, from the time of creation and ever since and evermore.
We need to get a vision of this - and then, enter in with that Heavenly chorus - on a daily basis ourselves.

Thank you Enid!

""Also, what comes to mind is, what things do we do which question if we are truly conscience of God's presence?

Like being online, watching tv, entertainment, sports, etc.

The list is endless.""

Fellowshipping or researching topics that are needed, online is not a problem. The rest of what you brought up - to me - is a problem. I just can't justify those other things with what the Early Church would be doing ... Paul, John, Jude, etc.. We say that we should be like them - operating in the gifts as they were, but -

I cannot see watching the Super Bowl for instance, with it's filthy commercials and All else that goes with it - like ancient Rome, we are. Million dollar salaries, immoral lifestyles, players being role models for kids, Nothing of GOD at all in any of it.
TV & movies is a large subject, 'scientifically' as well as spiritually. I just can't see reconciling watching those things and, "taking Every thought captive to the obedience of Christ" or "walking in The Spirit" or as you've said - being consciously in His Presence, while being in a passive state that TV & movies produce, having our eyes, ears and mind flooded with what? The science of both, the passive mind and the science behind TV & movies is something we should know about already. It's identical to hypnotism and Does alter one's values, conscience, opinions, etc..
This isn't legalism - but girding up the mind - wanting to keep it sensitive and ready for Him to lead, through the holy of holies of our spirit, keeping all open gates [eyes, ears, mind] pure, just because we Love Him and desire more and more of Him - His Words, thoughts, leadings, 'presence' to flood our minds and not the words, sights, sounds of ..... whatever is of this world - except a burden for the world to see and know Christ and whatever is the burden of The LORD for His people. Life is short - eternity is forever - so why cater to or feed the flesh when our Eternal reward is at stake?
Bottomline, it's all about what or who we love. JMO

It's 43 minutes after the hour and I still have more on my heart that is Really weighing on me.

1Jn 4:17 "Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment:

because as He is, so are we in this world."

1Jn 2:6 "He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk,

even as He walked."

Oh Really? Is this True? Are we?

WHAT is "The Mind of The LORD"?

How do we picture "as He is" and how 'did' HE "walk in this world", that we're supposed to immulate, or walk as HE did or be "as He is"?

This is the part that tears away at me the most. No human is perfect - we have emotions to deal with - but what Is The Mind of The LORD?

HIS Mind is continually wrapped around the ENTIRE WORLD --- is ours?

Why do I feel that every Christian should have a multi-band radio, at the least? TV is dangerous, but radio is proven to not 'scientifically' have the same affect on the mind. It engages one to "think" and not just stare at images [some of which are subliminal].

If we care what is happening in a State or Country that one of our family or loved one lives in - we'll do whatever it takes to find out how things are there for them.

IF we are to be concerned with EVERY HUMAN ON EARTH - "as HE is", then the only place to find out how the WORLD is doing, is to either go on the internet and find some alternative News site - one without some bias, and find out - or better yet, have these radios, especially as the internet may go down one day. We need to know how all the people in the entire world are doing... so we can, At The Least, fast and pray for each country, city, whatever. And as John 16:13 promises, He will even show us things to come - and for these "other places and peoples" as well, Before 'it' happens.

What is The Mind of The LORD?

Is 'His Mind' not for us all?

Merely glancing at just those two verses above - tell me - What 'on earth' are we supposed to be doing? Just worrying about OUR OWN Country or area??? Or what we'll do for our fleshly comforts - our "kicking back time" today?

Self-ish-ness reigns in "the church". Self, self, self, I, me, mine -- Is THAT "The mind of The LORD"?

For GOD so LOVED The WORLD - and Jesus being GOD was & is 'others minded only' and Loves them All - do we?

That says it all to me and I truly don't care or want to hear anything more than what HE has to say about Anything, at Any time, under Any circumstances - Amen, and Amen.
The battle is difficult enough to fight what our self-ish flesh wants in a day - why consciously add or so easily cater to it?

"Just give me Jesus" And His Mind, should be our cry - minute by minute - taking EVERY thought captive to the obedience of Christ - That's It and that's All. The MIND of Christ! Do we want that?

Hi enid,

Been chewing on your question.

Two places in scripture are the basis of mine, accompanied by pieces of scripture to which tunes have been written. Some are local inventions, and others more formal, such as the 'Scripture in Song' work of Dale and David Garrat.

Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Here are some of the verses I sing, or, on which songs are based wholly in scripture:

Ephesians 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

Psalm 5:11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. 12 For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as [with] a shield.

Psalms 142:7 ['Bring' is changed to] 'He took' my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou ['shalt' is changed to] 'hast' deal bountifully with me.

Revelation 5:12 the following words only:
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

Psalms 18:3 I will call upon the LORD, [who is worthy] to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
2 Samuel 22:47 The LORD liveth; and blessed [be] my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation.

Psalms 68:1 Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered:

Psalms 104:33 I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. 34 My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD. 35b Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD.

There are many other songs with phrases from scripture, or allusions to biblical events.

And, there is a song which always makes me feel sick. It is 'Reign in me'. It basically says, right now Lord, you don't reign in me, but I have a sort of inkling you're supposed to be king in my life (big emphasis on 'me'). (To the Lord) Please take this song as a token that I'm doing something about my current state of unsubmission. Yuck.

There is no-where in the song where the singer actually renounces their unbelief or rebellion, or makes a firm declaration that Jesus is their personal Lord and King, or in any way moves them from the ground of theoretical optimism about Christ's conquering power, into a state of having been conquered by Him. It is pointless.

On a happier note, songs which declare that Jesus is alive, and enable the singer to lay hold on His risen power, His forgiving power, and His intentions for one's life, are a constant joy. Likewise 'Let there be glory and honour and praises, to Jesus' never fails to bless the soul.

"I Know Thy Works"

Rev 2:2 "I know thy works", and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars

Rev 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and "do the first works"; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

Rev 2:9 "I know thy works", and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

Rev 2:13 "I know thy works", and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.

Rev 2:19 "I know thy works", and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.

Rev 2:23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you "according to your works."

Rev 2:26 And he that overcometh, and "keepeth My works" unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

Rev 3:1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; "I know thy works", that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

Rev 3:2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found "thy works" perfect before God.

Rev 3:8 "I know thy works": behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

Rev 3:15 "I know thy works", that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, "according to their works."

Rev 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man "according to their works".

Life is SHORT compared to Eternity. We need to make whatever time we have left to count now, For His Kingdom - and not for ourselves, for any reward except for Him - the reward of He Himself and for His Love - the Love of GOD our Saviour and His Love for this world.
What else is there?

Amen, and Amen.