Desire the Presence of God

Hello, welcome to another message titled “Desire the Presence of God.”

This is a continuation of the Holy Ghost series.

Revelation 22:17

“And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.”

This is the Scripture we will be discussing today.

One thing you should notice from this Scripture is that there must be a deep thirst for God.

The Bible says:

“Let him who thirsts come.”

You must thirst for:

• The living water
• The presence of God
• The glory of God
• The fire of God

These all point to the manifest presence of God.

Jesus Himself is that manifest presence of God.

Crave the Presence of God

You must:

• Hunger for God
• Desire God
• Yearn for God
• Crave His presence

The Bible says to:

“Crave spiritual gifts.”

That means spiritual things are not obtained casually. There must be longing and deep desire.

This goes beyond ordinary wanting.

It becomes:

• Hunger
• Passion
• Thirst
• Dependence

Just as you cannot live without water or food, you should realize that you cannot truly live without the presence of God.

The Word of God and the Presence of God

The Word of God prepares and cleanses us for the presence of God.

The Bible talks about:

• The Spirit
• The water
• The blood

These all work together through the Holy Spirit.

The Water

The water represents the Word of God.

The Bible speaks about:

“The washing of water by the Word.”

The Word cleanses:

• Your mind
• Your soul
• Your thinking
• Your lifestyle

The Word of God renews your mind and clothes your soul with the mind of Christ.

As you submit to the Word of God and walk in obedience, you are prepared as a vessel of honor.

The Blood

The blood represents the life and manifest presence of Christ.

The glory of God cleanses, purifies, renews, and protects.

The presence of God destroys impurity and darkness.

That is why we need both:

• The Word of God
• The manifest presence of God

The Living Water

The living water flows from the throne of God.

The Bible says there is:

“A pure river of the water of life flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.”

That living water flows through the Holy Spirit into the believer.

It refreshes, saturates, purifies, and strengthens.

That is why we must approach the throne of grace spiritually in prayer.

Approach God Through Prayer

The Bible says:

“Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.”

When approaching God:

• Go with thanksgiving
• Go with praise
• Go with worship
• Go with reverence

Jesus taught us this pattern in prayer:

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.”

Prayer begins with honoring and magnifying God.

One Scripture I love deeply is:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come.”

Sometimes I meditate on this Scripture repeatedly, and the presence of God comes down powerfully.

That is worship.

That is exalting God.

Holiness and the Presence of God

God is holy.

Nothing evil can stand in His presence.

Human beings are the ones who open doors to evil through disobedience and partnership with darkness.

God wants us to close every door to evil.

Jesus said:

“The ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me.”

That means darkness found no place inside Jesus.

Jesus knew demons existed, yet He never partnered with evil.

He remained victorious.

That is the pattern we are meant to follow.

Hebrews 4:16

“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Approach God with confidence.

Jesus prayed with confidence because He trusted the Father completely.

When you pray:

• Believe
• Expect answers
• Do not doubt
• Have confidence in God

The Bible says a double-minded person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

Jesus Is the Living Water

Jesus is:

• The grace of God
• The mercy of God
• The glory of God
• The wisdom of God
• The life of God

The living water is Jesus Himself.

Jesus said:

“If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.”

There is an experiential relationship we are meant to have with Christ through the Holy Spirit.

As we continually fellowship with Him:

• Our lives become purified
• We become vessels of honor
• We experience spiritual renewal
• We walk in victory

The Presence of God Protects

The fire of God protects the believer.

The presence of God drives out darkness.

Jesus gives life.

Nothing evil comes from Him.

That is why we must constantly drink from the living water.

When affliction, fear, oppression, or darkness tries to arise, we must run to the presence of God.

The apostles walked in this reality.

Jesus Himself ministered through the glory and presence of God.

You Need the Power of the Holy Spirit

The Lord spoke to me and said:

“Power is all that matters.”

Believers need the power of the Holy Spirit.

God would not have made provision for spiritual power if we did not need it.

Even if you are not ministering publicly, you still need the presence and power of God in your life, your home, and your family.

The presence of God protects, strengthens, heals, and delivers.

Jesus has already given us everything we need.

We are not helpless.

He said:

“I will not leave you as orphans.”

We have:

• The Holy Spirit
• The Word of God
• Grace
• Spiritual authority

But we must pay the price spiritually through prayer, obedience, worship, and surrender.

Spiritual Sacrifices

God is not looking for physical sacrifices.

He desires spiritual sacrifices.

The Bible speaks about:

• Praise
• Worship
• Thanksgiving
• Obedience

These are the sacrifices pleasing to God.

Sometimes the Lord would say to me:

“Give Me My food.”

And He taught me that thanksgiving, praise, and worship are His food.

God delights in sincere worship from the heart.

Present Your Desire Before God

Express your desire for God in prayer.

Tell Him:

• You desire His presence
• You thirst for His glory
• You long for His Spirit

Sing to Him.

Pray to Him.

Worship Him.

As you consistently seek Him, the presence of God will become a daily reality in your life.

You will begin to:

• Hear His voice more clearly
• Walk in His peace
• Experience His guidance
• Carry His presence

Acts 8:18–20

Simon tried to buy the power of God with money, but Peter rebuked him.

The gifts of God cannot be purchased.

The presence of God is free.

The Bible says:

“Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.”

Salvation is free.

The Holy Spirit is free.

The grace of God is free.

Jesus already paid the price through His blood.

Remain Grounded in the Truth

Jesus has already purchased our salvation.

We must not replace the Gospel with false practices or teachings that contradict the Word of God.

Stay rooted in Scripture.

Walk in obedience.

Seek God sincerely.

Pray for discernment and wisdom.

The Bible says:

“My people perish for lack of knowledge.”

That is why believers must continually seek truth through the Word of God and the Holy Spirit.

Final Encouragement

Desire the presence of God above everything else.

Thirst for the living water.

Long for God daily.

The presence of God is the true reality.

Everything else without Christ is empty.

As you continue in:

• Prayer
• Worship
• Thanksgiving
• Obedience
• Fellowship with the Holy Spirit

you will experience more of God’s presence and glory in your life.

Prayer

May the Lord clothe you with His living water and His presence.

May you be made complete through the blood of Jesus Christ.

May the Lord give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of His Word.

May great grace rest upon your life.

May the Lord bless you and keep you.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Remain blessed.

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