THE PRESENCE OF GOD

VICTORIOUS LIFE SERIES

GOD HAS A PURPOSE FOR US

Before God created us, He already had a purpose in mind. God is a God of Plan and
Purpose. He would not create anything if He had no reason for creating it. All things
that exist in this world have value. Most valuable among all creations are we who are
created in Gods image.
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Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule
over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth,
and over all the creatures that move along the ground."
Genesis 1:26

TO BEAR FRUITS IS GODS PURPOSE FOR US

It is Gods will for us to prosper (Jeremiah 29:11) and to be fruitful in all aspects of
our lives (John 15:8). God wants us to prosper in these three areas: first, in our
relationship with God and others; second, in the material and physical aspects of our
lives; and third, in all the works of our hands (Deuteronomy 28:12). God wants His
most valuable and important creation to live victoriously at all times. God wants us
to walk in blessings and abundance (Deuteronomy 28:3-13; John 10:10; Philippians
4:19).

THE PRINCIPLES OF GOD

The fulfillment of the purpose of God for man depends on mans obedience to the
principles of God (Deuteronomy 28:1-2). The Bible is full of Gods principles. Some
words in the Bible that substitute for the word principle are the words law,
commands, word of the Lord, Gods way and more.

THE ATTRIBUTES OF A PRINCIPLE

i. A principle cannot be changed

ii. A principle can be applied everywhere
iii. A principle protects. A twisted principle destroys.
THE PRINCIPLE OF ENVIRONMENT

One of Gods principles is the principle of environment. Before God creates

something, He plans the environment for his creation. Before He created the plants
and trees, he had formed the land first (Genesis 1:9-12). Before he made the fish
and creatures of the deep, he had formed the bodies of water in the earth (Genesis
1:20-21). Before he created the stars, he had fashioned the vast expanse of the
universe and had separated the night from day (Genesis 1:14-19).

The environment is very important for all of Gods creation. Without the environment,
the creation cannot function and fulfill their purposes. The different creatures are
placed in different environment suitable for them. The fish is for the water, the plant
is for the land, the moon is for the night, the sun is for the day, and the star is for the
sky.

THE ENVIRONMENT FOR MAN

Man has an environment especially made for him. God prepared the Garden of
Eden for him. (Genesis 2:15). The Garden of Eden is called in the Bible as the
Garden of God (Isaiah 51:3; Ezekiel 28:13).

This garden is the place here on earth where the God of heaven dwells. Eden
comes from the Hebrew word eyden which means delight. This is a garden where
God delights to be. This shows that God delights to be in the company of His most
favorite and highly-esteemed creation--man. God always stayed in Eden to walk with
Adam and Eve, His beloved creation (Genesis 3:8). The presence of God engulfed
the whole garden. This was the environment of man-the Presence of God

THE PRESENCE OF GOD IS MOST-NEEDED BY MAN

Man is for the presence of God. If we are not in Gods presence, we are dead
even if we are physically alive. The presence of God in our lives gives us joy,
peace and satisfaction (Psalms 16:11). The presence of God sets us apart from
others in this world (Exodus 33:15-16). Hence, King David asked for only one
thing from God, that he may dwell in the presence of the Lord all the days of
his life (Psalm27:4).

Before God gave Eve to Adam, he had given Himself to him. A persons ultimate
need is God Himself and not another person (Genesis 2:7).

The presence of God is the environment that enables man to accomplish his
purpose of living. His presence is the key to our fruitfulness and prosperity (2
Samuel 6:10-11, Romans 8:31).
WHAT MUST WE DO TO ALWAYS REMAIN IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD?
There are four conditions we must recognize.
 1. Right Heart

We need an obedient heart to stay in the Lords presence (Genesis 2:17,

3:23-24; Romans 3:23; Psalms 24:3-4; Psalms 51:10-11).

2. Right People

There are people God prepared to surround and support us. But there are
also people who can pull us away from God. We are commanded not to
fellowship with this kind of people (1 Corinthians 5:9-13; 2 Corinthians
6:14-15).

3. Right Place

There are places in this world God prepared in advance for us. We cannot
just go anywhere we like. The prophet Jonah suffered much difficulty
because he went to place God did not plan for him to go to (Jonah 1:1-4).
The Holy Spirit warned the Apostle Paul not to go to the place God had
not prepared for him, but he was led to the right place through a vision
(Acts 16:6-10).

4. Right Work

If we want the presence of God, we must work with Him. His promise to be
with us always depends on our obedience to make disciples (Matthew 28:
19-20). Our plans and actions must glorify Gods will on earth.

APPLICATION:

1. How do you know that you are filled with Gods presence?
2. What can remove Gods presence from our lives? (share your experience)