By Kaaren Craig and Dr. Anne Davis

Where is God’s Presence?

Have you ever considered how God’s Presence has been coming increasingly closer to His people over time? First, we see His Presence in the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle and the Temple, which ended with the destruction of the Temple by the Babylonians. After that, how could God’s people exist and function without the Presence of their God?

Then, an amazing thing happened. God told His people, through His prophet Isaiah, that He was still with them despite their captivity in Babylon.

Do not fear, for I am with you.

Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you; surely I will help you.

Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

However, something even more dramatic happened when God sent His Messiah. Now God’s presence is IN those with faith in Christ. First, God tells us that He was “in Christ reconciling the world to Himself” (Rom 5:19). Then our understanding explodes when we learn that “Christ is in you, the hope of glory” (Col 1:27). What does this mean?!

Do you really know and understand your place with God?

As believers in Yeshua, there are promises and a purpose bestowed upon each of us. Knowing the God-given foundation enables us to fulfill our purpose and claim our promises. There are foundation stones upon which we stand, so we will share a few foundation principles that will help keep you grounded in God’s promises and focused on God’s purpose.

Do you serve Yeshua as a committed disciple? Revelation is written specifically for God’s servants who are willing to serve their Master even after receiving their freedom from sin. The Book of Revelation is teeming with artistic language, so listen carefully to the following words. During the coming Great Tribulation we learn that…

…the dragon was enraged with the woman and went off to make war with the rest of her children, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. Rev 12:17

The dragon, of course, is Satan. But did you know that the woman who was about to give birth should not be taken literally but represents the “new life” that is required for those who come into God’s presence? And, then we hear the phrase “rest of her children”. The word translated “rest” is the Greek loipos, which is equivalent to the Hebrew she’erith which means a Remnant! So, it will be a Remnant resurrected to new life that will be in Yeshua’s army fighting against Satan in the Great Tribulation.

Foundation Stone Principle #1: Are you committed to obeying Yeshua your Lord as a faithful servant? Do you think your service is worthy of God’s selecting you to participate in the Remnant?

We are now in God’s Kingdom

Jesus went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the Kingdom.
Mat 4:23

God’s Kingdom requires a King, subjects to serve in the Kingdom, a high priest to administer God’s laws, and priests to facilitate the administration of those laws. Of course, we know that Jesus is the King, and God’s children are His subjects. We also learn that Yeshua is our High Priest (Heb 4:14). But, did you know that you have been called as priests to help administer the laws of God under your High Priest Yeshua?

As living stones, you are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:5

How do we help Yeshua administer the laws of God? We demonstrate a life that exhibits the ways that please God. We become a “light unto the nations”, a light that spreads the good news of what God has given us through our faith in the Messiah. Are you shedding that light by the way you live and interact with others?

Foundation Stone Principle #2: Have you answered the call to help Yeshua administer God’s laws by demonstrating a life of righteousness?

God is asking you to become a Sacrifice to Him

The Apostle Paul helps us understand this startling principle.

Present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. Rom 12:1

Can you picture the Temple in Jerusalem and the priests bringing an unblemished animal to sacrifice as a gift to God? The animal was a substitute for the person who was offering this gift, and that person had to approach the Temple in a clean and pure condition or God would not accept the offering.

WE are now that offering, and we must give ourselves as a gift to God in an unblemished, clean, and holy condition. Fortunately, God only sees the heart, so if you truly desire to overcome sin in your life, then we believe that you will be acceptable to our wonderful God.

And what does it mean that we must give ourselves as a “sacrifice” to God? Of course, we come as a “living” sacrifice, but what must we give up to qualify as a sacrifice? James answers our question.

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:8

Hands represent what you “do” in your life for God, and “hearts” symbolize your innermost thoughts. Now we come to “double-minded”, which we suggest applies to all of us. “Double’minded” means that some of our thoughts and actions please God, but there are other aspects in our life that are still worldly. Again, I encourage you with these thoughts. If you are truly growing in righteousness, and working to remove any remaining sins, then God may accept your sacrifice.

And guess what? When you please God by drawing near to Him in a pure and holy condition, that is your spiritual service of worship!

Foundation Stone Principle #3: Are you pleasing God by giving yourself as a pure and holy gift to Him? You can only do this by keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus, making Him your mentor, and walking, talking, and teaching as He did when He was here among us.

May you be blessed by hearing all the wonderful presentations at our upcoming online conference.

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