Though you have not seen him, you love him. – 1 Peter 1:8
A classic little book, The Practice of the Presence of God, gives the essence of living moment by moment in His presence. Its author was a humble monk named Brother Lawrence, who served the Lord by washing dishes in a monastery during the 16th century. Brother Lawrence said, “All we have to do is to recognize God as being intimately present within us. Then we may speak directly to Him every time we need to ask for help, to know His will in moments of uncertainty, and to do whatever He wants us to do in a way that pleases Him. This continuous conversation would also include praising and loving God incessantly for His infinite goodness and perfection.”
Christ is Immanuel, which means “God with us.” Without Jesus, Christianity is just another religion among many. Colossians 1:15 says, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.” He is the very essence of God who came to take away the sins of the world and reveal the Father to people in the flesh.
Jesus walked on Earth 2,000 years ago. Yet if you have a personal relationship with Him, He lives inside of you. The hands that formed the mountains, oceans and skies are strong enough to defeat any enemy of yours today. He has the might to calm the seas by simply uttering the word “peace.” And He promises peace that transcends any of your circumstances. Spend time speaking to Him every day. Dive into Scripture and listen to Him. As you pray, ask Him to also draw American believers into a deeper relationship with Him.
Today’s Verse: 1 Peter 1:8
Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Colossians 1:15-23
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
