Acts 17:28a - In Him We Live And Move And Have Our Being.
Acts 17:28a - In Him We Live And Move And Have Our Being.
Acts 17:28a (KJV) For in him we live, and move, and have our
being;
We don't really notice air. It's the environment we live in.
It's always all around us, and we can feel it when it moves as a
swift breeze. If we were suddenly deprived of it, we would certainly
notice its absence. But other than that, we give it little attention.
If we want to be conscious of it, we have to intentionally choose
to think about it.
God is like that. He's always around us, and we can often
detect Him when He moves. And if we were suddenly deprived of Him ...
well, we would certainly notice His absence. But we often have to
choose to be aware of Him.
Many passages of Scripture suggest that God is nearer to us
at some times than at others - that He's near to the brokenhearted
or the humble, for example, or that He will draw near to us if we
draw near to Him. But verses like Acts 17:28 remind us that He is
always near, as pervasive as the air we breathe. Though much of our
experience of His Presence depends on His drawing near, much of it depends
on our increasing our awareness of Him. We need to become noticers
who, like Brother Lawrence long ago, "practice the Presence of God."
In our quest for a deeper sense of God's Presence, we need to
remember that much of what we seek is already all around us. We live and
move and exist in God. He is present in every atom of creation, and
if we're observant, we can see not only His past handiwork as
Creator but His current activity as Lord, Guide, Shield, Provider,
Comforter, and Healer. Even when it seems like He is far away, He never is.
Whether we sense His Presence or not, He is near.
Lord, I know You're sitting next to me right now. You're
watching me, protecting me, even sharing Your heart with me. Help me
become a noticer of Your Presence and acknowledge You in every
situation. [The One Year Experiencing God's Presence Devotional by Chris
Tiegreen]
You are in Me, and I am in you. This is a profound mystery. I
am the infinite Creator and Sustainer of the entire universe. You
are a finite, fallen human being. Yet you and I live not just with
each other but also in each other. You are filled with My divine
Presence. This is a deeper, fuller union than you can find in any human
relationship. Even people who have been married many decades cannot know all
the thoughts and feelings of their spouse. But I know everything
about you - from your deepest thoughts and feelings to the events you
will encounter tomorrow. For My children, aloneness is really just an
illusion. The whole world is alive with My vibrant Presence!
In Me you live and move and have your being. Every step you
take, every word you speak, every breath you breathe - all is done in
My watchful, embracing Presence. You are totally immersed in My
invisible yet ever-so-real Being! The more aware of Me you are, the more
alive and complete you will feel. Your union with Me makes every
moment of your life meaningful. (John 14:20; Col. 1:27; Eph. 3:17, 19;
Acts 17:28) [Jesus Today by Sarah Young]
Living in dependence on Me is a glorious adventure. Most
people scurry around busily, trying to accomplish things through their
own strength and ability. Some succeed enormously; others fail
miserably. But both groups miss what life is meant to be: living and
working in collaboration with Me.
When you depend on Me continually, your whole perspective
changes. You see miracles happening all around, while others see only
natural occurrences and "coincidences." You begin each day with joyful
expectation, watching to see what I will do. You accept weakness as a gift
from Me, knowing that My Power plugs in most readily to consecrated
weakness. You keep your plans tentative, knowing that My plans are far
superior. You consciously live, move, and have your being in Me, desiring
that I live in you. I in you and you in Me. This is the intimate
adventure I offer you. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Acts 17:28; Colossians
2:6-7; John 14:20 [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young]
I am nearer than you think, richly present in all your moments.
You are connected to Me by Love-bonds that nothing can sever.
However, you may sometimes feel alone, because your union with Me is
invisible. Ask Me to open your eyes, so that you can find Me everywhere.
The more aware you are of My Presence, the safer you feel. This is
not some sort of escape from reality; it is tuning in to ultimate
reality. I am far more Real than the world you can see, hear, and touch.
Faith is the confirmation of things we do not see and the conviction
of their reality, perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to
the senses. (Acts 17:27, 28; Heb. 11:1) [Jesus Calling by Sarah
Young]
Praise will get you victoriously through this day. When you
worship Me, you connect with Me in a powerful way that transcends time
and circumstances. I live in your praises, and you live and move and
have your being in Me. Praising Me draws you into the depths of My
Presence, where you can glimpse My Power and Glory.
Depression, fear, and self-pity vanish when you engage in
heartfelt worship. The evil one and his demonic followers flee from these
glorious strains. So it is wise to praise Me. However, the most important
reason for worship is that I am worthy to receive honor and glory and
praise! The Bible is full of commands to give Me praise.
No matter how dark and difficult your day may seem, the Light
of My Presence will shine through the darkness as you worship Me.
This glorifies Me and enables you to live above your circumstances -
victoriously! (Psa. 22:3; Acts 17:28; Rev. 5:11, 12) [Jesus Today by Sarah
Young]
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY:
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2003/20030825-0744.html
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT:
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782
Musical Devotional On Christian Living:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcotY5K7T0c
Prophecies Decoded Sermon Series:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDY:
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Guides:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Discover Bible Studies: http://studies.itiswritten.com/discover/
Or Send Request for Bible Studies to Fred Gibbs at:
fggibbs@aBible.com
