A New God Chain

As I've mentioned before I love when God strings together things to make up one ongoing lesson.  It's definitely one of my favorite ways for a God visit.  

About a month or so ago I heard a statement from one of our BSF teachings directing us to "Be attentive to Christ."  This was a great idea to me.  Going through the day, I definitely lose track of  "being in Christ, abiding in Him, focusing on heavenly things...."   So putting this idea into practice has become a goal of mine.  I am having varying degrees of success. ☺ 

Okay, fast forward to our Pastor's teaching in one of our Bible studies about "abiding in Christ."  To me this is another way of being attentive to Him.  When we are attentive to Jesus, we abide in His Presence and in His Person.  Our hearts turn towards His will, His plan, His desires and His opportunities to share Him with others.  Abiding in Jesus helps keep us on the right track and keep us focused on Kingdom goals instead of selfishly pursuing only our own needs and wants.  This abiding and being attentive creates an intimate communion between us and our Lord.  It's more than just following a set of  dos and do nots.  

And then the last link in this chain (at least for now, anyway) was finding a word in this little book I was given called "52 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know" by Dave Adamson.  What a great little book this is!  The Hebrew word is KAVANAH.  It means to be aware of God's Presence.  

The first line in the devotion is "When you read the Bible, do you have an awareness that God is with you?"  It goes on to include the same thought on worship and prayer.  According to the book, the word Kavanah literally means to be aware that you are standing in the Presence of God.   Think about that!  

I was lead to Psalm 139:1-12.   O Lord, You have searched me and known me.  2 You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off.  3 You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.  4 For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.  5 You have hedged me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me.  6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it.  7 Where can I go from Your Spirit?  Or where can I flee from Your presence?  8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, 10 even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me. 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,” Even the night shall be light about me; 12 indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, but the night shines as the day; the darkness and the light are both alike to You.

Everywhere we go, we are to remember we are in God's Presence, abiding in Christ through our awareness and obedience.  There is never a second we are not in the Presence of our Savior.  There is never a time when we are not on His mind and in His heart.  And I pray that it is the same for us.  

This was another beautiful chain developed by our God.  And another needed and loved reminder to stay connected and stay aware and be alert.  

Lord, thank You for this lesson.  I am always so grateful to learn and be reminded of You and Your principles.  We are a blessed people to have a loving God and Father that desires our attention and fellowship.  I am in awe of You.  Help us to keep an awareness that You are always near.  Let us be alert to the opportunities to pray, witness, worship and abide in You.  Let You light shine through us.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

Read the above verses as if God is speaking them to you directly.  "I, the Lord search you and know you,  I know your sitting down and rising up.  I understand your thought afar off.....