PSALM 16:11a

You wilt show me the path of life: in your presence is fullness of Joy

Drawing into the presence of God is a Holy thing. We need to be sure that we are aware of that. We need to have a holy reverence for the presence of God. Before we go on into the study of Worship we need to be sure that we are ready for it. We need to be made aware that they are entering into the presence of a Holy God. Children are very sensitive to spiritual things, sometimes more than we are, because of their childlike faith. All it takes sometimes is to make them aware of what you expect and let God take it from there. We need to be like that.

Just His children, ready to be led into the Presence

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: Ex. 19, Ex. 33:14 &15, Psalm 16:11, 68:8, 95:2, 97:5, 100:2 114:7, 140:13, Eze. 38:20, Zeph1:7, Nahum 1:5, Psalm 91.

We may not use all these scriptures in teaching our lesson but they are a good reference point for you when you are studying.

How many of you have ever been in a service where you have known that God's presence was there. We don't go by feelings but there are sometimes that you can really know that God is there. In the Book of Exodus when Moses went up into the mountain the people knew that God was there.

Chapter 19:16 says that there were thunders and lightning's, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.

Verse 18 says that God descended upon it in fire. If anyone even touched the mountain they would have died.

Nahum 1:5 says that the mountains quake at him, and hills melt and the earth is burned at His presence.

We need to be aware that God is Holy and you do not enter into His presence lightly. You need to come into His presence quietly and with respect.

Zephaniah 1:7 Hold your peace at the presence of the Lord God......for the Lord has prepared a sacrifice, he has bid His guests.

God has invited us to come into His presence, but there are conditions.

God isn't always as dramatic as He was back there on the mountain. He can be if He needs to be, but most the time He is a lot quieter than that. He will come into a service and be like a gentle breeze. Other times He will make people laugh or cry{with Joy} But however He comes you will not be hurt. You are His child and you do not need to be afraid. Those Israelites needed to be shaken up sometimes and He had to use loud methods. But He is gentle and loving and will touch you in a special way that He knows is what you need most.

The reason why we are quiet when we start to sing songs of worship to God is because it shows respect and shows God that you want to come into His presence and listen to His voice. We sing loud and happy songs that brings joy to us and to God, and brings us to a place where we are ready to enter into the Holy place with God. If you have things on your mind before the service, or are not in the frame of mind to worship, we don’t want to go right into the presence of God. It just doesn't work that way. You need to get your mind centered on God by singing praise songs to Him first.

Psalm 95:2 says we need to come into his presence with thanksgiving and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.

Psalm 16:11 says that in His presence there is fullness of Joy.

Once we have felt the joy then we are ready for His presence.

Are you ready for His presence? Do you show God the respect that He deserves? Or are you still thinking of other things when we are ready to enter into worship? This is so important! We don't want you to miss out on God's best. which is being in His presence. Every part of the worship service is important, from start to finish. So you need to join in from the beginning so you don't miss anything.

Once you have been in the presence of the Lord you will want more and more of God. You will want to dwell in His presence every day.

Psalm 140:13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto your name, the upright shall dwell in your presence

Wouldn't that be wonderful, to always be in the presence of the Lord?

Psalm 91 is a wonderful chapter in the Bible that talks about abiding in God.

Verse 1 says He that dwells in the secret place of the Most High will abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

If we spend time in the presence of God, he will protect us and take care of us so that no evil will come to us. God loves you and wants the best for you.

Next time you are in service join into the whole praise and worship. Forget about everything and everyone and think about God. Sing to Him. Think about the words to the songs. Sing them because you mean them not just you have to. God wants to hear from you, and in His ears He can hear each and everyone of you, just like you were the only one singing.

I pray that you will have understanding and will desire to enter into the presence of the Lord.