Matthew 1:23 KJV 

‘Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.’

As we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, Let us focus on his name Emmanuel, meaning God with us! Why did God give us His only Son to be with us?

In our lives, God’s presence makes all the difference. When God is with you, you will succeed in all your endeavours, and be victorious over all of life’s battles. To crown it all, God’s presence will ensure that you fulfill your purpose on earth.

God’s active and abiding presence determines what your life will be today and tomorrow. Without Him, you can do nothing. In John 15:5, Jesus said, I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. ‘On the other hand, when God is with you, you can do all things. Paul testified in Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’.

Everything you have been able to do is because God has been on your side! If God removes his presence from your life, everything will collapse like a pack of cards. Take King Saul for an example, the moment the spirit of God left him in 1 Samuel 16:14, an evil spirit took over, and that was the beginning of the end of his life. He lost his throne to David, an ordinary shepherd who had God’s abiding presence. Saul’s life began a free-fall until he died in battle with all his sons in one day. (1 Samuel 31:6).

If however you can ensure that God’s presence remains with you, your life will go from glory to glory. David was a young man left to himself by his family, but who cultivated the presence of God through praise, worship, thanksgiving and faithfulness. God’s presence ensured that David defeated the giant Goliath, who was so dreadful, that a whole army fled from him. God’s presence ensured that David did not fall prey to King Saul and all his armies, who sought to terminate his journey to the throne. If only you are able to cultivate and activate God’s presence, you will live life as he designed: Peaceful, Victorious and Blessed.

How do I activate/preserve God’s presence?

1. By Invitation

No one likes to hang around where you are not welcome. Certainly, God cannot abide in your life if you do not let him in. In Rev 3:20, Jesus said, ‘Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come into him, and will dine with him, and he with me.

I am sure you realize the need for God’s presence in your life, I ask that you open your heart and you invite him in. Let God be the Lord of your life, he’ll forgive your sins, save you from the devil’s snares and empower you to be a blessing to your world.

2. By Obeying Him

Once you invite Jesus into your life, you must live a life that is pleasing in his sight. None of us likes to hang around people who repeatedly offends us. A life that obeys and does the will of God is an attractive dwelling place for him. In John 14:23, Jesus answered and said, ‘If a man loves me he will keep my word and my father will love him, and we’ll come into him and make our abode with him’.

This is the ultimate recipe for cultivating God’s abiding presence. Just do his will no matter the cost or opposition. Then your life will be a special treasure for him.

3. Gratitude

In gratitude repels God, just as you don’t like it when people are ungrateful to you. If you want God’s abiding presence learn to praise him in all circumstances, Psalm 22:3 says, God dwells in the praises of his people.

Praise flowing from the gratitude was the secret of David’s victorious life. Hear him in Psalm 34:1, ‘I will bless the lord at all times, his praises shall continually be in my mouth’.

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, recall everything his presence has done in your life. Because Jesus was born, we have forgiveness for our sins. We have unhindered access to the presence of God.

I pray that God’s presence will abide with you and make all the difference in your life in Jesus name!

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Olusola is the Senior Pastor of RCCG NewSprings, a passionate teacher of the word of God and an accomplished Human Resources Consultant.