This is one of the first questions you are likely to hear after offering someone a job. The fact is, we are living in a benefit-oriented society with everyone wanting to know, "What's in it for me?"
Most people don't seem to realize they are missing a greater source of benefits than they can possibly imagine: the benefits that come from living and abiding in the presence of Almighty God.
Everything you could ever want or need can be found in the presence of the Lord. Do you need healing? You'll find it in the Presence. Do you need provision? You'll find it in the Presence.
Every good thing anyone could possibly desire is waiting for that person in the presence of a loving, holy God. It's so simple. Yet so many believers miss this powerful truth. It's a truly amazing concept when you stop and think about it.
The God of the universe, that awesome Being Who spoke the worlds into existence and could destroy mankind with a single word, has given you and me the opportunity to walk into His throne room and fellowship with Him. It's enough to blow your mind!
Even more "unbelievable" is that most Christians never exercise this wondrous privilege! Think about it. Each day believers say no to God's offer of fellowship, choosing instead to spend their time filling their minds with garbage on television, with gossip or with mindless recreation.
Many believers have searched high and low for answers to their problems, never thinking to seek them at the feet of God. They have consulted pastors, counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, gurus and self-help books. They have been to seminars, workshops, retreats and advances. All this time the answer has been waiting for them - waiting in the presence of the Lord.
God's Word offers us some practical keys to abiding in the presence of the Lord. In His Word we can gain an understanding of how we can move into the presence of God and then stay there.
When you learn to do that, then and only then will you find the answers and solutions you are looking for. It is then that you will begin to enjoy the benefits of God's presence. In a meeting a while back, I heard Gloria Copeland make a statement that seemed to resonate in my spirit. She said, "To not live in daily contact with God is not only sinful; it's stupid."
There is a mountain of truth in this little statement. There is so much to be gained from learning to walk in God's presence, and there is so much we miss when we neglect it. The good news is, the Bible has much to say about how to live in the presence of God.
But before you dive into the Scriptures, be sure you understand the term, "presence of God."
First of all, to be present obviously means to be in or at a certain location. During school days, when you heard the teacher call your name during the roll call, you answered by saying, "Present."
But what does it mean to be in the presence of God? Does it mean we can see Him with our natural eyes or hear Him speak to us in an audible voice? Probably not. We can, however, experience the presence of God on several different levels.
One of the most basic and most powerful ways to experience the presence of God is through His Word. You may be thinking, How can I experience God by reading a book? Let me show you. Look at John 1:1: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
God and His Word are inseparable. When you are in the presence of the Word, you are in the presence of God. There is something so powerful that happens when you open that Book and spend quality time in it. Something happens in your heart. Reading the Word feeds your spirit, and that Word continues to work in you and change you even after you have closed the Book and walked away.
Of course, spending time in the Word isn't the only way to experience God's wonderful presence. Another obvious way is by spending time in prayer, particularly when you pray God's Word.
There is a big difference between praying God's powerful Word and praying some dry, lifeless, traditional prayer. So much doubt, unbelief and religious garbage is prayed by Christians who simply don't know any better. They will pray like this:
Our dear, kind heavenly Father, we are Your humble, no-good, undeserving servants. We beseech Thee to stop by just for a little while. We know we're nothing but miserable worms - just wicked sinners saved by grace - but if You could give us a little crumb off Your table, we'd be satisfied, Lord.
This kind of prayer is a stench in God's nostrils. It may sound humble to the religious mind, but it is 100 percent contrary to the Word of God. The Bible says if you are born again, you have been made the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus and a joint-heir with Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 5:21; Rom. 8:17).
The false humility that characterizes so many religious prayers could not be more unbiblical. If you want to pray prayers that will usher you into the presence of God, don't pray religion; pray the Word. Only then will can you experience His wonderful presence.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers