FOLLOWING HIS PRESENCE INTO REST

I had been searching for the right church and had finally found one where I was content. Then issues began to surface and I became very disheartened. At the heart of my agony, I cried out, "The Lord has no place in which to lay His head, and neither do I !!!!" I was in such deep pain after so many years of prayer and search.

Matt 8:19-20 NLT

Then one of the teachers of religious law said to him, "Teacher, I will follow you no matter where you go!" But Jesus said, "Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but I, the Son of Man, have no home of my own, not even a place to lay my head."

Luke 2:7 NKJV

And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 2:12-14 NKJV

And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"

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Today at church I was still so overcome by the Lord's Presence, all I could do during the entire worship, no matter how bouncy and fast or slow and holy the music, was to lay my head on the chair in front of me. I was totally and completely in deep weighty rest. I could not even lift my hands, they were too heavy.

On the way home, I heard the Lord tell me I had found a place in which to lay my head. And I suddenly realized what I had done on the chair in front of me. I did not know it, but Grandma Anna next to me was in the same condition. Only she had slumped down with her head resting on the back of her chair. It was a true sign of confirmation. Tears come even now as I think of it. After all these years of searching, I have found my resting place. My place is in the Lord's Presence. Where His Presence rests, so will I. He is all that matters.

2 Chron 5:13-14 NKJV

…indeed it came to pass, when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD, and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the LORD, saying: "For He is good, For His mercy endures forever," that the house, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory {3519} of the LORD filled the house of God.

NOTE; The glory of the Lord has a deep, weighty rest that hovers, overshadows and rests, especially in corporate worship. The word glory in the OT meant weighty and glorious.

GLORY - HEBREW

kabowd

OT:3519 kabowd (kaw-bode'); rarely kabod (kaw-bode'); from OT:3513; properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness: -glorious (-ly), glory, honour (-able).

OT:3513

OT:3513 kabad (kaw-bad'); or kabed (kaw-bade'); a primitive root; to be heavy, (numerous, rich, honorable; causatively, to make weighty)

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INEBRIATED IN THE HOLY SPIRIT

HOME GROUP 9/8/00: INEBRIATED

One of the couples shared their video from 94 Tornoto. Mahesh was there giving his testimony. He said he had been all around the world, seen 25,000 people saved at once, seen the dead raised… and yet never experienced the holy Presence of God like that. He kept leaning over at the waist, with a groaning sound, and yet still trying to talk though it. He was baring down as though giving birth. It was so liberating to see him do this, and he kept saying, I don't normally talk or act like this! He said last night he tried to give his testimony and felt it didn't make much sense, since he couldn't talk very good and so he was trying again. We laughed and laughed since he wasn't able to talk much. It shook off our layers of shame in being ridiculed. Praise Him!

Jer 30:6 NKJV

Ask now, and see, Whether a man is ever in labor with child? So why do I see every man with his hands on his loins Like a woman in labor, And all faces turned pale?

Acts 2:15-17 NKJV

For these are not drunk , as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17'And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;

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CORPORATE WORSHIP (1998)

Look forward to those times when you can worship Me with others. It is a privilege and a blessing to gather in My Name. When you gather with others to worship Me, there is a great stirring in the heavenlies. The corporate power of worship is a mighty blend of all that is good. Feel the anticipation, as the praise begins. Be lightened, as the angels go forth with liberating touches. Be quickened, as the Holy Spirit falls upon open, willing vessels. Be delighted, as I endue you with My power. Feel the surge, as unified voices speak the blessed name of Jesus. Rejoice, as darkness flees in terror. Be glad, for delivered lives who will never be the same.

If your life is dry, one way to find My Presence may be to change locations. Find the watering places where the corporate worship is filled with unabashed fervor. I spring forth as an oasis to those thirsty for My Presence. Gather at the watering holes and I will meet you there. In these last days, My power will be so awesome in those places that to merely stand in such a place will refresh your soul. Worship is your love for Me, but worship also releases the power of My Spirit to do great things for you. I dwell in the midst of your praise.

"Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee." (Hebrews 2:12)