Practicing His Presence

This week’s passage is 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (NLT)

"When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God’s secret plan. I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God."

Music:

Everything And Nothing Less - words and music by Aaron Ivey, Chris McClarney, Jason Ingram

To Be Like You - words and music by Brooke Ligertwood, Matt Crocker

Additional resources:

Introduction to Practicing His Presence

Practicing the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence

Hearing God by Dallas Willard

This week’s passage is Ephesians 3:16-19 (NLT)

"I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God."

Music:

Communion - words and music by Brandon Lake, Dante Bowe, Jonathan Jay, Steffany Frizzell Gretzinger, Tony Brown

I Am Loved - words and music by Jason Ingram, Jonathan Smith, Mack Brock

Additional resources:

Introduction to Practicing His Presence

Practicing the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence

Hearing God by Dallas Willard

This week’s passage is Psalms 16:9-11 (NLT)

"No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety. For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your holy one to rot in the grave. You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever."

Music:

King Of My Heart - words and music by John Mark McMillan, Sarah McMillan

Love Like This - words and music by Andrew Holt, Hope Darst, McKendree Tucker

Additional resources:

Introduction to Practicing His Presence

Practicing the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence

Hearing God by Dallas Willard

This week’s passage is Luke 10:38-41 (NIV)

“As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Music:

After You - words and music by Elyssa Smith

Jesus We Love You - words and music by Hannah McClure, Kalley Heiligenthal, Paul McClure

Additional resources:

Introduction to Practicing His Presence

Practicing the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence

Hearing God by Dallas Willard

This week’s passage is Matthew 11:28-30 (AMP)

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest[refreshing your souls with salvation]. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me [following Me as My disciple], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest (renewal, blessed quiet) for your souls.  For My yoke is easy [to bear] and My burden is light.”

Music:

Lean Back - words and music by Amanda Cook, Chris McClarney, Nate Moore, Tony Brown

Here As In Heaven - words and music by Chris Brown, Mack Brock, Matthew Ntele, Steven Furtick, Wade Joye

Additional resources:

Introduction to Practicing His Presence

Practicing the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence

Hearing God by Dallas Willard

This week's passage is Exodus 13:20-22:

"They journeyed from Succoth [in Goshen] and camped at Etham on the edge of the wilderness. The [presence of the] Lord was going before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, so that they could travel by day and by night. He did not withdraw the pillar of cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from going before the people."

Music:

Holy Spirit by Bryan Torwalt, Katie Torwalt

Starlight by Amanda Cook, Bobby Strand, Brian Johnson, Lindsey Strand

Here Again by Amy Corbett, Chris Brown, Steven Furtick

Additional resources:

This week's passage is Psalms 24:1-6

"The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. For he laid the earth’s foundation on the seas and built it on the ocean depths. Who may climb the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies. They will receive the Lord’s blessing and have a right relationship with God their savior. Such people may seek you and worship in your presence, O God of Jacob."

Music:

Fall Afresh - words and music by Henry Seeley, Kari Jobe, Sarah Reeves 

Nothing Else - words and music by Cody Carnes, Hank Bentley, Jessie Early 

Additional Resources: 

Introduction to Practicing His Presence 

The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence

Welcome to Practicing His Presence, a weekly podcast designed as a tool to help us learn to live in the gift of God's presence. In this episode, we'll share the heart and vision behind this initiative and give you a glimpse into how this can become a piece of your weekly rhythm.