God is always with you

At this time of year, many of us are thinking about presents, said spiritual life director Gord Park at the fourth chapel of Spiritual Emphasis Week. But even more important than any gift we might receive – from God or anyone else – is the presence of God in our lives.

In Psalm 139: 2-12, the psalmist writes about God’s intimate knowledge of us, and in Isaiah 41:13, God promises to be with us and help us:

“For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear, I will help you.”

God’s presence helps us go against the flow of the harmful voices that might encourage things like gossiping, cheating, lying, mistrusting others, being untrustworthy, or being lazy in our spiritual walk, Park said. But nevertheless, “we are going to get stuck” in difficult situations “more than once.” Then we can count on the fact that Jesus, who has overcome the world, has made us overcomers too.

It’s good for use to practice the presence of God in our lives, Park said, through worship, through studying the word of God, through recognizing God at work, and by thanking God. When we intentionally spend time in God’s presence, we are more able to live our day-to-day lives being aware of God’s presence, and seeing people with the eyes of Christ’s love for them.

Members of student praise team Breakthrough led in worship with “Who You Say I Am,” “Only King Forever,” and “Glorious Day.”

Today’s small group discussion questions were prepared by students in Grade 11.

1. What is your favourite Christmas movie?
2. If you had to pick one thing to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
3. Do you find yourself most often trying to receive God’s presents or his presence?
4. What’s your immediate reaction to a troubling or difficult situation?
5. How does it feel to know that we have a God who assures us that we have nothing to fear?

(Keep scrolling for more praise team photos.)