On July 30, 2000, just three days before my discipler, Clyde Cranford, died, he preached a sermon entitled Practicing The Presence Of God. Little did he know only 72 hours later he would enjoy first-hand God's manifest presence in heaven!
In his sermon, Clyde exhorted us, "Practicing the presence of God requires two things: Being aware of the presence of God; and being aware of God's awareness of you." He underlined again and again, the sin of practical atheism. "The fool has said in his heart there is no God" (Ps. 14:1). "But how many professing Christians," pleaded Clyde, "live as if God existed not?" "Live in His presence! Live in the awareness that every moment, every thought, every move, God is aware of you!"
This takes spiritual discipline. Practicing God's presence--as a way of life--is aquired by God's grace by means of excercising spiritual muscles.
By admission, Clyde took most of his thoughts from Brother Lawrence. Please, please read Lawrence's little book. (Or, online for free here).
In his sermon, Clyde exhorted us, "Practicing the presence of God requires two things: Being aware of the presence of God; and being aware of God's awareness of you." He underlined again and again, the sin of practical atheism. "The fool has said in his heart there is no God" (Ps. 14:1). "But how many professing Christians," pleaded Clyde, "live as if God existed not?" "Live in His presence! Live in the awareness that every moment, every thought, every move, God is aware of you!"
This takes spiritual discipline. Practicing God's presence--as a way of life--is aquired by God's grace by means of excercising spiritual muscles.
By admission, Clyde took most of his thoughts from Brother Lawrence. Please, please read Lawrence's little book. (Or, online for free here).
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