Time and time again God reminds us of His great & unending love for us. It is His desire that we return that love by faithful service. This has always been His desire – Deut. 6:4-5. But how can we return love to One we do not see? How can we make this relationship real? Intimate? Lasting? How can we be reminded of God’s presence in the ordinary days of life? How can we join up with God & become His partner? How can we take comfort in a sustained, growing, and meaningful relationship w/God?

I.  Spiritual Highs.

A.     Genesis 6:9-13; 17-19; 9:8-16. God makes a covenant w/Noah.

1.      9:8-16 – another covenant – not destroy flesh again by flood.

2.      9:13 – rainbow was a sign of the covenant.

3.      Every time Noah saw a rainbow – he knew he wasn’t alone.

B.     2 Chronicles 6:40-42 – Solomon’s prayer at temple dedication.

1.      7:1-10 – here are the results of Salmon’s prayer.

C.    Think of days when you are on a spiritual high.

1.      These are the days God is hard to miss.

D.    Days filled with spiritual highs are gifts.

II. There will be plenty of ordinary days to go around.

A.     These are the days we can fall into spiritual maintenance mode.

B.     Fighting off spiritual habituation is a great challenge for us.

1.      This is so dangerous – because it is subtle; gradual.

C.    Why not is every day filled w/spiritual highs?

1.      Could it be that God wants us to learn to see Him in the ordinary?

2.      God wants us to slow down & pay attention!

III. How can we seek God’s presence?

A.     1 Chr. 16:8-12 – worship Him.

1.      16:10-12 – we do these things in worship every week.

B.     Psa. 20:5b-7; 1 Thess 5:17 – Pray!

1.      A healthy prayer life – brings peace! Trust!

C.    Heb. 10:22-25 – look for a way to encourage others.

1.      Focus on others & what we can do for them & get busy doing it. 

2.      This is way to see the power of God as we let Him work through us.

IV. Seeking God’s presence is not something to put off.

A.     Maybe you find yourself putting up w/a less than satisfying spiritual life.

1.      You, everyone, has the potential to live a rich, full, life w/God.

2.      Which way will you go? Tempted to procrastinate?

B.     Pro. 27:1; Js. 4:13-17.  What does God warn us regarding tomorrow?

C.    Scripture provides many examples of people who had to choose whether or not they would become partners with God.

1.      Mt. 4:18-22 – how did Peter, Andrew, James & John respond?

a)     4:20, 22 – immediately.

b)     Contrast Mt. 8:19-23 – which would we do?

2.      Gen. 19:15-17, 23-26 – Lot’s procrastination.

3.      Mt. 25:1-10 – 10 virgins unprepared.

Conclusion:

A.     Eph. 3:16-19 – Look at what we receive from God when we choose to align ourselves w/Him.  Have you aligned yourself w/Him?  Are you putting it off?