>>>
Ecclesiastes 2:26a - Enjoying God's Presence.

Ecclesiastes 2:26a - Enjoying God's Presence.

Ecclesiastes 2:26a (NLT) God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to 
those who please him.  

  Over and over again in Scripture, God declares that He wants 
us to enjoy His presence. As Ecclesiastes tells us, "For God gives 
wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who is good in His sight" (Eccl. 
2:26). Why, then, do so many people fail to enjoy God's presence? 
  First, they don't really know Him. Often they see God as an 
untouchable, invisible force that cares very little about His creation. But 
nothing is further from the truth! God desires a close, abiding 
relationship with you. When you fail to realize the depth of His love, you 
miss a great blessing. He says to you today, as He did to His ancient 
people, "Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with 
loving-kindness I have drawn you" (Jer. 31:3). 
  Second, they have a wrong view of God's attitude. God is no 
legalist. He isn't scrutinizing your actions or investigating your 
motives, in order to condemn you. Instead, Jesus says He came to set you 
free (see John 8:32). Remember this: "God did not send His Son into 
the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might 
be saved" (John 3:17). 
  Third, they are afraid of Him. God calls you to reverence His 
holiness, but never to be afraid of Him. This is why He so often tells His 
people, "do not be afraid!" (see Gen. 15:1; Josh. 8:1; Luke 1:30). 
  Fourth, sin breaks the fellowship God wants us to enjoy with 
Him. Sin not only blocks God's best for us, it eliminates joy. 
Forsaking sin puts us in a prime position for God's blessing. Not only 
does God extend forgiveness, He also promises restoration. 
  Fifth, they refuse God's acceptance. God loves you the way you 
are! There is nothing you can do to become more acceptable to Him. 
His love for you is unconditional and never ending. 
  How can you begin to enjoy God? Realize He enjoys being with 
you, and then learn to spend time with Him and begin to trust Him to 
meet all your needs. [Life Principles SB By Charles Stanley] 

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT:

Grace Notes:
http://www.e-gracenotes.org/index.php

A Better Way to Live:
http://www.itiswritten.com/betterway/

Excellent Spiritual Resource Site:
http://www.christianlifemediacenter.com/

More Spiritual Resources:
http://www.aBible.com