When I read picture books about the garden of Eden to my children, I get asked a lot of questions about all the nakedness. “I can see Adam’s bottom!” my son shouts, knowing a cause for gleeful hilarity when he sees one.
So why were they naked? Genesis tells us there was no need for coverings because they were without shame (Genesis 2:25). In our original created state, our bottoms weren’t hilarious or embarrassing; they were what they were. But the shame we experience as a result of our sin takes away our freedom. God’s holy and righteous presence can shine a light on our humiliation, but through the power of Christ, He has also taken away our shame and given us freedom from it. The presence of God’s perfect Son transforms us from shameful to glorious.
By standing in God’s presence on Mount Sinai, Moses’s face was made gloriously radiant. God prepared him, saying, “I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear when I speak with you and will always believe you” (Exodus 19:9). But the children of Israel did not want to see, as they were scared and unable to look Moses straight in the face (Exodus 34:30; 2Corinthians 3:7). They needed Moses to cover up the traces of glory lingering around his eyes because it made them uncomfortable—I would imagine that it reminded them of their own shame and underscored the huge chasm between their own sin and a perfect, holy God (Exodus 34:33). But Moses had been transformed, and he didn’t even “realize that the skin of his face shone as a result of his speaking with the LORD” (v.29). This transformation is just a foreshadowing of the transformation we now experience through the life, death, and resurrection of Christ.
For if the ministry that brought condemnation had glory,
the ministry that brings righteousness overflows with even more glory.
In fact, what had been glorious is not glorious now by comparison
because of the glory that surpasses it. For if what was set aside was glorious,
what endures will be even more glorious.
—2 Corinthians 3:9–11
The old covenant of the law is only a shadow of our new and finished covenant in Jesus Christ. The glory of His presence is even more gloriously available to us who live in His new covenant.
Have you ever felt unable to discipline your children because of your own sin, worried that your own imperfection precludes you from upholding the rules in your own home? Have you ever felt ashamed to stand up for the truth of the gospel because you are ashamed of something you have done in the dark? The transforming power of Christ has set us free. We can leave our sin behind and walk forward with confidence in His presence. We are made free by His presence. Christ lifts the veil! Indeed, “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2Corinthians 3:17).
We are a free people. By all means, wear clothes! But walk forward leaving your sin and shame at the foot of Christ’s cross. The presence of the Lord equips us to do His good work without shame and fear. When you walk in His presence, the shame the world tries to pin on you can’t damage you. Let your face shine with His glory.
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44 thoughts on "God’s Presence Transforms His People"
Live our lives with the veil removed. Amen.
I wouldn’t necessarily have connected the presence of God
There is freedom! Thank you, Lord for transformation. You make us new and give us freedom in your name!
I loved today’s reading (although not technically today as I am behind ☺️)
2 Cor 3:17 Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is Freedom!
❤️
Amen! Where the spirit of the Lord is there is freedom and we are free of our past in the presence of the Lord!
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I loved the readings for today. I know I am not perfect and sometimes the world around me makes me feel ashamed that I am trying to be a better Christian or that I and trying to spread the Gospel. They make me feel shame because I have sinned and I am flawed but after reading the devotional I know that I shouldn’t feel that way. When you walk with God, He provides a shield for you to deflect all the negativity the world throws at you. He makes it so you don’t have to feel burdened by your past transgressions and He sets you free! It’s liberating to know begin understanding God’s compassion for us. I hope you all have been having a wonderful week!
I pray that I would become more and more like God as I walk with him.
The song “There is freedom” came to mind when reading today’s passages. “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
https://youtu.be/ltbLzGS8d8M?si=E8akfu9-prF65TNA
JULIA C thank you for sharing today and also thank you for praying.
@ERB: what an amazing update. Praise the Lord. For high blood pressure, if your mom can’t take medicine, if I may suggest green tea to take during this time. Daily consumption of green tea was scientifically proven to reduce high blood pressure, managing blood sugar, and preventing issues of heart diseases and strokes. Amazing! My dad drinks green tea every single day since his youth. Besides, green tea helps cognitive function of the brain, reducing chances of cancer, diabetes. I am switching from coffee now because of my fast. Coffee gives me crazy headaches during my fast because of withdrawal symptoms, and brain fog (I know your pain RHONDA J, what affliction!), and the Lord revealed to me I need to ditch coffee and have a lifestyle change. I am switching to matcha latte for my cup of joy in the morning after lots of research, and because of these great green tea benefits (still adjusting to the taste). May high blood pressure be normalized for your mom.
@KELLY (NEO), SEARCHING, TINA, FOSTER MAMA, VICTORIA E, TRICIA C, RHONDA J ❤️: thank you for wanting to join the fund raising for AMANDA NOBLE. I am still collecting names in my notebook.
Dear shes, I will be waiting in case more shes decide to join later, in case some might be reading later/ catching up. Thank you so much shes.❤️ May the Lord bless you richly for this seed you sow.
@MIA FAITH: lifting your family in prayers for God’s comfort and strength.
@AMANDA NOBLE: prayers for job opportunities with good pay to open up, and that your house is secured (not foreclosed) in Jesus’ Name, strength to endure the storm, and hope for the sweeter days ahead.
@RHONDA J: prayers for your heart and this season of trial. Marriage is a humbling burning furnace for me as well. I cried a lot because of my husband in my prayer closet, i came out with red puffy eyes. Sometimes tears is the good healing for our soul. This song lyrics help me a lot “Blessings” by Laura Story, you can find on youtube ❤️.
Be blessed dear sisters ❤️.
Happy Wednesday shes. I was very confused about the reading today at first, but thanks to your comments and insights, the understanding was lightened. What stood out to me was that the Law of Moses was called “ministry of death”, “ministry of condemnation”, ESV translation. I was confused at this part greatly, and I was praying for understanding. Why would God give this ministry of death first to precede the ministry of grace through Jesus? Should He not give the ministry of life to begin with? He is the author of life. And then, God is so wise. He is the master mind of human nature and human tendency. The Lord reminded me of the water baptism, and the order of it how it replicates the order of the law. Being completely in water symbolizes the burial, and being raised from the water is the resurrection of life, into the newness of life. Death must come first. And nothing reveals to us how DEAD we are better than the law. We only recognize that we are so bankrupt morally with God’s laws being given. And therefore, the ministry of the Law of Moses comes as a benchmark /ruler to measure the degrees of deathness human condition is at…then for us to desperately realize having the Savior is the ONLY way. Sadly, majority of people out there still think they are good, and they don’t need a saviour, based on social standards (which is okay for them to lust, to covet, to transgender, to tell a white lie, so on…), and the law ministry will surely reveal how dead/lost those people are based on God’s ruler/standards.
Thank you Kelly (Neo) for your prayers for Jesse and asking how he is doing after he fractured his hip. He is improving and initially was using a walker all the time and is using his cane more now. He was using a cane prior to falling. He had back surgery last year and has a rod and pins in his back as well as in his hip now.
Please continue to pray for his perseverance and resiliency in physical matters where he is compromised.
I appreciate your prayers and your follow up!❤️
This is very relevant. Sometimes I feel like a hypocrite in speaking about faith because of things I have done. But my sin is paid for. Shame is not something I need to dwell in. I have repented and I’m
Doing better.
Amen
MERCY.. Count me in!♥️
When, a few years ago I had an altercation with someone about their dog( long story), I was mad, I was livid, and the old me came out full force with some horrible words my 11 year old grandson had never heard me use before! He couldn’t wait to tell his dad, my son, I had used swear words..
When my son arrived my grandson, began to tell him what happened. I stopped him and took over telling my son so the younger would have to use the bad language! When I finished telling my son, he looked me in the eye and said ” don’t act like some saint who has never sworn before.. I remember you of old..”
I had to tell him that my grandson was 11years old and he had never heard me swear, so I must have changed..
Joyce Meyers words come to mind as I remember, ‘I may not be where I should be but thank God, I am not where I used to be”
BUT GOD..
His presence, absolutely and for sure has changed me. I do not want to be the Tina of old, I want to be the Tina God can be proud of. I want to shine for Jesus!
The old girl may pop out occasionally BUT GOD.. is my anchor, my hope and my song..
I know I am not where I used to be, and I am forever grateful to be moving closer to God daily.
Thank you heavenly Father for your presence, that reminds me of who I truly am in and with you..Thank you Father God.
AMEN..
Happy Wednesday my dears..♥️
PRAISE REPORT:
Since asking for prayer for my Mum just under an hour ago.. the OT here in Maine called my Mum and she is being seen TODAY!!! 12:45pm EST a SUPER FAST answer to prayer!!! Now to pray that all goes beyond well at her appointment!!! THANK YOU GOD!!!! ❤️
I know that I sometimes back off of sharing my faith because of how I was living in my past. Who’s going to listen to me?? I’m still not without falling back to that behavior at times. Foul language for one. I know God took that from me at one time and will do it again. Now if I swear, I’m convicted. And I realize how unintelligent and vulgar it sounds. This is a big admittance because I can’t imagine any of you swearing. As I write this I want to delete it. But I also want to be transparent. I was promiscuous when I was much younger. I’m not proud of that and I realize I only hurt myself with that behavior. I’m hoping I can become bold and stand up more for my faith.
Today’s reading just gave me the sweetest sense of God’s love and peace. We are walking out of shame and fear into God’s glorious light. The key to setting us free is the presence of the Lord! The more we realize He is with us every step of the way, the more freedom and peace we have.
This song comes to mind: In the presence of Jehovah
God Almighty, Prince of Peace
Troubles vanish, hearts are mended
In the presence of The King
It’s in His presence.
Praying for all of you.
Wow!! Such good scriptures today!!! Lots of revelations and word pictures!!
2 Corinthians 3:7-18
*I got goosebumps and chills while reading this!!! How AWESOME and AMAZING is our God!!! This scripture confirms and expands Exodus 34!! My spirit is EXCITED and JOYOUS And SO extremely thankful!!!!
Exodus 34:29 As Moses descended from Mount Sinai—with the two tablets of the testimony in his hands as he descended the mountain—he did not realize that the skin of his face shone as a result of his speaking with the Lord.
*the 10 commandments = the tablets of testimony. In other words every time we follow and keep a command of God we are being a testimony to & for Him!!! Wow!! This hits home DEEP!!!
**spending time, quality time, with God produces a glow or luminescence!!! In other words His Light drips down on us and we SHINE and reflect His glory!! Whoa!!!
…I also found this example while looking up the definition of Luminous, which means an object is giving off light it produces itself.
“Luminous simply means giving off light; most things in our world produce light because they have energy that originally came from the Sun, which is the biggest, most luminous thing we can see. Strictly speaking, although the Moon appears to give off light, it’s not actually luminous because it’s simply reflecting light from the Sun like a giant mirror made of rock.”
…what an INCREDIBLE example and word picture!!! God is the sun (or if you want, Son) and we are the moon!! We reflect Him!!! Wow!!! This brings in a LOT of accountability!!! May we reflect You Lord in ALL that we do, think and say!! Amen.
Exodus 34:6-7
*ABOUNDING in FAITHFUL LOVE & TRUTH. These words stick with me!!! I am recollecting ALL the ways God has done these things… and I am OVERWHELMED!!!! Wow!!! We are beyond blessed!!! Wow!!! Thank You God!!!
Exodus 19:16-20
*Wow!! I get goosebumps reading this!!! The power and majesty of our God!! It puts and strikes a holy fear in me!!! Which is much needed!!!
Exodus 19:4
*carried us on eagles wings… this speaks to my heart so much!!! And floods my mind with word pictures and analogies!! God carries us when things are beyond ourselves!! He ALWAYS provides and protects!!! SO grateful!!!
I love this study of the presence of God! Today’s readings were so inspiring to me. As I read about Mose’s face shining with God’s glory, I yearned to be that close and intimate with God. But through Christ we are!! 2 Corinthians 3:18 “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” Christ lifts the veil!
Praying with you sisters for all the requests listed here.
Today’s message from “Jesus Always” by Sarah Young. “…..As you draw near Me through worship, I change you profoundly, equipping you to make Me known to others.
My Love not only reaches to the heavens but descends upon you from heavenly realms. Keep looking up to Me, beloved. See Me smiling on you in radiant approval. My limitless Love falls continually upon you, like heavenly snowflakes that melt into your upturned face. No matter how distressing your circumstances this Love is sufficient to sustain you. Someday you will even ascend to heaven on it. I eagerly anticipate the time when I will take you into Glory – to be with Me forever!”
Lifting each of you in prayer as you face health issues and those of your loved ones. Thank you for your sharing and for lifting sisters in name. May your day be filled with a sense of peace.
I love this devotional. It had me remembering the many times I shied away from boldness because of past sins and shame. Leaving those sins and their attendant shame behind me at the foot of the cross filled me hope and joy. What an amazing God we serve! I’m in Costa Rica for the next 10 days. Long day of travel yesterday. Excited to see God’s good works in another part of the world. Have a blessed week. Praying for my sisters in Christ. May your joys be doubled and your sorrows halved as you each walk in God’s love today.❤️
GM!
I sure hope my life shows transformation! I know it does! Because before life was about me, then I realized I could not control what came about their life and other people, and even things I thought I could control. When I was crushed that my new husband wanted to leave me, our new home I was devastated, and I had no control. Luckily, I hit my knees and asked God to get me through it. I still kept trying to step in though and direct my path, and that never ended good! lol. Finally I admitted I was still a mess, and I needed to repent all my sins and start living for God..not on Sundays and sometimes, BUT ALL the time. It is definitely a journey, and I look back and see how much I have been transformed. I do believe it takes effort on our part to draw close to God through reading his word daily, meditation and prayer, serving and obeying and trusting, and transformation keeps happening! It is such an amazing thing to be glowing for the Lord. I feel it’s hardest to glow for the Lord in my closest relationship; with my husband. Something that used to come so easily becomes something you constantly have to set your mind on to do better and keep apologizing, and changing. The representation of Christ and his bride. He loves us and wants his presence with us..it IS with us. Why is it so hard to feel? My flesh seems to be more present. Lord, let your presence flow in me..when I need you to shine in me.
One of my favorite songs (partial lyrics)
HOLY SPIRIT by Jesus Culture
There’s nothing worth more
That will ever come close
Nothing can compare
You’re our living hope
Your presence Lord
I’ve tasted and seen
Of the sweetest of love
Where my heart becomes free
And my shame is undone
Your presence Lord
***Holy Spirit you are welcome here
Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere
Your glory God is what our hearts long for
To be overcome by your presence Lord.
Your glory God is what our hearts long for
To be overcome by your presence Lord.***
Holy Spirit you are welcome here
Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere.
Let us become more aware of Your presence
Let us experience the glory of your goodness
Let us become more aware of Your presence
Let us experience the glory of Your goodness
Oh Lord
Holy Spirit you are welcome here
Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere
Your glory God is what our hearts long for
To be overcome by your presence Lord
Holy Spirit you are Honored here
Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere
Your glory God is what our hearts long for
To be overcome by your presence Lord
Holy Spirit you are welcome here
Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere
Your glory God is what our hearts long for
To be overcome by your presence Lord.
Songwriters: Katie Torwalt, Bryan Torwalt. For non-commercial use
SEARCHING ❤
God has really been speaking to me in the past few weeks about His glory and what that means to me. We are created to bring God glory. All things happen to bring God glory. This is the main thing. We have had a few things happen with our youngest daughter (none of them positive) and I want so badly to DO something, anything, to change the situation. But we are at a standstill. But God has been gently reminding me that He works all things for good (for His glory), which is for MY good. He WILL be glorified. Just like He knew which way to lead the Israelites out of Egypt so that He would be glorified, He knows how and when our daughter will turn around and return to us. That day will glorify Him and Him alone!
Today is a fasting day for me (I don’t know how Moses did 40 days! but it reminds me that when we are in the presence of God, food and water are not important!). I will be focusing on praying for my oldest daughter (who is due to give birth any day!) and our son-in-law. But I will also be specifically remembering my sister SHEs this day. Thank you for your faithful prayers for this community. It really is a beautiful gathering.
Praying for you and your family
MERCY.. thank you (& all you sisters) for your prayers, encouragement and support!!! My Mum’s wrist is healing VERY quickly!! Every doctor, nurse & therapist that she’s seen has been super impressed!!! She doesn’t have a cast or a sling, she has had her stitches from the surgery out, her scar which was pretty gnarly at first because of swelling is barely there, the swelling she had is almost gone, she has almost full range of motion back, and she is experiencing hardly any pain (miraculous considering she had surgery just 17days ago) ..the pain she does experience is a dull ache (from the bones adjusting/healing) and from an inflamed nerve. Prayers for the inflamed/annoyed nerve are greatly appreciated!! Her OT therapist here in Maine have yet to reach out to her for an appointment. But she is doing the exercises given to her from the OT in Florida (we were on vacation when all this happened) ..as you may remember my brother is an OT hand therapist so he has been giving her advice too, such an AWESOME God we serve to provide and answer prayer like this!!! We are hoping for an appointment soon so they can say, do your therapy at home!! My Mum is a VERY active person, always serving, tapping in & connecting with others, so her not being able to use her dominant hand to lift, twist, push on or drive is hard but she sees God’s WONDROUS hand in ALL of it!!! Another prayer request for my Mum is for her high blood pressure… normally it is controlled by a small amount of medication but since her injury it has been all over the place.. we believe in natural medicine (western meds only when needed) so please pray that the natural medicine will work alongside her western medicine to help regulate things! Thank you SO much!!!
MIA FAITH.. very grateful for the update!! My whole family has been praying for your whole family daily!!! What you are having to walk through is beyond words HARD!!! I/we will keep PRAYING!!! ❤️
PRAYING for each of your requests!!
May God meet each of us where we are at and let us allow Him to lead us into His PRESENCE!! Amen
My God is amazing. HIS glory is so profound that when he spoke to Moses, Moses’ face shone. Wow. So amazing every time I read it. I don’t feel shame but more disappointed that I let God down. I know HE has given me forgiveness, grace, and mercy. And I’m grateful and blessed to have it and to know I have it. ❤️
Watching a newly baptized Christian emerge from the water after receiving the Spirit and Jesus as their Lord and savior is a radiance to behold .. as they walk in their new life you can see the transformation in them as His light continues to use to shine .. much like Moses face .. a glorious shine that calls others to Him !yet overtime it can become dull as the memories and feelings of that moment become less prominent .. we have moments and days we forget who we are as well as what dwells inside us .. His presence thru the Spirit .. praying to be reminded , to remove the veil that hides His presence in my life
Psalm 34:5 Those who look at Him are radiant with joy;their faces will never be ashamed
I’ve really been taking to heart this study and trying to remember to dwell in God’s presence throughout my day. It’s had a huge impact on me. I find myself praising, praying and being in awe of Him more and more even in the mundane parts of my day. I’m so thankful that we have access to these tools and that there are a group of women spending the time to write for us and a group of women in the comment section that share wisdom and pray for others.
Praying for you all this morning. ♥️
KELLY (NEO) thank you for remembering my brother in prayer. He actually had a biopsy that showed some cancer cells (not tumors!) in the fluid in his abdomen so he is back on the “big guns” chemo for 12 sessions. Pls pray for strength and healing. God did it once, He can do it again. And I can’t imagine that the 40 days of prayer we did for him were for naught. So many amazing testimonies during that time. God is still using my brothers story. The passage we read today of Moses’s face being radiant reminds me of the 40 days of prayer for my brother during COVID. Since I wasn’t going to work, I would spend hours in the morning, listening for Gods words to pray for my brother. At one point, A woman I know quite well who is also a Christian told me that my face looked different and brighter. I’m not calling myself Moses or anything but it always makes me think of Moses spending time in God‘s presence. That time transformed me and I felt like I was on a faith high. I hold onto that time now when I need a faith boost. Have a great day ladies!
I remember when I first experienced the overwhelming love of God. The mountain top experience. I’ve had a few – what I need is a mountain top experience in the day to day.
Amen
“But walk forward leaving your sin and shame at the foot of Christ’s cross.” Leaving it there, covered by the shed blood of our savior – can I do that, and not feel compelled to snatch it back in time and again?
Welcome to all the new commenting sisters!
MIA FAITH – praying for you in the waiting ❤️
LAUREN GW – good to see you, praying.
ERB ❤️
TRICIA C – praying for you in this job transition
VICTORIA E – praying for healing, and answers in your appointment today
JULIA C – so good!
CEE GEE ❤️
“Moses spoke and God answered him in the thunder.”
What a privilege to hear God’s voice
“We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at, the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
VICTORIA E – praying for your GI appointment today.
MERCY – I’m in too
GAYLE CRAIK – praying you are OK and your treatments are going well.
TAMI C – continued prayers for your brother’s healing.
SHARON, JERSEY GIRL – have you spoke to Scott any further? Praying for his surrender to Jesus.
MARTHA HIX – hope Jesse’s hip is healed up
TERESA DONLEY – continued prayers for Karen
MIA FAITH ❤️
LINDA IN NC, GRAMSIESUE, SUSAN LANDRETH, NANCY S, LYNN FROM AL, DIANE MOM – continued prayers for you as you care for your husbands
MERCY – ❤️
TRICIA C – Praying for peace, energy, and guidance in your job transition.
VICTORIA E – Praying for a helpful GI appointment today.
Praying for all sisters “wandering in the wilderness”: know that God is with you. “You never know God is all you need until God is all you have”.
Both Moses and Jesus spent 40 days fasting, either on a mountain or in the desert.
Both Moses and Jesus came back with the Word of God, showing that “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God'”.
Moses brought us the Old Covenant: 10 commandments to live by, but instead, they revealed our sinful nature, leading to shame, fear, and death.
Jesus brought us the New Covenant: forgiveness of our sins through His death and a glorious transformation through His resurrection.
BUT GOD!
He is still the same, the God of 34:6-7
The Lord—the Lord is a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love and truth, maintaining faithful love to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But he will not leave the guilty unpunished, bringing the consequences of the fathers’ iniquity on the children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generation.”
“It has been said by someone that ‘the proper study of mankind is man.’ I will not oppose the idea, but I believe it is equally true that the proper study of God’s elect is God; the proper study of a Christian is the Godhead. The highest science, the loftiest speculation, the mightiest philosophy which can ever engage the attention of a child of God, is the name, the nature, the person, the work, the doings, and the existence of the great God whom he calls his Father.” (Spurgeon)
—
Dear Father,
Thank You for giving us the New Covenant: a covenant of life, freedom, hope, and unveiled, enduring glory.
Take away the veils that lie on our hearts. May we clearly see Jesus and His work for us. May we turn to You Lord, so that we may be transformed into Your image.
The same we pray for our loved ones, as “it has been rightly said that it is more important to talk to God about men than it is to talk to men about God, but we can do both of these important works.” (Enduring Word)
I pray they will see You shining through us.
In Jesus’ name,
AMEN.