There is life-changing power in learning what it means to host God’s Presence.
And today I believe the Lord is speaking a word of relief and replenishment.
You may have been exerting effort—trying to hold it together, do the right thing, or make the right choices.

The Holy Spirit is lifting pressure away.
Hear your Father say, “I have a place of rest for you to live and work from.”

“It’s time to host My Presence.”

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How to Host God’s Presence

The Key to Hosting God’s Presence

In Ezekiel 47, an angel shows the Prophet Ezekiel a river.

Where the river flows, it grows.
It streams towards the desert.

Salt waters become fresh and fish become abundant.

Fruit-bearing trees spring up by the river, with leaves that have gifts of healing.

The only thing the desert does, is receive the water, and transformation results.

And this is what He wants to do for you.

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The “Dead Heart” of Australia

I used to think of the imagery of God releasing streams in the desert—which is a recurring theme in Scripture—as a wonderful prophetic picture (Is 41:18).
But I never imagined it happening in real life!

And then one day I learned about Lake Eyre.

It is a place that has been dubbed “The Dead Heart” of Australia—a giant, inland sea of salt.

• At its driest, there is no sign of life, not even a fly
• Yet there are traces in the desert—dry riverbeds leading to it.

Unseen, deep in the earth, are seeds.
Waiting for the water of life.

Once in a generation, the rivers flood, the lake fills up, and the desert blooms.

It follows a major flood event in the North of Australia. The floodwater gradually finds its way to the lowest point in the continent.

Where the river flows, fish thrive, and birds follow.
The desert turns green.
And then, as the water recedes, the wilderness blooms—an array of colors.

The only thing the desert does is receive the water and transformation results.

The “Dead Heart” becomes a source of life.

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Host God’s Presence and Receive Jesus

Jesus says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock.
If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” (Rev 3:20, NIV)

Each one of us has a personal opportunity to host the King. And yet, at Jesus’ knock, many of us hesitate.

Perhaps, at that moment, we’re paying more attention to our own comfort than the call of the King (SOS 5:2-3).

Or, we become alarmed about our surroundings.

• My room is not ready for the King to enter!
• I need to clean up.
• I must work to have the best meal prepared!

But our King has not asked us to work, or to worry.
Only to open our hearts and receive Him.

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Two Sisters Host God’s Presence

Does this remind you—as it has me—of another story?
Mary and Martha were sisters who hosted Jesus as a guest one day.

Martha was worried about putting food on the table.
But the only table that concerned Mary, was the feast available listening at Jesus’ feet.
Listening.
Receiving.

Jesus said to Martha, “You are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about.
Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41b-42, NLT)

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You can Host God’s Presence: The Bottom Line

Simply receive:
It’s the key to hosting God’s Presence.
It is Jesus’ invitation to you.
And it is what Obed Edom did when King David suddenly decided to leave the Ark of God in his care (2 Sam 6).

Obed Edom didn’t have time to work or worry.
He didn’t even have a choice.
Obed Edom simply received the Ark—and with it, God’s Manifest Presence—onto his property.

Stories of what was happening at Obed Edom’s house as a result of hosting God’s presence went far and wide.

• Ultimately, those testimonies changed a nation.

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Let Jesus In Today

Receive, for it’s a work of grace.
Hosting God’s Presence is not about following prescribed rules or doing the right things, but about having Jesus at the center of our lives.
The only thing Jesus asks us to do is open the door and receive Him.

• The only thing Obed Edom did, was open the gates and receive the Ark on his property. When he did, not only his household but the whole nation was changed.
• And the only thing the desert does is receive the water, and transformation results.

Hosting God’s Presence is not a problem that you have to solve. It is an inheritance that you can simply receive.
Yet this is also a weighty decision because Jesus is not coming to visit as a guest. His intention is to enter our lives as King.

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You Have Grace to Host God’s Presence

Often we think, we’re too sinful, unworthy, fearful—and the list goes on.
We believe we can’t host God’s Presence until we get everything right and in order. We get it the wrong way around!

This is the grace of God.
This is the heart of the Father:
“The blood of My Son Jesus is enough!

Hear Him say, “Let Me come in, and My Presence will work a transformation in you.”

So, today, if you feel stressed, or weary.
Or just the thought of a move from God brings a longing to your heart.
He invites you to host His Presence.
Simply receive.

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Notes:
[1] “Arabah”—meaning desert (Strongs H6160, Ezek 47:8)
[2] See Wikipedia:_https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Eyre

For insights on Intimacy with the Holy Spirit and Prayer, I warmly invite you to join me at the Enliven School of Prophetic Prayer (a self-paced online course).

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Related Posts:

How to Host God’s Presence (and 5 Breakthroughs That Result)

Amazing Bible Facts About the River of Life

Soaking Prayer: How to Stay Filled With the Holy Spirit in Prayer

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© 2019 Helen Calder Enliven Blog – Prophetic Teaching
Enliven Ministries: Prophetic ministry for a revival generation