This was the sunrise that Jesus and I shared in North Dakota
His Presence is like a radiant fire of joy within us that overflows because He is uncontainable! The Hebrew word for the dwelling (or Presence of God) is Sh’cheenah or as we pronounce it Shekinah. That Presence is what Jesus says dwells within Him and He in us, we who are His disciple’s.
This past weekend I traveled to North Dakota to speak at Crystal Springs Baptist Camp Retreat. The overflow of His Shekinah Glory was powerful.
I had been waiting in airports all day from weather delays. It was late and they finally cancelled all departing flights.
I found a flight for the next day, going into a different city and to a hotel! It was late. I proceeded to the long cab line, opened my cab door, threw in my bags, shut the door and all of a sudden the glory of the Lord filled the cab. I mean, we hadn’t even driven 20 feet from the curb and we were giving testimony to the power of His glory! The cab driver was from Nigeria and for the next hour we were worshipping together the glory of the One who filled us! We had revival right there in the cab! Oh my, the overflow of His Shekinah Glory!
After a few hours of sleep, I got in another taxi. This time I shared the cab with a Jewish man and an Ethiopian driver. God’s presence immediately filled the cab. I felt this overwhelming love (Jesus’ love) for the two men. We talked non-stop for an hour- when we got to the airport it was like saying goodbye to best friends. I got to share the power of Jesus’ name, and it was good. Oh my- the overflow of Shekinah Glory!
I got into the airport and noticed my flight was delayed, again. Wall to wall people stood waiting for flights. With no available seat I stood in a corner, opened my Bible and noticed a man looking at me. I looked up and made eye contact. He said, “What are you reading?” I said, “The Bible.” He waited for my next words. I said, “Do you know Jesus?” He said, “No, I’m Hindu.”
Immediately the Lord took us to the deepest places of His heart. I was blown away at how fast we were going to His heart. I looked up and saw that my flight had been delayed another half hour. I thought to myself I’ll never make it to my destination, today. Then the Hindu said, “Will you pray for me?” Jesus! I said to myself!! You are amazing me!! I said, “Yes!” and we prayed! It was powerful! Oh my, the overflow of His Shekinah Glory!
I got to the retreat ON TIME to speak to speak for my first session. The power of His presence filled that campsite!
At the close of the retreat, women came forward weeping. They wept because He so overflowed within them that there was no other emotion than tears because of the inexpressible joy. The overflow of His Shekinah Glory!
The retreat attendees all left, going into all parts of North Dakota, some parts of South Dakota and Minnesota. I sat alone with the Lord at sunset and imagined the fire of revival traveling with them. It was good.
I sensed the Lord’s glory in my sleep. He woke me when it was still dark outside. All the ladies were gone. I was alone with Him. I started to worship Him, loudly! No one could hear me. It got intense. I felt like I needed to go outside. Typically, I would have been afraid to go outside- I mean what kind of wild animals lurk before dawn in ND? Bears, coyotes, snakes? I didn’t know, but I had to go out. I started to run around like a little girl who was totally freed from all inhibition and worshipped. I wept tears from the inexpressible joy that was exploding in me. Who can contain it?! His Shekinah Glory!
2 Chronicles 7:2-3″And the priests could not enter the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD’S house. When all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD on the temple, they bowed their faces to the ground on the pavement, and worshiped and praised the LORD, saying: “For He is good, for His mercy endures forever.”
Paul told us in Roman’s “Know ye not that you are the temple of God?” If we confess with our mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead, we shall be saved. Then, His Presence fills us. God’s ultimate goal was always that He would dwell within His people (Jer.31:31-33). When we accept Jesus we become the temple of His Shekinah GLORY!
It is interesting that when the children of Israel had experienced the glory of the Lord coming down they were overcome and praised Him.
His presence, His Shekinah Glory compels us to proclaim:
“For He is good, for His mercy endures forever.”
The overflow of His Shekinah Glory goes before and around us- Many times filling cabs, airports and everywhere along our journey. We are conduits of His Shekinah Glory! Halleluiah!!