Where Does "The Divine Presence" Dwell?
Part Two

Reciprocal Communications with "The Divine Presence," G-d!

The needs and the feeling for reciprocal communication of the soul and heart, actually were created to do so. We long for spiritual things. In the Psalms we see the soul and heart crying out so clearly for G-d, over and over again.

"My soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of the L-RD: my heart and my flesh cries out for the Living G-d. Psalm 84:2

"A Psalm of David. Bless the L-RD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His Holy Name." Psalm 103:1

"Kaf. My soul faints for Thy Salvation: but I hope in Thy Word."
Psalm 119:81

"I wait for the L-RD, my soul does wait, and in His Word do I hope."
Psalm 130:5

"Quicken me, O L-RD, for Thy Name's sake: for Thy Righteousness' sake bring my soul out of tribulation." Psalm 143:11

I know that my own soul yearns for the L-RD. My heart and body sing out to the Living G-d daily, what about your? Reciprocal communication is very necessary, in a loving relationship. Moses inquired of G-d, "what is your name?" G-d speaking answered him, "Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh!"
The KJV translates incorrectly this as "I Am that I Am." Since the Hebrew verb Ehyeh is clearly in the future tense, the exact literal meaning for the Divine Name is "I Shall Be what I Shall Be." The Sages of old say, HE was, HE is, and HE will be the ETERNAL ONE. This is the same witness that Yeshua Messiah gives in the Revelation.

"I Am Alpha (Aleph), and Omega (Tav), the beginning (genesis) and the ending (hence the future), saith the L-RD, Which is, and Which was, and Which is to come, The Almighty (El Shaddi)." Rev 1:8 AGI

By the way, "The Divine Presence" is seen as both masculine and feminine, and can communicate to us with these aspects of Spirit. As the Good Shepherd, you can see this masculine, yet very feminine instinct to go after the one lost lamb. Like a caring mother the Good Shepherd goes to seek her lost lamb. This image is a very strong image for us to see about our L-RD'S mothering.

I know many who love G-d, but are afraid to run to Him. Yet in His feminine side, G-d wants us to cling to Him. If men, who can not relate to G-d because of His masculine presences, could only relate to the feminine side of G-d, G-d would still respond to them. He really is tender towards us. Fathers are not known for that tenderness, but mothers are. I am not saying that G-d is a woman, but that G-d has in Him the sensitive that is non-masculine as well.

To participate creatively in a real reciprocal intercommunication with G-d, you must remember, "G-d is SPIRIT!" Nevertheless, the Word of G-d, gives G-d attributes of a loving Father. So go to Him as Father, or as Yeshua did, as Abba, (Daddy). Mark 14:36

Now to answer the questions posed by Spirit of G-d, to my spirit:

When I finally got around to reading Sister Maureena Fritz's book, "G-d's Surprising Presence," I was truly blessed. This book was indeed a confirming word to me of what our L-RD is speaking today to all who have a restless hearts, seeking after Him. The answers may surprise you, and then again they may not. These questions have really blessed me in many ways. I will not go into all of them at this time. However I will say this, part of my answer was what I had prayed for, for many years. The Divine Presence showing up in my bedroom two nights in a row, to teach me. The subject was about; His Word and balanced faith. I may write about it sometime, but for now all I will say is to those who believe: "You can have what you will believe G-d for, Moses asked to see The Divine, and he was shown His hinder parts." However you must remember, the timing is always HIS doing, and not yours. He is never early nor late, but He is always present (on time).

1. Where does "The Divine Presence" dwell?

The answer: The obvious answer really is; in every place, even in the most unlikely places. To limit "The Divine Presence" today to just one place, is foolishness. To say He only resides in Jerusalem, or in this group of people or that group of people, this congregation, or that denomination, or this church is equally foolish. A Samaritan woman speaking to Messiah Yeshua in Samaria is given the truth about the Place to worship G-d. Let's read part of that conversion:

"Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and you say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Yeshua said unto her, "Woman, believe me, the hour comes, when you shall neither, in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship you know not what: we know what we worship: for Salvation is of the Jews. But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeks such to worship Him. G-d is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.’ The woman said to Him, 'I know that Messias is coming (He who is called anointed, i.e. the Messiah,); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us.' Yeshua said to her, 'I who speak to you am He.'" John 4:20-26

"Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, we know that G-d lives in the very place where we are standing, no matter how delightful or awful that spot may be." (M Fritz page 16)

The spot where Moses stood was indeed holy ground; the place where Jacob slept was also holy ground because of "The Divine Presence." G-d abides in every Place, even in the most unlikely jars of clay. Do you consider yourself an unlikely jar of clay, an unlikely place for G-d to dwell?
Don't! For this is just where "The Divine Presence" wants to dwell. He has handcrafted the very Place in you, were He will abide.

2. Does G-d's Divine Presence dwell in me?

The answer: Yes, if you are a true Believer in Messiah Yeshua, and sanctified by The Holy Spirit of G-d. "The" Divine Presence, G-d will dwell in you if (its conditional) you are regenerated by His Divine Hey, His Holy Spirit. To have this happen to you, you must be born from "Above - Heaven" - Born again. You must let the Last Adam (Messiah Yeshua) have a "Place," in your life. That Place becomes your Beth El - House of G-d, where He will abide forever when you let Him in. This is the only way G-d’s Divine Presence dwells in us today.

"Yeshua speaking said to Philip, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man comes to the Father, aside from knowing Me. If you had known Me, you should have known My Father also: and from this day you know Him, and have seen Him." John 14:6-7 AGI

Oh how wonderful to know (discern) your Father in Heaven in this way. His abiding Divine Presence in you, it's to grand for those who can fully understand, but it is very very real.

3. Does "The Divine Presence" really audible speak today?

The answer: Yes absolutely! "The Divine Presence" does speak today. It is not like the voice "bat kol" (a voice from Heaven) of the day's in-between the Covenants, but for the innermost part, it is in the hearts of regenerated mankind that He speaks today. Although the unsaved can also hear Him if He so chooses to let them. We are told there are many voices in this world, so how do we know the voice of the "The Divine Presence"? Regenerated mankind is given the Holy Spirit of G-d at "rebirth," He opens our ears so we may hear the Voice of the indwelling Divine Presence. We have Messiah’s promise we will not follow another, I believe Him. (John 10:27)

"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow me"

What about you? It's a question one must settle in the spirit once and for all. I believe I hear G-d, I believe I am led by Him.

He can communicates directly and indirectly through dreams, visions, parables, and other people. In both Covenants we see that G-d's audible Voice was heard. Moses heard it, and many others we read about in the Scriptures heard it as well. The Voice spoke to Peter on the root top who was in an ecstasy i.e. a trance, we read this in Acts 10: 9-17. G-d speaks out to Peter in a vision and tells him to go to the gentiles (the unclean), for they are going to be saved. Then what about Saul on the road to Damascus? He heard the Voice as well. Many others who we will not make mention of now heard the Voice.

The point of this question is very clear, can we also hear an audible Voice of G-d as did these other people. Yes absolutely we can! It could be that He will speak out to us in an audible Voice, or in a vision, or while your praying that it will come. It could happen even as you're reading His Word. It could also be for you, like Peter, in an ecstasy. Yes, people do hear the audible Voice of "The Divine Presence" when He chooses to speak to us.

I have heard the audibly Voice of G-d, three times in my life. It was clear and very abiding. It moved me to tears, and even now I can still hear it reverberating in my being. If you hear the audible Voice of the "The Divine Presence" you will never forget it, I have certainly not forgotten His sound. I pray you will Hear it one day soon, then when you do, write me about it, if you can.

4. Is "The Divine Presence" alive in anything other then the Scriptures?

The answer: I do believe I'll get in trouble for this answer with many of you, but yes, I think you can find "The Divine Presence" in many books written by Believers and non-believers alike. Our standard is however, the Scriptures. But truly wherever G-d's Truth lives, you will find the "The Divine Presence." If you do not agree with me, that's OK, I would not have believed that 10 years ago. But since I have studied Jewish things for the past 9 years, I have changed my mind. The gifts and calling of G-d are without repentance, so He is still speaking to the Jewish people (Romans 11:29). Although they do not see what we see, for the most part, they see far more then today's Church does, I'm sorry to say (Romans 11:8-10).

Now this does not give you license to say, I'm saying He is in books written by the Cults, for I'm not saying that. I do not believe that for one minute. The books the Cults have written have no life or Spirit in them.

However if you want to see "The Divine Presence" in Jewish writings, just look at the Hebrew prayer book. It is fully Spirit filled. Also the Hebrew commentaries are a rich source to study, much light can be seen in them. If anything written lines up with or sheds more light on the holy Scriptures, I find "The Divine Hey" presented.

5. How does "The Divine Presence" dwell in my soul?

The answer: Remember what our souls are. The Soul equals the Intellect i.e. Intelligence. The soul houses the 5 senses of this physical world. It is really limited by our 5 senses, and our intellect believes for the most part these 5 senses. The original soul that G-d made by breathing into man, Adam is now fallen. The soul that sins, surely, that soul must die. (Ezek 18:4) Therefore "all" of mankind will indeed die because of Adams fall. But the soul that is "saved" will not see death. The book to the Hebrews tells us this:

"But we are not of them who draw back unto hell (damnation); but of them that Believe to the saving of the soul. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 10:39; 11:1

What is G-d saying to us here? I believe He is saying, that an unregenerate mans soul will indeed die and ceased to exist. But the soul of regenerated man will live on by faith in the "The Divine Presence Place, abiding there with Messiah throughout all eternity."

Our physical bodies will die one day if He (Messiah) tarries, but the souls of Believers will not be lost. Praise G-d! Messiah paid the price for mankind, for their bodies, souls and spirits. Because of this, G-d will give us new bodies; sinless bodies like unto Messiah's body. (I Cor 15:44-49)

"But G-d commented His Love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Messiah died for us. Much more then that, being now justified by His (Messiah's) blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. Romans 8: 9

You see, Messiah wants what He purchased, so He Dwells, sometimes even in the lowest of places to make that happen. Praise Him forever more!!! What a Wonderful G-d we serve.

6. Where is "The Divine Presence" in our dying?

The answer: Ever presence in the dying person I believe. I have seen my good friend die of cancer after a 7 year long battle with the disease. At the end of her life the "Divine Presence" was so visible in her room, she was seeing angels waiting to take her home. All of us who attended her saw the light in her grow brighter as her body faded like a plucked rose after a week of sitting in a vase filled with water. One day she sat up in bed, and asked me and another friend this question: "Do you see that angel over in the corner sitting on the TV, do you think he is comfortable sitting so long in one spot?" My answer was "I'm sure he's ok Jeannie." I asked the nurse who was, by the way, the head nurse of that Hospice, if this was just a delusion? She told me oh no, not at all, what she is seeing is very real. She told me that many other dying people have seen the same things and have spoken about them openly to her before slipping away. She told me that there was a kind of fluffing of wings, she believes she hears, at times going on in the rooms just before a person slipped away.

The Scriptures tells us:

"For Thou will not leave my soul in hell; neither will you suffer your Holy One to see corruption. Thou will show me the path of Life: in Your Presence is fullness of joy; at Your Right Hand there are pleasures forever more." Psalm 16:10-11

Psalm 16:10-11 is about Messiah, but it is a promise to us also.

"If I go up to Heaven, you are there; if I go down to the place of the dead, you are there."
Psalm 139:8

He is everywhere!

"Yet we have this assurance: Those who belong to G-d will live; their bodies will rise again! Those who sleep in the earth will rise up and sing for joy! For G-d's Light of Life will fall like dew on his people in the place of the dead!" Isaiah 26:19

Dying can be filled with "The Divine Presence's Glory," if you know the L-RD. What did Yeshua Messiah have to say about the dead?

Yeshua said, "Truly truly I say this to you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the Voice of the Son of G-d: and they that Hear (Shema - hearing with resolute to obey) shall live. John 5:25

In the Hebrew Prayer Book we read of "The Divine Presence"

["Thou art faithful to revive the dead. Blessed art thou, O L-RD, who revivest the dead with great mercy" (Birnbaum, Daily Prayer Book, page 84) G-d is most actively and mercifully manifested to those who are dying. He is known by the Name of Ha Gevurah, "The All Powerful One." The power of death is no match for Ha Gevurah. "In our death and resurrection, the temple of our spirit that house "The Divine Presence" is renewed and transformed so that we see "What no eye has seen, nor ear has heard, nor human heart conceived." I Corinthians 2:9"
(M. Fritz - page 88)]

May I leave you with thought on this question, "Does G-d keep track of all our sorrows, has He collected all our tears in His bottle? He has recorded each one of them in His book. Psalm 56:8 tells us that - "G-d keeps faith with those who sleep." To sleep is to die in biblical terms, and it has nothing to do with what some call, "soul sleep." Soul sleep is not true New Covenant teaching or thinking.

Saul (Paul) tells us this when he longs to be with our Messiah, he says, I rather be with Him for: "-to be absent from the body, and to be present (at home) with the L-rd." II Cor 5:8b

We have a wonderful Messiah who watches over us even in the dying process, and who cries out "Father forgive them for they need forgiving, because they no not what they do." Luke 23: 34 Praise His Holy Name!

Now to our last question

7. What about "The Divine Presence" and the "Mercy Seat?"

The answer: The Mercy Seat (Kapporeth) was made of pure gold, and "The Divine Presence" abided there on that Mercy Seat (Kapporeth) in the holy of Holies in the Tabernacle and then later in the Temple. At each end of the Mercy Seat were cherubim. What is this all about, and how does it apply to the Believer as the Temple of the Living G-d? This I believe is the most special of all revelation about the "The Divine Presence," and where He Dwells. Who can fully tell us about the Mercy of G-d today, not I, that is for sure. Yet I will speak of what I do know of
His Mercy Seat.

I know that in my longing to understand and know G-d's Divine Presence better, I have sought to beat myself up over and over again with doubting questions like these: "Who do you think you are Barbara, you are not as holy as you think. You do not really believe G-d speaks today do you Barbara, and to you? Do you really think G-d would speak to you, you still sin? Who are you to claim you "hear" G-d? Barbara, liars don’t get into Heaven. You've told one to many white lies; you're over your forgiveness limit. Why you're not worthy, you disgust yourself and I'm sure G-d at times. If you get to Heaven, I'm sure He will not let you in. How dare you call yourself saved."

I could go on and on with these blows of self-infliction, but I'll spare you. However I know many of you also at times beat yourselves up like this. It is the nature of the devil to come against us this way, to make us doubt our "sure salvation." But we must never forget, that in Him "there is no condemnation for those who are in Messiah Yeshua. For the teaching (law) of the Spirit of Life in Messiah Yeshua has set you free from the teaching (law ) of sin and of death." Romans 8:1-2

What I have really found out about the Mercy Seat (Kapporeth), being made of pure gold, was so simple. That the Blood applied to that Mercy Seat (Kapporeth) by Messiah Yeshua was indeed so pure, that it made me pure, really pure. So pure that the "The Divine Presence" abides in me forever more.

I will never be worthy of His Divine Presence, yet because of the blood applied by Messiah Yeshua my High Priest; I today, am that holy habitation for The Divine Presence. In that pure Blood of Messiah, all my sins past, presence, and future are accounted for. When our L-RD gives us the new birth, He really does a finished work, knowing the end from the beginning. He started it, and He finishes it all by Himself! This is so that no man or woman could boast or take the glory for it.

It's not an excuse for sin, no, not at all, but it is truth! The Blood of Messiah Yeshua cleanses us from ALL sin, period, the end!!!

Now when the urge to beat myself up comes on me, I seek The Divine Presence. He in turn allows the cherubim that cover His Mercy Seat (Kapporeth) to show me once again the pure Blood of The Lamb, which took away that sin.

Oh how I love my G-d, with tears of joy I bless and praise His Holy Name, Glory to G-d in the Highest. The Scriptures below have been written on my heart by the Spirit of the Living G-d, my sins are purged. I am not rewarded for them but for my faith in Messiahs blood and finished work at the Cross. Read them in there fullness, and let them speak to your hearts. Press them as fresh grapes, so that the sweet taste flows into your hearts, beloved of G-d.

"Do not hold against us the sins of the fathers; may your mercy come quickly to meet us, for we are in desperate need. Psalm 79:9 NIV

"Help us, O G-d of our Salvation (Yahshua), for the Glory (Kavod - meaning: splendor or copiousness, richness, and honour) of Thy Name: and deliver (natsal - meaning: snatch away, defend, deliver, escape, without fail, pluck, preserve, recover, rescue, save, surely, take out) us, and purge (kaphar - meaning: to expiate, to cancel, appease, make an atonement, cleanse, disannul, forgive, be merciful, pacify, pardon, to pitch, purge away, put off, make reconciliation for) away our sins (chatta'ah - meaning: an offence - sometimes habitual sinfulness, and its penalty) for Thy Name sake (ma'an, - meaning: to the end). Psalm 79:9 AGI

Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the L-RD

David's prayer is the cry of most Believers hearts. The answer Messiah gives to this cry is found in book of the Revelation of Messiah Yeshua:

"-and from the seven Spirits which are before His Throne; and from Yeshua Messiah, who is the Faithful Witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth. Unto Him that Loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own Blood, And has made us kings and priests unto G-d and His Father; to Him, be Glory and Dominion forever and ever. Amen. Rev. 1:4b-6

You are a priest to your G-d. This is too awesome to understand, but I am trying. More then ever, today, do Believers need to understand out placement as priests unto our G-d. May I recommend a book to help you with this understanding? "The Priesthood of the Believer" by Dr. Sam Sasser and Dr. Judson Cornwall, Bridge-Logos Publishers, North Brunswick, New Jersey. They have a web address as well:

http://bridgelogosfoundation.com/

Here are a few more Scriptures that are written in my heart as well:

"He has not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the Heaven is high above the earth, so Great is His Mercy toward them that reverence Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us, Like as a father pities his children, so the L-RD pities them that reverence Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are but dust. Psalm 103:10-14 AGI

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us. I John 1:9-10

These last three Scriptures are very special to me:

"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the L-RD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Isaiah 1:18

Yeshua speaking:

"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
That whosoever Believes in Him should not perish, but have Eternal Life. For G-d so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever Believes in Him should not perish, but have Everlasting Life. For G-d sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved (natsal - meaning: snatch away, defend, deliver, escape, without fail, pluck, preserve, recover, rescue, save, surely, take out))." John 3:14-17

"How much more shall the Blood of Messiah, who through the Eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to G-d, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the Living G-d? And for this cause He (Messiah Yeshua) is the Mediator of the New Covenant, that by means of death,
for the Redemption of the transgressions that were covered by the First Covenant, they which
are called, might receive the Promise of Eternal inheritance. Hebrews 9:14-15 AGI

To sum up this study: Where does "The Divine Presence" Dwell?

Now I can only speak for myself as to what G-d has revealed to me. Your revelation may come to you in another way. However I do believe this is a revelation for all people!

"The Divine Presence" dwells in my mouth, my heart, my spirit, my home, my bed, my forgiveness, my the place work, in many people I know, in books that I read. In the downtrodden, and beat up, on the streets, and in the homeless. In my children and grandchildren, and in my husband of 36 years. In the beautiful sunsets we have here in Arizona. I see Him in my Rabbi and his wife, as well as in many of the Pastors I know. I see His Presence in a young handicapped clerk at the local Fry's Food Store where I shop. He dwells in a Jewish couple I know who have lived through the horrible years of the Holocaust. He dwells in the hearts of all mankind because of the divine spark He placed in Adam.

Someone once said, "there is a G-d shaped hole in all human beings that only He can fill,"
I believe that. He is everywhere, if you're looking for Him. If you are, He will be found. Are you "looking" for "The Divine Presence?" I am! I think that is why He is found by me in all these "places."

My prayer for all who read this article is simple:

"Seek ye the L-RD while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near: Isaiah 55:6

Just call out, even now, ask "The Divine Presence" to fill you up afresh with Himself, I believe He will. If your not saved (have The Messiah in your heart), the time is now! Time as we know it is running out for this Old World, He (The Messiah) is about to come for His own (a people assembled - His E'dah - His Congregation). You do not want to be left behind, do you? Have faith in G-d, He will abide in you always, even now and forever more, Amen and Amen!


Shalom,
Rev. Barbara Di Gilio
Mayim Hayim Ministries
Please feel free to print this article, there is no copyright on it.

[I would very much like to say, todah rabbah, thank you very much to Rabbi Michael Short, and to Gwen Strong for all there love, support, and help. You are truely a blessing to this ministry in so many ways. May our L-RD pour out on you both His much more.]

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