Far more than ‘sundry’ good wishes, here are Paul’s five conditions for the presence of God: the maintaining of joy; living a full-spectrum Christian life; knowing how to gain comfort in trials; being of one mind with believers; and being a peace-maker.

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The Presence of God

Paul’s closing counsels set before us the duties of Christian cheerfulness, keeping spiritual perspective and faith alive, being of one mind as a church family and maintaining harmony.  Here are the steps to be taken, and the great reward of God’s presence in our midst.

Thy presence, gracious God, afford

Hymn 348 from our hymn book, Psalms & Hymns of Reformed Worship. THY presence, gracious God, afford, Prepare us to receive Thy Word: Now let Thy voice engage our ear, And faith be mixed with what we hear. Open our hearts, O Lord, and bless, And crown Thy Gospel with success. Distracting thoughts and cares … Continued