As we began to pray in the prayer room at Wittenberg, all sorts of things were going through my mind: ‘If only they knew... I am still struggling with this, this is not how it should be, I am not ready at all!...' Until something changed in my heart. Suddenly it dawned on me: 'This is not about me. It's about Jesus. It's about Him being exalted today. It's about people seeing Him and being changed.' I walked out of the room changed, ready to share my insights with my fellow teens.

Destined to be together

For my first sermon, I had chosen a scripture that had touched me myself. A passage that had "come alive" when I read it in my Bible. And just as I once used it for my first sermon, I now want to use it for my first newsletter in this series on Hearing God's voice. Curious already? Here we go!

For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10).

Wow! What a promise! There is an awful lot in here. Too much to unpack right now. But the bottom line is: it has always been God's intention for us to live in a relationship with Jesus. Waking and sleeping here refers to our state. Whether we are in the body, or whether our body is asleep until Jesus' return. Every believer, whether in the body or out of the body, always lives with Jesus. Jesus lives and you live with Him!

God's address

Living together with Jesus has many facets. I know many more now than when I was 17 and first shared this scripture in a sermon. What I would like to share with you in this article, is knowing Jesus’ presence in our everyday life. Sometimes you may feel lonely. Or it may seem like you are alone in facing the problems that come your way. Today that can change. In every situation, Jesus is with you!

Because of what Jesus has done for you, you now have peace with God and constant access to God's presence (Romans 5:1-2). But it doesn't stop there! Not only can you walk into God's presence, the good news is that you are already there! How? God is at home with you! He is dwelling in your body right now by His Spirit. If you want to speak to God, you don't have to put on your coat, get in the car and drive somewhere. After all, you live at His address!

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? (1 Corinthians 6:19)

How is this possible?

'But Stein, how are you so sure that God feels at home with me? How can I spend every moment with Jesus?' Well, that's where two words come in: grace and faith. These mean as much as, "Getting something without earning it" and "Trust”. We see these two words in this verse I just mentioned:

Therefore being justified by faith, we [read: you and I] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:1-2).

God is saying to you here, "I have approved of you forever. Not because of what you do, but because you trust in what I did for you on the cross. It is always well between us. You can always be with Me and I will always give you what you need. Not because you deserve it, but because I am good.”

Don't leave Jesus at the front door

So is this free? Yes! For you it is. For Jesus it isn't. It cost Him everything. His life. Let me explain that with an example. Suppose you went to a friend today with a special gift. It cost you a lot of money, you wrapped it nicely, and you're at his door. He opens the door and you say, "Please, this is for you!” Then what is the reaction you hope for? Right! That He takes the gift from you and unwraps it. That's the way it works with God. God has a gift for you: to spend every day with Him. Always being able to talk to Him and to experience His care for you. Do you leave Jesus at the door with the gift? Or will you let Him in and unwrap this gift?

Take some time today to be in Jesus' presence. Take a walk with Jesus, drink a cappuccino with Him, or have a conversation with Him from the comfort of your armchair. He is ready and waiting for you!