Day 23

Day 23 Through The Bible

Church Helps
January 23, 2025•3 min read

Day 23: Recognizing the Lord in Every Place

Biblical Principle: Absolute Truth from God’s Word
It is possible to be in a place where the Lord is and not recognize it. This truth, drawn from Genesis 28, reminds us that even in places dedicated to God, such as Bethel (the house of God), we can miss His presence if we are not spiritually attentive.

Genesis 28:16 recounts Jacob’s realization after his divine dream: “And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not.” Later, in verse 19, Jacob names the location Bethel, signifying its significance as a holy place: “And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first.” This moment of revelation transformed a seemingly ordinary location into a sacred one. It reminds us that God’s presence is not limited to places but requires our awareness to recognize it.

Practical Application: Living Out the Principle The principle of recognizing God’s presence goes beyond physical locations like Bethel or church buildings. It challenges us to be intentional about seeing the Lord in every circumstance.

One significant application of this principle is being careful not to hear the Word of God merely but to actively engage with it and live it out. James 1:22-26 emphasizes the importance of being doers of the Word, not just hearers. It says:

22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

This passage serves as a call to action. We can physically attend a church service, listen to the preaching, and still miss the Lord if we are not spiritually engaged. The same applies to daily life—we can overlook God’s hand in our relationships, work, and personal challenges without actively seeking Him.

Here’s a practical step to apply this principle: during your daily devotions, or the next time you hear a sermon, ask yourself these questions:

1.     What is God revealing to me through His Word?

2.     How can I apply this truth to my life today?

3.     Where have I seen evidence of God’s presence in my circumstances recently?

You can move from being a passive listener to actively participating in God’s work by answering these questions.

Final Thoughts Jacob’s experience at Bethel teaches us that the Lord is often nearer than we realize. Our challenge is to open our eyes and hearts to His presence in church and everyday life. Let us strive to be doers of the Word, living intentionally and purposefully so we do not miss the Lord in the places He already is. After all, recognizing God’s presence transforms any place into a Bethel—a house of God.

Recognizing God's presenceBethel biblical meaningBiblical principles for spiritual growth
Evangelist Dan Woltmann grew up in the home of full time Christian school teachers. Saved at the tender age of 5, Dan surrendered to preach at the age of 14; he preached his first sermon at 16 to his youth group. He was privileged to meet and to learn from many pillars of fundamentalism and outstanding preachers. From these men he developed a strong conviction on the truth of God’s Word. Dan’s ministry experience is vast and varied. From starting four Christian service Bible clubs in college, to revitalizing churches and church ministries now for nearly 35 years. Direct one on one to ministry leaders as well as demostrating Biblical Worldview in the corporate world.

Dan Woltmann

Evangelist Dan Woltmann grew up in the home of full time Christian school teachers. Saved at the tender age of 5, Dan surrendered to preach at the age of 14; he preached his first sermon at 16 to his youth group. He was privileged to meet and to learn from many pillars of fundamentalism and outstanding preachers. From these men he developed a strong conviction on the truth of God’s Word. Dan’s ministry experience is vast and varied. From starting four Christian service Bible clubs in college, to revitalizing churches and church ministries now for nearly 35 years. Direct one on one to ministry leaders as well as demostrating Biblical Worldview in the corporate world.

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