We need the manifest Presence of God.

God is omnipresent—everywhere at all times—but He is not always manifest present, meaning present in a felt, tangible way. It is His Presence and power that change our lives and satisfy our souls.

Without His Presence, we are mentored by a lower-level atmosphere, and we begin to come to conclusions that are unbiblical and unhelpful. This is why the Presence and power of God matter so deeply. Yes, we need the power of God to reach the world (Acts 1:8), but we also need the power of God to disciple the Church.

Have we lost reverence for God in today’s churches?

When I traveled to Israel recently, the churches built on holy sites stirred something in me: an ancient value for reverencing the Lord. Their structures, art, and silence echoed holiness and majesty. While I’m not suggesting we copy every Orthodox or Catholic ritual, I do think they’ve preserved something many Protestant churches have set aside:

Reverence. Awe. The fear of the Lord.

Of course, some traditions can drift into legalism or distance from an intimate, loving God. But the danger on the other side is just as real: casualness that forgets His majesty.