Copyright Page
2018 by John Belt
Published by Chosen Books
11400 Hampshire Avenue South
Bloomington, Minnesota 55438
www.chosenbooks.com
Chosen Books is a division of
Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan
www.bakerpublishinggroup.com
Ebook edition created 2018
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
ISBN 978-1-4934-1458-1
The information in this book should not be construed as prescribed health-care advice or instruction and is not intended to take the place of consultation with health-care professionals. The author and publisher disclaim all responsibility for any liability, loss, or risk, personal or otherwise, which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use of and/or application of any of the contents of this book.
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations identified AMPC are from the Amplified Bible, copyright 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)
Scripture quotations identified ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2011
Scripture quotations identified NASB are from the New American Standard Bible, copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)
Scripture quotations identified KJV are from the King James Version of the Bible.
Cover design by Brian Bobel
Endorsements
Every Christian should thirst for the manifest presence of God. Jesus is the victor, the Savior, the deliverer, the light, the life, the way and the bread and water of life that we all need. His presence in our lives ensures that we will have access to everything. Many stumble trying to gain the blessings of God without His presence. John Belt has provided believers with a guide that is simple, practical and insightful to help us all. The Secret to Experiencing God s Presence will provide you with a heartfelt, panoramic view of Christian living. Study this book and learn to walk in the reality of Gods presence every day!
Joan Hunter, author and evangelist, joanhunter.org
Some teach or write like an armchair coach having never entered the game, or others display their principles only as a theorist. John Belt writes as a practitioner! This man lives his message. I know firsthand the growth, increase and stature of this man and his ministry. John worked full-time with me for five years, and we have remained in relationship since. As a father in the faith, I am delighted to see John emerge from the inner court long enough to share with you secrets of how you, too, can live a life filled with the presence of God.
James W. Goll, God Encounters Ministries, life language trainer, bestselling author
Growing in intimacy with God is a foundational commitment of mine and has been since the moment I encountered His manifest presence. With biblical clarity and personal testimonies, John Belt reveals the building blocks of lifestyle intimacy. I believe The Secret to Experiencing God s Presence is a powerful resource full of transformative revelation and practical applications for your journey to deeper connection with God.
Dr. Ch Ahn, president and founder, Harvest International Ministry; founder, HRock Church, Pasadena, California; international chancellor, Wagner University
John Belt has written a great book on experiencing Gods presence. This book is refreshing, heart-drawing and life-giving. It reminds me, convicts me and encourages me to put first things first. Why? So that I may prosper and succeed in every aspect of my walk with God. Thanks, John!
Barbara J. Yoder, lead apostle, Shekinah Regional Apostolic Center
Secrets are meant to be discovered by those hungry for life-changing insight. John Belt masterfully guides you to discovery in The Secret to Experiencing God s Presence . It is a unique blend of uncovering the deepest mysteries interwoven with the most practical application. His path is biblical, his book profound and his prophetic insight transforming.
Dr. Clarice Fluitt, founder and president, Clarice Fluitt Ministries
If you want to find your own Promised Land with God, find a pioneer who is leading the way and follow. And to make sure you are following the right pioneer, choose one who has lots of stories to tell of past pioneering successes and failures. Learn from his or her mistakes and emulate much of what you learn along the way. One such pioneer is John Belt! Many books can be written about obeying God, but precious few are written about living in His presence in your daily experiences. That is because presence living can only be taught by those who are actually living it. Get this book! It changes everything!
Steve Shultz, founder and president, The Elijah List
Dedication
To my wonderful wife, Brandi, and my awesome, amazing boys, Nethaniel and Malachi
Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright Page
Endorsements
Dedication
Foreword by Patricia King
Acknowledgments
Introduction: The Essential Presence of God
1. Be a Pioneer of Gods Presence
2. Rooted in Gods Presence
3. Tapping into His Treasure
4. Wholehearted Living
5. Spheres of Life
6. Presence Weapons
7. The Throne of His Glory
8. Prophets of Intimacy
9. The Gravity of His Glory
10. Foundational Thinking
11. Presence Communities
12. Visions of Glory
About the Author
Back Cover
Foreword
U nexpectedly, Gods presence filled me completely and powerfully. It was as though liquid love were flooding my sin-sick soul, bringing miraculous and immediate transformation. All shame, guilt and condemnation left immediately. I was instantly aware that I had become pure, clean and new, and that the familiar brooding, lingering darkness I had wrestled with in my heart had been absorbed and dissolved in this amazing love presence.
I will never forget that experience or that night. It was December 1976, around midnightthe hour I was gloriously born again by the Spirit of God. I was introduced to faith in Jesus Christ through His tangible, life-transforming presence.
Earlier that evening I had attended a neighborhood Bible study hosted by a local Anglican church. When I walked through the door, I encountered a sense of peace that was beyond my understanding. It was undeniably the presence of God, and for some reason I knew it. Never had I encountered peace like that before.
During the meeting, the regulars in the group shared their stories, one by one, of how Jesus had forgiven them their sin and given them a brand-new life. I longed for this new life but did not know if God could love the likes of me. My own sin, I believed, was greater than that of those who had shared. Did God have a limit as to how bad you were permitted to be and still be accepted into His family? If He did have a limit, I had exceeded it, for sure.
I returned home aware of a deep desire to know God but doubting He would accept me. I did not know how to pray or conduct myself in His holy presence. So I found myself collapsing to my knees and crying out with simple words from my heart: