Female Preachers of the Bible

Female preachers of the bible

Prophetess – Hebrew interpretation – A woman inspired and directed by God to proclaim the Word.

    Miriam – The sister of Aaron.  Ex – And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.  Micah 6:4 – For I brought thee up out of the , and redeemed thee out of the house of servants, and I sent before thee Moses, Aaron and Miriam.
Miriam was a spiritual leader sent by God to work with Moses and Aaron in directing according
to God's leading. 
Deborah – A prophetess, and Judge.  Judges 4:3-5- And the Children of Israel cried unto the Lord:  for Jabin, King of Canaan had nine hundred chariots of iron, and for twenty years he mightily oppressed the Children of Israel.  And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged at that time.  The children of came unto her for judgment.

Note:  The Children of Israel recognized that the Spirit of God was using this woman named Deborah, and they sought her for the wisdom and counsel of God, Judges 4:5.  If there were any who were against women judges, they would have missed their appropriate blessing for that time. 

Our God is no respecter of persons.  Acts 10:34 – Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, of a truth I perceive that God is not respecter of persons.

Respecter of persons – To regard one above the other.

A judge during this time in biblical history was a spiritual leader.  The judges were agents that God raised up and used in his efforts to save disobedient .  A judge was one who judged as a magistrate (governmental official with administrative and judicial responsibilities).    A judge was also a ruler among the people.

In the old testament there were only twelve judges.  They were divided into two groups of six.  The Major judges and the Minor Judges.  It is recorded that Deborah was appointed by God to judge .  Deborah was among the Major judges.  The Book of Judges records mostly the military exploits of five of the judges because of this they are called Major judges.  Minor judges received minimal notice.

Deborah left her husband to participate in a mission for God (Judges 4:8).  She was instrumental in encouraging Barak to lead the armies of against the armies of Jabin, who was the king of , and oppressor of the children of .  Amazing that Barak was more comfortable and spiritually secure with Deborah then ten thousand mighty men, Judges 4:6-8.  Barak had nothing against the woman of God; he knew that God was with her.

Deborah was considered a Mother in or a woman leader, Judges 5:7.

If God would use a woman as a judge and spiritual leader over a nation of people, during a time when was in great distress why would he not use “chosen” anointed, women today as spiritual leaders in the church?  Bear in mind, was a type of church.

Deborah, as Judge and prophetess led to battle.  The Lord used her talents, capabilities, obedience and faith to deliver from their oppression.  We do not refer to spiritual leaders in these days as judges; however, as Deborah was called to deliver from captivity, today men and women pastors are called by God to deliver the people from Satan’s strongholds, bondage and captivity, II Tim 2:25-26.   The spiritual leaders of this generation who fulfill the position as a pastor represent the judges of yesterday.  The same God calls us and the mission is the same, to set the captive free. St. Luke 4:18.

·        Huldah – The wife of Shallum.  II Kings 22:14 – She was consulted after Josiah the Kin of Judah saw a copy of the book of the law found as preparations were being made to restore the temple.  She prophesied judgment for the nation but a peaceful death for Josiah the King.  Huldah prophesies – II Kings 22:15-20

·        Isaiah’s wife – Isaiah 8:3 – And I (Isaiah) went unto the prophetess, and she conceived and bare a son.  Then said the Lord to me call his name Mahershalalhashbaz

·        Anna – Luke 2: 36-38.  Anna was an aged widow and prophetess who served God with fastings and prayers night and day. Luke 2:37-38 She spoke of Him to all that looked for redemption in .

Anna acted not only as a prophetess but she also did priestly chores.  St. Luke – AND WHEY THEY HAD PERFORMED – They meaning Anna and Simeon performing priestly tasks

·        Philip the Evangelist had four daughter preachers.  Acts 21:8-9. Fulfillment of Old Testament scripture that the sons and daughters would prophesy upon receiving the outpouring of The Holy Ghost, Joel 2:28.

·        Phoebe – Romans 16:1 – A woman who was titled a servant of the church.  Interpretation of the word servant in the Greek dictionary of the New Testament is Diakonos meaning, minister, deacon or pastor.   Paul and Timothy were referred to as servants of Jesus Christ, and we understand that they were Pastors, Paul being an Apostle.  Philippians 1:1.

·        Priscilla & Aquilla – Romans 16:3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my helpers in Christ Jesus, Vs 5 – Greet the church that is in their house.They were referred to as fellowworkers of the Lord out of the Hebrew/Greek bible.  Timothy was also referred to as a fellowworker, Romans 16:21-Greek/Hebrew version and he Timothy was a pastor. It is believed that Priscilla and Aquilla were both ministering to a body of believer’s in their home.

·        The Elect Lady – II John 1:1 – The elder unto the elect lady and her children.  Although there are those who believe that this elect lady was the name of a church, which was held in someone’s home.  Many do not believe this to be so.  It is my understanding that John’s second letter was written to warn a Christian female leader against indiscriminate fellowship with unbelievers.  The letter is addressed to an elect lady, which probably is exactly what is meant.  I believe that this elect lady was chosen by God to feed the word of God to a small band of believers within the confines of her home, which was their church. II John vs. 4. I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth as we have received a commandment from the Father.

During this time in biblical history many Christians established churches in their homes, Acts 2:46.

           

John commanded the elect lady because her children walked in truth.  I believe that the elect lady was a lady preacher, and her children were those who were under her ministry.  They were walking according to the words that she taught or ministered.

There were not as many women in the bible used by God, as there were men. However it is interesting to know that throughout the Holy pages of inspiration there did exist certain women, special women, who God indeed singled out of the masses of people and chose, anointed and ordained to use as a vessel to speak and counsel his word to the people.  Such a woman was indeed a special elected lady for the causes of the Lord.  Proverbs 31:10 Who can find a Virtuous Woman?  Proverbs 31:25 – Strength and honor are her clothing.

Questions:

Why was Deborah chosen as a Major judge?

Who do you feel that the elect lady represented?

Discuss in what ways God has used women in the bible

What do you think the difference is between the judges of   yesterday and the pastor’s of today?

What was a Judge?   What was the role of a judge?

What were some of Deborah’s gifts?

Why would Barak not go to war unless Deborah went with him? Can you verbalize some of the names of women used by God?

Let us not Faint with the Ministry

II Cor 4:1- Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not.Message: 

Let us not FAINT with This Ministry.


Sub topic:  Instead, rekindle  the fire and Glorify God

Definition of Faint-To lose heart, to grow weary, to become bored or uninterested.

Many Ministries today have strayed from The No Nonsense Preaching or teaching of the Word of God,  so they tend to  offer:

Not enough biblical instruction-Hosea 4:6- My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge, because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee.


 Overemphasis on emotional persuasion/Not enough emphasis on Repentance.  St. Matthew 15:8 – This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoreth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 9-but in vain they do worship me-  Acts 3:19 – Repent therefore and be converted that your sins may be blotted out 


Teaching traditional philosophies rather than teaching the doctrine of God-Is 9:16-For the leaders of this people cause them to err, and they that are led of them are destroyed. Col 2:8 – Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.


 More theatrics then Word- Col 3:23 – And whatsoever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord, and not unto men. 24-For you serve the Lord Jesus Christ. Overly involved in inward ministry then outward ministry-St. Matthew 9:37- The harvest is plenteous but the laborers are few. St. Matt 25:42-For I was hungry, and you gave me no meat, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger, and you took me not in, naked and you clothed me not, sick and in prison and ye visited me not. 


 The Lord makes it plain that if we will not serve those less fortunate it is as though we would not serve him also.  When we only minister to the needs of one another in the body of Christ we hinder Christ from using us in the community. 


 Serving the needy is serving the needs of Christ.  Pastor’s note: Christ has a need that the cast away’s of society, city rejects, fallen and failed in society or simple minded, community ex-addicts and social  misfits must find the Love of God through his people.

Prophesying lies more than the Word –Jer 23:16 – They speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord. 

The  Ministry that God is looking for:
·         Will strive to bring enlightment through the breaking down of the Word of God - Ephesians 2:15 – The eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of his calling.

·         Will lead the people to the Will of God - Colossian 1:9 That you may be filled with the Knowledge of HIS will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. 

·         Will strive to cause the people to turn from their evil ways and Repent -  Jeremiah 23:22 But if they had stood in my counsel and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned from the evil  way, and from the evil of their doings.

·        Extend Mercy to others - Mercy is God’s ministry to the miserable.  Having received mercy we must extend mercy to others, regardless of who they may be.  II Cor 4:1- Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not.  Note: We must be delivered from becoming too comfortable with one another and uncomfortable with outsiders or strangers. Mercy:  Mentally Ill, Retarded , Dysfunctional, Homosexual, Needy, other races.

·         To provide consistent renewing stability – II Cor 4: 16 – For which cause we faint not, but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.  The inward man – Your Spirit yoked with God’s Spirit.

·         A rejection of Deceit- 11 Cor 4:1 Having renounced the hidden things of dishonesty.  Hidden things – referring to that which is secretive and underhanded.  What others see in us should be what they Get.  Like ME or not-I am who I am. 


An unwillingness to rely on craftiness – 11 Cor 4:2 – Not walking in craftiness. Not relying on gimmicks to get results.  Craftiness  is cunning trickery to deceive people for ones own advantages.  Define Gimmick: 1.dishonest trick: a piece of trickery or manipulation intended to achieve a result dishonestly • It’s not a genuine offer, just a sales gimmick.      2.hidden disadvantage: a piece of concealed information that, if known,   would make an offer or opportunity less attractive • It sounds great, but    what’s the gimmick?

·         A refusal to mishandle scripture -  II Cor 4:2 – Not handling the word of God deceitfully –Refusal to adulterate the word of God by tampering with its meaning, or reading into the text something that was not there in order to prove a point or use it for selfish purposes.

·        Reaching out to touch everyone’s conscience – II Cor 4:2 – By manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every mans conscience in the sight of God. ONCE The Word has gone forth, the knowledge of the Word of God in the mind of those who received it will bear witness that the spiritual leader is of God.

Different levels of Commitment

Different levels of Commitment       Ecc 9:11 - I returned and saw under the sun, that the race is not given to the swift, nor the battle to the strong.  Matthew 24:13 -  but HE who endureth to the end shall be saved. Circles of Commitment The Community - Represent Lost souls that live within driving distance of the church that have made no commitment at all to either Jesus or anyone's church. The Crowd - Those who show up on Sunday's for service.  They are the regular attendees.  Made up of saved and unsaved.  They are committed to attending a worship service every week.  Ezekiel 33:31 - They sit and hear the Word but do not respond. The Committed - Godly and growing.  Serious about their faith.  But for one reason or another are not actively serving in a ministry of the church.  They are committed but not involved. The Core - The core usually represents the smallest group.  It represents the deepest level of commitment.  They are the dedicated minority of workers and leaders.  Those who are committed to ministering to others.  They are people that lead and serve in the various ministries of the church as teachers, deacons, musicians, youth sponsors and so forth.  Without the core the church would come to a standstill.  The core workers form the heart of the church.  Lam 3:23 - Great is they faithfulness. Mark 12:32-34 - Now when Jesus saw that he (The Scribe) answered wisely, He said to him, "You are not far from the Kingdom of God"  Meaning - You have a good understanding keep on pressing until reach your place in God. The First Disciples - St. John 1:39 - Come and See.  The first encounter that Jesus had with John and Andrew he did not lay any heavy requirements on the early followers.  He just invited them to seek him out.  He allowed them to watch his ministry without asking for a lot of commitments.  He was creating an interest. As the group of early followers grew into a crowd, Jesus began to slowly turn up the heat.  St. Mark 8:34 Jesus was able to ask for that kind of commitment from the crowd only after demonstrating his love for them and earning their trust. A purpose driven church Move the unchurched from the community to your crowd for worship. Then move those from the crowd into the congregation for fellowship. Then move them from the congregation into the committed for discipleship. Then move the committed into the core - for ministry. Finally move the core back out into the community for evangelism.    Philippians 3:14-I press towards the mark for the prize of the High Calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Quicken my Spiritual Passion, O Lord

Quicken my Spiritual Passion, O Lord

Definition of passion - intense emotion

11 Corinthians 6:11- O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged. 

The Apostle was informing the Corinthian church that as ministers of Christ, their mouths were opened unto them to enlighten them with the gospel of Jesus Christ and their hearts were enlarged with love for the church.  Note:  Because they had a passion for God they also had a passion for the church of God.

While the leader’s mouth is opened and heart is enlarged for the people of God, many times the people hurl stones at them to chew on and shrink their  enlarged hearts through their damaging words which the leaders receive in exchange for love.  The people hurl stones of false accusations for the leaders to chew on, stones of lies for the leaders to chew on, stones of disrespect for the leaders to chew on and stones of offense for the leaders to chew on.

II Corinthians 6:12 – Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.

Interpretation:  

The church members were limited in their love towards the minister, they were more in tune with themselves.  They were withholding their affection and  were cold and indifferent while their leader made the many overwhelming and burdensome sacrifices and continued to feed them words of life.

II Corinthians 6:13 – Be ye also enlarged.  Paul encouraged them to have a passion for the leader of the church.  Paul encouraged them to open up their hearts.  I personally believe if the members have a passion for God that they will also have a spiritual passion for the leader of the church which will motivate them to assist with the awesome responsibility of the care of the ministry of Christ.  They will not leave all of the burden for the spiritual leader.  They will not permit the leader to carry such a heavy cross without their assistance.

II Corinthians 7:2 – Receive us, we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have degraded no man.  Paul was dealing with the church for having a lack of passion or respect.  He had reached out to them but they refused to reach back.  They restrained themselves. 

The point that the Apostle was making:

1. We have wronged no man – When you respect others, you make room for them in your heart.  Paul felt that he deserved a place in the Corinthians lives because he did not wrong them, corrupt them, or exploit them.  

People will come to you seeking your spiritual warmth and comfort but you burn them, and when that happens one should draw back from such disrespectful people.

1. When you respect others, you don’t speak words that condemn them. The Corinthians had spoken evil about Paul, he did not reciprocate, which is to become like THEM-He remained the same. 11 Cor 7:3 – I speak not this to condemn you, for I have said before that you are in our hearts to die, and live with you.

The Apostle Paul said that the church was in his enlarged heart and therefore through the love of God he would be an example before them by dying out to sinful living daily.  Yet, he would live with them by being available for them through the preaching and teaching of the Word of God.  What a commitment!  What a spiritual passion, and what respect for the people of God!

1. When you respect others you have confidence in them.  11 Cor 7:4 – Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you.

The Apostle Paul loved the church because he loved his God!  With all of their flaws and faults, the Corinthians were people of great potential and immense worth in Paul’s eyes.  He believed in them even when they failed.

Many times everyone will speak evil of the church members because of their weaknesses and faults, however if that spiritual leader loves you regardless, such a one will hold you up before God and will look beyond all of your faults, mistakes and being short of the Glory of God and believe that you will come through for God and for the church which he purchased with his blood.  The spiritual leader must have confidence in the members despite.  After all, the objective is to assist each member to make it with God on earth as well as IN heaven.

We must cry out, quicken or make alive my spiritual passion O Lord, because only when we have a flaming passion for God can we truly be motivated and zealous to the kingdom work.

My love is with you all.

Pastor Sharon T. Spencer

His Endless Life

His Endless life can be Your's through faith.

Jesus endless body was:

1. A body of flesh and bone, not flesh and blood - 1 Cor 15:50 Flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God.
3. A Spiritual body, no longer a natural body - 1 Cor 15:42-44 - The body is sown in corruption, it is raised incorruption.  It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory.  It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.  It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.  There is a natural body and there is a spiritual body.
4. 
   
5. A Heavenly body, no longer an earthly body - 1 Cor 15:47-49 - The first man (Adam) was of the earth, made of dust, the second man is the Lord from heaven.  As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust, and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are heavenly.  And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.

The second man meaning he is the first man to die and become resurrected never to taste death again - the endless Christ.

1. A glorified body, no longer veiling the glory inside his flesh - Revelations 1:10 -16 I was in the spirit on the Lord's Day and I heard behind me a loud voice as of a trumpet saying, I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last.  12-Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me, and having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man clothed with a garment down to the feet, and girded about the chest with a golden hand, his head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow and his eyes like a flame of fire, and his feet were like fine brass as if refined in a furnace and his voice as the sound of many waters.

The Golden Lampstands - The church to be the light of the world

In the midst of the lampstand - Christ in the midst of the churches that gather together in His name.

Garment down to the feet - The glorified Christ dressed as our High Priest.

Head and Hair white as wool - Symbolizing purity and endless wisdom.

Eyes like a flame of fire - Symbolizing righteousness and judgment.

Feet like a fine brass as if refined - Brass hermeneutically speaking always is a symbol of judgment.

Jesus had an immortal body no longer able to die but to live in the power of an endless life.  Hebrews 7:15-16 Another priest (Jesus) who has come not according to the law of a fleshly commandment but according to the power of an endless life.

The law was only able to regulate the earthly priests external affairs.  He looked good on the outside, but full of sinful death on the inside.  The Word of God can help regulate external actions, however you need the Power of the Word and The Spirit to transform the inner man.  II Cor 5:17 - If any man be in Christ, He Is a new creature.

Jesus had a Powerful body, no longer subject to sinless infirmities of hunger, thirst, weariness.  It could pass through doors, vanish and appear at will.  St. John 20:19 - Then the same day at evening being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst and said to them, Peace be with you.

Jesus had an Incorruptible body because of its sinlessness.  Acts 2:31-32 - Concerning the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption.

He had an ascending and returning body.  He will so come in like manner, the second time as he ascended to heaven, that is visibly, personally, actually and bodily.  Rev 1: 7- Behold He is coming with clouds and every eye will see him, even they who pierced him and all the tribes of the earth will mourne because o

The Need to Belong

The Need to Belong

Rejection by a group is no less painful.  It stirs unhealed memories of previous times when we did not feel included in an inner circle of friends, or when we were not accepted by some church,  club or organization.  We all long to belong.  The more important the group is to us, the more determined we become to get in and achieve solid acceptance.  Our self esteem is often based on the friends we have acquired or the prestigious groups to which we belong.  When we are excluded or ignored, we feel the piercing jab of rejection.

Of all the rejections of life, the most difficult to bear is the rejection expressed in people's criticism and judgments when we fail, or when we do not measure up to the standards that others place on the world's definition of success. When we most need help to face some mistake and learn from it, we feel condemnation rather than understanding and encouragement from people including our loved ones.

When we are hurt by rejection, we are tempted to slink off alone like a wounded animal to lick our wounds.  Often our method of coping is flight, not fight.  We can become aloof, strained, and fearful, not only with the people who have hurt us, but with others.

You may be sinking in the quicksands of rejection right now, suffocating in the quagmire with only one hand protuding out of the oozing mire of discouragement and fear.  Be sure of one thing, if you apply faith in The Word of God, the Lord can take hold of your hand and pull you out and give you sure footing on the rock of His accepting love.  

You can be secure in  God's love.  Do not surrender your self worth to the opinions and judgments of others.  When you are feeling rejected, no need to retaliate.  When you are hurt, allow the Lord to bring a swift healing.  Knowing the pain of rejection, seek to reach out in love to others that suffer likewise.  Many have been rejected in hospitals, convalescent homes or remember those on the job who are not as popular as others.  Remember there are many pastor's who face rejection because they do not embrace traditional doctrines of men, or because they stand up for truth and refuse to compromise preaching The truth of God's Word versus a "watered down, lukewarm, without conviction, handed down message that people will applaud, shout, jump and greatly enjoy.  These people will go home in the same sick condition that they arrived in.  They went to church only to be denied the Word of God so that some jack-legged preacher could find favor and approval with the world.

Stand with that spiritual leader that stands out for truth and seek how you can find favor with God.

The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the strength of my life: of whom shall I be afraid?  Psalms 27:1

The psalmist's panic over his enemies led him to a great conviction.  He did not internalize the criticism or hostility of others, nor did he fuel the fires of fear with self-neglect or self-blame.  His first thought was of God and his need of Him.

That is what we need to affirm when we feel rejected.  We need the perspective that comes with the illuminating light of the Lord.  In that revealing light we can see things as they really are.  We can ask ourselves, why am I so troubled by this rebuff?  Why has this person or group of people's opinion of me become so important?  Could it be that what they think is more important to me than what God thinks?  Do I need their acceptance more than His?

Light for the Dark Corners:

When the light of the Lord reaches into the dark corners of our memories, we are able to see how the unhealed hurts of the past have made us vulnerable to current rejections.  We realize that without the Lord's help, we will continue to be victimized by people's attitudes and reactions to us.  The painful experience of rejection actually becomes a blessing when it forces us to see that the fear of rejection has more power over us than God's power at work in us.  That realization leads us to confession of the false god we have made of people's approval and to a humble prayer for profound inner healing.

An Honest Inventory

When we have reached this point we are ready with the help of the Lord to take a close look at ourselves and what might cause others to reject us.  Assured of the Lord's love, we can see ourselves as we are, asking ourselves, Is there any truth in what people have said?  Are there any eccentricities in me that would cause people to react to me the way they have?  Was the criticism justified?  Do I set myself up for rejection by insisting on doing or saying things that cause it?  An honest inventory is liberating.  It frees us to take responsibility for our actions.  It also helps us see that in many instances we were not to blame and that the rejection was unfair and unjustified.

The Real Enemy

In the light of God we can also see the real power at work behind people's hostile words and actions.  Satan is always ready to attack those who are trying to put God first in their lives.  He uses people's rejections to influence us to question our self worth and our status as God's chosen, called, and cherished people.  Experiences of rejection eventually put us in a spiritual battle with the forces of evil that are seeking to immobilize us in fear.  But the Lord is infinitely greater than Satan's crafty, demeaning designs on us.

  

Once we know who the real enemy is that is when we can cry out for the Lord's protection and victory.  We can say the courage, fear dispelling words, The Lord is my light and salvation.   For the psalmist salvation meant deliverance from his problems and enemies.  It means that for us, too, but so much more.

For us, the word salvation is drenched with New Testament grace and power.  Emmanuel, God with us, Christ the Lord is our salvation.  In Christ's life, his message, death, resurrection and present power, we discover how to overcome the fear of rejection.  He is able to help us because He himself endured the full force of rejection and overcame it.

Isaiah's prophecy of the Messiah's rejection came true in Christ's life.  "He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief" Isa 53:3.  Christ was rejected by the leaders of Israel, misunderstood by His family, and denied and betrayed by His disciples.  Yet through out his life he revealed love incarnate.

Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice.

Have mercy also upon me, and answer me

When you said, seek my face,

My heart said to you, your face, Lord, I will seek. 

Psalms 27:7-8.

With my love

Sharon

Lord, are you here?

LORD ARE YOU STILL WITH ME? 

Have you ever felt yourself feeling somewhat distant from the Lord?  Did the thought go through your mind, Lord are you still with me?

Once a person is born again  John 3:3 - Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.  John 3:5 - Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.  The Lord has promised to never leave us, nor forsake us.  (Hebrews 13:5 - I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee). 

The reason a child of God may sometimes feel distant from the Lord is because of a lack of communication.  If you stay out of the word of God you automatically become distant from the Lord.  Jesus is living inside of you and you have made him a stranger!  God desires for us to know him, to pray unceasingly and to stay in his word.  This is how we stay close to the Lord.  This is how we keep our relationship with God intact!

STOP ignoring the Lord.  Stop hurting his feelings by neglecting him and placing him on the bottom of your list of priorities.  Jesus wants to be first in your life, that is why he has said in Matthew 6:33 - But seek ye FIRST the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and these things shall be added unto you. 

 The Lord is saying:  Those that seek me early shall find me, and I will guide you and will reveal to you your wrong doings. I will uphold you by the right hand of my righteousness as you go throughout the day.  Seek ye First the Kingdom of God and all of these things shall be added unto you.  God promises to supply us with our necessities if we SEEK FIRST the Kingdom of God through our prayer!

Matthew 6:25-34 - Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31 Therefore take no thought, saying, what shall we eat? Or, What shall we drink? Or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

 The Lord has promised to never leave us or forsake us.  We forsake the Lord.  We stray away from his grace.  It is His tender mercy that does not consume us but lovingly draws us back to him.

 If you find yourself feeling distant from the Lord, it is time to take self-inventory of your prayer life.  Take self-inventory of your relationship with God. God is with you, waiting on you, trying to get your attention, wanting to hear from YOU!  You feel distance because you have allowed yourself to become distance from his grace.

Stay close to the Lord and he will be close to and you will not feel so distant nor will you ask, Lord are you still with me.  Remember, He is always with YOU, however, YOU are not always with him.

Revelation 3:20 - Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.