Experiencing God

[stitchy]

I know that not all Christians have had a personal experience with God. Have you?

I think I had one a few weeks back during a 'prayer group' that some friends and I were doing... but I'm really unsure about it. When my friends prayed for me I felt a burning sensation just above my stomach, but I thought maybe it was me overreacting. Also my hands felt as though they were burning too. Later on a couple of friends prayed for me again and that time I felt like there was a ball of flame in my chest.. like around my heart.

I've been trying to have experiences again, but I can't seem to do it. How can I be touched by God again? I really really want to feel his prescense. I would love him to show me things, to show me what I'm doing wrong and to tell me what I should do that is right... but how?

[ayin jade]

I experienced Him just a short time ago (within half hour). Was it like yours? No. But He used me to give words to someone, words that solved a dilemna for him. That seems to happen daily to me. Or almost daily.

[bethshemaiah]

Stitchy, I have experienced the presence of God in many ways, many times over these past five years since I was saved. They are very beautiful and moving encounters each and every time, hey how could it not be - it is God who is manifesting Himself to us.

The touch you received I have felt personally also - but only once and it was in a prayer meeting too. Stichy these are very times with God are very special and you cannot "make" it happen but you can stay yielded and ask for them. But don't look for the same type of encounter with Him - He is a creative God and can bless us in many different ways. Like Jade most of time I experience His prescence through direct revelation, sometimes when reading my Bible and He reveals a greater truth to me (these are lightbulb moments and they are awesome also). Or when God gives the words and sets up an "appointment" for you to be able to touch another of His children in a powerful way.

I have had many more encounters with God where I had experienced His presence most times alone at home in worship or in prayer, but also during church services. I could tell of many but won't in order to not take from your special moment with Him. Spend time alone with God in a private place and He will show up - He wants to have an intimate relationship with you, it is what you were created for.

Blessings, Bethany

[terter]

Anyone who has experienced a personal touch certainly wants another!

Jam 4:8 "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you..."

All the above posts supports this verse - notice we draw near to God then He draws near to us.

feelings - there will be periods of time when you don't feel as close and that's when you'll reflect more and cling to His Word.

I've been a Christian for a long time but it's only been in the last few months that began to understand about having an intimate relationship with the Lord. Might want to check out - http://www.khouse.org/articles_cat/2006/na.../privateworship

Your experiences and revelations will continue as long as you seek God. He's very creative so they will be numerous, various, touch your heart occasions - no - events!

[John R Nolan]

Greetings Stichy,

The manifestations of the Lord are incredible, amazing, full of wonder, soul melting,

endearments that I cherish.

But, the just shall live by trust, and not by feelings.

I would beware of people who try and work up manifestations.

I have it on reasonable authority ( I shall be happy to be corrected if wrong here) the Mormons get people to read from the book they have and prove the existence of G-d by telling the reader they shall experience a burning sensation in the heart.

The trouble with feelings is that once they turn bitter or stop they leave you bare, trust, hope and agape abide now, it say

Edited November 5, 2006 by John R Nolan

[terter]

Also, it does seem like the Lord often moves in times of worship - corporatively and privately.

Edited November 5, 2006 by terter

[Guest lovinghim4ever]

Stitchy,

You have already been given great input here, so I won't say too much more.

As Bethany said - "You cannot make it happen."

Delight yourself in the Lord. Don't fret about feeling anything. Just relax and enjoy God's presence in your life by faith; whether you feel anything or not.

"Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37:4).

But, don't let anyone tell you that what you experienced isn't from God. You have to know that in your own heart for yourself.

Edited November 5, 2006 by lovinghim4ever

[graymousey]

Be careful Stichy, whatever you felt was not from God.

Can you find in the Bible that people had such kind of "experiences"? Take the Bible as your only guidance, and don't accept anything that is not based on God's inspired Word.

You will know the presence of God by faith, but only if you were biblically born again; if God regenerated you and implanted in you the divine nature. If so, then He lives in your heart and you know that it is true, because God said that if we do our side, He will keep His side of the bargain.

You will not feel anything, since we "walk in faith, and not in sight.."

What you are talking about is credulity, and don't confuse it with biblical faith.

We "draw near to God" by obeying His commandments; and not by fuzzy feelings.

When one goes to Christ on HIS TERMS, He gives one an assurance of salvation, and peace and joy which is based on the trust in His Word: "His Spirit testifies together with our spirit that we are the children of God.." (paraphrased).

One could have funy feelings just because of nervousness, or whatever, but it doesn't come from God.

If we look for something God didn't promise that opens a door for the devil to mislead us.

[Guest lovinghim4ever]

Be careful Stichy, whatever you felt was not from God.

You will not feel anything, since we "walk in faith, and not in sight.."

One could have funy feelings just because of nervousness, or whatever, but it doesn't come from God.

If we look for something God didn't promise that opens a door for the devil to mislead us.

Please, be careful Graymousey.

I know that we are suppose to walk by faith and not by sight or feelings. However, that doesn't mean our feelings are never valid and that God never uses them. Do you think Saul felt anything when God knocked him off of his horse? I think he felt plenty.

I agree with you that if we look for something God didn't promise that opens a door for the devil to mislead us, but that's where personal faith and experience comes in. It is very dangerous to tell people that what they experienced wasn't from God.

No, we do not walk by feelings or emotion, however that doesn't mean God never uses them to lead and guide us.

God created emotions, therefore they are useful. I know from personal experience that God does use feelings and emotions to guide us. Now, I know you don't believe that, but you cannot make me not believe it because I know beyond a shadow of doubt that it has happened to me. Feelings can be dangerous, but they can also be very helpful when kept in God's perspective.

[bethshemaiah]

Be careful Stichy, whatever you felt was not from God.

Can you find in the Bible that people had such kind of "experiences"? Take the Bible as your only guidance, and don't accept anything that is not based on God's inspired Word.

You will know the presence of God by faith, but only if you were biblically born again; if God regenerated you and implanted in you the divine nature. If so, then He lives in your heart and you know that it is true, because God said that if we do our side, He will keep His side of the bargain.

You will not feel anything, since we "walk in faith, and not in sight.."

What you are talking about is credulity, and don't confuse it with biblical faith.

We "draw near to God" by obeying His commandments; and not by fuzzy feelings.

When one goes to Christ on HIS TERMS, He gives one an assurance of salvation, and peace and joy which is based on the trust in His Word: "His Spirit testifies together with our spirit that we are the children of God.." (paraphrased).

One could have funy feelings just because of nervousness, or whatever, but it doesn't come from God.

If we look for something God didn't promise that opens a door for the devil to mislead us.

Not so Greymousey the Bible states many occurences of divine touches from God, so tell me friend what is wrong with feeling all fuzzy when God comes near? If it is truly from God the result will be a deeper love and a deeper comittment to living for Him and His word and to tell more people about Him. To put it in a worldly perspective if I must, what is it that blesses a marriage more than anything else, what did God ordain for married couples to keep them united and bonded with each other? God wants us to feel His presence, He wants to touch us in deep and profound ways. My personal testimony is far from what you are suggesting about feeling nothing, may I also share that nobody told me about the possibility that I could feel the presence of God so the power of suggestion could not have entered into the equation. I love Him and live for Him, take not your Holy Spirit from us Lord.