Experiencing God

[graymousey]

bethshemaiah and lovinghim4ever nothing is safe if we don't stick to the Word of God.

(Saul's story is not applicable here.)

Personal faith and experience that are not based on the Word of God, are extremely dangerous, because those can come from the devil.

When walking on the "narrow path" we must stay on it, because there are dangers waiting if we step off of it.

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

On what basis would one say that, if it is not written that God will do such things? We cannot assign something to God, if He didn't promise it.

God promised that the Holy Spirit will lead His own, but that is an inward conviction of His presence, maybe a feeling of security because of His presence (that we know by faith) --- but it is not a physical warmth, or a fuzzy feeling.

Emotions are good, of course, but not when one attributes to God something He never promised. That only makes one superstitious, and that is not of God.

You say: "tell me friend what is wrong with feeling all fuzzy when God comes near?"

Why would He come near? God is always around His people, He is always near. If one was biblically born again, then the Holy Spirit lives in his heart, and so, he is constantly in God's presence, -- and he knows it by faith.

You say: "God wants us to feel His presence.."

When one knows that God is present, that gives him a feeling of security and peace and joy. We can hear the inner voice of the Holy Spirit Who gives us courage when in danger, or gives us joy in spite of the circumstances and Who assures us in our hearts that we belong to Him.

The Holy Spirit is talking to us, condemns us of sin, encourages us, shows us Christ's love, entrusts us with tasks, etc... but these all are promised to us in the Bible that the Holy Spirit will do such things.

No fuzzy or warm feeling is ever promised by God, so on what basis can one attribute such feelings to God?

[kittylover0991]

Am I allowed to put my two sense in on this?

The word "experience" is one I often avoid because so many times peopel say that different things are experiences that completely go against what the bible says. To get on thing said, yes, I beleive that God uses emotion, however, as graymousey, basing somethign on emotion can be highly dangerous.. we need to base things off of the Word of God and many times the Lord speaks to us through His Holy Spirit.

However, this "expereince" of having a warm fuzzy feeling, it's great!!! When I think about Christ, it is a wonderful thing to think about the amazing things he has done in my life and how many times it breaks me heart. but you shouldn't have to pray or hold hands to do it. That is like something that I used to do, where I woudl worship and need someone to sing a special to break my heart and it shouldn't be that way. Just remembering what Christ did for us shoudl break out hearts, and it is the same with with this "feeling". That security, love and "warmth" comes from just resting in God.

Maybe I'm not wording this right, I don'tr believe in the "experience" that is being mentioned here by prayer and holding hands, but knowing God is here and good enough for God

As with what Jadey said, I've "experienced my God in the last half hour", haven't you?

[undone]

Luke 24:25-34 (New International Version)

25He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26Did not the Christ[a] have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" 27And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

28As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. 29But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them.

30When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"

33They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34and saying, "It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon."

[graymousey]

"30When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"

That was an inner joy, an amusement, a delight because they understood Who Christ was. There was a reason for that joy. That was the joy of the Holy Spirit as the Lord opened their eyes and made them understand the Scriptures.

Of course we can have that kind of joy, after all "the joy of the Lord is our strength.."

But it was not a physical feeling, like the one Stitchy described.

Do you see the difference?

[undone]

"30When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"

That was an inner joy, an amusement, a delight because they understood Who Christ was. There was a reason for that joy. That was the joy of the Holy Spirit as the Lord opened their eyes and made them understand the Scriptures.

Of course we can have that kind of joy, after all "the joy of the Lord is our strength.."

But it was not a physical feeling, like the one Stitchy described.

Do you see the difference?

No, I don't. I know the feeling described. I've been there. It's mainly occured when I was a new Christian and the truth was being revealed to me. The scripture is stating what it means fairly clearly. With that said, I too caution anyone from 'chasing' a feeling. I've been there and done that too. We should take joy when we experience it, but leave it at that. We should seek the Lord because of who He is, not for the warm and fuzzy feelings we can get from Him.

I've had other experiences within worship wear I've been overcome with tears of joy. Once, at a Billy Graham crusade, this lasted for TWO DAYS. I couldn't explain why as I was not expecting it and I'm not going to try to. But I was so 'attached' to that feeling, I started to experience disappointment when it started to fade. I started to wonder what I was doing wrong when the truth was, I wasn't doing anything wrong. I just needed to realize that we aren't to stay 'camped' out on the mountain top as Peter was proposing when Jesus was transfigured and they saw Elijah and Moses. They eventually came back down the mountain.

If this doesn't jive with your understanding, I'm not sure what else to say. I know that I know that I know.

[Guest lovinghim4ever]

bethshemaiah and lovinghim4ever nothing is safe if we don't stick to the Word of God.

(Saul's story is not applicable here.)

Saul's story is very applicable here. If Saul didn't FEEL God's presence on that road he would have just climbed right back on his horse and kept killing people in the name of God.

[Guest lovinghim4ever]

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

On what basis would one say that, if it is not written that God will do such things? We cannot assign something to God, if He didn't promise it.

Maybe you can't say this, but the basis on which I can say this is what I have experienced in my own personal walk with God.

Everyone experiences God differently; based on God's discretion. Just because you don't experience or encounter God the same way I do doesn't mean I am wrong.

Edited November 5, 2006 by lovinghim4ever

[stitchy]

I just want to say thankyou to everyone for their opinions in this topic. There have been some really interesting points brought up and it's helping me to understand this all the more.

Has anyone ever smelled things during prayer? I forgot to mention that on that night we had our prayer group, when one of my friends in particular prayed for me, I smelled gas. It went away and then when he prayed for me again a few hours later (with only one other person in the room, whereas the first time it was a whole group), I smelled the same thing. It was odd.

[undone]

I just want to say thankyou to everyone for their opinions in this topic. There have been some really interesting points brought up and it's helping me to understand this all the more.

Has anyone ever smelled things during prayer? I forgot to mention that on that night we had our prayer group, when one of my friends in particular prayed for me, I smelled gas. It went away and then when he prayed for me again a few hours later (with only one other person in the room, whereas the first time it was a whole group), I smelled the same thing. It was odd.

They may want to check the gas connections at the church.

But no, I can't say this has ever been tied to my experiences. But when Jesus entered the upper room after His resurrection, they describe the scent of sweet perfume. I've heard it taught that this may have been because prior to His trial, he had a bottle of perfume poured on his head. And this is simply additional testimony that Jesus was 'physically' there in the room with them, not just a spirit or ghost. The bible also says that praises of His people are like perfume.

Edited November 5, 2006 by undone

[bethshemaiah]

"30When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"

That was an inner joy, an amusement, a delight because they understood Who Christ was. There was a reason for that joy. That was the joy of the Holy Spirit as the Lord opened their eyes and made them understand the Scriptures.

Of course we can have that kind of joy, after all "the joy of the Lord is our strength.."

But it was not a physical feeling, like the one Stitchy described.

Do you see the difference?

No, I don't. I know the feeling described. I've been there. It's mainly occured when I was a new Christian and the truth was being revealed to me. The scripture is stating what it means fairly clearly. With that said, I too caution anyone from 'chasing' a feeling. I've been there and done that too. We should take joy when we experience it, but leave it at that. We should seek the Lord because of who He is, not for the warm and fuzzy feelings we can get from Him.

I've had other experiences within worship wear I've been overcome with tears of joy. Once, at a Billy Graham crusade, this lasted for TWO DAYS. I couldn't explain why as I was not expecting it and I'm not going to try to. But I was so 'attached' to that feeling, I started to experience disappointment when it started to fade. I started to wonder what I was doing wrong when the truth was, I wasn't doing anything wrong. I just needed to realize that we aren't to stay 'camped' out on the mountain top as Peter was proposing when Jesus was transfigured and they saw Elijah and Moses. They eventually came back down the mountain.

If this doesn't jive with your understanding, I'm not sure what else to say. I know that I know that I know.

Agreed, I also know that I know and to state that a burning in one's heart is not physical, well then what is it? If it wasn't physical they wouldn't have recognized it as a burning. If one states they have a "broken heart" it really isn't broken but to be sure it PHYSICALLY feels like to it. Consider Daniel and the vision he was given in order to reinforce that the message he was receiving was indeed from heaven, this was clearly as physical touch from heaven sent from God. Daniel 10:10 - 11. God can and does manifest Himself to us by our senses including touch. I guess with will have to agree to disagree, but frankly I am glad I am on "this side" of the debate.

Peace,

Bethany