Studying and talking about God vs experiencing him

[Blain]

Perhaps if you want to experience Christ you should go to the people that are in the valley of decision and proclaim the gospel that Christ brought. Get out and walk in the paths that He walked and witness to the lost.

We all need to commune with the Lord and spend time in meditation of His word but from there we need to get into action proclaiming the kingdom.

You are called to be a soldier in the fight against evil.

2Ti 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

And do you think I just sit idly by? Do you know how much God has used me here on cc alone? Some have even told me that it's my ministry but even then I do not stop there, when I encounter people in real life and we get talking about God I cannot help but giddy and excited just talking about him. so many people have said how they can see this fire in me that they have never seen before others who are none Christian say I am not like other Christians and they become curious and ask me questions others still are simply influenced by the way I act and treat others. I have seen God use me to create this spark in peoples hearts simply by speaking through me and showing that passion and love for him.

This is not just a hobby for me

 

[RickyZ]

My light must shine for Gods glory. I still love you in the Lord. You may still mature at some point.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

Until then, please put me on ignore. There is no need for you to continue to respond to everything I say with a personal hit. That is not light. And the only way you won't respond to what i say is for you not to see what I say. So, in the interest of cutting down on the personal attacks here, let's just put each other on ignore and go our separate ways. If you love me you will give me this.

 

[Socreta93]

You can talk about God all you want but experiencing him is the way you once cenent our faith. Many of those who used to be Christians that parted away did so because they never experienced him. Experiencing God is a form of evidence of his existing and will only strengthen your faith.

 

[Beez]

Honesty time for me: I am completely undisciplined when it comes to reading the Bible, partially because I am very undisciplined in all other phases of life. But regarding the Bible, making that worse is the fact that I have (diagnosed) reading problems. Mix these together, and although I have been a believer for 53 years and 5 months, I have never read the Bible through. Every year, as the Gregorian new year approaches, I think about reading it through, and I've started many times, but I've never done it.

Why? Because when I start reading it, I get too enthralled with this and that and go off on days-long bunny trails, studying this, which leads to that, which makes me wonder about something else (so I study it), which makes me remember something else . . . and so it goes on and on.

I am completely undisciplined regarding Bible reading, more than with other things. I will study the Bible all night, then have to sleep during the day. I'll get into some study and not eat all day, because I am too busy. If it was not for my non-cooking husband, I would study past supper, and into the night, but he'd starve.

This is frustrating.

So here we are -- 2018 nipping at our heels. And I am thinking about trying again. Thinking about which Bibles to use, to help me stay focused.

All my reading suffers, but Bible-reading is all-important.

 

[Bookends]

John 14:12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

WHO will do these things?

YOU will do these things.

Or was that a limited time offer?

"You" as in the universal "CHURCH", not necessarily "you" as in I.

 

[Bookends]

I think one thing that people have, including me, is balance. It's like the sports analogy you said. We need to have the game, have time with God. But we also need to practice. And that goes for all aspects. Being still with Him, spending time with Him, getting to know Him through His word, praising, ect.

I feel like I am bad at all of these things.

Our experiences always need tested with the sure foundation, namely the Word of God, what He has written.

 

[Hizikyah]

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]You make some good points, I want to add another perspective, in support. I believe that it is like a positive cycle or positive snowball effect. [/FONT]


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Yah shows Himself and when we take notice we begin to seek Him. [/FONT]


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Learning more allows us to know His will. [/FONT]


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Knowing His will allows us to do His will. [/FONT]


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Doing His will draws us closer to Him.[/FONT]


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]The closer we get t to Him the more we want to know.[/FONT]


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Knowing His will allows us to do His will. [/FONT]


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Doing His will draws us closer to Him.[/FONT]


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]And so on.[/FONT]


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]It is dangerous to “know Him” without knowing His word, this opens the door for making our own way and/or believe we know the right way and not actually doing what He said. Even the disciples and prophets studied His word. It is out textbook to confirm we are following the right spirit. I have never met anyone who knew everything His way that did not read it, I have met people that did much His way and had a heart after His manner, but even then reading His word He left for us would be beneficial even to that person. There is no substitute for a true heart after His likeness nor is there a substitute for knowing, understanding, and binding His word to us.[/FONT]




[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Isaiah 34:16, “Search from the book of [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]יהוה[FONT=Times New Roman, serif], and read: not one of these shall be missing, not one shall be without a mate, for He has commanded my mouth. And His Spirit shall gather them.”[/FONT][/FONT]


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Psalm 119:9, “How would a young man cleanse his path? To guard it according to Your word.”[/FONT]


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Psalm 119:11, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”

[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Hosea 4:6, “My people have perished for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being priest for Me. Since you have forgotten the Instructions of your Mighty One, I also forget your children."[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]
[/FONT]



[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Mat 4:4, “But He answering, said, “It has been written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]יהוה[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif].” (Deut 8:3)[/FONT]

 

[Bookends]

Of course, how you talk about God will affect how you experience Him. If your talk includes labeling the mundane as supernatural physical acts of the Holy Spirit, you're probably never going to experience the reality of God's Word. You will but live in a world of signs and wonders, never to experience faith without sight. If your talk of Him includes physical supernatural manifestations around every corner, then you'll most likely miss the true will of God.

You'll never have the true experience of God if you fabricate an age of the miraculous in its place.

True,

God personally intervened with mankind at various times in the OT and at other times and even probably most to the time through history mankind when through a "dry" period, hearing no word from God. However, during the "dry" times God was and is always near.

Sensationalism is not the way walk with God, we are to walk by faith whether or not we feel His presence. That said, we can all enjoy the Lord in and out of the Word and in and out of our many emotional states.

 

[Bookends]

So I was taking a shower this morning and this came mind, what is the difference between talking about and studying God vs experiencing him? And I answered myself by comparing it to a sport, yes studying it learning it and talking about with other people who enjoy it can be thrilling but if one were to actually play the sport and have fun in the actual game itself it's just not the same thing.

Now don't get me wrong studying and talking about God is one of my favorite things to do why else would be on cc? But I also understand that actually experiencing him is by far not the same thing. The average Christian will spend time studying and talking about God and this in itself is one way to experience him but as you can see in the bdf there is a great lack of love and peace in the hearts of those who have studied and talked about God. So what does it mean to actually experience God? Well sometimes I think we have to seek him out in more abnormal ways to really experience him, have you ever been filled with that strange and alien joy and peace? Have you ever felt so intimately close with him that it's as if your already home in his arms? Have you ever seemed to almost have this tranquility that gives you a sort of taste of what it must be like to soaking in his light? have you ever just enjoyed talking with him not even about anything in particular but just relishing being with him?

For me at least these are what I have experienced in experiencing him and often times I have to be in the dessert of sorts, I have to back away from my daily life and go be with him however I can even if it means I am not on cc for like a week or so. in fact it seems to be happening more more for me lately. And I am not talking about relying on feelings or experiences because it's not something that comes and goes like feelings or experiences it's about the relationship you have with God. Think about the apostles for instance they were constantly filled with this absurd love and peace and joy because they had an intimacy with God, yes they were filled deeply with the holy spirit but more than that they had a bond with God of only the most intertwined intimacy.

If there is one thing I would ask of all who reads this it is to figure out for yourself the answer to the question, I want this to be a provocative post to help steer the hearts of anyone who would read this to eek that intimacy and bond with him I believe to many have lost that fire, that unquenchable hunger and thirst for him I believe to many have forgotten what it's like to be that close him and to be filled with all that comes with it. Remember where your hearts eyes are set is where you are

Blain,

I think what you are saying in a nutshell is that we need to go and enjoy the Lord; expecting Him to come and dine with us. If so, then I wholeheartedly agree with you.

 

[DJ2]

John 14:12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

WHO will do these things?

YOU will do these things.

Or was that a limited time offer?

Or was that a limited time offer?

Since these "things" have ceased, yes it was a limited time offer.

If these "things" were meant to continue even until today then the Bible is a fraud.

 

[DJ2]

And do you think I just sit idly by? Do you know how much God has used me here on cc alone? Some have even told me that it's my ministry but even then I do not stop there, when I encounter people in real life and we get talking about God I cannot help but giddy and excited just talking about him. so many people have said how they can see this fire in me that they have never seen before others who are none Christian say I am not like other Christians and they become curious and ask me questions others still are simply influenced by the way I act and treat others. I have seen God use me to create this spark in peoples hearts simply by speaking through me and showing that passion and love for him.

This is not just a hobby for me

Talk about tooting your own horn.

 

[OneFaith]

​We need to worship in spirit and in truth- ‘experiencing God’ is the spiritual part, and studying is the truth part. It is true that some do one or the other and not both. But the Bible says to both “Be still and know that I AM God” and “Study to show thyself approved unto God.”

 

[notuptome]

Until then, please put me on ignore. There is no need for you to continue to respond to everything I say with a personal hit. That is not light. And the only way you won't respond to what i say is for you not to see what I say. So, in the interest of cutting down on the personal attacks here, let's just put each other on ignore and go our separate ways. If you love me you will give me this.

What do you have to hide? Answer the question. I only question questionable doctrine. I do not attack you personally but the way you present some of the things you believe is well not sound according to the bible.

How does one defend the faith if not to question doctrine that is not sound in the word?

Philippians 1:15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel.
18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretense, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

 

[notuptome]

And do you think I just sit idly by? Do you know how much God has used me here on cc alone? Some have even told me that it's my ministry but even then I do not stop there, when I encounter people in real life and we get talking about God I cannot help but giddy and excited just talking about him. so many people have said how they can see this fire in me that they have never seen before others who are none Christian say I am not like other Christians and they become curious and ask me questions others still are simply influenced by the way I act and treat others. I have seen God use me to create this spark in peoples hearts simply by speaking through me and showing that passion and love for him.

This is not just a hobby for me

Be careful of the praise of men.

We are in a war and need to be like soldiers hardened against adversity and the adversary. You have always impressed me as a man drawn to the esoteric and avoiding reality. At least that is my concern for your wellbeing.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

 

[Blain]

Honesty time for me: I am completely undisciplined when it comes to reading the Bible, partially because I am very undisciplined in all other phases of life. But regarding the Bible, making that worse is the fact that I have (diagnosed) reading problems. Mix these together, and although I have been a believer for 53 years and 5 months, I have never read the Bible through. Every year, as the Gregorian new year approaches, I think about reading it through, and I've started many times, but I've never done it.

Why? Because when I start reading it, I get too enthralled with this and that and go off on days-long bunny trails, studying this, which leads to that, which makes me wonder about something else (so I study it), which makes me remember something else . . . and so it goes on and on.

I am completely undisciplined regarding Bible reading, more than with other things. I will study the Bible all night, then have to sleep during the day. I'll get into some study and not eat all day, because I am too busy. If it was not for my non-cooking husband, I would study past supper, and into the night, but he'd starve.

This is frustrating.

So here we are -- 2018 nipping at our heels. And I am thinking about trying again. Thinking about which Bibles to use, to help me stay focused.

All my reading suffers, but Bible-reading is all-important.

My suggestion is to do it moderation. I am thrilled to hear how you love to read the bible but as all things we should do it in moderation and over work ourselves. sometimes it's best to read his word and then ponder it instead of overworking yourelf

 

[Blain]

Talk about tooting your own horn.

I was merely giving a testimony of how I do not sit idly by and how God has used me. Notuptome told me what I should do to experience God assuming I already did not do these things I was showing him not to ever assume things. If there is a horn being tooted it certainly isn't mine it's all God's, I can do nothing without him and so I have no room to take any kind credit. If I am to be boasting it is to boast of him, if I am to exclaim works it will be his works I am merely the puppet and a puppet cannot take credit for the strings being pulled can it?

 

[Blain]

Be careful of the praise of men.

We are in a war and need to be like soldiers hardened against adversity and the adversary. You have always impressed me as a man drawn to the esoteric and avoiding reality. At least that is my concern for your wellbeing.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

I am very careful of the praise of man, whenever people say such things to me I always tell them that the credit does not go to me it goes to him, I myself can do nothing and am nothing without him. My point is that I am being a soldier and doing what he leads me to do, I may be the kind of soldier you are nor do I work in the same manner you do but that doesn't mean I am not working just as hard as you.

 

[hardsell]

And are you satisfied just talking about God? and would you rather someone else speak to him for you? what they had was different not just anyone was allowed to have a kind of bond with him like that but because of Jesus all can

Exodus 19 and 20 show us that God intended to have relationship with the rest of the people that he had with Moses, but they refused.

Exodus 20:18-21 Please start reading Exodus 19 and through 20 and then let me know what you think.

[SUP]18 [/SUP]All the people perceived the thunder and the lightning flashes and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood at a distance. [SUP]19 [/SUP]Then they said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen; but let not God speak to us, or we will die.” [SUP]20 [/SUP]Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid; for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you may not sin.” [SUP]21 [/SUP]So the people stood at a distance, while Moses approached the thick cloud where God was.



I find it interesting the Priesthood was not established until after this moment. Why was that!?

 

[Blain]

Exodus 19 and 20 show us that God intended to have relationship with the rest of the people that he had with Moses, but they refused.

Exodus 20:18-21 Please start reading Exodus 19 and through 20 and then let me know what you think.

[SUP]18 [/SUP]All the people perceived the thunder and the lightning flashes and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood at a distance. [SUP]19 [/SUP]Then they said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen; but let not God speak to us, or we will die.” [SUP]20 [/SUP]Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid; for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you may not sin.” [SUP]21 [/SUP]So the people stood at a distance, while Moses approached the thick cloud where God was.



I find it interesting the Priesthood was not established until after this moment. Why was that!?

Do you know the difference between the old covenant and the new covenant? in the Old covenant that being in the old testament not just anyone could walk up to high temple and stand in God's presence not just anyone could have an actual relationship with him and things were very different between him and his people because the veil had not yet been torn and sin had not yet been sated. In the old covenant blood would be sacrificed from a lamb to appease for peoples sins but it still wasn't enough.
I do not know why he chose some men apart from others to be his instruments but I do know that those men eventually had an actual relationship with him. In the old testament God shows a different side of himself one that people knew first, people were afraid of him at times other times they would rather accept death than stand in his powerful presence he came across as the do not mess with me guy.

But then Jesus comes along and is like let me show you a different side you have yet to know and he formed a new covenant upon his death and blood being spilled. And so now instead of only a few chosen to dare to walk up to his throne he now welcomes all to do so without fear. Anyone can call themselves a Christian they can talk about god and study as if his kingdom is a topic of research or something to be studied but the key mark of a true Christian is the actual bond and relationship with God

 

[hardsell]

Do you know the difference between the old covenant and the new covenant? in the Old covenant that being in the old testament not just anyone could walk up to high temple and stand in God's presence not just anyone could have an actual relationship with him and things were very different between him and his people because the veil had not yet been torn and sin had not yet been sated. In the old covenant blood would be sacrificed from a lamb to appease for peoples sins but it still wasn't enough.
I do not know why he chose some men apart from others to be his instruments but I do know that those men eventually had an actual relationship with him. In the old testament God shows a different side of himself one that people knew first, people were afraid of him at times other times they would rather accept death than stand in his powerful presence he came across as the do not mess with me guy.

But then Jesus comes along and is like let me show you a different side you have yet to know and he formed a new covenant upon his death and blood being spilled. And so now instead of only a few chosen to dare to walk up to his throne he now welcomes all to do so without fear. Anyone can call themselves a Christian they can talk about god and study as if his kingdom is a topic of research or something to be studied but the key mark of a true Christian is the actual bond and relationship with God

I do understand the difference between the old and the new. What I am showing you has nothing to do with either. Seems to me you need to be the big man on campus and as such have missed completely what has been shown to you.

Moses had intimate relationship with God and the other did not and it had zero to do with which covenant they were under. The Law had not even been fully given yet.

You seemed open to understanding something that you are actually saying but have no revelation of what it means. If you really understood what was shown to you here, you would see what is very wrong in the body of Christ today. Too bad you need to resort to implications of others knowledge and validations from men. It is obvious, true revelation cannot be shared with you.