How do I seek God's face and not his hands?

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dothackzero

dothackzero

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#1
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I'm just wondering since I've noticed that I'm mostly seeking what he can do for me. I mean I'm talking to him every day, and reading the Bible every day. But it still doesn't feel like I have a real relationship with him. Maybe it's because I'm seeking what he can do for me(Like getting me a girlfriend.). How do I get to point where I just where I want to know God just because he saved from Hell and nothing else. Or something like that, I really need to get better at explaining things...
 
eugenius

eugenius

Senior Member
#2
Jul 17, 2009
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Its easy. Look around you. Look at nature. Look at the natural wonders of the world. Look at all the different kinds of amazing and interesting animals. This world is so vast and interesting and mysterious, (which is why I love science). God made all this.

Now think of this, you are living in the wealthiest country on Earth. You do not live in Africa where having a piece of bread to eat is cause for celebration. Count all your blessings. Think about all that God has done for you in your life.

And just thank him. Realize how amazing God is. And how much he loves you and how much he cares when nobody else in the world seems to. All that is the face of God. Don't constantly ask him for things, sometimes you need to thank him for all that he has already done.

And if you say anything about not having a GF, I'm going to say that I'm 24 today and have no GF either and girls dont care about me, and I couldn't be happier that I don't have a lying cheating harlot in my presence. So don't start that or I'm going to pummel you bro. ;)
 
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dothackzero

dothackzero

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#3
May 4, 2009
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eugenius said:
Its easy. Look around you. Look at nature. Look at the natural wonders of the world. Look at all the different kinds of amazing and interesting animals. This world is so vast and interesting and mysterious, (which is why I love science). God made all this.
Click to expand...
I know it's awesome, it's even more awesome from a programmers prospective(You get to a little more of the work that God had to go though to make nature as awesome as it is.)
 
eugenius

eugenius

Senior Member
#4
Jul 17, 2009
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dothackzero said:
I know it's awesome, it's even more awesome from a programmers prospective(You get to a little more of the work that God had to go though to make nature as awesome as it is.)
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Yea and also from the perspective of an Electrical Engineer. You get a glance into the mysteries of the universe.
 
M

machew

Guest
#5
#5
dothackzero said:
I'm just wondering since I've noticed that I'm mostly seeking what he can do for me. I mean I'm talking to him every day, and reading the Bible every day. But it still doesn't feel like I have a real relationship with him. Maybe it's because I'm seeking what he can do for me(Like getting me a girlfriend.). How do I get to point where I just where I want to know God just because he saved from Hell and nothing else. Or something like that, I really need to get better at explaining things...
Click to expand...
Seeking God's face is to seek and to notice God's intentions and purposes, to know why He does things the way He does. Seeking His hands is only seeking or noticing the things He does.

Think of it this way. If you are in a relationship with a extremely wealthy friend, who has a lot of discernment, life experience, and is really good at reading people's intentions; could you interact with this person the same way you are interacting with God, without them dismissing you from their presence or even their friendship?

What kind of relationship would this be? Would it last long?
If you feel like you are seeking God for what you can get out of it, then you are right, this is a shallow relationship at best. Are you seeking Him simply to get to know Him, or do you have other agendas attached to this?

God can obviously tell the difference, and knows when you genuinely want to know Him, and when you are just wanting Him to do something for you.
 
G

greatkraw

Guest
#6
#6
dothackzero said:
I'm just wondering since I've noticed that I'm mostly seeking what he can do for me. I mean I'm talking to him every day, and reading the Bible every day. But it still doesn't feel like I have a real relationship with him. Maybe it's because I'm seeking what he can do for me(Like getting me a girlfriend.). How do I get to point where I just where I want to know God just because he saved from Hell and nothing else. Or something like that, I really need to get better at explaining things...
Click to expand...

no its because you are taking notice of your feelings - they are misleading you and you are letting them
 
dothackzero

dothackzero

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#7
May 4, 2009
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No, when I step back and take a look at things. I know it's not just my feeling telling me this.
 
SpySat1

SpySat1

Senior Member
#8
Sep 19, 2009
250
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dothackzero said:
I'm just wondering since I've noticed that I'm mostly seeking what he can do for me. I mean I'm talking to him every day, and reading the Bible every day. But it still doesn't feel like I have a real relationship with him. Maybe it's because I'm seeking what he can do for me(Like getting me a girlfriend.). How do I get to point where I just where I want to know God just because he saved from Hell and nothing else. Or something like that, I really need to get better at explaining things...
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Start by Appreciating Him. Think of a relationship you have with anyone you like... You appreciate them!

Thank God about anything that comes to mind, and whenever.

Be Appreciative about creation and the gifts and abilities we've been given.

You see a beautiful sunset, Thank God.

You duck under a covered walk way to get out of the rain, Thank God for the builders of the covered walk way, and the covered walkway itself! Thank God for our ability to create as well, to build and develop and understand. And Praise God for our abilities and his Love for us to gift us so.

You hear a beautiful song, praise God for the gift of music, the gift of sound and hearing.

You eat some great food, Thank God for the creation of eating food to gain energy... while we're on the topic, Sleep is awesome! Have a great nights worth of sleep. Praise God and Thank Him.

Enjoy a great vehicle? Clean bathroom? Comforting blanket? Refreshing Nature Trail? Praise God! Thank Him!

You stub your toe or bruise your knee, Praise God that you have working legs! Thank Him Always!

Appreciate God! In All Things. For His gifts to us personally, for His gifts to us as a race of people... the intellect, the invention, the entertainment... even the small things... Our nervous system, the ability to touch, our cardiovascular system, the shoes we wear, fresh snow, a warm fire, a tropical beach, a telephone, a mom, a dad, a brother, a sister, a friend, a lover, a past, a present, a future.

Praise God forever.
 
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OreoSoleil

Guest
#9
#9
the only thing that will help your relationship with God is mentioned in Psalm 51 --a broken and contrite heart. Like with Job --God had to break him for him to see God as He truly was. Job didn't know himself or God --- if you really are seeking. I recommend you checking out Desirig God website--by John piper, his sermons are all free. The sermons that have been speaking to me lately are the battling unbelief. That's a good place to start--- we hae faith, but it isn't near where it needs to be -- as Romans 10 states--only God can give us our faith --but you must seek Him.
 
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mcubed

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#10
#10
For me it’s Scripture reading. He is alive yes, but He comes so alive to me. We, Yashua and I, have our greatest talks when I read His Word, He reviles Himself to me. It is so exciting when there I Scripture that I have read at least 100 times and know there is something here I should be getting but just feeling like I’m missing it and asking Him to teach me then all of the sudden He gives me understanding. He just opens my ears and eyes or will tell me to look at another part of Scripture and it makes it so clear. It’s so exciting!! But the amazing part is it doesn’t end up I get Him (I do but), it’s He ends up getting me- inside of me. He honestly does fill me. If I go without being in His Word I am not patient (I want instant gratification), do not put others above myself, I do not sing to Him just because I am happy for no other reason than I’m happy, I will chose to sin to satisfy my flesh. But when I am in His Word His presence fills me that I not only want to think about the things of Him I choose to, I choose to please Him and not my flesh. And I wonder how I can ever be sooooo stupid and not be in His Word, not just hang out with Him. He is the reward, Him getting in me.
 
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midnight_beauty

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#11
#11
idk wat to tell u bro.. i mean just thank him for wat u have thank him for who he is u know thats all i have right now..
 
dothackzero

dothackzero

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#12
May 4, 2009
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#12
I'm kinda worried that part of the reason why I want to get closer to God for the right reasons, is because I'm looking for what I can get out of it.
 
resurrection33

resurrection33

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Dec 19, 2009
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I think it’s good you talk to the Lord every day. Don’t forget to listen for him.
 
dothackzero

dothackzero

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#14
May 4, 2009
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I try too, but it's hard to tell if it's him, me, or my ocd talking to me...
 
dothackzero

dothackzero

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May 4, 2009
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#16
Hopefully after I get this thing figued out, I'll start growing a lot faster as a Christian...
 
resurrection33

resurrection33

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Dec 19, 2009
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The Lord doesn’t communicate with words, I don’t think.
 
dothackzero

dothackzero

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#18
May 4, 2009
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That's part of the problem. I have to try to figure out what's me, my ocd, and when it's God talking to me when I thinking about something. What's harder is that all 3 of them sounds like my own mind thinking of it.

I think I figured it out. I need a revalation from God on how awesome he and how much of a sinner I am... Please pray that I get one....
 
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lil-rush

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#20
#20
dothackzero said:
I'm kinda worried that part of the reason why I want to get closer to God for the right reasons, is because I'm looking for what I can get out of it.
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It doesn't have to be an either/or situation. You can be trying to draw close to God for the right reasons and the wrong reasons at the same time. The thing is, the closer you draw to God the less it will be for selfish gain. When you are closer to God, self dies. Your fleshly desires are not as strong, and your spiritual desires grow.

Be happy you have a desire to grow closer to God -whatever the reasons- and keep on pressing in. God knows what is in your heart, but perhaps it would be helpful to lift a daily prayer to God saying something along the lines of "God, help me to draw close to you, and help me to want to draw close to you for the right reasons."
 
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