Yea i agree with that, but a person also has to walk in the faith and grow in relationship with Christ.. a person can read the word all day long, but if they never walk it out in agreement it will only be head knowledge... When God spoke to me that day i was actually about to take my own life... back then i was involved with a lot of occult stuff, while at the same time an atheist... back then i hated anything christian related and never once picked up a bible to read it.... And as for what God said.. he said something first that i can't remember, but then he started reading genesis, and as he was reading or quoting genesis i literally saw in visions how his word became manifest and who he is... HIS words really have life, and as he was saying these things it changed my mind about me wanting to die that day, and it gave me something never to forget...That encounter wasn't a reward for being christian, because back then i wasn't one yet... That was his mercy.
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Okay, my sister. 
I used to work out at a gym that played hard core music; never a soft melody to be heard. But one day while in the middle of a workout, a ballad played on the radio and Jesus is mentioned in the song. I stopped working out and just sat there listening to the song and saying a prayer. When Jesus' Name was said in the song, I literally felt someone embrace me!
I used to work out at a gym that played hard core music; never a soft melody to be heard. But one day while in the middle of a workout, a ballad played on the radio and Jesus is mentioned in the song. I stopped working out and just sat there listening to the song and saying a prayer. When Jesus' Name was said in the song, I literally felt someone embrace me!
Your testimony is very similar to mine. although i wasnt involved in the occult though. So God spoke to you but you couldnt make out what he said? The GOD OF THE UNIVERSE spoke to you and you cant remember? Really? For me it was the opposite... I too was contemplating suicide on the third story balcony of y high school at night and prayed to God to show himself to me. After i said that nothing happened. Nothing happened for months until i met a christian who told me the gospel of grace and peace and forgiveness... and at the time I ran to him even though i did not hear him or see visions. I read his Word and boy oh boy it convicted me and revealed Gods love and goodness to me. John 20:29 "Blessed are those who do not see and yet believe" I guess i do not understand why you cant remember what God said? Afterall this is God talking to you? and to forget what he said is like huh?
although i wasnt involved in the occult though. So God spoke to you but you couldnt make out what he said? The GOD OF THE UNIVERSE spoke to you and you cant remember? Really? For me it was the opposite... I too was contemplating suicide on the third story balcony of y high school at night and prayed to God to show himself to me. After i said that nothing happened. Nothing happened for months until i met a christian who told me the gospel of grace and peace and forgiveness... and at the time I ran to him even though i did not hear him or see visions. I read his Word and boy oh boy it convicted me and revealed Gods love and goodness to me. John 20:29 "Blessed are those who do not see and yet believe" I guess i do not understand why you cant remember what God said? Afterall this is God talking to you? and to forget what he said is like huh?
God wants a personal relationship with us. Obviously our main guide is the Bible. But also when we seek him, not just by theology, but by heart he comes to us and talk to us. Most of the time the Holy Spirit but also Jesus. God isnt limited on how he speaks to us, nor does he let himself be limited.
Our God is an awesome God. His sheep know his voice.
Our God is an awesome God. His sheep know his voice.
I agree entirely. I'm just trying to make the point that the goal is to establish a relationship with the Lord. Part of establishing a relationship with the Lord is obeying the commandments, which are found in the Bible, but if we don't establish personal relationships with the Lord, we are missing the point.
Well thats why i believe second to a christians growth asides reading and praying is fellow shipping with Gods bride namely the church. The church also seeks to preach Gods Word as the Church is also a place we hear from God...how? Through the preaching of his Word. Walking in faith requires soaking ourselves in the scriptures the same that Jesus was learned in the scriptures. The amazing thing is that if you are reading the bible without the spirit of God dwelling in you it really isnt going to make any sense. But with the spirit dwelling in you it is alive and the Spirit bears witness to that truth.
Walking in faith requires soaking ourselves in the scriptures the same that Jesus was learned in the scriptures. The amazing thing is that if you are reading the bible without the spirit of God dwelling in you it really isnt going to make any sense. But with the spirit dwelling in you it is alive and the Spirit bears witness to that truth.
God chose to reveal himself through his Word. thats the way he chose to do it. This is his primary revelation of himself to us. Visions and the like are certainly possible but are simply not Gods primary means of revelation. I would say if they happen they happen very rarely. Most people come to Christ not because they saw a vision or heard an audible voice... most people come to Christ because they heard the gospel preached to them from someone. They heard the gospel, they read the gospel and they believed the gospel. Whilst that was taking place the Spirit was moving there hearts to exercise faith in him.
Its funny because the Bible doesnt tell us if he will or will not do that. Its certainly possible yes.... but why then does it say in matthew 28:19 that you are to teach the nations and people? and disciple them and train them in the Lord? So i guess its our job to teach those who do not have a bible to come to Christ.
I agree. Developing a personal relationship with Christ involves foundationally and fundamentally on reading his Word. You can develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ without the need of visions, dreams, audible voices etc. But you cannot develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ without his Holy Word. So i think in order to develop a personal relationship with Christ, yes you definitely need his Word and visions etc not so much
I agree. Developing a personal relationship with Christ involves foundationally and fundamentally on reading his Word. You can develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ without the need of visions, dreams, audible voices etc. But you cannot develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ without his Holy Word. So i think in order to develop a personal relationship with Christ, yes you definitely need his Word and visions etc not so much
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I agree with every thing you have posted in this thread, except for the word MOST. ALL people must come to Christ through the gospel. This extrabiblical stuff is dangerous ground. Audible and visual experiences are not to be trusted. They could be flesh, they could be illness, they could be of Satan. Satan himself comes as an angel of light. The Bible says Romans 10:14-15 "How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace and bring tidings of good things!"
"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."
I agree with you completely (except for the word most) good job defending the Bible in this thread.
"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."
I agree with you completely (except for the word most) good job defending the Bible in this thread.
Yes people come to Christ through hearing. But by reading his word alone, you cant get close to him. People can quote scriptures all day but, without knowing Christ and his voice there is no way of realizing and translating it in the heart. God can reveal himself personally, and through the Bible. You will find that even people who have seen him before the bible, God will always call people to his Word to build up. The bible are the foundation, the faith and seeking of a relationship are the bricks and cement to build on. Theres for Psalm 23 The Lord is my Shepard. He speaks to us and through us. He is a solid Rock/Castle.