Seeking the truth: seeking an encounter with God and receiving the silent treatment

[com7fy8]

Having a personal encounter with God would allow me to have such a testimony.

I offer that we have encounters, but in Jesus we grow in our ongoing intimacy and sharing with God. In the New Testament we have scriptures for this; I will offer a few which have been feeding me >

"But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him." (1 Corinthians 6:17)

"Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." (Romans 5:5)

I think of this > by sharing God's word with us, and saying how you are doing with this, you already are giving us your testimony. And when you share any scripture, in order to help somebody, you are testifying what God's word says.

And my present benefit for myself is how I can see that any scripture has God's love meaning, to somehow help us discover how God has us loving. One of my present basic scriptures is >

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful." (Colossians 3:15)

And I have prepared a video a little over thirteen minutes about this > this shares what I would say is my growing experience of God and things I have learned about this scripture > so God bless you however He pleases >

By the way . . . how I share here is after about forty years of praying and trusting God to do what He wants with me. And before I trusted in Jesus, I was a school bully for the sake of it, then a goody-goody two-shoes religious jerk who got voted class angel when I graduated. In college for a while I was a mess in anxiety and being drunk from lack of sleep. Then I did a religious thing for a while, not having a clue about submitting to God in His peace and personally caring about people > it all was about making brownie point gestures to get myself to Heaven.

And now that I'm almost 73 years old, I am busy each day with this submitting to God in His peace. And this can mean going through time out for correction, at any time each day, so I am not giving in to what is not in God's peace, but discovering how God's peace has me see things and people and be with God and love in His peace. So, what I am sharing in the video means all that God knows I myself still need to grow in more, too.

And I have had various people helping me, praying for me > so this is not what I am doing by myself > seeking God is as family, then . . . I now would say

 

[NBB]

Yes @TruthSeek3r God does interact with people, with things "nobody saw" or ever "imagined" even.
And i say that if a christian never experienced anything from God then something is probably wrong.

Like if you were filled with the Holy spirit you would have noticed a lot, i don't think you can receive that and experience nothing.

Also converting is its own experience, i don't think you can convert 'on your mind' only God usually does something to you that you notice.

So, if you beileve in Jesus, and you are commited to follow him, then something is going to happen sooner or later.

Just have faith and hunger for God.

God is supernatural and spirit, so are our soul and spirit that is what God changes and interacts with.

 

[Chris35]

Sometimes the answer is simply no.

A no answer can be just as powerful as a yes, because it can show us the wickedness of our hearts. It forces people into a position of faith and to question themselves.

All sorts of feelings and questions come up, rage, jealousy, anger. God may never reveal himself the way i want. Will I follow him anyway, not based on spiritual experiences but because it is the right thing to do, because of the testimonies of others or should i walk away?

Also, revelation from God, is not always so big, sometimes it can be just seeing truth in the words of Jesus.

 

[venksta]

The end of John's gospel came to mind while following this thread. This part takes place after Jesus' resurrection and he appears to the disciples. Thomas is originally not present...

John 20:21-29

21 Jesus therefore said to them again, Peace [be] unto you: as the Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Spirit: 23 whose soever sins ye forgive, they are forgiven unto them; whose soever [sins] ye retain, they are retained.
24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.
26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them. Jesus cometh, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace [be] unto you.
27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and see my hands; and reach [hither] thy hand, and put it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
28 Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
29 Jesus saith unto him, Because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed [are] they that have not seen, and [yet] have believed.

 

[Bruce Leiter]

For more than 7 months I've been researching the spirit realm. I've watched more than 300 (and counting) testimonies including even full books with hundreds of pages each. Take a look at the testimonies I've watched in this link (work in progress).

At the same time, I've been seeking a personal encounter with God all along. Unfortunately, all I receive is silence. The silent treatment.

What can I do? On the one hand, I've come across astonishing mind-blowing powerful supernatural testimonies of the spirit realm, but on the other hand, I only receive silence, and it's been like that for 7 months now.

I just don't understand what's the matter. This paradox between astonishing testimonies vs null personal experience is driving me crazy.

I feel like getting myself enclosed in a room for 10 days straight for full-time praying and fasting (like the apostles in the upper room), but frustratingly and sadly I just don't have the privacy and the time to do it (I'm burdened with the responsibilities of studying a PhD). I really wish I could.

What can I do?

What do you expect from this "encounter" with God? Remember that Elijah experienced a still small voice on Sinai instead some spectacular experience. My advice is to read the Bible from beginning to end (about 3 chapters a day will get you done in a year or one chapter a day 3 years). That's how most Christians "encounter" God plus constant prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Don't expect God to give you other Christians' experiences. Read the Word and pray.

 

[Broken Fence]

For more than 7 months I've been researching the spirit realm. I've watched more than 300 (and counting) testimonies including even full books with hundreds of pages each. Take a look at the testimonies I've watched in this link (work in progress).

At the same time, I've been seeking a personal encounter with God all along. Unfortunately, all I receive is silence. The silent treatment.

What can I do? On the one hand, I've come across astonishing mind-blowing powerful supernatural testimonies of the spirit realm, but on the other hand, I only receive silence, and it's been like that for 7 months now.

I just don't understand what's the matter. This paradox between astonishing testimonies vs null personal experience is driving me crazy.

I feel like getting myself enclosed in a room for 10 days straight for full-time praying and fasting (like the apostles in the upper room), but frustratingly and sadly I just don't have the privacy and the time to do it (I'm burdened with the responsibilities of studying a PhD). I really wish I could.

What can I do?

Greetings and Salutations TruthSeek3r,

I can tell you how things worked for me. I studied the bible night and day for 2 weeks. Got invited to church, asked Jesus into my heart. Got baptized. God is a very real person to me. I would suggest since your time is limited. Make a commitment for 2 weeks.

1. Ask Jesus into your heart. Ask Him to show you the truth.

2. Read at least one chapter in your bible everyday.

3. Pray everyday at least once, telling your cares and problems to God.

I am convinced after 2 weeks you will know God or better yet, you will know God knows you.

Lord Jesus we wanna lift up TruthSeek3r to you. Lord he wants to know You. Please God reveal Yourself to him as You have revealed Yourself to me. In Jesus's name. Amen

 

[eleos1954]

For more than 7 months I've been researching the spirit realm. I've watched more than 300 (and counting) testimonies including even full books with hundreds of pages each. Take a look at the testimonies I've watched in this link (work in progress).

At the same time, I've been seeking a personal encounter with God all along. Unfortunately, all I receive is silence. The silent treatment.

What can I do? On the one hand, I've come across astonishing mind-blowing powerful supernatural testimonies of the spirit realm, but on the other hand, I only receive silence, and it's been like that for 7 months now.

I just don't understand what's the matter. This paradox between astonishing testimonies vs null personal experience is driving me crazy.

I feel like getting myself enclosed in a room for 10 days straight for full-time praying and fasting (like the apostles in the upper room), but frustratingly and sadly I just don't have the privacy and the time to do it (I'm burdened with the responsibilities of studying a PhD). I really wish I could.

What can I do?

Even IF you were to have a spiritual encounter ... how would you know it was from God?

2nd Corinthians 11:14
English Standard Version
And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

 

[TruthSeek3r]

What do you expect from this "encounter" with God? Remember that Elijah experienced a still small voice on Sinai instead some spectacular experience.

Not sure, I cannot put God in a box, but it definitely has to be something other than the silent treatment.

My advice is to read the Bible from beginning to end (about 3 chapters a day will get you done in a year or one chapter a day 3 years). That's how most Christians "encounter" God plus constant prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Don't expect God to give you other Christians' experiences. Read the Word and pray.

What about receiving power for witnessing (the great commission) ?

Acts 1:7-8
7And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
8But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

 

[friend of]

Our faith should be grounded in more than cerebral experiences. I know sometimes it's not easy. But faith is of a stronger kind when it exists for it's own sake, without looking to feelings and experiences

 

[TruthSeek3r]

Even IF you were to have a spiritual encounter ... how would you know it was from God?

Because of this promise:

Luke 11:9-13

9And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 10For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 11If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? 12Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

 

[TruthSeek3r]

Our faith should be grounded in more than cerebral experiences. I know sometimes it's not easy. But faith is of a stronger kind when it exists for it's own sake, without looking to feelings and experiences

What about receiving power for witnessing (the great commission) ?

Acts 1:7-8
7And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
8But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

 

[TruthSeek3r]

The end of John's gospel came to mind while following this thread. This part takes place after Jesus' resurrection and he appears to the disciples. Thomas is originally not present...

John 20:21-29

21 Jesus therefore said to them again, Peace [be] unto you: as the Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Spirit: 23 whose soever sins ye forgive, they are forgiven unto them; whose soever [sins] ye retain, they are retained.
24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.
26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them. Jesus cometh, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace [be] unto you.
27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and see my hands; and reach [hither] thy hand, and put it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
28 Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
29 Jesus saith unto him, Because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed [are] they that have not seen, and [yet] have believed.

What about receiving power for witnessing (the great commission) ?

Acts 1:7-8
7And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
8But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

 

[DebbieJ]

Just because some cases are frauds it doesn't follow from that that all cases are frauds. That's just a non sequitur fallacy. It's like concluding that all news are fake just because fake news exist. Or like concluding that all humans are soccer players just because soccer players exist.

I believe you've convinced yourself enough that the videos you posted are true and that you're waiting for the supernatural to occur right before your eyes. And, it didn't and you're frustrated. Majority of Christians have not seen miracles or the supernatural all their lives but they believed. It's called faith. For blessed are those who do have not seen, yet believed.

 

[TruthSeek3r]

I believe you've convinced yourself enough that the videos you posted are true and that you're waiting for the supernatural to occur right before your eyes. And, it didn't and you're frustrated. Majority of Christians have not seen miracles or the supernatural all their lives but they believed. It's called faith. For blessed are those who do have not seen, yet believed.

Then what about receiving power for witnessing (the great commission) ?

Acts 1:7-8
7And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
8But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

 

[friend of]

What about receiving power for witnessing (the great commission) ?

If you put your faith in Christ you already have that power

 

[TruthSeek3r]

If you put your faith in Christ you already have that power

Then why did the apostles have to wait for 10 days in the upper room to receive this power?

Acts 1:4-13
4And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. 6When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 8But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 9And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. 12Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey. 13And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.

Acts 2:1-8
1And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. 6Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. 7And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? 8And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

And what about the disciples that believed in Jesus yet they had not received the power of the Holy Spirit?

Acts 8:12-19
12But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. 14Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. 18And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 19Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

Acts 19:1-7
1And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. 4Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. 7And all the men were about twelve.

 

[friend of]

Then why the apostles had to wait for 10 days in the upper room to receive this power?

That was then. Doesn't work like that today. People receive the Holy Spirit without having hands put on them

 

[TruthSeek3r]

That was then. Doesn't work like that today. People receive the Holy Spirit without having hands put on them

1) There are examples both with and without laying on of hands in the book Acts itself. The apostles in the upper room didn't have hands laid upon them when they received the baptism in the Holy Spirit the day of Pentecost. Cornelius and his family received the baptism of the Holy Spirit without laying on of hands either. That's not the point. The point is that in all cases they received the power for witnessing, and it was a clear experience.

2) Are you saying the baptism in the Holy Spirit is not for today? Are you a cessationist?

 

[DebbieJ]

Then what about receiving power for witnessing (the great commission) ?

Acts 1:7-8
7And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
8But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Christ wasn't talking to a large crowd. He was talking specifically to his apostles. Are you an apostle? Do you think by reading this passage you too will receive powers like the apostles? Certainty not! Apostles are chosen. Prophets are chosen.

Are you a chosen one? Can you walk on water?

Many people who converted to Christianity didn't see any thing supernatural. But, they believed.

 

[TruthSeek3r]

Christ wasn't talking to a large crowd. He was talking specifically to his apostles. Are you an apostle? Do you think by reading this passage you too will receive powers like the apostles? Certainty not! Apostles are chosen. Prophets are chosen.

Are you a chosen one? Can you walk on water?

If the power for witnessing was only for the apostles, then why did Cornelius and his family, who were all Gentiles, receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit too? Or are you going to say that Cornelius and his family were all apostles?
Acts 10:44-48
44While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.


Furthermore, Jesus said "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." (Acts 1:8). If the power for witnessing was only for the apostles, then how would they be able to witness "unto the uttermost part of the earth"? Do you think a few apostles can logistically manage to witness to all 5 continents in a few decades?



If the fullness of the Holy Spirit was intended only for the apostles, then why would they look for men filled with the Holy Spirit to serve tables?
Acts 6:1-4:
1And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 2Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 3Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. 5And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: 6Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.


If the fullness of the Holy Spirit is only for the apostles at Jerusalem, then why did the Apostle Paul write an epistle to the Ephesians (who were Gentiles) explicitly encouraging them to be filled with the Holy Spirit?
Ephesians 5:18-20
18And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Many people who converted to Christianity didn't see any thing supernatural. But, they believed.

It's possible to be a Christian and still be lacking the baptism in the Holy Spirit. In fact, in the book of Acts there are two examples of this:

Example 1: Acts 8:12-19
12But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. 14Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. 18And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 19Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

Example 2: Acts 19:1-7
1And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. 4Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. 7And all the men were about twelve.