Seeking a supernatural encounter with God but failing miserably time and time again

GirdYourLoins

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1) prayer, 2) fasting, 3) reading the Bible, 4) obedience, 5) a life of holiness, 6) having faith, and of course 7) repentance and having accepted Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior.
1 Works
2 Works
3 Works
4 Works
5 Works
6 Works
7 The starting point and essential part of your relationship with God.

1-6 in your list can either be works in your own strength or fruit that comes out of your relationship with Jesus. When you pray, read the bible, etc are you led by the holy Spirit (promised to all believers) or is it in your own strength? Although I said works above, I'm not saying that is the case for you, just that it is a possibility.

For me, I find that a good worship session, singing of my love for Jesus will lead me into being aware of the presence of God (supernatural encounter) and there is fruit out of it that supports that it is not just a whimsical nice feeling. It needs what I consider true worship, putting God first and on the throne. It really draws me closer to God. In my opinion there is far too much of a trend at the moment of new songs trying to be fashionable than about putting God first. It really does so little for me. But having said that I now people who are good Christians and have a lot of fruit in their lies that wwould indicate that they are true Christians but say they never feel the presence of God.

I have held a long held belief that while different churches doctrines and different teachings are often just man's best attempt to interpret the Bible, God does use the different churches and styles to put people in a place that suits them. Also, our individual relationship with God can be very different. The one constant is "by their fruits you shall know them".
 
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Silly Uncle Wayne

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I'm currently at a position in which I'm extremely obsessed with knowing the truth first-hand. As I already said, I've watched tons of testimonies, but after almost two years of doing the same, I'm starting to see no point in storing more and more anecdotal information in my head if I don't live out these things by myself. I know a lot about God (theory), but I don't know God (personal experience/testimony), if that makes sense. So my obvious next step is to seek God, to seek an encounter with Him. Unfortunately, every time I try, I keep failing miserably. I know that the key ingredients to seek God are consistent 1) prayer, 2) fasting, 3) reading the Bible, 4) obedience, 5) a life of holiness, 6) having faith, and of course 7) repentance and having accepted Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior. I know the theory. Intellectually speaking, things are quite clear to me. The problem is that I'm struggling to implement the theory successfully.

The thing you need for the Spiritual Gifts is the Holy Spirt (it is in the name). The New Testament talks about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and most Charismatic/Pentecostal groups will start with that (though some say it is a necessity for salvation, which I don't agree with).

Find someone in authority and ask them to lay hands on you and pray for the filling of the Holy Spirty (or if your church isn't supportive, find some church that is supportive to do it - but don't switch churches on a permanent basis, that isn't necessary).

The spiritual gifts should be a consequence of that, but be wary of seeking the gifts for the sake of satisfying your need... You need God, not the spiritual gifts.
 
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TruthSeek3r

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When you pray, read the bible, etc are you led by the holy Spirit (promised to all believers) or is it in your own strength?

I've never received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and I have no idea how to tell if I'm being led by the Holy Spirit or not. I've never had the experience of receiving instructions from the Holy Spirit about what I'm supposed to do at a given time and place. I believe it is possible according to the Bible and many testimonies I've read/watched, but it hasn't happened to me personally yet. In fact, there are certain weaknesses and stubborn sins that I'm struggling with at the moment, so it's very likely that I am not empowered with the Spirit as I should be. But I totally agree with you that things should be done in the power of the spirit, not in our own strength. It's just that at the moment I have no idea how to access that power.
 
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TruthSeek3r

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The thing you need for the Spiritual Gifts is the Holy Spirt (it is in the name). The New Testament talks about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and most Charismatic/Pentecostal groups will start with that (though some say it is a necessity for salvation, which I don't agree with).

Find someone in authority and ask them to lay hands on you and pray for the filling of the Holy Spirty (or if your church isn't supportive, find some church that is supportive to do it - but don't switch churches on a permanent basis, that isn't necessary).

The spiritual gifts should be a consequence of that, but be wary of seeking the gifts for the sake of satisfying your need... You need God, not the spiritual gifts.

I am not necessarily seeking the gifts of the Spirit, I'm just seeking an encounter with God, whatever that means. But of course, I definitely need the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and the apostle Paul also encourages to earnestly seek the gifts of the Spirit, especially that we may prophesy. So I agree that it is important to seek the gifts.
 
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NBB

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I've never received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and I have no idea how to tell if I'm being led by the Holy Spirit or not. I've never had the experience of receiving instructions from the Holy Spirit about what I'm supposed to do at a given time and place. I believe it is possible according to the Bible and many testimonies I've read/watched, but it hasn't happened to me personally yet. In fact, there are certain weaknesses and stubborn sins that I'm struggling with at the moment, so it's very likely that I am not empowered with the Spirit as I should be. But I totally agree with you that things should be done in the power of the spirit, not in our own strength. It's just that at the moment I have no idea how to access that power.

Some need years to let go some sins, even some pastors had some shady bussiness with inappropriate contentography or something for a time, don't worry about that you just need to be willing to leave all your sins behind and follow Jesus, you need Jesus help first then he can do things to you and enable you to quit sins.
I quitted inappropriate contentography with the help of God and it costed me lots of prayer, i coulnd't quit on my own.

What i read here is that you think with your strenght you are going to be able to all that stuff, and its impossible, we need Gods grace and love to change.
 
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GirdYourLoins

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I've never received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and I have no idea how to tell if I'm being led by the Holy Spirit or not. I've never had the experience of receiving instructions from the Holy Spirit about what I'm supposed to do at a given time and place. I believe it is possible according to the Bible and many testimonies I've read/watched, but it hasn't happened to me personally yet. In fact, there are certain weaknesses and stubborn sins that I'm struggling with at the moment, so it's very likely that I am not empowered with the Spirit as I should be. But I totally agree with you that things should be done in the power of the spirit, not in our own strength. It's just that at the moment I have no idea how to access that power.
Forget about trying to access power. That falls into what I think is wrong in the worldwide church these days. For me being a Christian is about what you can do for God and putting God first. Too much in the church today is about what God can do for "me". Salvation is quite simple, the Bible says believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and you will be saved. So my advice is just accept Jesus, put him first, repent of your sin and dont worry about your experiencing power.
 
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NBB

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Forget about trying to access power. That falls into what I think is wrong in the worldwide church these days. For me being a Christian is about what you can do for God and putting God first. Too much in the church today is about what God can do for "me". Salvation is quite simple, the Bible says believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and you will be saved. So my advice is just accept Jesus, put him first, repent of your sin and dont worry about your experiencing power.

The baptism of the Holy spirit is for any christian though.
 
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TruthSeek3r

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Forget about trying to access power. That falls into what I think is wrong in the worldwide church these days. For me being a Christian is about what you can do for God and putting God first. Too much in the church today is about what God can do for "me". Salvation is quite simple, the Bible says believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and you will be saved. So my advice is just accept Jesus, put him first, repent of your sin and dont worry about your experiencing power.

So do you think I should or shouldn't proactively pray for the baptism of the Holy Spirit?
 
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NBB

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Truthseeker you are from chile?
watch this right now is live
Watch all lives from this pastor, he is good.
I am not even lying at all here i tell the truth
i was healed from a lung ailment by being ministered online.
And delivered from some fights i had.
 
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TruthSeek3r

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Truthseeker you are from chile?
watch this right now is live
Watch all lives from this pastor, he is good.
I am not even lying at all here i tell the truth
i was healed from a lung ailment by being ministered online.
And delivered from some fights i had.

Yes, I currently live in Chile and speak Spanish fluently. I know about Claudio Freidzon. I read his book Holy Spirit, I hunger for you. He was a very influential figure in the Argentine Revival of the 80s-90s along with Carlos Annacondia. He has a very powerful testimony. Perhaps I should watch more of his online services. Thanks for the suggestion.
 
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NBB

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Yes, I currently live in Chile and speak Spanish fluently. I know about Claudio Freidzon. I read his book Holy Spirit, I hunger for you. He was a very influential figure in the Argentine Revival of the 80s-90s along with Carlos Annacondia. He has a very powerful testimony. Perhaps I should watch more of his online services. Thanks for the suggestion.

Yes watch all his lives.
 
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Norbert L

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There are certain experiences that are definitely promised in scripture, such as the baptism in the Holy Spirit. What are your thoughts on seeking the baptism in the Holy Spirit?
I'm not familiar with the scriptures that have these promises. What are they? I don't really know how to answer that question without being sure of what your asking?
 
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TruthSeek3r

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I'm not familiar with the scriptures that have these promises. What are they? I don't really know how to answer that question without being sure of what your asking?

Luke 11:9-13 (ESV):
9 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”​

Matthew 3:11 (ESV):
11 “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.​

John 7:37-39 (ESV):
37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” 39 Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.​

Acts 1:8 (ESV):
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”​

Acts 10:44-48 (ESV):
44 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, 47 “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.
Acts 19:1-7 (ESV):
And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. 2 And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John's baptism.” 4 And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. 7 There were about twelve men in all.
Jeremiah 29:13 (ESV):
13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.​
 
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NBB

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Yes, I currently live in Chile and speak Spanish fluently. I know about Claudio Freidzon. I read his book Holy Spirit, I hunger for you. He was a very influential figure in the Argentine Revival of the 80s-90s along with Carlos Annacondia. He has a very powerful testimony. Perhaps I should watch more of his online services. Thanks for the suggestion.

I felt something in my lung for months, i was concsious about it and very aware of it, in one of the onlines services this dissapeared when they were praying for healing... coincidence? of course not.
When brothers in christ reunite even online something can happen so don't get 'bored' or dissapointed, something may happen!.
 
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TruthSeek3r

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I felt something in my lung for months, i was concsious about it and very aware of it, in one of the onlines services this dissapeared when they were praying for healing... coincidence? of course not.
When brothers in christ reunite even online something can happen so don't get 'bored' or dissapointed, something may happen!.

Awesome testimony. Did this happen while you were watching it live or a previously recorded live stream? And did you explicitly pray to be healed of your lung problem or did it get healed unexpectedly?
 
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Norbert L

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Luke 11:9-13 (ESV):
9 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”​

Matthew 3:11 (ESV):
11 “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.​

John 7:37-39 (ESV):
37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” 39 Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.​

Acts 1:8 (ESV):
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”​

Acts 10:44-48 (ESV):
44 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, 47 “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.
Acts 19:1-7 (ESV):
And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. 2 And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John's baptism.” 4 And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. 7 There were about twelve men in all.
Jeremiah 29:13 (ESV):
13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.​
Yes.
 
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Brian Mcnamee

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Hi supernatural things are all around us every day. Butterflies and all life for that matter DNA is a code RNA reads it and can do assembly line work and build a complete organism layering each cell into every different system such nervous system, circulatory system, digestive, reproductive and skeletal systems. This is all and more encoded in sperm and egg and you wonder if there is a God or do you think time matter and will equal all things? Time and matter and energy without information will not create life as we know it.

Now for an experience be careful as manifestations often are counterfeit. The God of the Bible cares more about your goodness and character than having a super spiritual trip. Life does have emotional highs and lows and if you have ever courted a woman and fell in love there are those moments. God can be a bit like that where breakthroughs happen and all but God is not needing to put on a light show or anything like that. The demonic world is full of those kind of manifestations and indeed things like kundalini yoga are working their way into some churches. The Bible is a prophetic book and as a scientist some guys have done work on compound probabilities of certain outcomes coming to pass. Now scripture needs to be 100% or it is not valid and many prophets have short term prophecies so we can see their batting averages and then if they are 100% right so far it might be a bad idea to bet against them in the future.

God is a spirit and if you are seeking him read the Bible an reflect on what you read. Cults and all want you to empty yourself and be open to outside forces moving in. God is the opposite. He wants you to look at yourself under the light of scripture and I can challenge you as John in HIs gospel wrote a thesis statement in chapter 20.
30 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

Now the whole of this gospel draws a line that you are on one side or the other. God's word is the highest revelation we will get and if you read this book of John and consider what is being said you will hear from the LORD this way.

If you go the other way and start opening up to the spirit world you will have real experiences. A guy name joe scimmel he has a story much like yours and went down the wrong path his story might helpyou.

 
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TruthSeek3r

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Hi supernatural things are all around us every day. Butterflies and all life for that matter DNA is a code RNA reads it and can do assembly line work and build a complete organism layering each cell into every different system such nervous system, circulatory system, digestive, reproductive and skeletal systems. This is all and more encoded in sperm and egg and you wonder if there is a God or do you think time matter and will equal all things? Time and matter and energy without information will not create life as we know it.

Now for an experience be careful as manifestations often are counterfeit. The God of the Bible cares more about your goodness and character than having a super spiritual trip. Life does have emotional highs and lows and if you have ever courted a woman and fell in love there are those moments. God can be a bit like that where breakthroughs happen and all but God is not needing to put on a light show or anything like that. The demonic world is full of those kind of manifestations and indeed things like kundalini yoga are working their way into some churches. The Bible is a prophetic book and as a scientist some guys have done work on compound probabilities of certain outcomes coming to pass. Now scripture needs to be 100% or it is not valid and many prophets have short term prophecies so we can see their batting averages and then if they are 100% right so far it might be a bad idea to bet against them in the future.

God is a spirit and if you are seeking him read the Bible an reflect on what you read. Cults and all want you to empty yourself and be open to outside forces moving in. God is the opposite. He wants you to look at yourself under the light of scripture and I can challenge you as John in HIs gospel wrote a thesis statement in chapter 20.
30 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

Now the whole of this gospel draws a line that you are on one side or the other. God's word is the highest revelation we will get and if you read this book of John and consider what is being said you will hear from the LORD this way.

If you go the other way and start opening up to the spirit world you will have real experiences. A guy name joe scimmel he has a story much like yours and went down the wrong path his story might helpyou.


In short, you are not against the supernatural, you are just warning about counterfeits, right? Do you believe in genuine supernatural experiences (which are not counterfeits)?
 
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ARBITER01

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Wow. No one had ever made me that offer before. I feel a bit reluctant about disclosing (part of) my identity here. Would it be fine if I send you a private message?

I think it would be fine just using your avatar name then, GOD is more than able to know who we are praying for anyways.

Going over people comments here, it's better to just seek the basics first,... ensuring you are connected with Jesus, then you can pursue things like the filling of The Spirit with the gifts.
 
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