How would you describe the presence of God in your life?

[sk8brdkd]

The way I describe it is totally different then others as I somewhat described in my last post, but, I'm curious how others describe it.

 

[ByTheSpirit]

Tangible presence? I've been miraculously healed twice in my life. In 2011 from depression by the very voice of God, He spoke Proverbs 3:5-6 to me and set me free. Then just last week, I was getting baptized and He told me as I was going that my arm would be healed from a catastrophic work accident years ago that left me more than 50% disabled in my arm, and when I got baptized, I was healed. Now my arm has complete mobility again, the first time in years.

Spiritual presence? My desires are no longer what they once were. I had major issues with pride, lust, and fear, among other things. All of those now are gone, and in place of those I thirst and hunger after righteousness. I don't say that to brag, I'm just being honest in response to the question.

God is real, He is active in the world and anyone who would say otherwise is just blind to what is happening.

 

[aiki]

The way I describe it is totally different then others as I somewhat described in my last post, but, I'm curious how others describe it.

God is present in our lives in the Person of the Holy Spirit. And we know the Spirit is present in our lives, not by some feeling of His presence, some physical sensation or strong emotion, but by what he does to us in convicting us, teaching us, comforting us, strengthening us, and transforming us.

We aren't free to just take up whatever ideas about the Spirit we like, defining him in our lives as we wish, conflating him with sensations and emotions, reducing him to our physical realm rather than dealing with him in the spiritual realm in which he operates. The Bible tells us what a genuine experience of the Spirit is, what it looks like*, and any other claims we want to make about interacting with the Spirit deserve enormous skepticism and wariness. In fact, much of the time, Christians are blaspheming the Spirit, attributing to him all sorts of things that have nothing at all to do with him and cannot be shown to come from him except by way of the bare claim that they have. And in extreme degree, this blasphemy takes on a hugely grotesque character, "Christians" acting like they are on drugs, or drunk, and calling it an experience of the Holy Spirit, soaking in him as though he is a bathtub of warm water or a jacuzzi. This stuff is sick and ugly but the sort of thing one might anticipate when Christians want to make the spiritual life of Christ a sensual one.

*
The Spirit convicts us of sin. (John 16:8)
The Spirit strengthens us in times of temptation and trial (Ephesians 3:16; Romans 8:13; Philippians 4:13, etc.)
The Spirit illuminates our understanding (John 16:13; 1 Corinthians 2:10-16)
The Spirit comforts us in times of suffering and tragedy (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)
The Spirit transforms us (Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 5:9; 2 Corinthians 3:18)
The Spirit disciplines us (Hebrews 12:5-11)

Nowhere does the Bible indicate that the Holy Spirit's presence will give us tingles, or warm oozies, or smells, or feathers falling from above. Nowhere does the Bible teach us that the Holy Spirit will fling believers to the ground and convulse them, or provoke them to hysteria. Nowhere does the Bible urge believers to expect the Spirit to deal with them in a sensual way but instead warns that our physical, sensual life is of the flesh and contrary to the spiritual, non-material life of the Spirit. (Romans 8:5-8; Romans 7:18; Galatians 5:17; Galatians 3:1-3, etc.)

 

[Allen of the Cross]

Well, I've tried to have a big view of God. It doesn't take long to figure out that He is all-knowing. Soon I became aware that all of my thoughts are heard by Him. So, being mindful of His listening ears, I try to control and curate and cleanse my thoughts to be as pleasing to Him as possible. My Lord made me, so when He hears my thoughts, I want Him to hear pleasant thoughts.

Often though I'll feel His love for me expressed in joy and peace from the Spirit. As I ponder on the gospel, peace erupts in my spirit, and I am brought much joy.

I have learned very much about Him, that He is my Bridegroom. I was setting at my table one time, pondering on something I did not understand: if God the Father is our Father, then what is the Lord Jesus Christ to us? So I pondered, and thought, and remembered tidbits that I learned from scriptures, and came to the conclusion that Jesus Christ must be our Bridegroom, our Husband.

And again, I learned this from the scriptures: Ephesians 5:31-32 reveals to us that there is a mystery in marriage that is revealed in Christ and the church. He is referred to by John the Baptist as the Bridegroom in John 3:29. So to fellowship with Christ is to fellowship with the One with whom I am espouse, as told by Paul in 2 Corinthians 11:1-3.

So, as He is my husband, I enjoy showing Him verbal affection. The Psalms have inspired me to write poetry. As we have grown in love, it gets harder and harder to be away from Him, but I desire to be in His presence all that I can be. I sure do love Jesus Christ my Bridegroom. He is wonderful!

 

[aiki]

I have learned very much about Him, that He is my Bridegroom.

So, as He is my husband, I enjoy showing Him verbal affection.

Allen, are you indicating Jesus was homosexual? If you are a man (which I assume you are with a screen name like "Allen") and Jesus is your "husband," does this not imply homosexuality is okay? Could it be, though, that the "Bride of Christ" is the Church as a corporate entity, not Christians individually?

 

[Allen of the Cross]

Allen, are you indicating Jesus was homosexual?

No. The New Testament is pretty clear that homosexuality is a sin, specifically in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. So no, I'm not at all. Are you?

Isaiah 54:5 - For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.

Hosea 2:14-23: Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her. And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt. And it shall be at that day, saith the LORD, that thou shalt call me Ishi; and shalt call me no more Baali. For I will take away the names of Baalim out of her mouth, and they shall no more be remembered by their name.

And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven, and with the creeping things of the ground: and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely. And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies. I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD. And it shall come to pass in that day, I will hear, saith the LORD, I will hear the heavens, and they shall hear the earth; And the earth shall hear the corn, and the wine, and the oil; and they shall hear Jezreel. And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.

Psalms 45:10-15:
Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house; So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him. And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall intreat thy favour. The king's daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold. She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee. With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king's palace.

 

[Blade]

God is present in our lives in the Person of the Holy Spirit. And we know the Spirit is present in our lives, not by some feeling of His presence, some physical sensation or strong emotion, but by what he does to us in convicting us, teaching us, comforting us, strengthening us, and transforming us.

We aren't free to just take up whatever ideas about the Spirit we like, defining him in our lives as we wish, conflating him with sensations and emotions, reducing him to our physical realm rather than dealing with him in the spiritual realm in which he operates. The Bible tells us what a genuine experience of the Spirit is, what it looks like*, and any other claims we want to make about interacting with the Spirit deserve enormous skepticism and wariness. In fact, much of the time, Christians are blaspheming the Spirit, attributing to him all sorts of things that have nothing at all to do with him and cannot be shown to come from him except by way of the bare claim that they have. And in extreme degree, this blasphemy takes on a hugely grotesque character, "Christians" acting like they are on drugs, or drunk, and calling it an experience of the Holy Spirit, soaking in him as though he is bathtub of warm water or a jacuzzi. This stuff is sick and ugly but the sort of thing one might anticipate when Christians want to make the spiritual life of Christ a sensual one.

*
The Spirit convicts us of sin. (John 16:8)
The Spirit strengthens us in times of temptation and trial (Ephesians 3:16; Romans 8:13; Philippians 4:13, etc.)
The Spirit illuminates our understanding (John 16:13; 1 Corinthians 2:10-16)
The Spirit comforts us in times of suffering and tragedy (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)
The Spirit transforms us (Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 5:9; 2 Corinthians 3:18)
The Spirit disciplines us (Hebrews 12:5-11)

Nowhere does the Bible indicate that the Holy Spirit's presence will give us tingles, or warm oozies, or smells, or feathers falling from above. Nowhere does the Bible teach us that the Holy Spirit will fling believers to the ground and convulse them, or provoke them to hysteria. Nowhere does the Bible urge believers to expect the Spirit to deal with them in a sensual way but instead warns that our physical, sensual life is of the flesh and contrary to the spiritual, non-material life of the Spirit. (Romans 8:5-8; Romans 7:18; Galatians 5:17; Galatians 3:1-3, etc.)

Well you seem to be free to tell us how the sweet sweet holy Sprit should move. Much of what you said is not written. Its just how you feel about it your personal belief. You say this "And in extreme degree, this blasphemy takes on a hugely grotesque character, "Christians" acting like they are on drugs, or drunk, and calling it an experience of the Holy Spirit" yet you know when the holy spirit fell on the 120 all the people that saw them thought they were drunk filled with wine. Nope they were not drunk just filled with the holy ghost. Not one of the scriptures backs up what you said. I just watched a preacher say the only way you can blasphemy the holy spirit is you have to have the holy spirit. He said someone as in a sinner can't because they don't know Him. Not sure I agree but... does make one wonder.

Those verses. Well take convicts the world of sin. Seems Christ did say more "in regard to sin because they do not believe in me". Thats why no one gets to heaven unless they believe in Christ. Anyway so in my life He can move anyway He wants.. I don't dictate how He should move what He should do. If I did.. then there is so much I would never experience from Him. He will never go against our will. Yes some go over board do things that I would never do. Maybe no one taught them? Maybe not make fun of them and help them see understand Praise GOD they are open to Him! So if I offended for give me.

 

[angelsaroundme]

A light shining in the darkness and a comforting presence in the lonely cosmos.

 

[Natto]

In many years of my failing Christian life, I considered myself as fallen Christian, God had not presented in my life for some long period of time, but He also show up and help me several times along the way or at some critical timing. All you have to do is to call out on him. To be honest, my prayer is not always working either. Sometimes, signal delay during the process of transmission. But most importantly, it work at some critical times for me. And sometimes, my prayers haven't been answered for long or over ages. You just have to be patient, my friends. I ever asked God ever since you are so powerful, why do not you get me a quick fix of my problem of impurity, impure thoughts, and moral defects. It hardly be answered for decade. Then I realize Sometimes it's my own problem rather than power of God. The following situation let me witness the presence of God in life. God’s love is great. Addiction of smoking in college, God use my church mentor to help me get rid of the addiction in church in a few weeks. Drug addiction was harder and took a year. Close to verge of academic suspension, I ever walked nearby the wall of college drowned in despair and hoped God could save me from academic suspensions, even I really prayed hard if God could rescue me out of this academic mess, was almost like in mid-summer and made my final push through that horror process of being verge of suspension and mental breakdown. And one of my intro courses still fell short of a few points and another course was just completely disastrous and doomed. I probably could not register any courses for next incoming academic year. Luckily, my petition was granted by standing committee for a late withdrawal of the potentially possible fail course. I knew it's God's grace. Eventually to the time of college graduation, we decided to made the a road trip with a rental car down to USA New York and Boston. When the wheel of car lost of control and mingle with some snow. The rental car front dived and crushed into snow bank of side road, but car front was thoroughly buried in piles of snows of side road with 45 degree angles or tilt, was stuck in the snowstorm on the American transcontinental highway with hardly anyone around except for black forest, I could not do anything at middle of night, I just dial emergency called upon God's for urgent help because I did not have extra money for car towing service either.. We do know if we will be dying by freezing coldness or got crushed by other cars from behind. We only had some money left only for some food, gas, a few night of hotel. That was about it. Wind was howling, snowflakes was flying, and piling up continuously. Outside is freaking cold. We did not know if we can survive either. Everything seem scary in pitch-dark at night along with side road of gruesome dark forest. I completely forget the name of the road. There was barely any illumination on transcontinental highway at that time, except very few cars passing by with headlight on at middle of night. Miraculously one kind-heart Americans pulling over side road temporarily nearby us, was willing to reach out us and risk danger of giving us a helping hand to push 45 degree tilt car out of crisis of the deep snowdrifts. When I returned my home country, there was mandatory army enlistment for every male. I prayed for exemption of mandatory army enlistment, foreign policy was sudden change, and diplomatic pardon, my passport was pending for further assessment and verification. Eventually I was granted military exemption and I was truly grateful for that. After many years, I still wanted to see my ex-girlfriend again. , I was in hesitation if I should go in free open concert in New Year since it was overcrowded at night. It was God who made her accidentally cut my line, stand right in front of me with half mask off in Taipei 101 in New Year without her knowing. I am really grateful for what God have done at some point of my life. When I was about broke and life was really in despair, facing trouble of urban survival, God send sent little angels to reinforce me on finance greatly, lifted me up, and help me escape from some kind of danger and trouble, I can occasionally feel presence of grace of God at some critical point of my life. It happened sometimes again and again.

The bottom line is you have experience trouble or difficulty, just call out. God usually or often will hear. If he cannot hear, install a signal amplifier.

Cheers.

 

[aiki]

Well you seem to be free to tell us how the sweet sweet holy Sprit should move.

??? Is there some forum restriction on answering the OP that excludes me from offering a response?

Also, can you show me where in Scripture anyone refers to the Holy Spirit as the "sweet, sweet Holy Spirit"?

Much of what you said is not written. Its just how you feel about it your personal belief.

Nope. False. Everything I wrote I can support thoroughly from Scripture.

You say this "And in extreme degree, this blasphemy takes on a hugely grotesque character, "Christians" acting like they are on drugs, or drunk, and calling it an experience of the Holy Spirit" yet you know when the holy spirit fell on the 120 all the people that saw them thought they were drunk filled with wine. Nope they were not drunk just filled with the holy ghost.

Actually, Acts 2 tells us that "mockers" described the ability of the disciples to preach the Gospel in various languages as drunkenness. Their goal was to diminish and scorn what was happening, not offer an accurate description of the event. Others observing the disciples had not thought them drunk at all but were amazed to hear the Gospel given in their own native language. Were the disciples, then, actually behaving in a drunken manner as they preached in the power of the Spirit? Only if you believe their opponents, the mockers of what God was doing.

Anyway so in my life He can move anyway He wants.. I don't dictate how He should move what He should do.

But how do you know what you think is the Holy Spirit actually is? I set every claim about the Holy Spirit against the revelation of God in Scripture. This is letting God define His own limits. And when I do, most of the blasphemous nonsense about the Holy Spirit is shown for the false stuff it is.

Maybe not make fun of them and help them see understand Praise GOD they are open to Him

No. I don't praise God when the ignorant blaspheme Him. Nor do I make fun of the sensual foolishness of those claiming to be Christians. Instead, I challenge and rebuke such grotesque and demonic behavior, calling it what it is.

 

[StillGods]

Gods Presence has been tangible at times in my life for sure, sometimes I havent wanted to move because I didnt want to disturb anything so that His tangible presence would stay. I have also had experiences that were not God.
But I know He never leaves me nor forsakes me because He said that in His Word and I feel happy when reading that scripture that God is with me because He says in His Word that He is, so He is. God is Faithful.
Spiritual experiences are fleeting and can be misleading (remember the devil mascarades as an angel of light and can give us spiritual experiences if we are not careful). it is better to stand on the truth of Gods Word and rely on that than on experiential experiences.

 

[ViaCrucis]

The way I describe it is totally different then others as I somewhat described in my last post, but, I'm curious how others describe it.

Word and Sacrament.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[Eye4Eye26]

For me it’s a peace & stillness in my soul when I let go & put my trust in God. Then watching things in my life improve in ways even better than I imagined, which always reminds me how His ways are way better than any of mine.