Is God really real to you? Please share.

[JayEss22]

JayEss22 interesting questions, but they aren't what I was asking about. I'm asking about people's personal encounters, I'm not really interested in opinions or thoughts so much on this particular thread. I'm really after people's spiritual experiences.

Have you had spiritual experiences that are leading to your ideas, or is it speculation and philosophy?

This thread is asking for testimony of spiritual experiences, communication, feelings, intuitions etc, of God, Jesus or other beings, angels, demons etc.
Could we stick to those sorts of answers please.

I understand what I am saying is usually said by people in a tone of being speculative of Gods existence, but I whole heartedly believe in Him. I just also know that there is an enemy, the devil, who will lie, cheat, kill, steal etc, and do anything by any means just to feel what it's like to be worshipped like God is. Remember, that's WHY he got kicked out of heaven. I felt truly compelled these last few weeks because I have seen so many of my Christian brothers and sisters suffering so many things, that it has me starting to think that maybe the devil has implemented himself into the bible more than we think or know. I am all about us as Faithful Christians living a joyful and full life through and with God, but if you think for the second the devil (whose world this belongs to) would just allow a book about worship and praise and everything he ever desired - to the point of being cast out of heaven for it - and not at least TRY to get us to worship him instead through it, seems naive. The devils roams the earth looking for who he may devour, but those who get devoured it happens to when they are not aware of how crafty and intelligent he is.

Maybe you dont like what I'm saying for whatever reason, which I understand because it's always uneasy to think we may be being lied to. I have had spiritual and life experiences to come to an idea like this, we all have In some way or another, there is no 1 particular thing that happened, it's an accumulation of experiences.

To give you an answer maybe you want to hear is yes, God is really real to me. Maybe the part you dont want to hear is also I wonder if the god we as Christian's presented with is the real one, or maybe people in the past (former 1%ers kings etc...) have messed with the bible messages to better suit their agendas at that time in history for control, who may have been tempted by the enemy. God has blessed me with the heart and mind of a spiritual warrior (metaphorically), in a way that I know I am up against an enemy who will disguise himself as God, and even use the bible to attack me. God is real to me, but the devil is more apparent to all of us, dont believe me go watch the news.

 

[Tellyontellyon]

I understand what I am saying is usually said by people in a tone of being speculative of Gods existence, but I whole heartedly believe in Him. I just also know that there is an enemy, the devil, who will lie, cheat, kill, steal etc, and do anything by any means just to feel what it's like to be worshipped like God is. Remember, that's WHY he got kicked out of heaven. I felt truly compelled these last few weeks because I have seen so many of my Christian brothers and sisters suffering so many things, that it has me starting to think that maybe the devil has implemented himself into the bible more than we think or know. I am all about us as Faithful Christians living a joyful and full life through and with God, but if you think for the second the devil (whose world this belongs to) would just allow a book about worship and praise and everything he ever desired - to the point of being cast out of heaven for it - and not at least TRY to get us to worship him instead through it, seems naive. The devils roams the earth looking for who he may devour, but those who get devoured it happens to when they are not aware of how crafty and intelligent he is.

Maybe you dont like what I'm saying for whatever reason, which I understand because it's always uneasy to think we may be being lied to. I have had spiritual and life experiences to come to an idea like this, we all have In some way or another, there is no 1 particular thing that happened, it's an accumulation of experiences.

To give you an answer maybe you want to hear is yes, God is really real to me. Maybe the part you dont want to hear is also I wonder if the god we as Christian's presented with is the real one, or maybe people in the past (former 1%ers kings etc...) have messed with the bible messages to better suit their agendas at that time in history for control, who may have been tempted by the enemy. God has blessed me with the heart and mind of a spiritual warrior (metaphorically), in a way that I know I am up against an enemy who will disguise himself as God, and even use the bible to attack me. God is real to me, but the devil is more apparent to all of us, dont believe me go watch the news.

I'm perfectly happy for you to believe what you like, but this post is about HOW you know. I'm not interested in what you think, I'm interested in any NON-ORDINARY experiences that you have had?

If you don't want to talk about what I set this thread up for then set up your own thread, don't hyjack mine.... it's rude!

 

[JayEss22]

I'm perfectly happy for you to believe what you like, but this post is about HOW you know. I'm not interested in what you think, I'm interested in any NON-ORDINARY experiences that you have had?

If you don't want to talk about what I set this thread up for then set up your own thread, don't hyjack mine.... it's rude!

Oh, I didn't realize this was rude, you have to excuse me this is my first time ever using a forum, noob mistake. The way you worded your thread title " Is God really real to you? Please share" seems like more of an open ended question though. If you want to know HOW people know, and you want to hear NON ORDINARY EXPERIENCES, maybe put those specifics in the title, or make that the title? "Is God really real to you" seems open to interpretation, and feeling offended when someone offers THEIR interpretation seems kind of silly, but that's just what I THINK...oh right but that's not allowed on this thread...tisk tisk telly, I'm offended lol

 

[DLovingBrother]

I had experiences, like an accident brought me to the hospital and I saw Jesus as I was praying. Also answered prayers such as pain going away immediately and things in life like praying for a certain outcome which came anyway but through a different set of events than I imagined. Another one is a possessed boy who was chained by his father outside the village because he was violent but when prayed for became normal and is now a Christian. But these experiences do not lead me to ideas, or speculation or philosophy. They validate what I already know of God and my two decade old Christian belief.

I believe that the Bible is reliable because there is overwhelming evidence. People are skeptical and more and more are skeptical because it is easier to be so. And many Christians can only offer anecdotes which are easy to brush off. But there are many facts that point t the truth of the Bible and people just need to see them from a fresh angle. Let’s take the Big Bang theory for example. It supposedly started from some matter floating around, but where did these come from in the first place? But two thousand years earlier the Bible already described it that God said let there be light and there was a big bang. Only a being who is not made of matter, exists out of time and space, can create time, space and matter.

If you read the book, “I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist” by Frank Turek, you might understand more why many people are realizing that the Bible is true. Here is another resource https://godauthoredbible.com/.

 

[Tellyontellyon]

Oh, I didn't realize this was rude, you have to excuse me this is my first time ever using a forum, noob mistake. The way you worded your thread title " Is God really real to you? Please share" seems like more of an open ended question though. If you want to know HOW people know, and you want to hear NON ORDINARY EXPERIENCES, maybe put those specifics in the title, or make that the title? "Is God really real to you" seems open to interpretation, and feeling offended when someone offers THEIR interpretation seems kind of silly, but that's just what I THINK...oh right but that's not allowed on this thread...tisk tisk telly, I'm offended lol

Mmmmm, the title is usually just that, it's usual to read the opening post in its entirety...
... but nevermind eh? Now you are here.. why not tell us about your experiences.... A powerful intuition or feeling has led you to your beliefs? A dream perhaps? A vision? A compelling set of coincidences? A sudden feeling of being refreshed or renewed... a sense of connection or presence, prayers answered etc.. All that counts...

Maybe I didn't make myself clear in the o.p. but I know people believe stuff and have strong convictions, but what I'm after is not a statement of belief, or how strongly they hold that belief, but the experiences that convinced them or emerged from those beliefs...
☺

 

[NBB]

JayEss22 interesting questions, but they aren't what I was asking about. I'm asking about people's personal encounters, I'm not really interested in opinions or thoughts so much on this particular thread. I'm really after people's spiritual experiences.

Have you had spiritual experiences that are leading to your ideas, or is it speculation and philosophy?

This thread is asking for testimony of spiritual experiences, communication, feelings, intuitions etc, of God, Jesus or other beings, angels, demons etc.
Could we stick to those sorts of answers please.

I believed barely in God, and one day i decided to give money to church, after that i got a job, and i thought it was because i gave the money so i went to church to thank God, for my surprise, i didn't thought God could interact with people, but i was filled with the Holy spirit, i am totally believing until death because of that, its something that opened my eyes that God is personal and can interact with people and is good, after that i was driving a motorcicle and felt this heavenly feeling in all my being that i couldn't drive so i stopped the bike, after that i was in bed and felt the love of God so intensely in all my body and being that it was hard to desrcribe, i can't deny Jesus or God after all that, i had other experiences but the post will get too long...

 

[Tellyontellyon]

I believed barely in God, and one day i decided to give money to church, after that i got a job, and i thought it was because i gave the money so i went to church to thank God, for my surprise, i didn't thought God could interact with people, but i was filled with the Holy spirit, i am totally believing until death because of that, its something that opened my eyes that God is personal and can interact with people and is good, after that i was driving a motorcicle and felt this heavenly feeling in all my being that i couldn't drive so i stopped the bike, after that i was in bed and felt the love of God so intensely in all my body and being that it was hard to desrcribe, i can't deny Jesus or God after all that, i had other experiences but the post will get too long...

That's a wonderful experience, these are the sorts of experiences that would help me to give Christianity a chance.

 

[public hermit]

Would you please share your experiences of these aspects of your religion.

For several years I have been practicing contemplative prayer. There is a long tradition in Christianity of contemplative prayer, along with the more usual discursive types of prayer. At any rate, one day I was sitting, simply being aware of God's presence just as God is always "aware" of me. It's important to note that I wasn't really thinking about anything. I was just trying to be aware of God's presence, because I assume by faith that God is always there. I had been sitting for about fifteen minutes and had this urge to go outside and walk. At the time, I lived back off the road on a 1/4 mile dirt drive. So, I started to walk down the drive.

As I walked, I was overwhelmed by this sense of peace. Coupled with this sense of peace was this distinct impression that two (seemingly) contradictory truths were nonetheless both true. The two contradictory truths were 1) that God is sovereign and nothing is out of divine control, 2) that human injustice and suffering are real and not how God intends for things to be. Logically, (1) and (2) are incompatible. I knew this then and I still know this. Nonetheless, as I walked down that drive, it was if both of those truths were being impressed upon me coupled with that sense of peace. And, it was clear to me as I walked that the sense of peace was given to me so that I would understand that whatever efforts one takes to right what is wrong, to alleviate suffering, and to help make this world a better place is never done in vain. In other words, our work in Christ is never in vain.

I walked down that drive and back, and couldn't have shaken this impression if I had wanted to. As soon as I walked into the door of the house, it was gone. The way this impression came upon me and then left was so clear I knew it wasn't just me. That was about six years ago. I still have a contemplative prayer practice, but I have not had a similar experience since. But, of course, that kind of experience is not why I have the practice. At any rate, I have never forgotten that and it has definitely informed how I go about things and how I look at the world. For what it's worth...

 

[Marumorose]

Is it possible you're imagining that you're speaking with god and that's enough?

No. You cannot imagine that. Jesus Christ lives within us when you have faith in him.
you can read Ephesians 3:17, Galatians 2:20, Romans 8:10
Jeremiah 33:3 God says "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not"

 

[Anthony2019]

To me, Christ is very real.
There have been times when I have been in danger when He has intervened to protect me - in ways which have been quite astounding.
He has been a great comfort to me when I have been feeling low.
He has shown great love and tenderness towards me when I acknowledge my faults and weaknesses.
I also believe and have experienced His presence in the Holy Eucharist. I remember going to a service at a Cathedral feeling very "dry" and "barren" and came out of the church completely reignited in my faith.

 

[Within Reason]

I've heard Christians talking about their relationship with God or with Jesus....
..... I'm interested in what they are really talking about. Is this language more of a metaphor or is there an actual tangible sense of God being there and an unequivocal communication (in whatever form that takes).
If this is really real then it sounds wonderful.
There is a lady on Youtube called 'ieva f', her description of actually seeing dark shadows leaving her body after praying when she first believed is fascinating... she has many interesting videos.

**Would you please share your experiences of these aspects of your religion.

I'm still figuring out what I believe, though I have a lot of confidence in the Buddha's teachings I am quite open minded about other faiths.

Yes, real:

 

[Tellyontellyon]

I feel that I agree with this lady. If Christianity is true, if God is real, then what she says must be true.
If it's not real like she describes then it's just a nice idea, but not really real.

 

[ViaCrucis]

I've heard Christians talking about their relationship with God or with Jesus....
..... I'm interested in what they are really talking about. Is this language more of a metaphor or is there an actual tangible sense of God being there and an unequivocal communication (in whatever form that takes).
If this is really real then it sounds wonderful.
There is a lady on Youtube called 'ieva f', her description of actually seeing dark shadows leaving her body after praying when she first believed is fascinating... she has many interesting videos.

**Would you please share your experiences of these aspects of your religion.

I'm still figuring out what I believe, though I have a lot of confidence in the Buddha's teachings I am quite open minded about other faiths.

We Lutherans, like our Catholic and Orthodox brothers and sisters, believe that the Eucharist is truly and really Jesus Christ. That is, we confess that the bread and wine which we receive in this Sacrament isn't merely bread and wine done for a mere religious ritual or symbolically--it is the true, literal flesh and blood of Jesus. This is known as the Doctrine of the Real Presence, Christ is really, tangibly present.

So, to that end, when we eat the bread and drink the wine of the Eucharist, we are literally eating and drinking God. Not in a cannibalistic sense, but a sacramental sense. I.e. we aren't taking a bite out of Christ's arm; rather the fullness of Christ, who is both God and man in perfect Hypostatic Union, is fully and completely and perfectly present "in and under" the bread and the wine. In the Lutheran view we don't try and explain exactly how this is possible, only that it is what it is because of Christ's word to us that "This is My body" and "This is My blood". Therefore it is what it is, though we cannot comprehend it.

Thus, at least from the historic Christian perspective, we literally meet God-in-the-flesh, Jesus Christ, at the altar when we receive His Supper. Even as God is tangibly present in the Incarnate Jesus, we receive the same tangible presence and reality in the Eucharist.

From the Lutheran POV we believe that Divine Encounter happens through "means", specifically what we call the "Means of Grace", those things through which God actively is at work to make contact with us in our lives; namely Word and Sacrament. The preaching of the Gospel, and the Sacraments (Baptism, the Eucharist, and Absolution). It is through these Means that God comes down to meet us in profound, and indeed, tangible ways.

Which is also why Lutherans aren't likely to speak of private, personal, mystical experiences. Or, at the very least, we are deeply suspicious of these. As such, rather than a "personal relationship with God" in a kind of mystical sense; there is instead God's living and vibrant encounter with us through His Word and Sacraments--and there isn't anything more intimate and personal than to meet Jesus Christ, in His own word, in His own body and blood, present with us, to us, for us, saving us.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[food4thought]

I feel that I agree with this lady. If Christianity is true, if God is real, then what she says must be true.
If it's not real like she describes then it's just a nice idea, but not really real.

Hi again telly;

I think this video is spot on. I will caution you about tongues, though. It is not necessary to speak in tongues to have a good relationship with Him. I have never spoken in tongues, but I have had a great relationship with Christ and have gifts of the Spirit. Not saying that tongues is not a valid gift, but saying not every Spirit filled Christian will have that gift.

I have had several instances where the Spirit spoke to me in a very undeniable way. 1st, I was a truck driver and God was using the quiet yet persistent voice telling me to go home. I resisted though, for several days. Finally, He raised the volume and literally shook my shoulders saying "Go home!". I finally obeyed and went home... eventually I discovered I had a thyroid problem and was also diagnosed with sleep apnea. I was so tired all the time and not safe, and God got me off the road for my safety and others.

I will also be honest with you, I have not always been obedient to the Spirit, to my shame and sorrow. 10 years ago I was sitting on my back deck, having a cigarette, and asked God if He wanted me to quit. My arm moved on it's own and put my cigarette out in the ashtray. No doubt about His answer, but to this day I still smoke. This is serious habitual sin and outright rebellion against His clear will for me. As a result, I am not as close to Him as I was, and am having trouble recognizing His voice.

There are more instances of the Spirit manifesting Himself in my life, but this is a taste, and the post is already long. I hope it encourages you in your search for God.

Blessings as you seek Him;
Michael

 

[RBPerry]

Here is what I have experienced, and continue to. God has protected me through some horrendous bad experiences in my life. When I pray and meditate on Him, He hears my prayers, that doesn't mean they are always answered the way I would like them. I was once deeply into Buddhism, one thing I came away with is deep meditation, the difference being I now meditate on the Holy Spirit and seek His direction and wisdom. The bible says if you seek wisdom the Lord will give it, many times in different measures. Once you develop that relationship the peace and comfort it brings is beyond compare, you come to a realization that you are deeply loved by God, and nothing compares to that. I have witnessed miraculous verifiable physical healing, deliverance from drugs and alcohol addiction. Anger and rage replaced with love and compassion. I have evaluated other beliefs and even wondered it there really is a God, and He has proven His love and mercy to me over and over again. You need to experience Jesus Christ for yourself, no one can do it for you, you need to seek him with all your heart and soul, if you do, you will find Him, then it is a matter of are you going to follow Him.

 

[EpicScore]

I feel that I agree with this lady. If Christianity is true, if God is real, then what she says must be true.
If it's not real like she describes then it's just a nice idea, but not really real.

To be honest, I have always been wary about using supernatural experiences as the primary or even the only test to determine whether a particular branch of faith is real, especially since the Bible did warn that demons can perform miraculous signs and wonders (Revelations 13:13–14), albeit in a limited capacity. The Bible itself also commended the believers from Berea because they did not immediately take the gospel's message, delivered to them by the apostle Paul, at face value, but examined the scriptures to test if what Paul was said was true (Acts 17:11).

As for myself, I did not start pursuing any "personal relationship" with God until I was convicted that the message of the Bible was true, and that the God revealed in the Scriptures was real--because it is impossible to be in a relationship with nothing.

Knowing a personal God means much more than just knowing the right doctrine, having the right set of moral/ethical teaching, or experiencing a series of supernatural experiences or emotional encounters that you attribute to the divine. A Personal God will have a particular set of plans/purposes, a distinct character/personality, and a presence/power that can challenge your thoughts, convicts your heart, and direct changes in your life when you interact with Him--unlike a figment of imagination that you can mould to fit your own desires and will never disagree with you.

And God had lived as a Person before. His name was Jesus, who was born at a specific place (Bethlehem) and a specific time (about 2000 years ago) that is historically verifiable, and whose life and teachings (including his claim of deity, the resulting execution due to that claim, and his subsequent resurrection & glorification) would not have the level of influence and the following it has now if they were not true.

There are many resources that can articulate what I just explained much better than me, but since I don't know what kind of search you're into, I won't bombard you with book recommendations. Instead, I'll just leave a couple of verses for encouragement:

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you" (Matthew 7:7)

"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." (James 1:5)

 

[Bob Crowley]

God is real to me, although I don't always like Him much. But there's no way I could deny His being.

I've said this before, but back when I was a 24 year old atheist, my father died in January 1979. On the night he died, he appeared in my bedroom in the unit I was living in. He materialised near the door, we argued and conversed, and at the end he gave this absolutely terrifying scream and disappeared. I haven't seen him since.

But during our exchange he predicted a few things. One was that I'd become a Christian. Another was "You'll meet a pastor. You'll think he's great, but all he'll do is to discourage you even more!"

He predicted a few other things, some of which were quite grim, so I'll leave them out. It seems to me though the world is heading the way he indicated.

In late 1982 I became a Christian. I won't go too much into that (take too long), but that was when I met the pastor he referred to. It took me a while to get to know him, but after being in his church for nine years as it turned out, I got to know him pretty well. We talked quite often, particularly in the later stages. He did discourage me, but I learnt a lot from him.

In his turn he was prophetic. He made these statements before he died himself in 1992.

1. "I think you'll become a Catholic" (1996/97).
2. "I think there'll be a conspiracy against you and you'll lose your job". (1995)
3. "I don't think your sister will live very long. I think she'll get leukemia." (Shed died in 2005, aged 45).
4. "I think you'll be doing a cleaning job. You wont like it much, and you won't be doing it for long, but I think the Lord will just want you to hear about a ghost." (2006 - did a cleaning job for about 4 months, didn't like it much, and heard about a ghost, a former manager who committed suicide years before in the store I was cleaning).
5. He predicted that he thought his own eldest son would have a major health setback. He had a severe stroke circa 1996.
6. "I think there'll be a Second Gulf War. The Americans will have had enough of Saddam Hussein and they'll get rid of him. But I think they'll lose a few men the next time", with "few" said in such a way that he clearly meant more than a "few" - nearly 5000 as it turned out.

Etc. Etc. Right every time.

But towards the end of our time together he said to me in his office, "I owe you an apology." I asked him why. He replied, "You needed encouragement. All I've done is to discourage you even more!" Now I'd told him about my father turning up on a number of occasions, but I think he always wondered what to believe about it. So I said to him, "That's interesting. I've told you about my father a number of times. Want to know one of the things he said?"

He knew it wouldn't be good, but I continued. He said "You'll meet a pastor. You'll think he's great, but all he'll do is to discourage you even more!" I continued, "You've just quoted him back to me word for word." That shook him, and he blurted out, "You really did see your father that night!"

In addition I experienced three "double whammies" which are like a breath going through you in waves from head to foot, each time used to highlight a specific phrase, referring to King David, Saint Paul and CS Lewis respectively. I still remember those three specific phrases today, a good 37 years later.

Then there was the occasion when I was driving down to the gym we had under the church. I got a bit pally with God in my mind. The next thing I knew this sense of anger descended on me. I honestly felt like I was going to disintegrate there and then. It wasn't very pleasant at all. I had to turn into a side street and wait until it dissipated. When I'd recovered, I just drove home. I was too shaken to continue to the gym under the church.

So there's a fair number of spiritual experiences, and after the first "double whammy" I've never been able to deny His presence even if I don't always like Him.

For me He's there all the time, which can be embarrassing to think about, since He sees the lot, good and bad. On those rare occasions when I go to reconciliation (confession), I'm not telling the priest anything God doesn't already know. In fact, He knows it in a lot more detail than I'm telling the priest.

He's also present in the sacraments, which are a visible sign of a visible grace. When we're baptised we don't see the Holy Spirit, but we understand the process is a sign of God's action. Ditto with the Eucharist, Marriage and the rest of them.

God is there, at all times and places. There's no escape for any of us.

But He can also work in very frustrating ways. He can be pretty tough at times. My experience of God hasn't been that of a doting grand father. The price of our salvation was the crucifixion of His own Son. That's a pretty tough Father in anyone's language, especially if we consider His own Son requested, with tears of blood, that if possible the cup be taken away from Him. The answer was "No".

 

[Porpoise]

I feel that I agree with this lady. If Christianity is true, if God is real, then what she says must be true.
If it's not real like she describes then it's just a nice idea, but not really real.

I think you should watch this documentary: A film about the Holy Spirit and Evangelization.

It's about the things you seem to be looking for, those real encounters with God in sometimes extraordinary ways. But at the same time, it emphasizes a real relationship with God and not only signs and miracles by themselves.