Question about Experiencing God

[BlueCelt]

Hello all!

I've been studying and discussing with some friends about what exactly experiencing God is. I thought I'd ask here because religion and religious experience is an interest of mine and I'd like to see how the gamut runs.

Is it a physical thing, like a voice or an appearance? Is it an intense feeling? Is it dreams or visions? How would you classify your experiencing God? I'm not asking so much what your experiences have been, though please feel free to share if you want to, but more how you have had them.

This is an information gathering exercise and if you feel like contributing I'd appreciate it. I'm not looking to argue with anyone, really just curious.

Best,

Blue

 

[JamesTG]

Hello BlueCelt,

I would say that God affects people differently. Personally, I can feel that God is with me and I know that because I just have this deep feeling inside that everything is good and He is there for me.

Many people feel the Holy Spirit inside of them, some hear God speak to them. What matters most is that God is there for you and will always be there. He speaks to everybody through his Word and through the Holy Bible.

Let me know if you'd like me to explain more. Feel free to PM me.

Yours in Christ,

James

 

[chosenpath]

It's like connecting the dots. You know there is a picture there but until you connect all the dots you won't experience the full picture. So it goes... someone can explain how you've had an experience with God but until you've experienced it yourself you won't understand.

Acts 2:38
Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

 

[AV1611VET]

It's like a taste ---

4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

 

[BlueCelt]

Thank you all for the responses. I'm fascinated by the way different people experience God, it always seems different for each.

But AV1611VET your response does raise a further question if I may, what does God taste like.

Best,

Blue

 

[AV1611VET]

Thank you all for the responses. I'm fascinated by the way different people experience God, it always seems different for each.

But AV1611VET your response does raise a further question if I may, what does God taste like.

Best,

Blue

Sweeter than honey!

How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

 

[BlueCelt]

Sweeter than honey!

Nice.

Blue

 

[AV1611VET]

Nice.

Blue

Thank you --- and welcome to CF!

 

[salida]

My experience with God starts in asking this question, Are you a good person? http://livingwaters.com/good/ Have you kept the 10 Commandments 100% of the time all the time? Only Jesus did. This is why we need a personal Lord and Savior. Since mankind has fallen they need redemption and Jesus is the bridge to God. Its the only spiritual medicine. In addition, you may want to read The Evidence That Demands A Verdict by Josh McDowell (it would stand up in a court of law without a reasonable doubt concerning biblical evidence) and The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel(a former athiest)

This is your start in experiencing God.

 

[ephraimanesti]

Hello all!

I've been studying and discussing with some friends about what exactly experiencing God is. I thought I'd ask here because religion and religious experience is an interest of mine and I'd like to see how the gamut runs.

Is it a physical thing, like a voice or an appearance? Is it an intense feeling? Is it dreams or visions? How would you classify your experiencing God? I'm not asking so much what your experiences have been, though please feel free to share if you want to, but more how you have had them.

This is an information gathering exercise and if you feel like contributing I'd appreciate it. I'm not looking to argue with anyone, really just curious.

Best,

Blue

MY BROTHER,

i believe, in its simplest form, the best way to experience God is threefold:

#1. Open your heart and mind (in that order) to God and prayerfully express your desire for oneness with Him;

#2. Read the Parable of the Prodigal Son--Luke 15:11-31;

#3. Act accordingly.

WITH LOVE IN CHRIST,
ephraim

 

[seashale76]

It's like a taste ---

Hebrews 6:4-6

4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
​

Indeed.

I'll share a little of my own experience with you, if it helps: It's one of those deals where I felt prompted to pray and go to church. I attempted to ignore it and it kept reappearing in my mind that I needed to do it- I'm talking many months here- and I certainly wasn't a churchgoer at the time. It was an extremely strong conviction and the urgency only left me once I acted. The more I resisted, the stronger the urgency. I'm very stubborn and I resisted a lot and I let fears of how others would perceive my conversion (it was a real issue) if I took it to the final step of commitment (baptism and chrismation) hold me back. Once I acted, there was a sense of complete rightness, not an ecstatic euphoria, simply a sense of peace. I associate this with the mystery of communion. I often have the experience of loosing track of time in church- time is irrelevant there. I did not wish to go back to church (but I was open to God) and had to make some big life-style adjustments once I did. I feel like I was called to faith.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gj4pUphDitA

 

[ephraimanesti]

I did not wish to go back to church (but I was open to God) and had to make some big life-style adjustments once I did. I feel like I was called to faith.]

MY SISTER--i can certainly relate to the above, because your related experiences were much like mine. i notice you are aquainted with Father Seraphim. CHRIST THE ETERNAL TAO by Hieromonk Damascene was the book that returned me to God and which eventually led to my direct experience of His wonderous LOVE. The next logical step for me was reading NOT OF THIS WORLD by Hieromonk Damascene. Father Seraphim's experiences during the 60's etc. were uncanily like mine--and i knew that i had found my place in the Body.

OP--sorry for sharing off topic!

A BROTHER/FRIEND/BOND-SLAVE OF MY LORD/GOD/SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST,
ephraim

 

[BlueCelt]

My experience with God starts in asking this question, Are you a good person? http://livingwaters.com/good/ Have you kept the 10 Commandments 100% of the time all the time? Only Jesus did. This is why we need a personal Lord and Savior. Since mankind has fallen they need redemption and Jesus is the bridge to God. Its the only spiritual medicine. In addition, you may want to read The Evidence That Demands A Verdict by Josh McDowell (it would stand up in a court of law without a reasonable doubt concerning biblical evidence) and The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel(a former athiest)

This is your start in experiencing God.

Thank you for that Salida, I'm more interested in how believers experience God however. Not really looking to experience anything like that myself, just gathering information about others. If you'd care to share your experience I'd be thankful, if not I totally understand.

Best,

Blue

 

[BlueCelt]

MY BROTHER,

i believe, in its simplest form, the best way to experience God is threefold:

#1. Open your heart and mind (in that order) to God and prayerfully express your desire for oneness with Him;

#2. Read the Parable of the Prodigal Son--Luke 15:11-31;

#3. Act accordingly.

WITH LOVE IN CHRIST,
ephraim

And how would that be experienced as? Feelings? Visions? Physical experience?

I think I should have posted in my OP that I'm very aware of how one becomes a Christian, I apologize for not clarifying that. I'm just interested in what interaction with your God is like for the individual.

Best,

Blue

 

[BlueCelt]

OP--sorry for sharing off topic!

A BROTHER/FRIEND/BOND-SLAVE OF MY LORD/GOD/SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST,
ephraim

A message on the internet going off topic? SHOCKING!

No worries.

I'll share a little of my own experience with you, if it helps: It's one of those deals where I felt prompted to pray and go to church. I attempted to ignore it and it kept reappearing in my mind that I needed to do it- I'm talking many months here- and I certainly wasn't a churchgoer at the time. It was an extremely strong conviction and the urgency only left me once I acted. The more I resisted, the stronger the urgency. I'm very stubborn and I resisted a lot and I let fears of how others would perceive my conversion (it was a real issue) if I took it to the final step of commitment (baptism and chrismation) hold me back. Once I acted, there was a sense of complete rightness, not an ecstatic euphoria, simply a sense of peace. I associate this with the mystery of communion. I often have the experience of loosing track of time in church- time is irrelevant there. I did not wish to go back to church (but I was open to God) and had to make some big life-style adjustments once I did. I feel like I was called to faith.

Thanks Seashale! Very descriptive, that really plugged me into the feeling.

Thanks to y'all again,

Blue

 

[GreenMunchkin]

Hullo, Blue

~ I've experienced God in my dreams - He gave me all of Pslam 91 prior to my ever reading about it or hearing about it. I wrote it down (I could only remember the first 3 lines) in the morning and later found out what it was.

~ I've experienced God in hearing His voice internally, spiritually - someone hurt me very badly at my first church when I was a new Christian. Back then my natural reaction was to lamp him, but God spoke to me and I heard Him *so* clearly. He said: "Forgive him. Love him." The anger drained away in a heartbeat and I forgave him instantly. It wasn't my doing - I was an angry person. It was all God's grace.

~ I've experienced God during prayer - suddenly feeling His presence in the room, accompanied by the scent of flowers. Really strong, so when my flatmate came into the front room, she assumed I'd bought fresh roses.

~ I've experienced God visually - during prayer for a 15 year old girl who had broken her leg, He physically healed her. We *saw* it healed.

~ I've experienced God through other people - when I see someone take their coat off and give it to a homeless person, or when I see someone anonymously receive an envelope with that month's mortgage payment inside, I see Jesus

These are such minor experiences, though, and I know that millions of Christians have experienced things so much more convincing and persuasive, but that's a cross-section of my experiences of God.

 

[BlueCelt]

Hullo, Blue

~ I've experienced God in my dreams - He gave me all of Pslam 91 prior to my ever reading about it or hearing about it. I wrote it down (I could only remember the first 3 lines) in the morning and later found out what it was.

~ I've experienced God in hearing His voice internally, spiritually - someone hurt me very badly at my first church when I was a new Christian. Back then my natural reaction was to lamp him, but God spoke to me and I heard Him *so* clearly. He said: "Forgive him. Love him." The anger drained away in a heartbeat and I forgave him instantly. It wasn't my doing - I was an angry person. It was all God's grace.

~ I've experienced God during prayer - suddenly feeling His presence in the room, accompanied by the scent of flowers. Really strong, so when my flatmate came into the front room, she assumed I'd bought fresh roses.

~ I've experienced God visually - during prayer for a 15 year old girl who had broken her leg, He physically healed her. We *saw* it healed.

~ I've experienced God through other people - when I see someone take their coat off and give it to a homeless person, or when I see someone anonymously receive an envelope with that month's mortgage payment inside, I see Jesus

These are such minor experiences, though, and I know that millions of Christians have experienced things so much more convincing and persuasive, but that's a cross-section of my experiences of God.

Thanks Green. Love your avatar by the way.

Blue

 

[ephraimanesti]

And how would that be experienced as? Feelings? Visions? Physical experience?

All of the above and much more. Each one experiences God's presence differently according to their needs--much as my interactions with my six children vary according to their personalities, needs, and desires. For me, as an example, the experience entails an overwhelming feeling of serenity accompanied by joyful tears. Many have visions--i have not. Others experience such strong feelings of ecstatic joy and gladness that they have had to ask that God lessen the feelings lest they perish. In other words, there is no set rule.

A BROTHER/FRIEND/BOND-SLAVE OF OUR LORD/GOD/SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST,
ephraim

 

[Maranatha27]

Hi Blue Celt,

I'm not a church goer, My excuss has always been that church does not meet my "high standards", My thinking was strongly rebuked by my favorite Bible expositier. H A Ironside said when the christian finds the perfect church, it won't be perfect after they cross the threshold. Hes right. So as of right now I don't experience God with the body of which I'm a part.

Blue Though I don't go to church, Im assured of my salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ. I interact with Him everyday. I sit down and have my Bible in my lap and say to God "Father I come to you today seeking you face, I pray that you will illuminate your Word through the Holy Spirit." And If my state is right and there is no guile in me the Holy Spirit will start welling up in me as I search the Scriptures. This isn't the carnal feeling of rapture when you listen to an excellent musician. Blue this is the presence of God magnifying Christ.

John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 16 A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.

Im also rebuked by the wickedness of my own heart.

Matt 15:17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?

18But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
19For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: 20These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

 

[ephraimanesti]

I'm not a church goer, My excuss has always been that church does not meet my "high standards", My thinking was strongly rebuked by my favorite Bible expositier. H A Ironside said when the christian finds the perfect church, it won't be perfect after they cross the threshold. Hes right. So as of right now I don't experience God with the body of which I'm a part.

MY BROTHER--As an off-topic aside and with apologies to the O.P., might i suggest that you read SO YOU DON'T WANT TO GO TO CHURCH ANYMORE--an unexpected journey by Wayne Jacobsen and Dave Coleman. i have just finished reading it and have radically changed my view on what "Church" is and why its "modern" manifestation doesn't work very well for some of us--myself included. The book provides a guideline for a solution which is both Biblical, practical, and workable. (Plus the story is a pretty good read in and of itself.)

The best source for the book, published by "Windblown Media" (of THE SHACK fame) is most readily available through Amazon.com. My local Christian Bookstore didn't even have a listing for it--perhaps it is "too controversial" or something.

Should you feel led to get it and read it, i would be blessed if you could share by PM your reactions. It, frankly, blew me away in several areas!

A BROTHER/FRIEND/BOND-SLAVE OF OUR LORD/GOD/SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST,
ephraim

BE BLESSED!