Seeking Him

[wanderingfreeman]

Hello. First, let me say I 100% believe Jesus is God and the Bible is God's word. I have no intellectual doubts. My problem is getting to KNOW Him. Everybody says "let go and let God" How? I Have been nomadic almost my entire life. Always seeking something. I now understand I am seeking him. Imo, many preachers and pastors just seem to get in the way. I don't want to buy their books, I just want to know Jesus. It is supposed to be a free gift, so why are they trying to sell it? Many preachers seem to preach "God as ATM". I find this offensive. How can the God who tells us to lay up our treasures in Heaven, be the same God who is out to make you rich(as long as you donate to their ministry)? I just want to meet the Jesus who gave the sermon on the mount. The one who despaired over the people of Jerusalem knowing what was coming for them. The Jesus who suffered cruel punishment to save me from My sins. Where is he? How do I find him? Sorry if my first post is such a "downer"; but nothing else really matters.

 

[Carl]

Just thank Jesus for taking your sins so that you can be clean for God and give your heart to Jesus.

 

[Wally]

1 Corinthians 1:9
God is faithful; you were called by Him into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Howdy Wandering. My access is limited so this may take a while.
It sounds like you know ABOUT Jesus, but you're maybe missing out on the personal relationship with Him.

So lets start with: What to you suppose fellowship is?

 

[Armor of Light]

Welcome to RF! The way to know him, is to read His word, and keep reading His word and don't stop. He will reveal himself, his word is life, I can't go a day without reading the word.

 

[wanderingfreeman]

Just thank Jesus for taking your sins so that you can be clean for God and give your heart to Jesus.

I have done that and try to do it often but I don't feel any difference. Ok, that is not entirely true. I do tend to notice my sins and sinful nature now and ask forgiveness when I falter now. For example, as an ex-sailor, I used to curse often. Now I even feel guilty when I say "cheese and rice" as an expletive. But I don't feel his presence. I understand I have to pick up my cross daily but shouldn't I "hear his voice"? Not literally, or at least I don't think so. I think my big problem is the whole "faith of a child thing". I have tried/am trying to put down my cares and let God handle them but it isn't working. There really needs to be a clear instruction manual. Vague aphorisms are leading me towards disaster.

 

[wanderingfreeman]

Welcome to RF! The way to know him, is to read His word, and keep reading His word and don't stop. He will reveal himself, his word is life, I can't go a day without reading the word.

So people say and I do read the bible and I have tried "study plans" but they don't address my immediate issues. I have tried looking for a teacher but there are so many false teachers out there. When you try to talk to some of these people one on one thier insincerity is often palpable. I guess asking for a road to Damascus experience is too much?

 

[wanderingfreeman]

1 Corinthians 1:9
God is faithful; you were called by Him into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Howdy Wandering. My access is limited so this may take a while.
It sounds like you know ABOUT Jesus, but you're maybe missing out on the personal relationship with Him.

So lets start with: What to you suppose fellowship is?

This is exactly my issue. God is God and Jesus is his begotten son. Intellectually I know this to be true. I want that personal relationship everyone is talking about.

Fellowship ? Good question. I need to think about that and get back to you.

 

[Matthew6:33]

Ok so I have some insight here because I have experienced this exact thing. Maybe this is more of preaching to myself because I used to do all of these things and saw God moving a lot more in my life... But then again we go through different seasons... At least you are seeking! Amen!

Do ALL of these and you will experience God like never before. I have been exactly here before and this is what I did. Remember, it is work and it takes dedication. It gets easier the more you do it.

This is not a legalistic list, just what I read about in the bible and did in my life.

1. Pray - ask Him to reveal Himself and His will in your life.
2. Read the bible and do what it says. Look for opportunities to do what the bible says. I carried a little one in my pocket always.
3. Fellowship with other believers, serve, get involved in church. Use your gifts to help others.
4. Listen to worship music all the time.
5. Listen to good bible teachers exposit God's word. There are a lot of good teachers on this site that you can look up.
6. Cut out things that are bad for you. News/media/time wasters/trash/bad places/bad people. Garbage in garbage out.
7. Fasting also is a big one that is overlooked. Give something up to the Lord for a time and seek him. He will reward you.

Good luck and have fun with it!

 

[Wally]

This is exactly my issue. God is God and Jesus is his begotten son. Intellectually I know this to be true. I want that personal relationship everyone is talking about.

Fellowship ? Good question. I need to think about that and get back to you.

Morning Wandering.

Please take time to think about what fellowship means to you.

I will offer 2 thoughts: There is group fellowship, where people share a common interest, ethos, or some other bonding mechanism;

Then there is intimate fellowship, the deep relationship of friends. That's what I'd like you to describe.

John 15:14-15 HCSB
14 You are My friends if you do what I command you. 15 I do not call you slaves anymore, because a slave doesn’t know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from My Father.​

 

[wanderingfreeman]

Good morning Wally. I am giving that some very deep thought. I really want a very deep "friendship" with God. I use that word in quotes because I don't know a word that actually describes the relationship I want; though I am beginning to Understand the cost of that relationship. I have always been very independent and self sufficient. Jealous and protective of my "freedom". Too much so? Has my desire for "freedom" and "independence" been my idol? Can I Sacrifice something that has been an intrinsic part of my personal identity for my entire life ? I couldn't; wouldn't when I was married though part of that was because I married the wrong woman for the wrong reasons. Can I do it for God? Do I want to? All I CAN say is that I want to want to. Does that even make sense?

 

[Wally]

Matthew 7:22-24 Holman Christian Standard Bible​

22 On that day many will say to Me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in Your name, drive out demons in Your name, and do many miracles in Your name?’ 23 Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you! Depart from Me, you lawbreakers!’​

24 “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on the rock.​

Note the context of the sheep and goats parable: "On that Day", has been taken to refer to the White Throne Judgement of the world.

But, Pursuing this idea of fellowship, notice the "goats" had info, did things, but were lacking in something critical. Verse 24 is indicating an ingredient of fellowship.

 

[wanderingfreeman]

Ok so I have some insight here because I have experienced this exact thing. Maybe this is more of preaching to myself because I used to do all of these things and saw God moving a lot more in my life... But then again we go through different seasons... At least you are seeking! Amen!

Do ALL of these and you will experience God like never before. I have been exactly here before and this is what I did. Remember, it is work and it takes dedication. It gets easier the more you do it.

This is not a legalistic list, just what I read about in the bible and did in my life.

1. Pray - ask Him to reveal Himself and His will in your life.
2. Read the bible and do what it says. Look for opportunities to do what the bible says. I carried a little one in my pocket always.
3. Fellowship with other believers, serve, get involved in church. Use your gifts to help others.
4. Listen to worship music all the time.
5. Listen to good bible teachers exposit God's word. There are a lot of good teachers on this site that you can look up.
6. Cut out things that are bad for you. News/media/time wasters/trash/bad places/bad people. Garbage in garbage out.
7. Fasting also is a big one that is overlooked. Give something up to the Lord for a time and seek him. He will reward you.

Good luck and have fun with it!

Some of the things on your list are things I have tried but have trouble with and are part of what lead me here.
Fellowship With others, find a church. This has been a major issue for me. I have visited many churches all over the country. They don't teach The Bible. They teach that God is love but ignore that he is HOLY HOLY HOLY. Sin cannot abide in his presence; yet they teach that being a good person is enough; all we can do in this life.

Listen to good teachers. Where are they? The current crop teaches God as ATM or santa claus. The churches are ordaining homosexuals. How can that be Biblical? Where are the D.L. Moody's? Why are they putting up Christmas trees? Why are they painting eggs? Don't they recognize the paganism inherent in those and other practices?

Who is teaching Jesus, The Holy Spirit and God? Where can I find a church that teaches The Bible?

No. I am posting here because I can't find God in any Church I have tried. Honestly; I have felt more "fellowship" in this anonymous Website than in every physical "church" I have visited and that makes me sad. How does it make Jesus feel to know he is so misrepresented by His church? That thought makes me even more sad.

 

[Reunionroundthecorner]

Welcome!

If possible, try to get those negative thoughts about false teachers and people that want your money out of your mind. Instead, focus on the word. Psalms is a good place to start.

Matthew is right about his list and I'm particular to worship music.

How long has it been since you gave your life to Christ?

I gave my life to Christ at 8 years old. I'm almost 60, attended church most of my life, sang in choirs, trios, ensembles, praise teams, Christmas and Easter plays, etc. I just knew Jesus was in my life but didn't have a "personal" relationship with him. After trials, temptations and especially triumphs, I do now! I speak to him everyday, read his word and praise his name. Am currently looking for a church so I know that struggle.

Praying our Lord reveals himself to you in the way you need.

 

[wanderingfreeman]

I was "saved" and baptized years ago. I thought that was all there was to it. I Hungered for "more" but until recently; I didn't know what I Hungered for.
Now; how long since I gave my life to Christ? A totally different question. Did I ever? I thought I had but I didn't. Until very recently, I didn't know what was missing. I didn't even know there was anything More to miss.

 

[wanderingfreeman]

I know I am new to the site so I don't want to step on toes or break rules. Has this thread gone beyond the purview of an introductory thread? Should I do a new thread for all of the doctrinal discussion in which we are now engaged? Also how long does it take to get beyond the "post stuck in moderation period"? It makes it harder to have a conversation. Is it a time thing or a number of posts thing? I understand the need early on; especially on a site like this. You need to control what is posted to protect the site from certain types. I get it but it detracts from the flow of the conversation imo.

I want to thank everyone for their help so far. Thank God I found this Site.

 

[Wally]

Howdy Wandering.
I dont suppose you are much different from many of us.
It may be a challenge to have different discussions with each of us, but some how the Spirit brings it all together.

I'll try to keep our talk separate, but certainly others have wisdom to share.

Deep fellowship is a connection between persons. A knowing, a trust, an openness, and a confidence.

We already have a connection with God through conscience. He gave it to us to help us. But in our independence, we corrupted it.
That is the effect of sin and it ruined our relationship. Christ came to restore it.

But in our minds we not only hear the conscience God gave us, but also our own prideful self.
Add the influences of life and the whispers of satan and it turns this inner voice into a cacophony of thoughts.

So how do we sort the voices and get to know Him?

Its in the Word.
You see He already knows everything about us.
Yes even the dark things, the failings we hide, the thoughts that seem innocent but run off to play in the filth.

But what do we know of Him? Fellowship is a relation between two persons who let down their guard and get to know each other.
Again, God already knows us - completely.

When you read the Word, do you read a story, or do you let God narrate? Do you listen or do you just take notes along the way?
Do you stop and ask Him to repeat something you missed, or do you just log words and say I heard it?

Getting to know God means treating Him as the person He is. It means study and reading and re-reading as He is speaking to us through the Word.

We remember so much about our friends, what do we remember about Christ?

When you are at the tomb of Lazarus with Him, do you feel His sorrow? Is it because Lazarus will have to "die again" or is it because Lazarus had to be called back from the presence of paradise to walk in the world again?
Or maybe it was because Christ as fully man, that He actually felt the separation from a dearly beloved friend?

Fellowship is with a real person, not a historical figure. Christ IS. He is triune with the Ever-present Now.

If you desire the fellowship, then pray, ask Him to help you see Him as He is. Trust Him to do that.

Then dig into His word and get to know Him.


And if you are struggling, know He is with you. He knows. And you can trust Him to stand by you and even carry you through this time.

Hebrews 2:17
Therefore, He had to be like His brothers in every way, so that He could become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

Hebrews 4:15
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tested in every way as we are, yet without sin

 

[Wally]

Praying for Al who struggle in their relationship with Christ.

The world is screaming at us - Christianity doesn't work. The man is dead or still hanging on a tree,
There is no cure, no hope, no absolute.....

I pity them, with a sense of sadness that many just horde the wrappers and throw away the Gift....

Amy Grant like all of us has had struggles in her walk. Where she is right now No one can tell but Christ.

But she does encourage us with an old song of hers:

In a little While we'll be with the Father, can't you see Him smile
In a little while we'll be home forever, in a while,

We're just here to learn to love Him
We'll be home in just a little while.

James 1:12
A man who endures trials is blessed, because when he passes the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.

Matthew 10:22
You will be hated by everyone because of My name. But the one who endures to the end will be delivered.

 

[Reunionroundthecorner]

I was "saved" and baptized years ago. I thought that was all there was to it. I Hungered for "more" but until recently; I didn't know what I Hungered for.
Now; how long since I gave my life to Christ? A totally different question. Did I ever? I thought I had but I didn't. Until very recently, I didn't know what was missing. I didn't even know there was anything More to miss.

I agree with Wally. We all have our travels through this world. Figuring this and that out.

I'm confused with your terms about "saved" and baptized, gave my life Christ. How were you raised?

My understanding is you can't be "saved" if you have never surrendered your life to Christ. Trying not to get or be too theological on this platform.................

 

[wanderingfreeman]

I was not raised in the church at all. My siblings and I were left to our own devices. At a young age; 9ish; I was a "believer" in the teachings of Eric von Daniken more than anything else. I see and understand His errors now but I didn't then. I didn't start going to church at all until my kids were born and then only because I wanted to set an example for them Of how to live a better life than I had to that point. By "saved" I mean that I confessed My belief that Jesus was the son of God and I got baptized. At that time, it was my understanding that was all there was to it. Obviously I was wrong.

 

[Wally]

Good morning Wally. I am giving that some very deep thought. I really want a very deep "friendship" with God. I use that word in quotes because I don't know a word that actually describes the relationship I want; though I am beginning to Understand the cost of that relationship. I have always been very independent and self sufficient. Jealous and protective of my "freedom". Too much so? Has my desire for "freedom" and "independence" been my idol? Can I Sacrifice something that has been an intrinsic part of my personal identity for my entire life ? I couldn't; wouldn't when I was married though part of that was because I married the wrong woman for the wrong reasons. Can I do it for God? Do I want to? All I CAN say is that I want to want to. Does that even make sense?

Kinda sounds just like Romans 7. Re read that chapter. Just remember 7:25 and Praise Christ for what He is doing in you.

I remember several books by Von Daniken. I suppose he did well dollar wise.