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Guest, Join Papa Zoom today for some uplifting biblical encouragement! --> Daily Verses
Your Personal History With God
- Thread starter Bonairos
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A
Alabaster
Guest
I love everything Bill Johnson says! He is a true man of God. This is an excellent excerpt of one of his messages and it is outstanding, as usual.
Matthew 4:4 NLT
But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
We need to not so much as run to others for counsel, but to run to the word of God, for the meat of His word, and to keep reading until the Spirit of God speaks. Let that first response be to cry out to the Lord in any crisis of life, as well as any success!
I found it interesting when he used Proverbs 27:21, a verse I have read many times, but just realized the kernel of truth in there!
Proverbs 27:21 NLT
Fire tests the purity of silver and gold,
but a person is tested by being praised.
So true!
Matthew 4:4 NLT
But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
We need to not so much as run to others for counsel, but to run to the word of God, for the meat of His word, and to keep reading until the Spirit of God speaks. Let that first response be to cry out to the Lord in any crisis of life, as well as any success!
I found it interesting when he used Proverbs 27:21, a verse I have read many times, but just realized the kernel of truth in there!
Proverbs 27:21 NLT
Fire tests the purity of silver and gold,
but a person is tested by being praised.
So true!
Last edited by a moderator:
Mike
Member
I liked it. 
I don't know his work, and I was a bit afraid that he was going to go into prosperity preaching, but he didn't. In fact, I liked what he said about having to go on to face the difficulties he was facing after he went in prayer but with a renewed attitude. It also resonated when he said something like, if you don't encounter God in your despair, you'll never encounter him in your prosperous times. Kinda the old "God speaks to us in our joy and screams to us in our pain".
The overall message of creating a history with God in an intimate privacy was nice.
Thanks, Bonairos!
I don't know his work, and I was a bit afraid that he was going to go into prosperity preaching, but he didn't. In fact, I liked what he said about having to go on to face the difficulties he was facing after he went in prayer but with a renewed attitude. It also resonated when he said something like, if you don't encounter God in your despair, you'll never encounter him in your prosperous times. Kinda the old "God speaks to us in our joy and screams to us in our pain".
The overall message of creating a history with God in an intimate privacy was nice.
Thanks, Bonairos!
I have never in my life been able to do anything that would make God speak to me, it has been my experience that God speaks when He wants to and does not speak if He does not want to and nothing man can do can change that. I have asked God a question and within an hour I received an answered,I have asked God a question and within minutes I had an answer, I have asked God a question and a week later got an answer, I have asked God a question and a month later I got an answer, and I have asked God a question and it was over a year before I got an answer, and I have asked God a question and never got an answer. In none of these things did I ever do anything that caused an answer to come except ask. I simply do not believe we can cause God to answer us by something we do other than just asking,the rest is up to God,He is in control.
A
Alabaster
Guest
God wants to speak to us all the time. We need to offer Him up our spiritual ears. A loving dad is all ears for his precious little ones.
When I have spent time waiting on God as Bill Johnson suggests (we are taught this a part of a regular devotional time with God by our pastors), He always speaks. That is what devotions is for---communication with God, which is TWO-WAY.
Time spent with God will include time for petition, but this is a time we set apart for God while we get into the word and keep reading until God speaks to us. This is the most common way He speaks to us. We aren't necessarily waiting on any answer---just that He speaks. He will, every time.
Mike
Member
I guess I didn't hear him say he makes God speak to him; just that He does when he goes to Him. If he did say that, and he's putting the power in his own hands to spur on the Lord, then I disagree with that. Sam, I completely agree that there are times He remains silent and allows us to be. I've been there many times myself.
How many times did the Psalmists cry out because they felt abandoned by God? Over and over! In the end, there was usually the acknowledgment that he never was truly abandoned, but this shows that He did not always speak.
A
Alabaster
Guest
Anyone who is determined to hear from God and declares that he is going to get into the Word, and invites God to speak to Him, will never be disappointed. The word of God is living and active and God is desirous of speaking to any of us who want to hear Him. He speaks from His word.
When I do daily devotions, determined to hear from Him everyday from His Word, He has speaks every single day. It may be just one phrase, or one verse, but when it jumps out at me and speaks personally to my heart, that is God talking!
When I do daily devotions, determined to hear from Him everyday from His Word, He has speaks every single day. It may be just one phrase, or one verse, but when it jumps out at me and speaks personally to my heart, that is God talking!
Mike
Member
Red Flag!
Alabaster, we come from different perspectives on this, so I get that we will disagree. How do you account for the times David felt abandoned by God. It's strewn throughout the Psalms. Would you say he didn't earnestly seek him?
I did not necessarily disagree with the man,just with the impression that if you stay at it long enough God will speak. It is good to stay at it,however God speaks when He wants to not when we want Him to. God actually talked to me at my salvation experience and it kind of spoiled me because for years I would complain, why does not God just speak to me, however I have found through the years that it is rare that God will actually speak to us,God mostly communicates to us through the word of God.
A
Alabaster
Guest
This is exactly what Bill Johnson was teaching! God does speak to us through His word, and we need to make it a regular, if not daily thing.
It is not rare that God speaks to His children. If it is for some, then something is stopping some people's ears.
When we want to hear from God and are tenacious about it, He is blessed to speak!
Bonairos
Member
Interesting response. Perhaps it’s because I come from a different school (of Christ). I’m of the knowledge that we cannot MAKE God speak for the simple fact that He always does! The problem does not lie in getting the Lord to speak, it’s in getting man to listen.
All to often we ‘listen’ for that we desire to hear and not so much what He’s saying (regardless if “His speaking†pertains to OUR present petitions).
Isn’t it proof that God IS speaking by virtue of having HIS written Word at our disposal? Unless of course one does not hold to the belief that the Word of GOD is a book FROM Him and not just writings ABOUT Him.
Maybe I approach The True and Living God with the knowledge that He FIRST calls me before I am able to approach Him (I call to mind Queen Esther, King Ahasuerus, and the golden scepter in approaching the inner court). And if I’m granted the privilege of approaching Him, why would He remain silent?
Nonetheless, the message itself. Having a personal history with God is something one has to experience to appreciate it’s cost and value.
Be blessed, Stay blessed!
All to often we ‘listen’ for that we desire to hear and not so much what He’s saying (regardless if “His speaking†pertains to OUR present petitions).
Isn’t it proof that God IS speaking by virtue of having HIS written Word at our disposal? Unless of course one does not hold to the belief that the Word of GOD is a book FROM Him and not just writings ABOUT Him.
Maybe I approach The True and Living God with the knowledge that He FIRST calls me before I am able to approach Him (I call to mind Queen Esther, King Ahasuerus, and the golden scepter in approaching the inner court). And if I’m granted the privilege of approaching Him, why would He remain silent?
Nonetheless, the message itself. Having a personal history with God is something one has to experience to appreciate it’s cost and value.
Be blessed, Stay blessed!
Mike
Member
Bonairos, I'm sorry if it is as though I'm hijacking your thread on this issue, but since it's only the few of us and this is where we disagree...
Psalm 13
" <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-14076">1</sup> How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-14077">2</sup> How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and every day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-14078">3</sup> Look on me and answer, O LORD my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death;
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-14079">4</sup> my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,â€
and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-14080">5</sup> But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-14081">6</sup> I will sing to the LORD,
for he has been good to me."
Psalm 22
"<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-14206">1</sup> My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me,
so far from the words of my groaning?
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-14207">2</sup> O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer,
by night, and am not silent."
Psalm 102
" <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-15523">1</sup> Hear my prayer, O LORD;
let my cry for help come to you.
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-15524">2</sup> Do not hide your face from me
when I am in distress.
Turn your ear to me;
when I call, answer me quickly. "
Yes, he does most often acknowledge that he is loved in the end, but David very clearly is not hearing from God in these and other Psalms. I'm certainly not arguing that God is an uncaring, uninvolved God. I believe sometimes he withholds His Voice so that we are able to grow in faith. As a father will allow his child to make and learn from mistakes, I believe God allows us to be at times, and not only when we are clouded by sin.
I believe no one in this thread feels they are without sin. We all fall short. But, I feel sometimes He uses the wilderness to make us stronger, and increase our ability to "be still and know that He is God".
Psalm 13
" <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-14076">1</sup> How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-14077">2</sup> How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and every day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-14078">3</sup> Look on me and answer, O LORD my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death;
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-14079">4</sup> my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,â€
and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-14080">5</sup> But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-14081">6</sup> I will sing to the LORD,
for he has been good to me."
Psalm 22
"<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-14206">1</sup> My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me,
so far from the words of my groaning?
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-14207">2</sup> O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer,
by night, and am not silent."
Psalm 102
" <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-15523">1</sup> Hear my prayer, O LORD;
let my cry for help come to you.
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-15524">2</sup> Do not hide your face from me
when I am in distress.
Turn your ear to me;
when I call, answer me quickly. "
Yes, he does most often acknowledge that he is loved in the end, but David very clearly is not hearing from God in these and other Psalms. I'm certainly not arguing that God is an uncaring, uninvolved God. I believe sometimes he withholds His Voice so that we are able to grow in faith. As a father will allow his child to make and learn from mistakes, I believe God allows us to be at times, and not only when we are clouded by sin.
I believe no one in this thread feels they are without sin. We all fall short. But, I feel sometimes He uses the wilderness to make us stronger, and increase our ability to "be still and know that He is God".
A
Alabaster
Guest
God doesn't withhold His voice from the child who is earnestly seeking him and determined to wait on Him. Silences from God are the result of something in our lives that serves to block His voice, and to dull our hearing.
Matthew 7:7-8 NLT
“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT
Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.
James 5:16 NLT
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
Matthew 7:7-8 NLT
“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT
Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.
James 5:16 NLT
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
Mike
Member
Alabaster, are you saying throughout the Pslams, David was not earnestly seeking him or that throughout all this time, his sin was so great he had separated himself by sin? Or could it be that God was Choosing when and when not to Speak to him in HIS time.
Alabaster said:
I agree that if we keep the faith and keep on seeking, He will answer in His Time. I don't believe we can provoke Him in ours.
Alabaster said:
This says He will Hear them. It says nothing about them always hearing Him, and certainly not that they can provoke Him. His Promise to Hold a nation says nothing about the person provoking Him whenever they call, IMO.
Alabaster said:
I have never suggested that He doesn't hear our prayer. This isn't of debate at all. But this verse can't be used to suggest we can determine when we hear from Him.
Bonairos
Member
No problem with hijacking a thread - that's what dialog is all about right? Go with the flow! HAHA
However, I CANNOT agree that God chooses NOT to speak (especially when we come before Him)!
As I stated earlier, maybe (at the moment) the Lord may be silent on the petitions WE make, BUT . . . that DOES NOT mean He is not speaking to us!
Ever think, maybe He desires to converse with us concerning what's on HIS heart first and then ours?
BUT we, in our selfishness approach Him with OUR petitions and (God forbid) almost demand that the only conversation to take place MUST pertain to that. And if He does not address OUR concerns, we immediately think He's not speaking.
I agree there are times when He remains silent with OUR agenda, but to state He does not speak (especially when we have the privilege of His written word) while in His presence is absurd to say the least! How dare we characterize in that light the One who sent His Son that we might be reconciled and make our home with Him!
Even in my experience with my own children. They came to me asking to use the car (or whatever else). I may not have addressed THEIR request at the time, but I did not remain silent. I simply chose to converse on matters (IMO) were more pressing, pertinent, important for them etc. For them to leave and say, I didn’t address their request would be true. But to say I didn’t speak (at all) to them would be deception.
As I said earlier, God is ALWAYS speaking. We just may not hear what we think should be said. For if it was the case that God might not speak (at all), then I would have to premise any encouragement for others to seek God with the disclosure, “Be advised, Though you call out to Him, He may not speak to you. But it try it anyway. What do you have to lose?!†Absurd!
Be blessed, Stay blessed!
However, I CANNOT agree that God chooses NOT to speak (especially when we come before Him)!
As I stated earlier, maybe (at the moment) the Lord may be silent on the petitions WE make, BUT . . . that DOES NOT mean He is not speaking to us!
Ever think, maybe He desires to converse with us concerning what's on HIS heart first and then ours?
BUT we, in our selfishness approach Him with OUR petitions and (God forbid) almost demand that the only conversation to take place MUST pertain to that. And if He does not address OUR concerns, we immediately think He's not speaking.
I agree there are times when He remains silent with OUR agenda, but to state He does not speak (especially when we have the privilege of His written word) while in His presence is absurd to say the least! How dare we characterize in that light the One who sent His Son that we might be reconciled and make our home with Him!
Even in my experience with my own children. They came to me asking to use the car (or whatever else). I may not have addressed THEIR request at the time, but I did not remain silent. I simply chose to converse on matters (IMO) were more pressing, pertinent, important for them etc. For them to leave and say, I didn’t address their request would be true. But to say I didn’t speak (at all) to them would be deception.
As I said earlier, God is ALWAYS speaking. We just may not hear what we think should be said. For if it was the case that God might not speak (at all), then I would have to premise any encouragement for others to seek God with the disclosure, “Be advised, Though you call out to Him, He may not speak to you. But it try it anyway. What do you have to lose?!†Absurd!
Be blessed, Stay blessed!
There is the actual voice of God speaking to our mind and in a few cases(very few)God may actually speak to us audibly, this is usually quite rare. On the other hand, we may be reading the bible and get a definite impression of something that God is teaching us, that is not really God speaking because there are no words, however it is being taught by the Spirit of God, so God is definitely communcating with us, that can happen every day. What I disagreed with was the impression that if we pray hard and long enough we can cause(make)God actually speak to us in words to our mind, it just does not work that way, some christians probably never have God actually speak to them. So impressions from God usually happen every day when we read the bible, however we cannot force the voice of God to speak to us by something we do.
A
Alabaster
Guest
What's with the red flag?
Every psalm I read where David is feeling alone and far from God closes with the re-establishing that he is not alone and that God is His champion, who is always present.
A
Alabaster
Guest
God speaks to us through His word. The Bible is His word, all words from His heart to yours.
What Bill Johnson is saying, is what we are taught to do, which is to come before Him and tell Him that you want to hear from Him, and get into His word and don't stop reading until He speaks. That is something I do nearly every day. I have the luxury of time to spend with Him, and many do not, but He knows that, and still He speaks to those with time constraints.
God wants nothing more that for us to come to Him and beckon Him to speak! He is absolutely full of things to say to us if we would only stop long enough and listen.
To say that some Christians never experience God speak to them is very sad. It is an important thing for a believer to know the voice of God, lest they become like a leaf in the wind.
Bonairos
Member
WOW! Please clarify before I comment. I want to be sure of what you are saying.
Are you correlating God speaking to us with an audible voice/sound? If so, I think you read into the video message. Maybe (when you have the time) it would be beneficial to re-watch the video and see if that is what the speaker has/is saying.
BTW, I have disagree with you that some "Christians" (any Christian) probably never had God actually speak to them. How else could one be saved unless the Lord first calls them?
Be blessed, Stay blessed!