To encounter God means being in His presence to share and communicate with Him. In His plan, we must have the ability to rule over the works of darkness and the schemes of the enemy. He saved us so that we could experience deep peace and total rest, which makes us formidable to the adversary. Encountering God is the key to dominion, and to walking victoriously on this earth. The happiness the Lord sets before us depends on our capacity to seek Him (Jeremiah 29:12-14). The responsibility of God's children is to call on Him. But encountering God goes beyond prayer. WHOEVER HAS HAD THIS ENCOUNTER BECOMES ADDICTED TO IT, BECAUSE THEY BECOME A CARRIER OF GOODNESS AND DIVINE BLESSING. This is why the apostle Peter, in front of the temple, could say that he had nothing to give the lame man of what he was hoping to receive, but the apostle gave him instead the ability to rise up and walk (Acts 3:6).
When we remain in the presence of God, we discern His way. And this keeps us from carrying shame and walking in confusion. No difficulty can oppress us — they may certainly come, but the Lord has equipped us to always rule over them.
- The difference between encountering God and seeking God
Seeking God is praying, and praying is asking for something. ENCOUNTERING GOD IS DESIRING TO KNOW HIM — HIS PERSON, HIS NATURE, HIS CHARACTER, HIS WISDOM, AND HIS WORKS (John 15:16). It means seeking God on a subject until you get an answer from Him. So we must learn to sit in His presence, to respect His person and His personality. For example, take time to learn the strategy to follow, consult the Scriptures, speak to Him in intimacy, and listen to His way. Because God is a lover who also desires to speak to us, He wants to see how we set our hearts to learn from Him, so that He may reveal Himself to us more fully (Jeremiah 29:12-14).
God is the One who sought us out first, and who carried us from death into the kingdom of His marvelous light. Once carried over, we must choose whether or not to follow Him. Those who follow the Lord know their identity, and those who don't are confused. Many people are confused because they keep the laws of the Bible in their heads without letting them enter their hearts to transform them. For the Word of God is Spirit and life. It is therefore first necessary to encounter God in order to know His Word better. Encountering God means seeking His person, His identity, without which man cannot be transformed.
Once transformed, He makes us able to bear fruit. Because the times are evil, it is important to have communion with Jesus in order to bear fruit (John 15:5).
- What it means to commune with God
For the Word of God to be alive, we must be in communion with Him. To commune is to have an exchange between two parties — one speaks and the other answers; no one monopolizes the encounter. When entering His presence, we must always remember that "God desires to have our attention, so that He may listen to us" (Isaiah 55:3). It is a permanent meeting between the divine and the heavenly, so that when that Word comes out of your mouth, it is filled with the power and presence of God to act effectively (Hebrews 4:12).
#1. Have a thirst for God (Isaiah 55:1)
#2. Pay a price: meaning giving God space in your schedule, discipline in fasting, prayer, etc.
#3. Be balanced — the dove, which represents the fruit of the Spirit, is balanced with nine or eleven feathers on each side, allowing it to fly.
TEXTS
Jeremiah 29:12-14 (NLT) In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you," says the Lord. "I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land."
John 15:5 (NLT) "Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.
Isaiah 55:1 (NLT) "Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink— even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk— it's all free!
Hebrews 4:12 (NLT) For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
Acts 3:6 (NLT) But Peter said, "I don't have any silver or gold for you. But I'll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!"