Craving God but not experiencing Him or His power

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Wynona

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I prayed with all my heart yesterday to experience God's manifest presence. I wanted an encounter like Moses. I want signs, miracles, and wonders to follow me like the Scripture promised. But I couldn't seem to get into God's presence.

My prayers just seemed to hit the ceiling and go no further. I was praising and worshipping and asking for God but nothing happened. I was so disappointed.

Maybe some of you can help me fully understand. Should I be seeking the Lord more dilligently? Waiting on Him?

If God gives us seasons where we can't feel His presence on purpose, then why?
 

Alfredthefifth

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Psalm 46: 10
Be still and know that I am God
Psalm 37: 37
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.

In 1st Kings 19, the profit Elijah wanted to hear God's voice.
Simply put it was load and awesome, or majesticly destructive. God's voice is like the quietest whisper. A whisper that you have to listen for.

In stillness and quietness I find that God will put things on my heart. Those things put on my heart are quieter then the softest whisper but more powerful than the brightest bolt of lightning and it's thunder.

My journey shows me to look in the quietest of places listening for the still small voice.

Many of God's messages recorded in the Bible are, God came in a dream.

Be still and know that I am GOD

The most awesome sign that has guided me, stillness!

Al
 

amadeus

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"Where there is no vision, the people perish:" Prov 29:18

The vision is not a castle in the air, but a vision of what God wants you to be. Let Him put you on His wheel and whirl you as He likes, and as sure as God is God and you are you, you will turn out exactly in accordance with the vision. By Oswald Chambers

Let us not press forward to what we may think we ought to be... but rather let us surrender repeatedly to Him thus allowing Him to make us what He wants us to be.

We are not the Potter, but the clay!
 

Nancy

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I prayed with all my heart yesterday to experience God's manifest presence. I wanted an encounter like Moses. I want signs, miracles, and wonders to follow me like the Scripture promised. But I couldn't seem to get into God's presence.

My prayers just seemed to hit the ceiling and go no further. I was praising and worshipping and asking for God but nothing happened. I was so disappointed.

Maybe some of you can help me fully understand. Should I be seeking the Lord more dilligently? Waiting on Him?

If God gives us seasons where we can't feel His presence on purpose, then why?
I am in this very long season sister, but then my faith tells me He is right by my side :) I will pray for a breakthrough for you.
 

Michiah-Imla

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“And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour. And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt? but now the LORD hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.” (Judges 6:12-13)

“Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him: But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” (Job 23:8-10)

Be encouraged!

He is ever present.
 

Hidden In Him

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I prayed with all my heart yesterday to experience God's manifest presence. I wanted an encounter like Moses. I want signs, miracles, and wonders to follow me like the Scripture promised. But I couldn't seem to get into God's presence.

My prayers just seemed to hit the ceiling and go no further. I was praising and worshipping and asking for God but nothing happened. I was so disappointed.

Maybe some of you can help me fully understand. Should I be seeking the Lord more dilligently? Waiting on Him?

If God gives us seasons where we can't feel His presence on purpose, then why?

It's an excellent question, and let me relieve your mind a little bit here: While we are to abide in His presence continually, the vast majority of New Testament teaching on this subject including John's continual reminders to "abide in Him" were not addressed to individuals but to entire congregations. This point cannot be overstressed and is not to be overlooked, because there are numerous verses and passages to the effect that God takes pleasure in manifesting Himself within a BODY, where all members great and small feel His manifest presence and move together as one in the Spirit of God, and each give utterance as the Spirit leads, and each have a role to play in edifying one another.

Scriptures to this effect (that He desires us to gather together) are all over the place:

- "God inhabits the praises of His people" (not inhabits the praises of "a person," though He can)
- "And when they were all together and in one accord, the Spirit descended upon them in flames of fire"
- "Be not drunk with wine wherein is excess, but be filled with the Spirit, singing to yourselves (i.e. to each other) in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs"
- "When two or more of you are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of you."

Those are just a few paraphrases, but you get the point. If you are desiring to experience the manifest Presence of Almighty God, pray that He gives you the opportunity to attend truly Spirit-filled meetings where the Spirit is in manifestation; where the congregation gives itself to prayer and extended worship, and where the services are led by truly anointed people (and I don't mean "charismatic" in the carnal sense of the word but heavily anointed by the Spirit themselves, and thus able to lead others into the same place).

Granted, there are a lot of things that can go on in various "Charismatic" services, not all of which will be God, so you have to be circumspect. But if you want to experience the Presence of God, that will be your fasted route.

As far as in your own private life, that can also be done, but it will take more prayer, more worship, and more time spent in His word. It's not that God doesn't love us individually, I'm just telling you the system He set up for experiencing His Presence and Power.

I am speaking by the way as someone who has experienced His Presence numerous times, many of which were while I was part of more powerful worship teams. If you have any musical talent and can worship on the altar where the Presence is strongest, you can experience it even quicker. But He wants His children together, not separate, and operating as a body in love in and through Him.

You desire a good thing, so don't be discoursed, and don't think it has anything to do with you. It has more to do with the current state of the church actually.

God bless,
- H
 
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quietthinker

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I prayed with all my heart yesterday to experience God's manifest presence. I wanted an encounter like Moses. I want signs, miracles, and wonders to follow me like the Scripture promised. But I couldn't seem to get into God's presence.

My prayers just seemed to hit the ceiling and go no further. I was praising and worshipping and asking for God but nothing happened. I was so disappointed.

Maybe some of you can help me fully understand. Should I be seeking the Lord more dilligently? Waiting on Him?

If God gives us seasons where we can't feel His presence on purpose, then why?
self focus sabotages everything.
 
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MatthewG

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Have you ever considered your changed life and heart from when you first came to faith?

Wynona we are looking forward to the future hope of when after our life is complete here, that one will go and be with God in the heavenly Kingdom.

Just know God is with you by his spirit, and the son of God is with you, and they hear your prayers. It’s about living by faith, in hope (that you experience spiritual peace and spiritual well-being in Him), and ultimately having love for God and love for others.

Keep going sister.
 

Azim

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I prayed with all my heart yesterday to experience God's manifest presence. I wanted an encounter like Moses. I want signs, miracles, and wonders to follow me like the Scripture promised. But I couldn't seem to get into God's presence.

My prayers just seemed to hit the ceiling and go no further. I was praising and worshipping and asking for God but nothing happened. I was so disappointed.

Maybe some of you can help me fully understand. Should I be seeking the Lord more dilligently? Waiting on Him?

If God gives us seasons where we can't feel His presence on purpose, then why?

If God is love, and love is patient, then focus on that. God doesn't work on our time, but His alone. I'm sure he has experiences waiting for you, but they will be at his perfect time. And those experiences won't be for you alone, but to glorify Himself in the lives of others. You may have even experienced them already, but God isn't ready to reveal the nature of them. In my life so far, God has manifested Himself in many ways.

Heres one I'd like to share. It happened around 2010 I think. God only recently revealed to me what was going on, based on where my heart was finally at with Him. My sister was renting a basement suite nearby our home, which is close to our church. The landlord, living upstairs, was moving out, and looking to rent to a family. Our youth pastor at the time was looking for a place to rent for his family. So my sister and father put in a word with the landlord, to help be considered for renting. One day, the landlord told my sister he was going to give the place to someone else. My sister messaged me, and asked for me to come over, and talk to the landlord, as he was outside working in the garden on the shady side of the house. I never actually talked to him before, and reluctantly went over. Being an introvert, I was nervous. I pretended I was going to see my sister, and as I walked by, I talked to him, and just said "Hey, I hope you consider the youth pastor for your place, hes a really good guy". The landlord looked up at me, as he was attending the garden, and just said "yeah, ok", and then went back to work. I felt I didn't accomplish anything.

A week later, the landlord talked to my dad, and told him he was giving the place to the youth pastor. He told my dad that I somehow convinced him, and my "face shined like the sun". I never understood this at all, and was baffled how my short sentance encouraged him. Stranger yet, the mentioning of my face shining like the sun was bizzare, as we were on the shady side of the house. A few weeks ago, I was running sound for a wedding at our church. The old youth pastor was the one who officiated it. When I was told he would be here, my mind went back to this. Then God brought to mind, it was the Holy Spirit at work. And whatever I thought I said and saw, was not what the landlord had heard or experienced. I shared this finally with the youth pastor, and I think God spoke to him, as it was on his mind for a day or two between the wedding rehearsal, and wedding itself. When the youth pastor rented that home, God brought a blessing to many, as it was open to bible studies, youth nights, and ministering to many people.

So theres my experience of something God did, where it took years to be shown what He was doing.
 

Not me

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I prayed with all my heart yesterday to experience God's manifest presence. I wanted an encounter like Moses. I want signs, miracles, and wonders to follow me like the Scripture promised. But I couldn't seem to get into God's presence.

My prayers just seemed to hit the ceiling and go no further. I was praising and worshipping and asking for God but nothing happened. I was so disappointed.

Maybe some of you can help me fully understand. Should I be seeking the Lord more dilligently? Waiting on Him?

If God gives us seasons where we can't feel His presence on purpose, then why?

Hi, if I might put forth a thought and hopefully to encourage…

You will only know Christ as He is your life….

For all, but Christ as your life, is a striving to perfect the flesh… You are on your course, continue, and He will make sense of the struggle, and you will see the why of the struggle… And blessed you will be, and Him will you know…

In the Beloved, a fellow servant of His, Not me
 
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stunnedbygrace

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If God gives us seasons where we can't feel His presence on purpose, then why?

Because it grows our trust. Fasting from food and water is a picture of the true fast in spirit. Men say a physical fast brings them closer to God, and that may be, I don’t know because I’ve never done a literal fast. But I do know that we come out of a fast in spirit that He puts us on with increased clarity, more understanding and with gain to the inner man and weakening of the outer man.

The first few fasts we are like a screaming two year old having a fit because mom went into the bathroom and closed the door and we can’t see her and get scared.

But we become more able to bear them, and for longer periods of time, as we learn the obedience of firm trust that can’t be so easily shaken based on what we see or don’t see, feel or don’t feel.

He’s doing very good for you, to grow and bless you. Once you begin to see that as you come out of those dry periods/fasts, you will submit to them when He brings them.

I have calmed and quieted myself, like a weaned child who no longer cries for its mother’s milk. Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me.
Psalm 131
 
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Rita

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I was thinking about this as I got ready this morning and a question arose in my mind ‘ why , in scripture were things manifested as they were. Why did Moses need to encounter God as he did,or any of those mentioned in scripture. There is always purpose and meaning behind ‘ how ‘ God works ……..
Look how Jesus dealt with the women at the well, through words, through knowledge of her. Just this simple act of understanding led to many in her community coming to faith.
Not sure if that helps, but Jesus was obedient to the leading of His father, and it wasn’t always through the amazing experiences that we read about……
 

Wynona

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Thank you everyone. I'm definitely not the most patient person so I appreciate the inderstanding of more mature saints.

God has been very personal with me in the past and I even had an encounter with Him. It was like nothing else on earth and I got a revelation of His perfect love towards us.

In comparison, the humdrum of this world and its daily activities is just boring and dreary. Everything happens extremely slowly, like seeds growing underground. It's like I can't seem to stand waiting for things to happen and often spin my wheels trying to make stuff happen. But everywhere I turn, the answer is "not yet, not yet".
 

stunnedbygrace

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Thank you everyone. I'm definitely not the most patient person so I appreciate the inderstanding of more mature saints.

God has been very personal with me in the past and I even had an encounter with Him. It was like nothing else on earth and I got a revelation of His perfect love towards us.

In comparison, the humdrum of this world and its daily activities is just boring and dreary. Everything happens extremely slowly, like seeds growing underground. It's like I can't seem to stand waiting for things to happen and often spin my wheels trying to make stuff happen. But everywhere I turn, the answer is "not yet, not yet".

Well you’ve just said your patience is not great. And James says, we know the testing of our trust works patience, so you see what He is leading you into. I’m going to go read all the verses I can find on patience and patient waiting!
 

amadeus

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Thank you everyone. I'm definitely not the most patient person so I appreciate the inderstanding of more mature saints.

God has been very personal with me in the past and I even had an encounter with Him. It was like nothing else on earth and I got a revelation of His perfect love towards us.

In comparison, the humdrum of this world and its daily activities is just boring and dreary. Everything happens extremely slowly, like seeds growing underground. It's like I can't seem to stand waiting for things to happen and often spin my wheels trying to make stuff happen. But everywhere I turn, the answer is "not yet, not yet".
Are you then wanting patience? Does it not come through tribulation?

"And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
" Rom 5:3-4

Should we then ask God to put us into tribulations?
 

Wynona

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Are you then wanting patience? Does it not come through tribulation?

"And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
" Rom 5:3-4

Should we then ask God to put us into tribulations?

I'm sure more will come as God sees fit.
 

Wynona

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I found a great video that really helped me just now. The woman in it just explains that love is a choice and not a feeling and that as believers we choose to put God before ourselves whether we feel His presence or not. Very good stuff.

 

marks

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I was thinking about this as I got ready this morning and a question arose in my mind ‘ why , in scripture were things manifested as they were. Why did Moses need to encounter God as he did,or any of those mentioned in scripture. There is always purpose and meaning behind ‘ how ‘ God works ……..
Look how Jesus dealt with the women at the well, through words, through knowledge of her. Just this simple act of understanding led to many in her community coming to faith.
Not sure if that helps, but Jesus was obedient to the leading of His father, and it wasn’t always through the amazing experiences that we read about……
Yes, very true!!

This also reminds me, Jesus told the disciples, you will all leave me, but I'm not alone, the Father is with me, for I do what pleases Him.

1 John 3:18-23 KJV
18) My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
19) And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
20) For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
21) Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
22) And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
23) And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

I think we can shut ourselves off from God, and even think it's His doing, if we have some thought, some idea that we are not fully reconciled, fully forgiven, fully His.

Much love!
 
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marks

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Thank you everyone. I'm definitely not the most patient person so I appreciate the inderstanding of more mature saints.

God has been very personal with me in the past and I even had an encounter with Him. It was like nothing else on earth and I got a revelation of His perfect love towards us.

In comparison, the humdrum of this world and its daily activities is just boring and dreary. Everything happens extremely slowly, like seeds growing underground. It's like I can't seem to stand waiting for things to happen and often spin my wheels trying to make stuff happen. But everywhere I turn, the answer is "not yet, not yet".

For me the anwer is to live in the moment. Right now the only thing I need concern myself with is what is in front of me, and who is in front of me, and to answer these things according to God's loving ways as best I can, trusting in Jesus to enable me, and looking to Jesus to correct me, and continue to renew me.

I know just what you mean, things take so long, but that also means, nothing is actually happening to me right now, more just the threat of something. When something is actually happening, then in that moment, that's when I reach to God for help concerning that thing.

My supply seems short, but that's OK, God gives me what I need right now, so it must be enough. Time, money, strength, wisdom, God will give as I need.

And my sense of His presence, yes, there have been the times that I've been overwhelmed with His nearness, and His loving kindness, and it seems the greater the physical pain, the greater that sense. So I don't so much mind the times of great pain, He meets me there. But I'm not asking Him for more, only, whatever He sees fit for me.

My trust is that He is here with me, strenghening my heart for Him, and it's when I focus on that truth, I more readily feel Him near me.

I try to not get to focused on the circumstances, only, just this moment, and, communion with God, and, If you draw near to Him, He will draw near to you.

Much love!