(manichunter;53279)
How can a person get to know God? Is God known through Scripture? Does study increase our intimate personal knowledge with God. Can I know Him through my intellect by coming to understand Him?Is God known through prayer? Does praying give us the means to more of God? What is the true sure means of knowing God? How do I interact and relate with God?
Manichunter,You are right in all of the above -- God can be known by Scripture because He is the Word, and the Bible is His message to us; He can be known through studying His Word, because it helps us to see the whole picture of who He is and what He is saying to us; and He can be known through prayer. It is a combination of all of the above. Just doing one or the other will help, but it won't give you the maximum benefits.I would suggest that you read the Bible every day, and pray before you read it that God would open your eyes to see who He is and what He wants you to do. He will show you. Also, study who the Christ is (for example, "in Him," "by Him," etc. If you have a Bible program for the computer, you can search easily for it. If not, try a concordance, particularly Strong's).As for interaction, that is where prayer comes in. Most people think that you need to use elaborate words, but prayer is simply talking to God, just like you would to a friend. It is a relationship builder between us and God. He is our Father, and we should strive to have a good relationship with Him, just as we would a dear friend. When I pray, I tell God everything -- my hopes, my fears, my heartaches, my frustrations, my joys, etc. God is much more than a friend, because I can go to Him and pour out my heart to Him, whereas I wouldn't tell some people the things that I tell Him. God wants us to communicate with Him like that, honestly. And if you will do that, God will talk to you, too; So, yes, you can get more of God through prayer. However, like I said before, don't just pray and then do no more; read the Bible and study, too. If you are faithful in this, you will get to know God better, Manichunter. I promise.:read: