On this Walk with Him Wednesday, Ann of A Holy Experience has asked us to write about how we've experienced God recently.
When I read that request, my first thoughts went the Henry Blackaby study called Experiencing God. That study impacted my Christian walk more than any other study except of course, the Scriptures themselves.
You see, at the time I knew I was a Christian but I didn't quite understand how to live that out in my life. I heard how people would claim that God spoke to them but at that time ...I never heard His voice.
But God ...He met me right where I was, a bit skeptical and unsure. I'm forever grateful for His tender love and patience. And that's when I met Helen, my prayer partner.
But the question Ann posed was how have I experienced God lately. Here are just a few:
- I am experiencing His presence as I know that I know I am never alone.
- He speaks to me through His Word, the Bible as there have been many times recently when a Scripture practically leaps off the page. It's as if God highlighted it just for me and my situation.
- He often awakens me with a song in the morning. I've shared many of them on my Then Sings My Soul Saturday posts with you.
- He has been providing me with opportunities to pray with people I would never have imagined. My realtor Cionne held my hand and prayed with me before the buyer came to my house to pick out the furniture they want to keep.
- I am experiencing God's love for others as a blogger from another state reached out to me to ask if I might meet her sister who lives not far from me. We went to church together last Sunday and it was a joy getting to know her. She's not been to church recently and she's returning next Sunday with her two little children. Praise God for this. The children's program director met her and explained the process of enrolling the children and was so kind to her. And the people in my church were very kind and welcoming to her which made my heart so happy as God's people stepped up.
- I've experienced God this week when I received yet another phone call from my Pastor Dan. His encouragement as I go through my current storm has been so helpful and my church family has rallied around me.
- I've experienced God through a Christian couple who do not want to be named and have provided just what Greg and I need for housing.
- I've experienced God through the Book of Hababbuk as I listen to Scott Samter's teaching at On Opening His Word Together. I never realized how this little book could teach me so much as I see what is happening in our world today.
- I'm experiencing God as He provides me with opportunities to share where my strength comes from and give Him the glory.
- I'm experiencing God with a new tenderness for people going through their own seasons of difficulty and challenge. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 has become more real to me.
Have I been experiencing God lately? Oh, yes I have!
I leave you with this beautiful graphic and verse. Love should be the distinguishing mark of how the world sees Christians treat one another.
How about you? It's easy to remember things from years ago but what about today?
Blessings,
Debbie ... you continue to motivate me to dig deeper!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing!
Love & Blessings from Hong Kong,
Kim
Debbie~ I'm praising God with you over all you have experienced of Him - especially lately! It is a gift of God when we NEED to hear from Him and He shows up in so many ways. I'm so glad that's what He's doing in, to, and through you!!!
ReplyDeleteThe study, Experiencing God, had a huge impact on my life as well. I use things I learned through that study every day in my walk with the Lord.
I am praying for you, my friend...
Love,
Jennifer
Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThanks for always sharing His love!
Your precious heart is such a blessing to me!
Love you,
Jill
This was great Debbie, and what a blessing to be experiencing God so richly in your life right now. The book sounds like a good one. I am going to look for it. Have a great day. Hugs, Debbie
ReplyDeleteAwesome Deb! Simply Awesome!
ReplyDeleteI love the part about the waking you up with a song. Isn't that the most interesting thing. My mom and I both have that happen. And we were not gifted with voices that should sing either. LOL...
I betcha heaven is gonna have lots of songs. Can't wait to hear them, smell the smell of beauty, and most importantly put a face to this King. I have a funny feeling when I see Him it's gonna be like looking into the face of all the people we know since we are made in His image.
Won't it be neat to experience Him in person. I am a visual. For me that's gonna be the frosting of the cake.
There was a time in my heart I felt the Lord say, "You wanna see me?... Serve my people." This came along with the, "Well, what's wrong with you reaching out to that person? Your capable!" It was that word that made me look into the eyes of a man and let Christ meet his need through me. As I looked at him i thought to myself for the first time, "Maybe Jesus has his hands or his nose." Now when I look at others I try to look for Jesus in their characteristics.
We serve one fantastic Abba Father!! He's never boring. He wants us to experience Him fresh and new 24-7. Sometimes it's a song, sometimes a word, a person, and truth. He's so darn creative!
Rejoicing with you in all your beautiful experiencing. Dianne
ReplyDeleteDebbie.....Thank you for sharing your heart! Your words always draw me closer to Him!!
ReplyDeleteSweet Blessings!
Jackie
Debbie,
ReplyDeleteI just think you are wonderful. I loved this post. I so appreciate your desire to grow and your longing to know Him better. Your attitude, wisdom, and transparency influence me in such a positive way :)
Thank you for sharing your life with us here on your blog. Just know...it's making a difference :)
And wow. It is amazing how you have been experiencing God lately. He sees your willing heart and He calls out to you - knowing that you will respond. Awesome. SO encouraging.
And that study....I've heard of it....I think I might look into it. Thanks for bringing it up!
I'm praying for you. Have a blessed day, friend!
Hugs,
Kate :)
That Experiencing God series is amazing! We've led that study quite a few times in different churches where we've served. It's one of my favorites.
ReplyDeleteWow! Your list has got me thinking.
ReplyDeletelove and hugs~Tammy
I love this! I am leading Experiencing God right now & it is SOOOO awesome!!!! Life changing!!!
ReplyDeleteWylie
Thank you for sharing your recent experiences with God. I have had similar experiences, such as the songs in the morning - I LOVE that! Recently, I have been blessed to experience Him in my 21 month old granddaughter, Maya. When she prays at mealtimes, she says in her soft little girl voice "Thank you , God...too much. Amen." And the other day as she walked through our dining room, she said, "Kiss God." Oh yes, kiss God, for He often kisses us with His Word, His people, in prayer, and yes, even with song.
ReplyDeleteBlesses to you this day!
Laurie
I see Jesus all over your life, love you.
ReplyDeleteIt's sometimes hard for me to experience God but it doesn't deter me from knowing that He is there and is involved in the details of my life. Some days I have to go on a "God hunt" and purposefully look for Him in my daily life.
ReplyDeleteDebbie, I loved your grateful heart in this post and oh my, I love that you have a buyer-wow girl!!! You are such a blessing to so many so I pray the Lord's richest blessing on you and your hubby this day.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Noreen
This was wonderful Debbie. You are always such an encouragement!
ReplyDeleteLove you my friend,
Sonja
I'm experiencing God right now as I look out my window at a cloudy day and see the beauty of the shaded mountains. Earlier today, my sister and I drove up I-17 and saw snow sprinkled mountains. Awesome. I experienced God yesterday when sharing a difficult situation with my daughter, she said, "Mom, let me pray for you." And she did, it was beautiful. When my husband puts his arms around me and tells me he loves me, I am experiencing God's provision for me. Today, I am experiencing God in the small things, preparing me for the big things that lie ahead.
ReplyDeleteLove you, Your prayer partner.
Debbie,
ReplyDeleteI love all the ways that you are experiencing God.
I first thought of Henry Blackaby, too. That was a very beneficial study for me, way back when. I need to review it again now to keep it fresher in my mind.
Thanks for sharing and as always, making me think and be thankful. Trust and obey!
Hugs,
Lisa
Once again... thankyou for sharing your heart! From your posts, I continually receive encouragement and reminders of all that our family is blessed with...
ReplyDeleteMany, many blessings and prayers of agreement are lifted up!
Blessings & Aloha dear friend!
His Word is key to experiencing God. Dig deep...
ReplyDeleteThy Word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee.
Thanks for your post and greeting me at the Ponderosa.
I experienced God this week as I listened to Ruth Graham on TV. I could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit as she talked about the people she is helping, after going through so many difficult circumstances herself. I could feel His love as we went to grandparents day at their school. We are so fortunate to have them in a Christian school where the Word of God can be taught to them on a daily basis. I could feel the love of God through your phone call.
ReplyDeleteSue
I praised the Lord as I read your list of blessings!
ReplyDeleteHe truly is our very great reward!
This is something we should ask ourselves each day. Thanks for encouraging us.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are doing well Debbie.
Love you!
Debbie, your posts are always so powerful and encouraging.
ReplyDeleteHave I experienced God lately? Yes, I have. Like you, when I read Scripture passages they speak to my heart. I am sometimes amazed about some passages that I have heard before often, hit my heart differently today (hope that makes sense).
Love & peace,
Iris