Encounters and Calling

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T

Taylorj2

Member
#1
Apr 5, 2025
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18
#1
Here is a great topic to discuss. As a Bible believer and Charismatic, one of the distinguishing things I have noticed in Scripture is men who were used by God had encounters with God.

This is a two fold discussion: If you have had an encounter with God, please share it and describe what it means?
If you are against encounters and believe that we should not rely on them based on our calling, then give a scriptural argument.

I think this will be a fun conversation! Do encounters still exist today? Does God still speak to individuals beyond just the written word (remember, they had the torah before Jesus)?
 
Gideon300

Gideon300

Well-known member
#2
Mar 18, 2021
5,980
3,667
113
Frankston, Victoria
christianlife.au
#2
Taylorj2 said:
Here is a great topic to discuss. As a Bible believer and Charismatic, one of the distinguishing things I have noticed in Scripture is men who were used by God had encounters with God.

This is a two fold discussion: If you have had an encounter with God, please share it and describe what it means?
If you are against encounters and believe that we should not rely on them based on our calling, then give a scriptural argument.

I think this will be a fun conversation! Do encounters still exist today? Does God still speak to individuals beyond just the written word (remember, they had the torah before Jesus)?
Click to expand...
The most influential man in my life had many encounters with God. He used to be up at 4.00 am very morning to meet with Jesus. He would make two cup of coffee, one for himself and the other for Jesus. That's how real Jesus was to him.

He was a man of many questions. God was pleased to answer most of them. Few men had as much insight. I'd put my friend and mentor up with the elites such as Derek Prince and Watchman Nee. My friend did not travel and he is far from a household name. Yet his revelations have been instrumental in helping many.

Just one example out of many: How to forgive those who have hurt you. My friend was treated horribly by his first wife. She conspired with the company accountant to swindle him out of all his money. She attempted to run him over. My friend had every reason to hate his ex wife.

My friend was advised that he had to forgive his ex wife. He admitted to God that he found it impossible. So God revealed to my friend how forgiveness could be granted even when it was impossible for man. I'll not explain this now, but I will attach a link to what he wrote.

When I first met my friend, I was both impressed and cautious. I'd not come across someone who received revelation as he did. So I examined his words closely to see if they were biblical. 30 years later, I had been unable to fault the revelation he had received.

My friend passed away in 2011. He was a true, modern day prophet. He never accepted that description, but that is the truth.

God has spoken to me about 40 times in my 50 years as a believer. On one occasion, what God said saved my life. God also leads by an impression in my spirit man.

The Christian life is a relationship with the Living God through Christ. You can't have fellowship with a stone or even with a book. God longs for us to spend time with Him and for us to learn His ways. What He has in store for us is better than anything we can imagine.

How to forgive when it is impossible: https://christianlife.au/7-can-you-forgive-from-your-heart/
 
Blain

Blain

The Word Weaver
#3
Aug 28, 2012
20,638
3,263
113
#3
Taylorj2 said:
Here is a great topic to discuss. As a Bible believer and Charismatic, one of the distinguishing things I have noticed in Scripture is men who were used by God had encounters with God.

This is a two fold discussion: If you have had an encounter with God, please share it and describe what it means?
If you are against encounters and believe that we should not rely on them based on our calling, then give a scriptural argument.

I think this will be a fun conversation! Do encounters still exist today? Does God still speak to individuals beyond just the written word (remember, they had the torah before Jesus)?
Click to expand...
I have met Jesus seven time God the father twice the holy spirit three times and an angel once I also have encountered demons and satan though not as much only a few times with satan and demons about six times

some of these encounters were to teach me some of them I didn't understand until a feww years ago some of them were what I call tests of the heart mostly this is when demons or satan come in to either attack lie or to just tell me I am weak once satan threatened to kill me if I didn't bow down to him

some of these encounters with God were simply to bless me others like the most recent one with Jesus were to answer my prayer each encounter I will remember for my whole life
 
K

Karlon

Well-known member
#4
Mar 8, 2023
3,029
1,400
113
#4
Taylorj2 said:
Here is a great topic to discuss. As a Bible believer and Charismatic, one of the distinguishing things I have noticed in Scripture is men who were used by God had encounters with God.

This is a two fold discussion: If you have had an encounter with God, please share it and describe what it means?
If you are against encounters and believe that we should not rely on them based on our calling, then give a scriptural argument.

I think this will be a fun conversation! Do encounters still exist today? Does God still speak to individuals beyond just the written word (remember, they had the torah before Jesus)?
Click to expand...
it is the Holy Spirit that speaks to us. i haven't experienced encounters with God but i have heard from the Holy Spirit over 20 times.
 
Roughsoul1991

Roughsoul1991

Senior Member
#5
Sep 17, 2016
8,966
4,621
113
#5
Taylorj2 said:
Here is a great topic to discuss. As a Bible believer and Charismatic, one of the distinguishing things I have noticed in Scripture is men who were used by God had encounters with God.

This is a two fold discussion: If you have had an encounter with God, please share it and describe what it means?
If you are against encounters and believe that we should not rely on them based on our calling, then give a scriptural argument.

I think this will be a fun conversation! Do encounters still exist today? Does God still speak to individuals beyond just the written word (remember, they had the torah before Jesus)?
Click to expand...
In the year 610 CE, the Prophet of God experienced the first divine revelation. He was alone in the cave of Hira, deeply immersed in meditation, when the angel Gabriel appeared to him with God's words.

“The commencement of the Divine Inspiration to my prophet was in the form of good dreams which came true like bright daylight. Then the love of seclusion was bestowed upon him.

He used to go in seclusion in the cave of Hira where he used to worship (God alone) continuously for many days before his desire to see his family.

He used to take with him food for the stay and then come back to his wife to take more food until suddenly the Truth descended upon him while he was in the cave of Hira. The angel came to him and asked him to read.

The Prophet replied, ‘I do not know how to read.’ The Prophet added, ‘The angel caught me (forcefully) and pressed me so hard that I could not bear it any longer.

He then released me and again asked me to read, and I replied, ‘I do not know how to read.’ Thereupon he caught me again and pressed me a second time till I could not bear it any longer. He then released me and again asked me to read, but again

I replied, ‘I do not know how to read?’ (or ‘What shall I read?’).
Thereupon he caught me for the third time and pressed me, and then released me and said:

“Recite in the name of your Lord who created – Created man from a clinging substance. Recite, and your Lord is the most Generous – Who taught by the pen – Taught man that which he knew not.”

At first glance would you believe this to be a God encounter?

How about the appearance of creating snakes?


Exodus 7:10-11

New International Version



10 So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the Lord commanded. Aaron threw his staff down in front of Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a snake. 11 Pharaoh then summoned wise men and sorcerers, and the Egyptian magicians also did the same things by their secret arts:


Or how about a future teller?


Acts 16:16-34
New Life Version
16 One day as we were going to the place to pray, we met a servant-girl who could tell what was going to happen in the future by a demon she had. Her owner made much money from her power.

The top quote is actually from Islamic accounts
(Surah Al-Alaq 96:1-5)
[Sahih al-Bukhari 3]
The origin of Islam.

Should we rely on encounters? Not by themselves. No matter how seemingly spiritual they are. The foundation should always be our number one guide.

EPHESIANS 2:19-20
“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.”​

The Words of Jesus and the original Apostles recorded in the Bible are our foundation. If an encounter contradicts, adds, or takes away from scripture then it should be avoided.
 
Aaron56

Aaron56

Well-known member
#6
Jul 12, 2021
3,355
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#6
My example is barely noteworthy but I was talking about it yesterday with one of my spiritual sons. I've had other more dynamic encounters but this one is fresh in my mind.

I worked in behavioral health for more than 23 years; undergrad in psychology, graduate in Clinical Therapy.

Any way, I encountered many people diagnosed with schizophrenia. That's a word that literally means a divided mind. It always baffled me: patients with this ailment seemed like the people with demonic possession/control found in the Bible. And maybe they were. Also, nearly all of them had a similar origin story: experience of abuse, trauma, drug use, or some kind of deep, painful experience early in their life.

The drugs they were prescribed (I did not prescribe drugs) usually kept them in a meso-functioning state between sleep and awake. Because of this, many of them shuffled here and there with balance problems. Younger ones could work but they were easily overwhelmed with stimuli. So certain accommodations were often made for them: shorter work times, more breaks, etc.

I could go on but you get the gist.

My point is: I had great compassion for these people. On one had I believed medical science had marginalized them. It wasn't just a handful of decades ago that these people would have been relegated to asylums or hidden by other family members out of shame. On the other hand, believing in the Living God who heals and restores, I wondered what wisdom God had about their condition.

So, one day, as I was driving in my car, I asked God for the keys of schizophrenia.

And just as I did I heard in my spirit "Look and see!" and to my left, on the side of the road, were two different church buildings of two different denominations. Their parking lots would have touched save for a narrow strip of grass. And I heard

"You have permitted it! You endorse it!"

Now "you" was the royal you. He meant "the church".

The implications of this, for me, could fill pages. But that's enough of the story for now.

Blessings.
 
T

Taylorj2

Member
#7
Apr 5, 2025
73
53
18
#7
Roughsoul1991 said:
In the year 610 CE, the Prophet of God experienced the first divine revelation. He was alone in the cave of Hira, deeply immersed in meditation, when the angel Gabriel appeared to him with God's words.

“The commencement of the Divine Inspiration to my prophet was in the form of good dreams which came true like bright daylight. Then the love of seclusion was bestowed upon him.

He used to go in seclusion in the cave of Hira where he used to worship (God alone) continuously for many days before his desire to see his family.

He used to take with him food for the stay and then come back to his wife to take more food until suddenly the Truth descended upon him while he was in the cave of Hira. The angel came to him and asked him to read.

The Prophet replied, ‘I do not know how to read.’ The Prophet added, ‘The angel caught me (forcefully) and pressed me so hard that I could not bear it any longer.

He then released me and again asked me to read, and I replied, ‘I do not know how to read.’ Thereupon he caught me again and pressed me a second time till I could not bear it any longer. He then released me and again asked me to read, but again

I replied, ‘I do not know how to read?’ (or ‘What shall I read?’).
Thereupon he caught me for the third time and pressed me, and then released me and said:

“Recite in the name of your Lord who created – Created man from a clinging substance. Recite, and your Lord is the most Generous – Who taught by the pen – Taught man that which he knew not.”

At first glance would you believe this to be a God encounter?

How about the appearance of creating snakes?


Exodus 7:10-11

New International Version



10 So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the Lord commanded. Aaron threw his staff down in front of Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a snake. 11 Pharaoh then summoned wise men and sorcerers, and the Egyptian magicians also did the same things by their secret arts:


Or how about a future teller?


Acts 16:16-34
New Life Version
16 One day as we were going to the place to pray, we met a servant-girl who could tell what was going to happen in the future by a demon she had. Her owner made much money from her power.

The top quote is actually from Islamic accounts
(Surah Al-Alaq 96:1-5)
[Sahih al-Bukhari 3]
The origin of Islam.

Should we rely on encounters? Not by themselves. No matter how seemingly spiritual they are. The foundation should always be our number one guide.

EPHESIANS 2:19-20
“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.”​

The Words of Jesus and the original Apostles recorded in the Bible are our foundation. If an encounter contradicts, adds, or takes away from scripture then it should be avoided.
Click to expand...

Obviously, the story starts off a little deceptive. One can claim to hear a word from the Lord, but that's why it is important that we test everything through scripture - we must be like the Bereans(Acts 17:11). It sounds like the Lord, but the fruit in latter times and very shortly after would show that it wasn't an angel but a demon that revealed it to Muhammad.

Remember, encounters are not wrong nor are they against scripture. The sin is if we do not test them, and those encounters skew our view of the scriptures and lead others into deception. That's why we must be studied!
 
Roughsoul1991

Roughsoul1991

Senior Member
#8
Sep 17, 2016
8,966
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#8
Taylorj2 said:
Obviously, the story starts off a little deceptive. One can claim to hear a word from the Lord, but that's why it is important that we test everything through scripture - we must be like the Bereans(Acts 17:11). It sounds like the Lord, but the fruit in latter times and very shortly after would show that it wasn't an angel but a demon that revealed it to Muhammad.

Remember, encounters are not wrong nor are they against scripture. The sin is if we do not test them, and those encounters skew our view of the scriptures and lead others into deception. That's why we must be studied!
Click to expand...
I agree. That was point. Encounters are only Biblical if they do not contradict, add, or takesl away from scripture. If they do, then they should be ignored at best.
 
Blain

Blain

The Word Weaver
#9
Aug 28, 2012
20,638
3,263
113
#9
God will show up how he chooses his sheep know his voice and know him when you encounter the real deal there is no doubt if it is him or not and vise versa when you encounter the demons there is no mistake who they are. encounters happen and yes if one does not have discernment they could mistake who it is however for the most part such encounters are obvious when you meet God the power he exnludes makes you tremble in awe or his love is so deep that your body cannot handle it when you encounter a demon their hatred and blood lust is intense

I have experienced both types many times never once was it mistaken who they were because they show fruits that are unmistakable
 
T

Taylorj2

Member
#10
Apr 5, 2025
73
53
18
#10
Blain said:
God will show up how he chooses his sheep know his voice and know him when you encounter the real deal there is no doubt if it is him or not and vise versa when you encounter the demons there is no mistake who they are. encounters happen and yes if one does not have discernment they could mistake who it is however for the most part such encounters are obvious when you meet God the power he exnludes makes you tremble in awe or his love is so deep that your body cannot handle it when you encounter a demon their hatred and blood lust is intense

I have experienced both types many times never once was it mistaken who they were because they show fruits that are unmistakable
Click to expand...
While I really do appreciate your zealousness for the presence and power of God, we should ALWAYS test an encounter that we have. Although I am Charismatic, I tend to call myself a reserved Charismatic. I do think that there is a danger that we have built up in the church, where we allow our experiences to either build theology or steer the direction of our lives. We must turn and search the scriptures, and God must validate it to show us it is truly Him - and He is very faithful to do so.
 
Brasspen

Brasspen

Well-known member
#11
Sep 14, 2024
523
257
63
#11
Gideon300 said:
ust one example out of many: How to forgive those who have hurt you. My friend was treated horribly by his first wife. She conspired with the company accountant to swindle him out of all his money. She attempted to run him over. My friend had every reason to hate his ex wife.

My friend was advised that he had to forgive his ex wife. He admitted to God that he found it impossible. So God revealed to my friend how forgiveness could be granted even when it was impossible for man. I'll not explain this now, but I will attach a link to what he wrote.

When I first met my friend, I was both impressed and cautious. I'd not come across someone who received revelation as he did. So I examined his words closely to see if they were biblical. 30 years later, I had been unable to fault the revelation he had received.
Click to expand...
Thank you for that testimony, I needed that just now. I am being cursed financially. I, forgive them.



Aaron56 said:
The drugs they were prescribed (I did not prescribe drugs) usually kept them in a meso-functioning state between sleep and awake. Because of this, many of them shuffled here and there with balance problems. Younger ones could work but they were easily overwhelmed with stimuli. So certain accommodations were often made for them: shorter work times, more breaks, etc.
Click to expand...
That's what I need is a job again, and I need shorter work times. But the employers want you working 40 hours a week, for a part-time job.
 
J

John146

Senior Member
#14
Jan 13, 2016
17,573
3,784
113
#14
Taylorj2 said:
Here is a great topic to discuss. As a Bible believer and Charismatic, one of the distinguishing things I have noticed in Scripture is men who were used by God had encounters with God.

This is a two fold discussion: If you have had an encounter with God, please share it and describe what it means?
If you are against encounters and believe that we should not rely on them based on our calling, then give a scriptural argument.

I think this will be a fun conversation! Do encounters still exist today? Does God still speak to individuals beyond just the written word (remember, they had the torah before Jesus)?
Click to expand...
Is God's word incomplete? Does God have more to say to us other than what's in his word?
 
Brasspen

Brasspen

Well-known member
#15
Sep 14, 2024
523
257
63
#15
John146 said:
Is God's word incomplete? Does God have more to say to us other than what's in his word?
Click to expand...
Our relationship with him is a personally one, for each of us. And, it can all be confirmed from the Holy Bible.
 
O

Omegatime

Well-known member
#17
Apr 29, 2023
1,527
524
113
Pennsylvania
#17
Many subjects I could cover here but I would like to share two times in my life the Lord spoke to me thru his Spirit.

First was about 40 years ago and the second time was about 5 years ago. I will try to be as detailed as possible.

First time.
The previous day my wife, children, and I attended a pro-life rally in the county seat. I was amazed at the number of people but was at request of most churches in the county which is very rural. The day was a Saturday. That evening while talking to the lord, I said how important are these little ones to you?

The next day I had a household of people and after having a large dinner I fell asleep. I heard the words "GET UP ". I didn't even open my eyes. But on the second "GET UP" I jumped up for I heard the voice of authority. Then the words--Mother with child.

I had my answer

Second time

I was now living by myself in a retirement apartment and was visiting a local shop and this woman and I struck up a conversation. I was recovering from open heart surgery and she from colon cancer. Over time we became the best of friends. Time came after 3 years for the lord to take her home. She was with her children when she passed away.

It was about 1:30 in the morning when I was woken up again and I didn't have to wonder who was speaking to me. The words spoken to me--- Do not let your heart be troubled. I didn't at the moment understand the message till I woke up the next morning and had a text from the daughter saying Ellen had passed at 1:30 . Then I knew it was the Lord who put us together because she needed a friend.
 
Aaron56

Aaron56

Well-known member
#18
Jul 12, 2021
3,355
1,951
113
#18
John146 said:
Is God's word incomplete? Does God have more to say to us other than what's in his word?
Click to expand...
How did you come to know your calling in the Lord?
 
T

Taylorj2

Member
#20
Apr 5, 2025
73
53
18
#20
John146 said:
My calling? Other than what the Lord desires of me in my life through his word?
Click to expand...
No, God's word is not incomplete. However, the Bible does tell us of men and women in the Bible that encountered God in a deep way - I believe we can experience Him today like that and that He speaks to each one of us collectively and individually.
 
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