Experiencing a Fresh Encounter with God

As believers start their faith walk, perhaps one of the most common questions in their hearts is, “How do I know that God is speaking to me?”

Because one of Christianity’s core beliefs is that through our relationship with the Messiah, we gain access to God’s throne and, therefore, can hear directly from him through the Holy Spirit, learning to listen to God is undoubtedly every faithful believer’s desire.

But hearing God speak is only the first step to receiving his guidance and promises. We also need insight into how he operates and where he is at work.

Hearing God speak is only the first step to receiving his guidance and promises. We also need insight into how he operates and where he is at work. @AJC @ExperiencingGod @richardblackaby
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God is always at work

What if we start with the premise that God is always at work around us and wants to invite us to participate in what is already happening in the world?

That is the premise of one of the most popular Bible studies ever written: “Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God” by Dr. Henry Blackaby. The study was published over three decades ago and quickly became a global phenomenon, selling over 8 million copies and being translated into over 75 languages.

Blackaby wrote the original book, “Experiencing God,” from the lessons he learned from a lifetime of blind obedience to God’s voice.

God prompted him to leave a comfortable situation pastoring a church in Los Angeles to lead a tiny, dying congregation in Saskatoon, Canada. The small church had collected only $90 in offerings the entire month before the Blackabys’ arrival. Against all earthly advice, they knew they had reached a crossroads in their spiritual lives: The Blackabys’ were certain God had called them to Canada and chose to trust that he would provide and guide them in this seemingly unlikely venture.

From this step of obedience, God opened incredible doors to expand Blackaby’s ministry. In the next 12 years, the Blackaby family saw God work miraculously, expanding their ministry to 38 missions and mission posts and a Bible college.

Experiencing God, the book.

The original book, “Experiencing God,” was born after numerous people asked Blackaby to share the steps he followed to hear, understand, obey and experience God in supernatural ways.

I participated in the “Experiencing God” Bible study over a decade ago at my church. The lessons and experiences I gathered from the study still impact my spiritual life today. In the book and Bible study, Blackaby shares “Seven Realities” in what he calls the “love relationship” between God and his children.

I recently interviewed Henry and Marilyn Blackaby’s oldest son, Dr. Richard Blackaby, president of Blackaby Ministries International and general editor of the newly revised Experiencing God Bible, released in August 2022.

This new study Bible was compiled using the content of the “Experiencing God” book and Bible Study and the full Bible text. It contains elements common among study Bibles, such as book introductions, cross references, and concordances. But it also offers readers other fresh, unique features, such as “Prepare to meet God” boxes, which highlight the “God Focus” theme in the context of each chapter, challenging the reader to find out what God is saying to them, personally, as they meditate upon the Bible’s passages.

I have been an advocate of study Bibles for many years, as I have experienced firsthand their usefulness in better understanding the historical, social and spiritual context of books that otherwise may be hard to comprehend. These Bibles also offer insightful applications of biblical texts for everyday issues and life questions.

An intimate perspective on how God operates

The “Experiencing God” Bible offers a more intimate perspective on hearing God speak and learning how he operates. It is an excellent resource for those who want a fresh encounter with God this year.

The “Experiencing God” Bible offers a more intimate perspective on hearing God speak and learning how he operates. It is an excellent resource for those who want a fresh encounter with God this year. @AJC @ExperiencingGod…
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It never ceases to amaze me how the Creator of the universe poured his glory and wisdom into the hearts of flawed men to pen his love letter to humanity and invite us to take part in his glorious plan.

“When we hear his call and respond accordingly, there will be no limit to what God can and will do through his people. But if we do not even recognize when he is speaking, we are in trouble at the very heart of our relationship with him.” — Henry Blackaby

Find out more about the “Experiencing God” Bible at csbexperiencinggodbible.com/.

This article was originally published in Patricia’s column for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Saturday, January 14, 2023. Click HERE to find it on the AJC’s website.

Dr. Blackaby is giving away a copy of the Experiencing God Study Bible to one of Patricia’s followers!!!

Just share this post or podcast on social media and tag Patricia for a chance to win. The winner will be announced on social media.

Listen to the podcast episode below. If you are reading this in your email, please CLICK HERE to listen to the podcast. This interview is also available on YouTube. CLICK HERE to watch it.

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Linkup is open! Join us and read about Blackaby's incredible faith journey. Share this post for a chance to win a copy of @Richardblackaby 's new Experiencing God Study Bible. Join us and share your blog!
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The post Column & Interview with Dr. Richard Blackaby {Experiencing God Bible} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

I read a story about Timanthes that made me reflect on the importance of not settling for the status quo.

According to the account, Timanthes studied the art of painting under the direction of a respected tutor. After many years of study, the teacher’s efforts paid off when Timanthes painted an exquisite piece of art. But something unfortunate took place after the painting was completed: The pupil became so enthralled by his work that he stopped working altogether. Instead, he spent countless days in front of it, admiring its beauty.

One day, when arriving at the studio, Timanthes rushed to admire his precious painting once again, only to be shocked by what he found. His magnificent art stood in the same corner; however, blots of paint were smeared all over its surface.

Timanthes was furious. He rushed to his tutor, who readily admitted to having destroyed the painting himself. “I did it for your own good,” the wise teacher said. “That painting was retarding your progress. Start again, and see if you can do better.” According to the story, Timanthes accepted the teacher’s challenge. He proceeded to produce “The Sacrifice of Iphigenia,” considered one of the most magnificent paintings of antiquity.

The story made me think of the times when life circumstances force us to start over. So many of us have found ourselves in critical and difficult crossroads, wherein the realization that years of work, dedication, love and investment did not translate into success. Marriages that crumble under the weight of irreconcilable differences or betrayal. Business endeavors that fail. Careers that come to a halt. Years of investing time and resources to raise children who, eventually, turn their back on their parents, their faith, and the very principles they were taught.

At the onset of these traumatic “life pauses,” our natural response is often bewilderment, anger, and even despair. Understandably so, for there hardly is anything more painful than witnessing the end of a dream or the loss of a cherished relationship.

However, as I reflect on certain losses I’ve experienced, I cannot help but parallel young Timanthes’ story with my own.

I believe that if we were honest, many of us could testify of times in the past where we settled instead of strived to nurture relationships and give our best in our endeavors. We sit to admire the work of our hands, completely disregarding that God has something much better ahead, if only we stop gazing at what is and believe in what will be.

Could it be that God has something much better ahead of you, but first you must stop gazing at what is and believe in what will be? @AJC @ExperiencingGod @richardblackaby
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Bible teacher and bestselling author Henry Blackaby said it best: “You cannot stay the way you are and go with God.”

You cannot stay the way you are and go with God. - Henry Blackaby #MondayMotivation #MondayDevotional @AJC @ExperiencingGod @richardblackaby
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Have you ever considered that the end of a dream could be God’s catapult to send you in the right direction?

I truly believe so.

We are creatures of habit, and many of us fear change, especially when it brings pain. But sometimes, there is no way around it. And so, God, in His omniscience and love, often propels us into darkness, pain and loss, because He knows what needs to change so we can fulfill our potential.

God, in His omniscience and love, often propels us into darkness, pain and loss, because He knows what needs to change so we can fulfill our potential. #MondayMotivation #MondayDevotional @AJC @ExperiencingGod @richardblackaby
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This principle challenges me.

As I type these words today, I find myself all too aware that I have reached a place where some things in my routine must change if I am to receive God’s best. As usual, it is uncomfortable. Why? Because I like it where I am. It’s cozy. Well-known. I enjoy my “painting” just as it is, thank you very much. But truth be told, I know that if I am to allow God to birth his masterpiece in my life, I must accept His direction, as hard as it may be, even if it means starting the painting, all over again.

The question is: Will we settle with the results of our work thus far, or will we choose to see hardships as the work of God’s hand, propelling us into new directions, where God-sized dreams and real joy are found? Our only job is simple, yet hard: We must remind our hearts that the master knows best, simply trust … and believe.

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:18 @AJC @ExperiencingGod @richardblackaby
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This article was originally published in Patricia’s column for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Saturday – October 26, 2019.

The post When We Are Compelled to Start Over {The Atlanta Journal Constitution} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.