This month's guest blog was written by my dear friend, Mary Rooney Armand of Butterfly Living.
“But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9 NLT
I used to believe to encounter God we had to be in a church or around ‘holy and good’ people. We do encounter God at church and around others but experiencing His presence requires a relationship.
There are many ways to encounter God when we have a personal relationship with Jesus. On a recent hotel stay, I was reminded that we encounter God when we invite Him in…He is present and included in our ordinary lives.
Swiping my room key, there was no flashing light or click to enter. As I waited for a new key, I realized the front desk clerk seemed new to the job. After several new keys and failed attempts to enter my room, my irritation began to rise.
“Hello. What is your name,” I asked. “Jake,” he said hesitantly. Jake knew we had a problem and was probably more concerned with my reaction than fixing the lock.
This story has other characters, wrestling with emotions and it took 20 minutes, but I’ll skip ahead. Jake hesitantly looked my way and told me he had to find a screwdriver, so he left me standing in the hallway in my pajamas. Staring at the lock wondering if I would attend my conference without brushing my teeth and in my pj’s, I prayed. In my spirit I sensed God speaking to me…this isn’t about the lock; it’s about Jake. He’s watching, he knows you are at a Christian conference, and it’s not his fault. Clarity…in moments of tension our light can shine brightest.
The people we encounter every day are craving the love and acceptance of Christ, and it is our privilege to represent Jesus. Not always easy but possible! I finally got into my room and thanked God for the Holy Spirit’s guidance to show the goodness of God to Jake. Encountering God will change your life and the lives of those around you.
4 Ways to Encounter God
There are unlimited ways to encounter God when we have a thriving relationship with Jesus. Jesus sees you, cares about you, and desires time with you.
“I place myself in Your care. You will save me, Lord; You are a faithful God.” Psalm 31:5 GNT
Here are four ways you can experience the presence of Jesus in your everyday life.
1. Prayer
The best way to encounter God is through prayer. Not recited memorized prayer, although these are good, but deep connection, relational prayer. Conversations with God throughout your day.
“Come close to God, and God will come close to you.” James 4:8 NLT
2. Bible Study
We encounter God by reading and studying the Bible. Memorizing and reading the Bible is a great way to grow spiritually. Relational Bible Study is soaking in and experiencing God’s presence in the pages of His living word.
“Heaven and earth [as now known] will pass away, but My words will not pass away.” Matthew 24:25 AMP
3. Worship
Worship is a time to celebrate, honor, and praise God. There is nothing wrong with just listening to worship music or being entertained. But true worship is connecting with God and adoring Him through music and prayer.
“Praise Him for who He is. Thank Him for what He has done. Glorify Him. Love and adore Him. Seek Him. Trust Him. Sing to Him.” ~Blackaby and King, Experiencing God
4. People
We encounter God through our relationships especially those where we are equally yoked faithfully pursuing God. But we even encounter God through difficult seasons of relationships. He walks with us and we often see Him through the people who surround us and the circumstances we face together.
“Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness?” 2 Corinthians 6:14 NLT
"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." Ecclesiastes 4:12 NIV
Bible Verses to Encounter God
The Bible is the living Word of God, and we encounter God when we read it, and ask Jesus to reveal Himself in the pages of His word.
Here are eight Bible verses to help you encounter God.
“Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?”declares the Lord. “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.” Isaiah 66:2 NIV
“I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” Genesis 28:15 NIV
“I am the vine, and you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will bear much fruit; for you can do nothing without me.” John 15:5 GNT
“Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.” Matthew 22:37-38 NIV
“Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” John 17:3 NIV
“Let us be concerned for one another, to help one another to show love and to do good. Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing. Instead, let us encourage one another all the more, since you see that the Day of the Lord is coming nearer.” Hebrews 10:24-25 GNT
“He is the head of his body, the church; he is the source of the body's life. He is the first-born Son, who was raised from death, in order that he alone might have the first place in all things.” Colossians 1:18 GNT
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles;they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:29-31 NIV
Encountering God is not a magical formula. We experience Jesus in a living relationship propelled by love, surrender, and trust.
He is waiting for you to welcome Him into your life just the way you are, moment by moment!
Mary Rooney Armand is an Author, Speaker, and Creator of the faith-based blog ButterflyLiving.org. Mary’s writing is featured on websites including Women of Noble Character, Pray with Confidence, and The Brave Women Series. Mary is the author of the Bible Study, “Identity, Understanding, and Accepting Who I Am in Christ” and the devotional “Life Changing Stories”, a collaboration with 34 authors sharing stories of God’s faithfulness.
Besides writing, Mary leads small groups and speaks at retreats and events. She directed Kids Hope USA, a mentoring program for children, worked in marketing and sales, and has led mission trips to Honduras. Mary is a life coach with a Bachelor's degree in Marketing and an MBA. She and her wonderful husband Cory live in New Orleans and are the parents of four children, a new daughter-in-law, and two dogs!
To receive encouragement in your inbox and five pages of Mary’s Bible Study, “Identity: Understanding and Accepting Who I am in Christ” visit, https://www.subscribepage.com/butterflyliving
More places to read ButterflyLiving’s stories about a transformed life in Christ: