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 An Encounter with God​

    

   A person who does not know that God is love would typically be intimidated with the thought of encountering God, not unlike the fear you might experience when you see a bear approaching. You don’t know if it will hurt you or not.

   

   If your heart was or is fearful about having an experience with God, then you are among a large majority of people.  People who have a bad idea in their mind about God usually get that idea from either bad parenting, including abuse and negative atmosphere of shaming, or religious judgmental people who claim they are church goers.  Wolves in sheep’s clothing do a lot of damage to young trusting children and youth.  Our own innate rebellion plays a role in our running away from Him, too.

    

   But if you are around someone with pure motives that truly represents God’s heart, a person who has the presence of Jesus in their life, you can let down the defenses you have built around your heart and receive the loving affirmation that a truly godly person has to offer.  Godly means representing the true God of love, not a prude, holier than thou type. 

    

   We all start out like Adam and Eve hiding in the bushes afraid that our failures will be judged and we will be ashamed of ourselves. Unfortunately, we have been pre-wired by sin’s impact upon us.  We are self-centered to the core.  Self-conscious on the inside while we believe that God is way out there somewhere upset with us.

     

   But what if, just what if, God has people that have yielded their hurts and heartaches to Him and been healed?  What if, just what if, God has people whom He has cleansed from deep shame and broken chains off them that held them in darkness?  What if, just what if, those people know His love in a way that makes you feel safe because they know they are just like you?  Yes, God can heal scaredy-cats with His love. 

    

   When you experience the One Who loves you more than anyone ever could or will, you can make some big-time changes from the inside out.  Your heart will find its eternal home in His tender mercies and love.  That’s when you know you’ve got the right God.  He’s the One who died for you to redeem you back to the love you lost. It is the love you were created for and have now found knowing Him.

 

 It’s an experience with God, Pastor Roger