Email 
Bookmark 
Print Can Anyone Really Know God?
Topic: Can Anyone Really Know God?
Related Article: The Discipline of a Fixed Focus http://www.christianwomentoday.com/feature/focus.html
The process of getting to know God can mean different things to many people. It can be an adventure, a responsibility or even a routine. God desires for us to know Him in a deep and meaningful way. He wants us to overcome the barriers that hinder our relationship with Him. Please join us for a study of how we can really know God.- How would you describe your walk with God right now& an adventure, a responsibility, a routine?
- Why should we even attempt to understand who God is?
- Why is trusting God difficult at times?
- What are some character traits of God that are most meaningful to you?
- How do we know that God has a distinct personality?
- What has helped you grow in your spiritual journey in getting to know God better?
- How can we be assured that God loves us?
Lea- our oldest son has 3 beautiful little girls
Bernice- I wish I had been a grandma first, it's more fun?
Lea- 4, almost 3 and 6 months
Joy- Yes!!!
Lea- Dr. Dobson said years ago that any dad with more that 3 girls has to go fishing at menstral time
Bernice- so much fun for you. so neat to have a special grandma
cwt- lets start the chat tonight with prayer
Bernice- LOL!!!!
Bernice- ok cwt
............................ sunshine joined.............
Bernice- hi sunshine. We are just about to start chat session
Lea- welcome back sunshine
sunshine- Howdy
Joy- Hi sunshine.
sunshine- Hey, Joy
cwt- Dear Heavenly God and Father, We thank you for this opportunity to study your character and learn more about you. Please direct us and encourage us through this chat. Amen
Joy- Amen.
Lea- amen
Bernice- Dear Lord. Thanks for this session. It is so important to talk about who you are, because it helps us understand our world. We commit this time to you and ask you to bless it. Amen
cwt- tonight we are starting a Bible study loking at the Character of God
Lea- amen
Bernice- sounds like a great topic. I've been looking forward to it
cwt- we are looking tonight at the reality of actually getting to know God
cwt- and is it possible to really get to know God intimately
cwt- How would you describe your walk with God right now...an adventure, a responsibility, a routine?
Lea- that is a really good question cwt
Bernice- I do think it varies alot. Some times I feel very close...sometimes, I feel very far away.
sunshine- At different times, it has been each of those.
Lea- yes, that is me also
sunshine- Right now, an adventure
cwt- I agree that it does vary with the circumstance in your life
Bernice- I think it is always an adventure. Its a journey that goes all over the map...
Lea- you have been encouraging me in that sunshine, it's what I need right now
cwt- yes, in some ways it is an adventure
............................ Libby joined.............
Bernice- How much of it is really our perspective?
cwt- but there are times when it is a responsibility too
sunshine- Hi, Libby
cwt- Hi Libby
sunshine- good question, Bernice
Libby- Type HEREHello everyone.
Lea- it's time for me to move around, and not stay stuck in too much routine or responsiblility
Bernice- hi Libby. We are just starting a chat about Discovering God
Lea- Hi Libby
Joy- Hi Libby
Bernice- I mean...some folks look at everything as an adventure, or a trial or a responsibility. A tendancy to be negative or postive. Does that same thing affect our view of relationship with God?
Libby- oops will be back got company.
............................ Libby left.............
cwt- I think too there are times when I get in a rut and my spiritual walk becomes a routine
Lea- it sure can
sunshine- Maybe it depends partly on how you define responsibility, cwt
............................ flower joined.............
Bernice- yes. Ruts usually aren't a good thing
Bernice- hi flower! welcome!
Joy- Hi flower
sunshine- hi flower
cwt- How would you define responsibility
Lea- hi flower
flower- hi there
............................ Joy left.............
Bernice- But I do think that much of Christianity is the "mundane" if you will, the pressing on. We can't ask for a mountain top all the time
............................ Joy joined.............
sunshine- true, Bernice
cwt- when I think of my spiritual walk as a responsbility I'm thinking of my kids and how I want them to come to know God and become vibrant beievers
Bernice- I think in relation to the topic, responsibility is knowing that you ought to "meet with God" and doing it....
Lea- there is good responsiblity, like commiting to be in the word and prayer reguraly
Joy- Yes.
Bernice- yes. That doesn't mean that it has to be "as dry as dust" tho.
cwt -those are good points
Lea- regularly
Lea- meeting with God is such a great blessing
Bernice- Perhaps we need the responsibility aspect, and the routine aspect before we can see the adventure in it?
............................ flower left.............
............................ Faith joined.............
Lea- Hi Faith
cwt- so.....Why should we even attempt to understand who God is?
Joy- Hi Faith
sunshine- To think that the Almighty wants an intimate relationship w/ us...what an invitation!
Bernice- hi Faith. Welcome. We are just chatting about Knowing God
Faith- Hi there everybody!
sunshine- Hi, Faith
cwt- Hi faith
Lea- and a priviledge
Bernice- spending time with God allows God to show us how he is working in our lives...and lets us gain his perspective on things
cwt- yes, the fact that God wants to know us intimately and wants us to know him intimately is a wonderful priviledge
Bernice- I don't think we can completely udnerstand God tho? Part of him will always be mystery?
Bernice- understand?
Lea- lol
sunshine- that's what I was just thinking about in regards to "adventure"
cwt- yes I agree with you there but coming to know God's character helps us grow in our faith..
Lea- that's good
cwt- when we know that God is love and trustworthy we can trust Him and love him
cwt- The more we prove God's character in our lives the more we grow in our faith and walk with him closer
............................ fob joined.............
Faith- Can you expand on what you mean by prove?
Lea- that He is good, faithful, righteous
fob- Type HERE hello
Joy- Hi fob.
cwt- okay
Lea- Hi fob
Faith- Hello fob
fob- whats the chat tonight?
............................ swan joined.............
Bernice- We are talking about the character of God.
Faith- Discovering God's character.
Lea- Hi swan
fob- joy, where do you live? I have a cousin named joy who lives in colorado
Faith- Hello swan!
Joy- Hi swan
sunshine- wb, swan
swan- hi everyone
Joy- WV
cwt- we understand that God is trustworthy so we put a baby step of trust in God...He shows himself to indeed be trustworthy for example God answers a pray, we are then able to make a bigger step in putting our trust in God
fob- can we maybe talk about marriage for a sec, I could really use some advice
Faith- Are you new to the chat fob and swan?
fob- yes
Bernice- when you talk about proving the character of God, I think it means beginning to understand who God is in relation to what is going on in your life
Faith- Now I've got you. Thanks.
swan- yes
Lea- that is great Bernice
fob- God is the same regardless of what's goingon in our lives
swan- this is my 2 time on
swan- always fob
Bernice- yes that's true. But sometimes you don't understand that until you see him at work in yoru life in a certain way.
Faith- That is true fob.
fob- i agree
sunshine- As we spend time with Him...He reveals more of Himself to us.
cwt- I agree Bernice
Lea- amen sunshine
sunshine- ...and that changes us.
Bernice- You begin to understand how He works, and because you begin to understand that, you can relinguish some of the control you try to have over circumstances. It is a process of growth and trust in God.
swan- it is amazing how faithful he is
fob- can some one help me? My husband and i have been having a rough time lately, he comes from a background of divorce that I'm not familiar with
cwt- yes, the more we spend with God the closer we get to God and He reveals Himself to us
Bernice- yes Fob. I hear your pain.
fob- we're NO WHERE NEAR divorce, we're just having some friction
Bernice- I understand
swan- although i am not married i understand
fob- he seems to be insecure and having a hard time being content with our phase of life
Bernice- Have you been married for awhile?
cwt- Is he a believer
swan- insecure in what
swan- good ? cwt
fob- we're in our early 20ies, he's a seminary student and we have a four month old. we've been married for 2 and 1/2 years
fob- he's definantly a christian
Bernice- Oh. You are at a real stage of adjustment that can be difficult
swan- yes
Bernice- Can we pray for you?
fob- he grew up ina weathly family and never had to trust God a whole lot for things
Faith- Yes, a new baby is a major change. Especially a first baby.
Bernice- And being in school, money is tight right?
fob- his step-dad treated him differntly from his real daughters and his dad just got his 3rd divorce
Bernice- yikes
swan- ok
Bernice- Can we pray for you fob?
cwt- Yes you are at a difficult stage of life.
fob- money is really really really tight! I'm going to school for night classes 2 times a week
fob- please feel free to pray
Bernice- I bet it is!
Bernice- Dear Lord, we bring fob to you. You know the situation Lord. All the adjustment. The heat of studies. The worry of money. Bring peace to their home Lord. Supply their needs. Show yourself trustworthy to them.
fob- i would like to adopt our next child. we would like 3 in all. not until we're out of school though. But because of how differently his step dad treated him, he's not sure how he could love an adopted child
cwt- Dear God and Father, We just pray for fob and her husband.We pray that you would help them work through their friction right now. Help them adjust to this time of having a new family and attend school.
Faith- Heavenly Father, We pray for fob and her difficult circumstances. Please meet their needs and give them wisdom and freedom from worry. In Jesus' name, Amen
Jean- it sound like he needs some inner healing
Bernice- yes. That is a good point Jean
Lea- take it one step at a time fob
............................ shelly joined.............
Bernice- You will have to work and really discuss some things before you take the next step. I'd worry about what is in your hand right now tho.
Lea- don't put too much on yourself right now
fob- well, we're hoping to go talk to the same couple that did our premarital counseling
Joy- Hi shelly.
Lea- you have a baby, you are in school, wow, that is enough right now
Faith- Welcome shelly!
Lea- Hi shelly
fob- you guys are sweet, it's been helpful to hear fromyou all, and to have you pray
cwt- we just pray that you would lift up fob's husband right now and show yourself to him in a real way and that He is Fob's husband's Heavenly Father. Amen
shelly- Hi Joy! Sorry I had to cut out like that earlier!
fob- hey shelly
shelly- Hi Ladies!
Joy- Amen
............................ fob left.............
............................ cwt left.............
Bernice- Hi Shelly. We are just tlaking about the character of God in this session
Faith- I liked your comment sunshine on as we spend time with God he reveals more of Himself to us.
............................ cwt joined.............
Bernice- yes. I agree
sunshine- Someone challenged me one time...how do you get to know any other person?
cwt- sorry about that is got bumped
Bernice- It is more than that too...time with God helps us understand God in a different way
swan- father god i ask that u would touch fobs husbands heart lord an show him the love he hsa to offer a child that is not of his blood just as you showed your love for us i jesus name and according to your will i ask amen
Bernice- I agree with that Lord
sunshine- spending time together...watching how they work...what they think...
sunshine- listening to them. Much the same way with God.
Lea- and He also reveals Himself through others too, through their experiences we can see the Lord
Bernice- good points both
Faith- Those are all good points.
swan- so right lea
sunshine- I agree
cwt- so...Why is trusting God difficult at times?
Bernice- i like that lea. so true.
Bernice- because we are human?
cwt- right on
Lea- right
cwt- we are so humane sometimes
sunshine- Sometimes we like the illusion we're in control...and to trust yields some of that control.
swan- because we are not walk in the faith we should be wlking in
Lea- both good points
cwt- good point swan
Faith- Sometimes we start to trust our feelings...
Bernice- we just can't see around the next bend...but sometimes we can see the bend -- and that can be scarey!
Lea- that is scarey
swan- just this week the holy spirit saidto me faith is knowing not by seeing
cwt- not knowing what is going to happen does require alot of faith in God
Bernice- Yes. We walk by faith not by sight
Lea- that's when i begin to pray out loud the character of God to my own heart and mind
sunshine- so true, Bernice
Lea- like, Father I know you are good and faithful, and are taking care of me
cw-t thats really neat, lea
Joy- Yes cwt
Jean- yes, when we are weak he is strong
Bernice- I think you are right. speaking out the truth can rebuke satan as well
cwt- great point
Lea- yes,
Faith- Absolutely
swan- case and point my daughter who is 14 left my home but i have faith in god that he will bring her home
cwt- and that God is watching out for your Daughter
Bernice- yes. and even so, he will teach her lessons in the meantime....!
Lea- that's good swan,
Bernice- with lots of love
swan- thats right
swan- oh yes
Bernice- There is a song on Moses that Disney produced that speaks to this
swan- he has his hand on her
cwt- how does the song go
Bernice- Our lives, and events are all threads in a tapestry. We can see the threads, but we can't see the parts of teh grand design that God is making
cwt- right I remember that song..I really like it
Lea- that is beautiful
cwt- its so true
............................ Latina joined.............
cwt- Hi latina
Bernice- it is so true...and something we so easily forget!
Lea- that's where like sunshine has said, the intimacy with God comes in
swan- yes but god reviels things if we just obey
Joy- Hi Latina
Faith- Hi Latina
Latina- Hello
Bernice- hi latinea. We are just chatting about discovering God
Lea- we trust Him with the threads
swan- hi latina
Lea- hi latina
Bernice- I like that Lea. Trust God with the threads
swan- he is awsome
Latina- are you in USA? all of you?
cwt- we can trust God with our lives..He is holing them in His hands
swan- yes i am
Bernice- Sounds like something that we should have painted on a fridge magnet
Faith- Canada
Latina- Faith what part of Canada?
Latina- I'm also in Canada
Bernice- No. I'm from Canada. Actually we get folks in here from all over the world
Faith- Alberta
cwt- How do we Know that God has a distinct personality
Lea- another good question cwt
Bernice- I think it is difficult to trust God because we can't see the larger picture of things
swan- because he made us in his image?
Bernice- good point swan!
Lea- wow that is just fantastic
cwt- yes, good point
Latina- Well ladies I REALLY need prayers, I'm so depress, and I'm supposed to be a christian :(
swan- he has a personality so why woudn;t we
cwt- just because you are a Christian does not mean that we don't get depressed
Jean- that is so cool swan!
Latina- cwt you are right but we have to get out of it somehow, that's the hard part
cwt- being a Christian just means that we have God on our side and that can be a sort of hope
Latina- and why I feel so lonely?
Bernice- yes Latina. That's true. But you can also examine the causes of your depression. Like have you been to the Dr?
Latina- I'm 42 yrs. old, could it be menopause? or pre?
Bernice- perhaps. But I'd start with a good ol physical examination
swan- satan in the name of jesus spirit of depression i comand you to take your hand off of latina right know she is a child of god and she hangs with the jesus so i rebuke you right know
Faith- Depression is not any different than if you had a bacterial infection. If you had that you
Lea- yes latina you could be in early menopause
Faith- would see the doctor.
shelly- Latina, have you ever heard of cognitive therapy? I'm reading a book Called Feeling Good and I feel less depressed already
Bernice- Sounds like what the Bible calls "think on the things that are Good, pure, and of good report.... :-)
Faith- Sometimes we don't seek help because of shame or stigma. That can make the depression harder to treat when you do go.
Lea- I agree with Benice, go and see your doctor
cwt- I would encourage you to see your Dr.and share with him how you are feeling
shelly- exactly bernice
Jean- that was good bernice lol
Lea- right cwt
Bernice- I would also approach God with a questing heart to reveal if there are any spiritual issues involved
Bernice- God hears and answers - and deeply cares about our pain
cwt- you can also sahre with God how you are feeling
cwt- share with God
Latina- bless you ladies, just to know that you care is nice. I'll go to bed, I have to work tomorrow
cwt- Can we pray for you
Bernice- take care. God bless. Take courage.
swan- latina i had that depression and god delivered me from it so when you feel that spirit coming upon you rebuke it and let it know that you have jesus on you side and we all know just the name alone makes him flee
Bernice- Bless Latina Lord. Encourage her. Let her know you are near and you love her very deeply. amen
shelly- Proverbs 23:7 "For as he thinks within himself, so is he" Think about good things!
Latina- I'll mark this chat and try to visit. CWT I DO need prayes believe me!!
Lea- for God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind
Latina- good night and thanks
Bernice- There is a good article on depression at Discipleship Journal .com. Try looking it up
Joy- 'night Latina.
............................ Latina left.............
Lea- we were talking about God's personality
cwt- Dear God and Father we just lift latina up to you. You know how she is feeling and what is going on in her life. We just pray that you would encourage her and help her with this depression. Help to find the cause .Amen
Bernice- amen Lord
sunshine- amen
swan- yes lord
Lea- amen
Bernice- What difference does it make to us that God has a personality?
cwt- What are some character traits of God that are most meaningful to you?
Lea- the way we relate to Him?
Faith- He knows what we go through.
swan- cause he can relate
Jean- amen Lea
sunshine- If He did not, He'd be more of a "force" than a Person we can love.
Bernice- I think he can both laugh and cry with us
Lea- oh yes, right on sunshine
Bernice- good point sunshine
Faith- That God had human emotions and experiences.
Jean- and at us! lol
cwt- I am so thankful that God is sovereing
swan- lol
sunshine- so right, Jean!
Bernice- LOL! I'm sure he does that too!
cwt -sovereign
swan- his grace
swan- and mercy
sunshine- His faithfulness
Lea- and His mercy
Lea- truth
Jean- amen
swan- his love for all of us
cwt- it is such a assurance to me that God is in Control
Bernice- The fact that He is GOOD all the time
swan- yes
Faith- Amen
cwt- and that His plans for me are GOOD
Lea- I need to get ahold of that more cwt, that God is in control
sunshine- It makes a huge difference in how we live.
cwt- I've had some good lessons of that in my life
Jean- i agree Lea!
Lea- I don't have to be in control, because He is in control
Bernice- that's good for us lion's eh?
cwt- isn't that wonderful
swan- i just want to say thank you father for bring me into a place were i was very sceptical about but feel at home
Lea- what a thought, I don't have to run the universe
sunshine- lol
cwt- lol
Bernice- LOL
Jean- lol amen
shelly- whew - that's a load off, eh Lea!
Bernice- We are glad to have you swan. This room is really neat
Jean- and are kids are in his handssss
swan- yes it is
Lea- really a load off
Lea -yes
Bernice- I think that is exactly what God wants us to do
............................ Melody joined.............
Faith- Yes, to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit.
Bernice- take a load of. He wants to bear our burdens. His yoke is easy, His burden is light
sunshine- Hi Melody
Jean- cast all your cares on HIM
swan- hi mel
Faith- Hi Melody
Melody- Type HEREHi all
Lea- amen
Bernice- hi melody. We are just finishing up a chat on the character of god
Bernice God
Melody- sorry to have missed it
Lea- Maybe Job felt this way when God asked him, where were you when I created the universe?
Bernice- Yes. good point
Lea- what a revelation
Jean- amen
Bernice- What a change in perspective !!
swan- why did he ask that to him
Lea- I needed this tonight
Jean- me too Lea
Bernice- Because Job was suffering a lot because Satan was testing him
swan- oh
Jean- give peace to my mind
sunshine- thanks for the fellowship, ladies...I must rest. God bless you all.
sunshine- Good night
cwt- what has helped you grow in your spiritual journey in getting to know God better?
Lea- maybe Job was trying to figure out how he could fix it
Bernice- it is an interesting read - the last couple of chapters of Job....God really explains himself
............................ sunshine left.............
Joy- Bye sunshine
Lea- good night sunshine
Bernice- maybe
swan- i knew that :)
Melody- And because God was basically putting Job in his place for questioning God's wisdom
Faith- Spending time in prayer and in God's word.
Bernice- I think "experiencing God" has helped me grow the most. Beginning to understand and recognize his hand in my life
Lea- that is good Melody
Jean- and Job knew GOD
Bernice- that's right Melody. You said it better. I hadn't framed the thought totally
cwt- spending time in God's word and then seeing it in my own life and in the life of my husband
Lea- I have had a little of experiencing God and it is really a good study
Faith- Yes, cwt!
Bernice- yes it is
swan- to know God still loved me
Bernice- amen
Melody- I had a revelation today
Lea- walking the journey with God has helped me grow, you all have helped me tonight
Lea- what is it Melody
cwt- well ladies we have a few minutes left..I was asked to let you know that there is another chat starting right after is one finishes and that is is evangelical.
Bernice- evangelistic you mean?
Bernice- :-)
Lea- that's cool
cwt- yes that what I meant
Melody- If people put as much energy into loving God and their neighbors as they do into trying to prove THEY are right and everyone else is wrong, we would have a world full of love and of those who love God
Melody- That's my revelation
cwt- sorry my brain is starting to go to mush
Lea- amen and amen melody
Jean- amen Melody
Bernice- GRIN. you missed that conversation earlier, cwt...
Jean- i have to repent
Lea- LOL
Lea- my day cwt
Bernice- what you mean jean?
Faith- Are you able to share?
Jean- oh we have people moving in next door
Jean- and I dont want them to move in
Bernice- hm... some threads!
Melody- why?
swan why
Lea- threads
Jean- well they are kind of messy
Melody- ?
Jean- big time
cwt- I know how you feel, jean
swan- love your neighbor
Faith- I hear you.
cwt- threads in our tapastry of life
Jean- and I was mad at the lady who own the house
Bernice- sorry Melody. You missed that. We were talking about how God takes the threads of our lives and weaves them into a picture that we can't always see
Jean- that is good cwt
Jean- but the thing is they are Christians!
Melody- gotcha
Joy- That's good Bernice.
cwt- ladies my clock says that it is time to pray and close this part of our chat
Bernice- ok
swan- pray they will get a revilation to be clean
Melody -Jesus was known to hang out with untouchables...lepers....try to reach into your heart and do the right thing
Jean- lol swan
Bernice- Maybe you will have to love the unloveable. That will be difficult....
Jean- amen i will
swan- thats right mel
Bernice- maybe it's a thread in your life God wants to weave...
Bernice-?
swan- hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Jean- amen
Melody- sometimes He makes us face our fears and prejudices
cwt- Dear God and Father, We thank you that you do want to know us intimately and do reveal yourself to us when we spend time with you. Thank you for the encouragement that we have had through this chat tonight. Amen
Bernice- amen.
swan- isn't that the truth
Faith- Amen
Melody- amen
shelly- amen
Joy- Amen.
swan- amen
swan- thank you lord
Lea- amen
Jean- amen
cwt- Goodnight. ladies the other moderater is going to need the cwt -. It was nice chatting with you.
