Can I be honest with you? I can’t make it on my parents’ faith, or my pastors’, or anyone else’s for that matter. Mountain top or valley, I need my very own faith. I need my own helmet of salvation (Eph. 6:17). I know for me, supernatural encounters with God do that, and that’s why I want more. I want more encounters with God, with Jesus and with the Holy Spirit. What about you?
I believe encounters are moments that leave us knowing God is real. Having had one, we no longer need someone else’s faith because it happened to us. It doesn’t mean we don’t want people’s wisdom or help, that would be foolish. It does mean we value and cherish those moments we have, great or small. I don’t want to be one of those who only heard lightning when God spoke publicly that Jesus was His son (John 12:29). No, I want to hear the words. I don’t mean to be impetuous here, but I wouldn’t mind feeling the breath of His lungs as our God spoke!
I know it’s not too much to ask. God isn’t short on encounters! The Bible is full of them. Surely Thomas no longer wondered about whether Jesus was real after his hand entered the wounds of our Savior. In fact, the Scriptures say he proclaimed, “My Lord, my God!” in John 20:28. Abraham wasn’t left without a real friend; Moses wasn’t left without a real deliverer; and Mary wasn’t struggling with whether Jesus was conceived by faith or not. They were there with a real God in those real moments.
I know the Bible also says, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” In fact, that is the response Jesus gave Thomas in verse 29. But Jesus lived a life filled with daily encounters. So while I’m glad He didn’t condemn those who only heard lightning in that verse, I’m even more grateful He’s invited me to have the same relationship He enjoyed with God the Father (John 17:11).
Think about it. Every time a person has an encounter, they have the opportunity to value and treasure it. If they choose to do so, they become a steward of their encounters. Stewards don’t stick their gifts in the ground; they invest and cultivate more from that gift. Even thinking back on those moments you’ve had, your salvation experience, a car accident that didn’t happen, a still small voice of direction that came to your aid or a mind-blowing word of knowledge you received is an act of stewardship … Consider this, what if that act of stewardship isn’t just about avoiding doubt? What if it’s about cultivating a lifestyle of encounters. It’s about knowing what your heavenly Father is saying and doing so that you can follow Him every day like Jesus did. Join us on our podcast to begin practicing this stewardship and having more encounters today! God bless you.
Listen to this podcast episode of Abundant Encounters on Charisma Podcast Network now. {eoa}
Christian author Joshua Marcengill produces a weekly podcast called Abundant Encounters that utilizes meditation and activations to help Christians cultivate more encounters. To help support his cause or learn more visit abundantencounters.com.
Stephen Strang 
Charisma Media Staff 
CBN News 
