Where can I find God?

[Waiting]

1. 
   
   Your question puts me in mind of the story of the little boy coming home from Sunday school who was asked by a neighbor what he had learned there. The little boy replied that he had learned a lot about God. The neighbor offered to give the child a bright new dime if he could say where God is. To which the youngster replied, “I’ll give you a dollar, mister, if you can tell me where God ain’t.”
   
   Sometimes we can learn deep truths from the innocence of a child. For instance, any sincere Christian church can teach you about God and instill a real love for Him within you. God is, indeed, everywhere. However, if you choose to go beyond just a simplistic knowledge of the Divine, then it would be wise to look into the Church that Jesus established. There you will find the fullness of what Jesus revealed. History will lead you to the Catholic Church. Good luck and God bless.

 

[look3467]

1. 
   
   Your question puts me in mind of the story of the little boy coming home from Sunday school who was asked by a neighbor what he had learned there. The little boy replied that he had learned a lot about God. The neighbor offered to give the child a bright new dime if he could say where God is. To which the youngster replied, “I’ll give you a dollar, mister, if you can tell me where God ain’t.”
   
   Sometimes we can learn deep truths from the innocence of a child. For instance, any sincere Christian church can teach you about God and instill a real love for Him within you. God is, indeed, everywhere. However, if you choose to go beyond just a simplistic knowledge of the Divine, then it would be wise to look into the Church that Jesus established. There you will find the fullness of what Jesus revealed. History will lead you to the Catholic Church. Good luck and God bless.

1. 
   That’s a great analogy of a truth! But how much closer can one get than to speak directly to Jesus and commune with Him in spirit?
   
   It may not be an earth shaking experience, but it does fill the heart with joy, peace and bring tears of cleansing in appreciation of the great love and the great forgiveness to an unworthy child.
   
   I’ve was a Catholic to my 13th birthday, went to Catholic school and served as an alter boy.
   God was just as real to me than as He is now.
   
   I have grown up spiritually and no longer think as a child, but as a mature individual spiritually to where love is understood as God sees it.
   
   God sees all souls as Jesus, for He purchased every soul with His blood.
   
   If we, can understand to love one another despite what we believe, and respect the beliefs of others without condemnation, we shall have arrived at the view God has to wards us.
   
   Peace>>>AJ

 

[look3467]

When God’s seed is already in us, that is the proof that God has come to us. Now, do we recognized or believed that God’s seed is already in us? Of course, this kind of question is a personal question that valid for everybody, including my self.

Every soul whether it wants to believe in God or not, has within themselves a conscience that gives the notion that there is something greater than themselves.

If that conscience is tapped by the Holy Spirit via our good testimony, that soul shall come to God.

Whether it be the Catholic Church or any other church.

Proof? Missionaries of the varies faiths around the world.

Peace>>>AJ

 

[distracted]

Muy Buen concejo!

Good advice!

Peace>>>AJ

sort of…

God is everywhere… but if that was good enough, why did he send his Son (the Word Incarnate) to suffer and die a hideous death to pay for our sins…?

God is really not available to a person who is in sin. I mean, He is always there, but the person him or herself goes away from Him through sin… so anyway, that’s why God established a Church on Earth with the power to forgive sin. The Church is Christ on Earth. His Presence is in the Catholic Church and only There… in such a tangible and “complete” way. The difference between that Presence and the feeling one gets at a non-
Catholic church is the difference between getting a letter from a loved one and getting an actual visit from him / her. The OT tells us that the will of God will be done through Jesus Christ… not some good spirit that can be found when 2 Christians are together. True, he told us that where 1 or 2 are gathered, there He is… but that does not mean the will of God (absolutely speaking) will be done there… I ought to know… i’ve been in all kinds of churches… When i found that Real Presence in the Catholic Church… I stopped going to any other “church”…

This is NOT snobbery… It is Truth. Jesus promised He would be with us always (St Mt 28:20)… and that His Church would prevail against the very gates of Hell… Nothing else has this power against Satan… NOTHING…

 

[Waiting]

That’s a great analogy of a truth! But how much closer can one get than to speak directly to Jesus and commune with Him in spirit?

It may not be an earth shaking experience, but it does fill the heart with joy, peace and bring tears of cleansing in appreciation of the great love and the great forgiveness to an unworthy child.

I’ve was a Catholic to my 13th birthday, went to Catholic school and served as an alter boy.
God was just as real to me than as He is now.

I have grown up spiritually and no longer think as a child, but as a mature individual spiritually to where love is understood as God sees it.

God sees all souls as Jesus, for He purchased every soul with His blood.

If we, can understand to love one another despite what we believe, and respect the beliefs of others without condemnation, we shall have arrived at the view God has to wards us.

Peace>>>AJ

 

[Waiting]

That’s a great analogy of a truth! But how much closer can one get than to speak directly to Jesus and commune with Him in spirit?

It may not be an earth shaking experience, but it does fill the heart with joy, peace and bring tears of cleansing in appreciation of the great love and the great forgiveness to an unworthy child.

I’ve was a Catholic to my 13th birthday, went to Catholic school and served as an alter boy.
God was just as real to me than as He is now.

I have grown up spiritually and no longer think as a child, but as a mature individual spiritually to where love is understood as God sees it.

God sees all souls as Jesus, for He purchased every soul with His blood.

If we, can understand to love one another despite what we believe, and respect the beliefs of others without condemnation, we shall have arrived at the view God has to wards us.

Peace>>>AJ

It’s true that we can speak to God anywhere or anytime. We don’t need a Church setting to communicate with God. However, He did make the effort to establish a Church, so I would assume that He would want us to worship as a community in addition to private prayer. Also, of course we are close to God when we are speaking directly to Him, BUT unless we are Church members, how can we receive the Eucharist, which is the body and blood, soul and divinity of Jesus, Himself? How can private prayer even come close? Don’t deprive yourself of such a gift. Countless numbers have suffered persecution and death rather than not be able to participate in the Eucharist. God bless.

 

[look3467]

God is everywhere… but if that was good enough, why did he send his Son (the Word Incarnate) to suffer and die a hideous death to pay for our sins…?>>>distracted

God was/is everywhere as evident by the very things we see of His creation.

But as far as the human soul, no! Here’s why.

Genesis says that because we ate of the fruit of the tree of knowledge, we were cast out of the Garden.
Cast out really means separation from God or death of the spirit which is the life of God in us.
Meaning we ceased being sons of God to being sons of man.

In order to recoup life again to become sons of God, again we must be reborn, this time from the spirit of God and not that of man.

You recall reading the tree of life was kept away from Adam? That was representative of Jesus who is life.

Jesus had to come and conquer the flesh for us by granting us His righteousness, and in so doing causing a rebirth in our spirits

We now are enabled to gain salvation via Jesus’ sacrifice with a guarantee of salvation.

That is the picture that is given us to see via the bible as a letter from God to us depicting His wonderful works and how mankind had/has an opposition to it because of the power of the flesh.

But since Jesus already conquered the flesh, He empowers us to also be victorious over the flesh as sons of God.

Hence, peoples lives are changed because the spirit that is in them is alive.

Peace>>>AJ

 

[look3467]

It’s true that we can speak to God anywhere or anytime. We don’t need a Church setting to communicate with God. However, He did make the effort to establish a Church, so I would assume that He would want us to worship as a community in addition to private prayer. Also, of course we are close to God when we are speaking directly to Him, BUT unless we are Church members, how can we receive the Eucharist, which is the body and blood, soul and divinity of Jesus, Himself? How can private prayer even come close? Don’t deprive yourself of such a gift. Countless numbers have suffered persecution and death rather than not be able to participate in the Eucharist. God bless.

First and foremost, Jesus will inhabit your heart, meaning that if He does, you are born again since Jesus is alive in you.
Second, that being the case, Jesus has provided a guide to help you along on your journey against the evils of this world via the established Catholic Church.

If that is where He has you, then there is where you shall live your life out in.

But, as He has done for many others, who have left the Catholic church for whatever reason, God knows full well what it is that is in their hearts and leads them where ever He wills.

Christ is alive outside the Catholic Church evidenced in the changes that people have experience towards Him.

To limit God to any one institution would be to limit His ability to reach out to the uttermost and save.

Heb 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

By Him implies Him only, then after that, He may lead us wherever He desires us to be.

If a doctor was to help heal the sick, would he not want to go where the sick people are, rather than wait for them to come to him?

God reaches us wherever we are, how we are because He is able to.

Peace>>>AJ

 

[Waiting]

First and foremost, Jesus will inhabit your heart, meaning that if He does, you are born again since Jesus is alive in you.
Second, that being the case, Jesus has provided a guide to help you along on your journey against the evils of this world via the established Catholic Church.

If that is where He has you, then there is where you shall live your life out in.

But, as He has done for many others, who have left the Catholic church for whatever reason, God knows full well what it is that is in their hearts and leads them where ever He wills.

Christ is alive outside the Catholic Church evidenced in the changes that people have experience towards Him.

To limit God to any one institution would be to limit His ability to reach out to the uttermost and save.

Heb 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

By Him implies Him only, then after that, He may lead us wherever He desires us to be.

If a doctor was to help heal the sick, would he not want to go where the sick people are, rather than wait for them to come to him?

God reaches us wherever we are, how we are because He is able to.

Peace>>>AJ/QUOte

God does indeed lead us where He would have us, never, however, denying us our free will to say no. It’s not clear to me whether you are saying that God is leading some out of the Catholic Church. I must be misunderstanding you. Seeing what measures He took to establish a Church to safeguard our salvation, He would never agree that anyone should leave it. It is possible to gain eternal happiness outside the Catholic Church. If someone is not truly aware that the Catholic Church is the Church that Jesus established on earth, but follows his conscience and lives a life of love and service to others, he will gain Heaven. However, if he knows in his heart that the Catholic Church is God made, and still for whatever reason leaves it, he cannot gain Heaven, since he has turned his back on what Christ teaches to be true. God bless.

 

[distracted]

Anyone can find God in nature…

its staying with God forever that’s the problem. Sin/its consequences separate us from Him…

God is perfectly holy. We are not.

God gave us Jesus as our way to find HIm.

Find Jesus and you find God - and HIs will for our lives. No one can get to Heaven without doing the will of God…

Jesus abides in the Catholic Church (St. Mt 28:20) - the Real Presence…

I think He’s kind of “lonely” There… no one seems to go visit Him very often.

 

[look3467]

God does indeed lead us where He would have us, never, however, denying us our free will to say no. It’s not clear to me whether you are saying that God is leading some out of the Catholic Church. I must be misunderstanding you. Seeing what measures He took to establish a Church to safeguard our salvation, He would never agree that anyone should leave it. It is possible to gain eternal happiness outside the Catholic Church. If someone is not truly aware that the Catholic Church is the Church that Jesus established on earth, but follows his conscience and lives a life of love and service to others, he will gain Heaven. However, if he knows in his heart that the Catholic Church is God made, and still for whatever reason leaves it, he cannot gain Heaven, since he has turned his back on what Christ teaches to be true. God bless.>>>Waiting

What I am saying is that if God wants you in the Catholic church there is where you should be, likewise, if He leads you out to some other denomination, then there is where He wants you to be.

The only motive to leave the church or denomination is unbelief. Otherwise, faith as small as a mustard seed is sufficient for us to access all we want from God.

I stress salvation and the security of that salvation to be in the hands of Him who purchased it and one which shall never be taken away.

Hence, an earthly establishment (Catholic Church or any other organization claiming membership as a requirement for gaining salvation) does not meet the requirements for the salvation of the soul.

You know that to the Jewish nation, the temple is their security? But it was destroyed right? Why I wonder? Is it because Jesus was saying to them that He was the temple that they should rely on?

Did He not say destroy this temple and I will raise it up the third day? He was speaking about Himself.

Peace>>>AJ

 

[look3467]

Anyone can find God in nature…

its staying with God forever that’s the problem. Sin/its consequences separate us from Him…

God is perfectly holy. We are not.

God gave us Jesus as our way to find HIm.

Find Jesus and you find God - and HIs will for our lives. No one can get to Heaven without doing the will of God…

Jesus abides in the Catholic Church (St. Mt 28:20) - the Real Presence…

I think He’s kind of “lonely” There… no one seems to go visit Him very often.

Go into your own closet, shut the door and pray, and you will touch the heart of God.

After doing that, then go out and live with joy in your heart, to give testimony of what it is that people notice about you that is of God.

No earth shattering event, but just living you life in a Godly manner.

You want to know what it is to be valued by God?

1Pe 3:4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

There, you see, you can be a Catholic, or a protestant and still be to God an instrument of great value to Him as His representative on earth.

Peace>>>AJ

 

[Mystic_Warrior]

Of all the religious institutions, the religious beliefs, could I find God?
I mean, could I find out who God is and how He relates to me?

If I found God say in the Jehovah’s Witness organization, would that make God unreachable by them?
How about the Mormons, the Seventh day Adventist, and all non Catholic organizations?

What would limit God to reaching a non Catholic, or is He limited?

Some thoughts here in an attempt to justify God’s ability to reach anybody and everybody whom God’s hand touches.

If the heart is where a change is made from the desires of this world to those of heaven, is it not the spirit of God at work in the individual apart from who or what that individual is?

By is, I mean what that persons religious beliefs are?

Peace>>>AJ

For your personal spiritual growth and connection with God, I recommend a wonderful little book which I just finished. It’s called “Practice the Presence of God” by Brother Lawrence. You will find that if you practice the methods therein, you will be with God and Jesus whenever you desire to do so.

Peace…

MW

 

[look3467]

For your personal spiritual growth and connection with God, I recommend a wonderful little book which I just finished. It’s called “Practice the Presence of God” by Brother Lawrence. You will find that if you practice the methods therein, you will be with God and Jesus whenever you desire to do so.

Peace…

MW

I can believe that, for he who is for God is not against Him.
Thanks for the recommendation, and I hope that some will read it.

I know to reach God intimately anytime I want as given the ability to via His life.

I hope to enlighten others to do the same.

Peace>>>AJ

 

[Mystic_Warrior]

I can believe that, for he who is for God is not against Him.
Thanks for the recommendation, and I hope that some will read it.

I know to reach God intimately anytime I want as given the ability to via His life.

I hope to enlighten others to do the same.

Peace>>>AJ

You’re welcome for the recommend. I just finished it and I can tell you that it has already helped me in my relationship with God in a positive way. It was an answer to prayers that He would draw close to me, but more importantly that I could draw closer to Him.

Peace…

MW

 

[Waiting]

What I am saying is that if God wants you in the Catholic church there is where you should be, likewise, if He leads you out to some other denomination, then there is where He wants you to be.

The only motive to leave the church or denomination is unbelief. Otherwise, faith as small as a mustard seed is sufficient for us to access all we want from God.

I stress salvation and the security of that salvation to be in the hands of Him who purchased it and one which shall never be taken away.

Hence, an earthly establishment (Catholic Church or any other organization claiming membership as a requirement for gaining salvation) does not meet the requirements for the salvation of the soul.

You know that to the Jewish nation, the temple is their security? But it was destroyed right? Why I wonder? Is it because Jesus was saying to them that He was the temple that they should rely on?

Did He not say destroy this temple and I will raise it up the third day? He was speaking about Himself.

Peace>>>AJ

This is where you and I part company. There is no way that God would ever wish less than the best for His children. Since God is perfect, He is the perfect Father. If He established a Church on earth, He would will his children to be members of that Church. He couldn’t and wouldn’t will it otherwise, or He would be less than a perfect parent. God cannot be less than perfect. Having left us His body and blood as food and drink, which are found in the Eucharist, why and how could He be happy with His children leaving the Church where He can be given as real food and drink, not a symbol. Your reasoning is not realistic. God wouldn’t have established a Church, with Sacraments to aid us in our quest for Heaven, and then decide that it’s really not important after all. Free will lets you decide to leave the Catholic Church if you so choose. I, on the other hand, cling to it with thanks to God for His thoughtfulness and generosity. God bless.

 

[distracted]

What I am saying is that if God wants you in the Catholic church there is where you should be, likewise, if He leads you out to some other denomination, then there is where He wants you to be.

God would not institute a Church that has the power to save from Hell (St. Mt 16:18) and then lead people away from it to another “church” that is totally different (even if that church is the “same” in some ways). He just wouldn’t do that. I used to feel “led” away from the Church but in hindsight (many yrs of hindsight) i see it was the devil who drove me away… I wasn’t catechized back then & was very young/naive, didn’t see the need for “religion”… so i waas easy to lead… The rosary (Holy Spirit) led me back and that’s where i’ll be till i die… I’ve been tested on this…

The only motive to leave the church or denomination is unbelief.

and sin is what causes unbelief (to the point of leaving the One true Church)…

I stress salvation and the security of that salvation to be in the hands of Him who purchased it and one which shall never be taken away.

sin can take it away. You cannot sin (without repentance/expiation) & stay “in Christ”. And the Bible and Church say nothing of any eternal security. The only eternal security we experience is when we have stayed committed to doing everything Christ commands until the very end… and we are taken into Heavne or (more likely) purgatory… and then Heaven… because “no impure thing” will enter Heaven (Rev 21:27). Human beings, no matter how much they love Jesus and adhere to his ways (try to) are NOT pure enough for Heaven… without purgation (here and/or in the afterlife).

Hence, an earthly establishment (Catholic Church or any other organization claiming membership as a requirement for gaining salvation) does not meet the requirements for the salvation of the soul.

the Roman Catholic Church was established by God, through Jesus Christ. It is the only Church going back to the time of Christ, w/ the apostles as the 1st popes/bishops/priests.
It is “earthly” only in the sense it is located on Earth and run by human beings…but Jesus ascended into Heaven & therefore, had 2 have human representatives to continue His mission… He left us His divine Presence, which abides continually in the Catholic Church.

You know that to the Jewish nation, the temple is their security? But it was destroyed right? Why I wonder? Is it because Jesus was saying to them that He was the temple that they should rely on?

Jesus instituted Christianity on Earth… The old way had to go. You can’t compare the Jewish temple with the new temple of the Church…

and you don’t see that Temple being utterly destroyed, do you? It is the only institution in the world that has NOT been destroyed in 2000 yrs… (St. Mt 16:18)

Did He not say destroy this temple and I will raise it up the third day? He was speaking about Himself.

and HIMSELF is to be found, His Presence… in its awesome fullness, tangibly… in the Catholic Church…

Jesus has NOT left the Building…

 

[look3467]

You’re welcome for the recommend. I just finished it and I can tell you that it has already helped me in my relationship with God in a positive way. It was an answer to prayers that He would draw close to me, but more importantly that I could draw closer to Him.

Peace…

MW

You know there is a verse that addresses that?

Jam 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

You know that the book of James has to do with works, right?

So, it is only fitting that this verse is found there.

But that is the main theme of the whole bible that we should seek Him out, and He will make Himself readily available to us.

What a wonderful Father, ain’t He?

Peace>>>AJ

 

[look3467]

This is where you and I part company. There is no way that God would ever wish less than the best for His children. Since God is perfect, He is the perfect Father. If He established a Church on earth, He would will his children to be members of that Church. He couldn’t and wouldn’t will it otherwise, or He would be less than a perfect parent. God cannot be less than perfect. Having left us His body and blood as food and drink, which are found in the Eucharist, why and how could He be happy with His children leaving the Church where He can be given as real food and drink, not a symbol. Your reasoning is not realistic. God wouldn’t have established a Church, with Sacraments to aid us in our quest for Heaven, and then decide that it’s really not important after all. Free will lets you decide to leave the Catholic Church if you so choose. I, on the other hand, cling to it with thanks to God for His thoughtfulness and generosity. God bless.

Well, that is your choice and one which I respect.

As far as your quote “God wouldn’t have established a Church, with Sacraments to aid us in our quest for Heaven, and then decide that it’s really not important after all”.

Here’s a similitude: A child needs parents for nourishment, knowledge, guidance comfort and love, with the last one being the most important of all.

But when that child has grown to adult hood, they become independent of the parents and no longer need the all of the above except for love which never dies.

If the there is a tendency to remain with the parents in adult hood, that’s OK to.

The choice is yours.

But now we are talking Church, so it’s up to you to remain and do the best you can in life while being faithful to God.

My blessings, AJ

 

[look3467]

God would not institute a Church that has the power to save from Hell (St. Mt 16:18) and then lead people away from it to another “church” that is totally different (even if that church is the “same” in some ways). He just wouldn’t do that. …>>>distracted

How do we know for sure that that’s what God would think? Or is it our own conclusion?

I used to feel “led” away from the Church but in hindsight (many yrs of hindsight) I see it was the devil who drove me away… I wasn’t catechized back then & was very young/naive, didn’t see the need for “religion”… so I was easy to lead… The rosary (Holy Spirit) led me back and that’s where I’ll be till I die… I’ve been tested on this…>>>distracted

Being led away is a common desire of the flesh. For what does the flesh have to do with things of God? The flesh is for the flesh and the spirit is for the spirit.

1Jo 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

Hell, in my opinion is the world we live in because separation from God is hell, is it not?

Therefore, if we do not make an attempt to seek God we deserve what this world will give us. And you know what that is like I need not remind you.

We all must go through the same thing, we all have to experience the separation (Hell) so that we may have enough sense to seek God out.

Sin drives us to God, believe it or not, but when we arrive there, then we must learn to stay away from that sin that drove us there in the first place.

But beware, it does not end, for as long as we are in this world, the tendency to sin is always in our face and only the strength of God in us will give us victory over them.

I am glad and happy that you have returned to God after tasting what the world of separation is like.

Peace>>>AJ

P.S. I always highlight scripture verses in Red out of respect for the word of God.