How to Experience God Personally
In a deeply moving episode of Unpacking Truths, Pastors Mo and Kendall explore the transformative power of experiencing God during our weakest moments. Titled “Finding God in Our Weakest Moments,” the episode covers a wide range of topics, from navigating pain to finding divine peace, embracing vulnerability, and understanding the role of spiritual disciplines in daily life. Pastor Mo shares a personal story about overcoming anger from a painful breakup by immersing himself in scripture and following divine guidance. This episode invites listeners to see how their lowest points can bring them closer to God’s presence and peace.
Experiencing God Through Scripture and Obedience
One of the key discussions in the episode revolves around the concept of experiencing God through scripture and obedience. Pastor Mo recounts a challenging period involving a broken relationship. Despite the temptation to react with anger, he felt called by scripture to respond with love and kindness. A Bible verse emphasizing “loving your neighbor” initially felt hard to follow, but by adhering to this guidance, he ultimately found a profound sense of peace and fulfillment. Pastor Kendall reflects on how our weakest moments can open us up to God’s guidance, reinforcing the importance of aligning ourselves with God’s will to experience His closeness.
The Power of Spiritual Disciplines
The conversation then shifts to the significance of spiritual disciplines in daily life. Practices like worship, prayer, and engaging with Christian literature are discussed as tools to open ourselves up to God’s presence. Pastor Mo shares a story from a mission trip where he witnessed a homeowner’s joy and gratitude despite difficult circumstances. This experience underscored the importance of being present and attentive to God’s work. The hosts also stress the need for openness, vulnerability, and expectancy in our daily routines to truly experience God. They highlight the impact of Christian literature in deepening our awareness of God’s presence in our lives.
Connecting with God Through Diverse Disciplines
Exploring various disciplines that foster connection with God, the hosts draw from Richard Foster’s work on inward, outward, and corporate spiritual practices. They discuss inward disciplines such as meditation, prayer, fasting, and study, along with outward disciplines like simplicity, solitude, submission, and service. Corporate disciplines, including confession, worship, guidance, and celebration, are also emphasized. Personal stories illustrate the importance of community and fellowship in spiritual growth. Confession, in particular, is highlighted as a vital step for realigning ourselves with God and deepening our trust in Him. By sharing these disciplines, the hosts hope to inspire listeners to open their hearts to God’s presence.
Obedience and Divine Peace
In a segment of the episode, Pastor Mo elaborates on how scripture guided him through his challenging breakup. Initially resistant to the idea of responding with love, he eventually embraced the scriptural guidance to love his neighbor. This act of obedience led to a peace that surpassed his understanding. Pastor Kendall adds that often, it is in our moments of weakness that we experience God most powerfully, referencing the biblical idea that “in our weakness, we are strong because God's grace is sufficient.” This dialogue underscores the profound link between obedience to God’s will and the experience of divine peace.
Spiritual Disciplines in Everyday Life
The episode also explores how simple acts, like prayer before meals and regular worship, can become profound moments of connection with God. Pastor Kendall points out that these seemingly small disciplines help cultivate gratitude and openness to God’s presence. Pastor Mo shares his recent experience on a mission trip, where the joy and gratitude of a homeowner, despite challenging circumstances, became a powerful testament to God’s presence. This story illustrates how being present and attentive can reveal God’s work in unexpected ways.
Embracing Spiritual Disciplines: Inward, Outward, and Corporate
The conversation expands on a variety of spiritual disciplines, as outlined by Richard Foster. The inward disciplines of meditation, prayer, fasting, and study foster a deeper personal relationship with God, while outward disciplines like simplicity, solitude, submission, and service encourage believers to reflect God’s love in their actions. Corporate disciplines, such as confession, worship, guidance, and celebration, build a sense of community and collective spiritual growth. The hosts share personal anecdotes to show how these practices have impacted their own faith journeys, noting that different disciplines resonate with each individual differently.
