How to Encounter God daily - Week 2 of 3
At Restoration Church, our first core value is simple but powerful: Encounters. We say it like this:
“We encounter God daily in the glory of Jesus—hungering for His voice, thirsting for His presence, and praying in such a way as to invade Earth with the breakthrough of heaven.”
But why do we value encounters so deeply? In this episode we explore why encounters should matter to you.
🔥 Encounters Are Transformational
A few weeks ago, Pastor Samuel shared a series of deeply personal stories—moments when he encountered God in unexpected places. These weren’t just emotional experiences; they were transformational encounters that reshaped how he saw God—and how he saw himself.
Through these encounters, Pastor Samuel experienced who he was as God’s son and Him as His Father. These truths moved beyond theology and became tangible realities.
💡 From Head Knowledge to Heart Experience
Encounters with God have the power to shift understanding from intellectual to experiential. They anchor truth in the heart. The Bible refers to this as epiginóskó—a deep, intimate knowledge of God (Matt. 11:27). It’s the difference between knowing about God and truly knowing Him.
As 1 Corinthians 13:12 puts it, “Now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.” Encounters help believers see more clearly, and in that clarity, they are transformed—“from one degree of glory to another.”
🌊 A Beachside Reminder
Just recently, Pastor Samuel experienced another encounter—this time on a beach. While collecting stones and shells for his children, he picked up a stone and was suddenly overwhelmed by the truth of Ephesians 1:4: He chose me. Not randomly, but deliberately. With love. With purpose.
That moment reaffirmed a powerful truth: he is God’s masterpiece (Eph. 2:10), created for good works prepared in advance. And that truth applies to every believer.
🙏 How Do We Encounter God?
Pastor Samuel offers four ways to position ourselves for divine encounter:
Look at Jesus – He is the radiance of God’s glory (Heb. 1:3).
Read His Word – Scripture reveals the heart of God.
Talk to His Spirit – The Holy Spirit makes truth come alive.
Seek Him – Draw near, and He will draw near to you (James 4:8).
While encounters are a work of grace, believers can respond by making space and moving toward Him.
🚀 Mission Critical: See Him. Be Him. Show Him.
For Pastor Samuel, encounters aren’t just a spiritual value—they’re mission critical. They help believers:
See Him – gain a clearer, truer vision of who God is.
Be Him – understand their identity as His children.
Show Him – live out the calling placed on their lives.
So, how can one move closer to Jesus this week?
Cut out distractions.
Discipline yourself to read the Bible.
Talk to Him—even about the little things.
Set aside time to go deeper.
Because when we encounter Him, we’re reminded of who He is, who we are, and what we’re here to do.
Pastor Samuel’s encouragement is clear: let’s be a people who see Him, be Him, and show Him—everywhere we go.