April Encounter Week

Photo by Afonso Coutinho

What does it mean to encounter the Lord?

An encounter with God means experiencing Him and His truth in a powerful—but sometimes quiet—way that impacts you.

This could happen through Scripture. You might read a verse, and it connects with your heart like fire. You’ve read the verse before, but this time is different.

You can encounter the Lord when you hear His quiet, internal voice speaking to you. This voice often sounds like a thought, but there is weight and truth to it, and it softly “feels different” than a natural thought.

You might encounter God in a dream, a vision, or through a mental picture.

Some people encounter Him in their imagination. That is, it feels like “just their imagination,” but He is speaking through it.

Many times we encounter the Lord because we are seeking Him, and that’s what this Encounter Week is for—we are giving ourselves opportunities to meet with Him in a special way.

His Word, His Truth

Here is a list of truths about you and the Lord based on His Word.

Every day this week, set aside some time, and meditate on one of the truths in the following list. (You don’t need to do them in order.) Ponder the truth in your spirit, and ask the Lord to teach you more about it. Invite Him to show your heart what is real about Him, about you, and what He’s doing in your life.

Note: If you have trouble sitting still with the Lord, it might help to set a timer for fifteen minutes. (That’s just a suggestion; choose whatever time works for you.) This can help you press into Him when it’s hard to focus.

Truth #1: You Are Never Alone

The Bible says you aren’t by yourself. You have a constant Companion who encourages you to respond in faith, not in fear—to act with strength and courage, not timidity. He is the reason you don’t need to be afraid or dismayed.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified nor dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. (Josh. 1:9 NASB)

Truth #2: You Are Surrounded by Constant, Unfailing Love

The Bible says many, many things about how the Lord loves you. His heart for you is true when you can sense it and when you can’t. He loves you when you feel you don’t deserve it and when you don’t like yourself. His love is steady and faithful toward you. You might reach your limits, but you will not reach His limits.

Give thanks to the Lord, because he is good;
    his love is eternal! (Ps. 107:1 GNT) 

Truth #3: You Are Wonderfully Made

The Bible says the Lord delights in you and that He made you in a way that is marvelous to Him. This includes your physical body but also your mental and emotional self—who you really are. He delights in the way He made you to think. He delights in the way He made you to create. You are wondrous to Him.

I will give thanks and praise to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well. (Ps. 139:14 AMP).

Truth #4: He Loves You Deeply, Even at Your Worst 

The Bible says that even when you make mistakes or act foolishly, even after you’ve sinned, even if you rebel and choose something other than the Lord, He is waiting for you to call on Him. He loves you even at your absolute worst, when you have nothing good to show Him. When you repent, He comes and snaps your chains. He delivers you out of the darkness, even when the darkness is your own doing. He listens to the cries of His kids. 

Some sat in darkness and deepest gloom,
    imprisoned in iron chains of misery.
They rebelled against the words of God,
    scorning the counsel of the Most High…

“Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble,
    and he saved them from their distress.
He led them from the darkness and deepest gloom;
    he snapped their chains. (Ps. 107:10–14 NLT)

Truth #5: You Get to Live in His Love

The Bible says you can build your home on the love of God. You get to live there permanently, because it will never fall to pieces beneath you. Nothing can separate you from His love—that is just true. You get to live and breathe and dream here, wrapped in the love of God.

For I am convinced [and continue to be convinced—beyond any doubt] that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present and threatening, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the [unlimited] love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom. 8:38–39 AMP)

Truth #6: You Are Surrounded by His Constant, Tender Care

The Bible says the Lord is taking care of you. You are safe with Him, in every respect. He is caring for you and planning for your welfare, and you can rest in the knowledge that, because of Him, there will never be a legitimate reason for you to be afraid.

See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? ...For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matt. 6:28–33 NIV)

Truth #7: He’s Worthy of Your Trust

The Bible says you can stand firm in your trust in the Lord. He will never change. He will never have a “bad day” and act like less than Himself. He will never let go of you. He will never drop you. He will never change His mind about you. He will not erase the words He has spoken over you.

Trust the Lord completely, and don’t depend on your own knowledge. With every step you take, think about what he wants, and he will help you go the right way. (Prov. 3:5–6 ERV)

Treasure These Things in Your Heart!

When encounters happen, they are not small things. One moment with God has the power to change you and the way you think about Him, yourself, other people, and the world around you.

Throughout this week, write down everything the Lord tells or shows you, even if you aren’t certain about it. Pray about these things, and let the Holy Spirit show you more.