The God Chasers

1. True Hunger Pursues God's Presence, Not Just His Blessings

God is just waiting to be caught by someone whose hunger exceeds his grasp.

Beyond crumbs. Many are content with crumbs of past revivals or minimal encounters, but true God chasers are desperately hungry for the fresh, manifest presence of the Almighty. This hunger drives them beyond studying where God has been to seeking where He is right now. This divine discontent is necessary because the Church has often settled for less than God's best, offering stale religious ritual instead of the life-giving bread of His presence.

Seeking the Blesser. We often seek God's hand for blessings, gifts, and benefits, turning churches into "bless me clubs." However, God desires us to seek His face, which brings His favor and intimate relationship. This pursuit of the Giver, not just the gifts, is the mark of a true God chaser, distinguishing them from those satisfied with mere knowledge or religious activity.

Hunger attracts God. God is drawn to hunger and dissatisfaction with the status quo. He pours out His Spirit where He finds people desperate for His fullness, willing to turn everything over to Him. This hunger is the key that qualifies us for the promise of being filled, leading to holiness and restoration.

2. Knowing God Intimately Trumps Knowing About Him

The difference between the truth of God and revelation is very simple. Truth is where God’s been. Revelation is where God is.

Beyond facts. Many in the Church know facts about God, like knowing about a celebrity, but lack true intimacy. This informational knowledge, while valuable, is not the same as a personal, relational knowing that comes from encountering His presence. This lack of genuine encounter is why people often leave churches or seek spiritual fulfillment elsewhere.

Encounter changes everything. A true God encounter, like Saul's on the Damascus Road or Isaiah's in the temple, is life-changing and prevents backsliding. It moves a person from knowing about God to knowing Him personally. This undeniable experience is more powerful than any argument or doctrine.

Present truth matters. While studying God's past actions (truth) is important, God chasers are focused on present truth – where God is and what He is doing now. They follow the trail of truth not just to study it, but to apprehend His presence at the point of revelation.

3. Repentance and Death to Self Are the Path to His Presence

Only dead men can see God.

Death precedes glory. The Bible states that no man can see God's face and live. This means that approaching God's manifest presence requires a form of death – the death of the flesh, ego, and self-reliance. Repentance, brokenness, and humility are the New Testament equivalents of this necessary death.

Altar of sacrifice. The altar is not a place of blessing, but a place of death, where the sacrifice is laid down. If we want God's fire (His presence/glory) to fall, we must become the fuel, laying ourselves on the altar of repentance. This death to self is not pleasing to our flesh, but it is inviting to God, allowing Him to draw near without consuming us.

Less of me, more of Him. The principle is simple: "He must increase, but I must decrease." The more of our flesh that dies through repentance and brokenness, the closer God can get. This process of dying daily allows us to enter into His presence and experience transformation.

4. God Desires Intimacy Over Religious Performance

God doesn’t care about your music, your midget steeples, and your flesh-impressive buildings.

Beyond programs. God is not impressed by man-made programs, polished services, or impressive buildings. He cares about our hearts and our desire for Him. We have often filled our churches with activities and entertainment designed to please man, neglecting the primary purpose of ministering to the Lord and seeking His face.

Intimacy requires commitment. God is tired of long-distance relationships and "dating" where we seek thrills and blessings without commitment. He desires a Bride who is pure and committed, willing to draw near in intimate communion. This intimacy is the source from which true revival and spiritual fruit are birthed.

Worship over service. While serving God is important, it should flow from a place of worship and intimate relationship. God seeks true worshipers who minister to Him, not just workers who do things for Him. He desires our adoration and brokenness more than our religious service.

5. Handle the Holy with Reverence, Not Familiarity

We were amateurs at handling the holy.

Awe, not casualness. When God's manifest presence appears, it is weighty, tangible, and demands reverence. Like the priests who could not stand to minister in Solomon's temple or Uzzah who died for touching the Ark, we must learn to handle the holy things of God with fear and trembling, not casual familiarity.

Learning from mistakes. David learned from Uzzah's death that God's presence cannot be transported or managed by man's methods or strength. He had to research and follow God's prescribed way, demonstrating a new respect for the holy. We too must learn from history and our own "bumps in the road" to approach God's glory according to His order.

Sanctification is key. To carry God's presence, we must be sanctified, set apart, and holy. This requires a continuous process of cleansing and repentance. When we handle the holy with proper reverence and purity, God's presence can dwell among us and be carried by us without fear of judgment.

6. The Purpose of His Presence Is Transformative Evangelism

The true purpose of God’s presence manifesting in our lives is evangelism.

Divine radiation zones. When we are saturated with God's presence, we become "divine radiation zones" that affect those around us. Like Peter's shadow or Jesus' footstep freeing the Gadarene demoniac, His lingering presence on us can bring conviction, healing, and deliverance to others without a word being spoken.

Presence over programs. While program and power evangelism have their place, presence evangelism is uniquely powerful. It's not about our efforts or methods, but about God showing up through us. When His glory is present, people are drawn, convicted, and run to get right with God because they encounter Him directly.

Fresh bread for the hungry. The world is hungry for God, but often finds the Church's offerings stale. When God's genuine presence is restored to the "House of Bread," the hungry will come running. This kind of revival, driven by His manifest presence, will overwhelm our current resources and require a new level of readiness and fresh bread.

7. Dismantle Your Own Glory for the Birth of His

The burial of man’s glory is often the birth of God’s glory.

Mary's example. Mary, who broke her alabaster box and wiped Jesus' feet with her hair, demonstrated the principle of dismantling one's own glory (her hair was her glory) to minister to the Lord. This act of humble, sacrificial worship was deeply pleasing to Jesus, even when misunderstood by others.

Breaking the box. Our "alabaster boxes" are the precious things we hold onto – our ego, pride, reputation, talents, or achievements. To truly worship and draw near to God, we must be willing to break these boxes and lay our glory at His feet. This brokenness is a sweet-smelling savor to God.

Humility attracts God. God cannot pass by a broken and contrite heart. When we dismantle our own glory and humble ourselves, God is drawn near. This is why brokenness often precedes breakthrough and why God stops for those who prioritize worship over their own self-importance.

8. Persistent Pursuit Defies Time and Earns His Face

If you ever get so hungry for God that you are in pursuit of Him, He will do things for you that He won’t do for anybody else.

Moses' unforgettable prayer. Moses' prayer, "Show me Your glory," was not fully answered in his lifetime because he was still alive. However, his persistent hunger and prayer echoed in Heaven for 1,500 years until it was answered on the Mount of Transfiguration, where he saw Jesus' unveiled glory. This demonstrates that our prayers and hunger can transcend time and death.

Beyond gifts to the Giver. Moses was offered God's presence (His going with them) and His "rest" (interpreted as gifts of the Spirit), but he insisted on seeing God's face. He wanted habitation, not just visitation or gifts. This level of persistent pursuit for God Himself, not just His benefits, is what God honors.

God wants to be caught. Like a loving father playing tag, God desires to be "caught" by our passionate pursuit. He eagerly awaits the intimate encounter, and just when we might tire, He turns and catches us. This divine chase is the heart of the God chaser's journey.

Last updated: May 6, 2025