How To Be Closer To God When You Dont Know Where To Start
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Weve all been there at one time or another. We wonder how to be closer to God, but how? Where do we start? What can we do? Of course, we can begin by praying and reading His Word. We can even attend a retreat , but sometimes we need more. We want more. Growing closer to God is our goal and heartfelt desire.
Perhaps you want to learn how to be closer to God because you feel spiritually stuck. Or, maybe, you feel distant to Him. Maybe youve strayed a bit from your walk with Him. No matter the reason, you can make the heartfelt choice and take the spiritual steps to draw yourself cloer to Him.
God wants a relationship with us and promises to reward those who seek to draw closer to Him.
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Hebrews 11:6
Getting closer to God is not difficult and doesnt include a long list of things to do. While Ill be giving you several suggestions, you do not have to do all of them in your quest to draw closer to God.
We Can Get Closer To God By Walking In Obedience And Doing What Is Right
Maintain justice and do what is right, for my salvation is close at hand and my righteousness will soon be revealed .
Maintain justice and do what is right, for my salvation is close at hand and my righteousness will soon be revealed
Doing what is right is easy until you are tempted to do what is wrong. Each of us are convicted by the Holy Spirit when we attempt to have our own way. When we resist the temptation to sin, we build up our confidence in God and draw closer to Him.
The Plan: Use The 5rs Bible Study Method + The Spiritual Growth Rhythm To Grow Closer To God
The 5Rs Bible Study Method makes understanding the Bible and growing close to God incredibly simple, and is perfect for busy moms like you and me.
Learning how to do the Spiritual Growth Rhythm and the 5Rs Bible Study Method really is the best way I know to get a huge jumpstart on growing closer to God!
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Second Often Read And Fellowship About Gods Words And Put The Truth Into Practice
The Lords words, as we all know, are the lamplight before us, and the light on the road, and they are even more the direction and goal for our actions and are walking-sticks on our spiritual road. When we are mocked and slandered by the world for believing in God, and feel wronged and in pain, Gods words comfort and encourage us so that we become determined to take up the cross and follow God. When we meet difficulties and feel weak and negative, through reading Gods words, we become firm and courageous, have the faith to overcome the difficulties and carry forward by relying on God. When we face Satans temptation, through reading Gods words, we see through Satans tricks and avoid its test, which halts our tendency to sin. And so on. All of this results from reading Gods words. Gods words are the spiritual food that gives us life. As long as we read more of Gods utterances and fellowship about them, we will gradually come to understand Gods will and have a path of practice in all things, and when we practice according to Gods words, well gain Gods approval and have a closer and closer relationship with God.
A Simple Spiritual Growth Plan For Anyone Who Wants To Grow Closer To God
I get it. After working with hundreds of women , I’ve found that the easiest way to grow closer to God each day is this:
Have a simple, easy Bible study method.
A good Bible study method:
Do you see how a simple Bible study method really can solve the 3 big obstacles to spiritual growth that we just talked about?
You need a plan to know how to grow closer to God everydaya simple way to relate to apply biblical truth to your life.
And that spiritual growth plan needs to include a simple Bible study method.
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Be Kind Everywhere You Go
Its so important to show kindness. Remember the Golden Rule as most people call it? As Jesus puts it in his Sermon on the Mount:
Matthew 7:12Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
My friend AnnMarie Anderson from Busy Blessed Women recently wrote a blog post titled Why is Kindness Important? She answers a lot of questions and I highly recommend that you check it out.
As a huge fan of paying it forward, I created a mega list of 105 of the Best Random Acts of Kindness, also with a printable, to give you a ton of ideas of ways to show that kindness. So show people the love of God that you have in your heart and be kind to everyone you meet. Its a great habit for spiritual growth.
Seek A Deeper Intimacy With God Through His Word
Reading and studying the Bible its not just about getting more information. Its about deepening the relationship and intimacy with God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Maybe youre used to a regular reading that you do every day. So, challenge yourself to seek God in the Scripture in a deeper way. Read it like a love letter, something written by your best friend, who wants you to know Him, not only know about Him. Seek Him like someone who is looking for a treasure , and you will find Him .
No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.
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Share Testimonies Of What The Lord Has Done In Your Life
We were called to be witnesses of our Lord Jesus Christ . We need to talk about the wonderful things He has done for us. So, whenever you have the chance, share your stories with the people around you family members, coworkers, friends, neighbors, followers on social media, etc. Tell them and give praise to the Lord for what He has done!
Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will declare what He has done for my soul.
Get Into God’s Word Every Day To Get Closer To Him
If you’ve owned a Bible for years but have never read the entire book, this is a great time to start. There are several good resources available to help you read through the Bible in a year. Try it in a different translation than you usually read. Or, ask yourself where you want to be in your relationship with the Lord by the end of the year and then set tangible goals for getting there through study.
For instance, if you want to know God better, consider a study of his names in the Old Testament and Jesus’ “I am” statements in the New Testament. If you need to slow down and learn to listen for his voice, study all the Word says about “rest” or “hearing” or his “voice.” If there are character traits you know you need to work on, consider an in-depth study of some or all of the fruits of the spirit .
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Ways To Get Closer To God Right Now
Whether you are seeking a greater purpose in life, are a new believer, or have walked with Jesus for a long time, these simple tips will remind you that getting closer to God is just one small act away. Spend some time with God today, and you will be blessed and refreshed.
1. Get quiet. Turn off the radio and TV, step away from your computer, put away your phone, and find a quiet spot to simply rest in Gods presence.
2. Read your bible. Underline, highlight, or write out passages, verses, phrases or words that speak to you. These are the gifts that keep on giving when you need encouragement down the road.
3. Write out your prayers in a dedicated notebook these can be for others or yourself. Then spend time in prayer.
4. Go for a walk and talk with God. Share your heart: what is troubling you, what you are thankful for, and your hopes and dreams. He listens.
5. Meditate on Scripture. Choose a verse or short passage, read it several times, and invite the Holy Spirit to speak to you about what you have learned in the context of whats happening in your life right now.
6. Put on some worship music and immerse yourself in the melody and lyrics. Sing along, danceor just listen. Let the Holy Spirit minister to you.
7. Marvel at the world God has created. Walk in the forest, sit by a bubbling stream, watch a mother bird feed her young, or drive out in the country for a picnic. Let the experience soak in.
8. Journal what God has been speaking to you about today.
We Can Get Closer To God When We Make Time To Build A Relationship With Him
Come near to God and he will come near to you .
The first step to getting close to God involves an act of our will. Setting aside quiet time sitting in Gods presence and reflecting on His goodness will brings us closer. When spending time with God becomes a priority in our busy lives, we find ourselves longing and enjoying those times alone with Him.
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To Grow Closer To Christ Live To Glorify The Father By Bearing Much Fruit
John 15:8: My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. As we saw in our last study, the purpose for which God saved us is that we would bear much fruit. The point of planting a vineyard is not to grow pretty leaves, but to grow fruit. While God has given each of us different gifts, we are to use those gifts to bear fruit for His kingdom.
Im not much of a gardener or botanist, but I can identify some types of trees. We were driving in Phoenix recently and I saw a tree loaded with round orange things and I concluded, Thats an orange tree! Ive seen trees with round red things on them and I correctly concluded, Those are apple trees! You say, Well, duh! Anyone can identify a tree by its fruit. Yes. As I recall, Jesus said something like that . Its true, but its also kind of convicting! Someone should be able to look at your life and say, Aha! Thats a Christian! They should know by our fruit that we follow Jesus.
I trust that you know: the chief end of man is that we glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Jesus says that we will glorify God when we bear much fruit. As others see what God produces in and through us as we live closely with the Lord Jesus, they will get a glimpse of what He is like. More specifically, when people see the fruit of the Holy Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, in us , God will be glorified.
Therefore If Any Man Be In Christ He Is A New Creature: Old Things Are Passed Away Behold All Things Are Become New 2 Corinthians : 17
When we are born again, we are born into a spiritual world we never knew before.In the spiritual sense, we begin to learn, much like a baby, how to walk, how to talk andhow to function in our new life with Christ.We are introduced to a new diet of what we ingest, the habits we have and the lifestyle we live.It is of the utmost importance that we realize our new life is very different from our old life.No worries-God knows that growing as a Christian is a process, and not an overnight transition into perfection.However, we cannot let that be an excuse to continue in our old ways.So, what can we do to make progress in the process?
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We Can Get Closer To God When We Build An Awareness Of Gods Presence
Surely the righteous will praise your name, and the upright will live in your presence .
Keeping a spiritual song or hymn in our hearts draws us into a keener awareness of God. The Holy Spirit can stir up a rich fragrance of praise stemming out of a heart longing for more of Him. Praising God for who He is every day increases our sensitivity to His presence.
The Best Teen Bible Study Method Ever
Have you ever wondered, what is the best Bible study method for yourself or your teens?
Understanding God requires knowing who the Scriptures reveal Him to be.
But you cant find a method that works for you.
You know the essence of God is interwoven throughout the pages of the Bible from beginning to end, as are the detailed instructions on how to be holy.
But yep, you still cant find a method that doesnt bore you to death.
Tada. Problem solved. Wonder no more the best Bible study method is here. It is ready to transport you across space and time into the setting.
A method that touches your soul and transforms your life.
Imagine sitting with Paul, walking with Jesus, working in the field with Ruth, crossing the Red Sea, and living off manna.
Picture the Holy Spirit teaching you Himself where every question you ever had, He answered.
Imagine having access to the best manual on life, love, finances, and faith anyone ever produced.
Lets imagine no more grab your markers and colored pencils.
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Can We Grow Closer To God This Year
I had to start writing out a plan every January to ensure I didn’t end the year in the same place, spiritually, as I was when the year started. Year by year, we might not notice a lack of spiritual growth in our lives. But you’d be surprised how quickly 10 years can pass without having memorized one verse of scripture, without confronting a habitual sin in your life, without having shared the gospel with an unbeliever, without having experienced a point in your walk with God that lit a fire under you and caused you to live differently.
Instead of making “new year’s resolutions” each year, I sit down with God and ask “How will I grow more in love with you this year?” By being intentional about setting goals to prioritize my relationship with God, I’ve found the result is growing in my relationships with my family and friends, as well. Setting some spiritual goals for the next year also helps me ensure that there is fruit developing from my life each year instead of being a sponge that continues to soak it all in, but gives little out.
Here are some examples of a few of the spiritual goals that I’ve set through the years, many of which repeatedly stay on my list from year to year. Try a couple of these, and maybe even come up with some of your own, so that you are one year closer to Christ — and to those you love — by the time next January rolls around:
Confess Your Sins And Repent From Your Bad Habits
If you have unrepentant sin in your life, the Lord wont listen to your prayers. So confess up, friends, and turn away from those sins. I have a friend who recently went through cancer. She always asked for prayer. But when she did so, she added, But repent first, I want God to hear those prayers.
Isaiah 59:2But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
We want to get closer to God spiritually, so confess your sins and repent, or turn away from them.
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Take Some Time To Admire Gods Creation
Sometimes we need to slow down or even stop and see what were missing in our hectic lives. One of the things we usually neglect is our time with God. We also fail to notice the beauty of the nature God created. So, dedicate some time to admire Gods creation and connect to Him on a regular basis. A simple way to do it is to sit out on a chair and gaze at the stars at night. Think about how far and how numerous they are, and God created every single one of them. Admire the splendor of creation and praise the Creator, your beloved Father.
The heavens declare the glory of God And the firmament shows His handiwork.