How do you develop a closer relationship with God?
This question is one most Believers today are asking. In this
email, rush-around, hurry-I'm-late world, you have enough trouble
keeping up with your friends. Nevertheless the God of the
Universe, the Creator of all mankind, but a relationship, an intimate
one at that, is what all people crave.
It's that empty part of yourself that you are always trying to
fill. The part that you try to fill with drugs, alcohol, love,
success and being popular. No matter what you fill it with, there
is still a hole. A big, gaping hole.
Maybe, like me, your relationship with your earthly Dad left a lot to
be desired. Perhaps you've had a hard time relating to God as
your Father because of it. Maybe you transfer your relationship
with your Dad onto God and expect Him to be the same way. I know
I've been there, done that too.
God is not like your earthly Dad. Perhaps your Dad abandoned you
in your time of need. Maybe not physically but emotionally.
God will never leave you. He will never forsake you. He
will never turn you away when you need Him. He is not your
earthly Dad, who didn't have all the answers. He knows
everything. He knows what you need before you need it.
God is more than your Father. He is your friend. Some
children experience their Dads just as Dads, like me. Others, though,
experience them as friends. They can tell their Dad
anything. They know in the good and the bad, their Dad has their
back.
The same is true for you, as a Believer. You can not only experience
God as Daddy but as friend. You can share your most
intimate secrets and feelings with Him, and He will never turn you
away. He will never abandon you (Hebrews 13:5). There is
nothing that you can say or do that will cause Him to stop loving
you. He won't be shocked or surprised by your actions. In
His presence, you are safe. Safe from criticism. Free from
fear. Free from ridicule.
How do you develop a closer relationship with God? How do you
develop a closer relationship with a human being? No matter if
they are your mother, your neighbor, your friend or a potential mate,
if you want a closer relationship with them, you must spend time with
them.
With my friends, I send them letters and cards to let them know I am
thinking about them. We talk through email. Through each
letter, I learn more about them as a person.
You cannot email or write letters to God and expect them to be deliver
to Heaven in their physical form. Nor can you expect an email or
letter back from God.
Instead you have something better. It's called prayer. Yes,
you must pray to the Father in Jesus' Name (John 15:16) and pray
according to God's Will, the Bible (1 John 5:14). Other than
that, prayer is just talking to God.
However if you were to talk with your friend, and they didn't respond,
it would be a very one-way conversation. That's the way most
people are with God. They do all the talking.
I make time every morning to fellowship with God. I speak His
Word over my life. I pray and read the Word. Then I take
Him with me throughout my day. I talk to Him when I have a
problem, when I am frustrated, angry, whatever.
However, I make special time to listen to what He has to say. I
learned early on that God speaks to me in restrooms--mine at home, in
restaurants or whatever facilities I am in. It is our special
place. It is where I listen to what He is speaking to my spirit,
but it took practice to hear Him well.
Not only do you need to talk to God, but you need to listen as
well. Then you will know what is on God's heart concerning
you. Through your communication, your conversations with him, you
will get to know Him better. Then your relationship with Him
won't seem so one-sided.
Another way to become more intimate with God is through your praise, worship and thanksgiving.
Let's take them one at a time:
Praise (Psalm 100:4). What is praise?
Let’s say, your child receives straight A's or catches the winning pass
in the championship state football game, what would you do? You
would praise your child, of course, with a "Good job, Sally" or a "Wow,
Bobby, that was a great catch."
When God does something spectacular in your life, though, do you acknowledge Him for what He has done?
Worship (Exodus 23:25). What is the difference between praise and
worship? The churches categorize it by slow and fast music.
Praise, though, is acknowledging what God has done in your life.
Worship is from the depths of your heart, focusing on Who God is.
You acknowledge that He is your Healer (Isaiah 53:4-5, I Peter 2:24,
III John 2). You acknowledge that He is your Peace (John
14:27). He is your every need fulfilled (Philippians 4:19).
God is God, and you must keep yourself in constant remembrance of Who He is rather than just what He does.
You don't want to just be known as the guy who can make a jump shot or
the girl who can multiply five numbers in her head in five
seconds. You want people to get to know you for you. And so
does God.
Thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6, 1 Thessalonians 5:18). This is
essential to changing your perspective, your attitudes and
thoughts. You can look at a situation, such as getting a flat
tire, as a negative experience. Or you can find one good aspect
about it for which to be grateful. For instance, the tire could
have blown and killed you.
You must discipline yourself to be grateful, to purposely find the good
in every situation. Then you will become closer to God. You
will have a better attitude, a better perspective.
If you want to have a closer relationship with God, you must spend time
with Him. You have to listen to Him. You need to praise Him
for what He's done. You must worship Him for who He is and be
grateful in every situation. This is how your relationship with
God will grow and become more intimate.
As an ebook, freelance and mystery writer, Annagail Lynes was born and raised in Phoenix Arizona. Her work has been published in 21st Century, SeaLetter, Christian Home and School, You! and many more online and offline publications. For Her Blog, go to http://atouchofdailywisdom.blogspot.com/ For Her Free Ezine, go to http://www.annagaillynes.net/currentezine.html
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