How do i get closer to God?

[Filip]

I know that i am a child of God and i am saved with the blood of Jesus, but i want to be closer to Him. I want to know that what i do is His will and i want to be led by Him.

 

But i don't know how to start, how do i get close to God and be led by Him? I want to rejoice in the spirit and not the things of the flesh because i know that what God has is better, but how do i be led by God? I need God to lead me and to help me and to show me His ways because i cannot do good things without Him.

[missmuffet]

Question: "How can I have a closer relationship with God?"

The first thing we can do to have a closer relationship with God is to make a daily habit of confessing our sin to Him. If sin is the barrier in our relationship with God, then confession removes that barrier. When we confess our sins before God, He promises to forgive us (1 John 1:9), and forgiveness is what restores a relationship that has been strained. We must keep in mind that confession is more than simply saying, “I’m sorry for my sin, God.” It is the heartfelt contrition of those who recognize that their sin is an offense to a holy God. It is the confession of one who realizes that his sin is what nailed Jesus Christ to the cross. It is the cry of the publican in Luke 18 who said, “God be merciful to me a sinner!” As King David wrote, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” (Psalm 51:17).

The second thing we can do to have a closer relationship with God is to listen when God speaks. Many today are chasing a supernatural experience of hearing God’s voice, but the apostle Peter tells us that we “have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19). That “more sure prophetic word” is the Bible. In the Bible, we “hear” God’s voice to us. It is through the “God-breathed” Scriptures that we become “thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). So if we want to grow closer to God, we should read His Word regularly. In reading His Word, we are “listening” to God speak through it by his Spirit who illuminates the Word to us.

The third thing we can do to have a closer relationship with God is to speak to Him through prayer. If reading the Bible is listening to God speak to us, speaking to God is accomplished through prayer. The Gospels often record Jesus secreting Himself away to commune with His Father in prayer. Prayer is much more than simply a way to ask God for things we need or want. Consider the model prayer that Jesus gives His disciples in Matthew 6:9-13. The first three petitions in that prayer are directed toward God (may His name be hallowed, may His kingdom come, may His will be done). The last three petitions are requests we make of God after we’ve taken care of the first three (give us our daily bread, forgive us our debts, lead us not into temptation). Another thing we can do to revive our prayer lives is to read the Psalms. Many of the Psalms are heartfelt cries to God for various things. In the Psalms we see adoration, contrition, thanksgiving and supplication modeled in a divinely inspired way.

The fourth thing we can do to have a closer relationship with God is to find a body of believers with whom we can regularly worship. This is such a vital component of spiritual growth. Too often, we approach church with a “what can I get out of it?” mentality. We seldom take the time to prepare our hearts and minds for worship. Again, the Psalms show us many calls from God to His people to come and worship the Lord (for example, Psalm 95:1-2). God invites us, commands us, to come into His presence for worship. How can we, His people, fail to respond? Not only does regular church attendance give us an opportunity to come before the Lord’s presence in worship, but it also gives us an opportunity to fellowship with the Lord’s people. As we come into the house of the Lord in worship and fellowship with His people, we can’t help but grow closer to the Lord as a result.

Finally, a closer relationship with God is built upon a life of obedience. Jesus told His disciples in the upper room, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:23). James tells us that as we submit ourselves to God through obedience, resist the devil, and draw near to God, He will draw near to us (James 4:7-8). Paul tells us in Romans that our obedience is our “living sacrifice” of thanksgiving to God (Romans 12:1). We must keep in mind that all biblical exhortations to obedience are presented as our response to the grace of God we receive in salvation. We don’t earn salvation through our obedience; rather, it is the way we show our love and gratitude toward God.

So, through confession, Bible study, prayer, regular church attendance, and obedience, we can develop a closer relationship with God. It seems rather simple, if not simplistic. But consider this: how do we develop a closer relationship with other human beings? We spend time with them in conversation, opening our hearts to them and listening to them at the same time. We acknowledge when we’ve done wrong and seek forgiveness. We seek to treat them well and sacrifice our own needs to fulfill theirs. It’s not really that different with our relationship to our Heavenly Father.
https://www.gotquestions.org/closer-relationship-with-God.html

Edited August 23, 2019 by missmuffet

[Tzephanyahu]

Shalom @Filip

I believe the answer is a lot easier than you think.  All the things you are searching for can be found in reading the Bible with the right heart attitude... 

Please check out this webpage for a full but brief breakdown to get you out of this rut. https://faithandtheword.com/bother/reading/ 

With the right dedication and heart towards His Word, you will get closer to Him, know His Will, be led by Him and rejoice in your spirit every day. It definitely will happen but not if we're too passive to His Word. Hopefully the webpage will help you understand that point. 

Take courage. The moment you posted such a worthy thread, the closer you are to the solution, so good job. He will see your heart on this matter and will reward you, if you continue to seek Him with your all. 

Love & Shalom 

[AnOrangeCat]

James 4:8 tells us that if we draw closer to God that He in turn will draw closer to us. That means prayer, seeking God, obedience, carrying out His will, and other things. It's important to have fellowship with other believers as well for a multitude of reasons. Closeness tends to come with time spent and experience. As you walk with God, go through various challenges in life, and see Him carry you through a sense of closeness will certainly come. It can help to look at testimonies and praise reports, too.

[john1]

2 hours ago, Filip said:

but how do i be led by God?

Study the bible, I've read it or listened to it over 200 times, I may have hit 3 but it doesn't matter, you'll meet a lot of people and pastors in church, but you don't know who's telling the truth unless you've studied the bible, and there's a lot of liars who want your money or to have you go to their church.

Proverbs chapter 9 verse 11

For through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.
 

[Seasoned by Grace]

5 hours ago, Filip said:

I know that i am a child of God and i am saved with the blood of Jesus, but i want to be closer to Him. I want to know that what i do is His will and i want to be led by Him.

 

But i don't know how to start, how do i get close to God and be led by Him? I want to rejoice in the spirit and not the things of the flesh because i know that what God has is better, but how do i be led by God? I need God to lead me and to help me and to show me His ways because i cannot do good things without Him.

Years ago, I wanted the same thing, so I simply got down and prayed, and poured my heart out to GOD about the closeness I would love to have with Him, and know His will and plan for me. I was patient for His answer and God was faithful to answer, and we are so very close now and several times He has revealed His will for me in serving, as the seasons in my life have changed.

Simply an AWESOME GOD !!

Edited August 23, 2019 by Seasoned by Grace

[Filip]

4 minutes ago, Seasoned by Grace said:

Years ago, I wanted the same thing, so I simply got down and prayed, and poured my heart out to GOD about the closeness I would love to have with Him, and know His plan for me. I was patient for His answer and God was faithful to answer, and we are so very close now and several times He has revealed His will for me in serving, as the seasons in my life have changed.

Simply an AWESOMW GOD !!

Thank you brother, this helps my faith.

Edited August 23, 2019 by Filip

[Seasoned by Grace]

5 minutes ago, Filip said:

Thank you brother, this helps my faith.

God bless you as you continue in your walk with Christ and your service to our KING - Dave

[BeauJangles]

5 hours ago, Filip said:

I know that i am a child of God and i am saved with the blood of Jesus, but i want to be closer to Him. I want to know that what i do is His will and i want to be led by Him.

 

But i don't know how to start, how do i get close to God and be led by Him? I want to rejoice in the spirit and not the things of the flesh because i know that what God has is better, but how do i be led by God? I need God to lead me and to help me and to show me His ways because i cannot do good things without Him.

I really admire a heart such as this. Some really terrific and wise counsel has been freely given here, so I say roll with it, bro. God bless you!

 

Psalm 37:3-5   3Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. 4Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. 5Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will do it.… Berean Study Bible ·

[Who me]

If you want to be close to a friend what do you do?

Don't you spend time with them, learn about the things they are interested in, do the things they do?

 

It is the same with God. Spend time reading, studying, learning the Bible. Read theological books, spend time learning about Christianity. Heard of operation world? Open Doors? Missionary organisations?

How can you pray for Christians around the world if you are ignorant.

Be regular every week at church, the prayer meetings.

At work/school carry and leave inview what ever Christian book you are reading or your Bible. Be ready to talk about it.