What should I do to stay close to God?

Question

I miss feeling close to God-what can I do to finally shake off my old bad habits/backsliding?

Answer 1

What ever helps you.

Your relationship with God is personal to you and should be based on what you feel works.

Some will find Prayer the most direct route, where as other find their way through acts of Charity, helping the Church or reaching out to those in need.

Answer 2

Observe and learn. Yahoo Answers is the worst place for this question, because this question has no "resolution". Whatever the reality of God is, the "answer" would lack selfishness and pride. In my mind it is a pursuit of goodness, not a checklist that establishes us a "close".

The concept of being "saved" or having some sort of easy going deity dwelling inside of you is a cop out. What religious symbol out there ever said, "Ok, I've done enough, I can relax now"?

Sacrifice your time and effort for someone else. That's the key.

I am in no way a shining example of what I'm suggesting but it's what I personally pursue.

Answer 3

Develop a close personal relationship with God, pray daily, many say its good to pray especially in the morning,
Also read your bible alot and let the Holy Spirit guide you to accept what God wants you to know, God talks to us through The Holy Spirit, when we accept Jesus into our lives we turn away from sin, I had a bad life as an alcoholic until the day I accepted Jesus into my life, I no longer desire any things of my past, and have a new life with the Lord, I attend Church and sunday school, and have a job, and spend my time talking to people about the Lord, as Christians we are suppose to share Gods gift with others, The Gift of Jesus Christ.

Answer 4

Brendan, I have looked for over 8 years for the right church that is totally in tune with God and with the teachings of Jesus Christ. I have never found one better than the one at this website http://www.tomorrowsworld.org/. You can search for a congregation near you and if you desire you can order free booklets from them at no obligation or charge ever. Such booklets as: "What is a true Christian?", "The Ten Commandments", "Which Day Is the Christian Sabbath?", and others. This church gets its facts from the bible and not from someone's thoughts or ideas. Your question is very serious and I take it serious. When it comes to God and the devil it is NOT fun and games or any laughing matter in these end times we are now living. Please, I invite you to check for yourself. I can only show you the door, but you are the one who has to make the choice to walk through it. Cheers

Answer 5

I have found doing studies helps. Try:

Battlefield of the Mind: Winning the Battle in Your Mind by Joyce Meyer

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0446691097/sr=8-1/qid=1152386805/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-3223100-3240606?ie=UTF8

Breaking Free: Making Liberty In Christ A Reality In Life
by Beth Moore

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0767391128/qid=1152387011/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/103-3223100-3240606?s=books&v=glance&n=283155

Alway remember to pray EVERY day. It is the most important thing you can do

Answer 6

When Jesus walked on the earth he didn't write a book. Rather he gathered a community of disciples together. His disciples later wrote stuff (inspired, I believe) but that was in and to the community. Are you in a loving, compassionate community of believers which you can trust and openly pray with? Sometimes God reveals himself more through your brothers and sisters in Jesus.

Following that, have you perhaps come to think that God requires a certain standard before you can come to him? Before he will dwell in you? God knows your situation exactly and is sticking in there. Sadly it is so easy to think otherwise! Tell God your situation exactly as you experience it, because that's where God wants to meet you!

Answer 7

Pray, forgive yourself and then try to not do them again. We are all human beings with faults and even when you backslide God is right there to catch you so you don't fall to far.

Answer 8

Fifteen minutes a day of reading his word help you to stay close.
Try the book of Mark in the New Testament for a good description of who Jesus was and what he did, and the psalms are always good.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.

We are all works in progress, don't beat yourself up, do the best you can and study and learn about HIM!

Answer 9

Draw Near to God and He will draw near to you" James 4 v7. Just tell Him, and ask. and trust. He is yearning to be close to you.

I went through a similiar thing las year, it was horrible. quite randomly it was listening to that mountains too high song by delirious and i just gave up the 'trying to shake off old bad habits' act realising that such acts in my strength really are just circular and jus gave myself into His embrace , **jus gave myself up to just 'being' with Him, rather than trying to be something before approaching. (needless to say i felt the His piercing power it was amazing and genlty, His presence again, i noted an attitude shift too to living in His grace which dint make so much sense to me before)
You could also find somebody filled with the Holy Spirit to pray for you to be filled with the Holy Spirit, you can rely that you will be cause the prayer will be in Messiah Jesus' name although i see no reason why you cant go straight to God (in Jesus' name) youself.

Answer 10

Read your Bible and pray, stay away from sin.
Find Godly friends for counsel and avoid bad company.
Confess your sins to God (a priest can't forgive your sins).
And don't waste your time wearing a cross or ymbols that can't do anything.