How can i get closer to God??

Question

My boyfriend and I desperately want to get our relationship right as we both want to get married but not while our relatinship is the way it is - it's not awful! But not great, like it could be - we've not grown much spiritually in two years (I have more than him I think) but he's not that happy in himself - he's slightly overweight (not loads but teeny bit tubby which I love!) He drinks more than he should, he smoked but he's now on a diet and we're heading down a brand new pathway! What can I do to encourage him more & release him more?? He's been asked to go to Egypt for a week in Sept on a conference re addictions - our pastors now asked him to head up an addictions group!!! Yay! So proud & happy for him! Anyway, I desperately want to get closer to God at this time too but I find it hard with the Bible - I mean, where do I start, you know? I tend to read snippets then think that's enough for the day, so my reading's all over the place!

Any advice would be much appreciated! Thx!

Answer 1

You are already doing the best thing you can do and that's building up your relationship with your fellow human being. A priest in my village once preached a sermon on how our relationship with God is based around an equilateral triangle. God is at one point, we are at another and other people (our neighbours, to put it in Christian terms) are at the other. If we move closer to God, we also move closer to our neighbours. If we move closer to our neighbours, we move closer to God and, here's the best bit, if our neighbours draw closer to us, God will be closer too.

I know it sounds too simple but it's true. Also, reading snippets of the bible is no bad thing, in fact it's better to take small chunks and meditate on them for a while, don't try to gulp down too much at one time, it will confuse you. Growing spiritually is all about taking small steps and trusting God.

Take care of yourself and your man, you sound like you'll make a great couple when you've worked things out. Remember, following Christ isn't an easy way out, it won't make everything okay, everyone must carry their cross, but God will be close by you every step of the way.

Here's a little quote to keep you going "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son[b] into the world that we might live through him. 10This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for[c] our sins. 11Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us." 1 John Chapter 4 Verses 7 - 12.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

The journey to a close(r) relationship to God is the work of a lifetime. A good place to start is by reading the Gospel of John. There are several translations out there but I would recommend either the New International Version (NIV) or the New King James Version (NKJV). My best recommendation is to find a solid, Bible based, bible believing, doctrinally correct church and meet with the pastor. Many churches have small groups with a common factor, usually age or marital status. By connecting with others in the church you will meet some that are more "spiritually mature" and as such can help you. You can find someone with whom to enter into a mentoring relationship. In time you will find those that are less spiritually mature than you and you'll be able to help them as well.

Answer 3

First I think you need to remember where Jesus said that God is.

Religion says that God loves on a far off cloud called heaven.

Jesus told us that the kingdom of God is within us.

Both of these statments can't be correct. I'm placing my bets on Jesus' idea of where God is. If his idea is the correct one then you can't get much closer to God. All religion is man made it all makes the same claim that it comes from God. This claim is partially true but people can never stand to leave Gods word alone. This is because god’s word is consistent and does not mesh well with their personal preconceptions and bigoted ideas. So they make little changes here and there injecting their thoughts into the mix tainting the word with nonsense. For this reason you should not put much faith in these ideas about god that come from others. If God wants to tell you something He is perfectly capable of telling you directly.

Maybe you should stop reading what other people say about God and ask him to tell you what he wants you to do directly. Stop reading; clear you mind and listen. When you pray get you’re talking over as soon as possible and listen. He is trying to talk to you but your mind is full of nonsense from the bible and other sources. Don’t be surprised if what you hear does not sound much like what you have been told about God. You will be hearing Gods message minus the nonsense.

In your bible study have you ever heard of the small still voice? You can't hear it if your mind is otherwise occupied with other people’s silly ideas about God. Just try it you will be surprised

Answer 4

You must dive head first into his word. That is the only way to get close to him. Before you start reading just pray ans ask God to reveal himself to you and to speak to your through his word. Lock yourself in a room and just have time with him. Pour all you have into studying his word and you will see the difference.

Find places in the Bible that interest you. If you want to learn about Jesus and what he did in his life then read the 4 Gospels. The writings of Paul are great. Read Ephesians and learn about the Mystery of God and how we should imitate Christ. Romans is a good book also. Find a good Study Bible, Nelson Publishing has a really good New King James Stufy Bible. You can read one chapter and then read the commentary and check out the verses it references. Also you can pick a book in the Bible and do a study on that book. You can find study workbooks at your local Christian Book Store.

Also you may want to get a Bible Handbook. Zondervan make a great Bible handbook. You can find it at Wal-Mart or Barnes & Nobles. This will help you find things you may want to read about and also help you understand what you are reading.

Answer 5

You've answered your own question. In the Catholic church you have already permormed a spiritual work of mercy. Don't look too deeply into everything. God is with you all the time, he knows the answers even before you've asked the questions.

Take everyday as a gift from God, read the gospels or the psalms if you feel the need to read the Bible. Remember that God is with you and you are part of God.

Answer 6

God knows your heart and the fact that you seek a closer walk with him. This is awesome!! It sounds like you are a wonderful companion for him (I hope it works out for the two of you!!)

It sounds like you are on the right path, especially with reading your BIble, prayer, etc.

For me, I use BibleGateway.com to read the Bible. When I think about a topic I want to learn more about, I first pray and then ask God to show me what he wants me to understand. Then I select a key phrase in the online search, and then after pulling up the various verses, I often will select multiple versions to make sure I understand it correctly.


For me, I recently became convicted about turning the other cheek and so I studied that scripture.

Then I ask how God to show me to apply this to my life. The answers are tremendous.

Also, take a look at this website called Proverbs 31 Woman. It gives several principles that women are to live by:
http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/index.php

Answer 7

As a Christian we can experience on the point of God each and every of the time, however, there are cases that I honestly have felt in route of Him then others. the reason that I honestly have experienced is this. The more effective i pick to spend time with Him, the closer I develop into. His want is to be fairly on the point of His toddlers. I honestly have a persistent soreness ailment that for awhile honestly drew me far flung from Him. It changed into what i did not do. the shortcoming of closeness had no longer some thing to do with what God did. even as i realized that i might want to adventure His grace and power interior the midst of my soreness, no longer only even as God keen to heal me, then I drew closer. often times we'd want to no longer continually "experience" the presence of God, yet that would want to wish to under no circumstances negate the very incontrovertible certainty that he's present.

Answer 8

Through the Holy Spirit. That is what he is there for, to help you get closer to God. In everything you do just keep asking for more of the holy spirit in your life and in your relationship.

You can also talk to God just like you would talk to a close friend, voice out your thoughts to Him, meditate, ask him questions.

Most importantly, worship Him. Always fill your heart with a worhip song. God loves a worshipper.

God is all around you, more than you can imagine.

Answer 9

A well known adage that comes to mind is:

Prayer is talking to God and meditation is listening to God.

Learn to do both daily.

"God" loves service.

When you help someone, you become the difference that God makes.

When you serve others, selfless forces in the Spirit begin to work through and around you. In doing so, you will begin to feel closer to God.

Become a volunteer at a hospice or help people in some other capacity.

That is the best route for becoming closer to God.

Answer 10

Think about this. If you wanted to get closer to a person in your life you would spend time with them. Go to dinner. Chat. Be together. It's not different with God. Prayer is the answer. Just be with Him in your day. Try to just "be". Too often we pray "to" God. An effort to ask for things. Pray the other way. Just listen. Like you would with any good friend.
Peace.