I go to church, listen to gospel music, pray, and sometimes read the Bible. How can I make things closer between me and God? Please help, and God Bless You All! :D
2006-12-10 15:50:14 · 15 answers · asked by Angel_luva 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
That is a gigantic question. It is also an ongoing quesion all our lives. All Christians want to get closer to God....even if it scares us.
Since I'm on my way (most of the time) I'll tell you what I have learned in the half century since my childhood.
Jesus said:
John 10:14-16
14 "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me- 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father-and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd."
John 10:26-30
27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one."
Both of these speak about hearing the voice of God . And the Old Testament speaks of this too:
Isa 28:23
23" Listen and hear my voice;
pay attention and hear what I say."
This will probably not be a hearing through your ears, but in your mind. The trouble is learning to distinguish the voice of God from the voice of our enemy the devil and stray thoughts of our own. The devil always tries to deceive us to lead us away from God....even though he sometimes sounds very religious. He even quoted scripture to Jesus when he tempted Him.
The lifelong process of hearing God comes about by things you are already doing: Learn what is God's will through sermons, Bible studies of your own or with others. God is not going to contradict His Word when He speaks to you. If you know what His warnings and promises are in the Bible you will be less likely to be led astray by "other" voices.
At the same time, pray even more. God says we are to pray about everything. Tell Him your desire to know Him better. Ask for help to understand His written Word. Ask for help to discern His voice. And then be sure to listen.
Even this little advice that I've given you takes a lot of work. But how well do you want to know Him and how to have peace with Him?
Learning His word is a lifetime of study.
Praying is a lifetime of spending time with Him.
You will get tired sometimes. That's OK. Even Jesus had to get away from His ministry once in a while. Jesus never did fail, but we do. As Jesus said to St. Peter in Gethsemane:
Matt 26:41
41 "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
(all above from New International Version)
You might also find this book I recently read to be useful. "Battlefield of the Mind" by Joyce Meyer. It's not expensive and can sometimes even be found in WalMart.....and always in Christian bookstores.
May God be with you.
2006-12-10 16:17:40 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Glad that you asked this question- first of all- going to church, listening to gospel music and praying can only get you closer to God after you receive His Son Jesus- You asked how to get a relationship with God- which is where you must begin. You have to admit that you are a sinner, then repent and ask Jesus to forgive you and become the Lord of your life. The only way to receive this relationship is to do this- and then you can keep and strengthen that relationship through studying His Word and praying. You can only grow a relationship if you spend time with that person- so first give your life to Jesus, if you have not already and then spend time getting to know Him. God draws near to those who draw near to Him.
2006-12-10 15:57:00 · answer #2 · answered by AdoreHim 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
1) Hearing about the Lord - singing & chanting God's names (japa), hearing stories from scripture.
2) Glorifying the Lord - describing God's all-attractive features.
3) Remembering the Lord - internal meditation on the Lord's form, activities, names or personality.
4) Serving the lotus feet of the Lord - providing a form of physical service.
5) Worshiping the Lord - deity worship (puja) is a popular form of this within India.
6) Offering prayers to the Lord - any form of prayer offered to please God.
7) Serving the Lord - offering a service for Lord's pleasure, such as preaching activity.
8) Building a friendship with the Lord - having an internal, loving relationship with God.
9) Surrendering everything unto the Lord - surrendering one's thoughts, actions and deeds to God.
These nine principles of devotional service are described as helping the devotee remain constantly in touch with God. The processes of japa and internal meditation on the aspirant devotees's chosen deity form (ishta deva) are especially popular in most bhakti schools. Bhakti is described a yoga path, in that its aim is a form of divine, loving union with the Supreme Lord. The exact form of the Lord, or type of union varies between the different schools, but the essence of each process is very similar.
Ever since I've been doing all of the above earlier this year, oh wow, my relationship with God has intensified. I receive more Divine Love, blessings and Grace all the time. I feel more love in my heart too. Even though this is a Hindu term for a spiritual practice "bhakti", it applies to all religions. It is very effective and works!
You can read more about it here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhakti_yoga
2006-12-10 16:02:52 · answer #3 · answered by Amma's Child 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In James, you will read "If any one seeks wisdom let him ask of God." Truly believe this and you will develope a relationship with Father God. Also read the Gospel of John. The love comes pouring off the pages.
2006-12-10 15:55:51 · answer #4 · answered by martha d 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Read The Gospel of the Nazirenes. The original Bible before King Constantine misconstrued the Bible. go to thegospelofthenazirenes. for details. One has to know what Christ actually said to follow his teachings. Paul never even met Christ yet most of the Bible is written by him. The truth will set you free. "To what propose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? Saith the Lord: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts, and I delight not in the blood of bulls or cows,or lambs or goats. When ye spread forth your hands, I will hide Mine eyes from you, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear, for your hands are full of blood.
Isaiah 1:11,15 "He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man." Isaiah 66:3 Follow his actual teachings and that will please him and you will be happy.
2006-12-10 16:01:28 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you read the Bible and pray, meditate on God. As the verse says "Be still and know that I AM God."---
Psalms 46:10. Sometimes he speaks the loudest in the quiet times.
2006-12-10 15:56:11 · answer #6 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Prayer, helping others, loving your enemies, seeking forgiveness from those you may have offended or even someone who may have offended you, and fasting.
This is what our youth Minister taught on a couple of Sundays ago may be this will help...
1.Read ACTS 16:25 repent for all you have done so that we can be heard by God, pray for someone else not yourself, and then begin to thank God for all he has done, and when you run out of things to thank him for just say hallelujah (The Highest Praise).
2. Day 2 read, repent, pray for someone else different from day 1, Then begin to praise Jesus for dieing for your sins, for being the doorway to God, and for being our sacrifice, and when you run out of things to thank him for just continually tell him Thank You.
3. Day 3 read, repent, pray for someone different from Days 1 & 2 then thank the Holy Spirit for being your comforter, and for talking so loudly to you when you want to go in the wrong direction. Jesus left us the Holy Spirit as a protector, The Holy Spirit will fight for you when death is after you. So important to us that the unforgivable sin is to curse The Holy Spirit, Our Protector!
2006-12-10 16:01:37 · answer #7 · answered by Alicia S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You know, I've read some of the other answers and frankly some people aren't afraid of his wrath, listen to know God is to first love him. Then seek him with your heart,not your mind, let him lead down the path of rightousness, fasting helps you kill the flesh,God is a spirit and you must worship him in spirit and in truth, in other words be real with God. Gal.6:7
2006-12-10 16:13:24 · answer #8 · answered by tomasd45 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What's with this "new packaging" of God -- "personal relationship." As opposed to what? An "IMpersonal relationship"? All relationships are by definition "personal." And where exactly in the Bible is that found? Chapter and verse. God is our Creator. We worship him, obey him, love him. He's not some buddy down the street that we have a "relationship" with. He is the Almighty, and we are not his equals.
2016-03-29 02:43:57 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fasting is a very effective way to strengthen your relationship with God AND to get answers to questions such as these. Don't get me wrong - its also very difficult if you haven't done it before.
Start with just a day - and remember to pray more too, because fasting is not just about not eating - its about sustaining yourself from Him.
2006-12-10 15:54:20 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋