How To Grow Closer To Jesus

How to Get Closer to Jesus

Documentation Download Documentation Download Documentation The deeper we grow in our relationship with Jesus, the more resilient and content we become in the face of life’s trials. Sometimes in life, you may not have that special someone to encourage and push you on, but when you have a radical closeness with Jesus, everything in your life appears to just fall into place and fit together seamlessly and effortlessly. Acquiring a closer relationship with Jesus is a continuous journey. You will come to know Jesus as you begin your quest to understand the Word of God.

1 Recognize that you have been specifically summoned. You must understand that this “hunger” is fueled by the Holy Spirit, which you must acknowledge. “For it is God who works in you, both to will and to act in order to accomplish his good purpose,” Paul writes in Philippians 2:13. The Holy Spirit is not only pulling you to God’s Word, but He will also provide you with the comprehension of that Word, as He promises in John 14:26. Rather, the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will instruct and remind you of all that I have spoken to you.
s2 Make a commitment to Jesus. Serve others in order to serve God. Join a reputable Christian church and make a commitment to it. Join a group that you can contribute to and that will allow you to serve God. Listening or watching sermons and reading books are good places to start. Your pastor’s sermon, which will include references to important Bible scriptures, will help you grow in your relationship with God even more. As you listen, make relevant notes for later reference and pay close attention to the context in which the sermon is delivered. Advertisement
s3 Set aside some time to go over the texts with a critical eye. Get a Bible (select a translation in a language that is simple for you to grasp) and read through the scriptures listed above. Pray that God would provide you comprehension of the scriptures and that the Holy Spirit will grant you the capacity to recall what you’ve learned from them. You are not required to read them all at once, especially if there are a large number of them. In fact, even while you study the scriptures, the Holy Spirit provides insight
4 Refer to the source material thoroughly to understand the entire context. As you read more frequently, you should devote more time to reading the entire Chapter, and occasionally even the chapter before or after it. This is due to the fact that many scriptures are stated in context and therefore reading just one verse may be insufficient. You are not required to memorize immediately
Instead, focus on reading and understanding first
5 Consider the message for a while. It is critical to retain the message contained within the verse and the chapter. Take a poem and scribble it down on a sheet of paper to remember. Keep that Word in your mind until your next Bible study session. Simply said, meditating on the Word means to think about it and what it could mean or how you might use it in your life. Bible studies can take place as frequently as you choose and for as long as you are prepared to put in the time to read
6 Begin to inquire about the Word by posing questions. Inquire with your friends, the priest at your church, and during Bible studies at your church. Discuss the scriptures that you have read with your group of friends. In this manner, you will learn about other scriptures that your friends are familiar with, and you will improve your comprehension of your own scriptures
7 Don’t be concerned if you’re having difficulties. Be patient and allow God to work in your life. Christianity arose out of the need to provide solace to those who were in distress. Keep in mind that God loves you and will never leave you or forsake you. You may always turn to Jesus for assistance and advice, no matter what scenario you find yourself in. Combining your Bible reading with practical application is a good idea. Pray while you read, and once you have finished reading, apply what you have learned in your life so that God’s Word becomes alive to you as you obey His instructions. Follow the teachings of the Bible. Don’t add anything to it or take anything away from it-what is in the Bible was intended to be in the Bible. Advertisement

1Spend quality quiet time with Jesus to become closer to Him. Reading various gospel-oriented literature, listening to devotionals, or even listening to Christian music may all be part of your quiet time. Simple things like taking some time out to sit and reflect on specific verses or sections from the Bible would qualify as quiet time. It’s really simply a matter of separating yourself from the rest of the world and communicating with God that you are waiting for him. As a result, spending meaningful solitary time with Jesus will undoubtedly bring you closer to Him. 2 Attend church on a regular basis. Any church will do as long as it is Bible-based and preaches the truth as long as it is a church. Try to participate in the mass as much as possible while you are in attendance at the service. During hymns, join in with your heartfelt singing
During scripture readings, pay close attention to the words and concentrate on them completely. It is possible to learn much more and feel closer to Jesus by participating in church activities
3 Take use of the sacraments. If you belong to a church that offers sacraments (such as the Roman Catholic church), speak with a priest about the possibility of obtaining the sacraments. In addition, before you begin each one, research what it means and how it will improve your relationship with Jesus. Prepare yourself for your first communion (getting Jesus’ body) or Confirmation (confirming that you will follow Jesus) by remembering and praying to him in the days leading up to the event. Ensure that you read your bible (as instructed in the preceding step)
4 Take a look at the Bible. The Bible has been given to you by the Lord for a variety of purposes, one of which is to help you learn to know Him better. So take advantage of the fact that you have this wonderful book with you by reading it and enjoying it. Make an effort to follow the directions He has provided in the Bible as well. In your analysis, try to think about how each verse or chapter might be utilized in your life.

For example, Psalm 46 verse 1 declares that “God is our shelter and strength, a very present help in times of distress.” So the next time you sense problems forming at your place of employment, school, or college, you may look it straight in the eyes and say this verse loudly to calm the situation. Your relationship with Jesus will undoubtedly improve as a result of this, and you will sense His presence in you.

5Pray to Jesus and communicate with him. You are a beloved child of God in the eyes of Jesus. He cares about you no matter what difficulties you are through. Tell him what you’re up to, what you’re planning, why you’re depressed, what you require, and so on and so forth. He is your biological father. He just wants what is best for you, and he wants you beyond everything else! Make him your one-stop shop for everything, and you will feel closer to him within days. He desires for you to pray in the Spirit as well as in the mind, and He desires for you to pray for other people in order for them to repent and be cured. Advertisement

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Question How do I get my thoughts away from the things of this world in order to create a stronger relationship with Jesus? Continue to read the Bible in more depth, attend church services regularly, form friendships with persons who are good Christian role models, and pray without ceasing. Question Why is it that when I draw closer to God, I find myself drifting back into my old life after a period of time? You revert to your old behaviors since we are all sinners who are prone to committing sin again and again. Look for a companion who will hold you accountable to help you sustain your new behaviors. Question Is it possible for me to spend some peaceful time at the beach? Yes, without a doubt! Going outside and taking in the sights and sounds of nature is a wonderful way to grow closer to Jesus. Question What is it about praying that makes me cry? Because the Holy Spirit has made an impression on your heart. When someone thinks of their love for God or God’s love for them, it’s not uncommon for them to shed a tear or two. It indicates that your faith is strong. Question As a result of following the verse in which Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” what should I do if I feel like I’m being taken for granted? Despite the fact that it is admirable to love others as Jesus loves us, we must also remember that we were created in the image of God and that we are His beloved, and as such, we do not deserve to be taken for granted. You should love and respect yourself even if you find yourself in a position where someone is taking advantage of you on a regular basis. You should pray for that person and appreciate the person God created you to be
Question What should I do if it appears that getting closer to Jesus is proving difficult? Visit with a believing friend and ask for prayer on behalf of the group. Allow yourself to spend time alone with Jesus, just listening to praise music, with the purpose of not attempting to grow closer to Jesus, but believing that you are already near. Maintain your faith by reminding yourself that Jesus is ALWAYS there and always wanting to get close to you, and that this sensation of distance and difficulty is only an emotion
Question your beliefs. What is it about God that makes me feel like he isn’t listening to me? He does pay attention to what you have to say. God will always be there for you, no matter what. This is something I’ve considered, and God has shown to me that he is there for me. Never doubt that God isn’t listening to what you have to say. Yes, He does listen to you, He cares about you, and He has blessed the world by sending his Son, Jesus Christ, just for you. Question How can I maintain my concentration when reading the Bible and praying? While reading the Bible, try to clear your mind of all thoughts. Go to a remote location where you will have complete privacy. Just like though you were in the middle of a study session. Make sure you have a pen and paper handy to take notes. Be a student of God’s Word
Ask probing questions. I believe I am saved, but I continue to do all of these awful things. What is it that makes me feel this way? We are still sinners, for this reason. Yes, we have been rescued
Nevertheless, we are also being saved and will continue to be saved. You are feeling this way because you need to come closer to Jesus – this essay will assist you in your endeavor
Question What is the best way to pray? Make use of the acronym “ACTS” to your advantage. This is an acronym that stands for adoration, confession, thankfulness, and intercession. Make a public declaration of your love for God, confess your faults, express gratitude for your benefits, and ask for anything you require.

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Because the rapture will occur when you least expect it, it is important to be genuine in your prayers and to always obey God’s word. No one knows when or how long it will take, so be prepared. Increase your exposure to Christian individuals. Instead of listening to commercial music, try listening to Christian music. Rather of being in the city, spend time in nature.

Being glued to your phone at all times. Set a time limit and pray humbly for the presence of the Holy Spirit. Thank you for submitting a suggestion for consideration! Advertisement

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When it comes to Christianity, talking about everyday practices might come across as inflexible. It sounds more like we’re on the verge of becoming religious than we are in the relationship God has called us to. Despite this, these daily routines are not a checklist of things to do. They are either actions that Jesus demonstrated in his own life for us or steps that the Bible instructs us to follow in order to grow more like Christ. All of these phases go toward a more intimate connection with God as well as the capacity to relax in His presence.

As we grow in Christ’s likeness, we grow in our relationship with our heavenly Father.
In spite of this, there are measures we can do each day that will allow the Holy Spirit to operate in and through us, transforming us into more like Christ.
“Nearer you get to God, the closer he will come to you.
We may grow more like Christ and become closer to God through admitting our faults, cultivating humility, and reforming our ideas with Scripture.
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12 WAYS TO GET CLOSER TO GOD RIGHT NOW

These easy recommendations will remind you that growing closer to God is only a tiny act away, whether you are looking for a higher purpose in life, are a new believer, or have been walking with Jesus for a long time. Spend some quality time with God today, and you will be rewarded and invigorated as a result of your efforts. 1. Keep your voice down. Take a moment to turn off the radio and television, walk away from the internet and put your phone away, and find a peaceful place to simply relax in God’s presence.

Passages, verses, phrases, or sentences that call to you should be underlined, highlighted, or written out.
3.Make a list of your prayers in a special notebook; they might be for others or for you personally.
4.Go for a stroll and have a conversation with God.
He is attentive.
Choose a verse or a short chapter and read it many times, then ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you about what you have learned in the context of what is now happening in your life, while you are reading.
Sing along, dance, or simply sit back and listen.
7.Be amazed by the world that God has made.

Allow yourself to get immersed in the experience.

9.Tell someone about what God has done for you, whether it’s a friend or a family member.

10.Do something nice for someone else without expecting anything in exchange for your kindness.

If He has called you to create something, then go ahead and do it.

If He has called you to be a shepherd, then go forth and do it.

Fasting provides mental clarity, and when paired with any of the other practices listed above, you have the possibility for a life-changing encounter with God.

Every day, take stock of your benefits and express gratitude to God for them.

By clicking here, you can read my follow-up piece, 10 Reasons Why Your Relationship With God Is The Best One You Will Ever Have.

By clickinghere, you may get 14 Bible Verses to Lift Your Spirit During the Pandemic. You may listen to my national award-nominated song “Holy Spirit” by clicking here. For further information, please visit my Instagram page by clicking here and my Facebook page by clicking here.

3 Ways to Grow Closer to God When You Feel Far Away

A few years ago, I had a strong sense of being near to God. I was developing in my faith, conversing and walking with God, and, despite the fact that things weren’t perfect, life was going rather well for me at the time. After that, I felt like I was caught in a rut for about a year. I felt that I wasn’t progressing in my faith and that I was growing further away from God. It wasn’t until I followed the steps outlined below that I began to see a favorable shift in my spiritual journey. If you want to develop your connection with God, there are three easy actions you may take, no matter how far away you feel from Him.

1. Reach Out

It’s easy to get overwhelmed by life, but rather than holding everything in, ask out for assistance instead. If you are experiencing a lack of God’s presence in your life, don’t be scared to seek Him out. God is aware of our innermost thoughts and wishes, and He knows what we want. No matter how long it has been since you have genuinely felt God’s presence, please remember that reaching out to Him is the solution to your problem. God does not turn his back on us. Our God is a God who loves and pursues us, and He desires for us to develop in our relationship with Him.

2. Limit Distractions

There are numerous distractions in life, and sadly, there are many things that may cause us to lose sight of our relationship with God. The heroes of the Bible weren’t very powerful in their own right, but the Bible claims that they lived closely with the Almighty. They had their own temptations and weaknesses, but their desire to obey God’s will had a stronger hold on them than anything else. When we want to walk with God, we need to be willing to walk away from the things that are keeping us from Him.

When social media, entertainment, or future ambitions take precedence over God, it may be virtually hard to make place for him in one’s schedule.

3. Be Intentional

Make a time when you can be alone with God in an area where there are few distractions, and schedule it in advance. You could find that waking up a half-hour earlier in the morning to read the Bible and pray will be precisely what you need to build your connection with Christ. Alternatively, while making supper, you might listen to an audio Bible or the radio station. God will meet you right where you are, and because the Holy Spirit is inside us, we may spend time with God in a number of settings, including our homes and offices.

‘Wash your hands, you sinners, and cleanse your hearts, for your devotion is divided between God and the world,’ the prophet says.

God’s presence will return to us when we seek Him with all of our hearts and draw near to Him through prayer and fasting. There is no greater feeling than being near to God, and I encourage you to commit your entire life to Him in service to others. (Image courtesy of Ghazaleh Ghazanfari)

RaeAnn Jent

RaeAnn is a college student who is passionate about Jesus, Way-FM, bowling, public speaking, and writing. She is a history enthusiast who wishes to contribute to the reaffirmation of the significance of putting God first in the lives of Americans. comments on blogs powered by

How Can I Grow Closer to God?

“At that point, Jesus addressed them all, saying, “Whoever wishes to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross everyday and follow me.” 9:23 (Luke 9:23) (NIV) Is it possible that you’ve found yourself yearning for a deeper relationship with God, but you’re not sure where to begin? In case you’re scared that what I’m about to say will include a long and overwhelming list of activities I do every day in order to feel closer to God, don’t be. When I delve into His Word, I just beg Him to rejuvenate and mould me into the woman He wants me to be.

And I swear that no matter what happens, I will continue to follow Him with all my heart.
The following is what Jesus says to His followers in Luke 9:23b: “Whoever wishes to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross everyday and follow me.” At first glance, his statements appear to be shocking.
At least, that’s how it appeared.
Jobs.
Despite this, we see Jesus assuring them that the price will be considerably more than they had previously thought.
They’re going to have to put everything on the line.
Their plans for the future.

And, while it may seem like a lot to ask, they will experience a degree of closeness with Jesus that no one else will be able to match because of their determination to keep following hard after Jesus.

(See Luke 22:12-20 for further information.) When He comes close to them to wash their feet, they feel close to Him.

(Matthew 24:36-43) The feeling of being close to someone when they are among the first to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Could they have received a more delectable present?

I’m looking for a connection.

I’m looking for intimacy.

Right now, in fact.

Jesus also encourages us to get near to him.

I understand that the phrase “picking up our cross” may appear unusual or ambiguous at first, but for me, it has meant breaking old patterns in order to make room in my heart for new development.

Take a look at the Bible.

Please be courteous.

Provide assistance to the less fortunate.

Offering Him my readiness to walk away from television for a season, setting my eyes on Him first thing in the morning (instead of checking email and social media), and allowing Him to call me to a new degree of discipline in my eating habits are all examples of what this has looked like for me.

In terms of your specific situation, I’m not sure what it will look like for you to follow God with all of your heart.

We’ll have to put aside whatever it is that we are prone to enjoying more than He does.

Because having a greater degree of closeness with Him will always be worth the effort and investment.

Identify what is getting in the way of my relationship with You, and give me the courage to put it aside — whether it’s for a period of time or maybe forever. I desire for a closer relationship with You. No matter what the price is. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY

Matthew 9:24, “Because whomever seeks to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it,” says the prophet. (NIV)

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How Can I Get Closer to God

In the course of your Christian journey, you’ve undoubtedly heard someone say, “Christianity isn’t a religion; it is an intimate connection with God.” The idea is that living with Jesus does not include adhering to a slew of religious rules and regulations. It’s all about leaning into the Lord and learning to listen to His promptings and directions. But, let’s be honest, there are moments when it doesn’t feel like much of a relationship. There have been times in your Christian life, whether you’re a new believer or someone who has been following Jesus for decades, when you’ve desired your connection with Jesus felt more true.

Other possibilities include that you no longer sense the presence of God in the same way that you used to, and you’re not sure what has happened.

What does it mean to be close to God?

In order to answer this issue, we must first consider what is meant by “being in intimate relationship with God.” Without being specific about our expectations, we might end up feeling dissatisfied and exhausted. The majority of the time, when a husband tells a marital counselor that he wants to get closer to his wife, what he is really talking about is intimacy. He spends a lot of time with his wife. What he really wants is to feel more connected to her. He wishes to rekindle the same degree of excitement that he felt at the beginning of their relationship with her.

These types of wants are comparable to what the average Christian is talking about when he or she expresses a desire to feel more connected to God via prayer.

They are looking for an emotional response. They want to be able to feel that intimacy in their bodies. We don’t want to keep this connection just on the strength of our resolve, like the guy who is working on his marriage. We want to be able to sense the influence it has on our life.

Is closeness to God a realistic expectation?

A common criticism at this stage is that we’ve become overly dependant on our emotions, and that the notion that living with God should feel a specific way is the source of the problem. They may serve as a reminder to us that we live by faith rather than sight. And we set ourselves up for disappointment when we expect that walking with God will have an impact on our lives. The fact is that we are all unique individuals. Some of us are far more intellectual than others, and we rely less on our feelings to guide us.

Given that God is large enough to provide for all of our needs, we should be wary about assuming that others would prosper in the same sorts of emotional situations that we do.

Recognizing our differences

Our individual variances in personality have a tremendous influence on how we see God. There is no skeleton key that can be used to open that door for anyone. One individual may have a spiritual awakening while volunteering in a soup kitchen, but another may experience the same awakening while taking a long trek in the woods. There is no such thing as a universally shared connection with God. And part of the joy of learning to walk with Him is being more conscious of the particular characteristics that distinguish our connection from others.

However, even the manner in which we perform those disciplines might alter depending on our genetic make-up.
Alternatively, someone else may choose to study Scripture in the comfort of their own home, maybe with a couple of candles lighted and classical music playing on the stereo.
In essence, there isn’t a single prescription that works for every individual.
One of the ways in which unhappiness sneaks in is when we strive to replicate what others have found to be successful.

Every season is unique

When individuals are asked what they mean by “growing closer to God,” they frequently refer to a period when they sensed the presence of God the most strongly in their lives. Perhaps it was during their undergraduate years, when they were on staff with their first church, or while on a mission trip in South America that they experienced this. We will almost certainly be dissatisfied if we attempt to duplicate previous experiences. Every relationship has its ups and downs, and we should expect the same thing from our relationship with the Lord.

It doesn’t make much sense for them to romanticize a point in their life when they may have had more time to devote to Jesus or when they were surrounded by a lot of enthusiastic, young energy from their peers.
In retrospect, it may appear that we didn’t even have to try very hard to feel so close to God—and that may be true in certain cases.
However, this is meant to inspire us to continue to pursue Him in our hearts of faith.
In Psalm 13, David asks the Lord, “How long, Lord?” Will you forget about me for the rest of your life?
How long do I have to struggle with my thoughts and live with grief in my heart day after day?
In this passage, David’s criteria for determining the nearness of the Lord are based on how he feels and the fact that his foes appear to be in the ascendant at the time of the passage.
We will unavoidably compare this experience to others in which we have thought God was closer, and we will not always recall it exactly as it occurred.

There are numerous demands on a young mother’s time, and she can’t expect to be able to reproduce the sentiments she had throughout previous stages of her life. Having said that, as she follows the Lord, she will be able to experience God’s proximity in deeper and more meaningful ways.

Tips for getting closer to Jesus

The following are some important points to discuss before moving on to practical suggestions for growing in our relationship with God. If we want to talk about developing our relationship with God, we should start with these two points:

Don’t forget to do spiritual practices. Scripture reading, service to others, community, financial giving, prayer, and other spiritual practices are examples of spiritual disciplines. There are some activities in which every believer should be part. Despite the fact that you can experiment with alternative methods of practicing these disciplines, you should not forsake them just because they do not appear to be “functioning.” They contribute to our training, information, and maturation. Deal with the problem of unconfessed sin. Not feeling near to God does not necessarily imply that you have hidden sin in your life
Nonetheless, hidden sin can create a barrier between you and your Creator (or at least make it more difficult to recognize His voice). You should check to see if you’re engaging in any conduct that needs to be confessed and dealt with if you don’t feel near to God.

Now that we’ve cleared that up, let’s look at some basic things we can do to not only draw closer to God, but also to become more conscious of His presence in our lives.

1. Make room to be quiet

The fact that the world was so calm a century ago would be one of the first things we’d notice if we traveled back in time 100 years. Our forefathers and foremothers went about their business in complete quiet, something we would find impossible to imagine nowadays. From the minute we wake up until the moment we go to sleep, we are surrounded by noise and stimulation. No matter where we look, whether it’s on television, social media, podcasts, or streaming services, we never have to remain silent if we don’t want to.

So, to the extent that we are able, we should make a conscious effort to create quiet spaces in our lives.

However, it’s unlikely that God will yell at you because of your way of life, therefore make some space so that you can hear His voice.

2.Journal your prayers

When it comes to prayer, people frequently battle with distractions. While praying, their thoughts wander, leaving them feeling disappointed with themselves for not being spiritual enough to have a fruitful and satisfying spiritual practice. As a matter of fact, certain personality types thrive while they are kneeling alongside their bed in prayer, while others do not. And their dissatisfaction with prayer isn’t with the act itself, but with trying to find meaning in rituals that don’t fit with their own beliefs.

Many individuals find this to be a very effective method of communicating with the Lord because it helps them to remain focused and present.

3. Get active with prayer

It is possible that some have difficulty with prayer because of the formal and fixed nature of the practice. If you were reared in the church, you most likely learned to pray in a manner that was both conventional and ceremonial in tone—perhaps even including speaking to God in a manner that sounded like it came from the King James Bible. Despite the fact that you may have internalized the notion that this is what prayer is meant to sound like, it keeps God at a safe distance. If this is a problem for you, consider heading outdoors and taking a stroll while chatting to God as you would a close friend about your concerns and worries.

Changes in our vernacular and environment might sometimes provide the impetus that our prayer practice requires in order to feel more like genuine communion rather than a routine exercise.

4. Meditate on Scripture

Bible reading is really significant. Reading the Bible is quite beneficial. However, we cannot underestimate how important it is to take time to reflect on it. Immediately before Moses’ death, God provides Joshua with specific instructions, one of which is as follows: “You should keep this Book of the Law constantly on your lips and reflect on it at all times of the day and night so that you are cautious to follow everything contained in it. You will then be affluent and successful as a result of your efforts ” (Joshua 1:8).

As we concentrate on various passages throughout the day, we will begin to recognize the ways in which they relate to our everyday lives.

5. Practice fasting

However, the practice of self-denial used to be an important element of many Christians’ spiritual life, but it has recently become less popular. Fasting was a frequent component of the lives of many Christians throughout history, including John Wesley and Dietrich Bonhoeffer. The majority of people think about fasting in terms of food, and there are certain benefits to doing so. Fasting for a meal or for a whole day (or longer) shows a desire to place God first in one’s life above everything else.

You can, however, fast from other things as well, such as sweets, social media, video games, and secular music.

According to Bill Bright, fasting has a number of advantages “I’ve noticed that fasting with a pure heart and purpose brings about personal renewal and increases the effectiveness of our prayers.

Fasting provides a chance for more humility as we identify our faults, repent, receive God’s forgiveness, and experience God’s purification of our soul and spirit throughout our time of fasting.

Drawing close to God

It might feel like we’re simply going through the motions at times. Don’t be concerned; this is entirely normal. Our lives are filled with relationships that we cannot put on autopilot and expect them to develop stronger over time. What makes you think our connection with God would be different? We might take comfort in the words of James, who says, “Come near to God and he will come near to you” (James 4:8a). When we don’t feel particularly close to the Lord, we must put our faith in His character and persevere in our efforts to become closer to Him.

It’s possible that it’s time to come up with some innovative strategies to press the issue. We may be assured that if we seek the Lord, we shall find Him (Jeremiah 29:13). Are you looking for extra motivation? Take a look at this quick yet impactful lecture about walking in the Spirit.

5 Ways to Grow Closer to Jesus

What makes it easier to get through the bad days in life when things get difficult? Do you have a friend or loved one who lives nearby? Do you want to call your mother or a close friend? In Mark 4:35-41, the disciples made an even better discovery than they had anticipated. They discovered how to get more intimate with Jesus and why this is so important in our life. One night when they were sailing across the Sea of Galilee, a violent storm swept in from the north. The boat they were on was tossing and spinning, and it seemed like it was about to capsize.

Even that, though, was insufficient.
They had the One who could genuinely save them from the storm and offer them with the ultimate consolation and serenity in the midst of their tempest: Jesus.
On that particular day, as the darkness arrived, Jesus told his followers, “Let us cross to the other side.” They left the mob behind and sailed away with him in the boat, exactly as he was at the time.
A violent squall sprang up, and the waves smashed over the boat, causing it to be almost completely submerged.
“Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” the disciples said when they roused him from his sleep.
“Stay still!” After that, the wind went down and everything became perfectly peaceful.
Take advantage of a FREE set of printable prayer cards that outline 16 different methods to pray right now!
“Do you still have a lack of trust?” They were scared and exchanged questions with one another: “Who is this?
Do you have Jesus so near to you in your heart and mind?
Having a personal relationship with Jesus and keeping him close is critical for navigating the storms of life with calm and confidence.

How to Get Closer to Jesus and Invite Him Into Your Boat

If you want to grow in your relationship with Jesus, you must first understand his narrative. So go ahead and pick up a Bible and begin reading. Familiarize yourself with the tales and concepts found in the Bible, and make it a practice to read the Bible on a regular basis. Start reading the Gospels if you want to understand the tale of Jesus’ time on earth.

Move on to the New Testament to observe how his work continued in the early church, and then back again. Don’t forget to read the Old Testament as well, for his tale begins there and is intertwined throughout the whole of the Bible.

2) Study the Bible

Join the hordes of followers and disciples who have gathered to learn at Jesus’ feet. Explore the Bible in greater depth, studying the chapters and gaining new information and insights. Participate in a Bible study group at your church or in your neighborhood. This is an excellent method to get started in your studies and to further your understanding, as well as to interact with a community of like-minded individuals. Alternatively, you can study the Bible on your own. If you’re not sure where to begin or want to learn some new methods of studying the Bible, this study on seven different ways to study the Bible is a terrific resource!

3) Pray and Spend Time in the Presence of Jesus

Prayer is extremely important, as Jesus demonstrated time and time again. He woke up early every morning, no matter how long he’d worked the day before or how weary he was. He prayed. God’s son, Jesus, needed to spend time in prayer, as did everyone else. He utilized his time in prayer to talk to his father, seeking direction, support, and guidance, as well as to keep his heart in tune with God’s will and will of others. Prayer is also quite important in our life. Identify a period in your day for prayer and make it a habit to pray on a daily basis.

4) Serve and Love Others

Jesus committed his life to helping and loving others, particularly those who were most in need – the outcasts, the unloved, the ill, the destitute, the orphaned, and the widowed – and those who were most vulnerable. When you are connected to the people Jesus loved and served, you are more likely to be near to Jesus himself. Get out into your neighborhood and provide a hand to those in need.

5) Worship and Fellowship with Other Believers

The disciples lived, studied, and served in close proximity to one another. In this community of believers, they felt a strong sense of belonging to one another. It was in this community that they were able to establish deep roots of faith, encouraging and supporting one another, growing their faith, and replenishing their spirits after pouring out their hearts to others in need. Find a church and get active in the activities there. Worship, fellowship, and service in the community are all encouraged.

Will You Invite Jesus Into Your Boat?

Throughout their lives, the disciples lived, studied, and served as a group of individuals. As members of this religious group, they felt a strong bond with one another. They were able to cultivate strong roots of faith in this community by encouraging and supporting one another, growing their faith, and replenishing their spirits after emptying out their hearts to others in need. Participate in your local church. That community’s worship, camaraderie, and service to others are all part of the experience.

Learn to Trust God and Find His PeaceStrength in the Storm

Are you now experiencing one of those stormy seasons? Having a longing for Jesus to speak a word into your situation to quiet the storm and restore peace to your heart? When you learn to trust God, you will be able to find calm and strength even in the midst of storms. Click here to begin the 4-week Trusting God devotional, which will teach you how to Trust God During a Storm.

5 Ways to Grow Closer to God in the New Year

In the next 12 months, do you have a strategy for how you want to grow spiritually?

Many individuals ask how they might begin to become closer to God or closer to His purpose for their lives, and there are many answers to this question.

Can We Grow Closer to God This Year?

Every January, I had to get into the habit of setting down a plan to guarantee that I didn’t end the year in the same position spiritually as I had begun it the previous year. We might not notice a lack of spiritual progress in our life year after year if we look at it that way. Although it may seem impossible, 10 years can pass without memorizing a single verse of scripture, without confronting a habitual sin in your life, without sharing the gospel with an unbeliever, and without experiencing a turning point in your spiritual journey that ignited a fire in your heart and caused you to live differently.

Setting some spiritual goals for the upcoming year also helps me to guarantee that there is fruit developing from my life year after year, rather than being a sponge that continues to take up everything but offers little back to the world.

To be one year closer to Christ – and to people you love – by the time next January comes around, try a couple of these suggestions, and perhaps even some of your own.

5 Ways To Grow and Get Closer to God:

Do you have a strategy for meeting with God first thing in the morning before anybody else? It’s one method of placing Him above all else and everyone in one’s life. You may use it to ensure that you’re in the finest possible emotional state by the time you begin engaging with your family members as well. God’s Whispers to a Woman’s Heart, my devotional book, is meant to help you connect with God for a few minutes every day while also getting into the Word at the same time. It is available on Amazon.

2. Get into God’s Word every day to get closer to Him.

The now is an excellent moment to begin reading your Bible, if you have had one for a long time but have never finished it. There are a variety of excellent materials available to assist you in reading through the Bible in a year. Try reading it in a different translation than you are accustomed to. Alternatively, ask yourself where you want to be in your relationship with the Lord by the end of the year and then create measurable objectives for yourself to achieve this by studying the Bible more thoroughly.

If you need to learn to slow down and learn to listen for his voice, read what the Bible has to teach on “rest,” “listening,” and “his voice.” If you have any character flaws that you are aware of, you might want to consider conducting an in-depth study of any or all of the fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

3. Participate in a weekly small-group Bible study.

Alternatively, organize a group among your friends, neighbors, or coworkers. Our ability to share our experiences with one another and hold one another responsible allows us to grow more quickly when we are part of a community. Small group studies are available at many churches, and you can even initiate one among friends, neighbors, or even co-workers over your lunch hour.

4. Record your blessings and answered prayers to get closer to His presence.

Preserve an annual ‘blessing book,’ in which you record every benefit that comes your way during the year, along with a prayer of gratitude or praise. Additionally, write down your prayer requests and keep track of the responses as they come in. It is only through writing out these sorts of things that you may have a greater awareness of the ways that the Lord is at work in and around your life, but you will also develop the ability to “give thanks in all situations; because this is God’s wish for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

5. Pick a ‘theme verse’ for the year.

Every day, say it out loud. I promise that if you follow these instructions, you will have learned one additional passage of Scripture by the end of the year – and most likely much sooner. Choose from the following verses: Psalm 90:12, Psalm 119:32, Psalm 119:133, Galatians 5:16, Philippians 1:27, Philippians 4:6-7, or create your own. Make some of these action items a priority in your life this next year, and you’ll be another year older in your body, but you’ll also be another year older in your faith and relationship with Christ by the end of next December.

Photograph courtesy of Getty Images/kieferpix

Want to Get Closer to God? Here’s a Simple Spiritual Growth Plan

Is it your desire to find spiritual purpose in your life and to discover how to become closer to God that you are seeking for? The good news is that God loves you (yes, you!) and wants you to be happy. He want to demonstrate to you how to live a tranquil and cheerful life. just where you are. A heart that is receptive to God’s loving spirit (and hence capable of developing a personal connection with Jesus) is the first step in growing closer to God. Find out how to grow spiritually and learn the one spiritual growth skill that can help you better comprehend the Bible and apply God’s truth to your life.

If You Want to Grow Closer to God, You Must Do This…

The fact is that spending time in prayer and Bible study on a daily basis is the most effective approach to get closer to God (a quiet time with God). As much as I understand that we all desire a quick and simple path into a personal relationship with God, I’ve witnessed time and time again that those who have the greatest Christian faith are the ones who spend time with God on a regular basis. It makes sense, doesn’t it? Our time with someone is essential if we want to develop a deep relationship with him or her.

Growing closer to God takes place in small steps, one at a time, throughout the day.

For those of you who have never had a personal relationship with God (or are unsure of what that implies), I recommend that you read this piece.

Why Daily Time with God Grows Us Closer to God Like Nothing Else

With so much emotion and change in the world today, spending time with God via daily bible reading and prayer nourishes our spirits with tangible, unchanging truth that we can trust. Take a look at these poems (and my little summary of each of them):

Hebrews 13:8 says that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow
He does not change. The Bible says in Psalm 119:105 that God’s word is a candle to our feet and a light to our path. Hebrews 4:12 says that God’s truth is still alive. It communicates to the innermost parts of our beings, providing conviction and direction that nothing else can provide

Spending time with God on a daily basis transforms us. It helps us to feel grounded and centered. It helps us to remain calm in the midst of chaos. Daily time with God is the glue that holds everything together, providing much-needed refreshment while also transforming the hardships we face into opportunities for magnificent spiritual growth. But, before you fill yourself with heaps of guilt and concern over why you have such a difficult time spending time with God on a daily basis, I want to assure you that you are not alone in your battle!

Read on.

3 Big Obstacles to Growing Closer to God

If drawing closer to God is vital to many Christian women, why aren’t more of us spending more time with God in our daily lives? I just conducted a poll of women in our town who are similar to us, and I discovered that the majority of us face three primary challenges:

Unfortunately, we don’t have enough time
We are unsure of how to spend time with God or what it entails
And we are unsure of how to establish a regular practice of spending time with God.

To begin, let us examine each one more deeply, and then (spoiler warning) I want to reveal my method for overcoming these roadblocks to becoming more like God each day!

1. We don’t have enough time.

For starters, many individuals who wish to get closer to God find it difficult to do so due to a lack of time. This is especially true if their lives are exceedingly hectic. I’m sure you can sympathize because your life is probably just as hectic as mine is (mine always seems full of never-ending activities). Every day, it feels like there are more things to accomplish than I have time to do them. Even if “not enough time” is one of the primary causes for your lack of spiritual growth, you are not alone (and hint: I believe you will like the remedy I am about to provide)!

2. We don’t know how to spend time with God or what that means.

What exactly does it mean to have a quiet moment in your life? The question is, how can we study the Bible and make biblical truth a part of our everyday lives? To put it another way, what does it look like for the typical Christian (like you and me) to get closer to God? I met with a number of ladies who said that, during “quiet time,” they felt that they were actually sitting in silence, not knowing what to say or how to establish a connection with God via Bible reading. Yes! It is quite difficult for many of us to figure out how to come closer to God, especially if we were never taught how to pray or how to study the Bible.

Yes?

There are two things.

I’m not talking about whether or not you go to church or whether or not you grew up knowing about God.

For the second time, if you’ve already made the decision to follow Christ and have formally began a relationship with Him (but aren’t sure how to “spend time with God”), you will want to continue reading because the information I’m about to give will be extremely helpful and relevant to you.

3. We don’t know how to make spending time with God a regular habit.

Another significant challenge that many of us experience is maintaining a regular commitment to drawing closer to God. Starting out strong, but then life takes over and we lose our momentum, which is frustrating. Maybe you know how to read the Bible and like participating in a women’s Bible study, but you’re having trouble keeping up with it. Did you know that this was the number one barrier to spiritual growth for the ladies I spoke with? So many of us are sure that spending time with God is crucial, and many of us have even had personal experiences of being near to God in our lives.

We have a difficult time following through on our promise to become closer to God on a day to day basis.
Distracted.
You are not alone in your feelings.
Allow me to relate my own experience in overcoming this hurdle.

A Simple Spiritual Growth Plan for Anyone Who Wants to Grow Closer to God

I get what you’re saying. After working with hundreds of women (and having faced similar challenges myself! ), I’ve discovered that the most straightforward method to get closer to God each day is as follows: Have a straightforward, straightforward Bible study strategy. A suitable technique for Bible study is as follows:

Makes Bible time more concentrated and focused (and so consumes less time)
Provides a plan for how to study the Bible and grow closer to God (no more questions about “how do I connect with God each day?”)
And provides a strategy for how to study the Bible and grow closer to God. It helps to build a habit because it offers clear guidance on what to study (habits are much simpler to keep when we don’t have to reinvent the wheel each time)
It helps to sustain a habit because it provides clear direction on what to study.

Do you see how a straightforward Bible study technique might effectively address the three major impediments to spiritual growth that we discussed earlier? You require a strategy in order to know how to become closer to God on a daily basis–a straightforward approach to interact in order to apply biblical truth to your life. In addition, a straightforward Bible study approach should be included in the spiritual growth plan.

Which Bible Study Method Can Help Me Grow Closer to God?

It’s difficult to tell which Bible study approach is the best for you when there are so many options available. You’ll need a Bible study approach that is comprised of the following components:

It’s simple to remember
It doesn’t rely on complicated “biblical” language
It can be used to any passage
And it helps to bring the Bible (God’s love letter to you!) to life and make it relevant.

In summary, you require a method of becoming closer to God on a daily basis that does not necessitate a significant amount of time each day (or a seminary degree). Allow me to spare you some time and effort by providing the following information: I’ve looked at a variety of Bible study methods and discovered that just a small number of them fit these requirements. I’m confident that these Bible study methods are beneficial to some individuals, and I don’t wish to disparage them. But what about you and me?

Allow me to demonstrate a more effective method.

Give you a brief introduction to the 5Rs Bible StudyTM technique, which I developed about ten years ago and is fast becoming one of the most popular ways to study God’s Word. The Spiritual Growth RhythmTM and the 5Rs Bible StudyTM method are two tools I recommend to you.

The Plan: Use The 5Rs Bible Study Method + the Spiritual Growth Rhythm to Grow Closer to God

This method, known as the 5Rs Bible StudyTM Method, makes comprehending the Bible and coming closer to God exceedingly simple, making it ideal for working parents like you and me. More information may be found in this video. The 5Rs Bible Study Method is comprised of five steps, as follows: Choose any Bible passage and apply the 5Rs to it in order to evaluate and comprehend it, and then to put that reality into action in your life today. It’s ideal for anybody who wants to get closer to God by spending time in quiet reflection each day.

The 5Rs Bible StudyTM Method is the first stage in the Spiritual Growth Rhythm, a simple three-step method to get closer to Him that incorporates Bible study as well as recognizing His presence and giving concern and fear to God.
However, the most effective approach to learn about the Spiritual Growth Rhythm and the 5Rs Bible Study is to participate in them.
In this 3-session video course, I’ll walk you through the Spiritual Growth Rhythm and the 5Rs Bible StudyTM Method, and I’ll offer you the opportunity to practice what you’ve learned with printable homework papers at your convenience.
In addition, both you and I are aware that once we have a plan in place, it is much simpler to develop the habit of becoming closer to God.
For more information, please visit this page and fill out the form so that I may get you a link to this free course, where you can finally discover a simple approach to grow closer to God each day.
Please allow me to guide you through this free Bible study course on “How to Grow Closer to God” in steps by steps.

Growing Closer to God Through the Trials

One more point to mention (and it’s really crucial). While I can personally attest to the fact that drawing closer to God each day via a basic Bible study approach transforms a person from the inside out, I want you to be aware that God will almost certainly require you to walk through some tough life seasons. In a word, becoming closer to God does not imply that we will live a life that is faultless and free of sorrow. Even when we’re spending time with God every day and growing in our relationship with Him, we might still have all kinds of “why” questions, especially through life’s most difficult circumstances.

It is my recommendation that if you are feeling disheartened because of any terrible circumstances you are experiencing (and those circumstances are preventing you from drawing closer to God), you should cry out to Him with your suffering!

Take a look at these verses: 1 Peter 5:7, Psalm 13:1-6, Psalm 18:1-6, 16-19, and 1 Peter 5:7.

I’m not sure how I know this. It’s because I’ve been there before. Over and over again, I’ve witnessed how challenges and adversity have assisted me in becoming closer to God. More information about this may be found at the following link:

3 Big Questions About How to Have Joy in Trials
When You Don’t Want to Give Thanks
And When You Don’t Want to Be Thankful 27 Inspiring Bible Verses for When You’re Going Through a Difficult Time
The Importance of Maintaining Faith in God During Difficult Times (4 Inspiring Stories)