Having a strong faith in someone all-knowing and all-power gives you hope that everything will be okay when things go out your way. Acknowledging that there is a Supreme Being who has created everything and is in control will give you the confidence to keep fighting.
If you want to know more about God and have an intimate relationship with Him, here are some ways that can help you.
1. Repent from your sins.
The first thing you need to do is leave your sins behind. God is holy, and sin is not. Therefore, you need to choose whose side you are in. If you want to live for God, then decide to repent from your sins and stop doing them.
2. Accept Christ as your Savior and Lord.
The next step is to invite Jesus Christ into your life as your Savior and Lord. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
We cannot save ourselves from death (spiritual and eternal separation from God), which is the payment for our sins. For this reason, God sent His Son, Jesus, to die on our behalf. To be saved, we need to admit that we cannot do it on our own and accept the gift (free) of salvation through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.
Then, we need to decide to make Jesus the Lord–or master–of our lives. Meaning, we do not live for ourselves anymore–but for Him. Jesus is the only mediator between humankind and God the Father, so following Him is the first step of drawing close to the Creator.
3. Decide to live for God each day.
It is not enough that you put your faith in Christ. You should show that your faith is real through the life transformation that comes with it. Each day, you need to be determined to know more about God, find out about His will, and live according to it. It dramatically involves avoiding the sins you used to indulge in.
4. Begin and end each day with the Lord.
It would also help to start and end your day with the Lord. Upon waking up, decide to have a Quiet Time or devotion (to be explained in the following number) before checking your phone, exercising, eating breakfast, or bathing. Then, right before you sleep, say a little prayer of thanksgiving and asking forgiveness for the sins you have committed during the day.
5. Establish a regular Quiet Time with God.
Quiet Time is a specific time you devote to the Lord. It involves praying, worshipping Him (singing songs, reading psalms, playing instruments, or whatever is your way of expressing adoration for God), and reading His Word. It is encouraged that you do it daily.
6. Study the Bible earnestly.
It is not enough that you read the Bible daily. What is important is that you carefully study and meditate on what you read from it. You can also use other sources, such as Bible study guides and commentaries, to help you know the scripture. You can also enroll in short courses about the proper way of studying the Bible.
7. Keep a devotion journal.
Whenever you have your Quiet Time, it is best to write whatever you have learned in a notebook. You can write down the passage you have read, its message, your reflection, and how you intend to apply it.
8. List down answered prayers.
You can also keep another journal for your answered prayers. Listing them down will help you appreciate God’s goodness more. It will also encourage you to keep praying and trusting Him.
9. Memorize Bible verses.
You can also challenge yourself to memorize Bible verses. It does not have to be daily, though. These Bible verses will come in handy during times when you need reminders about God’s faithfulness, obeying Him, and enduring through trials.
10. Have regular prayer time.
Aside from your Quiet Time, you can also set a specific time for prayer. It can be an hour or two, depending on your availability. You can create lists of prayer concerns as guides for what to pray about. Also, you can simply pour out your thoughts to God during this time.
11. Commit to prayer and fasting.
Fasting is the habit of denying yourself food or whatever you want to sacrifice for some time. Instead of eating during mealtime, you focus on praying here. However, please understand that you do not fast to get what you want. You do it to ask God to align your desires and thoughts to His will.
12. Sing praise and worship songs to the Lord.
Listening to worship songs and singing them wholeheartedly to God will also help you draw closer to Him. You can also play instruments if you have the skill.
13. Attend church regularly.
Going to church regularly and participating in church activities can also encourage you to grow deeper in your knowledge and faith in God. Therefore, include church services and fellowships in your schedule.
14. Get baptized.
Baptism is not a requirement for changing or joining a specific religion. Instead, it is a symbol or a public declaration of your faith in God.
We are talking about the activity of immersion in the water and rising after. You can do this after you have confessed that Jesus is your Lord and Savior. The immersion is a symbol that your past life has died with Christ, and rising from the water symbolizes being a renewed person through the power of the Holy Spirit.
15. Join a life group or Bible study group.
Be part of a small group that focuses on studying the Bible and helping each member apply what they have learned. Such a group is also encouraged to have a close relationship among members to trust, encourage, rebuke, and pray for each other.
16. Be part of a church ministry.
Another way to get closer to God is by deciding to use your talents and skills to serve Him. You can join a church ministry in which you can exercise your gifts. Doing so will help you find purpose in life and develop healthy friendships with fellow believers.
17. Read books about faith and spirituality.
There are also Christian books that talk about more ways of how you can get to know God better and improve your relationship with Him.
18. Watch preaching videos.
If you are not fond of reading, some ministries provide free preaching videos online. You can easily find them on YouTube.
19. Have a personal retreat.
You can also set your own spiritual retreat. It can be a day or two in a serene place where you cannot be disturbed. Devote the time to unwinding from your bustling daily life, being in touch with nature while marveling at God’s creations, and simply enjoying His presence.
20. Count your blessings.
One more effective way to increase your faith in God is by realizing how He has been good to you all this time. Make it a habit to thank God every morning for every blessing that you receive, may it be big or small.
He Longs for You Too
If you wonder whether God also wants to be close to you or not, the answer is HE DOES. He knows everything about you, and the fact that you are still breathing by now means that He does not forget about you at all.
Moreover, that desire in your heart to draw closer to the Lord is also from Him. He has been orchestrating things for this day to come when you will finally hear His call.
Online courses recommended for you：
- Prophetic School And Hearing The Voice of God
This course is for any believer who is hungry for God’s power to flow through them, bless, and minister to people. - 15 Essential Biblical Texts
15 key Biblical texts you can use to bring deeper meaning to your life for anyone interested in creating a more meaningful life through Biblical wisdom. - The Resurrection of the Son of God
Study of the afterlife and the idea of resurrection.
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