How can we get closer to God?

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Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
20,080
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#21
Learning to walk in the Spirit will find you doing all of the things listed above.
 

Bruce_Leiter

Active member
Feb 17, 2023
427
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#23
1) Pray
2) read the bible
3) fast

What else can be done, barring turning into a schema monk and giving up everything.
When we can, attend a Bible-preaching church regularly. Join a Bible-discussion small group. These are other tried and true ways. Individualism separates us, but God brings Christians together.
 

Ballaurena

Well-known member
May 27, 2024
418
282
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#24
1) Pray
2) read the bible
3) fast

What else can be done, barring turning into a schema monk and giving up everything.
1) Talk to God about everything. Tell him your joys and sorrows. Tell him jokes. When my dad was young he commented to God that he thought his co-worker had the car he would most like to drive out of all the cars on earth. The next day the co-worker offered it to him and for a price he could afford.

2) Really take a moment to listen when you ask God a question. No, he doesn't always answer this way but often words or concepts will suddenly come to mind from somewhere other than you.

3) Whatever you are doing, invite God in.

In college there was a student speaker who spoke of the day he had a snowball fight with God. He declared that he could get God easily because God is everywhere, so he threw a snowball at a sign and said "Got you!" Suddenly a tree he was standing under shook and dumped its snow all over the guy. I guess that "God is everywhere' thing goes both ways.

Once my family invited Jesus along to the beach. Meanwhile, my mom had brought along a floaty we didn't want any more. It turned out it was just what a mother with some young children really needed that day.

I've even dealt God in, in a hand of Apples-to-Apples. You just have someone ask Him which one to put in then draw one without looking. For the chooser, whichever one is unclaimed by others is God's.

Really though, it isn't just silly. Activities are often more meaningful and blessed when you invite God in. In fact, just yesterday, my roommate and I invited God along on our day trip to the next town. Before we even got to our destination God had lead us to pray something life-changing for a virtual stranger and revealed some of the behind-the-scenes stuff HE has been doing on my behalf for the coming season. We then had a couldn't-have-planned-it-that-well good day, such as having a street market open up next to our restaurant, perfect weather, and discovering an awesome view spot on a floating dock to sit and chat that didn't even require my elderly roommate to climb the dreaded stairs in the vicinity.
 

Ballaurena

Well-known member
May 27, 2024
418
282
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#25
church? (i don't go)
God doesn't tell us to "go to church" but He does tell us not to forsake meeting together. This can be casual meeting up with friends that also follow Christ, but it is still important not to neglect.
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
14,661
5,908
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#26
1) Pray
2) read the bible
3) fast

What else can be done, barring turning into a schema monk and giving up everything.
Become disciples and Apply what we learn from the gospel to our lives

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
‭‭John‬ ‭8:31-32‬ ‭KJV‬‬

By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭5:2-3‬ ‭

Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5:1-2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.”
‭‭John‬ ‭14:6-7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

To follow the lord as his disciples is to become close with him
 
Apr 29, 2012
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#27
To the woman at the well Jesus said (paraphrased) The Father seeks those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth." The Father is already seeking you. Please pray and allow the Holy Spirit to search your heart for things that need to be confessed / cleansed and then proceed to go closer to Him. Also be sure that what you say in praise and worship is true - that you believe what you you are saying. Anything otherwise is just lop service = a not good thing.
 

PaulThomson

Well-known member
Oct 29, 2023
3,505
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#28
I like the list so far. I would add obedience to the list. God doesn't hang around with sin.
Is that why Jesus, the exact representation of the Father,. hung out with tax-collectors, prostitutes and sinners?
 

Karlon

Well-known member
Mar 8, 2023
2,701
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#29
we get more of God bye Him getting more of us 1st! obedience is the answer
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
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#30
By praying and reading His Written Word....

(over and over, and, over........)