Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 16:38 — 13.7MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Google Podcasts | RSS | More
Do you ever feel like you’d like to be closer to God but it doesn’t seem to be happening? In this episode of the Christian Habits Podcast, we’ll talk about 7 different ways to get closer to God.
I’ll share my own story of the ups and downs in my relationship with God, including some of the things I did that hurt our relationship and some of the things that helped.
Here are the 7 ways to get closer to God that we’ll be talking about in the podcast:
7 Ways to Get Closer to God
We’ll go more into depth in the podcast, I wanted to include some of the resources below that we talked about on the podcast.
- Find something you enjoy doing with Him. Some of the ideas we talk about on the podcast are truth journaling, Scripture meditation, the Examen app, topical Bible studies, and any of these renewing of the mind activities.
- Meet with God each day during the time of day that you’re most alert. If you struggle with discipline in quiet times like I did for twenty years, try journaling through these questions and Bible verses.
- Do a “closeness check” at the beginning of your time together. We’ll talk more about the reasons for not feeling close (sin, idolatry, and not accepting what you need to accept) in the podcast and what you can do about it.
- Believe that He loves you. These Bible verses will help: Insecurity Bible verses, 1 John 1:9.
- Work on letting go of your idols and sin. Here are a couple of posts/blog series that will help: How to Break Free from Idolatry and How to Break a Habit.
- Carve out a weekly (Sabbath) and/or monthly “date time” with Him.
- Be thankful. This post has some verses to help with that!
Find something you enjoy doing with Him. I don’ think I would have thought of this one Barb. Great list to keep us closer to our Savior. I find listening is one of my favorite things, quieting myself down so I can hear Him is the hard part but when I do I am amazed at how much He has to say. I have hid His Word in my heart for years and He reminds me of them in my quiet time. Blessings.
Yes, that’s so great, Betty. Times with God are my best times, no matter if I’m at home or on vacation. Can’t wait til the day when I’ll see Him face to face! But also enjoying life now. :)
I look forward to listening to this podcast cast later.
This summer is keeping me busy with little quiet time ;)
How God had been helping me draw closer to Him is by showing me His goodness in the midst of pain and lose. During trials it can be hard to see how God is good and loving when an end to the struggle seems to never come. But despite the trials, God is good. He is for us. His love never fails.
Yes, yes, yes. I love those affirmations. God is good. He is for us. His love never fails! And I love the way He wants to use trials to draw us closer to Him. Hope you’re enjoying the summer, TC, and having some fun times with your kids. Although I just remembered, it’s probably super hot where you live! I only enjoy those super hot days when I’m in the water. :)
Hi Barb,
I’ve found that I like to journal out the verses I’m reading, noting that I see different things in them as I write them out, plus they stay in my brain longer that way too. :) It’s been powerful for me to pray God’s words back to him too, praying aloud verses in the Bible. or the verses I’ve been reading, etc.
Thanks for your focus on this too. It renews my excitement.
Jennifer Dougan
http://www.jenniferdougan.com
Hi Jennifer, I feel the same way about journaling the Bible verses and studying them that way. I love that as a learning process plus it also helps me focus on those days when I’m feeling scattered. Just checked out your blog and you have such a beautiful family! Isn’t it fun watching our kids go through those different stages in life?
I love god with all my heart
Along side my daily devotions, one day a week I spend around 45 minutes during my commute to pray, worship, and listen to the Bible. It’s my block of time to connect with God. It has helped me to remain connected with Him.
That’s a neat way to spend extra time with God, Dan. I love how intentional you are about using your time well and continuing to grow even though I know you’re busy with your career!
“The idolatry of the approval of man” is such a powerful statement. As someone new to the blogging world myself that is something that hasn’t even crossed my radar before, but WOW, mind blown. Definitely something I’ll have to keep a check on from now on. Very helpful list to guide yourself into a deeper walk with God. I especially liked the ideas of finding things you enjoy doing with him and doing a closeness check pre-quite time. Will definitely try to adapt my own practices to include these things! Thanks for the wonderful post and I look forward to discovering more gems on this site!
Hi Jessica, That’s great that you just started blogging! I just checked out your blog and I love the design plus it looks like you have really interesting topics! I have a blogging series on my blog that I wrote near the beginning of this blog (it’s under the Bible study tab). I feel like it’s gotten easier has time has gone one. Hope you’re enjoying your new endeavor!
I just woke from the most awesome dream the Lord gave me and I started looking at websites and found this one which talks about things I need to learn more about. I feel the Lord guided me. I’ve recently started to change my life so I hope this helps. Thank you and bless you. Kris Luck
So glad it’s helpful, Kris! God bless you, too!