How can I grow more as a Christian?

[Chilaha]

Hi all,
I need some help. I have kind of plateaued a bit in my relationship with God. I am doing the things that we as Christians should do, I find myself still not moving forward in my relationship with God.
I'm praying daily at the very least, reading my Bible pretty much everyday, and I get a good amount of fellowship. How can I come closer to God?
I feel that I'm doing good works, but I am not being bold and telling others about my faith. I also want to love Him more. I really have been loving Him as much as I should. My feelings for a girl in school have become so great I feel like I love this girl more than God. I truly want to love God so much, more than anything! But, I don't know what else I can do. I'll do just about anything to become closer to Him and be able to boldly say I am a Christian to anyone and everyone. Please help!
Chilaha

 

[hedrick]

I think you may be mistaking love for God with emotional attachment. Emotions change from time to time. It's quite natural for you to feel at times really strongly about a girl-friend. I don't think that means your love for God is substandard.

The question to ask yourself isn't whether you feel more for one or the other, but what which relationship is more important to your life. If your feelings came into conflict with what you know God wants, what would you do? We both know that most Christians do at times make the wrong choice. God is aware of that, which is why forgiveness was so important in Jesus' teaching. But still, in the long run I'll bet that despite your current romantic situation, God is the real bedrock for you. Am I wrong?

Remember that both the Prophets and Jesus said that the way God expects us to show love for him is to show love for other people. We represent Jesus to each other. Like many other areas of the Christian life, a certain balance is called for. Many people don't give enough thought to God. But it's possible to go to the other extreme: to be so concerned with your relationship with God that you get bogged down in that, and don't do what he wants you to do. You may be in danger of that.

Luther had a somewhat related problem. He couldn't get any confidence that he was really forgiven, because he kept being afraid he hadn't repented enough. He eventually found that justification by faith solved his problem. He could have confidence in God where he couldn't have confidence in himself. Our confidence is in God, and in Christ's death, not in our "relationship" to God.

In a desire to help Christians develop a proper trust and reliance on God, modern Christianity has developed this concept of a personal relationship with God, and pointed out that being a Christian should be good. But not everyone is going to be joyful all the time. That's clear in the Psalms, for example. You can trust God, whether you feel it or not.

That may actually be the next thing you have to learn. It may be that your life is not going to involve ever more intense feelings of God. You may now have to learn how to trust God even when you don't feel him.

 

[cloudstrife007]

It's really great that you're already spending time looking at God's word regularly and praying. And if you're involved in ministry with others and helping them grow in their understanding and relationship with God, that's awesome!

Ways to think about stretching yourself, is to identify areas in your life where you aren't giving it over to God. If you've noticed that you're not really sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ being our Lord and saviour then that may be the area to start pushing yourself more.
In terms of reading the bible, maybe think about reading theology books to complement your understanding?

Your relationship with God always needs to be number 1. Love God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength, then if it is God's will, the right type of girls will be coming your way.


Praying for you brother

 

[CounselorForChrist]

Someone correct me if I am wrong but I was taught we often get caught up in thinking we almost shouldn't love anyone because we love them more then God. But the thing is the love we have for another human is diffrent then the love we have for God. Its ok to love her like you do. However the only time its a abd thing is if lets you you don't go to church because you'd rather talk to her. Or maybe you skip reaing your bible at your normal time because again you want to talk/be with her. Then at that point its more of your priorities are out of order.

Me? My fiance lives in another country. I talk to her for about 6 hours after she gets off of work. I think about her all day. But it doesn't stop me from doing what I normally do. Often while we talk we both do devotionals together online or we talk about what God is doing in our life.

Its impossible to not love someone when you are with them more so if your married because you are with them 24/7. Like I said its all about is she taking over your time that you usually spend with God.

For most this is a hard issue because some literally add up the hours the spend with God and their other half, if the time is more spent on their other half the think they are bad people. Me and my fiance are a christian team you could say. We strengthen each other so that we as a couple may be REALLY strong christians. It ssays somewhere in the bible that two together are strong then one. Its why its good to be with someone if you can.

As for the general question about growing more. If your age is right your only 16. Trust me you will grow alot as you hit your adults years. And evne then you never really stop growing as a christian. Theres a lady at our church whos in her 90s and says shes STILL growing as a christian! Just keep up what your doing and you will grow. Sometimes it may feel like your not going anywhere, but you are as long as keep trying.

 

[tturt]

Chilaha, if you want to have a closer relationship, you can do that by spending more time with Yahweh - It can be hard to get our minds off ourselves and others but deliberately focus on Him say for about 30 min a day- reading and meditating (means focusing) on Scripture such as Psa 145 and play some music that's about Him (like Christmas lyrics that are about Him type) and think about some of His titles, names, and attributes and sing a song to Him to an audience of One. Recommendations based on such Scriptures as I Thess 5:17; Matt 6:6; John 4:24; Psa 16:11; 46:10, 69:30; 71:23; and 100:4.

 

[Pal Handy]

Absolute Surrender by Andrew Murray.
This small booklet is still in print today after being penned
by a chaplain who served in the American civil war.

It is a book that every serious follower of Christ should read because
it brings balance and perspective into our otherwise strivings
and sometimes futile efforts to "serve" the Lord.
This booklet clearly defines the relationship that God
calls ever believer to in Christ.

 

[insurchoftruth]

The longer time you spend next to the fire, the wormer you become. In order to get you whole body warmed up, you need longer time next to the fire. Otherwise, if you spend short time warming, only your skin will get warm.

How much are we addicted to the Word of God?

The Word of God has the ability to make our soul and mind, conformed and in agreement with God, and with our born again spirit, which is a part of our growth as Christians.


1 Corinthians 12:12-31, Luke 8:11-15, Acts 20:32, Romans 8:5-8,29, 12:1, 2, Psalm 1:2, 3, Joshua 1:8, 1 Corinthians 14:4, 26-33, 1 Peter 2:2, Hebrews 5:11-14, 11:6, Matthew 4:4, 5:6, 7:24-27, 10:38,39, 13:11, 2 Corinthians 10:15, Colossians 1:9-12, 3:16, James 1:7-8, 4:8, John 7:37, Matthew 4:4, 22:29, Psalm 86:11, Psalm 63:1, Psalm 119:12,18, 2 Thessalonians 1:3, Psalm 119:97,98,99, Psalm 25:4,5, Psalm 63:1, 1 Peter 2:2, 5:10, Luke 9:62, 2 Peter 1:5-9, 3:18, Colossians 3:1-3, Proverbs 3:5,6, Psalm 1:2,3, Revelation 21:6, 22:17, Psalm 25:4,5