How can I take my relationship with god "to the next level"

[anewman1993]

I hate phrasing it like that, like there are "levels" or something, but I think you guys know what I mean. I find myself wanting to grow closer to god, and in the last year god has growing me immensely, and my character has also changed immensely, I'm all around a better person and my desires line up much more with god, as much as I know how to line them up with gods. But I find myself in the last few weeks feeling like there is something.......more. I desire MORE of god, to be closer, I spend time in prayer and in the word, a good amount. Much of the time my prayers consist of me praying, talking to god, not just asking him for things, and then just sitting in silence waiting him to lay anything on my heart he desires. I mean, I'm not looking for visions or anything like that (but I also don't rule them out, I mean, he IS god after all) but I'll just be still and know that he is god like scripture talks about.

However I find myself becoming very unsatisfied with it, it feels at times almost mechanical. I have no habitual sin in my life I know about, Ive done my best to purge my life of that stuff. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure there is sin in my life but out side of small things, white lie here, moment of pride there, ect., I don't know of any sort of lifestyle of sin that I'm engaged in. So I don't think its that, but I feel like...... I feel like when I talk to god sometimes there is a wall between us and all I get is the quiet mummer. Like thats the only way I know to describe it, Ive had a few instances in my life where god spoke clearly to me, much clearer than I previously though POSSIBLE, but by and large I feel like he is speaking to me and I'm just not getting it. I love god, and would do whatever he ask, but for the life of me I feel like I can't hear him ASK IT.

I don't know what I can do differently, I really don't. I'm currently in college and working on a degree to go into the ministry. So I'm spending my own time in the word plus deep study of it, its not like I'm not TRYING. I just wish I could feel closer to him. In the bible people heard him so clearly they quote him, I want that. I want to be THAT close to god.

 

[ValleyGal]

So I'm spending my own time in the word plus deep study of it, its not like I'm not TRYING. I just wish I could feel closer to him. In the bible people heard him so clearly they quote him, I want that. I want to be THAT close to god.

I have two thoughts. First, it sounds like you want to be THAT close to God right now rather than spending time letting it unfold, growing into that kind of closeness. Yes, in the Bible there were those who were that close to God, but after how long in close relationship with him? I mean, look at those biblical characters... it developed. It did not happen in a short amount of time - well, maybe Saul, but that was the exception. Speaking of which, ALL those biblical characters were the exception. How many faithful men and women were there all through history, who did not hear from God like that?

The second thought I have is this. Let it unfold. Don't live in the future, hoping for that kind of closeness with God. Let it happen, build on it, stay faithful even when you do NOT feel close to God. Perhaps once your faith has stood the test of time, that might be when you finally realize you DO have that kind of closeness....

 

[orangeness365]

If hearing from God means that much to you, then you can pray for it. Pray for Him to answer your questions in your dreams. Just be careful with that. Make sure the answers are biblical, and not contradictory to the word. It's good that you love the Lord and have dedicated your life to him. Maybe pray that the scriptures speak to you on a deeper level?

 

[anewman1993]

I have two thoughts. First, it sounds like you want to be THAT close to God right now rather than spending time letting it unfold, growing into that kind of closeness. Yes, in the Bible there were those who were that close to God, but after how long in close relationship with him? I mean, look at those biblical characters... it developed. It did not happen in a short amount of time - well, maybe Saul, but that was the exception. Speaking of which, ALL those biblical characters were the exception. How many faithful men and women were there all through history, who did not hear from God like that?

The second thought I have is this. Let it unfold. Don't live in the future, hoping for that kind of closeness with God. Let it happen, build on it, stay faithful even when you do NOT feel close to God. Perhaps once your faith has stood the test of time, that might be when you finally realize you DO have that kind of closeness....

Haha well, its not like I want to be like 'BAM, I'M HERE", but the frustration is Ive felt myself growing closer, and a while back I felt god speak to me much more clearly. I was dealing with sin in my life and coming closer to him and he really moved in me and did some stuff, and now it feels like he has backed off a little and i'm like 'NO, COME BACK'. I know god hasn't backed off though, but thats just what it FEELS like.

as for that type of closeness with god, I see nothing in the scripture to dictate that anyone who pursues god can't have that closeness. Ive personally known people who are very closer to god, and had some pretty cool things happen, and its the people you don't expect. The gentle and humble southern baptist preacher who reluctantly told us that his salvation experience was that he SAW jesus, in front of him, when he got saved (most humble and godly man I know btw). Ive seen miricals happen within my own life, my mom told me about a vision she had once while praying with someone, my father has told me about how he waited for the lords answer about a job and the lord gave him some sort of sign (I don't know what, word,vision, or what) that showed him that if he took a higher paying job that moved us his children (me and my brother )would suffer. I myself have heard directly from god, my call to ministry was very clear, a moment of perfect clarity where god simply gave me the knowledge that it was his will for me to pursue ministry (which i then fought with him about for a few months) and then a strong direction on what school to go to. At one point I was sitting in a church thing, really casual coffee thing, and he gave the this huge burden to leave and pray for them, it didn't make any sense, but he layed it on my heart as if it was life and death if I didn't do this, so I did, because he spoke clearly I made my excuses and left, prayed the whole way home, got home, and got on my face praying.

and all that happened while I was STILL living in habitual sin, don't get me wrong I was fighting it, but had not yet eliminated it from my life.

So, I KNOW god can get close, I KNOW he wants to, and I KNOW if I will hear him he will speak to me. I don't say any of that stuff to be like 'ohhh look at me", because you don't even know me, whats the point, I say that to say, I KNOW god still moves like that. Keep in mind, I'm not some wacked out chrismatic either, I'm not sure what denomination I am, but my parents are strongly southern baptist, and Ive gone to baptist churches most of my life. My frustration is my growth seems to just have......stopped. Like, I hit a brick wall and don't know how to get through it to god, and pray and pray and pray that he would show me HIMSELF. cause in the end, thats what I want most, I don't really care about all the stuff, don't get me wrong, spiritual gifts are nice, and seeing cool stuff happen is nice, but I want to be close to god MORE, I want to get closer and closer and I think its very biblical.

 

[Autumnleaf]

Trust God and pray for Him to make you okay with whatever His plan is. Then persevere through the trials and tribulations that come your way by relying on God. The next level is often harder than the last.

 

[BFine]

The Apostle Paul spoke of this, in Philippians chapter 3... he was close to God,
yet yearned to be closer still.

 

[ValleyGal]

Of course seeking to get closer to God is biblical. I'm just saying maybe you are paying more attention to that than you are to just "being" and letting it happen.

I am also not saying God can't speak to you that way. I know that God does speak today, and he can do this in profound ways. I do believe the Bible is kind of like the news, though.... they report things that are more out of the ordinary than things that are in the ordinary. I do not believe most people will hear God the same way Moses did, for example.

So I also have another question about a comment... you said "... I was fighting it, but had not yet eliminated it from my life." That sounds to me like you are trying to fight your habitual sin on your own strength, and working to eliminate it yourself, when true freedom is found in Christ and him crucified. It's not about eliminating sin; it's about the Spirit transforming your heart and mind so that you hate what God hates and love what God loves. Only then can you truly "eliminate" sin...because is it not in your own power so that you can boast that you have eliminated or overcome sin. Christ needs the glory for that.

My frustration is my growth seems to just have......stopped. Like, I hit a brick wall and don't know how to get through it...

Perhaps you have been through a huge time of growth and now need a day of spiritual rest. Perhaps you don't need to get through it to get to God because perhaps he is there on that side of the brick wall... and you are learning to trust that he is there with you in spite of whether you feel him there or not. Perhaps that is where the growth is coming - in faith rather than feeling. But why question it? Why not just keep doing what you know will lead you closer to him, without focusing on striving so hard to get closer when he is already right there. I dunno....just seems to me like it would be less stressful for you to just simply let it happen...

 

[Quasicentennial]

Faith and Fear are complete opposites and somehow they become spiritual partners in constant battle, as in Jesus versus Satan spiritual warfare:. Our sin-corrupted human bodies must remove the old age process if Fear causes doubt, anxiety and depression:.
Christ's Second Coming future victory return will definitely achieve this supernatural fearless transformation, turning Faith into Fact when Jesus Christ's physical appearance and voice is seen and heard crystal clearl for the first time with our new eyes and ears of Christ, besides our genius-intelligent minds and measure-perfect bodies of Christ:.
It is deception from Satan that creates misunderstanding and "truth-hypnotized" truths if you together with other Christians know and learn the difference between unrighteous sin and righteousness,
and the fact Jesus died for our sins so that the abundance of peace and joy become overflowing with the holy spirit to the point where you remain calm at all times:.
Even The Word of God is no ordinary lifeless book where the holy spirit lives and flows from every page you turn, flowing invisibly in your home to fight or drown out evil spiritual warfare that may dwell in material possessions, and even the environment surrounding the house where disastrous weather circumstances such as stormy cyclone winds can turn trees into house-wreckers.;'*';.

 

[Ohdaeng77]

What has God called all Christians to do? If you've read acts... You see the disciples spreading the Word and experiencing God on another level. We are called to go and make disciples in all nations. God isn't for ourselves to hold on to, He wants us to spread His glory and He said Himself He will be with us.

I think if you start spreading His Glory, you will experience Him on a whole notha' level. He will speak through you.

 

[insurchoftruth]

Worship God more than asking him for things;

Song of Songs, Revelation 1:6, 4:8-11, 5:10-14, 7:11,12, 19:1-10,16, 20:6, 22:8,9, Psalm 119:164, 2 Timothy 2:20,21, Psalm 113:2, 3, Psalm 27:6, Psalm 29:1, 2, Isaiah 6:1-4, 42:8,10,12, 43:6,7,21, 66:23, 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20, 10:31, 1 Chronicles 23:5,30, Acts 12:23, Romans 1:21, 12:1, Hebrews 1:6, Psalm 117, Psalm 66:1-4


Growth;

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?

Spiritual treasures are like a diamonds burried underground, and are found from those who seek them, and dig to find them. The deeper the diamond is burried, the more precious it is, and more digging is required.

Our spiritual growth depends on how we interpret the Word of God, and what revelation we have about it.

The Greek text in Matthew 7:7,8 says' “Keep on, or continue asking, seeking and knocking”.



Proverbs 2:3-6, 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, Psalm 16:7, 2 Corinthians 10:15, Colossians 1:9-12, 3:16, James 1:7-8, 4:8

 

[Bobinator]

I think one of the ways God brought me closer to him was after giving me a painful lesson on paying tithes. Doing so set me up to be in a position for him to command blessings on me as he promised in the book of Malachi. This includes receiving things in the form of answered prayers, communion, etc.

Stepping out in faith and just sharing the Word with others, praying for others, etc. will elevate your walk. Don't think you have to have a degree or obtain certifications to minister to people. God never made that a requirement. Neither should anyone think they must serve full time in the ministry to fulfill God's will. Paul the Apostle was a tent maker throughout his ministry.

If you recall, Jesus' ministry didn't start until he was 30 years old. Before that, there's no record of him doing any miracles. However, he did excel in knowledge and wisdom during those previous years. His time simply did not come until it did.

His response to the rich man was to surrender his money so he would have to rely on faith. You're probably in a much different situation, but the rich man's request was similar to yours.

I think if you go further into your life with the right mindset, you'll do fine. Step out in faith and show the world your acts of faith.

 

[roman2819]

I hate phrasing it like that, like there are "levels" or something, but I think you guys know what I mean. I find myself wanting to grow closer to god, and in the last year god has growing me immensely, and my character has also changed immensely.....However I find myself becoming very unsatisfied with it ...
....... .....
I don't know what I can do differently, I really don't. I'm currently in college and working on a degree to go into the ministry. So I'm spending my own time in the word plus deep study of it, its not like I'm not TRYING. I just wish I could feel closer to him. In the bible people heard him so clearly they quote him, I want that. I want to be THAT close to god.

Look like you are searching for something more in God and in yourself, like many of us who want their life to be more purposeful.

On one hand, you may be looking for a specific purpose, or God may have put it in you, and you are searching for it. If so, you may not know what it is now, it will take time to know it and arrive there. It is a journey I must say, which may take couple of months, couple of years or even many years. On the way, you will acquire various knowledge and experience that are relevant for that purpose or goal.

However, I also wonder if you are looking to FEEL CLOSER to God. While I know that many Christians want that, it does not work the way we think so literally. Here is an exerpt from "Understanding Prayer, Faith and God's Will", pg 15,16>

Initially, Christians tend to be enthusiastic about having constant devotional times, prayer and Bible reading. But gradually, we lose interests because we cannot feel God’s presence. Sometimes, He seems to be near, [ but other times he seems to be far (paraphrased)]. .... While on earth, we exist in the flesh, but God is spirit. Although the Holy Spirit lives in those who are redeemed, however, we are not in spiritual bodies yet, and in this state, we should not expect to feel His presence constantly. God does not abide on earth now, even though His church has gained a foothold here. But in eternity, when He dwells with us in the New Heaven and the New Earth, then we will feel His presence continuously. Regarding this, the Scripture says, “ ....Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. ...” [Revelation 21:3]. .... Our walk with God is based on a relationship, not on feelings. As well, we should understand that the Lord wants us to be salt and light of this world, practice Christlikeness and help the needy. It is about spiritual values and deeds, not spiritual feelings...... Our walk with God is based on a relationship, not on feelings. As well, we should understand that the Lord wants us to be salt and light of this world, practice Christlikeness, and help the needy and evangelism. It is about spiritual values and deeds, not spiritual feelings [... and it is a journey, there will be many opportunities to do good for God. And I must add that there will be problems and challenges too ... ... so just walk along steady and easy.]
-- "Understanding Prayer, Faith and God's Will", Second edition (2014)
Understanding Prayer, Faith and God's Will: Compass for Christian Faith: Roman Ri: 9781503110397: Amazon.com: Books

 

[bottledwater]

Read your second paragraph, and then you tell me.
You trivialize the little sins, and pat yourself on the back for not having habitual sins.
Even I, a lost sinner like yourself can see that pride is your greatest obstacle to drawing closer to God.
I mean, God is right there in your face. Yet because you are more focussed on yourself, you completely miss Him.
Brother, it is sin that is coming between you and the Lord.
I am sorry to be the only one to tell you the painful truth.
God will manifest Himself in so many ways, when you humble yourself before Him.
When you get to the point that those little sins are unbareable to live with. Then the Lord will show Himself to you.
If you truly wanna see Him. You first gotta listen to Him. Then follow Him.
God bless and humble you brother.

 

[Gottservant]

I would try some really wild confessions, something you know for certain is ridiculous.

Once you know what it is like to be daring, you will find it a lot easier to work with God for bigger goals.

 

[anewman1993]

Read your second paragraph, and then you tell me.
You trivialize the little sins, and pat yourself on the back for not having habitual sins.
Even I, a lost sinner like yourself can see that pride is your greatest obstacle to drawing closer to God.
I mean, God is right there in your face. Yet because you are more focussed on yourself, you completely miss Him.
Brother, it is sin that is coming between you and the Lord.
I am sorry to be the only one to tell you the painful truth.
God will manifest Himself in so many ways, when you humble yourself before Him.
When you get to the point that those little sins are unbearable to live with. Then the Lord will show Himself to you.
If you truly wanna see Him. You first gotta listen to Him. Then follow Him.
God bless and humble you brother.

Ehhh, I wouldn't call myself prideful, I fully acknowlege I have some problems and I"m not better than anyone. The point of that was to say Ive completly gone after everything I know how to go after, and I AM displeased with the other sins, I hate them, and I do what I can not to do them.

Ok example, the other day I FINALLY made it to church (I have a bunch of health problems that keep me from going most of the time) and was singing in worship, this really good looking girl walked by and I lusted after her, i didn't even realize it until it had happened and the second I realized it I averted my eyes and ask forgiveness. Then when I saw her walk by again out of the corner of my eye, I looked at the floor (discreetly) and when I saw she was past out of the corner of my eye, I looked forward again.

I in NO way trivilize little sins, I feel as guilty over that as anything Ive ever done, if not more since I was in the middle of a worship service when it happened. But I'm still a work in progress. But I can tell you one thing for certain. I DO listen to god, I DO what I know he says to do (in every case I know how, I still mess up, but I try my hardest) and Follow him with everything I have.

 

[Emmy]

Dear anewman1993. In Luke 10: 25-28: Jesus was asked: " Master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus answered: " You know the two Commandments " Love God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. The second is like it: love your neighbour as yourself. DO THIS AND YOU SHALL LIVE.
The Bible tells us: " Repent and be Born Again," give up our selfish wishes and wants, and become loving and caring. Here is what to do:
In Matthew 7: 7-10: we are told: " ask and you shall receive," then thank God and share all Love and Joy with your neighbour: all you know and all you meet, friends and not friends. Keep asking God for Love and Joy, then thank God and share all Love and Joy with all around you. God will see your loving efforts, and God will approve and bless you. A Christian`s weapon is Love,
with love we will overcome all enmity and wrong behaviour. You will also find
that people will treat you as you treat people. The Holy Spirit will help and guide you, and Jesus our Saviour will lead you all the way: JESUS IS THE WAY.
God is Love, and God wants loving sons and daughters. Remember: DO THIS
AND YOU SHALL LIVE: Love God with all your beings, and treat all others as you would love to be treated. I say this with love. Greetings from Emmy, your sister in Christ.

 

[roman2819]

What has God called all Christians to do? If you've read acts... You see the disciples spreading the Word and experiencing God on another level. We are called to go and make disciples in all nations. God isn't for ourselves to hold on to, He wants us to spread His glory and He said Himself He will be with us.

I think if you start spreading His Glory, you will experience Him on a whole notha' level. He will speak through you.

Well said indeed and I totally agree. God isn't for us to hold on to, or we trying to feel spiritually high with him, so to speak. If we step put to evangelize in words and deeds, we will see Him working at another level.