What Keeps You Close To God?

[toastface_grillah]

Basically, what the title says - what keeps you close to God; what keeps you walking closely with Christ, what keeps Him near and dear to you?
And for those who previously drifted or turned away from Jesus and then returned - how did you come back?

 

[mina]

His word and remembering how much i have been forgiven. That humbles me greatly and it helps me remember my love for Him. There have been many times i've struggled with my faith and with really knowing that God loves me. I think it's Beth Moore, that says anytime you feel that way- to go back to the cross; start back at the cross. When I am aware that i'm getting too cynical, too minaish- then i need to move closer and take responsibility in doing that- remembering my first love. I have to invest time in knowing Him , remembering what He has done and how He has changed me. What He has done for me is very personal; I don't feel like one of the many nameless sheep- He meets me there again and again. I hope that made sense. I don't feel like I explained it very well.

 

[sister4mercy]

Prayer. Having down time with God every night before I sleep..in the morning...reading about Jesus in the new testament. Lots of prayer. I talk alot to God...I wasted most of my life ignoring him...I'm tryin to catch up..I have endless wisdom to attain from Father. I've only been walking with the Lord for about 2 yrs now. I'm totally obsessed with God..He is amazing.

 

[* kittie *]

The realization that when I am far from him, I'm miserable, depressed, and terribly anxious.

That's also when I came back, after drifting away for like...6 years or so.

At least it started with that.

 

[bradmatic]

realizing that after thinking i knew what was right in my life, He is still there.. every second of every day.. constant prayer throughout my day. remembering that everything i do, i do to honor Him!

/edit/
this just came in my e-mail.. i subscribe to lazaroo:

Pray the words of this Lazaroo aloud, in the humility of all-out confession:

“After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD.”
(Jonah 1:3)​

There’s always a fare to pay when I run away from You, Jesus.
And it’s money badly spent.
Straight down the drain.
But it’s not always money, is it? In fact, money is the least of it.
I waste so much more when I try to flee from You:
Time.
Focus.
Energy.
Opportunity.
Relationships.
Gone.
Sometimes worse than gone.
Lost.
Missed.
Spoiled.
Ruined.
Squandered.
But no matter
why I run
when I run
where I run
how far I run
how fast I run
When I stop to catch my breath, there You Are.
Waiting for me.
Waiting for me to come to my senses. Waiting for me to
Beg Your forgiveness
Drop to my knees
Fall on my face
Weep
and
head back home to You.

 

[Yankees7]

Prayer, the Sacraments, charity, love for others.

 

[tori2]

listening to christian music

 

[Sketcher]

His grip on me. I'm not saying that to sound spiritual, either. I'm pretty far from where "on fire" Christians are when they say that.

 

[Wren]

I pray throughout the day, read my Bible, censor my entertainment (although I don't usually listen to Christian music, I don't listen to music that's all about sex or violence or has a ton of swearing either), watch sermons online 'til I find a home church and go to church (including Sunday School) when I have one to go to. I think that forums like CF can keep me close to God too. It's not the same as a church community, but it does provide an outlet for praying for each other, offering biblical advice, and accountability.

I had drifted from God during my teens to my mid-twenties. I had seen the kind of life my cousin lived (she was my same age, but unlike me, was very popular and seemed to have a lot of fun--she was a little wild) and wanted a life like her's. I lived a little like she did and was miserable. I knew in my heart that life was not how God wanted me to be living. I was very unhappy and prayed for God to make my life better. One way he answered yes to that, was by having me want to be living as a Christian again.

 

[Oddish]

God's loyalty and willingness to accept me back.
Reading the Bible
Meeting other christians.
Talking to my Dad about God.
Praying.

 

[Blank123]

getting into His Word, praying, worshipping... its when i lapse on one or all of those things that i begin to drift.

 

[Stravinsk]

Keeps me close:
Most of all - obedience
Prayer
Reading the Word
Worship
Excercise of genuine good will and charity
Keeping Sabbath for Him

Keeps me away:

Disobedience
Lack of prayer
Lack of reading the word
Lack of worship
Anything that hinders good will and charity
Any known and unreprented sin
Profaning, polluting(making ordinary) Holy Sabbath.

 

[HoosierCanuck]

God's forgiveness for me being a buttmunch over and over again
periods of silence, i.e., no music, tv or other distractions
prayer
praying for others
listening to others when they have problems and being thankful for my own blessings
caring for others...wanting to help them
spending time outside and realizing all of the beautiful things God has created for us to enjoy
being at my church with my friends who love me unconditionally
reading my Bible (but sadly I'm very inconsistent about this and really need to get better at it!)

 

[Thunder Peel]

If I'm close to God it's only because of Him keeping my close and constantly drawing me to Him. I can't claim any of it as my own doing and if He ever lets go I'll be sunk.

 

[JonMiller]

Pray, read my Bible, sing half-remembered songs, go to church, read another inspirational book (rarely, CS Lewis was good though), walk in the forest/etc telling God my problems/thoughts/etc, watch sermon online (rare).

I would like to say CF or Christian friends, but to be honest it hasn't and I don't have any Christian friends that I am close to in that way. It is a weak point for me, I think.

JM

 

[deepgreen11]

I write quite a bit and I write down some of my prayers. I try to worship God with my writing too so I do that a lot. I used to be really bad at Bible reading and study but I'm improving. It helps to be vigilant with God. I also cry out to God in prayer. When I am upset, I try talking to God about it as well as others because I do believe He is here with me and wants to help me. It's better than being utterly alone. The other people in my life are really helpful too. They help me stay focused. I also worship God by singing to Him. I am really thankful to Him for many things. It helps to write this today.

 

[JonMiller]

Yeah, I think that if I seek God, then He does the part of keeping me close to Him.

If I start to drift away now, I feel bad.

JM

 

[HoosierCanuck]

I agree with Jon and TP. God has His ways of drawing me close depending on the situation and why/how I'm drifting away. He is showing me soooo many things that were wrong with me since I lost my fulltime job and have more time now. I'm thankful. He's got His reasons for everything.

 

[trentlogain2]

When I think about it, nothing keeps me close to God except God Himself.

 

[HoosierCanuck]

Romans 8:28