Worship

[MoNiCa4316]

(note: sorry I wasn't really sure where to put this thread...I thought of the 'worship music' forum, but this is more general, it's not just about music...hope this is a good place )

CS Lewis once said "It is in the process of being worshipped that God communicates His presence to men."

I think this is very true....worship is our expression of love and devotion to Jesus. It can be very intimate and personal and sometimes leaves us overwhelmed by His presence. I believe that when we worship in spirit and in truth, the Holy Spirit reveals to us more of God's heart.

So I was thinking..maybe it would be neat to have a place where we just talk about worship. This is not a debate thread, but is meant for encouragement...sometimes when I'm feeling spiritually empty and far from God, I've found that it helps to read about other people's experiences with Him. It helps me remember how real and powerful the Holy Spirit is. Perhaps someone else can relate to this.

Just some things to think about.....

What is your favourite way to worship God?
In what ways does He reveal His presence to you?
Are there any worship experiences that you would like to share?
Do you have any advice or tips for others who want to get closer to God?

Feel free to share as much or as little as you want to...doubtless there will be times of worship that only you and the Lord will ever know about, and they are precious. But if there is anything that you don't mind writing down and you think it would encourage others, please share it with us


God bless.


monica

 

[GodsoldierClintus]

What is your favourite way to worship God?
Singing, Reading His word.
My favourite is prayer...when I really get into it I can do a good amount of time, sitting in silence just speaking to God.

In what ways does He reveal His presence to you?
Everything. Usually the Spirit reveals through my mentor, my pastor, my mates, but usually it's in random meditation when I'm thinking about His word and how that applies to my life is when God reveals most to me.

Are there any worship experiences that you would like to share?
Most powerful ones are in a group, I'm still growing, still at the stage when its easier in a group. At a Salvation Army conference God came into me in the form of a fire, I literally felt my arms being on fire.
This year at the conference He revealed to me something that should have been quite obvious - I'm whole again! I don't have to keep looking for faults. It was nice not to have to end up in tears all the time (not that I didn't cry)

Do you have any advice or tips for others who want to get closer to God?
Seek, Knock, and Ask. Seek God's heart. Knock on His door. Ask and He will give you not want you ask - but what you really needed.

God Bless,

Clint

 

[kisstheson]

Great idea Monica! I'll be back later to comment.

 

[kisstheson]

One of the things that inspires me to worship is I consider how Jesus feels about it. Here is the scripture from which I draw inspiration:

Luke 7:36-47

36Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. 37When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, 38and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

39When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner."
40Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you."
"Tell me, teacher," he said.
41"Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii,[a] and the other fifty. 42Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?"
43Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled."
"You have judged correctly," Jesus said. 44Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."

I suppose a lot of us know this story but what I want to focus on is how Jesus felt about this woman's worship. Imagine Him coming to this dinner given by a rich Pharisee. This Pharisee probably could afford the best of everything. He most likely had servants as well. This was a common practice to have a servant near the door ready to wash the dust from the feet of guests entering the house. If there was no sevant probably the host would perform this courtesy. Also refreshing oil was provided for hair wapped in turbans or other head gear.

Jesus is the invited guest and He notices that even the gestures of common courtesy haven't been given Him. His host is completely rude and don't even kiss Him in greeting, another common practice, much like us when we shake hands. How could the host let Jesus enter without even washing His feet? Why did he totally shun Jesus? Did he shun his other guests as well? I'm inclined to think he didn't. Yet Jesus gets the bad treatment. Did he reason that Christ didn't derserve such kindness? Did he regard Him as Someone who was "unclean" or the Man from the "other side of the tracks" and he didn't want to dirty himself by touching Jesus?

Yet this is what happens to Him even today. Sadly,quite often. Christ comes to us privately or when we are with other believers. Jesus notices how we treat Him. If He didn't He would have never commented on such things. It's so important to remember that Jesus is a Person and not a statue. He has feelings and emotions, doesn't He? Am I guilty of giving Him half hearted worship? Do I ignore Him when He gently asks me to spend a little time with Him? I have to admit that sometimes I do.

I think He was very moved by the woman who went beyond the acts of common courtesy because He says, "She has not stopped kissing My feet since the time I have entered." That's a lot of kisses!

I want to say more about this passage but I don't want my post to be too long. Perhaps others could add their comments and I will continue with my thoughts later.

I appreciate sharing with you!

 

[alatir]

What is your favourite way to worship God?
Praying, singing (horribly)
Are there any worship experiences that you would like to share?

I had just converted and I went to a pentecostal youth event. A worshipping group/band was playing loud and felt a bit uncomfortable to watch all these people to raise up their hands and acting like a bunch of lunatics.
After a while I felt something to force me to get up on my feet from the bench and start to sing. When I lifted up my hand towards the ceiling I felt someone to grasp my hand and I knew it was Him. I can't find words to descripe my feelings in that moment... He is just so Holy. And I want more

Do you have any advice or tips for others who want to get closer to God?
Pray Jesus, tell that you need Him. Give up all sin or at least try to and pray Him to help you.

 

[MoNiCa4316]

Thanks for the replies everyone!

GodsoldierClintus, those are really good points, and thanks for sharing your worship experiences (praise God, btw)! That's so true that God gives us what we need, not necessarily what we want...and the more we grow as Christians the more convincing it is that He does this for the best. He is forever faithful!

Kisstheson, wow that is awesome! Thanks for sharing! I can't add anything to what you have said there. I definitely want to keep that in mind the next time I worship... It's helpful to remember that His feelings are affected by how we treat Him...that's actually almost unbelievable..wow. Because of course, we are so small and He is God.

When we worship in spirit and in truth and really love Him, like this woman, I think that makes Him happy. Isn't that the whole point of worship, we do it for Him, not for ourselves. Yet how many times have I only spent time with Him because I 'have to', or, just to get some 'spiritual experience' out of it. *sigh*

I love that story in Luke 7 because this woman's worship was such a bold expression of her love for Jesus. As you said, she went beyond common courtesy. It was real 'extravagant worship'. Others did not approve, but He gladly accepted it. That's actually so touching!
This whole concept goes even beyond prayer and worship and affects how we live our lives...we can actually live in a way that makes Him happy! That is truly the best reason for living, isn't it, and the best way to live.

Alatir, wow that is such an awesome experience!! Praise God! I want more too, lol! Sometimes when I worship, I just wish that I was closer to Jesus...that I could actually see Him face to face. Or..this is almost too much to hope for, but sometimes I just want Him to hold me. (can't believe I'm writing all this!) I guess some things we'll only get in heaven, and maybe that's actually a good thing because it'll be so special then.

The first time I went to a worship event, I saw people raising their hands and praising God and I felt uncomfortable as well. I just felt very shy and didn't want to express anything I was feeling. But then, I realized that these people were doing this for God, and He definitely deserves the best worship we could give Him. I know that some people are just not expressive naturally (that's alright, we all have different worship styles), but I am. So for me this was a problem. I went to a Hillsong United concert in June, and if you've ever been to or seen their concerts, people there are really passionate for the Lord. Somewhere during the concert we were singing 'None but Jesus', and I was just meaning every word of that song, but the words weren't really enough...so I raised my hands and closed my eyes and *really* started singing. lol. It was awesome, and I just wanted to praise Him with all my heart.

I've found that God leads me to different places in worship..sometimes I am taught humility, sometimes healing, sometimes just love for Him. He truly speaks to us when we worship! Sometimes I feel awe at His glory, and sometimes He is so close and comforting. In reality He is both loving and powerful at once, and I guess when we'll actually see Him it would not seem like a contradiction at all...even here on earth, sometimes I want to really worship and bow down to Him when I feel His love.

Another thing about worship is that the more we do it in spirit and in truth the more we want to actually follow Him...love becomes more than just a feeling.

Oki I'm loving this thread! haha...

God bless!


monica

 

[alatir]

Thanks for the replies everyone!



When we worship in spirit and in truth and really love Him, like this woman, I think that makes Him happy. Isn't that the whole point of worship, we do it for Him, not for ourselves. Yet how many times have I only spent time with Him because I 'have to', or, just to get some 'spiritual experience' out of it. *sigh*

I've been thinking about this too, but I just want to be in His presence. I can't forget Him. He created me to be in his presence and have thrist for spiritual things. He created me to worship Him.

Another thing about worship is that the more we do it in spirit and in truth the more we want to actually follow Him...love becomes more than just a feeling.

Amen! You just want to do what's right and please God. Not in the way that you have to do it but you just want to because God is good. Plah... this is too hard explain.

 

[MoNiCa4316]

I've been thinking about this too, but I just want to be in His presence. I can't forget Him. He created me to be in his presence and have thrist for spiritual things. He created me to worship Him.

I just realized that once upon a time (not so long ago), I didn't like the idea that we were created for Him. I thought that made God seem very egotistical. But now, it seems like the truth, and I think it's an awesome idea! wow He really changed my mind about this!
I really want to be in His presence too. I think we all look for the joy that He can give, but many people look in all the wrong places. Really there is nothing that compares. I don't think I've ever felt more joy than when I am with Him...can't imagine heaven, lol!

I was thinking about worshipping in 'spirit and in truth'...what does this mean? The way I interpret it, we worship in 'spirit' when it's sincere and comes from the deepest part of us...when we're not just going through the motions, but when it literally comes from our spirit. And 'in truth' means that it's in accordance with the rest of our lives..that we aren't hypocritical. Worship ceases to be in 'spirit and in truth' when we are faking it. But does it go in the other direction to? Does it come to a point when it's only emotion? I mean...there have been times when I really felt His presence during worship, and when I have experienced humility, awe, repentance, peace, joy, etc. But there are other times when I just feel totally in love with Him and want to praise His name. This is still sincere for me! But some people have told me that this isn't really worship and that God is only meant to be approached with lots of reverence...I do have reverence, but sometimes it's more intimate and emotional. Is that alright? I'm asking because some Christians I know have criticized this. But I disagree with them, because I'm convinced that Jesus does want us to draw near to Him. Isn't this type of worship also from the Holy Spirit? Sometimes when I worship I just get really emotional, and I don't want to go overboard with that but even then I'm still usually focused on God and not on myself. Once I start focusing on myself it all seems empty.

Amen! You just want to do what's right and please God. Not in the way that you have to do it but you just want to because God is good. Plah... this is too hard explain.

Don't worry it makes sense

 

[alatir]

I just realized that once upon a time (not so long ago), I didn't like the idea that we were created for Him. I thought that made God seem very egotistical. But now, it seems like the truth, and I think it's an awesome idea! wow He really changed my mind about this!
I really want to be in His presence too. I think we all look for the joy that He can give, but many people look in all the wrong places. Really there is nothing that compares. I don't think I've ever felt more joy than when I am with Him...can't imagine heaven, lol!

Indeed, there's nothing that compares. It's pure love. I've felt my heart nearly burst of it. That kind of enlightened me that love truly is mightier than death and Jesus overcome death! I don't know, words just can't explain and it bugs me.

I was thinking about worshipping in 'spirit and in truth'...what does this mean? The way I interpret it, we worship in 'spirit' when it's sincere and comes from the deepest part of us...when we're not just going through the motions, but when it literally comes from our spirit. And 'in truth' means that it's in accordance with the rest of our lives..that we aren't hypocritical. Worship ceases to be in 'spirit and in truth' when we are faking it. But does it go in the other direction to? Does it come to a point when it's only emotion? I mean...there have been times when I really felt His presence during worship, and when I have experienced humility, awe, repentance, peace, joy, etc. But there are other times when I just feel totally in love with Him and want to praise His name. This is still sincere for me! But some people have told me that this isn't really worship and that God is only meant to be approached with lots of reverence...I do have reverence, but sometimes it's more intimate and emotional. Is that alright? I'm asking because some Christians I know have criticized this. But I don't know I'm convinced that Jesus does want us to draw near to Him. Is this type of worship also from the Holy Spirit? Sometimes when I worship I just get really emotional, and I don't want to go overboard with that but even then I'm still usually focused on God and not on myself. Once I start focusing on myself it all seems empty.

My view is that when you go to worship God it's already truthful because your spirit needs it. I know mine does and I want to hear about God and see His people. Heh, all these things go in hand in hand. And how could you revere God more than loving Him with all your heart, soul and body... it's in the Book too.

34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"
37 Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment.
39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

Matthew 22 34 - 40

 

[MoNiCa4316]

Indeed, there's nothing that compares. It's pure love. I've felt my heart nearly burst of it. That kind of enlightened me that love truly is mightier than death and Jesus overcome death! I don't know, words just can't explain and it bugs me.

I think you pretty much explained it right there, lol His love is stronger than death, and it never fails. Amen.

My view is that when you go to worship God it's already truthful because your spirit needs it. I know mine does and I want to hear about God and see His people. Heh, all these things go in hand in hand. And how could you revere God more than loving Him with all your heart, soul and body... it's in the Book too.

34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"
37 Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment.
39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

Matthew 22 34 - 40

Yes, I agree
Of course, love is so much more than a feeling, it's a choice and an action as well...if we love God we would do His will, as Jesus said. Otherwise, it's just an empty emotion...in reality, it's supposed to change us! Also, I've learned (the hard way) that even if we feel very far from God, He is still there...we shouldn't just go by our feelings, but by faith. But I think they are a part of worship nonetheless...it's just a natural response to His love! I agree that we can't truly revere God if we don't love Him, I mean I guess we can but it just doesn't seem right somehow..it's like a faith based entirely on fear. During my best times of worship, I feel a combination of indescribable love, joy, and a sense that He is holy and deserves all the glory there is. By the way, today is awesome, I was feeling so close to Him all morning and I'm finding it hard to study...not that I'm complaining

 

[alatir]

Well I have a new worshipping experience to share. I just sang in tongues by myself (Listening to Hillsong, lol) clearly inspired by this thread and Jesus Christ. Oh be exalted Lord!

 

[JPPT1974]

I pray the same prayer
As well as make sure that
Prayer keeps me grounded and
Nearer to the Lord!

 

[MoNiCa4316]

Well I have a new worshipping experience to share. I just sang in tongues by myself (Listening to Hillsong, lol) clearly inspired by this thread and Jesus Christ. Oh be exalted Lord!

Praise God! that's awesome. I'm not quite sure how do you sing in tongues? Do you just listen to music and sing along with the melody, or do you make up your own? I've never done this before; maybe one day, lol.
Anyway,

 

[MoNiCa4316]

I pray the same prayer
As well as make sure that
Prayer keeps me grounded and
Nearer to the Lord!

Indeed, prayer keeps us near to Him....I've realized that when I don't pray much, His 'small voice' becomes quieter, but when I do I grow in my faith.
God bless

 

[jive4005]

There is something special about a bunch of spirit-filled Christians getting together and letting it all hang out for God. If you've never experience this, you're missing an enormous blessing!
God didn't make corporate worship powerful by accident. It is an intended thing. I know this from repeated experiences.
It's like a special faith math... one plus one plus another plus another equals 100!?

When people overlap faith with good and loving motives, miracles happen. They have to! That's God's power just oozing from us.
He lives inside us and often our mortal shells cannot contain Him.

Don't wanna ramble... just agreeing with the need and benefits of worship. So many churches miss this part... and then wonder why nothing else works!

His,
Rev J

 

[MoNiCa4316]

I definitely agree with what you're saying here of course God also speaks to us when we worship privately at home, but when believers are gathered together, the Holy Spirit often moves in very powerful ways.

Last Saturday, I went to something called Heaven's Rehearsal. http://www.heavensrehearsal.com/en/ It was an awesome worship event. What I loved about it is that His children were gathered in unity...all nations, all generations, and denominations. When Christians worship together without divisions, the Holy Spirit is definitely there. There were 15 thousand people there (yes that's a lot! lol) and it was so awesome to see them all raise their hands and just praise our King. It just made me realize how we're all part of one Body and one 'family'. The worship was great too, lol I even started crying during one of the songs. The only problem was that I was pretty tired and stressed out that day, and if I hadn't been, it would have been even better...but I was still able to forget my troubles and focus on God. In addition to the worship, there were people reading parts of Revelation (I loved how everyone clapped and cheered as the Scriptures were being read ), and there were dancers as well. My favourite dance was by a guy and a girl who I guess symbolized Christ and the Bride, it was beautiful. Also, there were representatives from many different nations, all dressed in white and waving palm branches, like in the Bible. The event lasted from 7 to 10 pm but I was actually feeling more rested by the end than I was in the beginning.

Just wanted to share

God bless.

 

[MoNiCa4316]

There is a song I really love called 'the heart of worship'. It was written by Matt Redman. Probably some of you know it...here it is:

When the music fades and all is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring something that's of worth
That will bless Your heart

I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart

I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You
All about You, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the things I've made it
When it's all about You
All about You, Jesus

King of endless worth, no one could express
How much You deserve
Though I'm weak and poor, all I have is Yours
Every single breath

Yes it is all about Him I love singing these words, because this song is like a prayer that expresses the longing we have to truly worship Him. I especially love the line "though I'm weak and poor, all I have is Yours"...to me, this song is about the deepest part of worship, which is just us giving our hearts entirely to Jesus and having no other gods.

 

[kisstheson]

Hi Monica!

I wanted to thank you for your comments on my OP about the woman anointing Jesus and I also wanted to add some more thoughts about the anointing story. But first I have to say the worship event that you attended sounds like an awesome experience. This is something I would have loved to been at as well. I love when all denominations gather together to worship Him. Sound like everyone was practicing for Heaven!

Now here are a few more of my thoughts.

37When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, 38and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them."

I wanted to dwell specifically on this act of wiping Jesus' feet with her hair. This truly was a costly deed on this woman's part. She risked a lot by doing it. A woman's hair is considered her glory and to unveil her hair in the presence of orthodox Jewish mem would have been looked upon as highly scandalous. Also the feet of Jesus hasn't been previously washed. This further shows her devotion that she didn't mind getting her hair dirty.

Hair in the scriptures speaks of devotion. Samson for exsample had taken a vow that he would never cut his hair. When Delila took a razor to his hair he lost his strength. Before that his hair was very long.

This relates to the anointing story because the woman who dried Jesus' feet probably had long tresses, a perfect symbol of her love and devotion to the Master. So the question is, what does our spiritual hair look like? What about our own worship and devotion to Jesus? Do we spend time wiping His feet with our hair? We may not do this physically but our worship is the same as this loving act recorded in the gospel of Luke.

It's important to remember that Jesus Himself commented on the fact that she had dried His feet with her hair. Our worship means something to Jesus! How precious our the moments we spend with Him giving our full attention to Him, just as this woman didn't care about who was watching her or the criticism from others she had incurred. She thought only of Christ.

I would like to have hair that is long, thick and shining with the fragrance of the Holy Spirit exsuding from my tresses. I would love to cover Christ's feet with this devotion.

The Song of Solomon says, "The King is held captive by your tresses."

More for Jesus!

Next I'd like to share about kissing His feet.

 

[kisstheson]

There is a song I really love called 'the heart of worship'. It was written by Matt Redman. Probably some of you know it...here it is:

When the music fades and all is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring something that's of worth
That will bless Your heart

I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart

I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You
All about You, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the things I've made it
When it's all about You
All about You, Jesus

King of endless worth, no one could express
How much You deserve
Though I'm weak and poor, all I have is Yours
Every single breath

Yes it is all about Him I love singing these words, because this song is like a prayer that expresses the longing we have to truly worship Him. I especially love the line "though I'm weak and poor, all I have is Yours"...to me, this song is about the deepest part of worship, which is just us giving our hearts entirely to Jesus and having no other gods.

I love this song too!

 

[MoNiCa4316]

Now I'm going to answer my own questions, for fun

What is your favourite way to worship God?

I love worshipping with other believers, but my best times of worship have been private, in that 'secret place' with Jesus. I usually just devote a part of my day to 'quiet time' when I read the Bible, pray, listen/sing to music, etc. However, recently I usually do this at night when everyone's asleep, because during the day I'm distracted by people knocking on my door, friends calling, etc. What I've been doing lately is just turning on my iPod (usually to hillsongs or Matt Redman, etc) and praising Him with songs, followed by prayer (I read the Bible during the day, and pray/worship in the dark )..sometimes I write poems and things in my journal. (I have lots of journals, it's interesting to read them later on). The only bad thing about all this is that I'm usually pretty tired in the morning. haha... I've also spoken in tongues several times (even though I'm not Pentecostal), but this hasn't happened recently...still, it had a good result on me and helped me in my faith. (I know not everyone is charismatic here, but it's just a part of my experience so I'm sharing it).

(I'd just like to add that I agree with those people who define worship as the way we live our life, not just singing, etc. But in this thread, when I say 'worship' I'm referring to just spending time in God's presence and expressing devotion to Him by music, words, etc. Actually I find that the more time I spend with Him the more the Spirit empowers me to worship with my actions as well).

In what ways does He reveal His presence to you?

Sometimes when I worship Jesus alone in my room (as described above ) I can feel His presence. I can't really describe it...sorry, lol...it's pretty hard to find the right words. But it's a very deep certainty that He's here with me and that He's listening to me. It's incredible...at those times I also feel so loved, and peaceful and happy. During these experiences He usually communicates something to me..like how I should act in a situation or what I still need to give up to Him. God has answered many of my prayers and healed me while I worshipped Him.

Sometimes (especially after Communion) I feel the Holy Spirit all around me and inside me, and it's like those are the times when I'm most alive..I feel Him living in me. (as He does in every believer). Those days are so awesome, because I am more open to Him..if I'm talking to someone, I would be given just the right words to say, and I just feel His love in me and want to give it to others. If only I always felt like that! But I guess He wants me to obey Him even when I don't feel like it; that's what helps our faith grow.

Then, there are more intense emotional experiences where I am just lost in His love and longing for more of Him...sometimes this happens when I worship with others, like in church, but not always. Sometimes, He also teaches me humility and 'difficult lessons', which are often hard to accept but I know He's trustworthy. Usually this happens after I mess up and ask for forgiveness.

Are there any worship experiences that you would like to share?
I think I just did

Do you have any advice or tips for others who want to get closer to God?

I've found that faith is really important..when I start to doubt nothing improves. Also, taking the time to spend with Him...life can get pretty busy sometimes, but the more we pray and worship the better we know Him. It's like that song "the more I seek You, the more I find You..the more I find You, the more I love You".
And I would also suggest actually seeking God for who He is, not just for the things that we get from Him...when I became a Christian it was hard for me to feel thankful or to praise Jesus...I didn't really know Him well. But I wanted to, and prayed that He would give me a passion for Him, and that nothing else in my life would compare. Slowly, I began noticing a change in my worship, and I began to feel differently about God...He became more personal, not just a theory. If you want to know Him better, tell Him this in prayer, and believe that it would be answered. He wants you to draw near to Him.
Finally (and importantly), really try to obey Him. We all fail once in a while, and He's willing to take us back, thankfully..! But really, I've found the more I obey God the more I grow, and the more I know Him.

That's just from my own experience...but of course in regards to spiritual things and God, I have mostly everything yet to learn. I appreciate all the things you guys wrote here, because they are helping me and giving me more knowledge. It's so good to talk to other Christians about God