New in my faith, how can I get closer to God, Jesus? Please read...?

Question

I'm relatively new in my faith, 8 months now. I pray morning and night and sometimes in between. I read my Bible religiously. The Lord is really doing a work in me and am witness to His grace everyday. I'm obedient and see/receive God's blessings. My prayers have been answered and continue to be answered. I am involved in my church going 3 nights a week.

But,...I'm still DESPERATE FOR THE LORD. I thirst for more. I have heard of fasting. Any other suggestions of how I can get 'closer to the Lord'?

Answer 1

Prayer and fasting is wonderful as is reading.  I don't know what your beliefs are, but I read religious materials from many denominations - Catholic, LDS (Mormon), 7th Day Adventist, Evangelical Christian.  I know exactly what you mean when you say you "thirst for more."  Try reading other Christian materials - in addition to your Bible of course.  And maybe watching good religious movies or listening to Christian radio.  Go to a Christian bookstore and browse away!  Congratulations on your new faith.  It sounds like you are off to a wonderful start. The Lord will richly bless you for your faithfulness.

Answer 2

What Bible are you reading? I have read the New American bible (Catholic) and parts of the King James Version. I still no convinced.

Deist

Answer 3

Blessed are they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled. You are going the right direction. Nothing draws us closer to God like studying His Word and spending time communing with Him. Draw near unto the Lord and He shall draw near unto thee. Don't change a thing. More of the same is recommended. Faith is like a muscle. It must be excercised. Put your faith into action. Trust in God's promises with your entire being. Do not be swayed or dismayed by the temptations and attacks of Satan. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Answer 4

I suggest going to Christian music concerts, especially if you love music like me. I find that's a really great place to get closer to God. Also, if your church plans outings/retreats, those can be very helpful!

Answer 5

http://www.livingwaters.com

This website is GREAT

Answer 6

That's quite sad...

Answer 7

Be the "hands and feet of Jesus." Do charity work in His name, any work where you can see the people directly.

Answer 8

Does your Church have a ladies group? This would be a good way for you to get to know other Christian ladies, you can have people to talk about your problems and concerns in a Christian manner, and you can find mentors and role-models to look up to!

I would also recommend going on a weekend retreat at least once a year, as I have been doing that since I was a child, and they help me to re-center and re-commit myself to my faith and God.

Keep reading, praying and learning! Here is a site that has LOTS of good stuff, and they will mail you daily devotionals and Bible studies for free - and they are really great.

http://www.rbc.org/index.aspx

Peace and Love to you!

Answer 9

God bless you sweetie,

just keep doing what you are doing and ask the Lord to help you hold on to that fire.

stay in his word ,that is what will help you to grow in your walk with the Lord.

Answer 10

Psychedelic drugs.

Answer 11

You arew doing well. The sign of your growth is your desire for Him. Just read and pray. Try taking a Bible class online or something. I can recomend some schools if you like.

Answer 12

Getting closer to God is a daily progress.  I pray you never lose your hunger.  We are to strive for closeness.  He longs to pull us close to Him, like a dad and child.  He wants us to run to Him w/ every thing and "climb up in His lap" and tell Him how our day has gone.  To read His word and fellowship with us.  He wants us to be best friends w/ Him just as much as He wants us to serve Him.  Never lose your searching hunger for Him.  He will honor His word and draw ever closer.  Remember to seek His face not just His hand.

May God bless you above and beyond.

Answer 13

Read your Bible.  As you read, your mind will come in line with God's.

Answer 14

Why doubt????

He is always with you.

Home work: Look up the Hebrew meaning of Fasting. Its not what you think.

Isaiah 58:5   Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? [is it] to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes [under him]? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?

Isaiah 58:6   [Is] not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?

Answer 15

Second to Stefan

Yeah, go ahead and stop eating.

The malnutrition is hallucinogenic..you might even see the Lord

Answer 16

The next step is to start reaching out to others.

Look for ways to bless other people and to be a help to those in need.

The more you develop your relationship with the people around you, the more clearly you will see God in your everyday life.

Listen top people, learn what they have to teach you. Ask Jesus to let you see people with His eyes and love them with His heart.

The result will amaze you.

Also, I'm a big believer in journals. If you have time write down a little fo what you did that day, and how you see God working in your life from day to day, and in a years tiem, you won't believe the incredible things you have seen but would have forgotten if you had not writtne them down.

God bless.  

Answer 17

just be a good person. That is all. Anything extra is just extra.

Answer 18

no matter what you do-you will always want to become more close to god.  That is what makes you a genuine Christian.  

Answer 19

Well Jesus said when we get to come under his wings and care we will thirst nor hunger anymore. But seeing that you are still hungry and thirsty tells me that you are not in the right place. If you really want to Draw closer to God- and its your choice- you could seek out any Jehovah's witnesses and ask for the Draw Close to God book. It's of no charge to you. Trust me forget about what people say about them. But watch the people who talk about them. What are their lives like?

Answer 20

Just keep doing what you're doing.  You might also try centering meditation--just sit quietly for a few minutes every day,eyes closed, try to empty your mind (though I must admit that it's hard to do THAT), and listen for God.   As you breathe in and out, you can mentally repeat the Jesus Prayer:  "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us."  Or simply, "Come, Lord Jesus."  

Finally, bear in mind that, even if you never have a mystical, Road to Damascus experience, you're headed in the right direction!

Post finally, pray for all the wise guys who will post flippant answers to your question.  ; )

Answer 21

Remember, being a Christian is a life long endeavor. So don't burn yourself out over night. It is beautiful you have found your faith. However, take it slow and take the time to really know Christ and what a true Christian entails. There is no rush. God loves you and is waiting. One issue you didn't mention which is something you might want to pursue is volunteering. This can be spiritually and physically rewarding.

Having said all this, always remember God is looking for true believers. Although different task (works) are good, they don't give you a pass to heaven.

Answer 22

Relax, and keep on doing what you are doing-He loves you and will keep doing His transforming work in your heart and mind.. Prayer is an ongoing relationship and contact with God.  Fasting is a commitment that is to be done in secret between you and the Lord as you pray.  There are many good books on the purpose of  fasting. The concordance in your Bible will have many examples of how and why fasting was practised. Jesus Himself fasted in the desert during a time of testing-Matthew 4 1-11. The scriptures will help you to know more of His plan for mankind from the beginning. One of my favourite verses is; "And this is life eternal; that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent"

John 17:3  Our relationship with God is to last forever. Like any other relationship, it takes time.  All the best to you!

Answer 23

Just by doing what you are doing he will reveal more to you as you mature in the Spirit...God Bless!

Answer 24

The Divine is in all things, and all things are in the Divine.  If you wish to become closer to God, involve yourself in your community.  Give to charities.  Volunteer at a soup kitchen.  Remember that story about "the least of my people."  That's the sort of thing Jesus said he wants to see--people selflessly devoting their time to help others.

Answer 25

Like any relationship we grow by spending time with God and the relationship grows over rime. Spend time in his word, in meditation and prayer.

Answer 26

Look there is nothing better to do then to help others!

God or jesus don't want you reading the bible 10 times a day.

He wants you to be happy because he's with you,

and practice what the bible says which it is to sum up LOVE!

love your family, but love others not from your family.

Care for others, give the word when need it,pray for others more then you pray for you! Look I like the temple , I love the temple.

but I don't go the temple too often.  Why? my body is my temple and I respect it not doing drugs,tattooing it, etc.Respecting my body because g*d lives in me therefore my temple is my body! and the church is the "body" of people who attend or belong to a particular local church in other words people are the church not 4 walls

make something beautiful for someone, help poor people kids dying of leukemia, etc. But don't waste your time on the mass everything,you'll read on the bibble,hear on the mass, can be sum up in 4 letters

love others more then you love yourself can you do that?

G*d be with you & the holy spirit Amen!