Your relationship with God is more important than you think.
Imagine what would happen if you didn’t eat or drink all day? My guess: you’d be hungry, tired, and snappy.
And if you did that every day…after 3 days, you’d have a big problem!
Let’s take that and apply it to your spiritual life when you only talk to God on Sunday…
That’s six full days without eating spiritually!
If this becomes a habit, your relationship with God will feel empty, confusing, and boring.
And knowing Jesus is anything but that.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus explains how we can maintain a vibrant relationship with Him:
“4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.” (John 15: 4-9 ESV)
Abiding means to remain, to stay, to dwell, to accept, or act in accordance with something or someone.
When we abide with Jesus by following His teachings, our relationship grows and matures over time, leading to a fruitful spiritual life.
Here are five practical ways to abide and grow closer to God.
1. Bible Study
Why?
It’s the foundation for a successful Christian walk.
The Bible teaches:
- God’s character (Exodus 34:6)
- God’s moral standards (Exodus 20)
- God’s plan to redeem the world from sin, suffering, and death through Jesus (John 3:16)
- God’s guidelines for life (financial, relational, lifestyle, religious, mental health, etc.)
Studying Scripture helps to renew your mind and realign your thoughts and desires with the Lord’s teachings. All believers are called to read the word for themselves, because:
“16 All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]; 17 so that the [a]man of God may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16 -17 AMP)
Daily Study
Studying Scripture first thing in the morning will help build a lifestyle centered on God’s principles. His wisdom will guide you in times of trouble, confusion, and instability, which is key to staying connected to Him. Going through life together helps build a strong foundation of trust and love.
Otherwise, how else would you build a relationship with someone? Christians have the unique opportunity to know God as Father, Provider, Healer…and so much more.
Believers in Jesus have the Holy Spirit to guide them into all truth, which starts with teaching them the word of God.
All done in love, the Holy Spirit will use His word to:
- Make you more like Jesus (loving, patient, joyful, kind, etc.)
- Teach you how to live a godly life (money, marriage, friendships, church order, etc.)
- Comfort you when in need (Matthew 11:28-30)
- Counsel you in times of distress (Psalm 121)
- And more
Here are a few books of the Bible to read if you’re new to the faith or returning home:
- Gospel of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection)
- Romans: clearly outlines why we need the Gospel of Jesus Christ
- 1 Corinthians: guidance on Christian living and church community
- Book of Proverbs: godly wisdom for life (financial, relational, godly work ethic, etc.)
2. Develop Your Prayer Life
When we make a new friend, we spend time talking to them. With God, we need to spend time praying to Him.
The Lord created prayer and values it, saying, “…my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples…” (Isaiah 56:7 ESV).
God uses prayer in many ways, but it’s primarily used to connect with us, His children. He wants to guide us on how to live out our God-given purpose to bring Him glory.
Each day brings new challenges, and He wants to give us the best chance to endure and overcome them to become more like Jesus. The Apostle Paul encourages us to pray without ceasing, always giving thanks to the Lord and
“casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].” (1 Peter 5:7 AMP)
Prayer Closet
Although not required, building a prayer closet is an amazing way to level up your prayer life.
I know, who actually has the space for a separate, holy prayer closet?! Don’t worry, I live in New York, and mine is about 24 by 36 inches big, so it’s possible!
Jesus said, “6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:6 ESV)
If you can, choose a closet (doesn’t have to be empty) and select a space to set up a pillow, a blanket, a journal, and your Bible.
Pray and ask the Lord to show you how He wants this space set up. He cares because it’ll be His consecrated space to meet with you in secret.
If you don’t have the space, then you can always pray in your room with the door closed!
3. Fast Regularly
To fast means to abstain from food and drink for a specific amount of time to fellowship with God undistracted. When we fast, we’re aiming to realign our desires with God’s commands and plans for our lives.
Fasting should be a regular part of a Christian’s lifestyle. Jesus says, “16 And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:16-18 ESV)
Fasting not only has spiritual benefits, but physical and emotional benefits:
- Improved focus and clarity
- Less anxiety
- Increased energy levels
- And more
An important thing to remember: we don’t fast to manipulate God into doing our bidding (getting a new house, or car, or a husband, etc.). We fast to hear His voice correctly and discern what His instructions are for our lives for that season.
Fasting is meant to silence the noise of the world and recenter your focus on the One who matters most. I recommend combining fasting from a few other things:
- Social media
- Secular entertainment (TV shows, movies, music, etc.)
- Anything that replaces your time with God (even if it’s Christian!)
There are many examples of fasting in the Bible that you can reference, but you can also pray to the Lord for direction.
3-Day Water Fast
Taken from the Book of Esther, this fast was originally a corporate fast (the nation of Israel) performed before Queen Esther approached the King of Persia to save Jerusalem.
You can do this fast in a group or alone, but the guidelines are as follows:
- Abstain from food for three full days
- Drink water only for those three days
- Replace your meal times with prayer, worship, and reading of Scripture
Dry fasting (timeline varies)
Only a few people in the Bible fasted without food or drink, and Jesus was one of them. Moses also dry fasted before God gave him The Ten Commandments for the nation of Israel at Mount Sinai.
This fast is intense and requires a supernatural grace to complete, because the body typically shuts down after three days without food or drink.
Jesus and Moses fasted for 40 days without food or drink, but they were so close to God and abided always.
Take time to pray fervently and consider a modified fast before attempting a dry fast for any length of time.
Daniel Fast
A great fast for beginners, the Daniel Fast comes from the Book of Daniel. The Prophet Daniel decided to abstain from “rich foods”:
- Animal products (meat, dairy, cheese, etc.)
- Added sugar (white sugar, brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, etc.)
- Processed foods
- Refined/white grains (white rice, white bread, etc)
- Caffeinated beverages (coffee, caffeinated teas, etc.)
He devoted himself to eating healthy foods for 21 days:
- Fruits (apples, oranges, etc.)
- Vegetables (carrots, potatoes, etc.)
- Nuts (almonds, peanuts, cashews, etc.)
- Seeds (pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, etc.)
- Beans and legumes (black beans, white beans, lentils, etc.)
- Whole Grains (brown rice, whole grain breads, ezekiel bread, etc.)
4. Worship & Praise
While fasting is a way to hear from God, worshipping Him is another way for Him to “hear” us.
We worship in private and with other believers to show gratitude for salvation and express our adoration and love to God as Creator.
Humans worship the Lord through singing, dancing, praising, and other creative activities like painting.
The Bible also teaches that worshipping the Lord can rejuvenate us in times of trouble.
Isaiah 61:3 says,”…to comfort all who mourn; 3 to grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit…”
By praising the characteristics and works of God, we remember that our worries are never too much for Him to handle. This helps shift our focus from despair, anxiety, and worry to joy.
The word also teaches that praise and worship invites God into our space, because He dwells and inhabits the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3 ESV). Complaining says to God that we are unhappy with how He is running our lives…as if we could do it better!
That being said, a consecrated life of obedience is the ultimate form of worship.
In Romans 12, Apostle Paul states:
“Therefore I urge you, [b]brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be [c]transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].” (Romans 12:1-2 AMP)
5. Serving
Studying the Bible, having a vibrant prayer life, fasting regularly, and worshipping lay the foundation for a fruitful Christian life. These spiritual disciplines provide stability and help you fulfill the Great Commission by serving inside and outside of your church.
Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[b] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20 ESV)
Since the church is the Lord’s primary way of spreading the Gospel and maturing believers, attending and serving in church is essential.
Jesus came to serve and not to be served. If the Creator of the universe humbled Himself enough to come and serve His creation, even when His ultimate act of service was death by crucifixion, then we can humble ourselves to be effective in ministry (ushering, teaching, being on the media team, etc.).
Through serving, we get to discover and use our spiritual gifts to help build and improve the church. Finding our place puts our God-given gifts on display for His glory to attract lost souls and make disciples.
As you serve, God will deepen your connection with Him by filling your heart with love and compassion for His people.
What challenges make it hard for you to abide in Christ? Let me know in the comments!
Thanks for reading,
Paris