A Worshipper's Devotional

PRACTICAL GUIDANCE

5 Ways to Deepen Your Relationship with God

Besides the actual act, all you need to deepen your relationship with God is the desire to do so. Jeremiah 29:13 says, “And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart” (NKJV).

God desires a deeper, more intimate relationship with you and provides various ways for us to draw closer to Him, all outlined in the Bible. Some ways to deepen your relationship with God include prayer, worship, praise, offerings, and surrendering your heart to Him.

God is the King of relationships and shows us by example how we can deepen our relationship with Him, dating back to Adam and Eve. In the first few chapters of Genesis, we see God taking notice of Adam’s needs by giving him a wife, pursuing them in the garden, and even sewing them tunics when they disobeyed and had to leave.

"And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.”

Jeremiah 29:13, NKJV

The Lord is a gentleman and never pushes Himself on those who don’t desire to know Him. If you only want to be acquainted with God, then He isn’t going to force you to become His friend. Likewise, God doesn’t hide away from those who earnestly seek Him. If you’re desiring to be called a friend of God like King David, He will guide you closer to Him.

There is so much we can discuss when it comes to the different types of relationships we can have with God! While I won’t go in-depth with the types of relationships, here’s a brief overview:

Relationship Type	Key Characteristics
Enemies	Go against God’s love Deny His Son Refuse to follow His commandments
Strangers	Unaware of God Don’t know His voice, His Son, or His Word
Acquaintances	Heard of God and have a general knowledge of who He is May have accepted Jesus as the Son of God but don’t actively seek Him in their daily lives and have no desire to get closer than they already are
Friends	Varying degrees of intimacy that are all above the acquaintance level Anywhere from a friend you talk to occasionally to the friend who’s closer than a brother
Family	Varying degrees of intimacy above the acquaintance level Doesn’t rely on blood relation but on intimacy You view God as your Father and have faith in Him even through adverse situations Trials don’t turn you away from God, and you have accepted His will as good and perfect, no matter the circumstances

Building a Genuine Relationship with God

To build a genuine relationship with God, it's essential to understand that it requires effort, intentionality, and consistency.

One of my favorite illustrations on relationships is based on a husband and wife who live in different houses and don’t communicate. They know they’re married but don’t make any attempt at a relationship–simply married on paper but not in life. When we know we’re the bride of Christ but don’t try to build a relationship with Jesus it’s a religious marriage, not one based on love. A relationship built on the foundation of love will look different than one of a religious nature.

Just like any meaningful relationship, developing a deeper connection with God doesn't happen overnight. It takes deliberate actions and a commitment to seeking Him out daily.

Effort

The definition of effort is a determined attempt. Psalm 139:7-10 shows us that God's love for us is steadfast and unyielding. God isn't withholding His love from us– He demonstrated it on the cross, He expresses throughout His Word, and He keeps meeting us today with that same unending love. What if we sought after God like He does us?

Set Aside Dedicated Time Daily
Action: Choose a specific time each day for prayer and Bible Study. Start with 15 minutes and gradually increase.
Tip: Use a planner or set a daily alarm as a reminder.
Engage in Active Worship
Action: Participate actively in worship by singing, clapping, raising your hands, and expressing your love for God.
Tip: Create playlists of your favorite worship songs and spend time worshipping God at home and on the go.
Seek Community

Action: Join a small group or Bible study to connect with other believers.
Tip: A great place to start is attending church and building on conversations past the greeting.

Intentionality

Set Spiritual Goals
Action: Write down specific goals such as reading the Bible in a year, memorizing scripture, or praying for certain areas of your life.
Tip: Break these goals into smaller, manageable steps and review them regularly.
Reflect and Journal
Action: Keep a journal to record your prayers, reflections, and how you see God working in your life.
Tip: Set aside time weekly to review your journal entries and note any patterns or answered prayers.
Practice Gratitude
Action: Start each day by listing three things you’re grateful for and thank God for them.
Tip: Keep a gratitude journal to track your blessings and revisit it when you need encouragement.

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Ponder This

Which story in the Bible displays God's pursuit of me?

Consistency

I could go into the importance of consistency and the benefits of staying connected with God daily, but lets make this super simple. Going to work consistently provides a constant stream of income. When we stop showing up to work it leads to other issues like no job, no money for bills, etc., etc.

Being persistent in your pursuit of God doesn't mean that you will be on fire all day every day. Sometimes days will be tough, but we can still pursue God in the trials rather than allowing situations to stunt our relationship.

Daily Devotions
Action: Read a daily devotional book or follow a Bible reading plan.
Tip: Choose a quiet spot free from distractions to make this time more meaningful.
Regular Prayer
Action: Develop a habit of praying throughout the day, not just during dedicated prayer times.
Tip: Use triggers, like mealtime or bedtime, to remind you to pray.
Accountability
Action: Find a prayer partner or mentor who can encourage you and hold you accountable.
Tip: Schedule regular check-ins to discuss your spiritual growth and challenges.
Engage in Continuous Learning
Action: Listen to sermons, read Christian books, and attend conferences or workshops.
Tip: Choose topics that interest you and can help you grow in specific areas of your faith.
Service Consistently
Action: Volunteer regularly in your church or community.
Tip: Commit to a specific area of service that aligns with your gifts and passions.

By intentionally incorporating these different ways to express love to God, we can build a more genuine and personal relationship with Him. Each step is designed to be practical and manageable, encouraging you to make lasting changes in your spiritual life.

Ways to Develop a Personal Relationship with God

Developing a personal relationship with God involves integrating various practices into your daily life. We can draw closer to God through quality time, words of affirmation, serving, body language, and gifts.

Just like other friendships and important relationships, building a deeper connection with God doesn't happen instantly. It requires intentional actions and a daily commitment to nurturing your faith.

In the book of Leviticus, we see how God provided the Israelites with different ways to bring offerings and sacrifices to Him. These acts were more than mere rituals; they were expressions of worship and devotion.

Leviticus teaches us that God values different forms of worship. The various sacrifices—burnt offerings, grain offerings, peace offerings—were all pleasing aromas to the Lord, symbolizing the people's heartfelt devotion and willingness to honor Him.

The key takeaway from Leviticus is that God is most concerned about the heart behind the worship. As 2 Samuel 16:7 reminds us, "The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" (NIV).

"A Personal relationship with God involves integrating various practices into your daily life."

Just as the Israelites brought different sacrifices, we too can express our love and devotion to God in various ways. By examining these different forms of worship, we can see how they align with the love languages that Gary Chapman describes: Quality Time, Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Physical Touch, and Receiving Gifts.

As we delve deeper into developing a personal relationship with God, it's helpful to look at the concept of the love languages. Gary Chapman’s five love languages offer a framework for understanding how we can express our love to God in meaningful ways.

Just as we use these love languages to build stronger human relationships, we can apply them to our spiritual relationship with God. In the following sections, we'll explore each love language in more detail, providing practical steps and examples to help you connect with God on a deeper level.

Quality Time with God

Spending quality time with God is crucial. Just like any relationship, the more time you spend together, the deeper the connection.

Prayer: Engage in regular, heartfelt conversations with God. Share your thoughts, fears, hopes, and gratitude.
Reading the Bible: Engage with God’s Word daily, seeking to understand His will and character. Set aside time each day to read the Bible and meditate on its teachings. Psalm 1:2 says, “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.”
One-on-One Time: Take walks, meditate, and include God in your daily activities, focusing solely on Him.
Quiet Time: Spend time in silence, listening for God’s voice. This can be a time for reflection and discernment, allowing you to hear God’s guidance more clearly.

Words of Affirmation to the Lord

Expressing your love and gratitude to God through your speech can strengthen your relationship and bring comfort to you when shifting your perspective from problems to God.

Genuine Encouragement: Speak positively about God’s work in your life and the lives of others.
Praise and Worship: Sing songs, play music, and lift your voice in adoration.
Gratitude Journal: Write down things you are grateful for and thank God for His blessings.
Write Him Songs and Letters: Express your love and devotion through creative writing and music.
Scripture: Use scripture to affirm God’s promises and truths in your life. Study verses that remind you of His love and faithfulness– a good practice is to speak them out loud.
Prayer of Thanksgiving: Regularly thank God for His blessings, both big and small. Gratitude fosters a positive relationship and reminds you of God’s constant presence in your life. You can make gratitude a habit by practicing it daily.

Acts of Service for the Lord

"Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."

Matthew 25:40, NIV

While all of the love languages are actions, serving God and others is a powerful way to demonstrate your love and deepen your relationship with Him.

Live for the Lord: Follow God’s commands and strive to live a life that honors Him.
Bible Study: Delve deep into the scriptures, not just for knowledge, but to align your life with His teachings.
Take Care of the Temple: Respect your body as a temple of the Holy Spirit through healthy living.
Do What He Has Called You to Do: Fulfill your God-given purpose and serve others in His name.
Volunteer: Get involved in church activities or projects. Serving others reflects God’s love and compassion.
Acts of Kindness: Perform random acts of kindness in Jesus’ name.
Obedience: Follow God’s commandments and live out His teachings. Obedience is a direct way to honor and serve God.

Is God's Love Language Physical Touch?

"And David danced before the Lord with all his might."

2 Samuel 6:14, ESV

While God is spirit and physical touch may not apply the same a it would with a friend, we can still express our love for God through our body language. The saying, "Actions speak louder than words" shows that it's important to convey our love for God through our actions, by living a life that reflects our faith and values.

Expressed Through Body Language: Clap, dance, jump, raise your hands, and bow in worship.
Physical Acts of Worship: Engage physically in your worship as a sign of surrender and reverence.
Public Displays of Affection: Participate in activities like communion and baptism, which symbolize a physical and spiritual connection with God.
Nature: Experience God’s presence through His creation. Feel the warmth of the sun, the coolness of the breeze, and recognize God’s touch in these moments.
Prayer: Sometimes, a posture of prayer can symbolize physical touch, such as lifting your hands, kneeling, or bowing before the Lord.

Deepening Your Relationship with God Through Gifts

Giving is a tangible way we can love and deepen our relationship with God. When we offer our resources, talents, and time to God, we acknowledge His sovereignty over our lives and express our trust in His provision. This act of giving isn't just about material offerings; it’s about dedicating the best of what we have to honor Him.

Be a Cheerful Giver: Offer your time, talents, and treasures joyfully to God’s work.
Types of Offerings: Sacrifice your time, talents, and treasures to honor God.
Tithes and Offerings: Demonstrate trust in God's provision by giving a portion of your income. Malachi 3:10 encourages bringing tithes into the storehouse, promising abundant blessings in return.
Sacrificial Giving: Give something that costs you significantly, showing deep faith and devotion. The widow's offering in Luke 21:1-4 exemplifies sacrificial giving, highlighting the value of the heart behind the gift.
Generosity: Be generous with your time, talents, and resources. Share what God has blessed you with to bless others.

Deepening your relationship with God requires intentionality, effort, and a desire to draw closer to Him.

By spending quality time with Him, expressing words of affirmation, serving Him and others, understanding His touch, and giving gifts, you can nurture a more intimate relationship with God.

As you seek Him with all your heart, you will find that your relationship with Him becomes richer and more fulfilling.

I encourage you to take the first step today. Choose one of the ways described and apply it to your daily life.

Whether it's setting aside time for prayer, expressing your gratitude through worship, serving others, or giving generously, these actions will help you connect with God on a deeper level.

Keep seeking God, and you will find the incredible depth of His love and grace.

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