A Closer Walk with God

You can have a close-up and personal walk with Jesus. 

Recently, I have met many people who feel disconnected from God. 

They feel like God is distant, like their relationship with God is dry and non-existent. 

Many long to sense God’s presence, hear His voice, and develop an intimate walk with Him, but they feel like God is far away. 

Why is this so?

Is there something amiss?

What can cause this disconnect?

What Can Cause a Block in Your Relationship with God?

Sin will cut you off from God’s best…

Sin can drive a wedge between God and you. It can create a barrier between God and you. 

“It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore.” (Isaiah 59:2)

Treating your wife or husband wrong can cut you off from God’s best…

“In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.” (1 Peter 3:7)

Living a busy life can cause us to feel disconnected from God… 

Often, we run fast but end up going nowhere. Like a hamster on the wheel, you may be running hard but end up going nowhere. Get off the hamster wheel. Get off the merry-go-round. Slow down. 

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me, and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me, and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:28-30 MSG)

A noisy life can drown out God’s voice…

“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” (Psalms 46:10)

Get quiet with God. Pause. Still your heart. Spend time with Him. 

Are There Mountains Standing in Your Way?

You may feel like a mountain is in the way of a close walk with God.

Well, know this: God can move mountains. Trust Him. Put your faith in Him.

“Then Jesus said to the disciples, Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. You can pray for anything, and if you believe you’ve received it, it will be yours.” (Mark 11:22-24)

However, watch out for another area that can prevent God from moving mountains in your way. In addition to putting your faith in God, be careful of holding onto bitterness and offense. 

Jesus continued, “But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.” (Mark 11:22-25)

Unforgiveness or holding onto offense can cut you off from God’s best…

“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14-15)

One of The Biggest Hindrances to Having an Intimate Relationship with God is Relying on Your Feelings

On the cross, Jesus died to pay the full price for our sins. He then conquered death, rose to life, and made way for all people to come into a close relationship with God.

This relationship starts the moment we repent of our sins and, by faith, accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. This relationship continues into eternity, where we will spend forever with God in His Kingdom.

After dying and rising to new life, Jesus walked the earth for 40 days. He then ascended into heaven, promising to return to fetch his children and judge the world. 

Before ascending, Jesus also promised to always be with us and not leave us. 

A Close Walk with God Shouldn’t Be Based on Feelings Alone 

I urge you not to let your feelings dictate whether you have a close or distant walk with God. 

Jesus said, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

It is awesome to experience God’s presence, but even if you go through a dry spell where God seems distant, know that God is still there for you.

God has promised that He is ALWAYS WITH US. Even if you feel distant from God, don’t let your feelings or lack of experience with God’s presence make you feel disconnected. 

God’s word promise is that God will “never leave nor forsake” you. (Hebrew 13:5)

My friend, I must tell you that you can walk closely with God. 

God has not moved. Draw near to God in faith. When you do, He will draw near to you. 

Put Your Faith in God, Not in Your Feelings 

“And without faith, it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

By faith, I need to encourage you to seek God. When you do, He will be found. 

Draw Near to God in Faith

“Come near to God, and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:8)

Don’t base your nearness to God solely on your feelings. Your feelings can sometimes be dictated by your hormones. Your feelings will let you down. By faith, believe that if God says He is with you, He is, and He will never leave you. 

If you’re living in sin, it can cause you to be disconnected from God. If so, confess your sins and ask God to forgive you…  

“But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” (1 John 1:9)

As you turn from sin and to God, you will experience God’s presence in your life… 

“Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah.” (Acts 3:19-20)

Seek God, and You will Find Him 

Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7)

Again, God’s word tells us that when we seek Him, we will find Him. 

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 29:13)

If You Want a Close Relationship with God, You Need to Surrender Your Life to Jesus 

When you surrender your life to Jesus and ask Him to be your Lord and Savior, you become a child of God, and immediately, you can begin a close walk with Him. 

At this moment, when you repent of your sin and, by faith, accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, a supernatural spiritual rebirth happens. You are born again, and God comes to take residence in your heart. Your heart becomes His home. 

Jesus Wants to Fill You with His Holy Spirit

Before Jesus died on the cross, He told us that He was going to pay the price for sin, that He would die but rise again. He also told us that He would then return to heaven and that one day, He would return to judge the word and fetch His people. 

Jesus told us, “It is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you.” (John 16:7) 

Concerning the Holy Spirit, Jesus also told us…

“And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.” (John 16:8)

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.” (John 16:13-15)

This is the relationship that God wants with His children.   

Open your heart to Jesus today.

Turn from your sins.

Surrender to Jesus and ask Him to fill you with His Holy Spirit. 

Jesus said, “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. “You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.” (Luke 11:9-13)

Now, Let These Scriptures Sink in…

Jesus said, “If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you.” (John 14:15-18)

If you are a child of God, the Holy Spirit is your COMFORTER, YOUR COUNCILLOR, YOUR HELPER. HE WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU. Whether you sense His presence or not, Jesus promised that He will not leave you as an orphan. You are His child. He will NEVER LEAVE YOU. 

Pause. Let these powerful words sink in. He will never abandon you or leave you. 

In fact, we are told that “Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.” (Ephesians 3:17)

Spend time with God. Get quiet with Him. Take time out to spend with God. Get to know Him. Grow in Him. 

God could have chosen to live anywhere in the universe, yet He chooses to live in your heart… 

“Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

How can we allow our thoughts and feelings to distance us from God when He lives in us? 

How incredible to think that the God who created this world, the sun and the moon and who flung the stars into space, who made the animals and the insects, the birds, and the bees, move made the mountains, rivers, and the sea, the trees and the flowers, and who made each of us unique, lives in us. 

If you are a child of God, then Christ lives in you… 

“Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.” (Colossians 1:27)

“And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God.” (Romans 8:10)

Greater is he who is in you…

“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading…

“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.” (Romans 8:14)

Be still…

“Be still, and know that I am God!” (Psalms 46:10)

Be aware that God is with you at all times…

“I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.” (Psalms 16:8)

Make Jesus the center of your life…

Jesus said, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)

“For in him we live and move and have our being.” (Acts 17:28)

You Can Have a Close-Up and Personal Walk with God 

If you are a child of God, then the all-powerful, all-knowing, and ever-present God lives in you. 

You are not alone. He will never leave you nor forsake you. 

God desires an intimate walk with you. 

Spend Time with God

Get into a habit of getting quiet with God. Spend time in prayer. Read His word. Spend time with God. 

Be sensitive to His leading. 

Be aware that God is with you. 

Take time out of your day to PAUSE and to engage with God. 

As you draw near to God, His presence will envelop you. 

As you linger in His presence, you will experience His touch, His leading, and His peace. Your life will be transformed, and you will never be the same again.  

“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” (Psalms 42:1-2)

If you do not know Jesus, what are you waiting for?

Surrender your life to Him. Repent of your sins. He offers forgiveness. He wants to wash you clean. Accept His free gift of undeserved grace and unconditional love. He paid the total price for you so that you can be born again and become a child of God. He wants a close walk with you. This relationship can start today and go right into eternity. 

Surrender. Give Him your life – it’ll never be the same again. 

MAY GOD SHINE HIS FAVOR ON YOU, AND MAY YOU EXPERIENCE THE TANGIBLE PRESENCE OF GOD IN YOUR LIFE AS YOU SPEND TIME DAILY WITH GOD. 

Prayer for Your Walk with God…

Dear Father,

Today, I come before you. Please forgive me for my sins. I ask you to wash me clean. I surrender all to You. 

Lord, I release my stress, guilt, anxieties, and fears to You. 

Lord, please break all chains of bondage off my life. 

Lord, please deliver me and set me free. 

I ask you to fill me afresh. 

As I linger in Your presence, I receive Your love, peace, and joy. 

I’ll wait on You, Lord. 

Lord, help me to become more aware of Your presence. 

Take me deeper in You, Lord. 

Lord, revive my heart. Let Your holy fire burn in me. 

Saturate me in Your anointing. 

Lord, please, may You cause rivers of living water to flow in my life.

Lord, as I stay connected to You, please help me to be abundantly fruitful. 

Give me a greater hunger for You. 

Lead me. Guide me. Teach me. 

Speak to me, Lord. 

Please grant me wisdom and revelation. 

Help me understand the times. 

Help me to live a life that honors you. 

I love you, Jesus. Be the center of my life. 

Thank you for saving me. Thank You for being my Lord and Savior. 

Lord, please bless, protect, and provide for all my needs. 

Thank you for being my God, being with me, and never leaving me. 

Lord, please pour out Your favor on my life. Please shine Your light on me. 

May I please you in all that I do. 

I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

If you have prayed this prayer and started/restarted your walk with God, please let us know. We would love to pray for you and send you an incredible eBook to help you on your journey with God.

“May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us— so that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.” (Psalms 67:1-2)