Any advice for new Christian to get closer to God?

Question

I was an atheist from about age 11 to age 25. By grace, He brought me back from the darkness and revealed himself to me. Granted, I didn't see or hear Him or anything, but I felt an overwhelming sense of goodness, peace and love. Kind of like a really warm light. That is how I know with no doubt that the living God is real and alive inside of me and of you.

I've been reading a lot of Paul's epistles and the gospels since I was saved in December, but I'm not sure what else to do next. I've been going to church every week at a non-denomination Protestantish church and praying every morning and night. But I still feel like I'm not truly living as a Christian should in terms of patience, defeating pride, loving everyone genuinely at all times and trying to imitate Christ through our words and actions. So I know that I need to draw closer to God, but I'm not sure what else to do.

Answer 1

If your relationship with God is real, you have no need for the Bible. You, instead, have access to the Source. If you feel a need to read the Bible, then you do not have the relationship you believe yourself to have.



Christianity will only serve to brainwash you with its own ideas about God and not help you form any kind of a real relationship with any kind of real God.



If God is indeed inside of you, then you need no one and nothing to help you with your relationship with Him.

Answer 2

Prayer and reading Gods word are first and foremost. There are also some books that will help you immensely in your spiritual walk. I suggest Pursuit of God by AW Towzer. It is very short and easy to read (so even if you're a non reader you'll love it) I think the entire book was written on a train in 45 minutes. But it is such a powerful little book! Also, get connected. There are millions of Christians out there that would love to help you in your walk. I think that God has given me the gift of teaching, so I'd love to answer any questions that you may have. If I don't know, I do know others who may be able to answer the question. My email is [e-mail] Feel free to email me anytime. God Bless!

Answer 3

I am very happy that you are in a relationsip with God. If you want to feel closer to Him -- sing religious songs and praise Him with your arms outstretched to Heaven. This opens you up and allows you to hear and experience Him better. We are all human, so defeating pride, and operating with patience may continue to be a challenge for a while. Pray to God and He will help you overcome the obstacles. God Bless.

Answer 4

Close your eyes and stick your fingers in your ears, you will find reality runs contrary to faith and maintaining faith will be difficult unless you do this.



You may also wish to suspend your current understanding of right and wrong, as you'll have to regress your morality a few thousand years to the time when sexism racism and violence were commonplace and accepted. If you "have faith" hard enough you'll be able to accept these things as "right".

Answer 5

Keep going to church. Try to never miss Sunday if at all possible. Maybe have some sessions with the priest? Pray at every meal and before bed. But most of all, ALWAYS keep god in your heart. Thats the best wayt to feel closest to him. Good Luck ♥

Answer 6

This is why God gave us His Word, the Holy Bible. A lot of prophecy is being fulfilled today and the greatest of the prophecy is Israel.



Amos 9:15 "And I will plant them (the Jews) upon their land and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the Lord thy God."



Jeremiah 30:11 KJV "For I am with thee (the Jews), saith the Lord, to save thee: though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet will I not make a full end of thee (Israel);

but I will correct thee in measure, and will not leave thee altogether unpunished."



Jeremiah 30:24 KJV "The fierce anger of the Lord shall not return, until He have done it, and until He have performed the intents of His heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it." These are the latter days and the Jews have been regathered to their land, the land of Israel and their winning a war immediately after they became the State of Israel is beyond all odds.



Many men gave Israel a few days and their blood would run like water in the Middle East because of the hatred of the Islamic Muslim arabs. How many times have these Islamic Muslims nations come against Israel and every time Israel has won the battle or the UN made them stand down. The Israeli battles are beyond miraculous because even the American generals will not study their tactics because they are too miraculous.



God has declared it and Israel need not worry about being uprooted from their land. They need to return to the God who created them and to His Son whom He sent as Savior of this world. Jesus said that He would not return until Israel said, "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord."



On the Internet I like to watch Lamb and Lion Ministries with David Reagan, Prophecy in the News with J. R. Church and Gary Stearman and perrystone.org.



Jeremiah 33:3 says "Call unto Me and I will answer thee and show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not." God is saying pray without ceasing and remind Him of His promises to you and God will strengthen your faith.



I like Jeremiah, Daniel, and the Book of Revelation. God promises us a blessing just for reading the Book of Revelation. We are living in the latter days so get as many people ready for the return of the Lord as you can get. Tell them about Jesus and tell them that He is returning soon and they need to be ready.

Answer 7

Good for you! If you have not already done so, I suggest associating with fellow believers. You don't have just do bible study stuff, have fun as a group playing games, going to events, etc. Going it alone is really difficult. Let Him direct your path...Proverbs 3:5-7 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

Answer 8

You will not be conformed to the image of Christ until that time when you meet Him face to face.

There are a few things for you to remember.



1) It is not of you, it is Christ working in you and through you.



Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.



2) When you sin, confess (agree with God) it immediately.



1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.



3) Abide in the Vine, for without Him you can do nothing.



John 15:4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.



Remember a strong tree takes a lifetime to grow, weeds on the other hand spring up overnight - Which are you?



The gospel of John and the epistles of John contain so much about Jesus, do not neglect them

The book of Galatians reveals the freedom you have in Jesus.

The book of Ephesians reveals, what you have in Jesus and now, how you should walk.



Jesus said a very telling thing;



John 5:39 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.



The Scriptures speak of Jesus, look for Him to be revealed as you read.

A Christian is someone who has a relationship with Jesus, not someone who adheres to a list of do's and don't's.



John writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit said;



3 John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.



This is God recording His thoughts about you.



I would be happy to speak to you more on this matter my brother.





Carl, just journeying through.

Answer 9

You're an idiot for turning away from the light of Reason and Logic. Have fun in the darkness.

Answer 10

Dude, Paul was nothing more than a marketing expert, he sold the new religion to people who had no connection with it in reality.

Answer 11

The one thing you have to understand is the process of santification. (--to be set apart for God's purpose.) It is a process that will take a willing and obedient heart. Being a Christian is a walk, not a destination. Day by day you have to seek God's face in all matters. Have God to slowly change your perspective about how you see things--from the world's perspective to His. You will make mistakes from time to time and that is okay if you learn from them and repent. (Not just asking for forgiveness when you do stumble, but to turn away from those situations, thinking, and behaviors that may cause you to do so.)



Ephesians 6 is a good chapter to read and to get some insight as to what to do.



Eph 6:1 KJV

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right."



Eph 6:2 KJV

"Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)"



Eph 6:3 KJV

"That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth."



Eph 6:4 KJV

"And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."



Eph 6:5 KJV

"Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;"



Eph 6:6 KJV

"Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;"



Eph 6:7 KJV

"With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:"



Eph 6:8 KJV

"Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free."



Eph 6:9 KJV

"And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him."



Eph 6:10 KJV

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might."



Eph 6:11 KJV

"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."



Eph 6:12 KJV

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."



Eph 6:13 KJV

"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."



Eph 6:14 KJV

"Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;"



Eph 6:15 KJV

"And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;"



Eph 6:16 KJV

"Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked."



Eph 6:17 KJV

"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:"



Eph 6:18 KJV

"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;"



I hope it helps.

Answer 12

Pray to Him to get closer, and if your heart truly wants it He will. =)

Answer 13

Didn't Jesus say something about giving your worldly possessions to the poor?

Answer 14

Cool, so you ignore evidence and accept an old archaic book ,... I smell bull s**T

Answer 15

You can only have been an agnostic not an atheist!!!