3 Powerful Ways to Grow Your Relationship with God
A relationship with God is our most important connection. God created us to be in a loving relationship with Him.
Being created to connect with God is an amazing honor that offers indescribable blessings.
Jesus teaches and models the love, contentment, and joy a relationship with God creates.
“You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘Lord’, and you are right because that’s what I am. Since I, your Lord washed your feet you ought to wash each other’s feet.”
John 13:13-14 NLT
Jesus washed the calloused, dirty feet of the disciples. This intimate gesture is extremely touching.
By doing something uncomfortable to express love, He demonstrated that a relationship with God is important, desired and requires action.
That is exciting news! The creator of the world died so that we could live, and He wants to know us!
But like any positive relationship, a growing relationship with God requires our participation.
We don’t serve an invisible, imaginary God, but a Savior waiting for us to engage in a relationship with Him.
Our first step is to ask Jesus for forgiveness and to become part of our lives. Then, He accepts us as we are and never leaves us.
Propelled by God’s deep love and acceptance of us we develop a desire to grow spiritually.
Pivoting our thoughts and actions leads to a growing relationship with God and an abundant life connected to Christ.
Experience a Relationship with God
Relationships are hard and require commitment. The same requirement is needed if we want a relationship with God.
A relationship with God changes everything in your life..spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and relationally.
Living transformed in a relationship with God is the most exciting news we can share.
There are no expectations attached to God’s love it is unconditional.
3 Ways to Grow Your Relationship with God
For a growing relationship with God, we offer ourselves in 3 ways.
- Pride. To have a relationship with God we lay down our rights and pride. A humble heart trusts God above all. Laying down our pride in favor of God’s wisdom and guidance strengthens our faith.
“Lord, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I don’t concern myself with matters too great or too awesome for me to grasp.”
Psalm 131:1-2 NLT
- Control. To have a relationship with God we release control and believe God knows us intimately and desires what is best for us
“Give yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life, and surrender your whole being to him to be used for righteous purposes.”
Romans 6:13b GNT
- Time. To have a relationship with God we devote time to grow closer to Christ through prayer, worship, Bible reading, service, and fellowship. Time is a limited resource that we decide how to use. Investing in a relationship with God is the absolute best use of your time.
“If only you would prepare your heart and lift up your hands to him in prayer! Get rid of your sins, and leave all iniquity behind you. Then your face will brighten with innocence. You will be strong and free of fear.”
Job 11:13-15 NLT
You may never have the opportunity to wash someone’s feet. But a deep relationship with God pours out acceptance, forgiveness, and love toward others.
A Prayer for a Relationship with God
Dear God,
I want a relationship with you. I am thankful for the sacrifice of Jesus to give me new life.
I humbly surrender my heart to you and embrace your message of love and hope.
Help me humbly surrender and commit the time needed to grow closer to You so I display joy, peace, and the fruit of Your spirit.
Amen.
This devotional was published as part of the Daybreak Devotional Series on Crossmap.com.
Author
Mary Rooney Armand
Mary is the creator and writer for the faith-based blog ButterflyLiving.org. Her writing is featured on multiple websites and she is the author of the book, “Identity, Understanding, and Accepting Who I am in Christ” and Life Changing Stories, a devotional collection, available on Amazon.
