Knowing God | How to Have a Relationship with God

Janee Hughes • Feb 16, 2023

A relationship with God begins with the curiosity or desire to know more about God. Are you curious about God? Do you wonder what it means to have a relationship with God? Then you are at the right place at the right time. Having a relationship with God starts with what you are in the middle of doing right now. You are looking to God at this moment because you are seeking to know Him more. 


God knows every person at an incredibly personal level. When we are desiring God and seeking to truly know God more, we are following the leading of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. God desires that every person will know Him in a personal way and follow His plan for their life. We are all sinners in need of a Savior. Salvation is found in a relationship with God.


Maybe you have been in church your whole life, but never really felt a personal connection to God. Or you could be someone who has no past experience with God other than using His Name in vain. No matter the past, God has brought you here to grow you closer to Him. And that is a beautiful thing! Praise God!



What Does it Mean to Know God and Love God?

You can know God but not KNOW Him. Knowing God in a personal way is having a relationship with God. The more you know who God is, the more you love Him. You may know a lot of things about God though not truly KNOW Him. Having all the knowledge about God will not get you through the hard times. What gets you through the hard times is having God in your life to lean on and give you strength. That is truly knowing God. But what exactly does a relationship with God look like?



What is a Personal Relationship with Jesus?

A personal relationship with God can be comparable to your relationship with a close friend, though it’s way better than that! Like earthly relationships, a relationship with God involves love, trust, and commitment. God is perfect, unlike humans, God’s love is everlasting, God’s trust is unbreakable, and God’s commitment is eternal. God is God, for that alone He deserves all the praise and glory!


“For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.”

Psalm 100:5, ESV


In close friendships, you know the other person very well and they know you. Well God knows you intimately, for He even created every little and big detail about you. Most importantly, God created you to have a relationship with Him. Since God created you to be in a relationship with Him, that means it is your top purpose in this life. That is why when we are lacking God in our life, life feels dull or even meaningless. 


The great news is that you can have a personal relationship with God right now. It doesn’t have to be some supernatural moment to begin having a relationship with God. So, regardless of your background with church and Christianity, the lacking you feel about God doesn’t have to remain that way. The myth that only "spiritual" people, like pastors and church leaders, can achieve a personal relationship is nothing but a myth. God wants to know YOU intimately and for you to KNOW Him!



How to Have a Relationship with God?

To begin a relationship with God is as simple as asking Him into your heart to guide you and confessing that you are a sinner in need of Christ’s salvation. The Bible says that God sent His only son to be the Savior of the world in John 3:16. Jesus Christ is our perfect sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins. Without Christ, we would be lost and unable to attain a relationship with our perfect heavenly Father God. Christ living His perfect life as a sacrifice for our every sin allows us to have a relationship with our perfect God.


“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.”

Romans 5:6-10, ESV


You are so loved by God! Do you love God too? Do you accept or have you accepted Jesus into your heart? If you desire to have a relationship with God, take this moment to ask God into your heart. It doesn’t have to be overcomplicated. Simply, in your own words, tell God that you want a relationship with Him. Confess your sins and your need for Him. For you who has just accepted Jesus Christ into your heart: Congratulations on your new life and relationship with God! God will continue to guide you on the path that you should go. Most importantly, a relationship with God means that you have eternal life in Him. Continue reading for some ways to grow closer to God.



3 Ways to Grow in Your Relationship with God:



1. Pray to God

Just like any relationship, communication is key! Prayer is your personal conversation with God. How would you grow a relationship with a friend? Yes, from communicating and spending time with each other. It is the same thing with God. Making time for God in those moments of free time help to grow you closer to Him. The most important thing you can do to grow closer to God is to pray to Him daily. Want to know more about how to pray, check out this article: ACTS Prayer Method.


Prayer is not an obligation, but a privilege. You are allowed to talk with the sovereign God who created the whole world and YOU. Make time to pray. Pick a time (or a few times) of the day to commit to praying for a few minutes. Prayer doesn’t have to take a lot of time. Pray regularly and continually. The more you pray, the more it will become a natural habit. 


“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, ESV


God loves to hear from you! There are also times that He wants to tell something to your spirit, so don’t be surprised if you feel like sitting in silence to hear Him. God speaks to His children in different ways.



2. Read the Bible

The Bible is God’s Word, written by man, but inspired by God. God’s Word is inerrant and authoritative. Through reading the Bible, you learn more about God’s character and sovereignty. God’s Word is a guide for you too. It will teach, correct, reproof, and train you in righteousness. So, you want to know the way to live your life? The Bible will reveal that to you. God can speak to you through His Word.


“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17, ESV


It’s important to apply what God’s Word says to your life. A relationship with God leads to a new, changed life. The more you grow closer to God, the more you will want to live by God’s commands and do what His Word says. Obedience to God and His Word is not an easy process but God will bless you so much as you walk on the path that He has for you. Interested in learning about God’s Word and how to study what it says. Read our Bible Basics: What is the Inductive Bible Study Method?



3. Find a Christian Community

Just as praying and reading the Bible are important elements of your relationship with God, a Christian community has utmost value as well. Surrounding yourself with a community of like-minded believers is a great way to deepen your relationship with God. A church home is a place of growth and fellowship. Think of it as your support system, especially if you don’t already have any friends in your life who are Christians. 


We need fellowship and community, so we need each other and relationship with like-minded people. You are not called to do life alone. Visit churches to find one that feels like family to you. Start attending a Bible study to get a close circle of friends that learn and grow together. 


Here are some things to look for in a church:

  • Faithfully teaches the Gospel of Jesus Christ through sound doctrine.
  • Sermons that point you to Christ and not to yourself.
  • A pastor with a love for God and His Word without being self-centered.
  • Wholehearted prayers that do not force or declare God to grant things.
  • A system of accountability in the church leadership.
  • Good stewards of money with no focus on material gain.


The Bible says in Proverbs 27:17 (ESV), “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” Surround yourself with friends who will sharpen your relationship with God, not people who will tear it down. God has a great community in store for you. Pray that God will lead you to the right church to help you grow closer to Him and form relationships with other Christians. 


Congratulations on taking the first step in your relationship with God! God loves and cares about you so much. No matter your past, God has great things in store for life as you walk in a relationship with Him. If you are interested, you can continue learning some ways to grow as a new believer through our article: 5 Steps for a New Believer in Christ.

If this encouraged you, share it on social media so that it will be a blessing to someone else!

Waiting on the Lord - Godly patience

Leaning on the Spirit for Godly Patience

By Keshia Cunningham • 23 Apr, 2024
God does expect us to be patient. He expects us to not act or react in a hasty manner especially in certain situations. When we react without exhibiting patience, this often has negative repercussions. God included “patience” as a fruit of the Spirit which is meant to allow us to grow and walk in the Spirit of the Lord. “ But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ” Galatians 5:22, NIV I’m sure we all can think about a time when we were kids and were impatient. We wanted something right away but we had to be patient. From wanting to be first in line, the first one to see something, or simply wanting our parents to leave the grocery. Of course, our parents told us to be patient. Now we all either have kids or have interacted with kids at some point. We’ve seen them become impatient and we try to calm them down. We tell them to be patient and to sit still. This is how God wants us to be as well. God doesn’t want us to rush. He wants us to slow down while learning patience. Many of us want to rush the process. The “instant gratification” has become so popular. We can get food delivered, cars delivered, and charge our phones almost anywhere nowadays. We have gotten so used to getting what we want instantly that we often forget that sometimes patience is needed on this journey. The goal isn’t always being first. It’s about being patient and obedient to the will of God. If God is calling us to wait and to have patience, then that’s what we should do. To be completely honest, I sometimes get a little hasty myself. I want to do things my way. I don’t want to wait on God and see what He says. I recently realized that God will slow you down when you aren’t listening to Him and refusing to be patient. A quick story: I was at a certain place where it takes quite a while to get checked in. This was my first time going there, so I was a little anxious. By the time I had made it to the back of this establishment, I was tired and I wanted to simply rush the process. I went to have a seat and I thought to myself, that the exchange that this person and I had was a little short and quickened. That’s not the impression I want to leave at any place. In that moment, I asked God to calm me down. I asked Him to help me change my attitude and focus on what’s important. He told me to, “be patient”. I immediately sensed a calmness come over me. I knew that God saw, felt, and heard everything I had just experienced and that I didn’t like it. A complete shift in my attitude changed the trajectory of my day. I’ve been back to that certain place and I am mindful of the people who are there. I am mindful of my interactions because we’re all in need of something and me being patient can help them get me through the process a lot faster. “ Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ” Romans 12:12, NIV God wants us all to be loving, kind, and patient individuals who lead others into positivity. There are going to be times when we don’t feel like being with others and even ourselves. That is why it’s important to become acquainted with Bible verses, so that when anxiety comes in, we can push it out with the word of God. We can always take our anxious thoughts to God in prayer. God is with us. He knows what we are feeling and what we are thinking. That alone shows us that we can be patient and trust in Him. “ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God .” Philippians 4:6, NIV
Sunflower in the sunshine (Finding Peace through Christ)

Finding Peace through Christ

By Keshia Cunningham • 20 Mar, 2024
True peace can only be found in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. To be fully at peace in the Christian walk starts with having a relationship with Jesus. Our relationship with Jesus gives us some crucial tools to have peace in this life. Incorporating hope in Jesus, hearing what He has to say, and also allowing Him to heal our brokenness can bring us peace. As we explore these three topics and how they relate to peace, may you rest in Jesus and allow Him to work in our lives to bring about true peace. Hope in Jesus Can Bring Us Peace First, let’s take a moment to understand the definition of Hope . It is “ a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen .” This definition gives us assurance that if we are seeking something, we should be expecting it to happen. We lean on hope that better days are coming for us. We also may lean on hope for a miracle or a great change in our lives. That hope is placed in Jesus. Giving Jesus complete control and having hope in Him to do what’s best for us also calms our racing thoughts to usher peace into minds. “ That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe ." 1 Timothy 4:10, NIV Hearing Jesus Speak to Us Can Bring Peace Secondly, peace can be found by simply hearing what Jesus is telling us. One of the ways we can hear what Jesus is saying to us is through prayer. He doesn’t use harshness when reacting to our prayers. Jesus hears us and shows us that He is truth and life. Not only do we have the opportunity to have an open conversation, but we have the honor of hearing what we need to have peace. The beauty of Jesus and walking Him, is that He doesn't leave us hanging. He gives the answers we need which will always lead us to peace of mind. “ As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built .” Luke 6:47-48, NIV True Healing Can Bring Us Peace And lastly, in order to have peace in our lives, we must work on healing. Jesus gives the tools we need to heal. We must allow Him to help us work through our concerns. Healing allows us to have clear space in our minds, in order to think of all of the good things that Jesus has done for us. To be free from the trauma of the past, overthinking, and clutter, can bring us peace. Letting go of all the negative experiences brings us great, profound peace and hope. It all begins with taking the first step of letting Jesus have control over our lives to move toward peace. True healing is found in Jesus! “ You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you .” Isaiah 26:3, NIV In conclusion, these are a few ways that we can find peace in Jesus Christ. When it seems like all hope is lost, it can be found in Him. Peace isn’t something that any of us can borrow or buy. It can only be obtained through faith and also hope through Jesus. Surrendering to Jesus’ plans for our lives will always bring us peace. The peace that truly surpasses all understanding. May you open your heart and let Him fill it with an immense amount of peace.
JOY | Remaining Joyful in Uncertain Times

Remaining Joyful in Uncertain Times

By Keshia Cunningham • 20 Feb, 2024
There is a distinct difference between happy and being joyful. Being happy usually involves something that is acquired from outside of you. Being joyful is usually associated with feeling excitement on the inside. The feeling of joy isn’t necessarily dependent on what’s going on around you, but rather what’s going on inside of you. Joy will always bring you peace because being happy is often short-lived. Being joyful, especially as a Christian living in this world, can at times be challenging. These days it’s important to not become weary but to be joyful. We shouldn’t focus our attention on the negative aspects of life. We can’t sit in the things that are going on around us. We must focus on the good things in life that bring us great joy. It’s some of the simple things that can bring us joy. Waking up to another day that the Lord has made, thanking the Lord for that cup of coffee, and spending time with our loved ones that the Lord has blessed us with can bring us joy. Joy is Found in the Lord Joy is found in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The One who shed his blood for our soul brings me great joy. Whenever I find myself feeling unhappy and in need of joy, I turn to the Word of God. I’m reminded of a timely Bible verse in the book of Psalms that often soothes my worries and anxieties. It’s an encouraging message from David to be glad, rejoice in the Lord and praise God. This is such an encouraging Bible verse because no matter what things may appear to be, we can always give glory to God in all circumstances. “ Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart! ” Psalm 32:11, NIV Joy is Found in Serving Others If we ever lack the feeling of being joyful, we can take the emphasis off of ourselves to serve others. This not only brings comfort to the person you’re helping but this will also bring joy into your heart. You’re doing the work of God just by helping bring light into their life. The love and light you gave them will spread onto someone else. Being a cheerful giver pleases God and brings hope to the world. “ The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed .” Proverbs 11:25, NIV Joy is Found in Every Season Every moment in our life may not be happy moments, however, that doesn’t mean that we can’t find the simple joys in everyday living. During our times of despair, it may seem difficult to seek out joy. When we’re sad or brokenhearted, we can still find comfort in knowing that Jesus is with us always. We weren’t created to be hopeless but to be hopeful and joyful. In Romans, there is a very familiar Bible verse that echoes great encouragement to set our eyes on hope, to rejoice, and pray. This leads us to being joyful. I can’t stress enough how imperative it is to seek The One who gives us all that we need and more. If you ever lack joy in your life, seek Jesus. “ Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer ." Romans 12:12, NIV
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