HOW TO DEVELOP A MORE INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

You need to set aside a regular daily Time Alone with God (TAWG). You need to recognize that since Jesus is the Lord of your life, all your time belongs to Him. But we still need to set aside a regular time for scripture reading and meditation and prayer. This is a special time set aside to hear from and speak to God. Even Jesus set aside time to seek His heavenly Father (Luke 5:16) During This TAWG, you are meeting a real Person, God Himself. God loves you very much. God desires to speak to you, guide you, encourage you, and rebuke and correct you when you are wrong. Because you have asked Him to be the leader of your life He wants to be intimately involved with your life. As you read the Bible, dont just treat it as another book but expect God to speak to you through His book, the Bible. You need to keep the communication lines clear at all times. In every relationship, barriers to communication are erected from time to time through misunderstandings and wrongs. This is also true in our relationship with God. Whenever we sin, we create a barrier between God and ourselves but the Bible tells us that there is a way to restore this communication. If we truly repent of our sins, we can have the assurance that God forgives us of all our sins and restores our ability to communicate with Him. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. WHAT DO I DO DURING MY TIME ALONE WITH GOD (TAWG)? Get Ready to hear from God: He can speak to you in the following ways. 1. Inner voice (most common way God speaks to His children) Isaiah 30:21, 2. Audible voice Exodus 3:4, Moses, 1 Samuel 3:4, Samuel as a child, Matthew 3:17, Jesus baptism, Acts 9:4, Paul on the Damascus road. 3. Visions Genesis 15:1, Abraham, Daniel 8:1, Daniel, Acts 9:10, 18:9, Ananias, Paul, 4. Dreams Genesis 28:12, Jacob, Genesis 37:5, Joseph, Matthew 1:20, Joseph, 5. Angels Numbers 22:22, Balaam, 1 Kings 19:5, Elijah, Matthew 28:2, Jesus, 6. Gifts of the Spirit 1 Corinthians 12:8, Prophecy, Word Wisdom & Knowledge, 7. Teaching & Preaching Ephesians 4:11, 8. Circumstances Jonah, 9. Fleeces Judges 6:37, Gideon, 10. Scripture, songs, hymns, books Hebrews 4:12, 11. Conscience 12. Knowing / Discernment 13. Peace of God Colossians 3:15, 14. Wise counsel Proverbs 15:22, 15. Authorities Romans 13:1, ASK GOD TO SHOW YOU ANY SIN IN YOUR LIFE THAT MAY KEEP YOU FROM HEARING HIS VOICE. IF HE SHOWS YOU ANYTHING, CONFESS IT AND REPENT. THE FOLLOWING AREAS LIMIT OR HINDER US FROM HEARING FROM GOD 1. A wrong picture of God due to our upbringing or circumstances. 2. We do all the talking but no listening. 3. We havent a soft or clean or whole or healed heart. 4. We havent made Jesus Lord of all our life. 5. We lack good foundations in our walk and lack understanding of the word. 6. We have not obeyed the last step or completed it. 7. We havent checked the conditions in Gods word. 8. We are not actively walking in Faith. 9. We have broken relationships with others or unforgiveness and resentment. 10. We need to recognise that we are in a spiritual battle and we need to know the enemys strategies and how to counter them.
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We need to recognise there are three voices that we can possibly hear. 1. Gods voice. We come to recognise it by reading the word, memorising scripture, allowing the peace of God to show us the right way and making sure that what we hear lines up with the Word of God and Gods principles. 2. The enemys voice. As we follow James 4:7 and choose the first part of the voice to submit to God and then take a stand we can begin to deal with the enemys voice. We need to ask-is it according to the principles of Gods word? Does it draw me away from God or cause me to pull back? Does it decrease my personal responsibility? Does it put me into bondage or take away my peace? 3. Our own thoughts and imaginations. These come from our senses, feelings, circumstances, education, upbringing and our own inherent creative ability. We can choose what we think. To deal with this voice we need to die daily and bring every thought captive to Jesus Lordship. Invite Gods presence and ask Him to reveal Himself and His truths to you: Realise that His presence is always with you but you are committing yourself to be in His presence. Ask God to fill you with spiritual wisdom and understanding. Ephesians 1:17 - .give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. Psalm 119:18 Open my eyes that I may see the wonderful things in your law. Read and Reflect on Gods Word Gods Word is His love letter to you. It contains His words of love and instruction to you. Read slowly. Read aloud. What is God saying to you today? God could be telling you about GOD Himself: Who is He? What is He like? What has He done? Or God could be telling you about yourself: Who am I? What does He think of me? Or God could be telling you about: S Sins to avoid P Promises to claim A Attitudes to have C Commands to obey E Examples to follow or avoid?

Respond to God As you read, respond to God. Tell Him what comes to your mind. Decide to act on what you have read and ask for His help. Then spend the rest of your time in prayer. What can you pray about? Here are some key words to guide you: Im sorry - Confess your sins, repent, and receive Gods forgiveness Thank you Thank God for His many blessings and promises Please Pray for needs; your own and others I love you End your time with praise songs.

Record your conversations (journaling) A record of your daily conversations with God will prove to be very precious. You can record in any notebook: Read: Write down the Bible chapter and verse Reflect: What did God speak to you? Respond: What are you going to do about it? [Your response and application] Consistently look back at your journal so that you ensure your ongoing application. Be accountable to some one to ensure you keep regular times daily with God and that you apply the word. Use your journal on reflection to remind you of what you need to apply.

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