This list is not ‘pray, read the bible and pray some more.’ Praying is vital. It is important to continually dialogue with Jesus. It is necessary to read and feed on His word found in the bible. This list answers the question of how to find Him a little more while doing these precious and important things.
I am going to present a quick and simple list with the least explanation and then expound on the list.
1 Be still
I try to lay aside all distractions. I begin to focus on Him instead of myself. I come before the ruler of the universe. I snuggle. Just picture a child snuggling in its parents arms.
2 – Fear Him
I respect Who I’m talking to. This isn’t just a casual dude on the street. It is Jesus. The one who I owe everything to.
3 – Thank Him.
This is hard when I feel distance. Search and remember the great things He has done. There has got to be something. Today I am thankful that He helped me wake up early enough to have time to spend with Him.
4 – Delight in Him
This speaks about attitude. I have fun when I am playing with people I like.
5 – Seek Him with my whole heart.
I know what seeking earnestly means. An example of poor searching is when my wife asks me to get something out of the cupboard like some oregano. I open the cupboard and don’t see it and report that I can’t find it.
Compare this to when I loose my car keys or cell phone. Believe it. I will find them. Even if I don’t I will find a replacement. I will seek and obtain no matter what barrier comes.
6 – Have Awe
I like this word. I think it is related to respect and fearing God but to me it means more like appreciating nature like seeing the Grand Canyon or even a sunrise and just being overwhelmed by the beauty and majesty. I’m not saying go see a sunrise right now although that isn’t a bad idea. i’m saying look to Jesus with this kind of reaction. Isn’t He beautiful and majestic?
7 – Believe He is here. Believe He is meeting me and that He is bringing me closer to Himself.
– Believe He hears me. Have faith. Trust Him
Ps 4:3 (KJ2000) ” 3 But know that the LORD has set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him. ”
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8 – Repent (Sin not)
What have I done to cause separation from God?
9 – Humble myself
Ps 4:2 (KJ2000) ” 2 O you sons of men, how long will you turn my glory into shame? how long will you love vanity, and seek after falsehood? Selah. ”
10 – Get honest.
Ps 4:2 (KJ2000) ” 2 O you sons of men, how long will you turn my glory into shame? how long will you love vanity, and seek after falsehood? Selah. ”
A freind of mine admitted that He likes smoking and does not want to quit. I think this is a great first step. God can work with that.
How does this apply to getting closer to Him? Admitting that I feel far away. Admitting that I need Him to open my heart and deliver me from myself and this world.
11 – God loves me.
Recall the wonderful things Jesus has done for me.
12 – Praise Him.
Who praises better than David? Try reading some Psalms.
Ps 54:6 (KJ2000) ” 6 I will freely sacrifice unto you: I will praise your name, O LORD; for it is good. ”
13 – Unbox Him.
Go back to being still if distractions are occuring. Humbly admit my wrong ideas. Seek Him not for what He can do but for who He is
He is bigger than my concept of Him.
14 – Love Him
Love God with all my heart.
Love Him more intimately like song of songs.
He is our groom and we are His bride. This is the most intimate human connection and God is more intimate than that!
15 – Rest.
This whole list seems a lot like the Sabbath.
Rest in Him. Let Him direct me. Decide to conform to Him. Taking Him in. Eating His flesh and drinking His blood.
Stop working accept grace. Let Him do it.
prayer:
‘Thank you Jesus for guiding me. You are the love of my life. You are my best friend and lover. I am sorry that I drift and wander. Be strong in me to curb my wandering and keep me close. You are life to me and the purest water. You are my bread that keeps me alive. Thank you for bridging the gap between me ane you more and more each day. Thank you for time together,’
Expansion:
Being still is difficult. First I realize that I am a sinner and in need of a Savior. I can’t even quiet my own brain. I need Jesus.
I found still in Exodus: Exod 15:16 (KJ2000) ” 16 Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of your arm they shall be as still as a stone; till your people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, whom you have purchased. ”
When I looked closer at the passage I found some more wonderful truths.
Exod 15:1-2 (KJ2000) ” 1 Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spoke, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider has he thrown into the sea. 2 The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him a habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.”
Exod 15:4 (KJ2000) ” 4 Pharaoh’s chariots and his host has he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea. ”
Exod 15:11-12 (KJ2000) ” 11 Who is like unto you, O LORD, among the gods? who is like you, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? 12 You stretched out your right hand, the earth swallowed them.
Exod 15:11-20 (KJ2000) ” 11 Who is like unto you, O LORD, among the gods? who is like you, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? 12 You stretched out your right hand, the earth swallowed them. 13 You in your mercy have led forth the people whom you have redeemed: you have guided them in your strength unto your holy habitation. 14 The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Philistia. 15 Then the chiefs of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away. 16 Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of your arm they shall be as still as a stone; till your people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, whom you have purchased. 17 You shall bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of your inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which you have made for you to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which your hands have established. 18 The LORD shall reign forever and ever. 19 For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea. 20 And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.”
Ps 4:4-5 (KJ2000) ” 4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah. 5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.”
About humility. It is true I am not worthy of His love and yet He values me highly.
Overall summary:
It is like going to my grandma for a hug.
My one great grandma in particular was a large woman with a giant lap, She could hold 3 kids at one time. She definitely would drool on you when she kissed you. She was Ukrainian and spoke with what sounded like a polish accent. But when she hugged me. It felt like I was the most important person to her. I felt loved. Even to this day I am grateful for these hugs as they filled me with an unseeable force that never dies and only gets stronger each day.
‘Jesus thanks for the hug today. Keep me close throughout this day. Lead me.’
I have decided not to expand every item on the list though I want to.
I will include further passages to look into later.
Luke 12:34 (KJ2000) ” 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. ”
Luke 7:47 (KJ2000) ” 47 Therefore I say unto you, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little. ”
Eph 2:13-22 (KJ2000)
Don’t be overly condemned. There is therefore no condemnation. (Romans 8:1)
But don’t be underly convicted. (Luke 18:13)
This is a deception I have struggled with that I have no need of a savior.
Jesus is my savior.
Scott's Blog 
Some very good advice Scott on how to get closer to The Lord, another way is confirmed below in Scripture.
Matthew 25 : 31 -40 When the Son of man shall come in His glory and all the Holy Angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the Throne of His glory. And before Him shall be gathered all Nations and He shall separate them one from another as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats. And He shall set the sheep on His right hand but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand; Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was an hungred and ye gave me meat, I was thirsty and ye gave me drink, I was a stranger and ye took me in. Naked, and ye clothed me, I was sick and ye visited me, I was in Prison and ye came unto me. Then shall the Righteous answer Him saying; Lord when saw we thee an hungred and fed thee? or thirsty and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger and took thee in? or naked and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick or in prison and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren ye have done it unto me.
Philippians 2:2-4 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same Love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things but every man also on the things of others.
Yes what we do for others we are doing for Jesus.
Christian Love and Blessings – Anne.
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Thank you for this wonderful comment. It is true. Loving out of the overflow of my love of Jesus comes quite naturally.
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I believe honesty is important. God knows what’s in your heart:
Ps 139:2 (NET) “2 You know when I sit down and when I get up; even from far away you understand my motives. “
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Thank you for the support. It is good to hear from you.
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