Go to Him for everything
I’ve been talking to the Lord since I was seventeen years old. I have learned in the process and He has shown me that when I rely on Him for everything, even the minutest thing in my life, He loves it and appreciates it. It draws Him closer to me and lets me become important to Him. It shows my dedication to the Lord – my desire to have Him involved in my life completely.
I have gone to the Lord for help regarding my studies, who to marry, my career, buying a home and a car, and a slew of other decision-making I needed help with. I have talked to Him about everything and anything that bothers me, even the smallest thing like not having any money or being bothered by an unkind word said to me. I’ve gone to Him for what to cook for dinner, finding the right pair of shoes, to begging Him to heal a loved one from dying. There is nothing I wouldn’t talk to Him about, especially when it bothers my heart and it’s making me unhappy. Remember, He loves us so much that to see us unhappy and without peace bothers Him. When you make Him your all-in-all and depend on Him so much for happiness, He will fit the image you rely on Him for. He will be that friend that will be there for you to make you happy. Whatever you expect for Him to be in your life, He will be. If you need Him and you tell Him and show Him you need Him, He will come through.
Confess your sins
Another thing I have learned from the Lord about having a deeper walk with Him is to confess my sins to Him. It doesn’t matter if it’s cringing the life out of me to talk to Him about it. I have learned to swallow my pride, take a deep breath and talk to Him about it. If it’s something stupid I had said to someone and I hate to admit that I was wrong, I talk to Him about it anyway. I even ask Him to help me talk to Him about it. He has shown me time and time again how He loves me more because of this. It doesn’t turn Him away from me, but rather draws Him closer to me. It shows my need of Him. It shows His death was not in vain. Without the shedding of His precious blood I wouldn’t have remission of sins today. If I don’t confess my sins to Him, then the power of His death and His resurrection is all lost. Besides, it cleanses me from all of my uncleanness and unrighteousness. He came and died for this very reason – to forgive me and cleanse me from all of my unrighteousness. I have come to a habit of always asking for His grace and forgiveness. Even when I’m walking or shopping or talking to someone, if an unclean thought comes to my head or a scornful thought rises up inside me, I would ask immediately for His grace and forgiveness. I would say to Him, “Please Father, forgive me. Cleanse me from all unrighteousness. Cleanse me from all these wicked thoughts and desires. In Jesus’ name. Thank You, Father.” And I know it’s done. I’m forgiven. He has cleansed me because I confessed it to Him and asked for His grace and forgiveness. This confession takes only a few seconds but it’s very powerful. It leaves me feeling refreshed and right in His eyes always. It leaves me ready for His dealings and His Holy Spirit to always work through me and talk to me. I don’t have to worry about coming to Him because I know I have made myself right with Him. The Bible tells us,
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. {James 4:10}
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. {1 John 1:9}
Love Him and thank Him for everything
Another powerful way I have witnessed in my life that brings Him nearer, is to thank Him for everything. It most definitely draws the Lord closer to me in my life. The Lord even helps me with this, because I would see a scene in my mind and I acknowledge these scenes of goodness before Him and talk to Him about them. I talk to Him about it and then thank Him. It doesn’t matter how small or insignificant it may be, I thank Him for it. Like couple of days ago I told the Lord I would like to get a pullover sweatshirt for a souvenir before we go home. The next day the Lord tells me in my mind to go into one of those shops I pass by everyday in my walks, so I did. There, right behind the cash register on the wall above were those pullover sweatshirts I was talking to Him about, and they were on sale for over fifty percent off. I got the size and color I wanted and paid for it. As soon as I walked out of that store I thanked Him and loved Him with all of my heart. I talked to Him about it too. I just don’t say, “Thank You, Jesus,” and forget about it. I go into detail with the Lord whenever He’s done something so sweet for me. I said to Him, “Oh, Father You’re so sweet to me. I can’t believe it! They had it and in the color I really like. And it’s on sale too Lord and really good quality. I can’t believe it! It’s amazing I didn’t think it would be this thick for the price they were asking for. You’re so good to me Lord! I love You so much! Thank You!”
Listen to His voice and His nudging
Finally, it’s so important to listen to His voice and His dealings with us. The more you talk to the Lord, the more you will come to see His nudging and dealings – the more you will come to see what He wants. It will get easier as the time goes by and as you go deeper in your walk with Him. Like with that souvenir purchase the other day, I was on my way back to my hotel when the Lord told in my spirit to go across the street and go to that store. I could’ve said, “Nah, I’ll do that later.” I knew He was talking to me about seeing the pullover sweatshirt I mentioned, but I wasn’t a hundred percent sure if they had it. Nevertheless I crossed the street right there and then when I saw the Lord in my spirit impressing me to go in there. I could have gone in later or the next day, but what if I won’t get another chance to see that store again? Who knows better than the Lord? What if they run out of my size or stop the sale the next time I decided to go? It’s better to listen as soon as you know the Lord is dealing with you about something to do. He will show you too if He wants it done now or later. You will know. And if you’re not sure you can talk to Him about it too. You can ask Him, “Lord is this what you want for me to do? Please show me.” And He will show you.
When you can obey the Lord in small things, He will guide you to do greater things. When you can obey Him in smaller things then it will be easier, hopefully, to obey Him more and more in greater things.
It’s a process, this walk with the Lord. It doesn’t happen overnight. Don’t get impatient with yourself and beat yourself up if you don’t follow through when you’ve come to realize He was dealing with you. I still trip up and fail. I wish I could say I’ve finally arrived, but alas this flesh still would rather do what it wants to do. And when I don’t spend enough time with the Lord, His voice is not as clear as I would want it. I end up relying on my own understanding and strength. But thank the Lord because He is patient and long suffering. He will definitely deal with you again and again as long as you don’t give up on Him and on yourself. Don’t give up asking the Lord for direction and to keep obeying His dealings with you. If you failed to obey Him, just say you’re sorry. It’s really simple, just say you’re sorry then move on. It’s not always easy but I have learned to accept it, that I’m going to fail but He remains faithful. He will not give up on me if I don’t give up on Him and on myself. Besides, what else is there? If I give up on the Lord and in His dealings with me in my life – if I say to Him, “That’s it Lord, I give up. I’ll never amount to anything. Just don’t worry about me anymore…” I see no life with that for me at all. I see just darkness before me. Since I know the Lord is long suffering and full of grace and mercy, I keep at it. I keep swallowing my pride and shame and keep talking to Him about wanting Him and His truth in my life . When I do, I see Him continue in His dealings with me. I see Him continue to love me and show me His truth and mercy. I become precious to Him and He to me. In short, this is the relationship He wants from me – from all of us – a stronger reliance on Him and not on ourselves. When we do this, in no time at all, without a doubt our walk with Him will become stronger and more meaningful – it will become deeper and precious as the years go by.
Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. {John 15:15}
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. {John 15:7-8}
Prayer
I love You, Lord. I thank You so much for You in my life. Thank You for leading me and guiding me all these years to come to You and never give up on Your dealings with me in this life. I can do nothing Lord. All the goodness that has transpired in my life is Your doing. You are holy and You are pure, there is no one like You. You are always good and faithful and kind. I thank You Father for never giving up on me. I thank You for always drawing me to You all these years. Thank You so much for You Lord Jesus. Thank You for Your truth and Your kindness upon me in this life. I love You.
Please Father, I pray even more a closer walk with You. I pray for courage to hear You more and to obey You more. Help me to love You even more than myself everyday that Your will may be done in my life. Help me to talk to You, obey Your dealings, and trust in You always to never fail me. I ask all these things Father, in Your most wonderful and precious name, Jesus. Thank You, Father. Amen.
Repost from August 2018: How To Have A Deeper Relationship With The Lord
