What Keeps You From Knowing God?

What keeps you from knowing God?

Nobody is perfect and as we go over these different bible study topics, it becomes ever clearer just how imperfect we are and just how important it is for us to always remember. God doesn’t expect us to be perfect, because its human nature to fall short of perfection. God created each of us and knows all our hearts, and even though we aren’t perfect he still wants to know us and have an intimate relationship with us. He knows our hearts and believe it or not still wants to know more of us. That relationship doesn’t mean how many good deeds you can do, it doesn’t mean how much money you give to the church but rather its about you and Him. Its about whether you first of all believe in God’s love for you. Secondly whether you believe Jesus Christ is God's only provision for our sin. Through him we can know and experience a personal relationship with God.

"For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that he might bring us to God" (1Peter 3:18).

"But God demonstrates his love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).

We must each respond to Jesus Christ by placing our trust in him as our Savior and Lord; then we can know and experience God personally.
The response involves two parts.

Firstly, agreeing with God that we have sinned (offended him) and deciding to turn from our sin. (Repentance) Acts 2:36-38

Secondly, trusting Jesus Christ to forgive us completely because he died for our sins. (Faith) Romans 10:9,10

Once these first tasks are complete, then a truly awesome intimate relationship can begin with God. This relationship should be something you seek out everyday, not set aside, and in the same way it shouldn’t just be something you do everyday, it should be something you WANT to do everyday, its not about checking the box, its about growing in your relationship with God. Within the relationship, like many others there is this precious thing called trust. Trusting in God must be something you do without hesitation, its not easy at times, but God will provide you with what you need. He doesn’t place things in your life to watch you fall, but rather he does the opposite, he seeks to watch you grow from what you are dealing with in your life. Trust, in my opinion has a lot to do with our faith. Faith in God and faith in God’s plans for your life are very important to having an intimate relationship with the Lord. Faith needs to be like a solid unyielding rock, but I know that’s far easier said than done. Like many if not most people, I have trouble with faith and trusting in God’s plans for my life. But we must be strong and hold tight to our faith and to God’s plans for our life. I just want to conclude with one final thought about our relationship with God, and that is the importance of prayer. Prayer in my opinion is key to having a successful relationship. Prayer is simply another form of communication, and some people would say its only a one way communication. But I disagree, I’ve felt God speak to my heart not in the same way you and I would speak but rather in a deeper more intimate way. He can lay whole ideas for my life directly to me without hesitation. I know there are people who believe in different ways to communicate to God. But I’ve always known I have a direct line to God. I don’t need anyone to speak to him for me. I know no matter where I’m at or no matter what I’m doing God is always listening to me and loving me. Its amazing to know you can speak to God whenever you want and know he is listening and will answer if you just allow yourself to listening and truly hear the Lord speak to your heart. I would just like to encourage others to pray as often as you can and to open up your hearts to the lord. And for those who don’t have the kind of relationship I’ve described I would like to encourage you to trust, have faith, and pray to the Lord and ask him into your heart and for you to believe in your heart the love and salvation you can have through Jesus Christ. The website below has more information if you want to learn more about having a personal relationship with God.
http://www.everystudent.com/au/features/gettingconnected.html