How to Build a Relationship with God (20 Ways) - Part 4

Are you looking for ways to build a relationship with God? Do you desire an intimate relationship with your Creator? Do you want to grow spiritually and realize your calling?

If you are looking for answers on how to build a relationship with God, this article is for you.

This article is part four in the How to Build a Relationship with God series. In each of the previous articles, we have discussed different ways to deepen your relationship with God.

Part 1 in this series focuses on your personal relationship with God and studying His Word.

In Part 2, you learn about spending time in God’s presence while worshiping and offering thanksgiving. Part 3 focuses on trusting God and connecting with other believers.

In Part 4, we will focus on obedience, honoring God, serving and worshiping God alone, and getting to know God better.

The How to Build a Relationship with God series is ideal in teaching you to make small yet significant changes in your spiritual walk for a lasting impact on your life.

But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. – Psalm 86:15 (ESV)

How to Build a Relationship with God

You should never stop striving to build a relationship with God. As you grow spiritually, you can continue to get to know God better. Spiritual learning never stops!

You should consider making it a spiritual goal to build a relationship with God. Your personal relationship with the Father should always be one of growth and development.

Change things up if you ever feel that your walk with God is becoming stagnant or dry! Focus on a new area of growth!

The journey to getting to know God and building a relationship with Him should be fun and creative! Dig into the Word of God, dance to a song, lift your hands in praise, and enjoy it!

Your relationship should develop naturally. Do not force yourself through a checklist! Take it slow, ask questions, journal, and watch God become a natural part of your daily life!

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How to Build a Relationship with God - (20 Ways) - Part 4

1. Obey God.

The Bible is clear when it comes to obedience. God demands our obedience in all areas of our lives. When we asked Christ to be our Savior, we gave Him our lives and chose to honor Him as Lord.

As you get to know God more, you will understand that He only wants what is best for you. In this, you will find that His rules are not punishment but for the good of His children. This knowledge will cause you to want to obey!

You are also called to stand out from the world! God’s people are not supposed to look, act, eat, or appear like the world. He wants us to be different. He wants us to be set apart; He wants us to worship and glorify Him.

First of all, we cannot live with God if we are still living in sin. Second, we cannot honor God if we act like the world. Finally, we cannot lead others to God if we appear the same as they are and are not changed by our faith.

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. – Philippians 4:8 (NLT)

How to Obey God

In order to build your relationship with God, consider obedience. The following suggestions will help you along the way.

Get an Attitude Adjustment – Your obedience should come from a place of love! When you understand the deepness of God’s love, you will want to obey Him.

Pray to God to adjust your attitude so that your heart is in a place of desire. Align your emotions with the truth of God’s Word.

Confess All to God – Sadly, many believers think that confession stops once you accept Jesus Christ. This is wholly untrue. You must humble yourself before the Lord daily and confess your sins.

Talk to God! Ask Him to forgive you and wash you in the blood of the Lamb. Start each day with a clean slate!

Try reading Confessing Your Sins: Following God’s Laws for more insight through the use of daily devotionals. These daily readings will guide you through the importance of confession and how it can help you grow closer to Jesus Christ.

Choose Obedience – You need to get up every day and choose to obey God. It isn’t something that just happens on its own. You need to know God’s Word to know what to obey!

Focus on doing what’s right and good. When your focus is on obedience and God’s Word, your actions will show it!

Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves Me will obey My teaching. My Father will love them, and We will come to them and make Our home with them.” – John 14:23 (NIV)

2. Worship God Only.

While this statement may seem obvious, it is unreal how often we simply do not follow this commandment. The reality of our lives does not always align with God’s will.

God is very specific in that He is a jealous God. We are to have no idols or other gods before Him. An idol is anything worshiped or placed as higher importance than God.

However, we often disobey this commandment. How often do daily, mundane things get placed before God in our lives? Do you choose social media more than reading your Bible? Is there a particular habit that keeps you from God that you refuse to let go of?

Many things in our daily lives can become idols of worship before God. Even our families can become a focus of our worship. Sports teams, celebrities, and even materialistic goals can all become areas of worship in our lives.

To worship God alone means to surrender everything in our lives to Him. There is to be no area of our lives that is kept separated from Him. This form of worship is to love God with all of our minds, soul, and heart. Everything we do is to be for His glory!

Do not have other gods besides Me. Do not make an idol for yourself, whether in the shape of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth. – Exodus 20:3-4 (HCSB)

How to Worship God Only

Understand God’s Character – Throughout the Bible, God reveals Himself to us. We learn that God is the one true God.

We also learn of His mercy, grace, and love! By understanding God’s character, you can become more willing to give Him all of your life and worship.

Ask the Spirit to Reveal Idols – Pray to the Holy Spirit to reveal to you any idols you may have in your life. An idol can be anything we choose to give our attention to instead of God.

It is naturally easier to worship something we can see, but idols are wrong. Idols can be money, power, family, pornography, alcohol, friendships, status, social media, celebrities, and more!

Physically (and Spiritually) Remove Idols – This part becomes difficult for most people. You need to remove any false gods or idols from your life. You must separate yourself from anything that takes your attention away from Him.

In the case of relationships, such as your marriage and children, you need to become proactive in turning each task into a way to honor God! Instead of allowing these relationships to distract you, use them to honor God.

When we talk about sins that become worshipped, such as pornography, alcohol, and drugs, you need to take action to heal from these burdens!

The Celebrate Recovery program is an amazing step that will bring you closer to God! Celebrate Recovery helps people from all walks of life recover from hurts, habits, or hang-ups!

You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in Heaven above, or that is in the water under the earth. – Exodus 20:3-4 (ESV)

3. Get to Know God.

Have you ever been on a first date? Have you visited a church for the first time? If so, you know what it’s like to not know a particular person or place.

Your relationship with God is just the same! You NEED to get to know Him! You must move from the idea of God into a place where He is real to you.

In the same way that you would take the time to get to know a new friend or potential spouse, you must get to know God. Learn about what He likes and dislikes. Discover the aspects of His personality. Aim to draw close to God.

You should take the time to know His history in the world and all of the little things that make Him so amazing! How can you know that which you cannot see?

How to Get to Know God

Read the Word of God – This cannot be emphasized enough. The Bible is like a love letter written by God to you! It outlines every single thing we could possibly dream of knowing about God, and you will NEVER stop learning from it. Read your Bible!

Spend Time in His Presence – Whether through praying, singing, dancing, or meditating, you should spend time in the presence of God. A good relationship with God is founded on spending quality time together.

Learn the Names of God – You probably know Him as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, but did you know there are over 950 names and titles for God in the Bible?

Each of these names or titles gives you a different perspective of the character of God. Study these names and get to know God like never before!

The Names of God: His Character Revealed takes you on a beautiful six-week journey to develop a more intimate and personal relationship with God. This book explores many of the names attributed to God, including El, Elohim, and Yahweh.

God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I Am has sent me to you.” – Exodus 3:14 (NIV)

4. Serve God and Not This World.

Another great way to grow closer to God is to choose to serve God and not this world. Often, we get confused as to whether we want to be strong believers or whether we want to not offend anyone.

God’s laws do not always align with the world. There will be times when what God requires of us will make us stand out and possibly upset others.

Non-believers will not always understand our choices or viewpoints when it comes to serving God. However, Proverbs 3:5 tells us that we are to trust in God and not our own understanding. We know from 2 Timothy 3:16 that ALL of scripture is God-breathed and perfect.

How to Serve God and Not This World

Meditate on the Word of God – It is more than just reading your Bible. You should study and meditate on the Word. You will be better equipped to make choices that honor God even when the world says otherwise if you memorize scripture.

His Word in My Heart is an inspiring book that helps you memorize scripture by creating a more complete picture of God. No matter where you are in your spiritual walk, this book will help you build a relationship with God.

Let Go of the Opinion of Others – By establishing your worth in God, you will be able to let go of the opinion of others. You will no longer feel a need to appease people around you. God has called you His child, and this comes with great blessings. Do not allow man’s opinion to sway what you believe about our Father.

Stand Bold – There will be many times in life where believers are ridiculed or mocked. It has been constant throughout history.

Stand bold in your beliefs! Surround yourself with other believers who can encourage you. Finding a church home can help with this.

And without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him. – Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)

5. Honor the Lord in All that You Do.

I once knew a woman who refused to buy a pair of shoes without praying to God first. She was in her eighties at the time. The only shoes she had that she could still wear due to calluses and arthritis were worn down and in desperate need of replacing.

This woman went to town and saw a pair of identical shoes in a shop window. She asked the clerk about the cost and then left the store. Three days later, she returned to purchase the shoes.

When asked why she waited, the woman replied that she first needed to pray to see if she should buy the shoes.

Once the woman was confident of God’s answer, she proceeded. This woman was my great-grandmother. She always instructed that everything, even our small change, is from God.

We should do nothing that does not honor Him.

We can get caught up in the mundane tasks of cleaning, laundry, errands, and homework. However, we can honor God in all of these moments.

How to Honor the Lord in All that You Do

Honor God with Your Time – We are blessed each day. Use your time wisely. Make plans to spend time in prayer and Bible study.

Find ways to serve others and take care of the things you are blessed with. Even taking time to rest can honor God as you care for yourself.

Honor God with Your Words – We need to be conscious of our words. Our words should encourage others and bring glory to God. Think before you speak.

Honor God with Your Intentions – We can honor God through our intentions. In everything we do, there is a reason behind it.

Before you agree to any event, ask whether you can honor God by attending. Before starting any task, find ways to glorify God. Your purpose should always put God first.

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. – 1 Corinthians 10:31 (ISV)

A Prayer for Building a Relationship with God

Dear Lord,

I desperately want to grow spiritually. I want to build a relationship with you that is intimate and meaningful. I want to bear spiritual fruit that is pleasing to you.

Help me start within my home. Then, show me how to reach the world.

If there are things that I need to let go of to grow, give me strength through the process of detachment and lead me. Let my soul cry out to You.

In Your Name,

Amen

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Make God a Priority in My Life?

Ensuring that God is a priority in your life is a conscious decision. You must actively seek to remove anything you find yourself placing higher than God. Take consistent stock of your life and priorities. Beginning each day with prayer is a great way to start.

How Do I Connect with God Spiritually?

The best way to connect with God is through prayer. This is your primary means by which you can communicate with God. You can pray by writing down your prayers, expressing physical emotion, or even through music. By actively seeking the presence of God through prayer, you will find it easier to connect with Him.

What Does the Bible Say About a Personal Relationship with Jesus?

The Bible states that a personal relationship with Jesus is key to entering Heaven. Christ said that no one will enter the gates except through Him. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Building a relationship with Jesus Christ is an essential part of being a Christian.

How Do I Invite God Into My Life?

If you feel you are ready to invite God into your life, you can simply pray along: Father, I believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son sent to die on the cross for my sins. I believe that Jesus is my Savior, and through His blood, my sins are wiped clean. Forgive me for my sins and dwell within me going forward.

How Do I Know If God Is Speaking To Me?

God speaks to us in many ways. He can speak to you through visions, dreams, emotions, and even words. When God speaks with you, you will feel a strong determination in the words you hear and the emotions you feel. You’ll feel discernment in one direction.

Conclusion

This article has concluded a four-part series digging deep into how to build a relationship with God. You have been given 20 different ways to start and continue to develop a relationship with our Father.

Remember to take your time in developing each step thoroughly. There is no right or wrong order to how you should build your relationship. Spend time in prayer and ask the Spirit to reveal ways you can connect!

Is there a particular way in which you feel closest to God? Is there a verse that connects the most with you? Share these with us in the comments! We would love to hear how God is working in your life!

The first step in building your relationship with God is to ask forgiveness for your sins and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. If you are unsure how to do this or would like someone to pray with you, connect with us on social media!

You can honor God with all your heart in all you do, choosing to worship Him alone! Remember that obedience will guide you in spiritual growth.

You can help others grow closer to God by sharing this series on social media! Make sure all your friends and family have the necessary resources to grow as you are! May God bless you on your journey!

How to Build a Relationship with God (20 Ways) – Part 4