Why can I never seem to get anywhere in my relationship with God?

Why does God always seem so distant, so far away?

I want to have a great relationship with God, I just don’t know how to connect with Him.

[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [[b]which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] — Philippians 3:10 (AMP)

WHY INTIMACY WITH GOD?

[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [[b]which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] — Philippians 3:10 (AMP)

WHY INTIMACY WITH GOD?

[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [[b]which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] — Philippians 3:10 (AMP)

WHY INTIMACY WITH GOD?

[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [[b]which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] — Philippians 3:10 (AMP)

WHY INTIMACY WITH GOD?

[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [[b]which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] — Philippians 3:10 (AMP)

WHY INTIMACY WITH GOD?

(7) I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. (8) Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ. — Philippians 3:7-8 (NLT)

Decision / Danger / Determination

Reorganize your life to make room for God

DECISION

Busyness & Envy

DANGER

Quit something Spend less time doing some of these thingsWorry less about getting cool "stuff" — be

content

DETERMINATION

Be still (stop) — in the quietness, allow God to speak to you

DECISION

Be still (stop) — in the quietness, allow God to speak to you

“Be still, and know that I am God!...” — Psalm 46:10a

DECISION

Be still (stop) — in the quietness, allow God to speak to you

“Be still, and know that I am God!...” — Psalm 46:10a

DECISION

"There is no way you and I can move toward a deeper, intimate relationship with our God without protracted times of stillness, which includes one of the rarest of all experiences: absolute silence" — Charles R. Swindoll

There is constant input into our mindsnot allowing us to hear God's voice

DANGER

Try taking some time to be quiet/still Turn your phone or iPod off, or put it in a different room

Find a quiet place with not many distractions

DETERMINATION

Get away from everyone and all distractions with the purpose of spending time connecting with God

and reflecting on your relationship with Him.

DECISION

(23) Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. (24) Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. — Psalm 139:23-24

DECISION

Never truly alone with GodHinders your ability to do some “soul searching”

DANGER

Find a place where you can be alone with GodKeep a journal for self reflection

Rest, relax

DETERMINATION

Trust in the Lord completely knowing that His plan is the best plan

DECISION

(5) Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. (6) Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. (7) Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. — Proverbs 3:5-7

DECISION

Making your own plans leading to bad results

DANGER

What kind of things do I need to be willing to surrender?

DETERMINATION

What kind of things do I need to be willing to surrender?

your rights / your will / your dreams your plans / your finances

DETERMINATION

(4) Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. (5) Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. — Psalm 37:4-5

DETERMINATION

What kind of things do I need to be willing to surrender?

your rights / your will / your dreams your plans / your finances

DETERMINATION

SIMPLICITY • SILENCESOLITUDE • SURRENDER