Coming to faith in Jesus Christ is an exhilarating and transformative event. The newness of this relationship often feels overwhelming in the best possible way—like stepping into a whole new world. The Bible describes it as a spiritual relocation, a rescue mission where we are delivered from darkness and placed in the Kingdom of Light:
Colossians 1:13 (ESV) He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.
I soon found myself caught in a cycle of spiritual highs followed by devastating lows.
I experienced this firsthand when I recommitted my life to Christ during a season of great spiritual renewal in my church. The atmosphere was electric, filled with an "energy" that felt genuine and uplifting. Yet, I discovered that these mountaintop moments, while powerful, can be unsustainable if not rooted in something more profound.
I soon found myself caught in a cycle of spiritual highs followed by devastating lows. After enduring another season of spiritual "drop-out" and the pain it brought, I learned an essential truth: actual growth doesn’t come from fleeting emotional experiences but from a steady, disciplined commitment to practices that sustain and deepen our walk with God.
I offer the following as essential components of expanding your relationship with God:
1. Study the Bible [Word of God], It Transforms Us...
The Bible isn’t just a book—it’s God’s living Word, active and transformative.
Hebrews 4:12 (ERV) God’s word is alive and working. It is sharper than the sharpest sword and cuts all the way into us. It cuts deep to the place where the soul and the spirit are joined. God’s word cuts to the center of our joints and our bones. It judges the thoughts and feelings in our hearts.
While personal Bible reading is essential, studying the Bible along with others who have spent years learning how to interpret and apply God’s Word can help us avoid misinterpretations and see how the truths of Scripture apply to everyday life.
The Bible isn’t just for information; it’s for transformation. As we engage with it regularly, it changes the way we think, act, and respond to life’s challenges. The apostle Paul explained it this way:
Romans 12:2 (ERV): Don’t change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but let God change you inside with a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to understand and accept what God wants for you. You will be able to know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect.
2. Learn to be Consistent in Prayer, It Is Our Lifeline
Prayer is how we communicate with God. It keeps us connected to Him, helps us discern His will, and strengthens our faith. While this is a 'truth' statement, prayer can feel foreign and abstract for the beginner.
For prayer to feel natural, it must flow from an honest conversational relationship with God rather than a scripted obligation. By speaking to God as you would to a trusted friend— sharing your thoughts, gratitude, struggles, and hopes—prayer becomes an authentic expression of your heart rather than a formal ritual.
Prayer reaches its fullest potential when it becomes a two-way conversation. We pour our hearts into God and pause to listen for His guidance, comfort, and truth. In the stillness and attentiveness of our spirit, we often sense God’s voice, aligning our hearts with His will.
3. Pursue Fellowship With Believers, It Keeps Us Grounded...
The Christian life was never meant to be a solo journey. Fellowship with other believers provides accountability, encouragement, and perspective. The writer of the Hebrews explained it this way:
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ERV) We should think about each other to see how we can encourage each other to show love and do good works. We must not quit meeting together, as some are doing. No, we need to keep on encouraging each other. This becomes more and more important as you see the Day getting closer.
Sadly, many new believers fall into the trap of isolation because they think they can do it on their own or don’t know how to connect. God established the church for this purpose: that we grow, learn, and be challenged to live out our faith.
Let’s not settle for the surface; let’s grow in the fullness of all He has for us. Let’s get connected!
The journey of faith is not just about the thrill of the moment—it’s about building a life rooted in God’s Word, empowered by prayer, and strengthened by fellowship. True purpose and lasting transformation are found when we move beyond the fleeting highs and embrace the steady, life-giving disciplines that deepen our walk with Christ.
Let’s not settle for the surface; let’s grow in the fullness of all He has for us. Let’s get connected!
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