7 Ways To Grow Closer To God: From Lukewarm to On Fire
Summary
TLDRIn this inspiring video, Ashley shares seven tangible ways to deepen one's relationship with God. She emphasizes the importance of daily 'secret place' time, consistent prayer, Bible reading, solitude, repentance, fasting, and worship. By integrating these practices into daily life, viewers are encouraged to experience true intimacy with God and grow closer to Him.
Takeaways
- đ Read the Bible daily to grow closer to God; start with books like John, James, Ephesians, Romans, Proverbs, or Psalms.
- đ Make prayer a daily practice, talking to God throughout the day to build a closer relationship.
- đïž Seek the 'secret place' for private time with God, where you can have personal conversations without broadcasting to others.
- đ Prioritize time alone with God, making it more important than social media or other distractions.
- đ Experience God's presence through solitude, sitting in His presence without the need to fill the space with words.
- đŹ Use prayer walks as a way to talk to God out loud, not caring about what others may think.
- đ§ââïž Practice repentance to remove any wedges of unconfessed sin that may distance you from God.
- đ¶ââïž Fasting can help you feel closer to God by denying your flesh and focusing on spiritual growth.
- đ¶ Listen to worship music and Jesus-centered lyrics to honor God and enhance your spiritual connection.
- đïž Embrace moments of deep worship, crying out to the Lord and expressing your love and devotion through tears and gestures.
- đ± Join a Bible reading community or use a devotional for a structured approach to daily Bible study and reflection.
Q & A
What is the main theme of Ashley's channel?
-The main theme of Ashley's channel is to discuss ways to grow closer to God and reach one's full potential in faith.
What does Ashley consider the first step to growing closer to God?
-The first step is to get into the 'secret place' every single day, which is a private time alone with God.
What does the 'secret place' mean according to the transcript?
-The 'secret place' refers to a private and personal space where one can have a one-on-one relationship with God without the need to broadcast it to others.
How does Ashley relate the concept of the 'secret place' to friendships?
-Ashley compares the 'secret place' to spending quality time with a friend, emphasizing that the more time you spend with someone, the closer you become.
What does Ashley suggest as the second step to having true intimacy with God?
-The second step is to talk to God every single day, making prayer an essential part of one's daily routine.
Why is prayer important for growing closer to God, as per Ashley's perspective?
-Prayer is important because it is a two-way conversation between you and God, allowing you to express your burdens, give thanks, and feel His presence.
What is Ashley's advice on how to approach Bible reading for those who find it intimidating?
-Ashley suggests starting with books like the Gospel of John, James, Ephesians, Romans, Proverbs, or Psalms, and taking it one chapter at a time. She also recommends her Bible reading community called 'the tree' for a structured plan.
What is the role of solitude in Ashley's approach to growing closer to God?
-Solitude is about being alone with God without the need for many words, allowing one to sit in His presence and feel refilled and at peace.
How does Ashley describe the importance of repentance in one's relationship with God?
-Repentance is crucial as unconfessed sin can create a wedge between you and God. By repenting and confessing sins, one can turn back to God and feel closer to Him.
What is the significance of fasting in Ashley's spiritual journey?
-Fasting is a way to deny the flesh and get closer to God. It helps in sensing God's presence more intensely and is considered worth the sacrifice.
How does Ashley recommend incorporating worship into one's daily life?
-Ashley suggests listening to worship music and Jesus music with honoring lyrics, and setting aside moments in the day or week for expressing love and worship to God.
Outlines
đ Building Intimacy with God: The Secret Place
Ashley introduces her channel's focus on spiritual growth and personal potential. She emphasizes the importance of establishing a 'secret place' for daily private communion with God, as stated in James 4:8. This private time is crucial for developing a close relationship with God, akin to nurturing a friendship. Ashley stresses the need to prioritize this time over social media and other distractions, and to recognize that God, like a gentleman, will only draw near to those who actively seek Him.
đŁïž Cultivating Prayer and Conversation with God
Ashley discusses the significance of maintaining a daily prayer life to deepen one's relationship with God. She uses the analogy of a friend to illustrate the need for consistent communication. She shares her personal practice of talking to God throughout the day, especially during prayer walks, where she openly converses with God, regardless of others' opinions. Ashley references Matthew 6:5-8 to highlight the importance of private prayer and the value of a two-way conversation with God, which includes sharing burdens and giving thanks.
đ Embracing the Word of God through Bible Reading
Ashley admits her initial intimidation with the Bible but has since made it a daily practice to engage with the scripture. She recommends starting with books like John, James, Ephesians, Romans, Proverbs, or Psalms and suggests a structured Bible reading plan through her 'tree' community. Ashley also mentions her morning devotional, 'The Joy of the In-Between,' as a less intimidating way to start the day with God, focusing on trust and timing in relation to God's plan.
đïž Experiencing God's Presence through Solitude
Ashley explains the concept of solitude as a time to be alone with God without the need for words. She describes her weekly Sabbath as a time for quiet reflection and sitting in God's presence, which she finds rejuvenating. Ashley encourages others to embrace solitude despite their personality type, reminding them that God is always present and that this time alone can be spiritually fulfilling.
đ The Necessity of Repentance in Spiritual Growth
Ashley believes that unconfessed sin can create a barrier between an individual and God. She encourages repentance as a means to restore closeness with God, sharing her personal experiences where she felt distant from God due to unrepented sin. She advises confessing sins and turning towards obedience and God's ways to maintain a close relationship.
đïž Fasting as a Means to Draw Nearer to God
Ashley views fasting as a powerful way to deny the flesh and grow closer to God. She admits that fasting is not always easy but finds it rewarding as it heightens her awareness of God's presence. Ashley offers a free fasting guide for those interested in learning how to fast and emphasizes the spiritual benefits of this practice.
đ¶ The Transformative Power of Worship in Spiritual Connection
Ashley discusses the impact of worship, particularly through music, on one's spiritual journey. She shares her transition from secular to worship music and how it positively affected her walk with God. She encourages setting aside time for worship, both through music and in moments of heartfelt devotion, as a vital part of nurturing a relationship with God.
Mindmap
Keywords
đĄIntimacy with God
đĄSecret Place
đĄPrayer Life
đĄBible Reading
đĄSolitude
đĄRepentance
đĄFasting
đĄWorship
đĄFaith
đĄSabbath
Highlights
Ashley introduces her channel's focus on growing closer to God and reaching full potential in Him.
The importance of establishing true intimacy with God and understanding what closeness to God looks like.
Step one: Entering the 'secret place' daily to foster a personal relationship with God as per James 4:8.
The 'secret place' is a private space for individual communion with God without the need for public display.
Drawing near to God results in His drawing near to you, akin to nurturing a friendship.
The necessity of prioritizing time alone with God over other daily activities for a close relationship.
Ashley shares personal experiences of feeling distant from God and the importance of making Him a priority.
Step two: The significance of daily prayer and maintaining a conversation with God as a means of getting to know Him.
Prayer is a two-way conversation that involves speaking to God and listening for His response.
Matthew 6:5-8 advises prayer in private for genuine communication with God, away from the desire for recognition.
Step three: The transformational power of reading the Bible daily to understand God's word.
Ashley recommends starting with specific books of the Bible for those new to reading it.
The introduction of 'The Tree' community for a structured Bible reading plan and support.
Step four: Embracing solitude to simply be in God's presence without the need for words.
The benefits of solitude in restoring spiritual energy and experiencing God's peace.
Step five: The necessity of repentance for unconfessed sin to avoid a wedge between you and God.
Step six: Fasting as a means of denying the flesh and drawing closer to God.
Ashley provides a fasting guide for those interested in beginning this spiritual practice.
Step seven: The impact of worship through music that honors God and facilitates a deeper connection.
The importance of scheduling dedicated times for worship to pour love onto God.
Ashley encourages viewers to engage with her on social media for ongoing support in their spiritual journey.
Transcripts
God wants to be near to you hello you
guys my name is Ashley welcome back to
my channel on this channel I talk about
how to grow closer to God and reach your
full potential in him today I'm really
excited because I'm going to be sharing
about how to have true intimacy with God
and what closeness to God really looks
like before we get into it I want to
just remind youall to subscribe if you
have already I post videos around Faith
morning routines Wellness fashion and I
would love to have you in this community
step number one to growing closer to God
get in the secret place every single day
James 4:8 says draw near to God and He
will draw near to you so y'all might be
wondering what is the secret place is
there a secret I'm confused the secret
place is a place where you get alone
with the Lord and you don't need to
broadcast that you're doing this you
don't need to tell everyone shout to the
rooftops that you're getting alone with
God you are getting alone with him just
you and him in private it's giving
private moment private conversation
private time together you are just alone
with the Lord and what it says here in
James is when you draw near to God He
will draw near to you the more that you
you draw near to God the more that you
are going to sense his closeness think
about it like a friendship if you have a
friend but you never spend any time with
them and you never even make an effort
to spend time with them then you're
probably not going to feel close to that
friend right the same thing goes for God
if you are not hungry for the Lord and
you are not getting alone with him every
single day and seeking that time with
him every single day then you cannot
expect to be close to God period like if
you are making your time on scrolling on
social media more important and more
valuable than you getting alone with God
first thing in the morning or right
before you go to bed at night if you are
going to your friends and you're going
to your family more than you are going
to the Lord and you're you're like
Desiring online shopping more than
you're Desiring to be alone with God
then you cannot be upset that God feels
distant and far away like you cannot be
upset if you're not close to a friend
when you make no effort to be with that
friend you just can't be like so the
father is so kind he's so patient and he
doesn't force himself on anyone right
like God is a gentleman he don't force
himself like he he is going to see the
people who are drawing near to him and
he is going to be close to them y'all
I'm going to keep it a buck like there
have been seasons in my life where I
have sensed that God feels so far away
and I've had to look Inward and go how
much of a priority have I made getting
alone with him right I've been so upset
oh God where are you where are you but I
haven't really made him a priority and
then there have been Seasons where I
make him a priority and he is the most
important part of my day and getting
alone with him I I like need it like I
need water like I need food when I get
to that point it's like God and I we
good we on Cloud9 because I'm making him
a priority and that is why I feel near
to him so get in the secret place every
single day make getting alone with God
your number one priority every single
day if you want to get closer to him
this year number two talk to God every
single day your prayer life is so
important when it comes to getting to
know your creator let's get back to that
friend analogy say you have a friend
right you love this friend like they
mean the world to you but you never talk
to this friend you literally never say
anything to them ever okay you wonder
why they feel far away you wonder when
you want to get close to God you got to
talk to God you got to talk to him every
single day what I do every single day is
after I spend time with him in the
morning and I read my Bible I am talking
to him throughout my morning I am
praying without ceasing as it says in
first Thessalonians it says Rejoice
always pray without ceasing and give
thanks in all circumstances like we are
to pray and talk to him all the time but
there are moments where like maybe in
the morning after you read your Bible
you want to just talk to him even if
it's for like 10 minutes just talk to
him about what you're struggling with
maybe journal and share with him what
you're struggling with what the burdens
that you're casting on him are maybe if
you're like me you like to go on walks
and you like to talk to God on your
walks I look like a crazy person every
time I do this I don't care I literally
have people walk by me and I'm still
talking out loud to God I literally
don't I literally don't care I'm like
you're my father they I don't even know
this person what am I going to do stop
talking to my father for this person to
just think that I'm cool I don't care
y'all I talk to him every single day on
my prayer walks and I sense his presence
so strongly and I know that you guys
want to sense his presence you want to
feel his presence you want to hear him
speak to you you guys got to get alone
with him and talk to him like he wants
to talk to you he's waiting to talk to
you he's waiting to give you peace but
you're just not making space for it
Matthew 6 5-8 says this and when you
pray you must not be like the Hypocrites
for they love to stand and pray in the
synagogues and at the stre street
corners that they may be seen by others
truly I say to you they have received
their reward but when you pray go into
into your room and shut the door and
pray to your father who is in secret and
your father who sees in secret will
reward you so again you're getting along
with him it's a secret place you're
talking to him you're you're praying to
him you don't have to like shout it from
the rooftops you're just spending
quality time with him prayer is a
two-part conversation with you and God
it involves you speaking to God but it
also involves him speaking to you give
him your burdens than thank him for
things Praise Him confess your sins to
him get alone with him and talk to him
like he is your friend and I promise you
will feel closer to the Lord number
three read the Bible I used to be so
intimidated by the Bible y'all I didn't
even grow up really reading the Bible at
all and Christianity was new for me I
found the Lord later in my teen years
and I didn't know how to read the Bible
but I have made it a diligent practice
every single day to be in my word every
single day at the start of my day I know
some of y'all are like I don't even know
where to start and there are a couple of
books that I would recommend starting
out with um The Gospel of John is
amazing the Book of James the book of
Ephesians The Book of Romans I also love
the Book of Proverbs or Psalms and just
take a Chapter a day and read it if you
want something more structured I have a
Bible reading community
called the tree and it is a place online
where we give you a plan a Bible reading
plan every single day so you never have
to wonder what to read and we also give
you an entire community of women to read
the Bible with so if you are interested
in that you can join in the link in my
description also if reading the Bible is
too intimidating for you and you're like
freaked out by it I have a devotional a
morning devotional and I find that
morning devotionals are a great way to
start spending time with God and just to
have that intro with him without feeling
intimidated by you know a big Bible I
have scriptures at the start of every
single day that you can read in my
devotional called The Joy of the in
between y'all can get it at Target now
which is absolutely nuts like in Target
stores let's go it's all about waiting
on the Lord trusting in the Lord and
waiting on his perfect timing number
four Solitude Solitude is getting alone
with God and not really feeling the need
to fill the space with many words at all
so on my Sabbath my weekly Sabbath I
like to just have time where I'm alone
with God and I don't really say much I'm
just sitting in his presence and there
are some days that it's a challenge to
do this because like I want to socialize
I want to be with my friends I want to
like do all this stuff all day on my
Sabbath but I need time alone with God
like it fills my cup when I'm feeling
empty at the end of the week and I hit
my Sabbath it's like I have got to get
alone with the Lord and let him refill
me and let him speak to me and let him
um speak his promises over me like just
abide in the Holy Spirit and like be
alone with him when I get to that place
y'all like I am overflowing I'm
overflowing and your girl's an extrovert
right like some of y'all are like well I
am not an introvert Ashley I don't want
to be alone ever I'm scared of being
alone but you're never alone because God
is always with you like right now he is
with you so much more than I'm with you
right now like God is literally sitting
right next to you right now he's with
you and he wants to spend time with you
something I'll also do and I've
mentioned this on my channel before but
at the end of every single night I will
literally just like lay limp on my bed
I'm not even kidding guys like I will be
just it I'll have the whole day that I
just finished the whole day and I'm like
in my bed and I maybe just like read a
couple of pages of my book and I'm just
like laying there and I'm just praying
and I'm just talking to God and
sometimes I'm just praying in the spirit
because I have no words and I'm just
praying and like I'm just alone with God
and my eyes are just fixed on God and
it's like my whole body just floods with
this crazy peace it's actually insane
and it's the most random place like I'm
not even in a church and I'm feeling
this peace I'm in my bed
number five is repentance so I believe
that unconfessed sin will create a wedge
between you and the Lord like again in
my own life there have been times where
I
have not repented of things and I have
like been walking and living in sin and
I question why I feel far from God y'all
if you feel that in your heart right now
I just encourage you to just repent to
the Lord confess your sin say God I am
so sorry that I've been doing this that
I've been practicing this that I've been
taking part in this mindset that is not
aligned with your word and I turned to
you and I turn to being obedient to you
and I turn to your way of doing things
right so repent and turn to the Lord and
I promise it will help you feel closer
to him number six is fasting so a great
way to get closer to God and feel closer
to the Lord is denying your flesh I like
to fast often
and I like to just have this time I'm
never looking forward to it but in the
middle of my fast I'm always sensing the
presence of the Lord so much that I'm
like okay wow it is so worth it that I
am denying my flesh today it is so worth
it that I'm not eating the cookie it is
so worth it that I'm not you know that
I'm that I'm skipping lunch today
because I know that God is so close to
me right now I actually have a fasting
guide for y'all I know so many of you
guys don't know how to fast and I didn't
know for the longest time and so I put
together this free guide and you can get
it in the description below and it's all
about how to get started with fasting
yeah I really hope that that helps you
guys number seven is worship one of the
ways you can get closer to the Lord is
just worshiping him in the music that
you listen to so y'all I used to listen
to mostly secular music mostly music
with like bunch of cuss words in it and
not good things in it and I didn't think
it was a problem and I was even like a
Christian at this point and I just
didn't really think it was a problem and
I didn't realize how this was affecting
my mind and it was affecting my soul
when I started switching over to
listening to Jesus music and not just
like you know like corny cheesy
Christian music but like genuinely good
music that's like viby like it's like
new music New Wave Christian music when
I started listening to that it changed
you know my walk with the Lord in the
music that I listen to too and so I just
recommend y'all like listen to worship
music listen to Jesus music listen to
music with lyrics that that are honoring
to God and it is going to help you grow
closer to the Lord and not only that but
have moments in your day and in your
week where you are just worshiping God
and you are like crying out to the Lord
and you are just worshiping him and you
are on the ground weeping worshiping him
like your tears are just like flowing on
the ground cuz you just can't stop
worshiping put that time into your
schedule and into your week because it
is just like so vital to your
relationship with the Lord for you to
just like Pour Your Love on him in
worship okay y'all so my camera just
completely died the amount of things
that came in between this recording just
goes to show how powerful this message
is the enemy did not want me to record
this message but anyway that is seven
ways to grow closer to God
that are tangible ways that you can
actually practice in your everyday life
if you made it to this point in the
video comment a burning heart emoji so I
know who is still here make sure that
you subscribe if you haven't already and
follow me on Instagram tiktk and
Snapchat for more content to help you
grow closer to the Lord and reach your
full potential in God this year I love
you guys so so much thank you for
watching and I'll see you guys in the
next video mAh
[Music]
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