Stay Connected With God: Tips For Daily Spiritual Growth

I read this quote today, and it has clung to me: “To rob God of nothing; to refuse Him nothing; to require of Him nothing; this is great perfection.” Jeanne Guyon. It reminded me of how important it is to return to the basics of faith and stay connected with God.

Who is Jeanne Guyon

Jeanne Guyon (1648-1717) was a famous French writer who made significant contributions to Christianity.

She was deeply influenced by the contemplative tradition and deeply understood the inner life and union with God.

Guyon’s most famous work, “A Short and Easy Method of Prayer,” emphasized the practice of interior prayer and the importance of a direct, personal connection with God through the heart.

Her teachings focused on surrender.

She also emphasized simplicity and silence in one’s relationship with God.

Guyon’s writings have greatly influenced the Christian contemplative tradition and still inspire people looking for a closer relationship with God.

I still don’t know how I had not heard of her before now. Her ministry was all about ensuring and encouraging that we are connected with God.

God is talking … do we still listen?

Yesterday, I met with a sister I love so much. I asked her …as I often ask those I care about, “What is God saying to you in this season?” She made me answer first.

Okay.

I shared that God is calling me back to the basics of my spiritual walk before the stuff, before the distractions [were allowed to be distractions], and before the “noise” of my current life season.

With all the noise in my life, sometimes I don’t feel connected with God.

It’s my own fault. I get distracted.

What does being connected with God mean to me?

When we connect with God, we are in a close relationship with and communion with Him.

Our spiritual routines are solid, and we are striving to walk in lockstep with Jesus.

I know wholeheartedly this closeness and connectedness will transform our lives in deep ways.

One way is we will have a sense of peace and fulfillment.

We will be comforted in the daily struggles and the endless cycle of bad news we hear about our country and our lives.

Being connected with God creates a buffer between us and the world.

As we cover ourselves in prayer and stay close to Him, we see the world for what it is – temporary.

“I need to return to the place of desperately needing and craving Him.
That’s where peace lives.”
GodsyGirl

He wants us to be connected with Him.

In this season of my life, I can feel that He’s beckoning me back to that “milk of the Word” relationship I had as a new Christian.

Back then every verse felt alive and vibrant, nourishing my soul like a refreshing spring of water!

Being closely connected with God I remember the excitement of discovering His promises, the joy of diving into the Scriptures with wide-eyed wonder, and the simplicity of faith that brought me close to Him.

Where did it go?

It was a time filled with curiosity and a sincere desire to learn about Him and His ways.

In those days, even the smallest insights felt monumental!

I had to run and tell someone about them!

Often, my friend’s excitement about my Bible discoveries was about as high as a cat’s enthusiasm for a bath—let’s just say it was more like, “Go away, you’re killing my vibe!”

Seriously, as I reflect on those early days of being connected with God right now, I know I sense a gentle invitation to return to that childlike faith, embrace a deeper intimacy with the Word, and rediscover the foundational truths that first ignited my passion for Christ.

I know that revisiting this precious relationship is crucial for my spiritual growth and renewal.

Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.” Revelation 2:4-5

Nothing else really matters, ya know?

My prayer requests don’t matter; my personal “petty” ambitions are insignificant. They don’t matter.

My earthly positions are trash compared to the love, fellowship, and will of my Savior.

I need to return to the place of desperately needing and craving Him. That’s where peace lives. That’s where joy resides.

The basics…just He and I.

Like worship with no music. Simple. Clean. Authentic.

Now, that’s perfection.

What does back to the basics of faith look like?

Rekindling one’s first love for Jesus, as mentioned in the Bible, involves returning to the deep, fervent, and passionate relationship with Christ that one may have had when one first became a believer. It involves patience.

Here are some steps to help you get back to your first love:

Self-Examination: Reflect on your spiritual journey and assess whether you have drifted away from your initial love and passion for Christ. Identify areas where you have grown distant. That is the first step of getting back to the basics of faith.

Repentance: If you’ve allowed other priorities, sins, or distractions to come between you and your relationship with Jesus, confess them, and seek God’s forgiveness. Repentance is a vital step in returning to your first love. Jesus is that first love and He is beckoning us to return back to the basics of faith.

Prayer: Reconnect with God through prayer. Spend time in intimate and honest conversations with Him. Share your thoughts, concerns, and desires, and listen for His guidance.

Scripture: Revisit the Scriptures and meditate on the teachings of Jesus. Allow His words to renew your passion and understanding of His love and purpose for your life.

Worship: Engage in heartfelt worship, praising God for His grace, mercy, and love. Sing songs, hymns, and spiritual songs that inspire devotion.

Fellowship: Connect with other believers who share your commitment to Christ. Join a community or a small group where you can encourage and be encouraged in your faith journey.

Serve Others: Actively seek opportunities to serve and love others as Jesus did. Acts of kindness and service can rekindle your passion for Him.

Simplify: Reevaluate your priorities and declutter your life. Remove distractions and time-wasting activities that hinder your relationship with Christ.

Set Aside Quiet Time: Dedicate regular, uninterrupted time for prayer, meditation, and reading the Bible. Create a sacred space for your personal encounter with God.

Practice Gratitude: Cultivate an attitude of gratitude for the blessings in your life. Thank God daily for His love, grace, and the gift of salvation.

Now is a good time to say returning to your first love is an ongoing process, not a one-time event. It involves consistent effort, a genuine desire to draw closer to Jesus, and a willingness to surrender your heart and life to Him.

As you rekindle your love for Christ, you’ll discover a renewed sense of joy, purpose, and fulfillment in your faith journey.

That is what helps me to feel connected with God.

Let’s talk about that. We all lose our perspective and priority from time to time.

How do we get back to being connected with God?

What are the steps to finding my way back to the fervor and newness in Christ?

Here is what I will do and what you can do as well to renew your connection with God:

Self-Examination: Take time to reflect on your spiritual journey and assess whether you have drifted away from your initial love and passion for Christ. Identify areas where you have grown distant. For me, it is prayer time. I’ve gotten inconsistent.
Repentance: If you’ve allowed other priorities, sins, or distractions to come between you and your relationship with Jesus, confess them and seek God’s forgiveness. Repentance is a vital step in returning to your first love.
Prayer: Reconnect with God through prayer. Spend time in intimate and honest conversations with Him. Share your thoughts, concerns, and desires, and listen for His guidance.
Scripture: Revisit the Scriptures and meditate on the teachings of Jesus. Allow His words to renew your passion and understanding of His love and purpose for your life.
Worship: Engage in heartfelt worship, praising God for His grace, mercy, and love. Sing songs, hymns, and spiritual songs that inspire devotion.
Fellowship: Connect with other believers who share your commitment to Christ. Join a community or a small group where you can encourage and be encouraged in your faith journey.
Serve Others: Actively seek opportunities to serve and love others as Jesus did. Acts of kindness and service can rekindle your passion for Him.
Simplify: Reevaluate your priorities and declutter your life. Remove distractions and time-wasting activities that hinder your relationship with Christ.
Set Aside Quiet Time: Dedicate regular, uninterrupted time for prayer, meditation, and reading the Bible. Create a sacred space for your personal encounter with God.
Practice Gratitude: Cultivate an attitude of gratitude for the blessings in your life. Thank God daily for His love, grace, and the gift of salvation.

Remember that returning to your first love and returning to the basics of faith is an ongoing process, not a one-time event.

It is going to involve consistent effort and a genuine desire to draw closer to Jesus.

Sometimes, you will want to watch television like a lame brain.

But really, how does mindlessly watching TV actually strengthen your connection with the Lord?

It doesn’t.

I’d bet my last dollar that every time I tune into TV, it drags my brain down another notch.

I am going to attempt to redirect my TV time to spending time with the Lord. Maybe I can pick up my Bible or turn everything off and pray.

You can do it too. Will you join me?