How Can I Have a Better Relationship With God...

[Joshua1981]

I've been going to a few different Christian Churches off and on ever since my brother committed suicide in 1997... I've finally realized that I want to have a better relationship with Him (God)... I've found a Church that I really like...

But I'm not too sure that I want to give up the things that I do... Mainly the cigar and tobacco pipe smoking... I'm not a huge alcohol drinker so that I can live with out so its not a problem but I'm not ready to give up smoking... And I'm not into the illegal drug subculture I will admit I've tryed cannibis but it gives me a headache so I don't smoke it... So any advice would be greatly appreciated...

On a side note my ma thinks I might have a life in the Ministry because people are born for a reason and she thinks I might have a life as a Pastor... But again I'm not ready to give up my smoking habit...

[sandman]

Where in the Bible does it say to walk with God you need to give up smoking???

If you want a better relationship with God get to know Him, and the only way to know God is to know His Word. So spend you time learning about your Father and less time judging yourself on what you smoke; in time you may give it up, or you may not. But your relationship with God will not be affected by your smoking your relationship as a son of God is determined by two things what you know of the Word and what you walk on (believe) of what you know.

[TheListener]

The Bible does tell us that our bodies are a temple for the Holy Spirit and we should basically look after it best we can.

Having said that, I'm a smoker too but I know I can't change everything at once so when I'm ready & convicted to do so I will give that up as well.

When we open our hearts to Jesus something happens. We receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Imagin yourself like a house with different rooms and in each room some cleaning is required. When the front door is opened & the Holy Spirit comes in, it will go from room to room cleaning you out. If you tried to do it on your own or all at once it would be a big task but have faith, you will be guided. Read the New Testament, join a Bible study in a good Church you feel comfortable in where they give importance to the Bible. And pray. God already knows whats in your heart & what you need. Pray anyway, pray about how you feel, what you wish could change, and give thanks.
Trust the process & understand you can not do it (change) on your own. Trust Jesus, He is in the business of changing people. :)
Don't worry about the future, today holds enough challenges in itself. And don't worry about the past for when you ask with faith your sins are forgiven.

[Linnis]

I'm on a quest of sorts for the same thing. A stronger closer relationship with the Lord. I attend church and go to Bible study which helps but I think the start to having that close personal connection with "him" is to invite him into your everyday life, ordinary everyday things. Make him a normal part of everything you do...does that make sense?

I read a book about God being in the small things. About how God controls the little things just as much as the big things, that God can change those little things if you invite him into them...it spole volumes to me.

Sometimes I feel like I still treat God like a King, while he deserves that respect and more...a King seems out of reach...a king isn't one you can ask to be held by...Do I make any sense or am I off the mark?

My Senior Pastor's wife is starting a class called Intimacy with Jesus and I am thinking of signing up. What a better way to learn how to get closer to The Lord Jesus than by people who've been trying and working towards that for years?


Hope I've given something to think about and haven't just babbled on.

[Beta BJ]

Wow, i was about to ask about this very topic.

Thanks Linnis. I'm going to ask my Pastor about that sort of book.

Beta BJ