HOW DO I GET TO KNOW GOD BETTER?

f you really liked someone and wanted to get to know him or her better, how would you do it? I’d want to spend some time with that person. I’d be willing to do what they wanted to do, talk about what they wanted to talk about, or do anything at all just to be near that person. Well, God's not so different.

In the first century of the Christian church, Christians wondered about getting to know God better, too. The Bible says they “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, sharing in the Lord’s Supper and in prayer,” Acts 2: 42.

In America today, good bible-based teaching is everywhere. Bible-based teachers don’t always agree, but unity isn’t about agreement—it’s about loving Jesus. While you could listen to the radio or watch TV, the best place to get good instruction is the local church. As a first step to growth in God, find a church that you believe is teaching the truth, one that is providing a worship atmosphere you are comfortable in. One that is Goth friendly, warm and loving…

That’s a tall order. Just do the best you can. I look at it this way: if ever there was a perfect church it wouldn’t be perfect anymore if I showed up, 'cause I’m not perfect.

Ask God to direct you and He will. Once you’ve found it make a commitment, join the church, take the membership class, get dunked or whatever and get your name on the books.

But don’t stop there. If you really want God in your life, get involved. It’ll be aggravating, it’ll be frustrating; people won’t keep their commitments or appreciate yours. That’s just one of the many ways you’ll learn about how it must have felt to be Christ—rejected by His own people.

Which brings me to another way you can grow in God: study God’s word. If someone you wanted to get to know wrote a book, wouldn’t you want to read it?

Lets see, we’ve talked about the apostle’s doctrine and being in fellowship. Oh yea, that leaves the Lord’s supper and prayer.

“Jesus took a loaf of bread and asked God’s blessing on it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take it and eat it, for this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, “Each of you drink from it, 28 for this is my blood,” Matthew 16: 26 – 28.

Jesus also said, “unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. 54 but those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them at the last day. 55 for my flesh is the true food, and my blood is the true drink. 56 all who eat my flesh and drink my blood remain in me and I in them. 57 I live by the power of the living Father who sent me; in the same way, those who partake of me will live because of me. 58 I am the true bread from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever and not die as your ancestors did, even though they ate the manna.”

That’s communion, man... partake of Christ, ya know? Jesus was the original Goth. He stood against hypocrisy, just like you do. He hung with the sad and lonely, just like you do. And He did something so gruesome that, when ya really think it over, it'll chill ya to the bone; He gave His blood for you. Drink it up, its life to your bones.

And, don’t forget to pray. This means talk to God. Open your heart and be honest. Complain, yell, scream, thank Him, praise Him, and tell Him that you love Him. It’s all prayer. Prayer is my thing. I spend more time doing that than anything else.

At first its like He’s not there, ya know? I’m thinking He must have checked out or something. So, I sing a few songs or maybe I just start talking. Before long something swells up inside of me, something beautiful and supernatural. Then I start thinking differently and I start to hear it... His voice. That sweet, wonderful, still, calm voice. He will speak if you get still enough to listen.

Prayer is the key to growth. It is not so much that we grow in God, as God grows in us. Kind of like the Alien, only it’s a good thing.

- David Dellman