9 Ways to Stay Connected to God

"These who have turned the world upside down have come here too." These were the words spoken to the rulers of the city against Jason, a believer who housed Paul and Silas on their journey in preaching the gospel in Acts 17. Paul was doing so much for the church and was so dedicated to his call that they said he was turning the world upside down. WOW........ but things have drastically changed. 

Do you notice how there isn't much difference from the world and the church today? God's intention was for the church to direct the world in all it's going, but in today's society, it seems like the very opposite is occurring- the world is leading the church. So what's going on?  One of the biggest issue's I would like to discuss here- there's a disconnect between the Bible and applying it to modern Christendom. What I mean is, many people read the Bible, but because many issues that we deal with today aren't directly mentioned in the Bible, we tend to develop our own ideologies and opinions on how we should handle ourselves in these situations. This is an epidemic in the church. I would even go as far as to say it's why the church is so much like the world. Many people believe that sense times have changed we must change with the times, but we must understand that God never changes, no matter how much time goes by.

Let's talk about why developing our own ideologies and opinions on matters, especially hot topics, can be so dangerous. It's because essentially we become our own god! Let me repeat that so that you can grasp the danger of this, we become our own god. Whether we realize it or not, we take control from the One, True, Living God and take matters into our own hands (hence becoming our own god, leading our own lives). Why is this such a BIG problem? Well now we have many little mini gods running around the world and the church, everyone having their own opinion on this or on that, never coming in agreement on anything or even conferring with God on the matters oftentimes.  The major problem with humankind becoming their own god is we are simply not GOD, we are men and women all led by our own lust and desires with selfish biases of  TRUTH.  We are fleshly beings living in a flesh driven world, so as little gods, we have our own fleshly biases and fleshly falsehoods of the truth, thus we create our own realities, lead our own lives, and essentially become our own god. I know this is a very bold claim to make, but bear with me for a second or maybe a minute or two.

In this day and age, it's so easy to get caught up in the trends and movements of this world. Everything is becoming easier, more appealing to the eyes, and more appealing to our flesh. We live in a flesh pleasing type of world, so we must understand that we are going to be attracted to how the world says things should go. God's way usually isn't the common way. I would go as far as to say, often when the majority, especially people who are not bearing fruits of the Spirit, agrees with it, then God is usually against it. Not in everything, but we must understand that the world is trying to get rid of the very IMAGE of GOD in TRUTH. It's little things that seem so right, sometimes even having a part truth. THIS ISN'T JUST FOR NEW BELIEVERS, MATURE CHRISTIANS ARE OFTENTIMES CAUGHT UP AS WELL, some more than others. Otherwise, think about it, we'd have an on fire for God church that is turning this world upside down- like Paul did. But, the enemy has infiltrated the church, and one of his main tactics is changing the mind state of the believer (through social media, television, psychological advertising, radio/music, movies, etc..). Might I add, he is doing his job well. BECAUSE MANY BELIEVERS FAIL TO CONNECT THE BIBLE TO MODERN ISSUES, THE ENEMY IS HAVING HIS WAY,  SUBTLY BUT FORCEFULLY SUGGESTING HOW THINGS SHOULD GO. We're kind of like frogs in the spirit- place a frog in hot water, and he'll immediately jump out, but place it in cool water and slowly turn up the heat, and you'll boil him to death while he's having the time of his life because he doesn't realize the slight changes in temperature until it's too late.

Side note: Whether you realize it or not, you are learned and still are learning your morals, values, and ideologies from somewhere or something. You cannot "just listen" to a song or "just watch" a television show. The ideologies of the director and really this society are plastered in the shows, movies, etc.. you must be diligent in your walk to please God in all your ways.

In closing, I would like to encourage each and every Christian to find that connection, to really get plugged into God to see how His Word was relevant, is relevant, and will always be relevant. A couple things to remember:

1. Be vigilant/careful/watchful (1 Peter 5:8) 

• Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour"

2. Be wise & prudent in all your ways. Don't take everything at face value. Do your research. 

• The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit. Prov 14:8 
• The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going. Prov 14: 15
• There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Prov 14: 12

3. Don't go with your own feelings. It may seem right to you, but remember your heart is deceitfully wicked (meaning it's a hidden, covered wickedness)

• "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? Jeremiah 17:9 

4. Know in the last days, many will be deceived (drawn away by own lust and desires), only hearing what we want, oftentimes not receiving truth. 

• For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. (1 Timothy 4: 3)
• But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. (James 1:14)- This is not only for new believers, but mature believers as well.  

5. Do not be conformed, but transformed by renewing your mind daily (through the washing and cleansing of the Word of God, prayer, and fellowship with other believers- iron sharpens iron)

• "I beseech ye brethren by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:1-2) 
• "Now the Lord said unto Abram, get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house unto a land that I will shew thee" 
• Like Abraham, God requires us to get out of our country, from our kindred, and from our father's house. Well more the ways of our country, kindred, and father's house. Somethings we learned to be normal growing up aren't always honoring God. This is where #2 comes in. Be wise, research especially if God is convicting you or trying to lead you a certain direction. 

6. Examine yourself daily. We none are perfect, but our lives should show evidence that we are led by the Holy Spirit- it's okay, we will get in the flesh at times, but the Holy Spirit should convict us when you're wrong. 

• Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? (2 Corinthians 13:5) 
• Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. (Galatians 5:16-24)

7. Strive for holiness (perfection/pure)- this is in every area of our lives. We must be wise stewards over everything God has given us- from our relationships with people to keeping our homes and cars clean. 

• But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. (1 Peter 1: 15-16)
  

8. KNOW GOD'S CHARACTER. KNOW HIS HEART. HIS MODES OF OPERATION. (REMEMBER, HE NEVER CHANGES). If you are struggling with connecting God's Word to modern day issues, I believe this point will help you the most. I will put no reference scripture here because His Word/Bible is the reference. Though we are not bound by the law, the law is a great reference to learn the character of God or how He likes things to operate. Not only the law, but commands given throughout the Old and New Testaments attest to the very character of God. Example, He gave the Israelites dietary laws. Though we are not bound by these laws, we know God want us to be healthy because the fact that He gave the laws shows that He cares about this aspect of our lives. The New Testament actually hold us to higher standards than Old Testament law. Another example, when modesty is mentioned, there isn't a direct step by step on how to go about modesty, but the Holy Spirit will lead you and guide you on this. Get with other women who God shows you are modest, learn modesty, research modesty, and most importantly ask God what He means when He wants you to be modest. We know what modesty is because God has written it upon our hearts and the Holy Spirit will convict us when we're not, but modern society will say things like "modesty is determined by cultures" or something of the like, but reality is modesty is modesty- to be humble, meek in dress and attitude. Our hearts  This is only one example, but there's so many more. We must strive to stand on the truths of God. 

9. Be lead by the Holy Spirit 

• Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. John 16:13
• God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. John 4:24

I pray these 9 tips will help you stay connected and for some, get more connected to God.This is so important because in the last days, there will be a falling away. Before this falling away, there will be a great deception. Do you see the problem with our hearts being deceitfully wicked? I believe if you apply these 9 tips to your life, it will help you from falling/being drawn away from God in today's society and the days to come.

If this blessed you, please share. Also, share with me your thoughts in the comments, by email, or send me a personal text if you know me. 

God bless.