From the moment I gave my heart to God, my life took a new direction. Following Jesus as my Lord and trusting in the Father and Son meant more than just calling myself a Christian—it meant learning to abide in Him daily. Obeying His rules and staying true to His word became my foundation. I remember reading the Bible and coming across Hebrews 4:12, which spoke of how God’s word penetrates the soul and spirit. That truth made me reflect deeply. I sought advice from mentors like Olivia Woodford, who shared practical steps to strengthen my faith. Whether we’ve been a believer for years or a short time, the key is giving ourselves to Him completely—not letting our devotion or attention be divided between God and the world.
Through reflection and prayer, I learned to welcome Christ’s presence and let Him reign in my life with an undivided heart. Accepting the gospel meant I had to let go of my pride, pleasures, and worldly passions. Becoming a follower of Christ didn’t come without struggles—I had to navigate my faith through moments of uncertainty. But in surrendering to God’s service and mission, my heart found true peace. He helped me break free from addictions and lusts, and my consistent prayer became, “Lord, use my life for Your kingdom.” Alongside my wife, we pursued global missions, sharing the love of Christ in the slums of India and refugee camps in the Middle East.
The journey was both rewarding and difficult, but it shaped my understanding of God’s character and ways. At times, I wished for a blueprint—an instruction manual to show me God’s plan clearly. Life can be confusing and stressful, with endless obligations and overwhelming noise, yet God is always in control. He is guiding us, planting seeds in our hearts like a gardener who waters and plants with care. He hears our cries, answers our prayers, and strengthens us through trials and tribulation. As Romans 5:3-5 reminds us, suffering produces perseverance, which builds character and leads to hope. God’s Holy Spirit fills our hearts, drawing us into a deeper relationship with Him. His promises remain true—when we seek Him, He will reward us and help us draw closer to Him (Hebrews 11:6). Every day, I strive to foster my connection with my creator, trusting that He will always lead me in His perfect way.
Ways to Live My Life for God
Building a Strong Connection with God
Prayer is the foundation of a true spiritual life, and setting aside a quiet moment daily strengthens our communication with God. Just as the Bible describes Jesus going to a secluded place to pray, we, too, must make it a priority to talk and listen to the Lord. Whether you are excited about life or burdened with troubles and sins, you can call upon Him. Jesus showed us the example of seeking the Father’s guidance, proving that staying connected to Him is incredibly important (Matthew 6:6).
Serving Others with Love and Compassion
To truly live for Jesus, we must honor Him by giving our time and energy to people in need. Jesus never demanded service but instead healed the sick, fed the hungry, and even humbled Himself to wash the feet of others. Volunteering in your community, whether at a soup kitchen, a clothing drive, or simply buying a sandwich for a friend going through a hard time, is a way to follow His example. As Mark 10:43-45 states, “Whoever wants to be great must be a servant, for even the Son of Man came to serve and give His life as a ransom for many.”
Spreading God’s Word and His Love
When we discover an amazing movie or restaurant, we excitedly tell our friends. So, why not share the greatest news—the love and sacrifice of Jesus? The best way to honor Him is by making Him the biggest priority in our life and spreading the message of salvation. Joining an outreach ministry in church is a great way to live out Matthew 5:14, which declares, “You are the light of the world.” Shine that hope wherever you go.
Building Meaningful Relationships Rooted in Love
To live in a way that makes Jesus proud, we must have loving relationships with everybody, regardless of their beliefs. Instead of criticizing, we should be encouraging and motivating others. The Bible commands us in Leviticus 19:18, “Do not seek revenge or hold a grudge, but love your neighbor as yourself.” As John 13:24 reminds us, “Love one another as I have loved you.”
Finding Strength in Fellowship
Even Jesus, though the Son of God, surrounded Himself with companions. In His darkest hour, He leaned on Peter, James, and John, saying in Matthew 26:38, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” As believers, we should lean on faithful fellowship to grow in our faith and follow Him more closely. Whether it’s through support, prayer, or studying Scripture, our Christian community keeps us strong in our walk with God.
Resisting Temptation with God’s Strength
To truly fight against temptation, we must lean on God’s word and seek His guidance. Even as a Christian, struggles with sin are inevitable, but we have the power through Christ to stand strong. As 1 Corinthians 10:13 reminds us, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. God is faithful and will not let you be tempted beyond your ability.” When in doubt, pray for His help and deliverance from evil, just as Matthew 6:13 teaches.
Avoiding the Trap of Materialism
It’s easy to get caught up in the pursuit of money, possessions, and worldly blessings, but Jesus reminds us that true treasure is found in heaven, not on earth. The Bible warns against placing too much faith in objects that can distract us from God. Matthew 19:21 teaches, “If you would be perfect, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.” Instead of chasing wealth, let your goal be to serve the Lord and trust in His provision.
Keeping God First in Everything
God’s first commandment is to have no other gods higher than Him, but this goes beyond just following a different religion. It means not allowing anything—whether it’s your career, friends, video games, or sports—to take priority over your faith. Ezekiel 14:3 warns that idols are things that lead us into sin, whether that be lying, stealing, or even becoming jealous. Ask yourself, “Does this glorify God?” If not, shift your focus back to Him.
Studying the Bible to Grow Spiritually
To truly understand and analyze God’s law, we must study the Bible consistently. The New Testament—particularly Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—teaches us about Jesus’ lessons and how to live like Him. Woodford suggests using a daily devotional or subscribing to a church newsletter to reflect on Scripture each day. Even just a few minutes of reading can help us meditate on God’s truth.
Trusting God’s Plan Through Hard Times
Life brings struggles and hardships, but we can take comfort in knowing that God’s plan is always for our good. As Romans 8:28 promises, “For those who love God, all things work together for good.” Even Jesus, when facing crucifixion, trusted in the perfectness of God’s will, saying in Matthew 22:39, “Not as I will, but as You will.” We must have patience and trust that the Lord is guiding us, even when times are tough.
A Heart Fully Devoted to God
The Lord’s eyes move across the earth, searching for those whose heart is completely His (2 Chronicles 16:9). Accepting Christ as my Savior made me a child of the Most High, and my desire is to keep my devotion to Him strong. But true surrender isn’t about divided focus—it’s about giving my full attention to God, not the world. I continually welcome Him to reign in my heart, keeping it undivided for His glory.
📖 Reflection: Is our heart focused on God alone, or is it still divided?
🙏 Prayer: Lord, help me give You my heart completely, keeping it focused on You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Embracing My Identity in Christ
The Lord has created each of us fearfully and wonderfully, forming our inward being in the womb (Psalm 139:14-15). But too often, I’ve fallen into the trap of comparison, pointing out my flaws and weaknesses instead of praising my Creator. Oswald Chambers warned that to complain about ourselves is an insult to God. Instead, I must accept that every detail of my life has purpose and was designed for His glory.
📖 Reflection: Do we appreciate the way God has created us, or do we focus on our flaws?
🙏 Prayer: God, I praise You for making me with purpose. Help me honor Your design. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Doing the Good Works God Prepared
As God’s handiwork, we were created in Jesus for good works that He prepared beforehand (Ephesians 2:10). These works aren’t about earning salvation, but about fulfilling our Christian journey. They touch every area of life—our family, friends, job, church, community, and even our passions, spiritual gifts, and ministry. Actively seeking God’s will requires surrendering our personal agenda and relying on His strength.
📖 Reflection: Are we pursuing our own plans or truly seeking God’s will?
🙏 Prayer: Father, help me lay down my agenda and walk in the good works You have for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Walking Daily with the Lord
When we have received Christ, we must continue to live in Him, taking every step in faith (Colossians 2:6). My relationship with God isn’t a one-time event—it’s a daily, moment-by-moment journey. I must keep breathing in His grace and praise, walking in His Word and the Holy Spirit, and repenting authentically. If I truly confess Him as Lord, my walk must match my talk.
📖 Reflection: Do we walk with God every day, or do we leave Him behind in the church?
🙏 Prayer: Lord, help my walk match my talk so that I follow You in everything I do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Living a Bloodstained Life for Christ
To truly live for God, I must live bloodstained, carrying my cross and surrendering fully. “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). He suffered in my place, and through His sacrifice, I am called to a life of holiness. This means allowing Him to rise in me, letting my actions reflect His truth, and trusting that His blood covers my sin.
📖 Reflection: Does my life reflect holiness, or am I still holding onto the world?
🙏 Prayer: Lord, I thank You for Your blood. Help me live a crucified and holy life for You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Living My Life for God
Following God’s Instructions
The command to live a life that honors God is woven throughout Scripture. Jesus taught us to love one another, to care for the poor and needy, and to resist sinful behaviors that draw us away from Him (John 13:34-35, James 1:27). The cost of truly following Him requires denying our own desires and seeking His will above all (Matthew 16:24).
📖 Reflection: Am I willing to give up my own desires to truly follow God?
🙏 Prayer: Lord, help me to follow Your instructions, love others, and turn away from sin. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Loving God with My Whole Being
When asked about the greatest commandments, Jesus summed it up clearly: Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:29-31). There is no greater calling than to center our lives around God’s will and extend His love to others.
📖 Reflection: Do I love God fully—with my heart, soul, mind, and strength?
🙏 Prayer: Father, help me to love You completely and extend that love to my neighbor. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Seeking Unity with God
Before His crucifixion, Jesus prayed for believers to be in unity, reflecting His glory in the world (John 17:22-26). Our relationship with Him is meant to be intimate, a connection where we truly know God and make Him known to others.
📖 Reflection: Am I seeking deeper unity with God in my daily life?
🙏 Prayer: Righteous Father, let Your glory shine through my life as I grow in my relationship with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Glorifying and Enjoying God
The purpose of life is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. As we abide in Christ and act in love, we bring honor to His name (John 15:4,8). A life that reflects Christ is one that seeks His guidance, follows the Holy Spirit, and applies His truth to daily decisions.
📖 Reflection: Am I truly seeking to glorify and enjoy God in all I do?
🙏 Prayer: Lord, help me to abide in You and bring glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Obeying God with a Willing Heart
Those who seek to live for God must fully surrender, giving up personal ambition to embrace His will. As our desire for Him grows, our love for His commands also increases (John 14:15). The closer we draw to Him, the more naturally we obey.
📖 Reflection: Do I obey God’s commands out of love for Him?
🙏 Prayer: Holy Spirit, help me to seek Your guidance, obey willingly, and let my desires align with Yours. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
15 Ways to Grow Closer to God
1. Seek God in Relationship
God desires a relationship with us and promises to reward those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). He calls us to draw near, knowing that when we do, He draws near to us.
📖 Reflection: Am I actively seeking to grow in my relationship with God?
🙏 Prayer: Father, help me to seek You above all things and to experience the joy of a deeper relationship with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
2. Pray with Humility
Prayer is our direct communication with God. Jesus taught us to pray in a humble manner, not to impress others, but to meet with our Father in the unseen place (Matthew 6:6).
📖 Reflection: Am I approaching prayer with sincerity and humility?
🙏 Prayer: Lord, teach me to pray with a pure heart, seeking only You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
3. Read and Meditate on Scripture
The Bible is God’s inspired Word, and through studying it, we understand His purpose for our lives. We are called to meditate on Scripture day and night, trusting in His perfect timing (Joshua 1:8).
📖 Reflection: Do I spend intentional time in Scripture daily?
🙏 Prayer: God, open my heart to Your Word and help me to understand it deeply. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
4. Show Gratitude and Obey God’s Commandments
True gratitude is shown when we obey God’s commandments and acknowledge all He has done for us. Giving thanks reminds us of His goodness.
📖 Reflection: Am I living a life that expresses gratitude to God?
🙏 Prayer: Lord, help me to remain thankful in all circumstances and to live obediently. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
5. Practice Humility and Overcome Pride
Humility allows God to work in us, while pride keeps us distant. God gives favor to the humble and opposes the proud (Proverbs 3:34).
📖 Reflection: Do I allow pride to hinder my walk with God?
🙏 Prayer: Father, cultivate humility in my heart so I may walk in Your favor. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
6. Store God’s Word in Your Heart
Memorizing Scripture helps guard against sin. The Word of God serves for reproof, correction, and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16).
📖 Reflection: Am I committing Scripture to memory to guide my daily life?
🙏 Prayer: Lord, help me to store Your Word in my heart and live by it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
7. Honor God with Your Body
Our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. We are called to maintain health, purity, and honor God in all we do, knowing we were bought at a price (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
📖 Reflection: Am I treating my body in a way that honors God?
🙏 Prayer: Lord, let my body and life glorify You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
8. Take Your Thoughts Captive
Distractions weaken our relationship with God. We must actively eliminate them and ask for strength to remain focused on Him.
📖 Reflection: Are there thoughts that hinder my relationship with God?
🙏 Prayer: Lord, give me the strength to remove distractions and keep my mind fixed on You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
9. Give Generously with a Cheerful Heart
God loves a cheerful giver. Giving generously from our time, money, and resources is an act of trust in Him (2 Corinthians 9:6-8).
📖 Reflection: Am I giving with a cheerful heart, trusting God to provide?
🙏 Prayer: Lord, help me to give freely and generously. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
10. Participate in Communion
Through communion, we remember Christ’s sacrifice and join other believers in faith (Luke 22:19-21).
📖 Reflection: Do I regularly take time to reflect on Christ’s sacrifice?
🙏 Prayer: Jesus, thank You for Your sacrifice. Help me to honor You in all I do. Amen.
11. Repent and Confess Sins
If we confess our sins, God is faithful to forgive us (1 John 1:9). However, if we deliberately continue in sin, we risk turning from Him (Hebrews 10:26).
📖 Reflection: Am I truly repenting and turning away from sin?
🙏 Prayer: Father, give me the strength to repent and walk in righteousness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
12. Keep a Journal of Blessings
Recording blessings and answered prayers reminds us of God’s faithfulness in our lives.
📖 Reflection: Do I take time to reflect on God’s goodness?
🙏 Prayer: Lord, help me to remember Your blessings and praise You always. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
13. Sing Praise to God
We are called to praise God with joyful hearts, knowing He has saved us (James 5:13).
📖 Reflection: Am I offering praise to God in my daily life?
🙏 Prayer: Lord, let my heart always be full of cheerful praise for You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
14. Fast to Depend on God
Fasting helps us develop deeper dependence on God and focus on Him when making important decisions (Matthew 6:16-18).
📖 Reflection: Am I using fasting as a way to draw closer to God?
🙏 Prayer: Lord, teach me to seek You through fasting and dependence. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
15. Share the Gospel Boldly
We are called to share the Gospel (the Good News) of Jesus with others. The Holy Spirit does the work of changing hearts, but we must communicate Christ’s love clearly (Matthew 28:19-20).
📖 Reflection: Am I actively sharing the Gospel in both word and action?
🙏 Prayer: Lord, give me boldness to share the Good News and live in a Christ-like manner. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
FAQs
1. How Can I Stay Committed to Living for God Daily?
Living for God requires intentionality, discipline, and dependence on Him. Some key ways to stay committed include:
- Daily Prayer & Bible Study: Communicating with God and meditating on His Word strengthens faith (Joshua 1:8, Matthew 6:6).
- Obedience to God’s Will: Surrendering personal desires and seeking His guidance (Matthew 16:24).
- Fellowship with Other Believers: Being part of a community encourages spiritual growth (Hebrews 10:25).
- Avoiding Sinful Distractions: Keeping a pure heart and mind by focusing on what honors God (Colossians 3:2).
📖 Key Verse: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” — Matthew 6:33 (ESV)
2. What Should I Do When I Struggle to Live for God?
Struggles are a natural part of the Christian walk, but God provides strength to overcome them. When facing challenges:
- Repent and Seek Forgiveness: Confess sins and ask God for a renewed heart (1 John 1:9).
- Rely on the Holy Spirit: Ask God for guidance and strength (John 14:26).
- Remember God’s Promises: Trust that He is always with you, even in difficulties (Isaiah 41:10).
- Stay Rooted in Faith: Continue reading the Bible, praying, and seeking Christian counsel.
📖 Key Verse: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” — Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)