How to Develop a Personal Relationship with Jesus

Having a personal relationship with God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ is very important because of the following reasons:

1. God has Different Plans for Different People 

I know the thoughts I think towards you, thoughts of peace and not evil, thoughts to give you the future you hope for. (Jeremiah 29:11)

God has plans for your future that are different from those He has for other people. 

Therefore to know the plans God has for your future, you have to have a personal relationship with Him so that you can hear from Him.

2. God has Different Works for Different People 

We are God's masterpiece created in Christ to do good works which God has prepared for us. (Ephesian 2:10)

God has prepared good works for you to do. These works are probably different from those of your family and friends. 

Therefore to do the good works that God has specifically prepared for you, you have to have to communicate with Him so that you can follow His instructions when He is training you and receive His guidance when you begin fulfilling His purposes for your life.

Having a human spiritual mentor like your Pastor is great but what is greater than relying on someone who has a personal relationship with God is having your own personal relationship with Him so that when you consult your mentor you are basically confirming what God has already told you. 

3. God Reveals Himself Differently to Different People

God reveals Himself in different ways to different people.

We can see that when He appeared to the Israelites, There was thunder, lightning, very loud trumpet sounds and a thick cloud covered the mountain. 

Mount Sinai was completely covered with smoke because God descended upon it in fire and it quaked greatly. (Exodus 19:16-18) 

At this point in time, the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness on their way to their Promised Land after leaving Egypt. They had proved to be a difficult people because of their persistent complaining and disobedience. 

It is therefore no wonder that God chose to reveal Himself this dramatically because He was about to give them the 10 Commandments.

The Israelites witnessed the thunder, lightning flashing, loud trumpet sound and the mountain smoking and they trembled ... 

Moses told them, "Do not fear because God has come to test you so that His fear may be before you so that you may not sin." (Exodus 20:18-20)  

However when God appeared to Elijah, He did it in a different way for A strong wind tore into the mountain breaking the rocks in pieces, but God was not in the wind.

This was followed by an earthquake, but God was not in the earthquake.
This was followed by a fire, but God was not in the fire.
This was followed by a still small voice. (1 Kings 19:11-12)  

At this point in time, Elijah was fleeing for his life after Queen Jezebel threatened to kill him. He was also suffering from depression because he prayed and told God, "It is enough! Now God take my life." (1 Kings 19:1-4) 

It is therefore no wonder that God chose to appear to him in a still, small voice. 

Therefore develop your own personal relationship with God so that you can know "When it is God" speaking to you because He can choose to communicate to you differently from the way He communicates with your family and friends.

How To Develop A Personal Relationship With God

To develop your own personal relationship with God so that you can know His plans for your life, the good works He has prepared for you to do and recognize His voice when He is speaking to you, you should:

1. Get Saved

To get saved, say with your mouth that "Jesus is Lord" and believe in your heart that when He died for our sins God raised Him from the dead and you will be saved. (Romans 10:9) 

Then, click on the link to read How to Workout your Salvation

2. Pray Everyday

Prayer is simply talking to God and telling Him how you are feeling like Elijah and asking Him to help you.

Therefore, commit to praying every morning to ask Him to bless your day and give you what you need and pray every night to thank Him for the blessings you received and cast your burdens on Him. To learn more read How to Pray Effectively.

3. Read your Bible Every Day

The Bible is God's word and by reading it you learn about Him and how He expects you to live the life He has given you. God is also able to speak to you through His Word by directing you to certain Scriptures.

Therefore commit to reading at least 1 chapter of your Bible every day. To learn more read How to Set a Bible Reading Goal.

4. Involve God in your Everyday Life

This means that you should Walk with God (Genesis 5:24) by being in continuous communication with Him throughout your day. 

To do this, pray silently in your heart for His guidance before you make decisions during the day regardless of whether they are simple decisions like where you should go to eat lunch or complex decisions like if you should accept a job in another city.