Choosing to Be Close to God

God actually makes it really easy to understand what he wants by telling us in clear ways what makes him feel close to us. Like any friend he wants quality time and for us to choose to listen. Read these Scriptures and evaluate how you are treating God and how you can change your relationship with him to become closer.

1 Samuel 15:22 NLT[22] But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.

2 Samuel 22:24 NLT[24] I am blameless before God; I have kept myself from sin.

Psalm 119:109 NLT[109] My life constantly hangs in the balance, but I will not stop obeying your instructions.

Romans 6:16 NLT[16] Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.

Deuteronomy 30:10-11 NLT[10] The LORD your God will delight in you if you obey his voice and keep the commands and decrees written in this Book of Instruction, and if you turn to the LORD your God with all your heart and soul. [11] “This command I am giving you today is not too difficult for you, and it is not beyond your reach.

John 15:14 NLT[14] You are my friends if you do what I command.

Luke 9:23-25 NLT[23] Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. [24] If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. [25] And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?

Luke 4:42-44 NLT[42] Early the next morning Jesus went out to an isolated place. The crowds searched everywhere for him, and when they finally found him, they begged him not to leave them. [43] But he replied, “I must preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God in other towns, too, because that is why I was sent.” [44] So he continued to travel around, preaching in synagogues throughout Judea.

Psalm 55:16-17 NLT[16] But I will call on God, and the LORD will rescue me. [17] Morning, noon, and night I cry out in my distress, and the LORD hears my voice.

Psalm 5:1-3 NLT[1] O LORD, hear me as I pray; pay attention to my groaning. [2] Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I pray to no one but you. [3] Listen to my voice in the morning, LORD. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.