HI!
GOD to me is more real than the chair I am sitting on. He teaches me daily and reveals incredible Truths to me that are rejected by many and sadly some Christians. Love is the Key in which we exercise Spiritual Gifts and how we come closer to God. Pride, envy and resentment towards others Grieve the Holy Spirit making the connection between the temple of God and the Holy Spirit defiled. Jesus said that it is the heart that defiles the man and if the Holy Spirit is indwelled within the believer His/Her heart must remain pure in order to establish a clear connection between God and man. Anger, lust, pride and an uncontrollable tongue can defile the heart and thus Grieving the Holy Spirit and making His presence less felt and less communicable with the Believer. Jesus said: John 14:23 - Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, (he will keep my words): and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
Coming Closer to God:
Loving and Praying for Your Neighbours
Loving and Praying for your Enemies
Obedient to His Commandments out of Love for Him
Teaching and DOING what He has taught and not just HEARING
Fully Trusting In Him
Resisting Sin and Suffering for it!***
2 Timothy 3:5 - Having a form of godliness, but (denying the power) thereof: from such turn away.
The Verse above is another reason why many fail to come closer to God or to Establish A TRUE Personal Relationship with Him.
Many people fail to have their Prayers answered by God do to several reasons. Some of the reasons are lacking forgiveness, anger and bitterness towards others, sin or lust, pretending to be spiritual but in reality are filled with dead mens bones, listening to His words but not obeying Him, pride, envy, inner hatred, spite, Quenching the Holy Spirit, Judging others(Inner Motives)and among many others.
This is what the WORD OF GOD says:
1 John 3:9 - Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
I remember on several occasions where I would say that I love God with all my strength, soul and mind and I was tested to the most extreme. I was persecuted by many who detested me because I loved God and even tempted to the Point where I suffered greatly in the flesh enduring and I would sweat profusely just enduring these temptations. But the Spirit of God within me would Give me strength because I would Trust in Him Fully because I knew for certain that He was able to deliver me IF I proved that I Truly did love Him with all my heart, and He did!
And now the Gates of Hell will not prevail against it!!! Since then the desires of the flesh and the desires of this world seem bland and dull as compared to the Thirst and Hunger I now have for and My GREAT DESIRE to come Closer to God. Now I walk and Talk with Him as I speak with you. I have been Given THE GREATEST GIFT! And NO MAN can take it away from ME!
Psalms 22:22 - I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee. Psalms 22:26 - The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.