As a christian why do i feel closer to God when I am serving vs. hanging out with other Christians?
961978
Do you have an HIV clinic you can volunteer at, or a homeless shelter?  Do you know where they are in your town?  Ditch the religious folk, and go on your own.  Never talk about Jesus, and just serve.  Get to know these folks and you will find they are just like you, wonderful, kind and sometimes arrogant and self-righteous.  Before you know it, you will think you are back at church with the redeemed.
341559
I was raised Baptist, but I no longer go to a Baptist church. I notice that you say nothing about being saved, only about "believing in God." Remember that the devil believes in God, too. Maybe by that, you meant that you were saved, I don't know - just a thought. \n\nLet's put this into perspective. Christians have two commandments - that we love God above all else, and that we love each other. The Bible teaches that we should have fellowship with other Christians - because it encourages us and lets us grow in our relationship with God, which keeps us close to Him. It also strengthens every member that they might better avoid poor choices and sinful decisions. \n\nAnother aspect to this is that to be saved and to love God means that you have a personal relationship with Him. He wants you to worship Him and have fellowship with other Christians. When you do not, I think it hurts Him. When you avoid the chance to do what his word taught that you should for your own reasons (staying out on Sat. night), I think that also hurts Him. In human to human relationships, we try to not hurt each other because of our love for each other. In a human to God relationship, that should apply even more so. \n\nYou can pray anywhere, and going to a church building is not going to church. The church is not the building - it is the people. \n\nI think that you can be a Christian and not go to church, most definitely. But I don't think you can reach your potential as a Christian without actively seeking God's will instead of your own.
522347
It sounds like you REALLY love God, like more than just friends
655800
It is just the best thing!\nyou know, a lot of the times, we're tempted to see God as the ''big guy'' up there who looks down at us, and whom we're supposed to pray to out of duty.. But when we start seeing God as a loving father, as one who desires fellowship and even friendship with us, our perspective of Him, and how He should be served changes. and then we are able to just spend time worshipping and communing with God, not for anything else.. not for what we want, but just cos we love Him for who He is, for loving us, for dying for our sins.. it's a beautiful thing, and it betters our relationship with Him.\nI pray that every true Christian comes to the place where we just worship God cos we love Him. That is TRUE worship.\nGod bless ya!
1174744
I believe that God puts people in your life for a reason, and that there are times when there is a connection that can go deeper than that of a sibling relationship. I have had several freinds like that, who will call me and say, I sensed something is wrong, i've been praying for you, or, for me, I will keep 'seeing' them, in my minds eye, or hearing their voice, so I will call to check on them. It's an awesome thing! Be thankful you have the sensitivity to percieve what is going on, because I think most people get so busy they brush it off.
943687
It happens- I wondered away from God for 20 years, but God patiently waited for me to come back and I feel a closeness I never thought possible. To feel closer to God, try to incorporate your spirituality into your daily life- if you hold the elevator for someone, silently think to yourself I do this for you Lord, If you help a stranger or do any act of kindness, do the same thing. It will bring your focus back to God. Be Blessed, God loves you and will never abandon you. God will patiently wait for you. I know from experience.
477988
hi,\n The best way to get closer to God is to spend time with Him in Bible study and Prayer, it can help to get together with other Christians.... speak to the leaders at ur local church, they will be able to come alongside to mentor and disciple u....\nGod bless and be with u.....\nShaz\nx x x x x x x
440999
I have felt this way in the past.  Like I am going through motions.  \n\nI think sometimes we build up so many walls to protect ourselves from the pain in the world that we start to distance ourselves from even Him.  \n\nChange your perspective, your vision.  See those who you  into your life as a gift from God.  Try also to and show God's love through yourself.  \n\nYou may even see God through some sort of gesture from someone else.  I did this good deed for a stranger, and what she said to me, made me feel Him.  It was overwhelming.\n\nLike Socrates (the one above not the philosopher) says.  Read the Bible and pray.  God does talk back but we have to learn how to listen.  It's not easy and sometimes the messages aren't exactly clear, but that is not Him its us.  \n\nGod does love you and He is there.
919455
I'm a christian too and I'll say the following : trust me you are not the only christian the other ones are too coward to show they are ,because you see, when you are christian it means you have a commitment with God , and if you say you are ,people will start expecting you to act like a christian , all eyes will be on you . maybe you don't notice but they are .and that commitment of having to do things right because of your faith is what the others are trying to avoid ,that why they stay secret . i reccomend you show them how to do things , preach in your school and live the adventure that is serving Jesuschrist and God will bless you in a very special way ans maybe you'll be of inspiration for other people to live their faith .you could start doing meetings at lunch to pray  and read the bible . \n                                                                              :) jen
544376
In serving mankind you are serving God. We are all pieces of God. Here to learn and grow. I always feel connected and loved. My relationship with God is endless and has been taking place since the moment of creation. I know that I am a soul that lives in a human body. I know that I have always been and will always be until I am absorbed back into the Energy of All That Is. You can see God in the beauty of every living thing. Do your best to respect all life and be good to the environment as that is God's expression also. Give love freely and unconditionally. Lead your fellow man by your purest example. Love & Light to you.\nOne Planet = One People
520652
Because you're human. We all feel that way sometimes. But, if you're a Christian you have His promise. He said He would never leave us or forsake. Walk by faith in His promise not by your feelings which are unreliable.
416260
Hello SummersNite.. :)\n\nNo..Because I am a Christian does not make better than you or anyone else..\n\nI am a born again child of the Most High God..I live my life each and everyday, to try and help those in need..and not judge others because they have different beliefs than mine..I have no right to find any fault in others..neither do I ever think of finding faults in anyone..for when you are serving the Lord, with all of your heart..you only see others with Love.. :)\n\nI do pray for EVERYONE with whom I come in contact with, be it here or where every I go.. :)\n\nThere is not one person I cannot honestly say, I do not Love with all of my heart..when someone is hurting I hurt..when someone condemns me, it does not stop me from Loving them..because I cannot change how they feel, they have the right not to like me..as I have the right to Love them unconditionaly.. :)\n\nIn Jesus Most Precious Name..\nWith Love..In Christ..
242700
There is no way around it you can just feel it . It's like God is talking to you and you cant ignore it. If you do it will make you feel miserable for not doing the lords work. He has done so much for you and me . Just get out there and do what you've been asked to do.
477647
While it is important to have fellowship with other Christans, it is a command even, remember that you don't have to be in church to worship. God should be part of your daily walk in life, not just Sunday. Also I'm kind of reminded of something else... even Paul the Apostle supported himself as a tentmaker...
74641
When you feel like no one loves you or that your just all alone.... look to God. When you build a relationship with God/Jesus.... it fills that emptiness... that void. He is always there, when your smiling, laughing or even crying.  I find that it's when the world has disappeared that I can truly feel his embrace. It takes time to build as in any relationship you have to make time.  But if you make time.... you'll find that it's worth it. God's love is like no other.
32711
It is okay if you think I am nuts but here goes.I talk to God by prayer, sometimes silently and sometimes outloud. God talks to me occassionaly at His time frame, In other words I don't have to be in a prayerful or spiritual mood for Him to speak. I cannot explain it but when He speaks to me, it is not silent in my head and it is not audible so that others can hear it but it is clearly audible to me.So yes, I have a relationship with Him. I also can feel His prescense in my life.Look to John 8:47,& 10:26-30 Jesus stated my sheep hear my voice and they know me(Jesus) and follow me. God may not communicate with everyone the same as He does with me but if you do not hear His voice in some manner then you don't know Him. My relationship with Him indeed started out as faith but you are correct in the change that takes place. I cannot prove this relationship to anyone but to me it is fact. You can not achieve fact without first having faith.
539727
Look for Jesus, He gave a true meaning to my life, He gives me peace, true love and joy, and of course, always guides my life on the good things. \nNothing gives you more satistaction and happiness than to do good things, than to love and feel loved, than to serve to the others and see that u have make someone very happy just by doing something. That is priceless, because all the money in the world, couldnt buy that feeling.\nGod bless you a lot!