Seeing more of jesus christ in our lives: Deepening our connection

Seeing more of Jesus Christ in our lives begins with a heart open to His presence, a mind eager to delve into His teachings, and a spirit attuned to His guiding presence in every aspect of our journey.

This article will go through why we need to deepen our connection with Jesus Christ, His character taken from the scriptures, how to create new and successful habits, and two daily shedules that you can implement to deepen your connection with Jesus Christ.

The Spirit of Christ

Have you ever met somebody who simply embodied a Christlike spirit? I know I have several times. When a large hurricane hit Jacksonville, Florida Henry B Eyring flew down for stake conference. The presence he brought into the room was all-encompassing with the feelings of great joy and love.

Whenever I meet someone with a strong embodiment of the spirit it makes me want to become more like them. This type of presence does not come easily, it requires spiritual work and effort.

My friend April simply glows in the spirit, I swear she eats Angels for breakfast to glow the way she does. I asked her about her spiritual practice so that I could become more like her. She told me that she gets up every morning and reads her scriptures and journals about impressions she had.

Deepening our relationship with Jesus Christ is an ongoing process of spiritual growth, intimacy, and transformation. As we continue to spend more time with Jesus Christ our lives become deeply blessed.

Seeking to see more of Jesus in our daily lives is of paramount importance for several reasons:

Spiritual Growth and Nourishment
Relationship Development
Guidance and Direction
Transformation and Renewal
Source of Hope and Comfort
Witness and Influence
Abundant Life

1. Spiritual Growth and Nourishment

2 Peter 3:18 (NIV): “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”

Seeing more of Jesus allows us to grow spiritually by deepening our understanding of His character, teachings, and ways. One of our bedtime stories in our house is the parable of the two brothers. This helps teach our children that they are always welcome home. There isn’t anything that they could do in order for us or Heavenly Father to turn away from them as long as they repent.

Just as physical nourishment is essential for our bodies, seeing more of Jesus nourishes our souls and strengthens our faith.

What practices or rituals bring you a sense of connection with the divine and nourish your soul?

2. Relationship Development

Ephesians 4:2-3 (NIV): “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

Just as we invest time and effort in getting to know a friend or loved one better, seeking to see more of Jesus fosters a deeper, more intimate relationship with Him.

Intentionally focusing on Jesus in our daily lives strengthens our connection with Him and enhances our sense of closeness and communion with Him.

I have been trying to become more Christlike in my relationships. Instead of continually going on at an argument I simply say sorry and give the other person a hug.

Reflective Questions

How do you currently perceive your relationship with Jesus Christ?

How do you prioritize spending time with Jesus amidst the busyness of life?

3. Guidance and Direction

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
Psalms 119:105 (NIV)

Seeing more of Jesus helps us align our lives with His will and purposes. As we become more attuned to His presence and leading, we gain clarity and direction in our decision-making and discernment of His plans for us.

Reflective Questions

How do you currently perceive God’s guidance in your life?

Reflect on moments when you have felt a sense of God’s guidance or presence. What were the circumstances, and how did you recognize it?

4. Transformation and Renewal

Ezekiel 36:26 (NIV): “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”

Seeing more of Jesus catalyzes transformation and renewal in our lives. The more we behold His beauty, grace, and truth, the more we are changed to reflect His likeness and character in our thoughts, attitudes, and actions.

Reflect on your journey of transformation through Jesus Christ. How have you changed spiritually, emotionally, or behaviorally since inviting Him into your life?

What specific areas of your life have been transformed by Jesus Christ’s teachings and example?

5. Source of Hope and Comfort

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV): “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'”

In times of trial, uncertainty, or suffering, seeing more of Jesus provides a source of hope, comfort, and strength. His presence and promises sustain us, offering reassurance and peace amidst life’s challenges.

Reflect on moments when you have experienced hope through your faith in Jesus Christ. What circumstances led to these feelings of hope, and how did they impact you?

How do you share the hope you have found in Jesus Christ with others, and how does this practice enrich your own faith journey?

6. Witness and Influence

Acts 1:8 (NIV): “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Seeing more of Jesus equips us to be effective witnesses and ambassadors of His love and truth to others. As we reflect His light and love in our daily lives, we bear witness to His transformative power and draw others to Him.

When did you last share your testimony of Jesus Christ? Who did you bear your testimony to? What affect did bearing your testimony have?

7. Abundant Life

Philippians 4:19 (NIV): “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”

Jesus promised abundant life to those who follow Him (John 10:10). Seeking to see more of Him enables us to experience the fullness of life He offers.

By embracing His presence and purpose in our daily lives, we find fulfillment, joy, and satisfaction beyond measure.

What areas in your life are abundant? How do you measure abundance compared to how the world measures abundance?

Committing To Seeing More of Jesus Christ In Our Lives

Schedule 1 morning

6:00 AM	Wake Up and Morning Prayer: Start the day with a prayer of thanksgiving and seek guidance for the day ahead.
6:30 AM	Bible Reading and Devotional: Spend time reading the Bible and reflecting on its teachings. Consider using a devotional guide or plan.
7:00 AM	Exercise: Engage in physical activity to maintain health, such as a jog, yoga, or a workout.
7:30 AM	Breakfast: Have a healthy breakfast to fuel the day.
8:00 AM	Personal Hygiene and Get Ready for the Day Shower, dress, and prepare for the day’s activities.
8.30	Work or School: Begin work or school responsibilities with a focus on doing your best and working as if serving the Lord (Colossians 3:23).
10:30 AM	Break: Take a short break to rest and perhaps say a quick prayer or read a verse.
12:00 PM	Lunch: Have lunch and take time to relax. Use this time to socialize or read a spiritual book.
3:00 PM	Afternoon Break: Take another short break, use this time for a brief walk or a quiet prayer.

Schedule 1 evening

5:00 PM	End of Work/School Day: Conclude work or school for the day.
5:30 PM	Dinner Preparation and Family Time: Prepare and share dinner with family, discussing the day and sharing blessings.
7:00 PM	Evening Prayer and Reflection: Spend time in prayer, reflecting on the day, and seeking forgiveness and strength for tomorrow.
7:30 PM	Leisure Time: Engage in hobbies, read a book, watch a wholesome show, or spend time with family and friends.
9:00 PM	Prepare for Bed: Begin winding down for the night, personal hygiene, and getting ready for bed.
9:30 PM	Bible Study or Reading: Spend some time reading the Bible or a devotional book before bed.
10:00 PM	Night Prayer: Conclude the day with a prayer, thanking God for His blessings and seeking peaceful rest.

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Daily Schedule for Parents to See More of Jesus Christ in Your Life

Creating a daily schedule for a Christian parent involves balancing spiritual practices, family responsibilities, personal care, work, and leisure. Here’s an example of a balanced daily schedule for a Christian parent:

Schedule 2 Morning

5:30 AM	Wake Up and Morning Prayer: Start the day with a prayer of thanksgiving and seek guidance for the day ahead.
6:00 AM	Bible Reading and Devotional: Spend time reading the Bible and reflecting on its teachings. Use a devotional guide or plan if helpful.
6:30 AM	Exercise: Engage in physical activity to maintain health, such as a jog, yoga, or a workout.
7:00 AM	Personal Hygiene and Get Ready for the Day. Shower, dress, and prepare for the day’s activities.
7:30 AM	Prepare Breakfast and Pack Lunches. Prepare a healthy breakfast for the family and pack lunches for school/work.
8:00 AM	Family Breakfast: Share breakfast with the family, incorporating a short family prayer or devotion.
8:30 AM	School Drop-off/Commute to Work: Drop the kids at school and commute to work. Use this time to listen to a Christian podcast or worship music.
9:00 AM	Work or Home Responsibilities. Begin work or focus on home responsibilities if you are a stay-at-home parent.
11:00 AM	Break: Take a short break to rest and perhaps say a quick prayer or read a Bible verse.
12:00 PM	Lunch: Have lunch, take time to relax, and perhaps read a spiritual book or connect with a friend.
1:00 PM	Work or Home Responsibilities Continue: Continue with work or home tasks. If you are at home, use this time for household chores or errands.
3:00 PM	Afternoon Break: Take another short break. Use this time for a brief walk or quiet prayer.
3:30 PM	School Pickup/Commute Home: Pick up the kids from school and commute home. Discuss their day and share experiences.
4:00 PM	Family Time and Homework Help: Spend time with the children, help with homework, and engage in family activities.

Evening Schedule 2

5:30 PM	Prepare Dinner: Prepare and cook a healthy dinner. Involve the children in simple tasks to teach them about cooking and responsibility.
6:00 PM	Family Dinner: Share dinner with the family, discussing the day and sharing blessings. Start and end the meal with prayer.
7:00 PM	Evening Prayer and Reflection: Spend time in family prayer, reflecting on the day, and seeking guidance and strength for tomorrow.
7:30 PM	Leisure and Family Activities: Engage in hobbies, family games, read books together, or watch a wholesome show.
8:30 PM	Prepare Children for Bed: Help children with their bedtime routine: bathing, brushing teeth, and reading a bedtime story.
9:00 PM	Children’s Bedtime: Tuck the children into bed, say prayers with them, and ensure they are settled for the night.
9:30 PM	Personal Time: Spend some time for yourself, reading, relaxing, or engaging in a personal hobby.
10:00 PM	Bible Study or Reading: Spend some quiet time reading the Bible or a devotional book before bed.
10:30 PM	Night Prayer: Conclude the day with a prayer, thanking God for His blessings and seeking peaceful rest.
11:00 PM	Sleep: Aim to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep for a healthy rest.

Creating New Habits To See More of Jesus Christ in our Lives

1. Start Small

Break down your desired habits into smaller, manageable steps. Focus on one habit at a time rather than trying to change everything at once. Starting small increases the likelihood of success and prevents overwhelm.

Small steps could include reading one verse in the morning or at night. Saying more prayers for example saying a prayer before you drive your car.

2. Create a Routine

Incorporate your new habits into your daily or weekly routine. Consistency is key to habit formation, so choose specific times or triggers to remind yourself to practice the habit consistently.

Coupling habits is a proven success strategy in habit adoption. Think of something that you do every day and then plan to do your habit straight afterwards. For instance: In the morning when you eat your breakfast you can browse the scriptures or listen to a conference talk. Perhaps you kneel down for prayer after making your bed.

3. Use Reminders

Set up visual cues or reminders to prompt yourself to engage in your new habit. This could be a sticky note on your mirror, an alarm on your phone, or integrating the habit into an existing routine.

4. Track Your Progress

Keep track of your habit development journey by using a habit tracker, journal, or app. Monitoring your progress provides motivation and accountability, allowing you to see how far you’ve come and identify areas for improvement. We have a free habit tracker that you can download here.

5. Stay Consistent

Stick to your new habit even on days when you don’t feel motivated or when obstacles arise. Consistency is crucial for habit formation, so prioritize practicing your habit even on challenging days.

6. Celebrate Milestones

Acknowledge and celebrate your progress as you work towards establishing your new habit. Celebrating milestones, no matter how small, reinforces positive behavior and boosts your confidence and motivation.

7. Be Patient and Kind to Yourself

Developing new habits takes time and effort, so be patient with yourself throughout the process. Accept that there will be setbacks and slip-ups along the way, but instead of getting discouraged, use them as opportunities to learn and grow.

8. Adjust as Needed

Be flexible and willing to adjust your approach if necessary. If a particular strategy or routine isn’t working for you, don’t hesitate to try something different until you find what works best for you.

9. Seek Support

Surround yourself with supportive individuals who encourage and motivate you to stick to your new habits. Share your goals with friends, family, or a partner, and consider joining a support group or seeking professional guidance if needed.

By following these steps and adopting a growth mindset, you can effectively develop positive habits that contribute to your personal growth, well-being, and fulfillment. Remember that consistency, patience, and self-compassion are key ingredients for success.

Daily Schedule for Seeing More of Jesus Christ in our Lives

Not sure where to use pockets of your time to see more of Jesus Christ in your life? This schedule aims to balance spiritual growth, personal well-being, work, and social activities in a Christian’s daily life.

I hope these schedules help you find the time to see more of Jesus Christ in your life. Let me know in the comments below if you decided to try one of the routines and how it went.

In essence, seeking to see more of Jesus in our daily lives is essential for our spiritual growth, relationship with Him, guidance, transformation, comfort, witness, and experience of abundant life. It is a journey of discovery, intimacy, and transformation that enriches every aspect of our existence.

Peace and blessings,

Vanessa Rooney.