The 4 Outs

Knowing God does not happen by accident. It takes deliberate action.
1 Cor 9:24-Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one gains the prize? Run in such a way that you may WIN.

Winning is giving everything and running as hard as you can. God doesn't give pity prizes.
Thus when you run:
Throw-out: Every excuse for not winning. Excuses are drugs to make us feel better about failing. Here is the evidence:
Heb 12:1- Let us lay aside everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and let us run with endurance the race set before us.
Watch-out: Set a guard over your heart. Watch what you put in your eyes and ears. Because the things you look at and listen to effect your heart. Because out of the heart flows life.
Proverbs 4:23- Watch over your heart with all diligence for out of the heart spring the issues of life.
Cry-out: God is not deaf, he is not callused or immune to his children's cries.
Jeremiah 33:3-'Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.'
Isaiah 65:24-It will also come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear.
Lastly,
Stand-out: Don't conform to this worlds standards of living. Have a fig tree standard, Be ready in season and out of season. When Jesus found the fig tree without the figs, he cursed the tree and it died. He expects us to always be baring fruit. Don't substitute excuses for fruit.
2 Timothy 4:2 - Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.
So, in short. Be intentional! Use everyday to grow closer to your savior. Put him first and take time to listen to his voice.