INTRO: How do we reach God? What can we do? Pray! Pray! PRAY!
 

As we look into what Christ Himself told us about reaching God:
Luke 11:1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.
2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.
3 Give us day by day our daily bread.
4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

From this scripture, we realize, we must…

1. Call out your need to the Right One
1. Look up
2. Honor
3. Ask/seek
4. Pattern after His examples
   
   
 Now I want to see how Isaiah directs us to approach God:

Is. 57:15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
 

We learn that our attitude IS important as we…

2. Approach with a broken heart or humble attitude
1. God hears a contrite spirit
2. God blesses an humble spirit
   
   
 So we know we must call to the Right One, and we need to approach humbly, we also see we must approach with faith. As we look into Hebrews 11, we read…

 Heb. 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
 

So if we reach God, we must…

3. Believe in the Lord
1. Have faith (in Him) -- Name it, claim it! (yes we should do this)
   
   

But we must do more than just…
2. Show faith (many name it and feign or fake it)

How do we continue to reach God? Let me share several scriptures that gives us guidance:
 

 2 Sa. 22: 50 Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name.

1 Chr. 16: 8 Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.
9 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works.
34 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
35 And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise.
36 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the LORD.

1 Thes. 5: 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

IV Thank Him (19 times in Psalms we are told to give thanks

1. Often
2. Sincerely

Gary Marcum - East 38th Street Free Will Baptist Church - 010900am