High Voltage Shareware/high1.zip/high1/DIR46/ALPHON_2.ZIP/APPROACH.F12

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APPROACHING GOD                                  STUDY NO.12

A continuous experience

We have been given the privilege to approach God, the Creator, our
King and Friend.  Jesus won us this right at the cross.  There He
opened the way for us to enter the presence of God without fear,
at any time.  In the Jewish temple, the innermost court where the
presence of God dwelt was separated from the rest of the temple by
a heavy curtain or veil.  Only the high priest Could enter.  At
the time of Jesus' death this veil in the temple was torn apart --
a mysterious event to the Jews of that day, but to us who believe
it indicates that His death opened the way for all to enter into
God's presence.

Satan will do anything he can to prevent us enjoying the presence
of God.  We need to be aware of his opposition; otherwise, we will
allow fear, condemnation, depression and weariness to rob us of
what has been made freely available to us.

As Christians, we are to be people in constant touch with the
Lord, knowing in any circumstance how to draw near to Him; to
talk, but also to listen; to give, but also to receive from Him.
In order for us to take full advantage of this, we need to learn
how to approach Him.

We learn through our everyday personal experiences, but we can
also learn much from the experiences of others.  People in the
gospels approached Jesus in many different ways.
     - One woman was brought to Him by her accusers.  Read John
          8:3-11
     - Others came to question Him.  Read Luke 18:18.
     - Another woman desperately pushed her way through the crowd
       to touch Him.  Read Luke 8:43-48.

Whatever the psychological and emotional pressures, everyone of
them found in Jesus one whom they could freely approach.  Jesus
was able to meet each individual in their particular need.  He
never turned anyone away, even when His friends and relatives
protested.  Read Revelation 3:20, 21; Matthew 11:28; 14:15; John
6:37; Luke 15:11-32.

PRINCIPLES OF APPROACHING GOD

As He was ministering to these many individuals, Jesus was also
teaching.  Through stories and through the actual encounters
themselves, He revealed principles that apply to us in our own
relationship with Him.

1.   Simplicity
     "Permit the children to come to Me, and stop hindering them,
     for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." Luke 18:16.
     (NASB)

Jesus welcomed the children, and used them as an object lesson.
Among the many qualities of children, is their ability to trust in
a very simple way.  They are generally open, teachable and easily
respond to love.  While we are to grow and mature in our
relationship with the Lord, these child-like qualities keep on
being important.  They bring us perspective as we approach the
Lord with our complicated problems, our confusion and tangled
doubts.  Read Luke 18:15-17; Matthew 11:25-27.

2.   Humility.
     "Everyone who exalts  himself  shall  be  humbled,  but  he
     who  humbles  himself  shall  be exalted." Luke 18:14. (NASB)

To be humble is to face ourselves as we really are in the light of
God's presence.  Humility requires that we be absolutely honest
and transparent before Him.  There is no room here for excuses or
for cover-ups.  It takes courage and not weakness as some
suppose, and is an aspect of our character that God wants to
develop.  Read Luke 18:9-14; 16:15; Matthew 6:5,6.

3.   Repentance.
     " . . There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who
     repents, than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no
     repentance." Luke 15-7. (NASB)

There will be times when we approach the Lord that He will require
us to change our will, in exchange for His will. - Repentance is
not only being sorry for our sin but being willing to make a
change in our ways.  It is a positive attitude that we are always
to take with us into the presence of the King, demonstrating our
yieldedness to Him.  Joy is the promised outcome of repentance,
Read Luke 15:11-32; 19:1-10.

4.   Forgiveness.
     "And if He sin against you seven times a day, and returns to
     you seven times, saying, `I repent,' forgive him." Luke 1
     7:4. (NASB)

In approaching God we depend  greatly upon His forgiveness and
grace.   Resentment and unforgiveness towards others Will
ultimately block our path to Him.  In the same way Jesus forgives
us, we are to forgive.   It is an important principle that is
included in Christ's great example of prayer and is a key to
releasing total peace and harmony of His presence into our lives,
and those around us.  Read Luke 11:4; Matthew 18:21-35.

5.   Gratitude.
     " . . .,and he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to
     Him." Luke 17:16. (NASB)-

Jesus had just cleansed ten lepers and there was much noise and
excitement.  One however, took time to turn back and thank Him, a
simple act that acknowledged God's part and brought glory to Him.
Thanksgiving is a vital area of prayer and communion with God.  It
can be easily overlooked as we tend to take answered prayer for
granted at times, or when we simply come to God with too little
time to spend with Him.  Read Luke 17:11-19; Ephesians 5:20;
1 Thessalonians 5:18.

6:   Determination
     ". . . ask and it shall be given to you; seek and you shall
     find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For everyone
     who asks receives; and he who seeks finds; and to him who
     knocks it shall be opened." Luke 'I -1 :9,10. (NASB)

Zacchaeus was determined to see Jesus; he climbed a tree. The
blind man, equally determined, yelled out from the side of the
road, ignoring the people around who wanted to quieten him.  There
there are many similar stories throughout the gospels.  Jesus
Himself taught on the principle of perseverance in prayer and
seeking God.  When approaching the Lord we will often be tempted
to give up, especially in the face of impossible circumstances.
But the Lord has promised to meet with those who will continue to
seek Him. Read Luke 11:5-18; 18:1-8; 35-43; 19:1-5.

7.   Faith.
     " . . if you have faith as a mustard seed, you shall say to
     this mountain, `move from here to there', and it shall move;
     and nothing shall be impossible to you." Matthew 17:20.(NASB)

When we put our confidence in God's character, believing that He
is who He says He is, and that He will do what He says He will do,
then we are exercising faith.  In the gospels, Jesus' ministry was
confined to the Jewish people.  Two foreigners however, with no
right to approach Him, came seeking His help.  In both cases they
showed extraordinary faith in Him, and were rewarded. As we, who
have been given the right to approach Him, face unexpected crisis
situations, our faith is given the opportunity to be tested,
expanded and matured.  The Lord desires that we always look to
Him with faith.  Read Luke 7:1-10; Matthew 15:21-28; James 1:2-7.

8.   Boldness
     "Since therefore brethren, we have confidence to enter the
     holy place by the blood of Jesus . . . let us draw near with
     a sincere heart in full assurance of faith Hebrews 10:19,22.

One of the greatest things that Jesus accomplished was to give us
access to God.  He is now available.  However most of us still
hide from Him at times, either because we feel ashamed or
unworthy.  We listen to the accusations of Satan telling us that
we are not good enough to approach God.  But even if we have
sinned, we are to approach Him for forgiveness and cleansing.

When we recognise that we can approach anytime, our relationship
with God will become not only enjoyable but exciting, while our
lives, as His people the Church, will become victorious in the
Earth.  Read I John 1:9; Romans 8:1-39.

THE END