This week Bro. Leo continues our study of faith and prayer with the Biblical responsibilities that are our portion of our personal relationship with Jesus, the what if’s.

The what if’s are pro-active, conscious, willful acts that God expects from us.  Of these “what if’s, the most important one is to draw near to God (James 4:8).  The words “draw near” in verse 8 represent presence and space and is defined as to approach.  No other “what if’s” can be accomplished without first “drawing near to God”.  In Mark 1:35 Jesus gives us the perfect example of “drawing near to God.  In verse 35 Jesus, before starting His day, went out to a solitary place to talk with God.

In Mark 4:34 we can see that when we spend time with Jesus He will explain all things to us.  Getting Jesus’ perspective and knowledge of things is very important because we are naturally of the understanding that we know what is right (Prov. 16:2, 21:2, 14:12).  Jesus knows us and our situations much better than we know ourselves and if we approach Him with an open and unveiled spirit He will show us our unrighteousness by revealing to us His righteousness (2Cor. 3:18).

Jesus didn’t die on that cross so that we could go to Church on Sunday.  He died on the cross so that we could have a personal relationship with Him daily and through this daily relationship He could transform us into His righteousness.

Scriptures used in today’s message:

Jas 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

Mar 1:32 And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils.
Mar 1:33 And all the city was gathered together at the door.
Mar 1:34 And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.
Mar 1:35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

Mar 4:34 But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.

Pro 16:2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes

Pro 21:2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes

Pro 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Psa 139:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.
Psa 139:2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
Psa 139:3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
Psa 139:4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.
Psa 139:5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
Psa 139:6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
Psa 139:7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
Psa 139:8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
Psa 139:9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
Psa 139:10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
Psa 139:11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
Psa 139:12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
Psa 139:13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.
Psa 139:14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
Psa 139:15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Psa 139:16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
Psa 139:17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
Psa 139:18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.
Psa 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
Psa 139:24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

2Co 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.