The Call to Seek God

Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call on Him while He is near. (Isaiah 55:6)

Come close to God [with a contrite heart] and He will come close to you. (James 4:8) Seeking God through prayer, the studying of His word, and accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior the ruler over our life.

You can't seek Him where He is not found which is in sin; rather a continual seeking of God throughout life. Through actively pursuing a relationship with God while He is accessible and receptive to those who seek Him. PRAYERS-Prayers that are pleasing to God Most High are offered up with a contrite heart, rooted in faith and obedience.

This [kind of praying] is good and acceptable and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior.

First of all, then, I urge that petitions (specific requests), prayers, intercessions (prayers for others) and thanksgivings be offered on behalf of all people, for [a]kings and all who are in [positions of] high authority, so that we may live a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This [kind of praying] is good and acceptable and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge and recognition of the [divine] truth. For there is [only] one God, and [only] one Mediator between God and mankind, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom [a substitutionary sacrifice to atone] for all, the testimony given at the right and proper time. And for this matter I was appointed a preacher and an apostle--I am telling the truth, I am not lying [when I say this]--a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. ( 1 Timothy 2:1-7) God does not accept the offerings of those who are unrepentant and disobedient, but He delights in the prayers of those who live righteously.

The sacrifice of the wicked is hateful and exceedingly offensive to the LORD, But the prayer of the upright is His delight. (Proverbs 15:8)

Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger and disputing or quarreling or doubt [in their mind. The prayers of the upright in the heart; those who live righteously are His delight. (1 Timothy 2:8) PRAISE AND WORSHIP-

I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. May my meditation be sweet and pleasing to Him; As for me, I will rejoice and be glad in the LORD, ( Psalm 104:33-34) À commitment to praising God throughout our whole entire life, the continuous and lifelong service of worship; by living a life of joy and fulfillment in our relationship with God, we express this through ongoing praise and worship. SERVICE-Serve the LORD with gladness and delight;

Come before His presence with joyful singing.

Know and fully recognize with gratitude that the LORD Himself is God;

It is He who has made us, [a]not we ourselves [and we are His].

We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gates with a song of thanksgiving

And His courts with praise.

Be thankful to Him, bless and praise His name.

For the LORD is good;

His mercy and loving kindness are everlasting,

His faithfulness [endures] to all generations. (Psalm 100:2-5) OBEDIENCE-

Samuel said, “Has the LORD as great a delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices As in obedience to the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed [is better] than the fat of rams. (1 Samuel 15:22) “We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching." Then Peter and the apostles replied, We must obey God rather than men [we have no other choice]. (Acts 5:28-29) Believers live differently from how they did before they came to faith; we have a relationship with God as our Father and our commitment to following His will and purpose over our life. We live holy lives, set apart. Hoping in the grace to be revealed, and loving one another sincerely; our present understanding of the truth and our new identity in Christ.

[Live] as obedient children [of God]; do not be conformed to the evil desires which governed you in your ignorance [before you knew the requirements and transforming power of the good news regarding salvation. (1 Peter 1:14)

And having been made perfect [uniquely equipped and prepared as Savior and retaining His integrity amid opposition], He became the source of eternal salvation [an eternal inheritance] to all those who obey Him. ( Hebrews 5:9)