2. RELATING TO GOD Post-Encounter Lesson 2

3. We Need to Relate Personally with God
Talking with God can never be boring…

4. We Need to Relate Personally with God
His presence is the MOST POWERFUL experience

5. The Importance of Prayer
“Now in the morning, having risen up a long while before daylight, He went out and departed into a solitary place; and there He prayed.”
Mark 1:35

6. The Importance of Prayer
“But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut the door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”
Matthew 6:6

7. Understanding What a Devotional Is…
Entering into His presence
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28

8. Understanding What a Devotional Is…
Praying joyfully with thanksgiving
“Come before Him with joyful songs…enter His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise; be thankful to Him, and bless His name.”
Psalm 100:2-4

9. Being Thankful in Prayer Brings…
Freedom
“But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the Lord.”
Jonah 2:9-10

10. Being Thankful in Prayer Brings…
God had contact with thankful believers
“Sing psalms & hymns & spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, all the while giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”
Col. 3:16b, 17

11. A Fruitful Tongue
The Lord said, “But I say unto you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the Day of Judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Matthew 12:36-37

12. A Fruitful Tongue
Your tongue can lead you to complain or can motivate you to praise.

13. Ask in the Name of Jesus
“Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” John 16:24

14. Ask in the Name of Jesus
“And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son, if you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”
John 14:13-14

15. How to be Effective in Prayer
Start your prayer time realizing you are in the presence of God (Heb. 11:6)

16. How to be Effective in Prayer
Enter His gates with thanksgiving in your heart…give thanks to Him & bless His name (Ps. 100:4)

17. How to be Effective in Prayer
Confess to God whatever sins you have committed so that your prayers will not be hindered (Ps. 66:18)

18. How to be Effective in Prayer
Spend time presenting your specific needs (Phil. 4:19)

19. How to be Effective in Prayer
Before going to sleep, examine your life and ask the Lord what things have displeased Him. Then, confess and abandon those things (Proverbs 28:13)

20. Have Your Book of Dreams
“Now his is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”
1 John 5:14

21. CONCLUSION
Without a doubt, having a personal relationship with God is a fountain of life. Make the decision and start this new stage, following these simple steps, which you will give you a successful and full life, allowing you to experience God’s greatness in your life.

22. APPLICATION
Start right tomorrow your time of devotions and experience God’s wonders in your life.

23. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
How’s your devotional time with God?
What are the effects of your devotional time with God in your personal life?