What Pleases Jesus?
Good Morning Friends,
Discerning how to live in this world is a challenge for all of us that desire to demonstrate in definable ways the gifts of the Holy Spirit on behalf of those who are poor and vulnerable. Loving others in a spiritual way that has focus and brings glory to God and the Kingdom of God is more than just trying to meet a need. It is more than being nice or welcoming to others. Doing the work of Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, doing works of service, providing healing and reconciliation, wisdom and knowledge and yes administration must meet both a societal and spiritual need. And to do this in collaboration requires consensus and permission and leadership and money and an opportunity to grow in the Good News of Christ. This decision making grid is a guide to help us to determine not just what to do and who is to do it, but how doing what appears right for society might also be what is right for the Kingdom. It comes down to prayerfully answering today’s question. What Pleases Jesus?Top of Form
Scripture: Bottom of Form
22and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him.
1 John 3:22 (NRSV)
16Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
Hebrews 13:16 (NRSV)
6And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Hebrews 11:6 (NRSV)
7When the ways of people please the Lord, he causes even their enemies to be at peace with them.
Proverbs 16:7 (NRSV)
2make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves.
Philippians 2:2-3 (NRSV)
4I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all. 7 But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8Therefore it is said, ‘When he ascended on high he made captivity itself a captive; he gave gifts to his people.’ 9(When it says, ‘He ascended’, what does it mean but that he had also descended* into the lower parts of the earth? 10He who descended is the same one who ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might fill all things.) 11The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ.
Ephesians 4:1-13 (NRSV)
12Now concerning spiritual gifts,* brothers and sisters,* I do not want you to be uninformed.
1 Corinthians 12:1 (NRSV)
13If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
1 Corinthians 13:1 (NRSV)
Message: Knowledge put into skillful action is wisdom. It may take a lifetime of longing to gain but ultimately hinges on obedience to those things we know we must do…love. Here proper choices become the golden nuggets of wisdom….gems for daily living that are pleasing to God. When we believe in God and believe what He says, we will also be pleasing to Him. When we are spiritually minded we please God.
But we must be transformed in our mind, keeping our hearts, actions and thoughts on things that are pleasing to God. We must love with actions and in truth. We must have a plan on pleasing Jesus. Friends, the life that pleases God is the one that yearns to know more about God so that they can know God better. Friends, the key is not to work harder but to draw closer to the love of Jesus.
Pray we fear God and are obedient to Christ’s example. Pray
we be dedicated to God. Pray we be dependent on God. Pray we be delighted with God. Pray we be directed by God. Pray we be dynamic in the Holy Spirit. Pray we not substitute facts for relationships. Pray we provide Godly leadership. Pray we witness to Christ’s Kingdom. Pray we nurture, counsel, encourage and evangelize. Pray we train and disciple. Pray we empower others freeing them from addictions. Pray we coordinate and network in a way that bring unity to the Body of believers. Pray we administer in a way that lifts up to law of love. Pray that our attitude and motivation is pleasing to God. Pray that we claim the Holy Spirit’s power to help us live a life pleasing to God. Pray we accept God’s provision and invest in things pleasing to God. Pray we thank God. Pray we love what God loves.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 