What Pleases the Lord?

What pleases the Lord?

·         Children obeying your parents (Col. 3:20)

·         Praising God with songs and thanksgiving is worth more than bulls with horns and huffs (Psalm 69:31)

·         Sanctified living (1 Thess. 4) (you are above the realm of the animals)

o   Avoid sexual immorality

o   Control your body (cravings of the flesh)

o   Refrain from taking advantage of your weaker brothers

·         Faith (trusting enough to obey) Impossible to please Him without it.  (Hebrews 11:6)

·         To act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:7-8)

·         His Son, Jesus (John 8:29) Loving, trusting, following him

·         Enoch was one who pleased God

·         Do good and share with others (Hebrews 13:16),

·         Kindness toward the needy (Prov. 14:31)

·         Prayers of the upright (Proverbs 15:8)

·         I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone--for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:2-4)

·         Honor God with the first fruit of your wealth, 2 Corinthians 9:7. Recognition that all provision come from the hand of God.

 

God's gifts to the one who pleases Him: Wisdom, knowledge, and happiness. (Eccles. 2:26)

Wisdom, knowledge, and happiness are given by God to those who (simplified list of above):

·         Submit and follow authorities in their life (parents first)

·         FAITH (childlike trust and obedience)

·         Sing praises and thanks to God from their heart

·         Treat people justly, extend mercy (forgive and receive forgiveness), walk in a humble position of dependence on God

·         Stay in step with the heart, behavior, and teachings of Jesus (who please His Father)

·         Aggressively look to do good for others and share (generosity), kindness toward the needy

·         Pray with a clear conscience before God

·         Pray for all earthly authorities so that all may be saved and know the truth

·         Offering your first fruit to God 

--
Myles Brown

August 21 Devotion

Read Acts 19:21-41

It certainly can incite a revolt in the "god-making" business when you preach that there is only one God.  And the True God is not made of human hands. Preaching that the statues made by human hands have no spiritual value tends to offend the folks who make their living on such belief systems. This was more an economical controversy than anything else  Ephesus was known for the goddess Artemis.  Paul had been seeking to make Jesus famous there.  Don't mess with the economic engine of a community and expect that there will not be severe ramifications.

The Good News of the Kingdom of God is embraced by those hungry and thirsty for forgiveness and hope.  But the Good News is a threat to those who are highly vested in the interests of this world.

Fall Ministry Ideas

Lane Corley get is right.  Here are some great ideas:

http://lanecorley.com/2014/08/05/5-ways-to-have-fun-and-reach-out-this-fall/

August 20 Devotion

Genesis 24:1-27

A divine appointment.  An answered prayer.  Abraham had a very specific request.  Abraham gave direct orders to his servant.  The servant had a faithful desire to serve with excellence.  A specific sign was requested.  And God brought together Rebekah and the servant of Abraham in a obvious answer and provision. 

This archaic way of arranging and seeking to put together a marriage may seem strange to our contemporary minds.  But here are a couple of things that motivated Abraham that should also be our desires for our own children's future spouses.

1.       He did not want his child to marry someone who did not have a relationship with God.  He wanted someone for his child who shared knowledge of God and a desire to serve Him.

2.       He wanted his child to marry someone who would not go backwards in God's plan, but forward.  Promises and blessings were to be passed forward.  These were not to be abandoned and forgotten.

Will you pray this for your children and grandchildren? A marriage relationship founded on a mutual dedication to love God and follow Him.  A forward pointed marriage and family that is on mission with God to reach the world for Christ even if it takes them to the ends of the earth. Pray that our children and grandchildren would follow Christ and tell the Gospel to others no matter what vocation and location God has for their life.

July 23 Devotion

Read Acts 19:1-20

A great work of God was taking place through the bold ministry of Paul.  This passage says that the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. Many believed, confessed, and made public their changed lives.  Where Jesus and the Kingdom of God were preached, people were healed, evil was overturned, and people were saved.

The word of the Lord spread and grew in power.  Like a wild fire, when the good news is spreading it sweeps through the land quickly and cannot be contained. Imagine this fire sweeping our world today. With power and speed sweeping the globe with the wonders and changed lives.

July 22 Devotion

Read Genesis 23

Buying a burial plot is never a joyous occasion.  This would be the first parcel of land the Abraham and his family would call their own.  Bought from the Hittites, this small stretch of land and the caves would be the resting place for Sarah, and one day he would be buried himself. 

Abraham would not allow this plot of land to be gift.  He wanted to buy it at full price for his wife.  A final act of love and devotion.

July 21 Devotion

Read Acts 18

Aquila and Pricilla was a tent-making couple who made a real difference in spreading the Gospel.  Imagine being forced to leave Rome simply because you were of the wrong nationality.  Then in Corinth that come across a vibrant Jewish missionary preacher who is proclaiming the Jesus as the Messiah. They worked together with Paul in making tents and reaching Jews and Greeks with the Gospel.

When Paul leaves for Corinth, they travel with him.  Paul left them in Ephesus to serve the church there.  When Apollos, a brilliant and talented preacher and leader came through Ephesus, Pricilla and Aquila invited him into their home with hospitality and taught him more about Jesus.  This wonderful had been a real help to Paul and now served to quietly teach a dynamic missionary preacher.  All the while they quietly went about their business of making and mending tents. Instead of growing bitter about being kicked out Rome, they discovered a better life awaited them in furthering the mission of God.