2 Corinthians 5:9
So we aspire to please Him, whether we are here in this body or away from it.
*Strong's Ex. Conc. No.
Aspire: to love or seek after honor, strive, labor, study, make it one's aim
From the Greek word 'philotimeomai' (pronounced fil-ot-im-eh'-om-ahee): strive eagerly, desire very strongly. Refers to pursuing (devoting oneself to) what has great personal value.
How does a person please God? Well, let's just hit a few of the highlights. The whole Bible tells us how to please God. We could start with the Ten Commandments, but it begins even before that.
MY OBEDIENCE PLEASES GOD
Genesis 2:16-17 God tells Adam what he can and can't eat.
Genesis 3 tells us of the deceptive tactics the serpent used to cause Adam and Eve to sin against (disobey) God and their unique punishments.
Knowing that disobedience is displeasing, we see that obedience to God's Word pleases Him.
1 Samuel 15:22 tells us that obedience to God is better than sacrifice and that it is better to pay attention: "But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams."
To obey God has great rewards. But on the opposite side of that coin is disobedience which carry the curse of God. It's our choice, you know. But obedience without love is just an empty ritual and is condemned by God. So we need God's Love living in us that we might Love one another the way God loves us.
The first half of Deuteronomy 28 lets us know the Rewards of obeying God. The second half of Deuteronomy 28 gives us details of disobeying God.
I will strive to obey God and please Him. For when He is pleased with me at the end of my life, I will hear Him say, "Well done, My good and faithful servant." (Matthew 25:21). We have all been called to follow Christ and let Him teach us how to fish for the souls of men and women (Matthew 4:19).
I have made this decision and I'm not going back to who I used to be. That was the old life; a life lived in ignorance and disobedience. But thank God: someone was praying for me. As I write this, this morning, I'm praying for someone, too.
MY THANKFUL HEART PLEASES GOD
Many verses in Scripture point out this fact. Here are a few:
>1 Thessalonians 5:18
>1 Chronicles 16:8-36
>Psalm 107:1
>Romans 6:17
>2 Corinthians 9:15
MY NEW LIFE IN CHRIST PLEASES GOD
>2 Corinthians 2:14
>Psalm 37:5
>1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
In this new life in Christ, our Absolute Surrender to His will is paramount to receiving His blessing. Our submission to His Way must be fully sincere. As Christ gave His all, so, too, must the born again believer give his or her all.
There are a few other books I have read over these past few years that have helped me to grow in Christ and in the Word in addition to the Bible. Benny Hinn has a trilogy of books that I have enjoyed: Welcome Holy Spirit, Good Morning Holy Spirit. I haven't read it yet, but I hope to get it soon: The Anointing.
The Lady, Her Lover and Her Lord by Bishop T. D. Jakes is a beautiful book for the woman who desires to know her worth in Christ. This one greatly helped me personally.
The Glories of The Cross by A. C. Dixon is a wonderful little book taking us into the view of the cross. I found my copy at a thrift store (which I think is the best place to find unusual books). A. W. Tozer wrote many wonderful books, too, one of which is: The Pursuit of God.
Jerry Bridges "The Pursuit of Holiness". This one I shared with my Mom and she read the whole book and loved it. But she got sick and passed away before I could send her any more. I'm glad I got to share in her love of Christ while she was here. Such joy.
Now, these books are in addition to all the study books I have read to be the minister I am. I have enjoyed each one so much I gave them away to people who needed them just as much as I had needed them along the way. Which brings us to the next thing that pleases God.
STUDY TO SHOW OURSELVES APPROVED
2 Timothy 2:15 "Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth."
Study in this context means to "make every effort", "hasten to present yourself", "be diligent to present yourself". Bringing us back to our original verse of study: Aspire to please God. Let's do just that. Make it our aim, our goal, to see God smile on us. I would rather do this than anything else.
Let Your Living Water Flow
I Will Run To You
What A Faithful God
Grow Your Faith
Gratitude
Agnus Dei
Thank You Lord (for the trials that come my way)
I Have Decided To Follow Jesus
The River
My Jesus, My Savior
Welcome Holy Spirit
