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#Post#: 24341--------------------------------------------------
God, Is My Life Pleasing to You?
By: Katherine Date: February 24, 2020, 10:35 am
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Why Should We Read the Bible Every Day?
1. Reading the Bible shows us God’s character. The Bible is our
definitive source for the answers to our questions about God.
“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at
many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has
spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things,
and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the
radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his
being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had
provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of
the Majesty in heaven” (Hebrews 1:1-3).
2. Reading the Bible teaches us to imitate God.
“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children”
(Ephesians 5:1).
3. Reading the Bible helps us discover our next step.
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (Psalm
119:105).
4. Reading the Bible keeps us from sin.
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin
against you” (Psalm 119:11).
5. Reading the Bible helps us to renew our minds so we can know
God’s will.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s
mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and
pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not
conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve
what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans
12:1-2).
6. Reading the Bible allows us to be certain of what God said.
The Bible is our final authority.
“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17).
7. Reading the Bible allows us to receive the desires of our
heart.
“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever
you wish, and it will be done for you” (John 15:7).
8. Reading the Bible is how we learn about the gospel.
“You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in
them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that
testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life”
John 5:39-40.
9. Reading the Bible gives us courage.
“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it
day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything
written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have
I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid;
do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you
wherever you go” (Joshua 1:8-9).
10. Reading the Bible helps us to be fruitful.
“... but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who
meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree
planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither — whatever they do prospers”
(Psalm 1:2-3).
From: 10 reasons to read the Bible.
#Post#: 24368--------------------------------------------------
Re: God, Is My Life Pleasing to You?
By: Katherine Date: February 25, 2020, 10:03 am
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God, Is My Life Pleasing to You?
Is there anything in my life that doesn't please God?
This question helps me daily as we’re told in Galatians to “keep
in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25). When I’m choosing to
live according to my “flesh,” I’m choosing thoughts and
activities that do not please God. In Romans we’re told that the
“mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace” but that “the
mind governed by the flesh is death” (Romans 8:6). I know that I
can hardly trust my own ways as described in Proverbs 14:12
where even the wisest king wrote, “There is a way that appears
to be right, but in the end it leads to death.”
I know my capacity for self-deception and going my own
independent way. I know that there’s a part of me—my flesh—that
desires things contrary to God’s ways. As I meditate on
Galatians 5:16–25, for example, I see examples of the acts of
the sinful nature that still dwell inside of me.
As we grow in maturity in Christ, we’re able to more and more
keep in step with the Spirit and turn from the flesh by the Holy
Spirit’s power. But at no time are we living under condemnation.
In my early twenties, I lived under so much guilt and
condemnation for the sinful choices I made though I was a
believer. I was clearly—in many forms—living out the acts of my
flesh. I could recite 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, he is
faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us
from all unrighteousness,” but when I asked Jesus to forgive me,
I didn’t really know how to experience that love and
forgiveness. I often quoted Romans 8:1 to myself that “there is
now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Over and
over again, I mentally repeated this truth.
When we’re seated with Christ, the difference is that Jesus is
with us, and we are looking at our sin together. He is giving us
power to change. He isn’t shaking His finger or turning His face
away when we come to Him with a repentant heart. He’s ready to
embrace us in the midst of our sin. He loves me. He loves you.
He delights in us. We are seated in this delight and acceptance.
The question “Is there anything in my life that doesn’t please
God?” is one designed to cleanse the heart and help us deeply
abide with Jesus. Since I know my sin grieves the Holy Spirit
(Ephesians 4:30) and that it harms my sweet intimacy with Jesus
(Psalm 66:18), I carefully consider my attitudes and behaviors.
I’m also aware that sin brings “trouble and distress” into my
life (Romans 2:9), so I’m eager to examine my heart for any
areas of sin.
We know that, although we are saved from the punishment of sin
and that our sins are not held against us, we still battle the
sin nature within us. But Christ sympathizes with us in our
struggle with sin (Hebrews 4:15). I am seated in Christ,
together with all the saints and with a God who understands, and
now I can examine my life to grow into godliness
Growing in godliness, however, requires knowledge of the ancient
paths that God lays out. He designs life to work best within
certain parameters, but many people do not know what these
boundaries are. They don’t know how to live uprightly because
the culture has so diluted what it means to live a godly life.
We need help to understand these paths.
Consider this wonderful promise from Isaiah 48:17: “I am the
Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs
you in the way you should go.”
When I ask myself, “Is there anything in my life that doesn’t
please God?” I’m asking God to show me what is best and to lead
me into the right kind of living. I want a life “filled with the
fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ”
(Philippians 1:11).
So I examine my life carefully and pray as David did:
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious
thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me
in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:23–24)
Ask questions to help you discern.
All day long, we’re assaulted with different messages from the
media and culture that can distract us from God’s best ways. A
few years ago, I compiled a list of ten questions to help me,
like Paul prays, “to discern what is best” (Philippians 1:10).
I want to know “what is best.” Here are some questions that
guide my life even today:
1. Does this activity bring me closer to Jesus or further away?
2. Is this activity against the law or another authority?
3. Is this activity forbidden in Scripture?
4. Does this activity help others know Jesus?
5. Would I be embarrassed if Jesus arrived and saw me doing this
thing?
6. Is this decision more likely to bring me into temptation or
into godly choices?
7. Do people I respect and admire agree with this activity?
8. Does this activity bring me under its power where I can’t
control myself?
9. How do I feel about myself and my relationship with God after
doing this thing or being with this person?
10. Is the Holy Spirit saying no, and am I ignoring Him?
I’ve turned off certain movies, closed certain books, ended
various dating relationships, took different jobs, stopped
certain addictive behaviors, and even moved because of these
questions. I hope they help you as you begin to make godly
choices for your life.
Remember, you are accepted and loved by God.
As we grow as Christians and learn to make these good choices,
we must remember that we are always accepted and loved by Jesus.
To help direct my soul into these truths, I remember the day a
mentor asked me, “How do you think God feels about you right
now?” At the time, I said—like so many of us might—that Jesus
was surely embarrassed, disappointed, and sad about me. Not
true! I learned to take those condemning lies and say, “I know
that Jesus is absolutely delighted by me. I am His chosen
princess at the royal table.”
If you ask women what God feels about them, I highly doubt
you’ll receive this kind of answer from many. So many of us
believe Jesus doesn’t really love us. We imagine a frowning,
angry, and disappointed face when we think of Jesus. When did we
start imagining Jesus as disappointed and ashamed of us? I began
to wonder if we lose the truth as we age, so I asked a small
child—my own daughter—the question.
I asked my younger daughter, “How do you think Jesus feels about
you?”
She smiled and her eyes lit up as she answered quickly and
without a bit of hesitation, “Oh, He is so happy about me!”
We need to recapture the little girl inside us who knows Jesus
is so happy about us.
Because I’m seated in Christ, when I look at the ways I must
change, I don’t feel condemned. I feel excited to grow. I feel
thrilled that Jesus would continue to refine and shape me into
His image.
Try sowing to please the Spirit.
When I first began asking God the question, “Is there anything
in my life that doesn’t please you?” the answers were obvious. I
knew that many things about my life went against God’s word. I
felt the deep conviction of the Holy Spirit about various
behaviors and attitudes. I confessed those things, and I began
to avoid places and people that encouraged me to compromise. I
learned to sow to “please the spirit” instead of my flesh.
I read in Galatians 6:8 that “Whoever sows to please their
flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to
please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”
Sowing to please the Spirit meant doing things that helped
develop the parts of my life that were God-honoring. It meant
spending time in prayer and Bible study. It meant connecting
with like-minded people. It meant finding mentors who could help
me grow and hold me accountable for temptation areas of my life.
I learned to stop doing things that were “sowing to please my
flesh” including certain books, movies, parties, and communities
that only pushed me away from God. I didn’t want anything to
come between Jesus and me. I wanted, like David prayed in Psalm
86:11, “an undivided heart” so I could praise God and walk
closely with Him.
But is it worth it? Is a godly life that great that it outweighs
the pleasures of sin? I will tell you this:
Nothing—nothing!—compares with the peace of the Holy Spirit and
knowing you are experiencing a close relationship with Jesus.
Anything that would hinder you from God’s ways is a temporary
happiness that will eventually reveal itself for what it is.
Enjoy the process.
Think of Paul’s great question in Romans 6:21: “What benefit did
you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of?
Those things result in death!” When I look back on my life, I
can tell you that sin offers no benefit. It only brings pain and
suffering and loss and shame. But the times I spent journaling
my thoughts to Jesus, praying, and studying my Bible? Those
times have generated more wisdom, fruit, and well-being than you
can imagine. God’s word, as it says in 1 Thessalonians 2:13
“continues to work in those who believe.” God’s word will work
within me to lead me away from sin and toward godliness.
Today, I love asking Jesus, “Is there anything in my life that
doesn’t please You?” This is a joyful, not condemning or
depressing process. I’m seated in Christ, covered by Christ’s
righteousness, and fully accepted. Therefore, the reason I aim
to live a godly life isn’t out of a “works” mentality or any
kind of legalism. It’s because I want to continue to allow God
to shape me into a woman who’s more and more like Jesus. My
motivation isn’t to please God or to earn His favor; that’s
already decided. My motivation is to enjoy Jesus more and more
and to allow His Holy Spirit to lead me into deeper freedom and
intimacy with Jesus.
Heather Holleman, PhD, is the author of Seated With Christ:
Living Freely in a Culture of Comparison. She is a speaker,
writer, and college instructor and serves on the staff of
Faculty Commons with Cru. Heather lives in Pennsylvania with her
husband and their two daughters. To learn more about Heather,
visit her at
HTML http://livewithflair.blogspot.com/
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