I was planned for God's pleasure. I wasn't placed on this earth for my own pleasure, or for the pleasure of anyone else. I would like to think that I please other people while I am here, but it's not pleasing to God in Heaven if it doesn't bring Him glory. Bringing food to a homeless person, would please the person and God; bringing alcohol to an alcoholic would please the person, but I know it wouldn't please God. So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. 1 Cor 10:31-33 (NIV) And doing whatever I want to do usually is pleasant to me in the short term, but the things that don't please God don't bring me as much pleasure as they used to. Like Josh preached today at church, you could say that scales are falling from my eyes. It's not happening overnight, but it is happening.
The last couple of days I have felt impotent. There haven't been comments, I'm starting to wonder if anyone is still with me on this journey. I'm in the arena, and I've got my Armor on, but I'm looking around wondering who has my back. The devil has been finding gaps in my armor and attacking me in my home. I've been looking for God to step in, to intercede on my behalf, and you know what He told me at church today? He said to me "You got this! You can do it on your own, you have to do it." He'll always be there, but if He does this for me, where is the glory?
God wants to see me succeed in this journey. He wants to see me transformed and closer to Him. It would bring him a lot of pleasure. And this is something I CAN do. I was made to please Him. So, I've cast off my need for comments on my blog to validate it's worth. I've reaffirmed that this blog is not about ME. I'm doing it for me, but not in a selfish way. I'm doing this to bring me closer to Him. This blog is an act of worship, and by definition worship isn't about me or for me.
Bringing pleasure to God is called worship. . .Worship is far more than music.
I like how the author says that there is no such thing as Christian 'music' only Christian lyrics. It's true there are all kinds of songs in the Bible, but nowhere in the Bible will you find a 6000 year old clef, or any sheet music. I listen to all styles of Christian songs. Big Daddy Weave has a country feel, Lecrae is a rap singer. And I like everything in between the two.
Worship is not for your benefit. . .Worship is not 'part' of your life; it 'is' your life.
What does that mean? The Bible is very clear: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. (Colossians 3:23 (NIV)) If I work at my job as if God was my employer, it would be an act of worship. If I worked as if God was writing my evals, would they be better or worse? Am I doing my job in a manner that is pleasing to man, or God?
Our Bible verse comes from the Book of Psalms. King David was the wisest man throughout history. He wasn't perfect; he was human, and a sinner. But when God asked David what he wanted from God, David put his kingdom's need before his own desire. He knew his place, he saw himself as Steward of God's people. And His answer so pleased the Lord, that God not only granted David the wisdom that he asked for, God granted him the riches and glory that he didn't ask for. That's what working for God can get you.
For the LORD takes delight in his people;
he crowns the humble with salvation.
Psalm 149:4 (NIV)
What common task could I start doing as if I were doing it directly for Jesus? I could start doing household chores for Jesus. Washing dishes, folding laundry, and taking out the trash.
Remember:I was planned for God's pleasure.
I am going to start exercising for Jesus. I work out and feel tired and want to quit but when I think of what he did for me and how doing this activity could show my love for him I receive much more energy and don't want to stop. Also, I have a problem with using curse words, throughout my days when I speak I will refrain from using foul language.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great way to worship Him Aaron. Our bodies are His anyway, we should take good care of them. I'm working on the cursing too.
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