Pleasing God

“When you work to please God, you will have blessings on your hands.

23And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

Colossians 3:23-24 

1Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.

I Thessalonians 4:1

So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

Romans 8:8

15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Hebrew 13:15-17

There are many benefits to pleasing God! You are already His child and if you are born again you have been made righteous. We do not work to be righteous or to be loved. However, there are things that we can do to please God. When we walk in love it is pleasing to God. When we worship and praise Him we please God. When we work to fulfill the will of God and not the will of our flesh we please God. Why do we want to please God? Well he is our Father! So our love relationship with Him should move us in that direction naturally. But another good reason to please God is that He wants to bless us! Our obedience to God in our daily life opens the door for God to bless us in many ways. When we honor His Word and obey His voice we are going to be blessed!

Victory Action

Today I will do that which pleases God and know in my heart it will open the door to His goodness being revealed in my life.

God’s Thoughts

“Think the thoughts of God.

 

 8Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Philippians 4:8

 15But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.

I Corinthians 2:15-16

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Jeremiah 29:11 AMP

Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you,[a] but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes.

Romans 12:2 TPT

 

Victory Decision

 I choose to apply and discipline my mind to think thoughts that line up with God’s Word.

Prayer

“There is no substitute for prayer.

6Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

 9After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11Give us this day our daily bread.  12And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Matthew 6:9-13

We can all draw close to him with the veil removed from our faces. And with no veil we all become like mirrors who brightly reflect the glory of the Lord Jesus. We are being transfigured into his very image as we move from one brighter level of glory to another. And this glorious transfiguration comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 3:18 TPT

Jesus is our example of how to live a victorious Christian life. He made a point to spend time in prayer and in the presence of His Father. It was in these times He was directed, comforted and strengthened to walk out the will of God. We cannot afford to live any differently. We must have God’s wisdom for these times and seasons we live in. There is no substitute for this time of communication with God.

“True prayer is a way of life, not just for use in cases of emergency. Make it a habit, and when the need arises you will be in practice.” – Billy Graham

Victory Action

 I will pray knowing that nothing takes the place of my time with God.

Opportunity for Blessing

“Prayer is giving God the opportunity to do what He has wanted to do all along.

24And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

Isaiah 65:24

31Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Matthew 6:31-33

16 “You didn’t choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won’t spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you.

John 15:16 MSG

 

God is always ready to bless His kids! We often miss those opportunities because we are not seeking God’s plan daily through prayer.  When we set ourselves to communicate with God daily we are always ready to receive those things He has for us. We have all heard the phrase, “you have not because you ask not”. So, start asking in prayer and start receiving today!

Victory Action

I will pray and give God ample opportunity to bless me in the way He desires.

Foundation for Prayer

“Bible prayer works.

14And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

1 John 5:14-15

 

7If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. John 15:7-8

 

When I call, give me answers. God, take my side! Once, in a tight place, you gave me room;
Now I’m in trouble again: grace me! hear me!

Psalm 4:1 Message

19 But surely God has heard me; He has paid attention to the urgency of my request.

Psalm 66:19 The Voice

When God gave us scripture He was giving us His will for our lives in written form. Something that would last through the ages of time and be handed down from generation to generation. When we apply it to our lives through prayer it releases His mighty power to change our situations. God confirms His word with signs following. 

Victory Action

I will pray according to God’s Word and with confidence I will receive.

Focus

“Don’t focus on how strong the enemy is; focus on how strong God is inside of us.”

4Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

1 John 4:4

37Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:37-39

Do not yield to fear, for I am always near. Never turn your gaze from me, for I am our faithful God. I will infuse you with my strength and help you in every situation. I will hold you firmly with my victorious right hand.

Isaiah 41:10 (Passion Translation)

We look away from the natural realm and we focus our attention and expectation onto Jesus who birthed faith within us and who leads us forward into faith’s perfection.

Hebrews 12:2 (Passion Translation)

Today there are so many distractions that can take our focus away from God. It might be an illness, financial issues, or a failing relationship. No matter what the issue is the way to victory is to keep your focus on God and His Word. You and God make a great team. No enemy can stand against you when God is on your side!

Victory Action

I will remember that God in me is bigger than anything the enemy can throw at me.

Persistence

“Be more persistent than the devil.

 

1And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint2Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: 3And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. 4And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; 5Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.

Luke 18:1-5

So then, surrender to God. Stand up to the devil and resist him and he will flee in agony.

James 4:7 (The Passion Translation)

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Galatians 6:9 (English Standard Version)

One definition of persistence is “steady pursuit of what is undertaken“. God has given you the tools and weapons necessary to be victorious in times of testing. In Luke 4 we read the story of Jesus being tested by the devil in the wilderness.  The enemy came time and time again to try to wear Jesus down. Jesus however, persisted in standing against the enemy by consistently using scripture to answer each temptation. He stood in the power of God’s Word until the devil relented.

 

Victory Action

When I am being tested by the enemy I will stand firm on the Word of God.

The Overcomer

“An overcomer is NOT one who does not fall, but one who REFUSES to stay down.

 

23The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. 24Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.

Psalms 37:23-24

10Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Isaiah 41:10

Do not rejoice over me [amid my tragedies], O my enemy! Though I fall, I will rise;
Though I sit in the darkness [of distress], the Lord is a light for me.

Micah 7:8 (Amplified Bible)

There is a quote that says failure is temporary but giving up makes it permanent. Don’t let mistakes keep you from experiencing God’s best in your life. God is your ever present help in the time of trouble. (Ps. 46:1) If you make a mistake repentance is the first step to getting on the right track again. Don’t stop pursing the plan of God for your life!

Victory Decision

 I will not let my mistakes keep me down. Instead, I will repent, arise, and learn from them.

Unlimited Resources

“When you come to the end of your resources, you have only begun to tap the unlimited resources of God.

1And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire; 2And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way. 8And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all. 11And they found an Egyptian in the field, and brought him to David, and gave him bread, and he did eat; and they made him drink water; 15And David said to him, Canst thou bring me down to this company? And he said, Swear unto me by God, that thou wilt neither kill me, nor deliver me into the hands of my master, and I will bring thee down to this company. 17And David smote them from the twilight even unto the evening of the next day: and there escaped not a man of them, save four hundred young men, which rode upon camels, and fled. 18And David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away: and David rescued his two wives. 19And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any thing that they had taken to them: David recovered all.

1 Samuel 30

9And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 21 Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.

Ephesians 3:20 (NLT)

Throughout the Bible we see God providing for His children. Whether it was in the wilderness or in the home of a widow, God provided more than enough. He provides wisdom, comfort, and peace when we need it. Peace that passes our natural understanding. It is His peace. Let God replace your almost enough with His more than enough! He created Heaven and Earth. He spoke and light was created. All that didn’t even scratch the surface of resources. He has what you need. See past your limited abilities and focus on God’s unlimited supply.

Victory Decision

I will remember daily that God’s love for me and His ability to supply is unlimited. Through obedience, prayer and faith I will tap into the unlimited resources of God.

Walking in Love

“Love is a decision, not an emotion.”

Love is large and incredibly patient.[f] Love is gentle and consistently kind to all. It refuses to be jealous[g] when blessing comes to someone else. Love does not brag about one’s achievements nor inflate its own importance. Love does not traffic in shame and disrespect, nor selfishly seek its own honor. Love is not easily irritated[h] or quick to take offense.[i] Love joyfully celebrates honesty[j] and finds no delight in what is wrong.[k] Love is a safe place of shelter,[l] for it never stops believing the best for others.[m] Love never takes failure as defeat, for it never gives up.

I Corinthians 13:4-7 (Passion Translation)

14 Eagerly pursue and seek to acquire [this] love [make it your aim, your great quest];

I Corinthians 14:1 (Amplified Bible)

12 No one has ever gazed[a] upon the fullness of God’s splendor.[b] But if we love one another, God makes his permanent home in us, and we make our permanent home in him, and his love is brought to its full expression in us. 

I John 4:12 (Passion Translation)

Love is the bottom line. You will not go anywhere spiritually or in your relationships until you get your love walk straight! Living a life ruled by the love of God is what opens you up to walk in the spirit and live in the highest measure of the blessing and power of God! If you want to walk in love, you will have to make a decision to yield to that force of love on the inside of you. You will have to resist the selfish tendencies of the flesh and choose to live a life governed by love. Making these changes is not as difficult as it may sound. In fact, the key to developing your love walk is wonderfully simple. You do it by maintaining a close relationship with God—fellowshipping with Him, reading the Bible, praying and staying in union with Him.

Victory Decision

Today I will remember what great love God has for me despite my failings. I will choose to view others the same way. From this point on I choose to walk in love.