As we continue the How To: Series we come to answer a question that many people ask when they consider that God is Holy and Righteous while Mankind has fallen into sin.
The question they ask themselves is: Is it actually possible for Man to please God? In this blog we offer simple to follow steps to help you do just that!
Todays Scripture Reference
But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him
(Hebrews 11:6)
We see from the above scripture that without faith it is impossible to please God
That also means that with faith it is possible to please God!
(Hebrews 11:5) By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God
(John 8:29) And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.
(Matthew 3:17) And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Pleasing God is possible
Many people think that merely going to church occasionally and placing money in the church offering is pleasing to God. Others believe that we need to pray a certain way on certain days or take part in religious ceremonies and rites if we are to please Him. But what does the Bible teach on this important subject?
The Gospel of Matthew Chapter 23 reveals what Jesus Christ thought about the religious leaders of His day and how many of the rituals they observed and taught were actually hindering themselves and God's people entering the Kingdom of God. The Scribes and Pharisees had become focussed upon the outward signs of religious observance rather than the inner change of heart, which is what God really requires of His children.
(Matthew 23:13) “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.
The Scribes and Pharisees had become focussed upon the outward signs of religious observance rather than the inner change of heart, which is what God really requires of His children.
Mere religious observance alone will not gain us entrance into the Kingdom of God for many attempt to do the right thing in the sight of men and expect their good works to gain them entrance into heaven.
(Ephesians 2:8-9) For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast
A heartfelt belief in and devotion to God is required if we are to be accepted as His children and gain entrance into His eternal Kingdom. Faith is the key that opens the door to heaven and it is available to anyone who chooses to believe in Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord.
A heartfelt belief in and devotion to God is required if we are to be accepted as His children and gain entrance into His eternal Kingdom
The element of faith has been identified as crucial to being able to please God, without it we cannot achieve our goal. God has chosen the simplicity of choosing to believe in Him and the Salvation that He made available to us all through His Son Jesus Christ as the key that opens the door to eternal life.
Spiritual Key:
*To Please God we must come to Him in Faith, believing in our heart. God is well pleased when His children believe in and trust in Him!
Coming to God
(Isaiah 56:7) Even them I will bring to My holy mountain, And make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices Will be accepted on My altar; For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.”
What an honour man has been bestowed, we have been given the ability to come into the presence of our Heavenly Father and Creator in prayer. We can pray anywhere, at anytime, and if we come in humility and faith God will hear our prayer. We don't need to be in a church or Cathedral, we don't always need the help of a priest, all we need to do is seek Him with all of our heart.
(Jeremiah 29:13) And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
(James 4:6) But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”
We don't need to be in a church or Cathedral, we don't always need the help of a priest, all we need to do is seek Him with all of our heart.
Coming to God in prayer for some may feel strange initially, but as you continue daily it can become a joyful experience as you realise how real God is, and He reveals His presence to you.
I would recommend that every believer memorise The Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6: 9-13) and begin your prayer time with it as you come to God, because this was the prayer that Jesus taught His disciples to pray.
Spiritual Key:
*To Please God man is called to come to Him in prayer to find forgiveness for sins and guidance and blessing in life.
Believing that He is
There are many people today who would like to deny the presence and reality of God, just as there have been down throughout history. But God has left us a wonderful reminder of His power and love for mankind in the pages of the Bible.
God has also left evidence of Himself everywhere throughout creation and even placed knowledge within the heart of man so that His children might search for Him and find Him.
God has left evidence of Himself everywhere throughout creation and even placed knowledge within the heart of man so that His children might search for Him and find Him.
(Ecclesiastes 3:11) He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end
(Acts 17:24-27) God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their pre-appointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us
(Romans 1:19-21) because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
The pages of the Bible also reveals the many mighty works that God has done throughout history and encourages God's people to continue to remind each new generation of them, that all people might know that He is God.
The pages of the Bible also reveals the many mighty works that God has done throughout history and encourages God's people to continue to remind each new generation of them, that all people might know that He is God.
(Psalm 145:4) One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts
(Genesis 1:1-3) In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light
(Job 38:4-6) “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? To what were its foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone
(Isaiah 45:5) I am the Lord, and there is no other; There is no God besides Me
Spiritual Key:
*To Please God we must firstly believe that He exists and is our Creator and loving Heavenly Father
Believing that He is a rewarder
Believing that God exists is a foundation that we can build upon. However by taking our faith one step further and believing that He will answer our prayers and reward our diligence in seeking Him, we come to Him with an expectation of success rather than praying in doubt or fear.
(Hebrews 11:25-26) choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward
(James 1:6-7) But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord
(Mark 11:24) Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
(1 John 5:15) And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
God wants us to come to Him expecting to be rewarded by His blessing, protection, guidance and provision. We have a wonderfully generous Heavenly Father who loves to give gifts to His children and is released to give those gifts when we come to Him in the correct manner.
God wants us to come to Him expecting to be rewarded by His blessing, protection, guidance and provision. We have a wonderfully generous Heavenly Father who loves to give gifts to His children and is released to give those gifts when we come to Him in the correct manner.
The closer we walk with Him throughout our lives, the more we will fall in love with Him and the more we love Him the more we will become like Him and will find ourselves living in a way that is more and more pleasing to Him.
(1 John 3:22) And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight
Spiritual Key:
*To Please God we must come to Him expecting our faith, love and transformed lifestyle to be rewarded by His abundant love and generosity
God Bless
John Nolan
DadsUni
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The How To: Series
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