Are you pleasing God?

When asked this question, most Christians would probably say, “yes... I hope so.”

Some would say, “well I guess in the end we will find out.”

Don't you think it will be a little too late then? I don't want to go through this life only to find out I was doing my own thing and not pleasing God.

Most of us do want to please God, but some don't really know if they are. Well we can be sure, He has told us how, in His Word.

Romans 8:5-8 Shows us what doesn't please God and where it starts.

5 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. 6 If your sinful nature controls your mind, there is death. But if the Holy Spirit controls your mind, there is life and peace. 7 For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. 8 That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.

We see in Colossians – Paul is writing to the Colossians – He starts out by thanking God for them and tells them that He is praying for them.

Colossians 1:9-10

9 So we have continued praying for you ever since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you a complete understanding of what he wants to do in your lives, and we ask him to make you wise with spiritual wisdom. 10 Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and you will continually do good, kind things for others. All the while, you will learn to know God better and better.

When we have “a complete understanding and Spiritual wisdom” we will work at not doing what the world is doing, but strive to to get the Word into our hearts (and minds) and start talking it out our mouth's. We will apply our faith to our actions and then we will grow in our walk with God to finally get to know Him and please Him.

When Rena Mae and I first were married, we knew about God, but we did not know Him. It wasn't until we started to study, Word of Faith material (which is the Bible) and eventually attend a Word Of Faith Church, that we really started to know him.

Quick reminder of what Word Of Faith is...

and what it is not.

First of all it is not a denomination or a religion!

It is not a movement!

It is not a cult!

It is Christianity, it's family, it's relationships between God and His Children – it is teaching each one of us how to truly please God.

The way I explain it is, “Word Of Faith” is Christian teaching from the Word of God, the Bible, that is taking God at His Word. Believing Him, acting on what we believe and telling others -expecting God to cause His Word to come to pass in our lives.

The early Church believed God and experienced supernatural miracles from Him. Over time man's traditions, opinions and compromises crept into the church and we see the results... fewer miracles and people leaving the church.

Every true Christian has received Salvation by this type of teaching (even if they don't admit it) or their not a Christian.

Word of Faith is a label of a certain type of teaching. Where did the label come from?

Romans 10:8 NKJ

8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach):

Romans 10:8 NLT

8 Salvation that comes from trusting Christ—which is the message we preach—is already within easy reach. In fact, the Scriptures say, “The message is close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart.”

One of the ways God gets His promises into out lives is by what we say. If we have His Word in our hearts and quote it – God will bring it to pass. Likewise if we have fear, doubt and unbelief in our hearts that will come to pass.

We received salvation by believing in our hearts and saying with our mouthes... all of God's promises are received the same way.

Proverbs 18:21

21 Those who love to talk will experience the consequences, for the tongue can kill or nourish life.

Mark 11:23-24

23 I assure you that you can say to this mountain, ‘May God lift you up and throw you into the sea,’ and your command will be obeyed. All that’s required is that you really believe and do not doubt in your heart. 24 Listen to me! You can pray for anything, and if you believe, you will have it.

Notice who is to do the talking... we are! Too many times I hear, “I'm waiting for God to move in my life...” Well have you said He will or have you continued to tell those around you about your situation? When we allow doubt and worry to take first place in our words and thoughts... that is what we will see in our lives... Even if we are “really hopeful” God will do something.

God is the same yesterday, today and forever!

So, how do we please the Lord and know it?

Hebrews 11:5-6

5 It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying—“suddenly he disappeared because God took him.” But before he was taken up, he was approved as pleasing to God. 6 So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

So where do we get faith?

Romans 10:17

17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Our level of faith is determined by our level of Word we are hearing and by what we are saying and doing with it.  If our church is teaching healing is not for today... we will be sick and accept it.  If the church teaches that Jesus was broke and Christians should be also... we will be broke.

This will never please God.  It doesn't take any faith to expect nothing and do nothing.

When we get in a Bible believing Church and fellowship with Bible believing Christians we are going to hear the Word of God. When we hear the Word of God our faith will grow. When our faith grows - we will act on it. That pleases God.

It did for Rena Mae & I and we are so grateful for the simplicity of God's Word. We have grown to trust Him with our lives, our possessions and our future. Our faith is in Him and we act on what we believe... and we tell others -and that pleases God.

Submission by

Pastor Dale