Living To Please God

Living To Please GodReader: Jon WatsonDate: 24th August 2022Passage: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-------------------One of the prayers I pray to God every morning is this: "Heavenly Father, I pray that this day I may live in your presence and please you more and more." It is both a challenge and a privilege to live to please God. We are so keen to live to please ourselves; we are very selfish at times and get upset if things don't go our way.But the Christian's life is characterised by some really tough decisions resulting in us becoming more and more like Jesus Christ — and that will be pleasing to God. Here are some examples: "Keep your mind and your heart clean and pure. Don't lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing." 1 Peter 1:14 (The Message).Remember God is holy and he wants you to be holy (set apart for him). Again we should consciously be asking 'What would Jesus do?' When we are faced with difficult choices like drinking, clubbing, friends and so on. Always ask yourself "Can I take Jesus with me if I do such and such a thing?" "What would please God?"Another thing is to watch your tongue. We all make many mistakes, but those who control their tongues can also control themselves in every other way. "Don't brag about the good you do" "If you are wise and understand God's ways, live a life of steady goodness so that only good deeds will pour forth." (James 3:2-13, NLT)PrayerMy dear Lord, help me to live a life that pleases you more and more. Amen.