PLEASING GOD - Part 1
"Smile on me, your servant, teach me the right way to live." PSALM 119:35 (MSG)
`The smile of God is the goal of your life'. Rick Warren
In this BLOG I am not advocating salvation by works. It is not my intention to judge others for their way of life. Simply, since surrendering my life to Christ and allowing the Holy Spirit to take over, this is what has worked for me.
One of the first passages I look at when asking myself this question: `How can I please God', is Psalm 119.
"Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. Joyful are those who obey His laws and search for Him with all their heart." Psalm 119:1&2 (NLT)
"How can a young person keep is way pure? By OBEYING your word." Psalm 119:9 (NLT)
As a young person I wanted more than anything to obey the Lord, to live according to His Word. When the Holy Spirit entered my life, I decided through His help, I would endeavour to do what I felt would please the Lord.
Even now people ask me: "Why don't you drink and smoke? Why are you such an advocate for sex before marriage?"
Well the first two could easily be put down to health reasons and the fact that I never liked the taste. My doctors have said that one of the reasons my body as coped so well with cancer and treatment, is because it is so healthy. The fact is `MY BODY IS A TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT' and I have never wanted to defile it. It is one of the ways I feel I am pleasing God.
The latter is simply that the Bible has said:
"Run from sexual sin. No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does."
(1 Corinthians 6:18)
It goes on to talk about the sacrament of marriage. Again, my body is a temple of the Holy Spirit and it is with my body that I should honour God and I believe HIS SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE.
(1 Corinthians 6&7)
"I have hidden your word in my heart that I may not sin against you." Psalm 119:11 (NLT)
"How I delight in your commands. How I love them. I honour and love your commands. I meditate on your decrees." Psalm 119:47&48 (NLT)
I was never an `angel'. I loved boys and I had a great desire to be touched, but I loved my God and His Word even more.
I believe God honoured my obedience by blessing me with a wonderful husband. Mark honoured my desire to be loved and touched as a husband and wife. (1 Corinthians 7:3). We have now been married 29 years and God is still blessing our marriage.
Noah was a man whom God `smiled on'. Oh we discover he wasn't an `angel' either, but his greatest desire was to please God by obeying Him wholeheartedly. Noah trusted God and when God honoured his obedience and faith Noah gave Him thanks and praise.
David too was obedient and faithful, praising God continually, seeking forgiveness in those times of failure.
Over the years `rivers of tears have gushed from my eyes' (Psalm 119:36), `powerful people have harrassed me and caused my heart to tremble' (Psalm 119:161), and yes, `I have even wandered away like a lost sheep' (Psalm 119:76). But like Noah and David I have always known:
"Your Word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path". (Psalm 119:105)
With this light and the Holy Spirit's guidance I have been able to do my best to honour God and live for Him.
Has this pleased Him? Well, I am still SMILING!!
`The smile of God is the goal of your life'. Rick Warren
In this BLOG I am not advocating salvation by works. It is not my intention to judge others for their way of life. Simply, since surrendering my life to Christ and allowing the Holy Spirit to take over, this is what has worked for me.
One of the first passages I look at when asking myself this question: `How can I please God', is Psalm 119.
"Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. Joyful are those who obey His laws and search for Him with all their heart." Psalm 119:1&2 (NLT)
"How can a young person keep is way pure? By OBEYING your word." Psalm 119:9 (NLT)
As a young person I wanted more than anything to obey the Lord, to live according to His Word. When the Holy Spirit entered my life, I decided through His help, I would endeavour to do what I felt would please the Lord.
Even now people ask me: "Why don't you drink and smoke? Why are you such an advocate for sex before marriage?"
Well the first two could easily be put down to health reasons and the fact that I never liked the taste. My doctors have said that one of the reasons my body as coped so well with cancer and treatment, is because it is so healthy. The fact is `MY BODY IS A TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT' and I have never wanted to defile it. It is one of the ways I feel I am pleasing God.
The latter is simply that the Bible has said:
"Run from sexual sin. No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does."
(1 Corinthians 6:18)
It goes on to talk about the sacrament of marriage. Again, my body is a temple of the Holy Spirit and it is with my body that I should honour God and I believe HIS SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE.
(1 Corinthians 6&7)
"I have hidden your word in my heart that I may not sin against you." Psalm 119:11 (NLT)
"How I delight in your commands. How I love them. I honour and love your commands. I meditate on your decrees." Psalm 119:47&48 (NLT)
I was never an `angel'. I loved boys and I had a great desire to be touched, but I loved my God and His Word even more.
I believe God honoured my obedience by blessing me with a wonderful husband. Mark honoured my desire to be loved and touched as a husband and wife. (1 Corinthians 7:3). We have now been married 29 years and God is still blessing our marriage.
Noah was a man whom God `smiled on'. Oh we discover he wasn't an `angel' either, but his greatest desire was to please God by obeying Him wholeheartedly. Noah trusted God and when God honoured his obedience and faith Noah gave Him thanks and praise.
David too was obedient and faithful, praising God continually, seeking forgiveness in those times of failure.
Over the years `rivers of tears have gushed from my eyes' (Psalm 119:36), `powerful people have harrassed me and caused my heart to tremble' (Psalm 119:161), and yes, `I have even wandered away like a lost sheep' (Psalm 119:76). But like Noah and David I have always known:
"Your Word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path". (Psalm 119:105)
With this light and the Holy Spirit's guidance I have been able to do my best to honour God and live for Him.
Has this pleased Him? Well, I am still SMILING!!
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