Pleasing God - Part 2
"Draw close to God and He will draw close to you." James 4:8
This verse in James reminds us that our friendship with God is a choice we need to make. We then cultivate this friendship through prayer and meditating on God's Word. We also need to be honest, obedient and passionate about this friendship, so others can see that it is something they need too.
I have said it many times before that when it comes to prayer I am not the most articulate or disciplined of people. So I loved reading what Brother Lawrence had to say.
Brother Lawrence was a humble cook in a French monastery. His key to friendship with God was sharing his everyday life with Him.
We know that God is with us all the time, so why not pray all the time - `short, conversational prayers'. 1
"The time of business does not with me differ from the time of prayer; and in the noise and clutter of my kitchen, while several persons are at the same time calling for different things, I possess God as great tranquility as if I were upon my knees at the Blessed Sacrament."
"I know the Lord is always with me.......You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and pleasures of living with you forever." Psalm 16:8a & 11
I have also never been really wonderful at memorizing Bible verses, but I do know where to find my favourite ones. I keep my Bible with me and have developed the habit of meditating on God's promises. This is often how God revealed Himself to me.
"I have treasured His words more than daily food". Job 23:12
"Oh how I love your words, I think about them all day long." Psalm 119:97
My journal, like David's book of Psalms is full of ranting, raving, doubts, fears, resentments and deep passions, along with thanksgivings, praise and statements of faith. Some people think I am too honest, but these expressions of how I really feel often lead to healing.
"I pour out my complains before Him and tell Him my troubles. When I am overwhelmed, you alone know where I should turn." Psalm 142:2&3
When I surrendered my life to Christ my obedience to God was no longer out of fear or compulsion, but out of gratitude for all Jesus had done for me. This is probably one area in which I fail the most, but it is also one way Jesus reminds me He is there to help me.
"Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. Because they love me my Father will love them. I will love them and reveal myself to each of them." John 15:21
What pleases God the most is when His lost children return to Him. This friendship and intimacy with God and His son should be our goal too. I have learnt from experience that when I become too busy and wrapped up in myself God will send a wake up call - usually illness. I need to stop and come back to fellowship with Him. I need to re-ignite this friendship for this is the most significant in my life.
"For God's way of making us right with Himself depends on faith. I don't mean to say I have already achieved these things or that I have reached perfection, but I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. I focus on this one thing: forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us." Philippians 3:9b, 12&13
There is nothing more important than developing this friendship with God, but it is OUR CHOICE.
"We are as close to God, as we choose to be." 2.
1. "The Practice of the Presence of God" (1691) - `Spirituality Practice' - website.
2. "The Purpose Driven Life" (2002) Rick Warren, Zondervan.
This verse in James reminds us that our friendship with God is a choice we need to make. We then cultivate this friendship through prayer and meditating on God's Word. We also need to be honest, obedient and passionate about this friendship, so others can see that it is something they need too.
I have said it many times before that when it comes to prayer I am not the most articulate or disciplined of people. So I loved reading what Brother Lawrence had to say.
Brother Lawrence was a humble cook in a French monastery. His key to friendship with God was sharing his everyday life with Him.
We know that God is with us all the time, so why not pray all the time - `short, conversational prayers'. 1
"The time of business does not with me differ from the time of prayer; and in the noise and clutter of my kitchen, while several persons are at the same time calling for different things, I possess God as great tranquility as if I were upon my knees at the Blessed Sacrament."
"I know the Lord is always with me.......You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and pleasures of living with you forever." Psalm 16:8a & 11
I have also never been really wonderful at memorizing Bible verses, but I do know where to find my favourite ones. I keep my Bible with me and have developed the habit of meditating on God's promises. This is often how God revealed Himself to me.
"I have treasured His words more than daily food". Job 23:12
"Oh how I love your words, I think about them all day long." Psalm 119:97
My journal, like David's book of Psalms is full of ranting, raving, doubts, fears, resentments and deep passions, along with thanksgivings, praise and statements of faith. Some people think I am too honest, but these expressions of how I really feel often lead to healing.
"I pour out my complains before Him and tell Him my troubles. When I am overwhelmed, you alone know where I should turn." Psalm 142:2&3
When I surrendered my life to Christ my obedience to God was no longer out of fear or compulsion, but out of gratitude for all Jesus had done for me. This is probably one area in which I fail the most, but it is also one way Jesus reminds me He is there to help me.
"Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. Because they love me my Father will love them. I will love them and reveal myself to each of them." John 15:21
What pleases God the most is when His lost children return to Him. This friendship and intimacy with God and His son should be our goal too. I have learnt from experience that when I become too busy and wrapped up in myself God will send a wake up call - usually illness. I need to stop and come back to fellowship with Him. I need to re-ignite this friendship for this is the most significant in my life.
"For God's way of making us right with Himself depends on faith. I don't mean to say I have already achieved these things or that I have reached perfection, but I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. I focus on this one thing: forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us." Philippians 3:9b, 12&13
There is nothing more important than developing this friendship with God, but it is OUR CHOICE.
"We are as close to God, as we choose to be." 2.
1. "The Practice of the Presence of God" (1691) - `Spirituality Practice' - website.
2. "The Purpose Driven Life" (2002) Rick Warren, Zondervan.
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