A
Life That Pleases God
Happy New Year and welcome to January 2022. 2021 is
behind us and 2022 is laid out before us. How should we live? As I was reading
1 Thessalonians Chapter 4, I was struck by verses 11 and 12 which says in the
Good News Bible the following:
(11) Make it your aim to live a quiet life, to mind
your own business, and to earn your own living, just as we told you before.
(12) In this way you will win the respect of those
who are not believers, and you will not have to depend on anyone for what you
need.
These scriptures are found under the chapter title,
A Life That Pleases God and so I used that title for my message. It seemed very
fitting. Here Paul is writing to the Thessalonians to encourage them, and so we
can take that same encouragement in the year 2022.
Thank you Lord for instruction in how we can live a
life that pleases You. May we begin this New Year with that one thought in
mind, to live to please You.
Over the last 10 days I’ve slowed my pace a bit, and
realize that God wants us all to rest so that we can be rejuvenated and
refreshed. Then we can move forward completing the daily tasks given to us. A
tired body and mind accomplishes little, but a rested soul has new energy and
can accomplish much. Jesus went to the mountain to rest where He found peace
and quiet. He went to take Himself away from the needs of the people and to
seek His Father’s advice as He served.
People who rest in the Lord, spending time in quiet
prayer, are leading a quiet life. They tend to the needs of their household and
family and then reach out to others to help. They do not do this for any want
of praise but rather out of love. When we do, or give, to others; we do so
because we love. The love of Christ is in us and is displayed in our attitude
and action towards others. The most successful people I know are ones who have
learned to rest so that they can be rejuvenated to carry on with the tasks
required.
God will supply our needs when we give out of our
supply and others will see how the Lord of lords looks after His own.
Non-believers will be touched by our generosity, love and caring; and believers
will be encouraged to do more of the same. As we follow the example Jesus set
for us we show others the difference in human love and spiritual love. We
choose to glorify God and we are defined as Christians when we accept Christ as
Lord and Saviour and serve with a Christ like heart. When we love and live as
Jesus did, by His example we also can live a quiet life. Quiet, and yet very
productive as we fix our minds on serving our Lord here on earth and one day
spending eternity with Him forever. So live life to please God and you will
soon see how rich every day is in His presence, as you learn to live a life
that pleases Him. You will soon see yourself living a life of joy and
contentment that is contagious to others. And others will be happy to learn how
to live a quiet life that honours the Lord.
Amen Amen
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