Good Pleasure

Saturday, October 1, ‎2022

Good morning, Lord

Verse of the Day: Romans 6:12-13 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.

Memory verse: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

Today's reading: ISAIAH 11-13 EPHESIANS 4

God's Thrill

Speaking in disgust and anger about a man of bad report, a man said, "There is a special place in hell for people like him".

That kind of judgment is not ours to make-no matter how much the actions of others disgust us, this is just not our job. Until mankind hears God say, "I relinquish my responsibility of judgment to mankind", it remains something the Bible teaches us not to do.(Matthew 7:1-2)

If you consider one of the most harsh passages, Romans 1, you will read in verse 28,

"...so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done.."

This may well indicate that God has 'given up' on some. I could not dream of anything worse-can you? After all God has done for us-the creation of all this-the centuries of patience He has had with us-the sacrifice of Christ, his only son-then to get to the point of giving up on some?

It must break the heart of God. Because we love as God loved us first, 1 John 4:19, our hearts should break for those also. Looking past the sin to the lost soul should break our hearts and not bring harsh judgment as it does so often.

Our hearts need to 're-centered'. Our hearts must be ruled by the love of God rather than being ruled by the natural mind. This 'natural mind' in believers must also break the heart of God. What are we doing? I know we did not get up this morning with the goal of breaking the heart of the one who loves us more than anything and as much as anyone.

Loving God means we bring Him good pleasure and glory-not pain and shame.

So, stop. Make the conscious choice to stop using the natural mind and ask God to show you His mind and heart for the lost around you.

Begin today, to live and love. Bear light, not darkness.

Carry love and not disgust. Look in love and not judgement. Use the mind of Christ and thrill the heart of God with good pleasure.

...because He loves us...

Father in Heaven,

Forgive me for falling to judgment and not seeking Your heart in love.

Right now, fill me with desire to use Your mind and think with Your love.

Gracious and merciful Father!

In the name of Christ Jesus,

Amen