Pleasing to God

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Proverbs 16:7 says, "When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them."

The first thing to notice in this passage is this promise is for anyone. In the Old Testament there were times when the people were walking with God and he gave them peace and rest on every side. When God's people had the fear of the Lord, which is deep honor, respect, and appreciation for him it caused the fear of the lord to fall upon all of their enemies and they would not attack them anymore. 

This is an amazing promise, but it is contingent upon pleasing God. And how do we please God... Hebrews 11:6 says, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."

Simple childlike faith that seeks God with confident expectation in his goodness is what is pleasing to him. And this childlike faith must be applied and exercised in our lives because faith without works is dead. As we walk with God in childlike faith it is pleasing to him, and it grows our relationship with him. And through our relationship with him we experience his grace and love and then we simply let his grace and love flow through us to others, because faith works through and is completed by love. 

Today's communion is a time of gratitude that God can give us peace and rest on every side. And we are asking for his help to live in a way that is pleasing to him with simple childlike faith. 

Today's Workout/Health Tip

One of the biggest goals in the Daily Communion Workout is learning to exercise and apply our faith. Simple childlike faith can be exercised in the workout. I think of physical exercise as a point of contact, which is something physical we do to release our faith out into the world. Every time I get ready to do a set or lift a weight it becomes a point of contact. The moment by hands touch the barbell is my reminder to get more present and aware of God's presence with me. The point of contact with the barbell becomes a bridge of trust, where I am trusting that God is with me and helping me. At that moment the pressure is off of me to do the work and rolled over onto God. Practicing the point of contact in our exercise each day is very important because once we understand the point of contact it can be applied into every other area of life. 

I am praying for you. 

Daniel