What a thought - that I can bring God pleasure! But I can, and I do. Not always, but sometimes and by the power of his Spirit who transforms me, I hope the times of 'pleasure giving' are increasing in number. We are reminded in Psalm 37:27 that it is possible for us to cause God great delight. I can be the source of God's smile. Wow!
The creator of the universe wants me to enjoy his creation and to fulfill my destiny. In his charge to Noah after the flood, we see the intent of God and his desire for his people (Gen 9). At the centre of God's design for his creation is OUR OBEDIENCE to God. He is the one who created the universe and he knows what is best. When we obey God we step into life that is crafted around the intent and design of God. I bring pleasure to God when I obey him. And when I obey him I experience that deep union with God that opens up for me life in it's fullness NOW and in the life to come.
In my message from God's word yesterday at GWAC, I urged people to be intentional in carving out time each day to bring focused praise and worship of God. Have you done that today - 24 hours on. Or have you failed the test already. The path of an unfulfilled life is littered with good intentions. I have had feedback from people in this past week that demonstrates the positive action taken by some in this area. I know of one person who is using the time on the train to and from work each day to read the bible and pray. Another has started doing this at lunch time. I prefer to spend focused time in the Word in the morning followed by prayerfully "journalling" the day that is past and laying out my day ahead and focused time in prayer in the evening. AND I follow the encouragement I have received from many people over the years and have developed the discipline of "ARROW PRAYERS" - that is shooting prayers "up" to God throughout the day.
What is working for you? Maybe you have commenced this 40 Days of Purpose with a Book Buddy and you are encouraged by the support and accountability of a brother of sister in Christ. In all this it is important to remember that the intention is a relationship with God - not simply fulfilling the mechanics of a process. "Love the LORD with all your heart and all your souls and with all your mind and with all your strength - and love your neighbour as yourself" (Mark 12:30)
I treasure my daily QUIET TIMES, and have found my day goes so much better when I start the day off with God. I'm hopeless without that discipline in my life. I love your idea of ARROW PRAYERS Drew. I think it's a great way to connect with God during the day in an on-going way, and helps me to try to bring God into all parts of my life. I don't find it easy, but is something which I'd like to develop. When out in the car today I heard & saw the lights and sirens of an ambulance and remembered what you said yesterday about praying for both the paramedics as well as the person they were attending - a great time for an ARROW PRAYER.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your encouragement and leadership as we go on this journey together as a church. Fantastic stuff.
This form of prayer is not going to sustain deep ongoing relationship with God as solid and intentional time needs to be invested in any relationship but suplimenting our disciplined prayer life with "ARROW PRAYER" is a powerful way for us invite God into our area of concern.
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