Day 8 - Planned for God's Pleasure

You created everything, and it is for your pleasure that they exist and were created.

REVELATION 4:11 (NLT)

The Lord takes pleasure in his people.

PSALM 149:4a (TEV)

"Bringing pleasure to God is called worship...  Anything you do that brings pleasure to God is an act of worship." p64

"...worship is a universal urge, hard-wired by God into the very fibre of our being." p64

"You may think of church services with singing, praying, and listening to sermon.  Or you may think of ceremonies, candles, and communion.  Or you may think of healing, miracles, and experiences.  Worship can include these elements, but worship is far more than these expressions,  Worship is a lifestyle." p65

"[Worship] isn't for our benefits!  We worship for God's benefit.  When we worship, our goal is to bring pleasure to God, not ourselves. p66

"Worship is not a part of your life; it is you life.  Worship is not just for church services.  We are told to "worship him continually" and to "praise him from sunrise to sunset."  In the Bible people praised God at work, at home, in battle, in jail, and even in bed!  Praise should be the first activity when you open your eyes in the morning and the last activity when you close them at night.  David said, "I will thank the Lord at all times.  My mouth will always praise him."

Every activity can be transformed into an act of worship when you do it for the praise, glory, and pleasure of God. The Bible says, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." p67

Points to Ponder: I was planned for God's pleasure.

Verses to Remember: "The LORD takes pleasure in his people." PSLALM 149:4a (TEV)

Questions to Consider: What common task could I start doing as if I were doing it directly for Jesus?