what pleases God – Be Still…

Galatians 6:4-5 – Our Responsibility

“Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else.For we are each responsible for our own conduct.” (Galatians 6:4-5)

What a great reminder to take a self-check right now. Paul is giving us permission, encouraging us to do so in this moment. Each time we claim this verse and live it out, we can make sure we’re taking care of our own faith business before we try and change the world or, worse yet, compare ourselves to others.

Context (Galatians 6:1-10): Paul is handling some sensitive subjects here in chapter 6. Namely, the harvest of those seeds we plant both in ourselves and in others. We’ll face temptation and plenty of opportunities to do the wrong thing in God’s eyes. Paul is hoping to help us thwart those inevitable missteps. Continue reading “Galatians 6:4-5 – Our Responsibility”

Ezekiel 20:27-49 – The Same Message

Read Ezekiel 20:27-49

The messages from the Sovereign LORD seem to repeat themselves over and over again, don’t they? I suppose that speaks to the hard-headedness of people. On average, it takes some of us hearing something more than once to understand or take action. The LORD wants to be known and recognized.

One of those repeating themes is the lament over the sins of their ancestors. Some of the things that anger God the most took place in those days. The one that gets me is the sacrificing of children. Working with children like I do, especially those abused and abandoned, it breaks my heart that they were not shown the love they deserve. How about all the innocent children who have been put to death? Continue reading “Ezekiel 20:27-49 – The Same Message”

Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 – What Brings You Pleasure?

Read Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

In his own words, Solomon said he “had everything a man could desire!” I must admit, the list of things Solomon chased in life while seeking pleasure was quite complete. Most of us will never attain such wealth or the extent of possessions he describes. Why didn’t anything bring him happiness?

It’s easy for us to say, “because you can’t buy happiness.” If we know that to be true, then why do we also seek pleasure in the same way? I don’t think we should be condemned from being happy for having new “toys,” but we need to realize that happiness from those such things will not last forever.