What God really wants

0501 (Photo credit: kindagetmego)

… and find out what pleases the Lord. – Ephesians 5:10

A friend was planning her son’s birthday, and she wanted it to be fun for her son. She planned going to the mall, visiting the arcade, getting ice cream and anything else she thought her son would enjoy. At the end of the day, she asked her son if he enjoyed his birthday.

“It was fun. But we could have done anything and I would have liked it, because I just wanted to spend time with you. It seems we’re so busy that we don’t do that anymore.”

My friend could have asked her son what he would like to do for his birthday instead of assuming what he would like. We also could ask the Lord what would please him instead of assuming. We think that God would like us to do good works for him, which he does, but which ones? We can’t do them all, and he hasn’t called us to do them all.

It takes spending time with the person we love to know their heart and discover what it is that pleases them. We can’t assume it, or think if we enjoy it, then they certainly would, too. God desires that time with us … that pleases him.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, that you do desire time with me. That’s hard to believe when you have the whole universe to consider … you want to spend time with me? Wow! Amen

Faith Tip: Find out what pleases the Lord by spending time with him.

Beautiful handiwork

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. – Ephesians 2:10

I received an invitation to attend the retirement celebration of Dr. Virgil Gulker, who created the Kids Hope USA ministry. It’s amazing to think about all that has happened with Kids Hope since it began. The passion that God has for the children is evident as the ministry grew by leaps and bounds throughout the country and even in parts of the world. Thousands of mentors became the hands and feet of Jesus to a child through Kids Hope were created for such a time as this.

God created us for good works each day. We may have a schedule put together for our day, but God’s schedule for us has added opportunities of kingdom worth. Through our journey of today, could we bring encouragement to someone, help a person with a task, share Jesus with someone not familiar with him, bring a cool cup of refreshment to another … the possibilities are endless. Our schedules need to be flexible to have God’s woven into it, and experience his beautiful handiwork.

Prayer: Lord, each day I thank you for the opportunities you give me to share your light. I pray that I don’t focus too much on my own schedule and be open to yours. Amen

Faith Tip: Look for the ways God wants to use you today.

Glory in God’s Workmanship

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. – Ephesians 2:10

I have a couple of brother-in-laws who are very gifted in woodworking. They have made beautiful furniture, household accessories, and more. They love working with the wood and have the patience to make each piece special. Each item they create has a purpose and as they work on the project, they keep the end purpose in mind to its completion.

The Great Artist God did the same thing as he made us. Each of us is specially made by his patient hands with the goal of belonging to Jesus Christ and using our gifts and talents for his purposes. It was planned out before we were born and is being lived out in our lives to its completion.

Prayer: Thank you, God, for the workmanship you have done in my life giving me purpose in Jesus Christ. I pray that I allow you to work in and through me today as we journey together. Amen

Faith Tip: When you come across something today that took a lot of work and patience, consider how you are specially made by God for a great purpose.