Pleasing to God

by Wayne Cordeiro on March 10, 2023

Happy Friday. It’s March 10, 2023. Today, we start the book of Galatians. In the first chapter, a scripture stood out for me that might be for you too. It tells me what God is looking for and reveals a promise that when He finds it, He will be pleased to give us what others only hope for. Read on …

Today's Reading:
Deuteronomy 13,14,15; Galatians 1

Scripture

“But when He who had set me apart, even from my mother’s womb, and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles …” (Galatians 1:15-16)

Observation

Solomon tried it and failed. The religious leaders of Jesus’ day tried and failed. I tried too, and failed until I realized I couldn’t get into heaven … head first.

In order to know God, we must ask for revelation! It won’t come through education, instruction, or scientific discovery. It comes through revelation. However, that will only occur with those to whom God is pleased to reveal Himself.

So how do we get there?

Application

Paul mentioned that God was pleased to reveal Jesus in him so that he might preach to the Gentiles. I’m just now beginning to see how important this is!

“But God was pleased to reveal Jesus in me…”

I am beginning to realize that a pleasing life is the initial prerequisite.

What does it take to present a life that is pleasing to Him?

Several hints show up in the Scriptures. One of the most important is found in Hebrews: “Without faith, it is impossible to please God for those who come to Him must believe that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” -Heb. 11:6

There it is! I must be a diligent seeker - an avid pursuer, a hungry student, devoted and enthusiastic. Knowing Jesus cannot be a ho-hum pastime, a hobby, a class assignment, or a duty. It has to be a passion!

To these, God reveals Jesus!

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled” -Mt. 5:6

Prayer

Lord God, be pleased to reveal Jesus in me. Whatever I must do, whatever price I must pay, I willingly say a resounding, “Yes!” Be pleased to reveal Jesus in me so that I might preach to the Gentiles!

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About the Author

Wayne Cordeiro

Dr. Wayne Cordeiro is the founding pastor of the New Hope International Ministry beginning in 1984 in Hilo, Hawaii. In 1995, he relocated to Honolulu and pioneered New Hope Oahu. Within 10 years, NHO was listed among the ten most innovative churches in America. Outreach Magazine listed them as one of the “top five churches to learn from.” New Hope has seen over 110,000 first time decisions since its inception and has planted 153 churches on the West Coast and in Okinawa, Philippines, Taiwan, Japan, Myanmar and Australia.

Wayne is an author of over 14 books and speaks globally on ministry and leadership. He also designed the Life Journal and the SOAP method for daily devotions used by thousands of churches. He is also the general editor of the LifeConnect Study Bible. In 2017, he passed the leadership baton in Hawaii and relocated to Eugene, Oregon to be president of New Hope Christian College (formerly Eugene Bible College, his alma mater). New Hope Christian College highlights the development of both the message and the messenger. (For more information, go to Newhope.edu).

In 2020, he pioneered New Hope West which partners with New Hope Christian College. It has become a “lab church” for ministry and leadership development. Wayne’s life themes are emphasizing the Word of God, a daily devotion to Jesus, evangelism, church planting, leadership development, communication and redeeming the arts and technology for Christ.

Wayne and his wife, Anna have been married for over 49 years. They have three married children (Amy Hisaoka, Aaron Cordeiro, and Abigail Rivest) and nine grandchildren. His hobbies include music, reading, golf, pickleball, and riding his horse.