Mark 1:10-11 (KJV)
And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Our anchor Scripture clearly illustrates God’s deep pleasure in His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus dedicated Himself entirely to fulfilling His Father’s Will, and God boldly affirmed Him, declaring, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.” God is the Supreme Owner and Giver of life, and the purpose of our existence is to please and glorify Him. We were created to bring Him joy through our lives; living solely for ourselves is not the goal. Embracing a life that pleases God leads to a lifestyle filled with holiness, joy, happiness, fulfillment, sacrificial giving, prayer, praise, and worship. Revelation 4:11 says, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” In every area of service we undertake, our unwavering commitment is to the Lord. Our focus should be on Heaven’s testimony about our actions rather than on the perceptions of others. When our foremost motive in Christian service is to please the Lord, we will consistently be mindful of how He views our efforts.
The core of Christian living and service is to actively please the Lord. God delights in our obedience to His commandments. When we align our lives with His revealed will, He affirms our place as His children and ambassadors on earth. Just as He testified to the truth of our Lord Jesus Christ through His voice from Heaven and His demonstration of power, we, too, must confidently stand as His representatives. Being accepted by God as His beloved sons and daughters is a profound calling that demands total submission to His Will and steadfast obedience to His Commandments. This commitment translates into living our lives in a way that fully pleases God in every aspect. As Christians, our aim is not to please society or the enemy; our sole focus is to honor God, our Creator. Too many are distracted by the desire to please others, forgetting the agony it brings to God when they prioritize man over Him. Some attend church or serve in ways that seek human approval rather than divine acknowledgment, which reflects a profound misunderstanding of their faith. It’s crucial to recognize that some may only be willing to please God when it suits them or comes cheaply, but that approach is ultimately flawed. It is a serious matter when God disapproves, so let us commit ourselves to please Him above all else.
Beloved, take a moment today to meditate on the significance of Jesus’ baptism and the divine affirmation He received. Let it remind you of your own identity as a child of God, loved and approved and not disappointed by Him. Seek to live out your faith with the same assurance and sense of purpose that Jesus demonstrated. The truth is your life is either giving God excitement or causing Him embarrassment; your life is either a source of pleasure or pain to Him. Today, seek the testimonial of Heaven, and your struggles to make it in life will become a thing of the past. If you are serving Him, serve Him well because you are either for Him or not. Be more serious with God in this season and beyond. Be on fire for Him because when it comes to the things of God, you cannot be lukewarm. Make holiness your lifestyle and dedicate yourself to God in true worship, submitting yourself totally to His Will. Live not as a sin-ridden son of fallen man but as a reborn child of the Most High God to receive from God the Father honor and glory. Remember, the whole world may endorse your actions, but if God disapproves of your lifestyle, you have truly failed, for it is disastrous when God’s approval is absent.
O Lord, thank You for Your Word, today help me not to cause You pain with my lifestyle, but give me the grace to bring You pleasure and excitement in Jesus’ Name.