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Pleasing God or Pleasing Others

Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.
Galatians 1:10 NLT

At times you will have to make a choice between pleasing God and pleasing those around you, for God’s ways are not man’s ways (Isa. 55:8-9). As important as it is to strive for good relations with others, it is even more important to maintain a steadfast and obedient relationship with Christ. Disobeying God to keep peace with other people is never wise. Peace with God is always paramount.

Jesus warned that obeying Him might cause division in your relationships (Matt. 10:35-36). At times obedience to God sets family members at odds with each other (Matt. 10:35-36). When you follow Jesus’ Lordship, your family may misunderstand, or even oppose you, yet your obedience to God reflects your identity as His child. Jesus said that those who obey His will are His brothers and sisters (Luke 8:21). God does not intend to divide the home, but He places obedience before domestic harmony.

It is important to get alone in quietness with God so that you understand what pleases Him. The world’s thinking will mislead you more easily when you are not clear about what God desires. Determine that you will please your Lord regardless of the opinion of others.

Excerpt from Experiencing God Day by Day by Henry T. and Richard Blackaby

Receiving Greater Benefits

Give and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full–pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back. Luke 6:38 NLT

The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25 NLT

The liberal Soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered. Proverbs 11:25 KJV

Excerpts from Amazing Facts Daily Devotional Helping Others

If we are clothed with the righteousness of Christ, and are filled with the joy of His indwelling Spirit, we shall not be able to hold our peace. If we have tasted and seen that the Lord is good, we shall have something to tell. . . .

The spirit of unselfish labor for others gives depth, stability, and Christlike loveliness to the character, and brings peace and happiness to its possessor. The aspirations are elevated. There is no room for sloth or selfishness. Those who thus exercise the Christian graces will grow, and will become strong to work for God. They will have clear spiritual perceptions, a steady, growing faith, and an increased power in prayer. The Spirit of God, moving upon their spirit, calls forth the sacred harmonies of the soul, in answer to the divine touch.

Those who thus devote themselves to unselfish effort for the good of others, are most surely working out their own salvation. The only way to grow in grace is . . . to engage, to the extent of our ability, in helping and blessing those who need the help we can give them. Ellen G, White

Practical Messages for Impractical Times

The benefits of helping others reap blessings on the giver. You will never experience depression, anxiety, or hopelessness when you are sharing Christ’s love, your time, and your resources. The blessings will run over; and remember, God always keeps His promises.

Sonya Johnson Ruiz

Take No Thought

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Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Matthew 6:25-26

When we take into our hands the management of things with which we have to do and depend upon our own wisdom for success, we are taking a burden which God has not given us and are trying to bear it without His aid. We are taking upon ourselves the responsibility that belongs to God, and thus are really putting ourselves in His place. We may well have anxiety and anticipate danger and loss, for it is certain to befall us. But when we really believe that God loves us and means to do us good, we shall cease to worry about the future. We shall trust God as a child trusts a loving parent. Then our troubles and torments will disappear, for our will is swallowed up in the will of God.

If we educated our souls to have more faith, more love, greater patience, a more perfect trust in our heavenly Father, we would have more peace and happiness as we pass through the conflicts of this life. The Lord is not pleased to have us fret and worry ourselves out of the arms of Jesus. He is the only source of every grace, the fulfillment of every promise, the realization of every blessing.

Let us turn from the dusty, heated thoroughfares of life to rest in the shadow of Christ’s love. Here we gain strength for conflict. Here we learn how to lessen toil and worry and how to speak and sing to the praise of God. Let the weary and the heavy-laden learn from Christ the lesson of quiet trust. They must sit under His shadow if they would be possessors of His peace and rest.

From Amazing Facts Devotional for August 8, 2018

Humility and Meekness

Practical Messages for Impractical Times

Jesus Christ- the Son of God-always kept a low profile. From His lowly birth in a stable to His death on the cross, Jesus never sought attention, fame or monetary gain. He always directed His praise toward God-His Father. It was other individuals that spread the word regarding the miracles that Jesus performed. He knew the benefits of humility and meekness. When He was confronted with the question, “Who are you?”, Jesus’ reply was “Who do you say I am?”

It is our duty to never bring attention to our accomplishments in life. Only God deserves the praise and all the glory.

“Humble me. Humble me, O Lord. Humble me, humble me that I may do your will.”

Dear God, Please help me to put myself aside and to always give you the praise for my accomplishments. Amen.

Sonya Johnson Ruiz

The World

Practical Messages for Impractical Times

Therefore, “Come out from among them and be separate,” says the Lord “Touch no unclean thing and I will receive you.” 2 Corinthians 6:17

After hearing a wonderful sermon-testimony on Sabbath, we sat down and enjoyed Christian fellowship and a delicious plant-based lunch. One of my friends expressed how good it felt to be among believers. We chatted about how different our lives are since we have whole-heartedly committed ourselves to God.

The Apostle Paul in his writings always emphasized the importance of social fellowship among believers. He understood the importance of worshipping and spending time with each other outside of the weekly church services. We are able to pray, and provide emotional support for one another, which incorporates godly principles and imparts strength.

It is no greater joy than to be able to share testimonies, and talk about God’s grace and mercy, and how our lives are so much better with God. However, as believers we must be well-rounded in our knowledge of life. Learning encompasses studying the Bible, praying, being outdoors in nature, taking vacations, pursuing education, developing hobbies, and helping those in need. We are to be aware of social injustices, political changes, local and world news, and the clean, fun activities that exist for our enjoyment. Whatever we participate in should acknowledge that God is first and foremost in our lives.

Our lives are purpose driven-not to focus on pleasure seeking activites-but, to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to be unified with each other.

Dear God, Help me to renounce the world and live a purpose driven life. Amen.

Sonya Johnson Ruiz

Loving Others

Practical Messages for Impractical Times

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them…Love each other with genuine affection, with brotherly love and take delight in honoring each other. Romans 12:9-10 NLT

How important is love? Love ranks as the first attribute in the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23. The life of Christ demonstrated the godly way to love others. Whenever He interacted with individuals, regardless of their character, background or status, He showed unconditional love. Their physical needs were always priority as evidenced by the miracle of feeding the multitude with five loaves of bread and 2 fishes in Matthew 14:13-21.

What are the ways we show others that we really do not understand what God’s definition of love is? It is truly amazing the level of selfishness and mean-spiritedness that exists among those that claim to follow Christ. We must align our character with God’s definition of love.

Dear God, I have not loved you or others as I should. Please forgive me and teach me how to love unconditionally. Amen.

Sonya Johnson Ruiz