Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – December 3, 2018
How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He’s the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son. Ephesians 1:3-6, The Message
“My pleasure”, an inviting and affirming phrase, made common in our culture by the second mile service of “Chick-fil-A“. I like the definition of pleasure in the Webster’s 1828 Dictionary, “The gratification of the senses or of the mind; agreeable sensations or emotions; the excitement, relish or happiness produced by enjoyment or the expectation of good; opposed to pain”. Of course there is bad pleasure when we overindulge in any activity that moves us away from the Lord and people, but thankfully there is a good pleasure created and given by God.
The King James version of the Scripture says, “according to the good pleasure of his will” God has adopted His children to Himself by Jesus Christ. Wow, it’s our heavenly Father’s pleasure for us to be accepted by His great love in Christ. When we thank Him for our salvation in Jesus, He sweetly says, “My pleasure”. When we praise Him for the glory of His grace, He lovingly replies, “My pleasure”. When we are grateful for the comfort of His Spirit, He conveys with mercy, “My pleasure”. And when we lean into the Lord for the joy of His strength, He exclaims “My pleasure”, with acceptance and assurance. We are the pleasure and pride of our caring Creator!
“The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, In those who hope in His mercy” (Psalm 147:11, NKJV).
Are you able to rest in and enjoy the pleasure of your heavenly Father’s love and acceptance? Rest, because you do not have to work your way into God’s good graces—His favor already rests on you. Enjoy, since your spiritual wealth is abundant—-luxuriate in the riches of His grace. In eternity you have been on the heart of God, and now adopted into His family by faith in Jesus Christ. No longer a citizen of this world, but a pilgrim on a temporal journey until you arrive at your eternal home in heaven. Live like a person who has found great pleasure in the eyes of God: confident, caring and content. Fear His judgment, hope in His mercy and confess His pleasure.
At the same time, seek ways to express pleasure to the precious people in your life. Help them know and feel that they bring you great pleasure. When your spouse thanks you for your patience and love, affirm them with a kind, “My pleasure, I love and appreciate you so much”! Or, when a child shows gratitude for giving her a gift, love her with a “My pleasure, you are God’s precious gift to me”. Helping others is a pleasure because of the lavish love and help we have received from our heavenly Father. “My pleasure” is the constant refrain of a life abundantly blessed by God!
“Having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure” (Ephesians 1:9, NKJV).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I praise how You take pleasure in me for Christ’s sake, amen.
Application
What special person needs me to better express my pleasure in how special she is to me?
Related Reading
Psalm 16:11; Proverbs 16:7; 2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 3:3-5; Hebrews 10:38
Post/Tweet today
“My pleasure” is the constant refrain of a life abundantly blessed by God. #WisdomHunters #pleasure
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