Seven Ways to Please God

Every good gift we have has come from God, and He wants to give us “pleasure forevermore.” In gratitude for all He does for us, what can you and I do to please Him?

Finding a gift that will please God can seem challenging! Thankfully the Bible tells us not only what God hates (such as in Proverbs 6:16-19) but what He delights in as well. You and I will be most fulfilled when we fulfill God’s purpose for our lives because He loves us and wants the best for us.

1. HAVE FAITH IN GOD:
Hebrews 11:6
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

This Scripture identifies faith, belief in God and believing He will do what He says He will do as a prerequisite for pleasing God. It also gives an example of this kind of faith:
Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enouch was taken away so that He did not see death, and was not found, because God had taken him for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

2. BE SPIRITUALLY MINDED:
Romans 8:6-8
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

The Bible contrasts two mind set: The normal, human one (the fleshly, carnal mind) and the one led by the Spirit of God (the spiritual mind verse Romans 8: 9). Having the Holy Spirit dwelling in us and leading us is another prerequisite for pleasing God.

In Acts 2:38, the apostle Peter summarized the process God has set for us to follow to receive His Spirit. “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

3. FEAR GOD:
Psalm 147:11
The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.
It’s not that God delights in having us terrified of Him. Psalm 147 described God as the One who “heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (verse 3). The Scripture praises His mercy, His knowledge (He knows the names of all the stars) and His power to save the humble (verse 4-6). The Bible tells us to fear God, not because it is good for Him, but because it is good for us to accurately recognize that He is more powerful than anything else.

The proper fear and respect of God will motivate us to avoid sin (Exodus 20:20) It reminds us that God will hold us accountable for our actions.

4. STUDY AND FOLLOW JESUS CHRIST’S EXAMPLE:
Matthew 17:5
While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

During a vision of the future Kingdom of God known as the transfiguration, God impressed on Peter, James and John the preeminence of Jesus Christ. Jesus truly was the Son of God, and there is no one who has pleased God more. You and I should all hear Him and follow His example.

5. OBEY GOD:
1 Samuel 15:22
22 And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

God doesn’t command us to obey just because it is good for Him, but because it is good for us (Deuteronomy 10:13) His laws and commands are beneficial; and as a result of obeying Him, we grow in godly, righteous character. We become more like Him.

6. DO GOD’S WILL:
Hebrews 13:20-21
20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

God’s will for us goes beyond just knowing what He wants. It involves doing “every good work” working at maturing spiritually and becoming more like God (Matthew 5:48).

7. GIVE THE SACRIFICE GOD WANTS:
Hebrews 13:15-16
15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Mark 12:30-31
30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

If you are reading this and do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, I would like to extend this invitation to you to receive the gift of salvation today. You can do so by praying and truly believing the prayer below, or by praying to God in your own Words.

PRAYER:
God,
I confess that I have sinned against You, and I know that there is nothing I can do by my own efforts to change my condition. I believe that Jesus Christ shed His blood and died on the cross for my sins; And that He rose from the grave on the Third Day to grant me eternal life. I know You love me, God, and I love You. I place my faith and trust only in You to conform my heart to Your will; And to order my steps everyday, from this day forward. Thank You , Lord, for saving me.

When we accept salvation, God saves us immediately, and makes us fit for entrance into Heaven, however some changes God will empower you to make easily, while making other changes will be a process that may take months or even years to make. Regardless of your situation, I assure you that the Lord loves you more than you could ever comprehend, and He will be with you every step of the way. Pray, study God’s Word and ask Him to give you revelation of what you are reading. I also pray that the Lord will direct you to a true Bible teaching, Jesus loving church, where you can have the support of other believers.