YOU WERE PLANNED FOR GODS PLEASURE?

What common task could I start doing as if I were doing it directly for Jesus? Since God knows what is best, in what areas of my life do I need to trust him most?

What area of my life am I holding back from God? What practical choices will I make today in order to grow closer to God? Which is more pleasing to God right now-my public worship or my private worship? What will I do about this?

What can I do to remind myself to think about God and talk to him more often throughout the day?

How can I stay focused on God's presence, especially when he feels distant?

Planned for Gods Pleasure

For God has planted them like strong and graceful oaks for his own glory. Isaiah 61:3. You created everything, and it is for your pleasure that they exist and were created. Revelation 4:11 The Lord takes pleasure in his people. Psalm 149:4
Because of his love God had already decided that through Jesus Christ he would make us his children-this was his pleasure and purpose. Ephesians 1:5 >> Wired with five senses and emotions in HIS image God greaves, gets Jealous and angry, feels compassion, loves etc.. A. Bringing pleasure to God is called worship

"The LORD is pleased only with those who worship him and trust his love.'

Psalm 147-11

>>Beyond various expressions-singing, praying and listening, healing/miracle/ecstatic experiences, ceremonies, candles and communion

The father seeks worshippers John 4-23

Anything you do that brings pleasure to God is an act of worship

Planned for Gods Pleasure

B. Worship is far more than music Adam worshipped in garden in Genesis 4:21 with the birth of Jubal-no music >>>First we sang a hymn, then a praise and worship song- common phrase used C. Worship is not for your benefit These people come near to me with their mouth and honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men. Isaiah 29-13 D. Worship is not part of your life; it is your life Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men Colossian s 3-23 "worship him continually Psalm 105:4 praise him from sunrise to sunset Psalm 113:3
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I was planned for Gods pleasure

What makes God smile?

May the LORD smile on you.... Numbers 6:25 Smile on me, your servant; teach me the right way to live. Psalm 119:135
"Figure out what will please Christ, and then do it. Ephesians 5:10
FIVE ACTS OF WORSHIP THAT MAKES GOD SMILE

1. God smiles when we love Him supremely 1st commandment 2. God smiles when we trust Him completely-Psalm 147:11 3. God smiles when we obey Him wholeheartedly-Gen 6:22, Ps119:33,John 14-15 4. God smiles when we praise and thank Him continually Psalm 68-3 5. God smiles when we use our abilities Isaiah 45:9,Psalms 103:14

God smiles when I trust him

The Heart of Worship

Give yourselves to God.... Surrender your whole being to him to be used for righteous purposes. Romans 6:13
We give ourselves to him, not out of fear or duty, but in love, "because he first loved us. I John 4-9,10,19

Three Barriers- Fear-Pride-Confusion

?? Can I trust God- Romans 5:8 Admitting our limitations-you will be like God- Genesis 3:5 What it means surrender?-Luke 5:5, Psalm 37:7 The blessing of surrender-Job 22:21,Romans 6:17 The best way to live-Phil 4:13, Luke 9:23

Surrender is not the best way to live; it is the only way to live. Nothing else works
Bill Bright-campus Crusade for Christ-Jesus Film-4 billion people-150 million people have come to Christ- Why did God use and Bless your life so much?-Interview-Signed a Contract with God as an Young man- I am a salve of JESUS CHRIST

The heart of worship is surrender

Becoming Best Friends with God?

Since we were restored to friendship with God by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be delivered from eternal punishment by his life. Romans 5:10 >>Only a few people in Old Testament times had the privilege of friendship with God. Moses and Abraham were called "friends of God," David was called "a man after [God's] own heart," and job, Enoch, and Noah had intimate friendships with God. Note: But fear of God, not friendship, was more common in the Old Testament Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him." Psalm 25:14

"Now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God-all because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us in making us friends of God." Romans 5:11 ???Becoming a Best Friend of God-2 ways
1. Through Constant Conversation- Ephesians 4:6, I Theso 5:11 2. Through continual meditation- Job 23:12, Psalm 119:97,Psalm 77:12

God wants to be my best friend

Developing Your Friendship with God

He offers his friendship to the godly. Proverbs 3:32 Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you. James 4:8 A) I must choose to be honest with God E.g.1. God allowed Abraham to question and challenge him over the destruction of the city of Sodom Eg.2 Job 42:7 (God defended Job for being honest, and he rebuked Job's friends for being inauthentic).

Moses, speaking as a "friend" of God, responded with equal candor: "`Look, you tell me to lead this people but you don't let me know whom you're going to send with me.... If I'm so special to you, let me in on your plans.... Don't forget, this is YOUR people, your responsibility.... If your presence doesn't take the lead here, call this trip off right now! How else will I know that you're with me in this, with me and your people? Are you traveling with us or not?...' God said to Moses, `All right. Just as you say; this also I will do, for I know you well and you are special to me. Exodus 33 12-17
B) I must choose to obey God in faith John 15-(9-11) (14) (Jesus) >>33 years of obedience-Luke 2:51,Mathew 3:17-God is pleased with Jesus C) I must desire friendship with God more than anything else E.g.. David, Jacob Wrestling with God-Gen32:26
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I'm as close to God as I choose to be

Worship That Pleases God

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Mark 12:30 1. God is pleased when our worship is accurate- John 4:23-Jesus-Samiratan Women 2. God is pleased when our worship is authentic I Samuel 16:7 If God intentionally made us all different, why should everyone be expected to love God in the same way? Sacred Pathways, Gary identifies nine of the ways people draw near to God: Naturalists are most inspired to love God out-of-doors, in natural settings. Sensates love God with their senses and appreciate beautiful worship services that involve their sight, taste, smell, and touch, not just their ears. Traditionalists draw closer to God through rituals, liturgies, symbols, and unchanging structures. Ascetics prefer to love God in solitude and simplicity. Activists love God through confronting evil, battling injustice, and working to make the world a better place. Caregivers love God by loving others and meeting their needs. Enthusiasts love God through celebration. Contemplatives love God through adoration. Intellectuals love God by studying with their minds.

The best style of. Worship is the one that most authentically represents your love for God

Worship That Pleases God

3. God is pleased when worship is thoughtful- Mathew 6:7-vain repetitions 4.God is pleased when our worship is practical- Romans 12:1

I'll bring You more than a song, because the song itself is not what You've required. You search much deeper within than the way things appear. You're looking into my heart. The heart of the matter is a matter of the heart.

Matt Redman-Heart of Worship

God wants all of me

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When God Seems Distant?

The LORD has hidden himself from his people, but I trust him and place my hope in him. Isaiah 8:17 David complained, " "Lord, why are you standing aloof and far away? Why do you hide when I need you the most?"3 "Why have you forsaken me? Why do you remain so distant? Why do you ignore my cries for help?"4 "Why have you abandoned me? Psalm 10:1, 22:1

Job said, "I go east, but he is not there. I go west, but I cannot find him. I do not see him in the north, for he is hidden. I turn to the south, but I cannot find him. But he knows where I am going. And when he has tested me like gold in afire, he will pronounce me innocent. Job 23-8-10
A) B) C) D) Tell God exactly how you feel -Job 7:11 Focus on who God is-His unchanging nature- Job 10:12, 42:2,23:10,34:13 Trust God to keep his promises- Job 23:12 Remember what God has already done for you-2 Corinthians 5:21

The most common mistake Christians make in worship today is seeking an experience rather than seeking God..

GOD IS REAL NO MATTER HOW YOU FEEL

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For God has planted them like strong and graceful oaks for his own glory. Isaiah 61:3

Planned for God's Pleasure What Makes God Smile? Heart of Worship Becoming Best Friends with God Developing Your Friendship with God Worship That Pleases God When God Seems Distant

Thank You