What Pleases Him?

In Psalm 135:6 it is written "The Lord does whatever pleases Him, in the heavens and on earth."
In Philippians 2:13 (NLT) it is written "For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him."

After reading these two verses I suspect that for someone who doesn't know His very nature, there may be a chance that our God could be thought of as being arrogant. Don't you suppose that there is a possibility that someone might mistakenly view Him as being selfish or self-centered?

Ah, but the secret is to know Him. To know what pleases Him.

Well let's see if we can uncover this mystery . . .
~ in 1 John 4:8 it is written "God is Love" so let's assume that it pleases Him when we love.
~ Certainly, by the beauty that is all around us it is obvious that He is a generous God so let's add to our list the presumption that He is pleased when we use the gifts and talents that He gives us.
~ In His very nature He is love, joy and peace. He is faithfulness, kindness, gentleness and goodness. And when dealing with me every day, He is the personification of patience and self control. It would be absurd to think that He did not enjoy pleasure when the Holy Spirit gives us these same gifts that display His glory. Displaying them in own lives is like icing on His cake!
~ The process of sanctification is His way of growing us into the likeness of His Son so it's a 100% money back guarantee that He experiences enormous pleasure to see us mirror the obedience of His Son.

Well, so far no arrogance. No selfishness and not even a hint of self-centeredness, so let's go on. We know what it is that brings Him pleasure, what then do you think He may be giving us the desire and power to do?
~ To reach out in love to those who are unlovable, hurting or sick?
~ To be kind to someone who hurts us?
~ To bring the beauty of His world to a home bound person?
~ To step out beyond what you are comfortable doing?
~ To yearn for righteousness?
~ To set down idols that stand between you and the Father?
You have because He loves.
The desire you have to know Him is because He gives you that desire.
The more you are willing to accept the things He wants to give you, and do in your life, the greater His pleasure in you will be.
BUT WAIT . . .
IF it seems that you have been dealt a short hand - maybe you feel that your life is lacking some or all of these things that please Him, does that mean that God withheld His goodness from you? Was He less generous with you? Does He love you less? - - - NO! He is no respecter of persons so He is generous without favoritism. You and the next person are equally equipped to bring Him pleasure but the ultimate choice rests with your willingness to allow all of His goodness into your life.
IT'S ALL ABOUT CHOICES . . . THAT CENTER ON HIM
Lord, I choose You. I choose your Son. My hands are empty. Fill them, I pray, with your power - Help me Lord - for my hearts desire is to please you.
Amen and Amen.
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