What God Delights In or How to Please God

My family has started a new (for us) spiritual discipline. We use "Life Journal", and read a passage of scripture and then journal about it. (Radical concept!) It follows the SOAP model: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer. I like the form of it, its classic, and easy. There is a kids version which parallels the adult version with less reading, so the whole family is literally on the same page.

Maybe because it's a special journal designed just for this form that makes it work for me. Or maybe because I pray that the Holy Spirit would teach me something, and then journal out of faith. There's an expectation that there will be something to learn.

My blog was getting jealous of my journal. This post is about todays revelation:

Ezekiel 18:23 (Mess) "Do you think I take pleasure in the death of wicked men and women? Isn't it my pleasure that they turn around, no longer living wrong, but living right--really living?"

When I see God as an angry God, I completely miss this. He is the father of the Prodigal Son. I am deceived when my shame keeps me from repentence.

I must see Father as one waiting for my return with great anticipation; no false humility or modesty, no false shame (which hides my pride). Run NOW back to the Father. If I want to please Him: repent. He delights in repentence!
Give God pleasure today: Repent!

Which works for you:
A: Lord, show me my sins so that I can feel really bad about them.
or
B: Lord, show me my sins that I might please you in my repentence.

Oo, oo, I know, pick me, pick meeeeeee!

- posted by Jor @ 10:47 AM -