Do you want to please God? I do. It isn’t that I’m afraid that God will judge me harshly or punish me - I love Him so I want to please Him. That’s how it is when you truly love someone; you want to do things that will make them happy. So how can you and I do that in a practical way with God? Today, let’s take a few moments and listen to what the Bible says about this very important subject: 

…it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. (Hebrews 11:6) 

If I asked you what is essential to live a life that pleases God, what would your answer be? Praying and reading your Bible? Would it be giving to the poor? Going to church regularly? How about treating people the way you’d like to be treated? Maybe it’s avoiding sin. God likes it when we don’t cuss, lie, cheat, steal, or lust in our hearts, right? While all of these things seem good, the Bible tells us clearly in today’s passage that there is one thing that God requires and without it we cannot please Him. Let’s listen to it again: “And it is impossible to please God without faith.” That’s pretty clear, right? Faith is so indispensable that without it, pleasing God is just not difficult; it’s impossible! OK, so what does God-pleasing faith look like? We have two good clues in today’s passage. First, faith believes that God exists. Second, those with faith must believe that God rewards those who sincerely seek Him. The KJV says those with faith “diligently” seek Him and the NIV says those with faith “earnestly” seek Him. Being diligent and earnest are all a part of sincerely seeking God. But why do we seek Him at all? Ultimately, we seek God because we believe in, have faith in, God’s goodness, His kindness, His dependability, and His love. Without that faith in God’s goodness you and I cannot please Him. A life that is pleasing to God is centered on this belief that God exists and that He is good. Do you believe that God is good? Start this day and every day by expressing your faith. Tell God, right now, that you are aware of His goodness, His kindness, His blessings and that you appreciate Him.  

God really is good now, tomorrow and forever…and that’s such Good News!