[Biblemat] A) GOD HAS SPOKEN

[J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com]

Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here.  A very good Saturday
morning to each and everyone.  May God bless you and yours.
Here is an article from my recent files:

GOD HAS SPOKEN

     "Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacri-
fices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord?  Behold, to obey is
better than sacrifice and to heed than the fat of rams" (1 Sam. 15:22).  What 
pleases God?  What does He want from us?  He has spoken; listen to Him.

     "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom; let not the migh-
ty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his rich-
es; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands
and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness,
judgment, and righteousness in the earth.  For in these I de-
light," God said (Jer. 9:23,24).

     Using just weights, and uprightness in one's ways, dealing
truly, and the prayers of the upright are God's delight (Prov.
11:1,20; 12:22; 15:8).  He who fears God and works righteous-
ness is accepted with Him (Acts 10:35).  "But without faith it
is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must
believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who dili-
gently seek HIm" (Heb. 11:6).  When Jesus was baptized to ful-
fill righteousness, God was well pleased (Matt. 3:13-17).  In
fact, Jesus said, "I always do those things that please Him"
(Jno. 8:29).  Paul taught the Thessalonians who became saints how they ought 
to live, so as to please God, including
such things as moral purity, brotherly love, and diligent work
to supply their physical needs (1 Thes. 4:1-12).

     We should learn from the Scriptures that substituting our
wishes and desires in the place of obedience to God does not
please God.  Neither prayer nor doing good deeds, nor unscri-
ptural worship can be used as a substitute for obedience to
God.  Neither should we think that God is pleased when we 
disrespect and ignore His complete authority.  Do we seek to
please God or to please ourselves and other men?  Paul said,
"For if I still pleased men, I would not be a servant of Christ"
(Gal. 1:10).         ----------- Gilbert Alexander.   </HTML>
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