“Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts” (1 Thess. 2:4 NLT).

Please God as a servant of Christ

“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Gal. 1:10 ESV)

Please God with your faith

“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” (Heb.  11:6 ESV)

Speak to please God

“But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.” (1  Thess. 2:4 ESV)

Keep His commandments and do what pleases God

“And whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.” (1 John. 3:22 ESV)

Therefore

“When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” (Prov. 16:7 ESV)

“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” (Rom. 13:1 ESV)

The Bible makes it clear that we should be subject to governing authorities. If you disagree with the governing authorities in power, you may find this challenging. Especially if they are against or if they oppose the Biblical principles you believe in. But keep in mind that God is bigger and more powerful than all governing authorities. He may even use them to carry out His purpose. That is what He did with Egypt’s Pharaoh to move the Hebrew children out of bondage (Exo. 14), and as He did with King Cyrus (Isa. 54). As far as our leadership is concerned, we must be incredibly careful about who we vote for and who we appoint as judges. And we must pray for our leaders. And finally, understand that all authority has been given to Jesus, and we must put our trust in Him! 

Pray for your leaders and seek God

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Tim. 2:1-4 ESV) 

“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chron. 7:14 ESV)

All authority has been given to Jesus

“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matt. 28:18 ESV)

Therefore

“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.” (Rom. 23:1-5 NIV)

“To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” (Psalm 19:1 ESV)

God Created the heavens

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” (Gen. 1:1 ESV)

He hung the earth in space onto nothing! 

“He stretches out the north over the void and hangs the earth on nothing.” (Job. 26:7 ESV) 

He made the son and the moon

“And God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars.” (Gen. 1:16 ESV)

Lift up your eyes

“Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name, by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power not one is missing.” (Isa. 40:26 ESV)

The creator of the heavens cares for you!

“When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?” (Psalm 8:3-4 ESV)

Therefore, we worship Him

“You are the Lord, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships you.” (Neh. 9:6 ESV)

“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” (1 Thess. 5:11 ESV)

Everybody needs encouragement now and then, and according to the Bible, we get and give that when we meet together. A simple definition for fellowship is “more than one fellow together in the same ship.” Exhortation, often known as the gift of encouragement, is one of the spiritual gifts. Everybody knows and loves people who have this gift. They are always saying positive and encouraging things to others to build them up. As you enter church, you'll usually find some of them acting as greeters. They are often hired by companies like Walmart and Costco to greet people as they arrive because they thrive and shine in those kinds of jobs. They make excellent receptionists and public relations personnel. Despite not having this gift, you can learn to encourage. Start by greeting others with a smile and complimenting them on something positive, such as a beautiful shirt or nice dress, their smile, their personality, or their kindness.

Fellowship is encouraging one another

“Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Heb. 10:25 ESV)

Fellowship is proclaiming what you have seen and heard with one another

“That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.” (1 John 1:3 ESV)

Fellowship is sharpening one another up

“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” (Prov. 27:17 ESV)

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works” (Heb. 10:24 ESV)

Fellowship is enjoying the presence of God together

 “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” (Matt. 18:20 ESV)

Fellowship is walking in the light together

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7 ESV) 

“No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall confute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.” (Isa. 54:17 ESV)

The Lord will rescue you

“The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” (2 Tim. 4:18 ESV)

God’s righteous hand will deliver you

“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me.” (Psalm 138:7 ESV)

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isa. 41:10 ESV)

He will save you from your enemies

“My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.” (2 Sam. 22:3-4 ESV)

Therefore

“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” (Rom. 12:19 ESV)

“Call to me and I will answer you and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” (Jer. 33:3 ESV)

Deep and hidden things

“He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.” (Dan. 2:22 ESV)

The things that are revealed belong to us

“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” (Deut. 29:29 ESV)

The hoards in secret places

“I will give you the treasures of darkness and the hoards in secret places, that you may know that it is I, the Lord, the God of Israel, who call you by your name.” (Isa. 45:3 ESV)

Therefore…

“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Cor. 4:6 ESV)

“What then? If some did not believe, their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it?” (Rom. 3:3 ESV) 

He remains faithful and true

Occasionally, someone will tell me they do not want to be a Christian because of bad examples. They talk about famous preachers who have failed publicly, religious hypocrites, or others they have known who did not behave in a “Christian” manner. When they tell me this, I always say, “Yes, what you say may be so, but don’t let it stand in the way of your own personal relationship with Christ, because He always remains faithful and true!”

Always faithful

“If we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.” (2 Tim. 2:13 ESV) 

To a thousand generations

“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations.” (Deut. 7:9 ESV)

Therefore

“God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1 Cor 1:9)

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” (Heb. 10:23 ESV)

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9 ESV) 

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” (Col. 3:23 ESV) 

Who do you work for?

If you believe that you are working for your boss or for yourself as a self-employed individual, that is only partially true. As a follower of Christ, your employer is God, regardless of what you do. Understanding this clearly will significantly alter your work behavior, including your focus, work habits, and attitude, which will affect your happiness. The top passage says you must work “heartily” for the Lord in everything you do. What does that mean? The dictionary defines heartily as sincerely, genuinely, warmly, profoundly, with all one's heart.

Work with all your might

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.” (Eccles. 9:10 NIV)

Be fervent in spirit

“Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.” (Rom. 12:11 ESV)

Here is the promise 

“Rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.” (Eph. 6:7-8 ESV)

“For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.” (Col. 1:29 ESV) 

Out of gas on the Golden Gate Bridge! 

Sometime in the later part of the 1970’s, I ran out of gas on the Golden Gate Bridge! I still don’t know how I hadn’t noticed that the gas gauge was on empty; I usually pay attention to such things. Susan and I were in a small hatchback car with our small son, Matthew, in the back, and suddenly we just ran out of fuel right there on one of the busiest bridges in the world! The engine just quit, and we stopped without any power to move off the bridge. The situation looked hopeless. I felt panic rising within me. And I said a desperate prayer for help. Then, suddenly, a large 4x4 pickup pulled up behind us, put its bumper on our bumper, and pushed us safely off the bridge to a place where we could get some gas. It was an amazing, miraculous, and most welcome rescue in our desperate time of need! After we reached the clearing off the bridge, the truck sped off as fast as it appeared. We did not even get a chance to say “thank you” to the driver. The power of that rescue truck gave us the needed energy to move our vehicle when we had none of our own! In a way, it’s a picture of how God rescues us with His energy in times of need. (Phil. 4:19).

Strengthened with all power

“May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy.” (Col. 1:11 ESV)

God gives power to the faint

“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isa. 40:28-31 ESV)

Therefore…

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13 ESV)