Spend enough time with someone and you come to know what “spins their bowtie.” In other words, you know what pleases them. Paul encourages us to find out what is Jesus’ good pleasure. If we want to live and love like Jesus, we need to know what pleases Jesus. But how can we possibly know what is Jesus’ good pleasure?

God’s Word gives us all we need to answer this crucial question! Reading the scriptures with the purpose of “trying to find out what is pleasing to the Lord” is different than reading to learn the story of the Bible or seeking inspiration for how to get through my day, as important as these are. For example, read Luke 4:16-21 and you hear Jesus declaring what He wants to do. Based on what we see in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) it’s clear Jesus is passionate about the “kingdom of God” coming on earth as it is in heaven. He tells us to pray for this (Matthew 6:10).

The church is blessed and charged by our Lord with the work of discerning how we will use our precious time, energy, and resources. We begin by simply asking, “What will please our Lord?” Then we dive into His Word to know His heart for each of us and for this world God so loves. When we hear our Lord saying, “Do not be afraid little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom of God“(Luke 12:32), we know as we try to please Him, slowly but surely, a change comes over us- what pleases Him also pleases us.

Dear Lord,

            We want to live and love like You. Show us Your heart. Share with us Your passion for the people we’re with. Guide us with Your wisdom as we seek to do what You love us to do.