God's Approval #311

Hebrews 11:5-6                                                                              5.By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; and he was not found because God took him up; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God. 6 And 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 seek Him.

The heart of mankind is the need for acceptance, approval, and to be pleasing. The very taproot of our need is to have other people approve of you. The more important issue is; does God approve of you? You may be one of those people who just give up and say that you will never receive God’s approval. You may be one of those who try and try and try just to do the right things, or not do wrong things to receive approval from God. Biblical characters and most of you who are believers would really like God’s approval.

How do you know you are pleasing to God? It is not trying or giving up. It is faith. Enoch is used as one of the examples in Hebrews 11 as a man who was approved of by God. The Bible is quite clear that it was because of his faith. He never died but was taken up by God to heaven. How did that happen? It was because he believed that God is and that He is rewarder of those who seek him.

The Bible is clear that we are saved from our sin and given eternal life by faith. Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you are saved by faith and that not of yourself it is a gift of God.” Without faith it is impossible to please God or to even know Him.

The Bible says, “The just shall live by faith.” You not only are saved by faith but you are kept in a relationship with God by faith. It would appear your number one need is to trust God all the time.

The enemy would do anything and everything to destroy your faith. Be alert. Watch out for those times when your faith is tested and the enemy lies to you about you relationship with God. Faith is the answer!!

________________________Today's personal note from Dennis

Greetings from Starbucks in Tempe, AZ

We almost got washed away in the desert of Phoenix last Monday. We received almost 6 inches of rain in about 9 hours at our house. The city was flooded. Many neighborhoods had homes flooded. The streets were impassable. The picture is one block from Collin's school. ​I-10 became a lake. Cars were covered up to the top. They are calling it the 1000 year flood. All of this from a Pacific hurricane, Norbert.

Well guess what? We have another hurricane coming in almost the same track. They say the flood waters could start by Wednesday. Thinking of building an ARK.

The family is doing well. As usual they are really busy. We have a couple of birthdays coming up. Jennifer and Bennett will celebrate birthdays in the next month. Those are special times when the whole family can get together. Always a great time. 

Sandy is back teaching her "YOUNG MOMS" Bible study. She enjoys her Moms and of course she loves teaching the Bible. She is teaching this fall about the "Special Women in the Bible"

I will be speaking on the 18th to our Senior Adult ministry luncheon. I chose to speak about how our spiritual growth brings glory to God. I will also be preaching in the LOFT at FBC at 9:30 AM on October 5th. The verse will be James 1:12 about the Crown of Life. Wow! Can't believe I will be back in the pulpit again. If your church is looking for a speaker consider me. At this time I have to stay close to Phoenix due to needing to no get too far from hospitals and doctors in case something comes up. 

You will never be able to understand how much your prayers and concern have been so encouraging to me and Sandy throughout the summer. It feels like I lost a couple of months. 

I like that verse in Joel 2:25-26“

25 Then I will make up to you for the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the creeping locust, the stripping locust and the gnawing locust, My great army which I sent among you.

26 “You will have plenty to eat and be satisfied And praise the name of the Lord your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you;
I am counting on God to make up what I have missed. PTL. I so appreciate you and love you dearly. Thanks for praying now for God to open doors for ministry.  ~ DGW