Finding What Pleases God

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.
Col 1:9-12

And find out what pleases the Lord.
Eph. 5:10

a while ago i caught ephesians 5:10. it's just thrown in there. 'find out what pleases the Lord.' that is a loaded command. it's not going to the store and finding milk. it's not looking for the coin which was lost in the house. but that lady held a huge party over finding a 10th of her wealth. ...or maybe it is like that. honestly i'm not sure.

paul mentions that he asks God to give the colossians knowledge of God's will. surely God wants to give the colossians knowledge of His will. so in this case, paul and God have the same desires. i think that link between God's desires and what we desire needs to connect. 'pursing after that which moves the heart of God'

*bear fruit
*grow in the knowledge of God
*be strengthened with all power
seems like 3 basic rules to live by. but those all come from God. i'm not sure i've ever prayed for God to move in my life in those ways. i've prayed to know His will and to do it faithfully, but... first comes the hard work: getting on my knees and finding out who God is and why i should desires the things which please Him.

and i should be praying for others. because of those who have prayed for me, i am being filled with the knowledge of His will, being strenghtened and bearing fruit. i know the prayers of my grandma, a prayer partner i had when i was a kid, family and friends have truly been answered. this is why i am a seeker of Christ.

God,
i'm searching after what pleases You. reveal Yourself to me, because of Your mercy. You give to those who ask, so i'm asking to be filled with the knowledge of Your will thru all spiritual wisdom and understanding. i want to find out what pleases You and faithfully complete it. i know You've mentioned that You know the plans for me... but could You fill me in on those plans?

i lift up the SLR staff to You. seems like there are some obstacles popping around their plans. Father, you know the spiritual battle which rages, and You have the power to detain the enemy who wages war. protect these young people from the flaming arrows that fly by night. send Your spiritual wisdom upon these faithful servants. if they are not walking faithfully, convict them of their sin - send Your grace to draw them back. let this group be holy unto You. may You speak unto their hearts, having them listen to Your call. let their decisions be based on what would draw others nearer to You. if being in the chapel, so be it. if being outdoors, so be it. if being without music, so be it. whatever would please You most, let that be known to each of these servants. most importantly, above each of our agendas and thoughts on how we can best make You know, is Your desire. soften our hearts that we may listen to Your voice and hear what You are saying. close any plans which have arose from our desires alone. what do You want to say at SLR this year? what will it take to tear down the walls of sin and shame, and to let Your light shine to these students? how do You want to reveal Yourself to them? as Samuel had to learn to say, 'speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.' let this listening Spirit rest upon all who are helping with SLR this year.
in Jesus Name ~ Amen.
*SLR *Jenna *RJ