Yesterday was a good day, with lovely weather and sunshine all day. It pleased me a lot going through the day with peace and easy–going thoughts. But I have to admit that when I got up this morning, I never considered that I should please God today, until I read in Hebrews 11:6, "Without faith it is impossible to please God." (NIV) Today may go well in my opinion, but will it please God in any way?

How do I do everything to please God and not just please myself? How can we go to bed satisfied that all our activities have pleased God? Hebrews says that the path to pleasing God is faith. We need to trust in Jesus to carry us safely through all that we do each day. In consciously talking with Him, we can follow His will with patience and joy. Jesus lifts our spirits, puts joy in our activities, and even helps us to reach out to help with the needs of others. Faith in Jesus gives us the patience and strength that we need when facing today's needs.

Will what I plan to do today please God? Does my faith show that Jesus goes ahead of me as I clean the house without complaining? Do I do the dishes with a song of praise in my heart? Do I go downtown to keep the doctor's appointment, not worried about what he will say, for Jesus already knows it? Do we care for the children without worrying about them, because Jesus is protecting them? Do we do our work diligently, as if working for Jesus? Do we honour Jesus by attending the study group at church?

Isaiah 35:3-4a – Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, "Be strong, do not fear." (NIV)

Yes, God is aware of how much pain, suffering, loneliness, or trouble that you and I are facing. We need to put our faith strongly in Jesus as He strengthens us, helping us to cope today. He calls us to please Him and to put our faith in Him by accepting His help. Thinking about His crucifixion opens my eyes with thanksgiving for the pain that He suffered and the aloneness that He felt when His disciples deserted Him. If we are feeling lonely and deserted, let us remember that Jesus is with all of us as we go through our worries and struggles. We put our faith strongly in Him as He strengthens us, helping us to cope today.

Yes, we trust God completely, and as we ask Him for help, He reaches out to us so that all that we do today will please Him.

Prayer: Lord, in our hearts, we love You, but we need Your help with all that faces us today. Everything is in Your hands — we don't need to worry. Today will be one of thanksgiving as we trust You to undertake for us in all that we must do. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

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