Purpose Driven Life - Day 9What Makes GOD Smile?

May the LORD smile on you… Numbers 6:25 (NLT)

Smile on me, your servant;Teach me the right way to live.

Psalm 119:135 (Msg)

If pleasing God is the first purpose of your life, your most important task is to discover how to do that.

“Figure out what will please Christ, and then do it.” (Ephesians 1:5 Message).

“Noah was a pleasure to the Lord.” (Genesis 6: TLB)

Why did GOD smile on Noah?

PURPOSE #1: You Were Planned for God’s Pleasure

1. God Smiles when we love him…

Five Acts of Worship Noah Demonstrated that made GOD Smile

SUPREMELY“Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God.” (Genesis 6:9 NIV) 

“Noah consistently followed God’s will and enjoyed a close relationship with Him.” (Genesis 6:9 LB)

“I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.” (Hosea 6:6 NIV) “I don’t want your sacrifices - I want your love; I don’t want your offerings - I want you to know me.” (Hosea 6:6 LB)

" 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment.” (Matthew 22:37-38)

2. God Smiles when we trust him…

Five Acts of Worship Noah Demonstrated that made GOD Smile

COMPLETELY“By faith, Noah built a ship in the middle of dry land. He was warned about something he couldn’t see, and acted on what he was told… As a result, Noah became intimate with God.” (Hebrews 11:6)

3 Problems that could have cause Noah to doubt•Noah had never seen rain.5 neither wild plants nor grains were growing on the earth. For the LORD God had not yet sent rain to water the earth, and there were no people to cultivate the soil. 6 Instead, springs came up from the ground and watered all the land. (Genesis 2:5-6 NLT)•Noah lived hundreds of miles from the nearest ocean.•Noah had no experience of rounding up all the animals and then caring for them.

2. God Smiles when we trust him…

Five Acts of Worship Noah Demonstrated that made GOD Smile

COMPLETELYTrusting GOD completely means having FAITH that He knows what is best for your life.

“He takes pleasure in those that honor Him; in those who trust in His constant love. (Psalms 147:11 TEV)

In what areas of your life do you need to trust GOD completely?

Trusting is an act of worship.

“Without faith it is impossible to please God.” (Hebrews 11:6)

3. God Smiles when we obey him…

Five Acts of Worship Noah Demonstrated that made GOD Smile

WHOLELY“Noah did everything exactly as GOD had commanded him.” (Genesis 6:22 NLT)

Noah obeyed completely (no instruction was overlooked), and he obeyed exactly (in the way and time GOD wanted it done). Wholeheartedness means doing whatever GOD asks without reservation or hesitation.

Obedience Understanding

“Obey him glady” (Psalm 100:2 LB)

“Just tell me what to do and I will do it, Lord. As long as I live I'll wholeheartedly obey.“ (Psalm 119:33 LB)

3. God Smiles when we obey him…

Five Acts of Worship Noah Demonstrated that made GOD Smile

WHOLELY"We please God by what we do and not only by what we believe.“ (James 2:24 CEV)

We can bring pleasure to GOD though Obedience, any act of obedience is also an act of worship.

Why is obedience so pleasing to God? Because it proves you really love him.

"If you love me, you will obey my commandments.” (John 14:15 TEV)

4. God Smiles when we praise and thank him…

Five Acts of Worship Noah Demonstrated that made GOD Smile

CONTINUALLY"Then Noah built an altar to the LORD ... and sacrificed burnt offerings on it.“ (Genesis 8:20 NIV).

“the sacrifice of praise“ (Hebrews 13:15 KJV) "the sacrifice of thanksgiving.” (Psalm 116:17 KJV).

"I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. This will please the LORD.“ (Psalm 69:30-31 NIV).

"The righteous are glad and rejoice in his presence; they are happy and shout for joy." (Psalm 68:3 TEV).

5. God Smiles when we use our abilities

Five Acts of Worship Noah Demonstrated that made GOD Smile

“Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth.... Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.” (Genesis 9:1,3 NIV).

"The steps of the godly are directed by the LORD. He delights in every detail of their lives." (Psalm 37:23 NLT).

"He has shaped each person in turn; now he watches everything we do." (Psalm 33:15 MSG).

"You have no right to argue with your Creator. You are merely a clay pot shaped by a potter: The clay doesn't ask, Why did you make me this way?” (Isaiah 45:9 CEV).

"God ... generously gives us everything for our enjoyment.“ (1 Timothy 6:17 TEV).

5. God Smiles when we use our abilities

Five Acts of Worship Noah Demonstrated that made GOD Smile

"He certainly knows what we are made of. He bears in mind that we are dust." (Psalm 103:14 GWT).

"More than anything else, however, we want to please him, whether in our home here or there." (2 Corinthians 5:9 TEV).

"The Lord looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who are wise, who want to please God.“ (Psalm 14:2 LB).

1. God Smiles when we love Him SUPREMELY2. God Smiles when we trust Him COMPLETELY3. God Smiles when we obey him WHOLEHEARTEDLY4. God Smiles when we praise and thank him

CONTINUALLY.5. God Smiles when we use our abilities

Five Acts of Worship Noah Demonstrated that made GOD Smile

Point to Ponder: God smiles when I trust him.

Verse to Remember: "The Lord is pleased with those who worship him and trust his love." Psalm 147:11 (CEV)

Question to Consider: Since God knows what is best, in what areas of my life do I need to trust him most?

DAY NINE THINKING ABOUT MY PURPOSE