 Meditation Proverbs 16:7--When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Pleasing God is a ticket to success and favor. But how do we please Him? In studying Scripture, there are at least twelve principles or ways that bring His favor.
1. Obey Him and keep His commands; act justly, love faithfulness, walk humbly; blameless—Numbers 14:8,9; 1 Kings 3:9,10; Proverbs 11:10; Isaiah 56:4; Micah 6:8 2. Seek His guidance (prayer) and help—1 Ki. 22:5; Psalm 40:13 3. Faithfully and wholeheartedly serve Him—2 Ki. 20:3; 1 Chronicles 17:27, 28:4; Ephesians 6:6; 1 Thessalonians 2:4 4. Do what is wise and right and share; kindness and truth—1 Ch. 29:17; Pro. 3:3, 8:35; Malachi 2:17; Hebrews 13:15 5. Praise and worship Him—Psa. 69:30,31; Daniel 4:2,3 6. Repent of sin—Jeremiah 34:15 7. Put God before self—Haggai 1:8,9, Romans 15:1,3 8. Follow His will—John 8:29; 1 Corinthians 7:32 9. Put our faith in Him—1 Co. 1:21; Heb. 11:5,6 10. Children who obey and care for their parents—Colossians 3:20; 1 Timothy 5:4 11. Abstain from sexual immorality—1 Th. 4:2-7 12. Pray, intercede, and give thanksgiving for everyone—1 Ti. 2:1-3 How do we displease Him? Here are three direct reasons. 1. Lame sacrifices—Malachi 1:8 2. Sin—Rom. 8:8; 1 Co. 10:5 3. Wrong priorities—Galatians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:4 Pleasing God does not mean we will not suffer—suffering is universal. But when our lifestyle and plans are committed to pleasing Him, His favor is never far away. Pleasing God brings peace and understanding, the ability to weather adversity, to be longsuffering with short-tempered people, and to experience the satisfaction of knowing that no matter what life throws at us, we are still on course. Something to think about . . . in reveration. Inspiration We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.—C.S. Lewis in The Weight of Glory ©2026 Daniel York. ARR. Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause. To receive these devotionals, go to www.firstcause.org and click the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box. Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed, subject to the inclusion of this copyright notice. Ecclesiastes 12:10—"The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.” (Holman CSB)
1 Comment
6/12/2025 0 Comments He Couldn't Handle Success
3/19/2025 2 Comments Overflowing Hope
11/19/2024 0 Comments Hidden Things
2/17/2024 1 Comment How Does a Little Child . . . ?
4/23/2023 1 Comment Because of His Majesty
11/7/2022 1 Comment Salvation with Fear and Trembling Salvation is a free gift received by a heart that recognizes sin, takes responsibility for it through confession and repentance, and then places one’s faith in God’s Son, Jesus Christ, that He is Lord and the only One capable of sacrificing His life to pay the debt of sin, forgiving transgressions so that all who place their faith in Him might experience eternal life with Him.
3/6/2022 0 Comments Busted
9/30/2020 0 Comments The Return
9/2/2020 0 Comments Two Sides of Belonging
7/3/2020 1 Comment Sharing Hope
12/24/2019 1 Comment Johnny's Christmas
4/19/2019 1 Comment Confession Liturgy Sarah Tegtmeier (Dan York's daughter) with her family L-R Jadon, Luca, Leili, Mark, Simeon Meditation
Psalm 85:15--But You, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in faithful love and truth 3/26/2019 0 Comments Frustration Have you ever been frustrated by something that should work and doesn’t? For the last several months I’ve had a rotten time trying to charge my phone. I purchased several charging cords but the connection always seemed to be an issue to the point where many times I would have to hold the phone and firmly push the cord to get a steady charge. I was just about to take the phone into the store and replace it when I had an idea. Taking a pin I probed the cavity where the cord connected and immediately all kinds of dirt and matted hair began to come loose. Honestly, I felt pretty foolish—no wonder the phone was not properly charging—it was plugged up with debris.
12/1/2018 0 Comments Apology Accepted Mary was in the process of leaving physical therapy in her car in a parking lot. She looked to her right and saw nothing but didn’t look to her left. As she began to pull out the oncoming driver laid on the horn letting Mary know her displeasure. Mary quickly realized her mistake and put up her arms to acknowledge her error and rolling down her window told the other driver, “I’m sorry.”
Later as Mary was pulling into a fast-food restaurant she noticed the woman she had almost cut off was in line in front of her. When it came time for Mary to drive up to the window and pay for her food the attendant said the woman in front had paid for her meal! Jim Downing wrote in his book, The Other Side of Infamy, an amazing account of forgiveness. This 104 year-old survivor of Pearl Harbor shared how in 1953 he met Mitsuo Fuchida, the Japanese commander who led the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor and, who after the war, became a Christian. It was exceedingly hard for Jim to forgive Fuchida after losing so many shipmates. But he forgave him because it was the right thing to do.
Meditation Matthew 6:12—And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 5/21/2017 0 Comments More WillpowerMeditation
2 John 6—And this is love: that we walk according to His commands. This is the command as you have heard it from the beginning: you must walk in love. The first Biblical reference to love God is recorded in Exodus 20:6. Moses teaches the Israelites to keep God’s commands and thereby demonstrate their love for Him. So, when John defines love in his letter to his readers, he is not sharing with them a new concept. But, as we all know, it is hard to walk in love with God. How do we strengthen willpower to be better God-lovers and, in the process, improve loving others and ourselves? 9/17/2010 0 Comments ExplanationWhen I was in Junior High School, Billy Graham came to Seoul, Korea. I was able to sit on a platform not far from where the speakers stood and take pictures. At the time (early 1970’s), it was the largest Billy Graham Crusade ever. Looking behind the platform there on Yoido Island there was an immense sea of people. Dr. Graham explained to this spiritually hungry audience the meaning of the gospel. He quoted John 3:16, read other Bible passages, and outlined in simple terms God’s plan of salvation. Hundreds of thousands of Koreans stood and moved forward when he gave an invitation. Countless faces were wet with tears of repentance. Perhaps heaven’s citizens stood and cheered as they watched this grand spectacle.
8/16/2010 0 Comments LenienceThank God we are not a heap of ashes! 1. Do you know people who believe the Old Testament God is exceedingly harsh and not the same New Testament God? 2. Have you ever done something so bad there was just no way you thought God would forgive you? 3. Do you know someone who has committed some disgusting sin and Christians will have nothing to do with that person despite his or her repentance?
10/17/2008 0 Comments Prayer Walk ReportMeditation
Ephesians 6:18—Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. Dear Readers, This Reveration I want to share something special—instead of a devotional, below is a first hand report written by David Joel, our Nigerian brother and recently appointed international leader for our Prayer Walks. I believe you will be blessed by his sharing just as our team is blessed. |
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