What Makes God Smile? · Apr 30, 12:22 PM

The thing that makes me happiest in the world, the one thing that I live for is to see Debbie smile. Her smile lights up a room and lights up my heart.

When I was in Brazil for six weeks in the summer of 2005, and she was going through testing for breast cancer, we would meet in a chat room with a web cam every day for sometimes as much as two or three hours. The sound quality was poor, but I could see her face, and I made it my mission to try to put a smile on her face, through humor and teasing and loving words. It always lifted me up to see her smiling, and it still does. My current mission in life is to find out what makes Debbie smile.

With this in mind, it was very easy for me to relate to chapter 9 in the Purpose-Driven Life, “What Makes God Smile?” I am in TN this week, busy putting a smile on Debbie’s face, so I will not be able to meet with anyone to discuss the PDL. However, if any of you are interested, let me know and we can try to set it up for next week. Since we are not in classes, we can meet anywhere or anytime next week, just let me know.

Below is a summary of the high points of Chapter 9, “What Makes God Smile?”

May the Lord smile upon you… (Numbers 6:25).

Smile upon me, your servant: teach me the right way to live… (Psalms 119:135)

THE SMILE OF GOD IS THE GOAL OF YOUR LIFE.

God smiles when we love him supremely.
Jesus: And he answered and said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:27).

God smiles when we trust him completely.
PRO 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding. (6) In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.”

God smiles when we obey him wholeheartedly.
St. James said, “We please God by what we do, and not only what we believe” (James 2:24).
Jesus said, “If you love me, obey my commandments” (John 14:15).

God smiles when we thank him continually.
1TH 5:18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
PHI 4:6-7: Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

God smiles when we use our abilities.
Psalm 33:15: “He shaped each person in turn, now he watches what we do.”
St. Paul: “And since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let each exercise them accordingly…” (Romans 12:6)

Point to Ponder: God smiles when I trust him.

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

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

Thanks all! I have this study also posted on my blog at http://www.friends4thejourney.com/ if you want to go there and make a comment. I’ll also try to post it on myspace: www.myspace.com/josenmiami

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