What is your ambition?

II Corinthians 5:9--Therefore we make it our aim(ambition), whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.

     In the context of this passage the words present and absent deal with our physical position on this earth.  If we are absent, we are physically dead; if present, we are alive and well.  In both scenario's, Paul states that it is His aim(ambition) to be well pleasing to the Master.  It is obvious to say, that once in Heaven our whole-hearted desire will be to please Him, but what about our time here on earth?  Is it our ambition to please Him now, while living?  Do we consider our actions and ponder His perspective of us?  Today, I would like to give you three areas you can practice, knowing that by doing so, you are pleasing Him.

     Have faith.  Hebrews 11:6 says, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."  Not only must we believe that God is God and able to do all things, we must also believe that He will reward those who diligently seek Him.  Jesus states in Luke 18:8b, "...when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth."  Do you have genuine faith in Christ?  That He can provide all of your needs?  Do you spend time worrying and fretting, or trusting and waiting?  By having faith, you can be assured that you are pleasing Him.

     Don't be entangled.  II Timothy 2:4 says, "No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier."  Our commander has enlisted us as His soldiers.  To be effective, we must not allow the things of this world to weigh us down and choke out our life.  Hebrews 12:1 tells us to,"... lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and run with endurance the race that is set before us." Luke 8:14 explains that the cares of this world, the desire for riches and the pleasures of life can choke out our growth.  To please Him, we must submit to His directing, allowing Him to aid us in being whole-hearted disciples.

     Obedience.  John 8:28-29 says, "Then Jesus said to them, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.'" Jesus always pleased the Father, by always doing what God desired.  Jesus did nothing of Himself, but only what He was directed to do.  As we listen for the leading of God through His Word and prayer, we are to follow.  Its not our will, but His be done.  He must increase as Lord and we must decrease.  Understanding that the standard of perfection is unattainable continually, we must be quick to ask forgiveness and turn from those sins.  By doing so, the Father will be pleased, knowing we are desiring to stay in constant communion with Him. 

     May it be our continual ambition to please the Father in all that we do.