From: Francis Harper
wbfrmsup@iowatelecom.net
Francis Harper Message for 8/16/2019
Pleasing God
“By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him; for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:5-6).
Our relationship with God begins with faith. Knowing that he is, is the first step toward pleasing him. The first step toward having a perfect knowledge of God is having “a desire to believe” (Alma 16:151). Who can say they have a perfect knowledge of God?
The attainment of a perfect knowledge of God is still a work in progress for most of us. Jesus expressed his displeasure with his disciples who were unable to cast out an evil spirit by saying, “O faithless generation!” Then Jesus said to the father of the child who was troubled with the evil spirit: “If thou wilt believe all things I shall say unto you, this is possible to him that believeth. And immediately the father of the child cried out, and said, with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief” (Mark 9:16, 20-21). This should be the prayer of all whose faith is not yet perfect.
“And so great was the faith of Enoch, that he led the people of God . . . and it came to pass in his days, that he built a city that was called the city of Holiness, even Zion . . . and lo! Zion in process of time was taken up into heaven” (Genesis 7:15, 25, 27 I.V.). Enoch’s City which was caught up into heaven is a type and shadow of those who “shall be caught up together into the clouds . . . to meet the Lord in the air” at the time of his second coming (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
The people of Enoch “were of one heart and of one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there were no poor among them” (Genesis 7:23 I.V.). If we who call ourselves the people of God today do not reach the standard set by the city of Enoch, it is highly unlikely that we will be among those who will be caught up to meet the Lord when he comes!
Becoming righteous as the people were in the days of Enoch, is still possible for us who live today, but we must not procrastinate, in our efforts to become zionic. “Have ye walked, keeping yourself blameless before God? . . . Behold are ye stripped of pride? I say unto you, if ye are not, ye are not prepared to meet God. Behold, ye must prepare quickly, for the Kingdom of heaven is soon at hand, and such an one hath not eternal life” (Alma 3:47, 50-51).
“For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him” (Hebrews 10:37-38).
But he who endures, “giving all diligence, adding to his faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; And to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity”; will “before his translation, be given this testimony, that he pleased God” (2 Peter 1:5-7; Hebrews 11:5).
Our Heavenly Father introduced his Son Jesus on at least four occasions, using these words: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3, Matthew 17, 3 Nephi 5 and Church History, Vol. 1, Pages 8-10). If we walk in the steps of Jesus, God will be well pleased with us also!
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Dear Ones,
I have selected thirty-one ways we can please God. One for each day of the months of thirty-one days. I challenge each of you to please God each day by reading and doing as each scripture suggests. During the shorter months it will be necessary to concentrate on more than one scripture on a few days. This exercise could be repeated each month. The quotes listed are paraphrased. Please read the references directly from the Scriptures.
Day 1 “Without faith it is impossible to please him” (Hebrews 11:6).
2 “I do always those things that please God” (John 8:29).
3 “Whosoever confesses me before men I will confess before my Father” (Matthew 10:28).
4 “. . . Nathanael, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” (John 1:47-51).
5 “God loveth a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).
6 “He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me” (John 14:21).
7 “A broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise” (Psalm 51:17).
8 “If any man serve me, him will my Father honor” (John 12:26).
9 “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
10 “Behold to obey is better than sacrifice . . .” (1 Samuel 15:22).
11 “The Lord looks to show himself strong to those with a perfect heart” (2 Chronicles 16:9).
12 “Joy shall be in heaven over one that repents” (Luke 15:7).
13 “Ye are bought with a price, therefore glorify God . . .” (1 Corinthians 6:20).
14 “He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).
15 “When a man’s ways please the Lord, he will have peace . . .” (Proverbs 16:7).
16 “So they that are after the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:8).
17 “Before his translation, Enoch had this testimony, that he pleased God” (Hebrews 11:5).
18 “They that feared the Lord and thought upon his name, shall be mine . . .” (Malachi 3:16-17).
19 “The Lord delighteth in the chastity of women” (Jacob 2:36).
20 “Your wives and children whose feelings are tender are pleasing to God” (Jacob 2:7).
21 Those who have the virtues listed in the beatitudes please the Lord (Matthew 5:3-13).
22 “Blessed are all they that hear the word of the Lord and do it” (Luke 11:29).
23 “To this man will I look, who has a contrite spirit” (Isaiah 66:2).
24 “Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord and walks in his ways” (Psalm 28:1).
25 “If my people humble themselves and pray, I will forgive their sin, and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).
26 “Blessed is the faithful servant who feeds the flock” (Luke 12:51).
27 “Be ye separate . . . and I will receive you” (2 Corinthians 6:17).
28 The people of Ammon, were distinguished for their zeal towards God . . . they were perfectly honest and upright in all things . . . they were a highly favored people” (Alma 15:31-35).
29 “For it is God which worketh in you . . . to do his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).
30 “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly” (Psalm 1).
31 “Such as are upright in their way are his delight” (Proverbs 11:20).
My Love to All,
High Priest Francis Harper
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