INTRODUCTION

Mankind’s list of rules for pleasing God has become increasingly invasive upon the lives of those affected by such man-made decrees. Yet, the reality is that God most desires for man to trust Him in the present (through faith) as well as in the future (through hope). The Lord is well pleased when an individual chooses to place all of his hopes solely upon the Lord and upon His word. Simply put, man was created for only one purpose—to please the One who brought him into this world in the first place (Revelation 4:11Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
See All...). This single purpose is impossible to fulfil without faith (Hebrews 11:6But 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.
See All...) and hope in the Lord (Psalm 147:11The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.
See All...). The Lord promised that He would one day return for His church. Placing all of one’s faith and hope upon that promise (of the Lord’s return) demonstrates an unfailing love for the Lord!

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): The centurion had hope in the Lord and His word. He knew Jesus could heal his sick servant but wanted Jesus to just speak from where He was instead of coming to his house. Read the compliment that Jesus gave to him (Matthew 8:5-10 [5] And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, [6] And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. [7] And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. [8] The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. [9] For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. [10] When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
  See All..., 13).
• (For everyone): Why is it that hope is so important to the Lord? What message does hope send to the Lord? What does it suggest when a believer loses hope?
• Do you desire to please the Lord? Look up some Bible verses that talk about pleasing God. What did you learn from those verses?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask the Lord to teach you the importance of hope.
• Ask God to help you to please Him.

HYMN

IS YOUR ALL ON THE ALTAR?

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