What Pleases God Most

WEBVTT

00:00:00.869 --> 00:00:08.470
Mary Schlesser arrived in Kalabar, Nigeria in 1876. She was young and single and determined to love people well.

00:00:08.470 --> 00:00:55.106
She learned the ethic language and moved into the community she served. She was warned about the people in that region who believed in the traditional West African religion and had many superstitions. She discovered one particularly heartbreaking custom. Twins were viewed as a curse. Some were abandoned and others were were the victims of infanticide. Instead of turning away, Mary opened her door and her arms. She began sheltering and raising those little ones and standing up for their mothers. She championed justice while showing mercy to those she ministered to. Could one small life really shift a whole community story? Welcome to Daily Devotions for Busy Lives.

00:00:55.106 --> 00:01:13.566
I'm Bart Léger. You know, we live in a world that's quick to talk about success and recognition, but God defines greatness differently. Micah 6, verse 8 gives us the summary of a life that honors God's heart.

00:01:08.427 --> 00:01:22.587
Know, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what He requires of you, to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

00:01:23.117 --> 00:01:27.486
That's it. That's the standard.

00:01:23.117 --> 00:02:15.806
I mean, it's not complicated, but I think it's deeply challenging for many of us because it's not about earning His favor. It's instead about reflecting His character. Over the years, Mary earned the trust of the Ethic people. Local leaders invited her to help mediate disputes, and the British eventually appointed her to the native court, effectively a magistrate, so she could protect the vulnerable with both compassion and authority. The old twin-killing practice began to recede where she served, as Mary partnered with chiefs and new believers to change the hearts and habits. Her legacy in Okoyong still includes statues of her carrying twins, and modern scholars note that she worked alongside local heroes who also helped end the practice.

00:02:16.727 --> 00:02:25.806
That's what honoring the heart of God looks like. Daily faithfulness in ordinary places.

00:02:20.546 --> 00:02:52.507
Micah 6, verse 8 gives us three clear calls. Number one, do what is right. That means standing up for what's true, even when it costs something. Number two, love mercy. Not just show mercy, but love it. Extend grace to others as freely as God has extended it to you. And then thirdly, walk humbly with your God. That means remembering who the hero of the story really is.

00:02:48.356 --> 00:02:52.507
It's not you or me. It's Him.

00:02:53.056 --> 00:03:16.387
And then Hebrews 11, 6 reminds us, And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists, and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him. Faith means trusting that God's way, even when it's slower or doesn't make sense to us, is always best.

00:03:16.847 --> 00:03:25.516
Here's today's challenge. Ask God to show you one small way you can live out Micah 6 today.

00:03:21.037 --> 00:03:29.336
It might be speaking up for someone who doesn't have a voice.

00:03:25.516 --> 00:03:39.296
Or it might be forgiving someone who hurt you. Or it might just be walking humbly, letting go of pride, and choosing obedience.

00:03:34.317 --> 00:03:43.817
Remember, faithfulness in small things honors the heart of God.

00:03:39.296 --> 00:03:50.461
Heavenly Father, thank you for showing us what's good and doing what's right, and loving mercy and walking humbly with you.

00:03:47.317 --> 00:04:11.480
Help us reflect your heart in our words, in our choices, and in our relationships. When life feels complicated, bring us back to simple obedience. In Jesus' name, amen. Thanks for joining me today on Daily Devotions for Busy Lives. Remember, God's definition of success isn't what you achieve, it's how closely your life reflects His heart.

00:04:12.131 --> 00:04:20.011
Come back next time for more encouragement to help you live grounded in God's truth. Until then, God bless, and have a great day.