Lord, have you noticed that I'm trying to please you more these days? That sermon on stewardship really made me think and you'll be glad that I'm giving more money as an offering now. But it's more than that, I want to give to you in other ways too. have you noticed that I'm trying to please you more these days? That sermon on stewardship really made me think and you'll be glad that I'm giving more money as an offering now. But it's more than that, I want to give to you in other ways too.

What do you think about my voluntary work? I really feel that I'm doing something worthwhile to help other people and at the same time I get something out of it too. I feel that I'm beginning to understand more about loving my neighbour these days, and I'm trying harder to overlook their faults and not let myself become so touchy or irritated. I'm learning to be patient and to forgive.

Father, I hope that you are pleased with these changes in me, you know how hard I'm trying. I feel that life is so short and when it's over I hope that I'll be good enough to get to heaven and hear you say,---Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:2I).

My child, it pleases me to see that you are changing and are thinking more about others than yourself. It is right that you should want to please me by your good deeds because all these good impulses come from me in the first place. I am glad that your spirit is responding in this way and I long to teach you more.

You believe in your head that Jesus Christ died for you but now I am going to reveal its deeper meaning to your heart! I say this because it is important to understand. It is good that you want to follow the example of Jesus by doing good as he would do, but try as you may, you will never be able to keep all of my commandments as he did.

You see all have sinned and all fall short of perfection (Romans 3:22.23), and because I am a Holy God I cannot countenance even the smallest sin. The only way that Heaven can be entered is by faith and that is why I sent my Son. Be encouraged by these words, "God took the sinless Christ and poured into him our sins. Then in exchange he poured God's goodness into us" (2 Corinthians 5:2I).

If you truly believe this then you will know in your heart that Jesus is your Saviour, the one who saves you from a lost eternity. Now you know why it is written, "What can we boast about doing to earn our salvation? Nothing at all. Why? Because our acquittal is not based on our good deeds; it is based on what Christ has done and our faith in him. So it is that we are saved by faith in Christ and not by the good things we do" (Romans 3:27.28).

My dear child, I would have you know that I consider you to be a good servant because you are willing to co-operate with the good that I have placed within you and if you allow me, I will deepen the faith of your heart and lead you to fullness of spirit as you walk with me day by day.

Stay with me ... and I will show you the way.