What’s Pleasing to God... By Ray Orozco

Well a very important man in my life taught me something by reminding me it's all about the heart. In Hebrews 11:6 it says "and without faith it is impossible to please GOD, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him". It's about the how and why we do things, not the fact that we do things. We can be busy "about the Father's work" and still not be pleasing to him. As is said in Matthew 7:22,23 "many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord did we not prophesy in your name, and your name drive out demons and perform many miracles? 'then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you, away from me, you evil-doers!"

We must walk in faith with a surrendered heart, a heart open to the leading of the spirit. As said we must believe that he exists, having believed this we must also believe that his work must be done in his time and in a manner glorifying to him, no matter what the circumstances. As you all know by now Pouring Out Hope Ministries is building a school house / multipurpose facility in Manadero, Mexico. John and I believe that it is God's purpose to minister to the least of these, so we embarked on a project to do this very thing. The Lord gathered support around us, we made plans and set date and hired two teachers. This all sounds like God size work right, but his word says something else:

Romans 13:1-7

^“1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. ²Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. ³For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. ⁴For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. ⁵Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. ⁶This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. ⁷Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.”

The only thing that had not been done was to submit ourselves to the governing authorities. So God's work must be done his way not ours. We can't go ahead and do, then get caught and have to ask forgiveness for that would reflect poorly on God. All this to say that may 18^th John, Eric, and I went to see the "Delgado Municipal" municipal delegate to gain his permission and blessing knowing full well that he could say no. However if we go forth in faith, with a surrendered heart believing that God has sent us then God is pleased. The good news is that God went before us and cleared the path. We have the authority and blessing to move forward without fear and more than that if anyone does question our undertaking we were directed to tell them to see the "Delgado Municipal" and he or his assistant would tell that with his authority that we build. Praise God he clears our path, he is our rear guard, he is our mighty fortress. Praise God!!!! Praise God!!!!!!

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