Today, while reading in Proverbs, I read a passage touching  thoughts that has been on my mind this week while pondering how we may bring gladness to God.  We know we cannot earn our salvation and that our life should be given to Him as a sacrifice as in Rom 12:1-2, that it is our reasonable service.  But, I wonder if there are things that bring a smile to God, that warms His heart. 

My first thoughts would be when we act like Him, when we allow His nature to flow through us.  That took me back to a passage in Proverbs I had read the day before yesterday:

Pro 23:15  My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine.  Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things.

The passage shows how a parent is happy when they see their child bring forth what they have taught them, when they show the nature they have instilled into them.  Since we are children of God, it only makes sense that God would take pleasure to see us walk in His nature, when we bring forth the fruits of the Spirit in our lives.

But Today, I read:

Pro 27:11  My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me.

I realized that this is a two-way street.  Not only can we bring gladness to His heart but at the same time, if we do not bring forth that which He has instilled in us, that we bring reproach to Him.  It does not have to be sin, but just in us not producing fruit of the Spirit when the need arises, we allow reproach to our Father.

Just some thoughts I have rolling around this week that I decided I would share.  Still working on them :)