Whose Approval Do You Crave, God or man?

Approval

Change your perceptions, and your emotions will follow.

There are three lessons from this directive by Paul. First, love the gospel we first heard and let nothing replace it, no matter how good the alternative sounds. Second, walk in the wide space (in Christ) that God has given to us. Third, thank God because he planted us in Christ, enables us to grow in grace, and strengthens us as we do.

God is looking for some men and women in Christ who will wake up and serve Him walking through a valley, climbing a mountain, wading through deep waters, stepping through fire – or even carrying a cross up a lonely hill. How many today are willing to step out and renew an alert, awakened heart to Christ? Or perhaps, to wake from your sleep and give your heart to Jesus who walked up the hill called Calvary to die in your place.

Romans 12:2 King James Version And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

2 Cor 10:3-6 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.”

“Although there may be tragedy in your life, there's always a possibility to triumph. It doesn't matter who you are, where you come from. The ability to triumph begins with you. Always.” by Oprah Winfrey

Patience. The very word can cause us to roll our eyes. That's because when we think of patience, we think of waiting. And we don't like to wait. But it seems as though we're always waiting for something. Waiting for a certain thing to happen, for one thing to begin, and another to end. Waiting for more time or more money. Waiting for our marriage to get better, or for our spouse to change. Waiting for the kids to grow up. Waiting for our prayers to be answered. Waiting can be painful and difficult—especially when it comes to our need for change in marriage. But God says that waiting is good. That's because it produces patience in us. The apostle Paul tells us that patience is one of the fruits of the Spirit—in other words, patience is a byproduct of God's work within us. He describes it as "longsuffering" (Galatians 5:22, NKJV), a word that, according to Webster's dictionary, means "long and patient enduring of injury, trouble, or provocation.

Christ is the King of Glory. He is the One who ascends into the Presence of the Lord. Only He has perfectly fulfilled the Law in perfect righteousness. Christ, who went to the cross and defeated our two greatest enemies: Sin and death!

God has all of eternity to lavish his kindness on us (Ephesians 2:7). As he has promised, “No eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). And I am convinced that the less earthly pleasure and reward we have received, the greater our pleasure and reward will be in heaven. If you are struggling today, remember God has not forgotten you. He has engraved you on the palms of his hands (Isaiah 49:15–16). He will never fail you or forsake you. He will walk with you through every dark valley. The God who has numbered every hair on your head and knows every sparrow that falls to the ground is aware of every detail of your situation. He is using your suffering and pain in ways you would not believe if someone told you. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. (1 Peter 5:10)