Let’s have a moment of honesty here, how much time, effort and energy do we spend trying to become worthy in the eyes of other humans? Are we desperately seeking the approval of man or of God? In Day 10 called, “Glory Seeker,” the authors spell out the striking difference between the Pharisees and Jesus. While the religious built their whole lives on becoming powerful influencers, “… Jesus wasn’t seeking approval, nor did He need to be liked. Instead, He sought the lost and liked the needy.” (p 52) As always, Jesus lives life from the inside out vs we humans who attempt to live it from the outside in. Jesus is not looking for anyone to give Him value. He already is secure in His Identity. Sadly, we humans though, do not know who we are…and even more distressing, we believers do not know Whose we are. If we did, we would already have a profound sense of worth which would free us from this deep-seeded need to prove our value to those in this fading world. If we really believed God loves us, we would stop seeking man’s praise and joyfully live in God’s approval.
If we say we believe in Christ, but are ashamed of living like we believe, are we saved? This is another example of the devastating deception choosing to live for man’s approval can cause. Yet our worth does not, should not, and cannot come from other humans. Our worth comes only from the fact that God chooses to love us. The authors quote some sad verses from John 12 in which some religious leaders understood what Jesus was saying, and even claimed to believe in Him, yet because they did not want to lose any of their earthly status, position or power, they kept their mouths shut about Him. (see Jn 12:42-43) The authors state, “The tragedy of that can’t be overstated. Men who had spent their entire lives studying the Word of God, willfully rejected His Son because of what their peers would say or do. They chose their self-indulgent system over a life-giving faith for one reason and one reason only: they were addicted to human praise.” (pp 52-53) Oh my Friends, let us never follow in those sorrowful footsteps. It is God who grants us worth, and God alone who is worthy of our whole heart, soul, body and lives.
2023’s Got A Minute? Book Club
January: The First & Best Book Ever: The Bible
February: Love Is In the Air: “The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts” by Gary Chapman
March: Spring Growth: “Secrets of the Vine” by Bruce Wilkinson
April: Living the Resurrected Life: “The Wonderful Spirit Filled Life” by Dr Charles Stanley
May: My Spiritual Mom: “Making Good Habits Breaking Bad Habits” by Joyce Meyer
June: Spiritual Dad: “It’s Not About Me- Rescue from the Life We Thought Would Make Us Happy” by Max Lucado
July: Financial Freedom “Complete Guide to Money” by Dave Ramsey
August: Summer’s Soul Restorer “A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23” by W Phillip Keller
September: Covering Our Children: “Prayers for the Prodigals” by James Banks
October: Reformation of Our Hearts: “Grace: More Than We Deserve, Greater Than We Imagine” by Max Lucado
November: So Thankful To Be Chosen: “The Chosen 40 Days with Jesus Book One, Book Two & Book Three” by Amanda Jenkins, Kristen Hendricks and Dallas Jenkins
<>< Peace, Diane
