The approval & acceptance of man

The desire that we have to be accepted is nothing new.  We have been seeking the approval of others since the disease of sin began in humanity.  As people we naturally seek to be liked and want the approval of others.  Yet so very often we do so while we disregard the most important acceptance and approval that exists, being accepted by God.

Here we have the example of this in the book of John, nothing new but plainly stated.  So often today people tell of how they need not be open to talk about Jesus and what He has done for them, because their life will show it.  I pray that is true for them, but most often this is used as an excuse by those who fear what people will do if they are open about their Faith.  In many ways this is a rather "faithless" reality for many.  

John 12:42, 43 ESV

"Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God."

http://bible.com/59/jhn.12.42.esv

We are not only to live a changed life because of Jesus but also we are to identify with Him first and not concern ourselves with the reality that the world will reject us.  Let us not be rejected because of our humanity, nor accepted because of it.  Rather let us be conformed to the image of our Lord Jesus and walk in fellowship with Him no matter what others think.

Will you identify yourself today with Jesus?

Pastor Bruce

The best thing you can do ...

Today I read a rather popular statement "the best gift a father can give his children is to love their mother", I think I have used similar statements in sermons and counselling etc...  It is posted around the web in a variety of forms and what I posted here is my version.  How wrong I have been to say such a thing.

You see this is not a true statement, though well intended it is not true.  The Truth is that the most important thing in a persons life should be their love for God, their relationship with the Almighty, their life as a disciple of Jesus.  So instead I think my sayings and teaching will be more like this...

The best gift a man can give to his wife is to love, honor  fear, respect, know, follow and submit to God through the person and work of Jesus, the one who is his Savior and Lord.  This is the best gift a man can give to his wife, children, friends, neighbors, co-workers, employers, business, community, Church, country, etc...

If a person walks and lives as a disciple of Jesus then they will follow His teaching and the instruction found in the Bible.  They will then treat people properly and manage their time and energy better.  We will never be perfect at it, if we could be then we would not need Jesus.  Instead Jesus through His perfection has enabled us to live desiring to follow Him and be like Him, recognizing our failures and repenting of them a swe continue forward.

Your life is to be wholly and completely submitted to Jesus. You are to live for Him and you are to be directed by His Word so that you can grow and mature to be the person that God has designed you to be.  

Let us be people who follow God and His Word, and not depart from it to create our own ways.

Lord help me to be the man you designed me to be so that I can follow you with a greater degree of humility and obedience.  I pray that my life as directed by You will have a positive imprint on those who are around me.  Thank you Lord for transforming me by the Grace given through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Amen

Pastor Bruce