Reflecting God ~ Embrace Holy Living ~ Tuesday, 22 October 2013 ~ “Desiring God’s Approval” Galatians 1

Reflecting God ~ Embrace Holy Living ~ Tuesday, 22 October 2013 ~ “Desiring God’s Approval”

Galatians 1:1 Paul, an emissary (not from men, nor through man, but through Yeshua the Messiah, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead), 2 and all the brothers* who are with me, to the assemblies of Galatia: 3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father, and our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, 4 who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us out of this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father— 5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

6 I marvel that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Messiah to a different “good news”; 7 and there isn’t another “good news.” Only there are some who trouble you, and want to pervert the Good News of Messiah. 8 But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should proclaim to you any “good news” other than that which we preached to you, let him be cursed. 9 As we have said before, so I now say again: if any man preaches to you any “good news” other than that which you received, let him be cursed. 10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? For if I were still pleasing men, I wouldn’t be a servant of Messiah.(Messianic WEB)

“Desiring God’s Approval” by Kerry Willis

My Bible college professor, Rev. Charles Baldwin, greatly influenced my preaching. His countenance demanded public respect. His passion inspired personal reflection. One of the books Rev. Baldwin required his students to read had the most interesting title of any book I have ever owned, Loving God and Disturbing Men.* The author, Donald A. Leggett, deserves rave review for the book cover alone.

Often since those early days of ministry preparation, I have had to practically battle that title. Though the decision to simply love the Lord while profoundly disturbing the listeners should be an obvious one for a preacher to make, it does not happen automatically. Most people do not prefer to be rejected by the people in their lives. Preachers are no different.

What keeps a preacher loyal to God and God’s Word? Here are two right answers: (1) Desiring God’s approval, personally, and (2) desiring that the people hearing the messages will find God’s approval too.”. . .training them for a life that has God’s approval”(2 Timothy 3:16, GW). To be approved of God or to be applauded by people, that is the question.

* Loving God and Disturbing Men: Preaching from the Prophets by Donald A. Leggett (Toronto: Clements Publishing Group, 2003).

Hymn for Today:

“A Charge To Keep I Have” by Charles Wesley

1. A charge to keep I have, 

a God to glorify,

a never-dying soul to save,

and fit it for the sky.

2. To serve the present age,

my calling to fulfill;

O may it all my powers engage

to do my Master's will!

3. Arm me with jealous care,

as in thy sight to live,

and oh, thy servant, Lord,

prepare a strict account to give!

4. Help me to watch and pray,

and on thyself rely,

assured, if I my trust betray,

I shall forever die.

Thought for Today:

“To become known as a servant of Christ and the community of faith is the only honor we should seek”(Judith A. Schwanz).

Prayer Needs:

Many people in Puerto Rico will come to know Jesus the Christ (Yeshua the Messiah) and receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

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