Today's Scripture
"The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in God protects you from that." - Proverbs 29:25 MSG
Thoughts for Today
Tammy Webb-Witholt, daughter of missionary parents and author of Living Free's curriculum Lessons Learned: Moving from Homosexuality to Holiness, was a people-pleaser: "By the time I went to boarding school at age seven, I was infected with a case of the 'please-like-me's.' Each year this desire intensified, and by the third grade I had a chronic need for approval. The kids I lived with were from other mission organizations, and I was the clear outsider. They were determined to close me out of their tight-knit world. In response, I did everything in my power to earn their friendship. I even tried to buy their approval with the goodies I purchased with my weekly allowance. As the years passed, my methods of winning approval changed, but my need stayed the same."
As a young adult, Tammy tried to fulfill her need for approval by embracing the culture of the gay world. Eventually she returned to her faith and to the church, but even then found herself trying to please people. "I had been a sincere follower of Christ for more than ten years when a friend helped me see how my fear of rejection had crippled my progress. When will this ever end? I thought. I had grown so much in my knowledge of God's power and grace. Good grief, I was even a credentialed minister! How could I have missed this issue that loomed so large in my life? In the months and years that followed, I addressed my responses to past events that had led to my need for approval. As I discovered my worth in Christ, I began to step out in total obedience to him, making my choices according to his will—not according to what other people thought."
Consider this …
Where are you on the path toward learning to focus on pleasing Jesus rather than people?
This week we will be considering the importance of pleasing God, rather than men … and perhaps discover more than ever before our worth in Christ.
Father, I do want to please you … but I know that in some areas of my life, I am still ruled by a need to please people. Please help me to recognize those areas more clearly and to move toward being completely motivated in all I do by a desire to please you. In Jesus' name …
These thoughts were drawn from …
Lessons Learned: Moving from Homosexuality to Holiness by Tammy Webb-Witholt. This group study offers biblical tools, along with an abundance of hope, to anyone struggling with homosexuality. It is also a great group for anyone desiring a deeper walk with God. Note: This curriculum was written especially for small groups, and we encourage people to use it that way. However, it can also be used effectively as a personal study
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