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Pleasing God, Pleasing Others!!!

I write a lot of things that have to do with ourselves and other people. And this is because of the society we live in today. There is a lot of stress and peer pressure out in the world. Our friends, our employers, even our families place desires and needs upon us, and if we don't stop and take a moment to determine what God would have us to do, we would continually find ourselves striving to please everyone around us while neglecting our Lord. Many times we will have to make a choice between pleasing God and pleasing those around us. As important as it is to strive for good relations with others, it is even more important to maintain a steadfast and obedient relationship with Christ. Disobeying God to keep peace with other people is never wise. Peace with God is always paramount. Even the apostle Paul new this to be true:

"Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10 NIV.

Our Lord Jesus warned that obeying Him might cause division in our relationships (Matt. 10:35-36). If Paul's primary goal had been to please others, he would never have become an apostle of Jesus. Paul went completely against the wishes of his colleagues in order to obey Christ.

At times, obedience to God can even set family members at odds with each other. When you follow Jesus' Lordship, your family may misunderstand, or even oppose you, but still your obedience to God reflects your identity as His child. Jesus told us that those who obey His will are His brothers and sisters (Luke 8:21). Let's not misunderstand, God does not intend to divide the home, but He places obedience before domestic harmony.

It is important to get alone in quietness with God so that we understand what pleases Him. The world's thinking will mislead us more easily when we are not clear about what God desires. It broke Peter's heart to know that the opinion of a servant girl had mattered more to him than the approval of his Lord! If the desire to appease others tempts you to compromise what you know God wants you to do, learn from Peter's mistake. Determine that you will please your Lord regardless of the opinions of others.

May God richly bless you today!!! H Trent!

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