Let me as a question. Do you care what people think of you? If you're normal - you do. My flesh is always seeking approval of people. And I hate that. I keep hearing how people are or have been disappointed in me or you or whoever - and the buck stops here. It doesn't matter what people think of me! It doesn't matter what people think of you! It ONLY matters what GOD thinks of me! And everything I do from here on out - I do ONLY for the Lord. I'm sick of getting down on myself when I hear that so-and-so is dissapointed or aggrivated with me. If you're reading this, you may be thinking that I'm mad at people. I'm not. I'm mad at myself for letting myself be governed by what people think of me. I'm sick of working for the approval of men - and I shall do so no longer. Seem radical? Seem a bit angered or over-the-edge?

Read 1Thess. 2:4-6
⁴On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. ⁵You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. ⁶We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else.

God's opinion is really the only one that matters. So, can I put my head to rest at night, knowing I've done everything for the Lord? That's the question. I do not any longer seek praise or compliments from people. I only seek approval from God.

Finally, I leave you all with another scripture.

Galations 1:10
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.

If I seek to please men, I am no longer a servant of Christ. I will not let that happen to me - don't you let that happen to you.

In Christ Alone,
Pastor Elgin