There's Power & Safety in Honoring God...
Tuesday, July 20, 2010 at 5:36PM 
Greetings, Dear Friends!
And to those visiting, I say welcome! I post every Wednesday and my sole purpose is to nourish your soul along the way. Each month I give away a $10.00 Starbucks gift card to someone who posts on my blog. So leave a comment, share a story or insight, and just maybe you'll win a jolt of java for you and a friend!
Now on to my topic...
Over the past several weeks, I've mentioned my new radio show, Live the Promise with Susie Larson which launched in June (airs noon to 1:00 CST every Saturday). My guest last Saturday was author, speaker, and mighty man of God, R.T. Kendall. We had a powerful conversation about the things of God, and we talked about his new book, "The Lord's Prayer" ((For more information on my show, go to: www.faith900.com )) To listen to my interview with R.T., go to: R.T. Kendall Interview...
Prior to recording each show, I ask my guests to send me a verse that is especially close to their hearts. R.T. Kendall chose the following verse:
No wonder you can't believe! For you gladly honor each other but you don't care about the honor that comes from the One who alone is God (John 5:44).
In other words, how can you possibly have a right perspective of God when you have such a wrong perspective of others' opinions? How can you have faith in an Almighty God when you put more stock in the praises of men? As long as you live for the applause and accolades of this world, you will miss out on what it means to participate in the divine nature of Christ (See 2 Peter 1:4 and Romans 1:20).
If we want our lives to really count, really make an impact, our egos and constant need for approval must die.
I love this verse: I've been crucified with Christ and it's no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself up for me (Galatians 2:20). That says it all, don't you think?
During the interview, R.T. Kendall shared how this verse put the fear of God in him. He determined, for the rest of his life, not to play to the praises of men. R.T. is after the blessing and honor that comes from God alone. He doesn't want anything to stand in the way of God's highest and best plan for him. He truly believes that by caring too much about the opinions of man, he will diminish God's influence in his life. And He is absolutely right.
I often reference this passage from Proverbs 29:25...
The fear of MAN is a snare (or a trap), but the fear of God brings safety (or freedom).
Scripture says that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom (see Psalm 111:10). To fear God is just to begin to understand how big He really is.
Scripture says that when we humble ourselves under the power of the Most High God, He will lift us up and honor us in due time (see 1 Peter 5:6). Imagine.
Everywhere you look in Scripture, you find that our greatest place is to live humbly before the Lord. It's in that place where we find safety, freedom, provision, and even honor and strength. Be encouraged as you read the Word, God loves us so much; He even wants to honor us! Imagine that! But His glory must be safe with us.
Read this wonderful quote from the devotional, "Streams in the Desert"
There's no limit to what God can do through you provided you do not seek your own glory."
And this is from the devotional "God Calling"
I will set you on high because you have known My Name, but it must be a purified you to be so exalted."
Take a step back this week from the need to be noticed, recognized, or acknowledged by man. Don't be too quick to eat up the praises of men, and don't be too quick to be defeated by their criticisms. God is present in the company of the righteous. He is with you. Care about what He thinks. Honor Him above all else. Humble yourself before Him and in due time, you will see Him do great things in and through you.
Have a blessed, humble, powerful week.
Reader Comments (22)
Again Thank you,Christy Mitchell
Christians feeding on approval seems to start one of those snow balls that rolls down a hill and then continues to consume everything in it's path until it hits the wall and leaves everything in it's path decimated.
Sometimes the approval chain reminds me of some kind of large corporation in which you are not accepted until you get recognition for your own ideas, your own work, your own strength.
So, instead of us taking a stand on this issue, let's promise to bow our heads and stay on our knees awhile...
Great to be reading your blog again Susie, I was away for awhile and glad to be back.
I'm so happy you've started your radio shows (it's been wonderful listening to your podcasts on road trips!)
Know that you're in my prayers daily. Your ministry is a treasured blessing.
Thanks for the note; not sure what you mean. :) Can you clarify? I paraphrased the Proverbs verse in my post. I read what you wrote above and couldn't make sense of it. Can you try again? Thanks so much.God bless you!
Thanks so much for your wonderful note. I'm so grateful that God is speaking to you through the 'Uncommon' book. May God's Spirit continue to accompany the words you read and may He redeem you in ways you never dreamed possible! Keep looking up; keep pursuing His presence; and keep hanging on to the promises of God. You will be victorious!In Christ~Susie
I think you may be right; the approval trap is a significant snare for many in the Body of Christ. I don't think we comprehend how deeply it affects our decisions and time investments. Next week I'll be blogging on the idea that anything done apart from faith is a sin; and anything done to validate ourselves will burn up; we stand and serve because of our righteousness in Christ; and when we live in response to that reality, we bear fruit that lasts. Hmmm. Such an important truth.God bless you!
Thanks for your post. You identified yet another huge benefit of dying to the need for approval: PEACE! Great word! And so true! He will keep in perfect peace whose mind is stayed upon HIM! Excellent word. Thanks for sharing! Bless you~
Thanks so much for your kind words (and even more so for your prayers). I truly appreciate them. There's a good chance that the show will move to a daily-live format this fall. Please keep the process in your prayers if you think of it. And may we all live free from the snare of others' opinions. :) Thanks again, and God bless you!
25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare,but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.
I see in your blog that you wrote: "The fear of God is a snare (trap)...."
Look up the verse again...the fear of man is a snare, not the fear of God....
I finished The Uncommon Woman this week, powerful! I'm planning on re-reading the first chapters again to make sure I don't miss a thing!
Nice to hear from you! (I know I owe you an email regarding our next phone appointment - I'll get to it within the next couple of days!). You are like all of us. Without realizing it, we can so subtly slip into the fear of man but what we forget is that we cannot fear God and man at the same time! I know you're crazy in love with Jesus (and He with you) and I know His grace is all over you and that He is using you to change your world! Of course the enemy is going to work extra hard to pull your gaze down or to the right or left. But don't let him! Look up; look past the opinions of others and make yourself smile - because you are the absolute object of God's affection (and quite loved by many)!
Bless you, my sweets!
I'll do the happy dance with you! Isn't that a great revelation? May we continue to walk in our TRUE identity in Christ and not a false identity that only feels true. We are HIS, we are LOVED, and He's got us!
I'm so grateful that God used 'The Uncommon Woman' to speak to your heart and make you strong. Honored indeed.
Bless you!
I think we're all approval addicts to some degree. And yet, it's such a beautiful, wonderful thing to be set free from such things! Then we can get on to the business of living, giving, and loving. When we find all that we need in Christ, we can give more than we think we have without losing who we are in the process. Galatians 2:20 is one of my favorite verses: I have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me, and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loves me and gave Himself up for me. Bless you!
Thanks for the note. :)
God bless you, my dear!
Susie
I think the fact that you go to others for encouragement and direction just speaks to how teachable you are. After all, the Bible does say that there is wisdom in many counselors. :) But you are right, we can lose our way when our only direction comes from others. To hear the voice of the Lord we have to be still and KNOW that He is God, and that He will establish us in His best plans for us to the extent that we make ourselves available to Him. His peace is our guide! His promises, our protection. His presence, our most precious gift. Bless you, my sister!