Dear Ones,
Hope you wake to a realization that the Lord’s approval is more important than man’s. Today Al and I are going out to dinner to celebrate our Anniversary after my exercise class. We are thankful  for each day we have to share life together .
Devotions from Judy’s heart
All of us like approval from others, and at times we can sense when others disapprove of something we did or who we are. Although we would like people to think well of us and speak of us in glowing words, that is not what we are to seek. In fact, when we are pleasing the Lord, others may speak evil of us and mistreat us. They did that to Jesus and He did exactly what His heavenly Father told Him to do. We all must decide if we want the praise of men or God’s praise.

We are at peace when our greatest desire is for the Lord and to be loved by Him, not the approval of others. Jesus loved us so much that He paid the ultimate price of His life for us. What more could He do to prove His love? He doesn’t want us to have to strive and struggle to obtain His approval, but to receive His love and relax in it and enjoy whatever He chooses to send to us. We are His beloved.

Paul makes it plain that he doesn’t seek the applause of men but of God. In Gal 1:10 he tells the people at the church in Galatia, “Now am I trying to win the favor of men, or of God?  Do I seek to please men? If I were still seeking popularity with men, I should not be a bond servant of Christ.” He was sold out to the Lord and we also can’t be people pleasers and God pleasers at the same time. We must choose.
I recently read a prayer by Mark Roberts who also warns of the importance of not letting the approval of men be more important than the approval of God. The following is his prayer:

“Gracious God, you know me through and through. Nothing about me is hidden from you. You see when I seek human approval above all else. And you know why this desire can be so strong in me. By your grace, help me to grow in the genuine desire to please you most of all. May how I live, how I lead, how I work, and how I treat others give you joy. Amen.”

Challenge for today: Ask the Lord to wean you from seeking man’s approval and that your heart would be set on the receiving God’s love and approval.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy