Scripture:
1 Thessalonians 2:4-6
“On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. 5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. 6 We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority.”
Observations:
Paul wanted the church in Thessalonica to know that his ultimate focus was to please God. Whether people were spreading fake news about him or celebrating him, Paul stayed on the path of pleasing the Lord and advancing His good news.
Applications:
STOP what you’re doing. Better yet, stop what you’re thinking & ask yourself:
Who am I aiming to please today?
Is it your boss? Your wife/husband? Your Instagram followers?
There must first be an honest evaluation that leads to repentance before your desires start to change.
Ask the Lord that He would create a new desire, a singular desire, one that looks to please God at whatever cost it might take to lose the applaud of others.
We live in a world, now more than ever, where applause from others comes at a click of a button, but does it really satisfy you in the end? Pursuing the person of Jesus and enjoying Him is what satisfies. And being satisfied in Jesus is the epitome of pleasing Him. Fight for pleasure in Jesus today.
Prayer:
Father I can look at my life and see its full of trying to earn the praise of people. forgive me for pursuing the pleasures of pleasing people. Let me taste the all satisfying pleasure of Jesus today. Guide my heart to please you. Amen