2013-10-04T14:43:00-05:00 GCI info@gospel.com /feeds/topics/approval/ http://faithgateway.com/abandoning-approval-of-others/ 2013-10-04T14:43:00-05:00 The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? — Psalm 118:6 It was pretty late. Most of the lights were out. […] http://hutchcraft.com/a-word-with-you/your-mission/who-does-lin-play-for-6603 2012-05-02T15:11:52-05:00 Life is honestly a whole lot less confusing and conflicted when you've got only one person to please - the Person who loves you unconditionally, unendingly, unsparingly. Jesus, who abandoned His glory in heaven and the acclaim of angels to rescue you and me. http://hutchcraft.com/a-word-with-you/your-mission/whose-smile-you-re-working-for-6567 2012-03-13T10:37:50-05:00 Are you playing for the stands, you playing for the other people on the team, playing for the writers, the publicity? I'll tell you this; ultimately every other audience will prove disappointing and unappreciative. You do it for your family, sometime they'll disappoint you. For your church, for some Christian leader, for your employer, for your teachers? Count on it, sometime they're going to let you down. But the Bible says, "We serve the Lord Christ." And the thrill is taking today's activity and saying, "Lord, I'm doing it all for You." http://hutchcraft.com/a-word-with-you/your-mission/goodies-that-spoil-6261 2011-01-11T11:39:05-05:00 Once you arrive at the point where only God's approval matters, oh man, you are wise; you are free at last. You're wise because you'll make decisions based on what's good for a long time, not for what will get you liked today. http://hutchcraft.com/a-word-with-you/your-relationships/how-a-father-builds-a-son-6203 2010-10-20T11:51:28-05:00 You build a son by building up your son, by often helping him see the awesome thing God did when He created that boy. Even God the Father launched His Son into life with His public approval. How can you do any less for the son He's given you? http://biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%201:10&version=NIV 2009-09-11T12:33:08-05:00 Paul wrote in Galatians that we should not be concerned by what men think, but rather seek to please God. He said that if he were trying to please man, there's not a chance he'd be serving Christ. http://hutchcraft.com/a-word-with-you/your-hindrances/unnecessary-running-5714 2009-09-09T13:54:54-05:00 The difference between personal peace and personal turmoil is an issue of priorities. Which kingdom are you putting first? If what matters to God, like your time with Him, your service for Him, the condition of your relationships; if those things have been shoved to the margins by other less eternal pursuits, then you're trapped in a race that knows no peace. http://hutchcraft.com/Blogs/Ron-s-Blogs/What-Makes-the-Marathon-Worth-it 2008-08-20T11:05:47-05:00 At times, I've run for plastic trophies instead of God's gold. Having everyone like me. Being affirmed by those I considered to be a big deal. Receiving the approval of a crowd or an organization. Having people know my name. But it's all so hollow. So temporary. So wrong.