His Word – not mine

Galatians 1:10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. (ESV)

Oh how I wish I could tell you how much this scripture encouraged me this morning. Of how God gave me the exact words I needed to hear upon opening his Word. Of how I prayed for that encouraging word from Him; and he directly spoke to me with his reply. Thank you Jesus! The self-inflicted pressures of this ministry have been great recently. They come as a result of the demands of the world, and they come as the result of the demands I put upon myself. This ministry is my heartbeat, but whom is it beating for? After a year and a half of this daily diligence, I am my own worst critic. I feel a failure when it does not happen….and pride creeps in. God knows my heart, he knows my load, he gives the means for it’s birth every day.

Paul got it; he never made his ministry about anything but Christ. He could have easily elevated himself with his background and education, but he only sought to remain humble and elevate only Christ. Philippians 3:13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.(ESV) Pride has creeped in and destroyed many a great ministries. They began to feel that they either made it all, or they feel the tug to please men in it all; they seek approval through it. Paul only sought to point others to Christ in it. It is all about Him; it is never about the messenger, it is about the message.

The experiences I have out here every morning are the reason I am out here every morning. How God has changed my heart in recent years all after that conscious effort to start reading my Bible every day. Of how He transformed a life steep in sin, headed down hells highway, to a life with only the goal of pleasing Him and sharing with others the hope I have found in Him. He gave me this ministry and this forgiven heart; I am forever thankful for them both. All I want to do is to encourage you to spend time every day seeking Him on your own. Never let this ministry substitute for time in His Word alone. Matthew 6:33 Seek Ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. I am a living proof of how your life will change when you start to read your Bible every day. Make today that day.