David Richardson

Nine years ago, I read a great book by Anne Graham Lotz entitled “Just Give Me Jesus.”  On page number 3, Anne dished up a loaded statement about preaching in today’s church.  Here is what she had to say:

“Many preachers preach to be popular, instead of preaching to change lives.  Their sermons are 95 percent their own thoughts and 5 percent God’s truth.  And the average church member cannot tell the difference because he or she is biblically illiterate!”

What is preaching all about?  Not oratorical show-boating.  Not self-promotion.  Not ”fuzzy wuzzy feel good” self-help pep talks.  Not  light-hearted entertainment.  No, it’s none of these things.  Preaching is all about “Thus sayeth the Lord…”  Preaching is about proclaiming the unfiltered and unadulterated Word of God.

Let’s remember that preaching is not for the benefit of the one in the pulpit; instead, it is for the glory of the God of heaven and earth.  It is for people to encounter His truth, experience His presence, hear His voice, and receive His grace.  Wise preachers remember that their message is not about themselves…but all about their God.

Last night, I was at a high-school football game.  Williston-Elko was playing Barnwell (and beat them 56-14).  At one point during the game, one of the Williston-Elko players scored a touchdown on a beautiful play.  When he proceeded to yell and jump up and down with some fans who were standing near the endzone, the referee threw his flag and called a penalty.  Guess what it was for?  Excessive celebration.  Appearantly a kid can’t get too excited about something going well in high school football.  That’s a dumb rule, if you ask me.

I’m glad God doesn’t penalize us for excessive celebration.  In His eyes, we can ‘t get too excited and rejoice too much.  Sure, some people may mock us for being too enthusiastic about our celebration, but God won’t!

Why shouldn’t we celebrate?!  Our past is forgiven.  Our present is blessed.  Our future is guaranteed.  That’s enough to reason to sing, shout, dance, and rejoice!

So, the next time you start to feel the joy bubbling up inside of you because of what God has done, remember it’s ok to let it out.  Who cares if you’re neighbor looks at you like you’re a martian?  You’re a child of the King, and I’d be willing to bet that He smiles and takes pleasure when you celebrate in him!!

In Acts 28:1-10, a snake bit the Apostle Paul.

Here’s how it happened:  While visiting a little island named Malta, Paul helped build a fire to warm people up from the cold, wet weather.  While putting some wood on the fire, a snake sunk his fangs into his hand and would not let go.  Needless to say, it got everyone’s attention.  There stood Paul with a snake hanging from his hand.   What a sight that must have been!

What did Paul do?  It says in verse 5 that he “shook the snake off into the fire.” That’s it.  He shook it off.  Paul did not mope around and say, “Poor me.  Everything bad happens to me.  Look at what happened.”  Paul did not storm around and say, “I hate these blasted snakes!”  Paul did not cower around and say, “I’m scared to death.  What terrible thing is going to happen next?”  He did none of these things.  With the help of God, he shook it off, and went on with his business.

What about you?  Have you been “bitten” lately with rejection, rudeness, failure, betrayal, or anything else that is painful?  If so, shake it off and move on with your life.  Don’t mope around and feel sorry for yourself.  Don’t storm around and stew in anger.  Don’t cower around and let fear of more problems immobilize you.  Just shake it off.  This means, allow God to help you deal with it, put it behind you, and move forward.

It’s a good thing Paul shook it off.  In verses 7-10, Paul was introduced to a man who was very sick and bedridden.  He was the father of Malta’s chief official.  After visiting and praying with him, Paul “placed his hands on him and healed him.” Then Paul got on a roll, launched a three month ministry, and healed the rest of the sick people on the island.

What if Paul had shut down with self-pity, anger, or fear when the snake bit him?  He would have missed out on the thrill of seeing God do incredible things through him and around him.  He would not have played a major role in blessing others.

If you’ve been “bitten,” you need to shake it off and move on with your life!  Why?  Because God can still use you to make a difference in the lives of others.  Allowing self-pity, anger, and fear to paralyze you can keep you from blessing your family, friends, church, and community.

People need you!  Don’t let the bites of life keep you from being there for others.  Don’t let your pains serve as an excuse for disobeying what God put you on this earth to do.

Everybody hurts from time to time.  That’s just a part of life.  But wise people shake it off, move on, and continue to bless others!

Galatians 1:10  “Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God?  Or am I trying to please men?  If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

One of the things I have learned is that life should not be thrown away on the endless pursuit of the approval of others.  Approval addiction is a real problem for a lot of people.  There was a time in my life when I struggled with it as well. 

Approval addicts can be described in the following ways:  [1]  Dependant on being liked by others.  An approval addict can’t hande it when someone is angry with them.  [2]  Must be applauded and complimented by others.  An approval addict must constantly be told “You look great” or “You did a fantastic job on that.”  [3]  Has to have full agreement with others.  An approval addict doesn’t cope well with people who have different opinions or ideas.   

There are serious problems with this way of living.  Here are some of them:  [a]  Dependance on approval can be a total drain on others.  It’s exhausting to endlessly feel pressure to assure someone you like or love them.  [b]  Dependance on approval can cause one to compromise his or her convictions.  An addict will do whatever it takes to get what he or she is craving.  [c]  Dependance on approval can be exhausting, because it is difficult to find.  People are fickle.  The same ones that sing your praises one day, can turn right around and curse your name the next day.  Also, some people simply will never approve of anything you do.   

Here is what I’ve learned:  God’s approval is what matters the most.  He alone is your judge.  Not your parents.  Not your friends.  Not your co-workers.  When it’s all said and done, it is God’s throne you will stand before one day. 

Don’t waste your years and exhaust your energy with an endless search for approval from people.  Yes, it’s a good feeling when people like you, applaud you, and agree with you.  It’s ok to enjoy it when you receive it; however, don’t get addicted to it.  Learn to live your life secure in God’s approval and satisfied in God’s love.  This will free you up to relax and enjoy your life.

2 Timothy 2:15  “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed…”