Comments on: God’s Opinion Matters Most

By: Terry G

Terry G — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:21:50 +0000

Craig: to be brutally honest, I’ve never heard a single message that I didn’t hear my Master speaking to me through it. I find myself squirming more often than I’d like to admit, and feel convicted to make changes in my life. You set the bar pretty high for yourself, however, it’s not important to hit the mark you’ve set for yourself, only the mark The Master has set for you, if my opinion counts for anything, I think you do just fine.

By: Greg Flippen

Greg Flippen — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:54:32 +0000

Looking back through many stressful years, I found that before I really became a believer, much of the stress that I experienced in life was because I was trying to make decisions to please other people. How crazy and difficult is that. Most people are so finicky, they don’t even know what it takes to please themselves. Eventually I reached this point where I didn’t care what other people thought, which isn’t necessarily to healthy either because that can lead to selfishness. After meeting my wife who helped me develop a stronger relationship with God, I’ve found it much more rewarding to seek God’s approval foremost. Striving to please God is so much easier than trying to please man. Pleasing God may not necessarily make the problems in your life go away but you will experience much greater satisfaction and much less stress.

By: Tom E. Snyder

Tom E. Snyder — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:07:06 +0000

Several years ago Pat Robertson interviewed Cynthia Clawson on the 700 Club. Cynthia Clawson is/was a Christian singer who had “worship concerts”. Pat asked her when and how she spent time personally with the Lord. She surprised him when she said it was during her concerts. You cannot lead worship if you are not a worshiper. Just worship the Lord and the people will follow.

By: Craig Webb

Craig Webb — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:01:43 +0000

I needed to hear this today. I am aware of this tendency in myself but still find myself preparing my sermon with the kudos in mind. God help us. Thanks for your transparency, Craig.

By: Tammy H

Tammy H — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 13:54:28 +0000

Amen! Let me add that when you have ones around you that you know “seek first the kingdom of God” that they will usually comment (confirm) the word He has given you to say. These might be friends or a wife, but you must be certain these individuals have died to themselves and live for Jesus. That they always answer with the Word and not what they feel. Jesus was never worried about what he said but what He said always was lead by the Holy Spirit…no matter how piercing it may have been to some. Jesus spoke with poise and Love but a few times He had to get in their face. Let me take this itme to say ‘well done’ for One Prayer, Craig. I am so excited about watching us move closer as a body of Christ….anticipating the people to get out and encourage more to break down the wall of “our church”.
“May the God of hope fill you will al ljoy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Rom 15:13

By: Matt Huber

Matt Huber — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 12:08:42 +0000

Man…that resonates with me…
As one involved in leading people into worship, that was always a huge burden on me…performance. As a result, I remember times in which I walked off of stage wanting to just disappear because I messed up, for example. It was to the point where, if there were complements, I assumed they were being made to just make me “feel better”. God really convicted me of my selfishness, my lack of focus on Him.

For me, I have decided that before I am concerned with anything else, my heart must be in the right place. If I am to be leading worship, the first priority for me is that I myself have a heart of worship (that is not supposed to be a cute song reference, by the way…hehe). Until then, I am handicapping my ability to be used by God.

Thanks for the post Craig!

By: phill longmire

phill longmire — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 05:20:52 +0000

This reminds me of when Francis Chan addressed the catalyst crowd…”What if we actually preached what Christ told us to Preach…and then did it”

By: Rob Beckley

Rob Beckley — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 04:46:55 +0000

I’ve never taken the time to post a comment on your blog. This drilled me right in the heart though. I feel like I still struggle with this. Just today I asked my wife if “she liked” what I had done. As well as being excited that others were excited about what I was doing.

Knowing that we will always fail others expectations of us on some level at some point, and knowing that we will ultimately fail our own expectations of ourselves shouldn’t we just try to live for God’s expectations. Live our life through a “God Filter” and not worry about what others think.

Thank you for cracking a callous off of my heart with a short and sweet blog!

By: Joe Louthan

Joe Louthan — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 19:30:32 +0000

Does it matter if it is 7 or 70,000 in your congregation? So long as you are abiding by His will and fully obedient, then You are being used to build His kingdom.

That said, pastors need encouragement as well. I think pastors do more so than anybody else. God bring joy and comfort but usually that is in the form of others around us that we call brothers and sisters.

By: Brandon Duff

Brandon Duff — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 16:32:38 +0000

We need to be aware of our audience, but not dependent on their pats on the back. If we are dependent on their feedback, we will either leave each service with our head hung low or our nose in the air. Either result is detrimental to us. We need to finish each Sunday with our Father’s word, “Well done”.

By: Dusty Takle

Dusty Takle — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 16:03:41 +0000

Craig, this is so good. When we rely on people for affirmation we are bound to be disappointed at times. Kind of like when 20 people tell you “Awesome message!” and the 1 hurts you. We tend to forget the 20 “yeas!” and dwell on the 1. But, God never disappoints. And, when our desires become God’s desires, He lifts us up on wings of eagles. Of course, He probably does that anyway, but for the sake of making a point, I’ll use that one :-)

By: Chilly

Chilly — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 15:41:26 +0000

I try not to be consumed with people’s opinions but I certainly strive to see life change happen in their lives. Giving glory to God through the sermon has more to do with the preparation than the presentation. I won’t give to ‘them’ something that God hasn’t worked in and through me… I must be connected. This helps me replace the pointed finger and ‘you’ statements with open arms and ‘we’ statements.

I don’t pray for sermons, sermons come from my prayers.

Lovin’ the dialog in here!

By: Vanessa

Vanessa — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 15:39:42 +0000

This is the place we all need to be in as we serve God!

By: Kevin Bussey

Kevin Bussey — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 15:20:47 +0000

Craig,

Don’t you think that sometimes you don’t know the affect of a sermon until years later? What amazes me is how years later people quote things that I said. I realize that they actually listened. You have a much larger audience than me so I would imagine your impact is even greater. I still remember “Disturb me” and probably will never forget it!

By: Judy

Judy — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 15:17:36 +0000

What will bring people to church WILL bring glory to God.
LUKE 14
“The servant returned and told his master what they had said. His master was furious and said, ‘Go quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and invite the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’ 22 After the servant had done this, he reported, ‘There is still room for more.’ 23 So his master said, ‘Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full.
I understand the point being projected, but never forget the very heart of God’s will is His pursuit of people. And that PLEASES HIM. Bottom line…God wants His House full, so we shouldn’t feel bad about wanting that also. It’s all good!

By: Ryan Day

Ryan Day — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 15:09:32 +0000

Right on, Craig! I am an approval addict too. I hate it…

Ironically God gave me a wife that doesn’t play into the my-husband’s-a-pastor-and-incredible-at-everything-he-does mindset. She’s honest with me and it has made me better, but also made me more focused on if I really connect the people to God and his Word. That’s what she comments on more than anything…if there is a heart connection to God’s Word then it was a successful talk.

By: Cody

Cody — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 15:05:50 +0000

The last several post have been great to read. Wondering if I have anything in me for another sermon, seeking approval, etc, have all been on my heart for…I guess years really. This last year has been tough, and there has been many a day that I thought I would quit and do something else, anything else. However, God has been faithful, which always amazes me, to stick with me and grow me in the process. The last few posts seem to be right where I’m at, and I have been encouraged. I just wanted to say thanks for sharing.

By: Robin Meadows

Robin Meadows — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 13:49:12 +0000

Great insight, Craig! Something I’m learning as well…an audience of One.

By: Jan

Jan — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 13:40:09 +0000

this is a personal struggle for me - as a worship leader and just as a person. I like to be liked. I want to do a good job. I want to know that what I do matters. I want to make a difference. It can be hard sometimes to be true to what God is saying to you and at the same not get discouraged if there is a lack of response. This is a battle for me. I am addicted to positive feedback. There - I said it! But, as you say, I am growing in this. For one, I now recognize this tendency in myself, so that’s a beginning. Being tuned in to God first helps me the most. But I still struggle.

By: Lance Young

Lance Young — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 13:29:50 +0000

This is probably one of the areas that I wrestle with most not only with preaching but also in general. People’s affirmation is easier to measure. God’s approval is based on faith. Lord, I believe! Help my unbelief!