bible study notes: february 23

[prismaticbleed]

"When I say these things, I am not trying to please people. No, it is God that I want to please. If I only wanted to make people happy, then I would not be a servant of Christ." (Galatians 1:10 EASY)

"If I only wanted to make people happy, I WOULD NOT BE A SERVANT OF CHRIST." That simple statement hits hard.
As a trauma survivor, I tend to instinctively default to "appeasement" behavior in a bid for survival, even in seemingly innocuous situations. I "say what they want to hear" so I won't be attacked; I mindlessly struggle to "entertain" others so they won't see me as a threat; I often judge my entire sense of self-worth based on whether or not others see me as "worth existing"-- if my presence in the room doesn't fill them with disgust, fear, annoyance, or loathing. Even if I'm just seen as a "toy" or a "punching bag," I've still made them "happy", so that means I'm allowed to live, right?
Except it means absolutely nothing in the big picture, and THANK GOD FOR THAT. My life's worth and purpose are NOT based on the opinions of mankind: my life BELONGS TO THE LORD GOD, WHO CREATED ME FOR HIS OWN HAPPINESS! And HIS happiness is HOLY, so it is WORTH striving to serve.
In order for me to adopt that worshipful way of living, to make God's enjoyment of me my ONLY priority, then I have to stop "trying to survive" in this world,in a shockingly real sense. Take up thy cross! If I seek to save my temporal life I shall lose my eternal one! I have died to this world and my true life is hidden with Christ in God! I trust in Him; what can mortal man do to me?
Do not worry about offending others WITH THE WORD AND WORSHIP OF GOD! As long as you live according to His Loving Will, you NEED NOT FEAR. Your actions will be inherently inoffensive when they adhere to God's Law of Righteousness and Truth. If someone takes offense at that Law, then your actual responsibility is to NOT FLAKE OUT ON FAITH BY CHANGING TO APPEASE THE WORLD!! Stand strong with courageous charity! Remember Who your TRUE "boss" is-- the LORD GOD! So don't let proud, finicky, world-serving people boss you around! Proclaim the Gospel by your actions, behavior, emotions, and thoughts. Let God be the focus and goal and motive and greatest love of your life, and everything you do will serve Him. Your humble devotion to His Covenant, against all odds and opposition, will not just please His Holy Heart-- it will make Him sing for joy (Zeph 3:17). And NOTHING ELSE MATTERS.

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"Just like a deer that craves streams of water, my whole being craves you, God." (Psalm 42:1 CEB)

A deer doesn't "crave" water unless it is lacking it. If the deer hasn't had anything to drink in a while, if it has only found stagnant puddles instead of streams, if it has been running from a predator, if it is injured, if it is tired... when a deer, or a human, truly "craves" water, it is in response to an immediate and critical need. It is a response of pressing survival. So, too, with our soul and God.
When was the last time you really drank of God? What dirty pools have you been turning to instead? What enemies are pursuing you, clawing at you, making you run for your life? What battle damage do you carry? When was the last time you let your exhausted spirit find true rest?
Christ is the Living Water, the Stream of Life Himself flowing from the very Throne of God. Go to Him. He is both joyfully able and willing to cleanse your wounds, satisfy your thirst, and wash you clean. Follow the sound of His Word, like the sound of a mighty waterfall, through the woods of your life-- look for the Spirit flying before you, and you will arrive at the River of Love soon, safe, and sound.
Don't forget-- He thirsts for your love, too!