Overcome People-Pleasing

“When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live.” But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead; but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.” -Acts 28:4-6

Paul was bit by a snake and the opinion of the people was that he deserved it. They assumed he was guilty of some horrible sin and this was the judgement. Then, when the expected consequences of the snake bite didn’t materialize, they assumed he had a divine and invincible nature! Their opinion of him changed (v.6) within a very short time. Not only did it change, but the change from bad to good could not have been more drastic!

The opinion of people changes rapidly and is not a safe foundation to build your life on! Like a water faucet, their words and opinions can quickly change from hot to cold.

Many people have experienced the emotional roller coaster ride of being a people-pleaser. It's understandable how we get there! We all want to be accepted, invited, included, and valued. Ultimately, we all want to feel loved.

When we live to please people we experience short bursts of love and acceptance as we perform in a way that brings approval. However, the double edged sword of people-pleasing also cuts deeply when we don’t perform well and face rejection or disapproval. A life lived for people-pleasing in the end is a disappointing life because you can never please everyone enough.

Our thirst for love and acceptance also runs deeper than experiencing rapidly fading bursts of favor with people! We crave a deeper love not attached to how we perform, but connected to the unique value intrinsically within us.

It’s not an easy pattern to break, but it can be done! How?

We look right past the opinions of people, and look to what God says about us! God loved you so much that He allowed his one and only Son, Jesus, to die a painful death on the cross so you could be saved through faith in Him! You never have to question your value when you look to the cross! God has proven that His love for you goes far beyond the measuring stick of performance.

Awake every day to the joy of pleasing the One who already loves you with an unconditional love! God's love for you remains even when you perform poorly and make mistakes! Start walking in the freedom of living to please God and not people!

Right on?

Read/listen to Acts chapter 28 & Romans chapters 1-2

Check out this week's video...

https://www.youtube.com/@brandonscottbruce

Subscribe By Email

Relentless Audacity

“’King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.’ Then Agrippa said to Paul, ‘Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?’ Paul replied, ‘Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.’” -Acts 26:27-29

Paul had been arrested, he had people who wanted him dead, and now he was standing before King Agrippa to give his defense. Instead of being consumed with thoughts of survival, Paul was boldly sharing the Gospel to the most powerful man in the room. Paul had audacity and courage! He never backed down from the vision and always looked for opportunities to move the mission forward!

Paul was also relentless! If he was thrown into prison, he would worship (Acts 16:25) and write letters to the Church. He couldn’t be stopped!

When the road gets difficult, some people look for the fastest exit or spend luxuriant amounts of time at the rest areas of life. When the road got hard for Paul, he seemed to hit the accelerator!

How do you change the world? You develop a relentless heart and an audacious spirit!

Relentless audacity allows you to step up when others are backing down! Relentless audacity compels you to move forward while others are drifting backward into comfort! Relentless audacity ensures you advance when others are retreating!

Paul had relentless audacity and he changed the world! Embrace your calling, walk boldly in the Spirit of God, surrender your comfort, and tenaciously chase the Kingdom mission God has assigned to you for His glory!

Right on?

Read/listen to Acts chapters 25-27

Check out today's video...

https://www.youtube.com/@brandonscottbruce

Subscribe By Email

You Never Stand Alone

“The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them. He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks. The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, ’Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.’” -Acts 23:10-11

Paul was almost torn to pieces because of how violet this dispute had become! This wasn’t the only time Paul faced fierce adversity and trials! Throughout his ministry he would be beaten, imprisoned, shipwrecked, and stand before many people who were opposed to him. No matter how many times Paul had to stand in difficult situations, he would never stand alone. The Lord stood near Paul (v.11).

As you stand in uncomfortable situations for the Lord, He also stands there by your side! Others may not always walk with you through the thickest part of the battle, but you can walk in His Spirit who is ever present. Your feelings can seem to betray you, your health can leave you, and your associates, friends, or family could even abandon you, but the Lord will always stand with you!

The Lord spoke to Paul and told him he would need to testify about Him in Rome as he had in Jerusalem. Paul was much more familiar with Jerusalem and yet he faced fierce hardships in that city. Now he was being told to go to the city that represented the center of power for their Roman oppressors and share the Gospel as he did in Jerusalem. The Lord was telling Paul that there were more battles to be fought and more ground to take for His Kingdom.

Despite the adversity he had already experienced, Paul was ready and willing to run into the next big battle in the same way David ran toward Goliath (1st Samuel 17:48). Don’t shrink back because you have walked through chaos and faced trails. Retreating to comfort and safety may be tempting, but advancing the mission is our calling. The Lord will fight by your side as He did with Paul.

Get ready to move forward and take new ground for God’s Kingdom. The pain of progress may be a reality, but the Lord is with you and He has your eternal reward! Stand your ground and never stop advancing His good Kingdom work! You never stand alone!

Right on?

Read/listen to Acts chapters 22-24

Check out today's video...

https://www.youtube.com/@brandonscottbruce

Subscribe By Email