Fearlessly Courageous
Desk of Dennis Piller
4/20/2021
Fear of Not Pleasing God
Do you have that? Do you ever think about that? Kinda scary when you think about it. Being married for most of my life has taught me some critical things. If my wife isn’t feeling special, I probably have something to do with it. The world says this one well: When Mamma’s not happy… nobody’s happy. But too often it is because her husband has not valued and pleased her.
I was raised a Catholic and actually received the baptism of the Holy Spirit at a Catholic Cristeo / Retreat. Back in the late ’70s, the church allowed some spirit lead, tongue-speaking priest to have that type of celebration in the church. I know many wonderfully devout Christians who are Catholic, I just have some very different views about some of their doctrines and pathways to God. But I will tell you I learned much about doing and earning and being worthy by the things I did. Truthfully, it was hard to feel good enough, no matter what I did.
I think it must have been a catholic friend of mine who coined the phrase: One step forward…two steps back! That was certainly me. I felt God was displeased with me and even though I know now that is not true. It was very true for me because I believed it. I was deceived.
That means, I believed a lie. Many people are trapped in bondage because they have a wrong belief system. They are miserable and so everyone around them gets the filtered down effect of their misery and disappointment in themselves.
I used to believe I lived in the trap of my past experiences. (Both failures and triumphs). How often have we said, One can only be what they have lived?
Or my past defines who I am today. How many have said my future will always be dictated by my past? I pray you are listening deeply to this because I want to tell you that is a lie straight out of hell itself. I know. I was raised the same way. The past does affect us, it molds us a certain way, and when we are raised bent… we are bent.
But hear me! God’s word says something completely different. Forget new age or modern-day logic and thinking of this philosopher or that. We are called to let go of the things that lie behind us and cleave to the things before us so that we might enjoy the incredible future God has planned for us since the beginning of time. Philippians 3:13
but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Even Albert Einstein God this one right: “Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow” I am not saying your past didn’t exist but it doesn’t have to define who you are today or tomorrow or for eternity. Learn the lessons of your past and in Jesus’ Name according to his word, create a new day and a new future for all things are yes and amen in Jesus Christ our Lord. 2 Cor 1:20
Why is it we hang onto those ugly times and experiences? When we let go…
it is faith… knowing there is a better future.
Jer 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you. Plans to bless you.
It takes courage to let go. I see it much like Peter taking his eyes off Christ as he sunk into the Sea of Galilee. It is the same here. There is peace in the new day. His mercies are new every morning. Lamentations 3:22-23
There are two main things we must do to please God. 1. Have faith in Jesus
2. Desire to please him with all your heart. I believe you cannot have one without the other. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. Heb 11:6
See John 6:28-29 ” What must we do to do the works God requires??
(What are we to do to carry out the works of God?)
Jesus replied, this is the work, that God asks of you:
That you believe in the One whom he has sent.”
God is pleased when we believe in his son and not pleased when we don’t.
We may do numerous good works, yet without faith, God is still not pleased with us.
“If our job were to achieve, we would be called achievers, not believers”.
(Joyce Meyer)
The point is Our work – The work of the believer – is simply to believe.
We can concentrate on our past and our sin and failures or we can concentrate on God’s forgiveness and mercy and be happy. Not because of things we do and or don’t do well but because of what Jesus did.
God does not reject us because of our past errors, but if we think he does or if we fear he does…that lie becomes truth to the believer because they are believing a lie that will never allow you to know the fullness and the joy of serving God because of who He is.
Will you bring your family into prayer with us for just one hour this week?
God is listening.
Graves Into Gardens (Lyrics) – Elevation Worship ft. Brandon Lake
