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Sunday Edition


30
Sep
2005
Pleasing People vs. Pleasing God


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I Corinthians 10:33

If you have been involved in ministry in any capacity you have been faced with this dilemma: Is it possible to please people while pleasing God? It is human nature to want people to like and appreciate what you do. It’s unrealistic, however, to think you can please “all of the people all of the time”. It’s easy to lose focus if your goal is to please people. Periodically we need to reevaluate why we do what we do and what results we are seeing. We need to look at the facts instead of going solely on emotion.
Everybody will not applaud your decisions. In fact, some may even question your motives and your integrity. If you listen to people you can easily become confused about what is right for you and your ministry.

Take some quiet time and ask yourself a few questions. Is our ministry growing? Have we seen souls added to the kingdom? If you can answer yes to these questions I can assure you that you are pleasing God.

Do I have peace in my heart concerning my ministry decisions? God doesn’t always lead in ways that make sense to the multitudes. More times than not, he asks us to just step out and trust him whether is appears logical to us or not.

Are we selling product? Isn’t it amazing that the one person who is very quick to let you know just how much they dislike your new project can sometimes override the 100 that have told you they love it? We need to concentrate on the facts or we’ll let our emotions deter us.

Throughout the Bible God has prompted people to step out of their comfort zones before he does a GREAT work. Many of those people were ridiculed and mocked for their obedience. Many were called self seeking or radical. But they had one thing in common. They were true to God and true to themselves. They answered to his voice and not the voice of the multitudes. In due time God ALWAYS reveals his plan. He has used and still uses unconventional people in unconventional ways . Being different doesn’t mean you are conforming. It quite possibly just means you are called.

When you lay your head down at night you have to ask yourself “In my decisions regarding this ministry do I have peace with God”? If you can emphatically answer YES then you are successful. Take your eyes off of man, focus on HIS will and be true to yourself and your calling. In due time you SHALL reap if you faint not!

Reader Comments

I read this article and just began to cry. I deal with this myself. So many people jump to ridcule you if you step out of the boat to do something different that God has called you to do. I am an avid Crabb Fan and Minister myself. I love how you guys have just said no to the world and chose to follow God no matter what the price is. Your reward is great and if everyone else has a problem with it, then so be it.


Commented by Justin Endicott On 10/01/2005
Excellent article!

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit

- Galatians 5:25. 

My Blog



Commented by Keith Prater On 10/03/2005
It isn't always easy to take the road less traveled, but the Bible is full of forerunners who have set the example. I enjoyed the article - would like to know who wrote it...
Sally


Commented by Sally Quick On 10/03/2005
A very wise pastor once said, "If you and the devil are walking in the same direction, you will never butt heads. It is when you step out to go in a totally different direction that you will eventually meet him head on." So many times, those who follow God closely, hear a call to reach the lost whom others are not reaching. To do this, they must use methods which may be thought of as unconventional or do not follow the norm of what has "always been done." They are criticized and ridiculed for the direction they take, especially by the very ones who should be supporting them, edifying and encouraging them in Christian love. This is how the devil meets them head on, by trying to discourage them with the comments of the very ones who should be standing with them.

This article is awesome, because it is definitely God's opinion that we should seek, not the opinions of others. I have seen artists who are reaching souls as the Crabb Family is, be slammed by other artists and industry leaders for their appearance, their fashion, and their style of music. (I Samuel 16: 7) Imagine how many more souls would be reached and how much more we would accomplish if we all supported each other and encouraged each other.

If a coach were asked to coach the team of the SG industry and artists, I believe the first thing he would say is there is no "I" in team! We must all work together and love each other. How many people are dying and being wisked out into eternity unsaved while we criticize those who are on our very own team, trying to win them? The next time we think negatively of someone doing God's work, let's get the beam out of our own eye first and then maybe we can see just how we can support them, pray for them and uplift them. It takes our whole team to win the world for Christ.


Commented by On 10/09/2005
It goes without saying,that you are the most anointed to sing and bri into the presence of your audience. I call you my kids and intercede on your behalf every night when i pray. Your family must be so very proud of you


Commented by On 10/12/2005
THE CRABB FAMILY IS THE MOST INSPIRED BY GOD GROUPS I HAVE EVER SEEN&HEARD;WHEN THEY SING YOU CAN FEEL THE SPIRT ALL OVER THAT IS RARE THIS DAY AN TIME MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS .JUST OBEY GOD AN DO HIS WILL AND REMEMBER YOU HAVE PRAYER WARRIORS PRAYING FOR YOU .WE LOVE YOU, CONTINUE TO MINISTER TO A LOST AN DYING WORLD AND GOD WILL BLESS YOU.


Commented by On 10/20/2005
I READ THIS ARTICLE AND I DON'T KNOW WHO WROTE IT, BUT I WILL TELL YOU....NO ONE HEAR ON THIS EARTH HAS A RIGHTOUS JUDGE OVER ANOTHER...THAT IS GOD'S JOB, NOT OURS. WE NEED TO STAND FIRM ON GOD AND WHAT WE KNOW IS RIGHT AND NOT LET MAN'S WILL INTERFERE WITH GOD'S ULITMATE WILL AND PURPOSE FOR OUR LIFE. GOD HELP OUR NATION AND THOSE WHO CAN'T GET PAST THERE OWN NOSES TO FIND THEIR PURPOSE. JASON CRABB HAS SAID THAT WHEN YOU PICK AT GOD'S PEOPLE, YOU ARE PICKING AT HIM...IS HE HAPPY WITH US, REALLY? I WOULDN'T THINK SO. LET'S ALL WORSHIP TOGETHER AND NOT RIDICULE..WE ARE ALL GOD'S CHILDREN...ACT LIKE IT AND NOT A WORLDLY BEING. PREACH ON JASON.


Commented by On 07/10/2006
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