I have an issue with people pleasing. I know it’s sort of a common problem…not very exciting.Like most people I come by it out of a desire to be accepted because there have been times in my life when I have experienced intense rejection. I never want to feel the sting of disapproval. But this fear of man turns into a snare sometimes in my leadership. In those moments when I give in to my people pleasing side rather than my God pleasing side the Father counts it as sin.
I have tried to play the past card with God… You know what I’m talking about. I say things like “But God I’m this way because I always got picked last in gym class” OR “God my _____________(fill-in the blank) done me wrong!”
My loving Father inevitably comes back and tells me “Son those are reasons not excuses.”
In the end we may have good reasons for what we do but all our reasons don’t make our sins any less sinful. Saul learned that the hard way. These chapters mark the beginning of the end for Saul.
Bad Moon Rising
Here’s what I see in today’s chapters:
I Samuel chapter 15 sermon topics/titles:
1.The Day Of Vengeance Comes: I Samuel. 15:1-9
2. When Judgment’s Forestalled Kingdoms Fall: I Samuel 15:1-29
3. Making God a Liar: I Samuel 15:29
I Samuel chapter 16 sermon topics/ titles:
1.When It’s Time To Give Up: I Samuel 16:1
2. Greatness Made In the Crucible Of Secrecy: I Samuel 16:1-13
3. God Opens the Door: I Samuel 16: 14-19
There are so many more ideas clocked in these chapters. I can’t wait to see what you come up with! 🙂
Reinventing the We'll 
Thank you so much for the lead into these chapter charts today! “all of our reasons don’t make our sins any less sinful” … yes, Lord. God bless you!
Thanks for the encouraging word Deb! This has been a hard lesson for me to learn. My justifications never change the nature of things and so I must not justify myself but rely on the blood of Jesus alone to justify and SANCTIFY!
I’ve heard that a lot of pastors have that “pleaser” thing goin’ on–I’m guessing it would be a struggle to not over-compensate and become too disagreeable. I used to play the past card too, but excuses just don’t cut it–thanks for this message. God bless you and the fam–love, sis Caddo
It’s true Sis. My guess is there are few of us who got into the “business” because we hated people and wanted to be disliked :). As I go along the calling is a daily balancing act to not cater to my baser natures on either side of the spectrum!
What a great image of the moon and the anticipation is great for the day, “God Opens the Door” love it. Here’s what I saw in these chapters.
1 Samuel 15
1. Trust that He will settle the account. 1 Sam 15:2
2. Above all else obedience before sacrifice. 1 Sam 15:22
3. He is not of this world that He would lie. 1 Sam 15:29
1 Samuel 16
1. I selected Him long ago. 1 Sam 16:1-13
2. Look through His eyes and see. 1 Sam 16:7
3. What calms your spirit within? 1 Sam 16:14-22
Oh boy number three in chapter 16 has me down a real good rabbit trail today Deb! Love it!