Validation through the Cross!

Hello Bloggers:

   Hope you doing well!  Since my primary audience seems to be a female readership, I'm going to be writing today on validation.  I know that validation isn't just a women's issue, and believe it or not, neither is Sanctity of Human Life.  Neither of these are simply a matter of gender.  Let me say what I mean by validation.  By this what I don't mean is Oprah Winfrey humanistic validation translation- it all about being true to yourself garbage.  For you Oprah fans, yes I actually think some of the shows on her new network, which are not humanistic or new age are quite enjoyable to watch,.   Then for those who are fully anti Oprah, I remind you that we as Christian can be anti viewpoint, but Jesus never offered us the example of being anti-person          Two days in a row, as I was talking with the Lord, and read a couple of passages scripture, I was sure, I heard the Lord Whisper, "I am your validation."  I was like okay Lord, whatever that means, I have not a clue. Again,   "I declared your worth and value a long time ago."  "You have my favor, you have my approval, so why do you look to others to validate you?  .  This has been a constant struggle for me through the years, and there was a time when nearly every decision I made was based on how others would perceive me. It was draining, and in so many ways it has prevented me from loving and serving God with sincerity.    In fact according to scripture, I was serving two masters, in others, words, more times than not, my desire for others to approve of or validate me, came at the the coast, of my living my life for God alone Mt. 6:24 ²⁴ “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." Yes this scripture speaks of love of money, but there are scriptures that warn against other idols I rarely have trouble giving away money entrusted to me, but ask me to surrender a relationship that is dear to me, and I will fight unto death     I relate probably more often with the pharisees the disciples.    I have never thought of myself as a materialistic person, but a people pleaser, attention craver, approval addict you bet.  I remember the day someone close to me said that I didn't concern myself with what others thought, and little did they know it was the highest complement I have ever received   I needed to know if this latest revelation came from God or my own flesh, so I went to scripture.  Romans 8:1  "Therefore, there is now no condemnation
for those who are in Christ Jesus."  For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying^(A) to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a^(B) servant^[a] of Christ. Gal. 1:10 


Whatever you do, work heartily,^(B) as for the Lord and not for men,..." Col 3:23

In ancient cultures, people would slash themselves, as atonement for their shortcomings in attempt to secure peace with a higher power.     and even today, this still happens.  I remember one night a few years ago during the Lord's supper realizing the freedom in knowing I didn't have to make atonement for my sin, that I don't have to use any form of self punishment, because Christ's blood is enough to secure victory for me!  How powerful that realization has been in my life!   This week is my favorite week of the whole year, It's Easter!  I wish that the realty of Easter would become as real and transparent in my life year round, as it is in season, because the reality is for the redeemed, whether we realize it or not, Easter should never and will never end!   Happy Easter Week!