Pray the words of this Lazaroo aloud, with undiluted sincerity:

“We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else.”
(1 Thessalonians 2:6)

That’s a strong statement, Jesus!

Hard to say
and mean.

Maybe You rose up in Paul with those very words, however, for an overriding reason:

the danger of praise.

Praise is tricky.

It’s always appropriate to praise You…

but dicey when dishing it out to anyone else
or being its recipient.

Encouragement, yes.
Encouragement is good.

Everyone needs encouragement.

I know I do.
I can clearly see the good it does others.

But when encouragement turns to praise

it can cross a line.

If I’m not careful, I can give in to Satan’s temptation to give or accept credit

that belongs to You alone.

When You walked this earth as a man, You refused to accept praise from human beings.

You accepted praise only from God.

Maybe I should follow Your example.

_________
Psalms 9:1-2; Psalms 18:3; Matthew 5:14-16; Luke 5:22-26; John 5:41-44; John 12:42-43; Acts 12:21-23; Romans 2:28-29; Hebrews 10:25; 1 Peter 2:21

What is Lazaroo?

Take Me Deeper

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.