The fear of man is sneaky thing

There was a large church in 2020 that I knew virtually every major leader on a personal basis.

Many requests were rolling in for us to host a #LetUsWorship in that city (during lockdown). I prayed about it with my team and we all heard clearly that God was calling us to do this.

As I explained the vision to the leaders/friends of that church, they requested that I get approval from the city, health and police officials before I proceed with an outdoor worship gathering open to anyone in the community.

Although we had just hosted massive events like this in LA, NYC, Seattle and Portland without any of this protocol and I was biblically and legally in right standing to do this, my desire to honor and please the leaders of the church resulted in my going through the gauntlet of endless bureaucracy by many of those who deeply despised the church.

I had never done this before and have definitely never done this since.

It was weeks of endless phone calls, explanations and promises that we would have masks and sanitizer available for those who wanted it. All of this was my desire to please man while I knew that I already had a green light from God to proceed.

Well, that night over 3000 gathered, hundreds came forward to receive salvation, baptism, healing and HOPE was injected into a community beat down with fear and chaos from the lockdowns.

Even though I tried my hardest to honor the church and adhere to the mayor, city officials and leaders, none of procedures we had in place were enough for them.

They came out against me, my team and my family, slandered us in the press, media and follow up city council meetings.

THE PUSHBACK WAS ALL BECAUSE WE WANTED TO WORSHIP GOD OUTSIDE IN AMERICA. Almost inconceivable to think of these days.

This caused unbelievable sadness, disappointment and confusion for my team and family.

When it all started to hit the fan, I asked the Lord how there could be so much damage done out of something so beautiful…that night was HEAVENLY!

He responded “I never told you to ask anyone to do this. I just told you to do it.”

Moral of the story: NEVER LET THE FEAR OF MAN (OR THEIR APPROVAL) HOLD YOU BACK FROM BEING OBEDIENT TO GOD.

Let’s ditch the fear of man in 2025 and return to the FEAR OF THE LORD.