Saturday, May 2, 2020

Our Motives

“Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.” John 17:12b 

Nothing that Satan can do to you should cause you to fear (2 Tim. 1:7). Jesus chose the twelve disciples the Father had given Him and then jealously guarded them from the evil one. Jesus sent His disciples into the world where they experienced difficult and dangerous circumstances, but He interceded on their behalf with His Father that they would have His strong protection from the evil one (John 17:15). In the same way, Jesus said that we, as His sheep, are held securely in the Father's strong hand (John 10:28). There is no better place to be than safely in the hand of Almighty God. Do you believe this, or are you fearful of what Satan or people can do to you? The apostle John encourages us that we do not need to fear: “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). This is not merely a theological concept but a profound reality in which you can have absolute confidence. It is not just a truth for meditation in the security of your home; it is a promise you can cling to in the midst of a hostile and menacing world. What you do reveals what you believe. If you are living a fearful, anxiety-filled life, you are proving your lack of confidence in God's protection, regardless of what you may say. Live your life with confidence that Jesus is continually interceding with the Father on your behalf. If you trust Him completely, you will have nothing to fear. - Blackaby Experiencing God Day by Day 

Why do you do what you do do? What motivates you?  What's behind your why?

We live in a world of intense sensationalism.  Always looking for that trigger word that gets us going in a particular direction. 

We have bosses that sometimes think that harsh words motivate people.  Others believe a gentle approach gains more. 

Why do you feel the way you do?  Why do you get out of bed each day?  

What do you believe? 

Is it that Christ is with you, or in you or near you?

Do you think about why you do things? 
Even sheep, as docile as they appear to be, do think about some of what they do. 

Television and radio and media of all kinds want to alter your thinking.  They want to tell you what to think.  Do your thinking for you. 

God says trust Him.  Not the world. 

Our thoughts can and will get us into trouble because they can be so powerful. 

Quite often we are immobilized by thoughts.  Thus the definition of being in shock. 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. 

I had what some consider a tragic issue with my computer yesterday.  But panicking wasn't one of my responses. Staying calm and praying brought about a solution. One that works. 

He made my path straight. 

Look at why you behave as you do.  Look at why you react to situations and people.

Leaning on the Lord Jesus in all situations is always the answer.  We really cannot trust our own heart and mind.  We have a sin nature that will always deceive us. 

I don't always get it right but it is what I strive for.   God's ways are higher than ours, His thoughts than ours.  We will never have the complete picture other than what's revealed by the Spirit. 

Pray about what motivates you.  Ask Him to help your motivation to be in line with His.  Then you will indeed be in the will of God. 

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