Motivated

Motivated

Hebrews 13: ⁷ Remember your former leaders, who spoke God's message to you. Think back on how they lived and died, and imitate their faith. ⁸ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. ⁹ Do not let all kinds of strange teachings lead you from the right way. It is good to receive inner strength from God's grace, and not by obeying rules about foods; those who obey these rules have not been helped by them.

 

============

 

“You can do this” were the words I clung onto when times were difficult. Halfway believing in the words, I continued on through frustration, obstacles and a desire to give up. After coming through the problem I remembered the words “You can do this”  

 

• I thought I needed someone to motivate me.
• I really needed something inside me to keep going.
• I was able to go through the problem and use the situation as an example of overcoming issues.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, addressed a problem of fear related to following the Law over eating certain types of food. Some “strange teachings” had risen, causing people to have fear and eventually lose their faith. He told everyone to “remember your former leaders, who spoke GOD’s message to you” so all would not forget where their faith came from.

 

My Observations:

• There have been many people who told me about CHRIST being the answer to my problems.
• Encouraging words about how GOD will never leave me, helped me through many difficult situations.
• GOD protects me from weak philosophies that raise more concerns than solve my problem.

 

Problems sometime makes me want any solution, no matter how far it will take me away from believing in GOD. I mean, when I have a problem that threatens my livelihood or comfort or pleasure, I listen to people who sound like he or she has an answer, but really do not. I listen to philosophies that take me further and further from faith in GOD, meanwhile my situation gets worse and worse. GOD wants something different.

 

HE provides faith, love, and joy as my foundation. HE then tells me to remember what JESUS did for me whenever I can. HE reminds me of people who encouraged me to keep going when times were difficult. HE then let’s me know I can be used even though I am not perfect. I am motivated from within, because the HOLY SPIRIT lives in me.

 

Challenge

• What philosophy is the writer warning against?
• Have you ever tried to follow a human philosophy that seemed like a good idea, but turned out to be a dead end?
• Will you take a moment to remember those who provided godly encouragement and imitate those who have been through many situations by believing in GOD today?

 

Why do it?

Why do it?

1 Corinthians 9: ¹⁵ But I haven't made use of any of these rights, nor am I writing this now in order to claim such rights for myself. I would rather die first! Nobody is going to turn my rightful boast into empty words! ¹⁶ I have no right to boast just because I preach the gospel. After all, I am under orders to do so. And how terrible it would be for me if I did not preach the gospel! ¹⁷ If I did my work as a matter of free choice, then I could expect to be paid; but I do it as a matter of duty, because God has entrusted me with this task. ¹⁸ What pay do I get, then? It is the privilege of preaching the Good News without charging for it, without claiming my rights in my work for the gospel.

 

============

 

After punching out on Thursday, a feeling of dread came over me. I was supposed to be relieved because it was the weekend, but I knew I had to return to work on Sunday. “The only reason I cleaned toilets was because of the money” I said to myself.

 

• Getting a degree was my motive for finishing school.
• Getting a few dollars was my motive for being a janitor.
• Getting training and certifications was my motive for increasing my salary.

 

Paul speaks about the right to be paid for speaking about the Good News of JESUS. He did not exercise this right, though he could. Instead he called it a “privilege” because GOD entrusted him with this task.

 

• GOD wants me to give people the Good News of JESUS.
• GOD wants me to be excited that HE trusts me to speak about JESUS.
• GOD wants me to be honored at the privilege of speaking about JESUS.

 

Being able to speak about JESUS is no boasting matter. GOD has given me an order to speak about HIS SON whenever and wherever I can. Paid or unpaid, it is a privilege that should not be taken lightly.

 

When I am motivated by “getting” I spend all kinds of time, money and effort to be what humans expect. But when I am focused on “giving”, GOD gets excited because HE has entrusted me with this honor. I gladly speak about JESUS, paid or unpaid.

 

• Is your life centered around what you can “get” out of it?
• Are your dreams and aspirations focused on what you should be “getting?”
• Will you ask GOD to guide you into what you can “give” instead of what you can “get” today?

Motivated

Motivated

Acts 2: ³⁴ “For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself:

‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at My right hand,
³⁵ Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” ’

³⁶ “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

³⁷ Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

³⁸ Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹ For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

============

“Thank you” were the words I said at lunch. For years I had no idea this person was watching over me. They cleared up misconceptions. Stuck their neck out just for me. This gave me great motivation to serve the living GOD whom they served.

• Many times I have heard things that motivated me to do something.
• Many times I have listened to someone speak with passion and was motivated to act.
• Many times I have been responsive to someone’s acts of love towards me.

After Peter’s passionate plea, the crowd was “cut to the heart” at their actions. They may not have physically killed JESUS, but they may have been in agreement that HE should die. When they heard HE was alive, they were motivated to ask “What should we do?”

• GOD wants me to apologize for my sins.
• GOD wants me to outwardly show those around me that I belong to JESUS by getting baptized.
• GOD wants me to receive the HOLY SPIRIT as a gift I do not deserve.

“Sit at MY right hand” means let “ME” do all the work. JESUS has the power and authority to face any demonic situation that may arise. Though the situation may hurt, HE still is in control. HE wants me to surrender my life to HIM so HE can guide those HE chooses back to HIM. I owe my life to JESUS.

• What motivates you?
• Do you secretly want the spotlight without the consequence of desiring it?
• Will you add surrender to your life so JESUS can reach your heart today?