"MOTIVATION"

~ Are You Motivated?
Why do we go to church? Whatever our answer, the motive ought to be to hear and see the beauty of the Lord. There should be more than custom, routine, sentiment, or any other human factor to turn the steps of men, women and children toward the church on the Lord's day. There ought to be the deep, unspoken hope that we will have contact with God and see His beauty.

"And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir we would see Jesus." John 12:20,21 (KJV)

When the morning of the Lord's Day brings us to the place of worship, we ought to say, as did the Greeks to Philip: "Sir, we would see Jesus." We ought to say this because one day we shall actually see
Him face to face. So we desire to see Him now by faith. Through His Word and sacraments, He communes with us.

"We love him, because he first loved us." 1John 4:19 (KJV) This great love of God must not flow into us as into a dead-end street. By the Spirit's power it flows through us and is reflected in our lives. Our love for God and for others, strengthened by gratitude for all that God has done for us, especially for His gift
of forgiveness and eternal salvation in Christ, is the driving power behind the stewardship of our life.

There is a reason behind every action one does. We cannot always tell what it may be, just as we cannot always know what prompts some of our actions. What looks like a kind deed may have an unkind motive behind it. We often do things because we think we will gain something by it.

"And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." Colossians 3:17

Good Christians know they are serving the Lord Jesus. They don't expect a reward. Reward does not matter. They do good deeds for Christ~Their reward will be in heaven!

"But I would ye understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furthermore of the gospel; So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other
places; And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear." Philippians 1:12-14 (KJV)

Sometimes it seems God is intervening in a way that is counter-productive for His own objective. Here, St. Paul may have thought so when his work of proclaiming the Gospel was curtailed by his arrest and imprisonment. Yet he discovered that God's objective of advancing the Gospel message was still being met in two ways: the soldiers who guarded him came to know the gospel through his witnessing; and other christians, encouraged by Paul's example, stepped forward to take a stand for Jesus also.Although their motives were mixed (some were self-serving), God's objective was accomplished.

"Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but t minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." Matthew 20:28 (KJV)

Serving in church or reaching out to those in need can be frustrating at times, especially when we forget who it is we serve. We serve one another; but not only, and not primarily. We are called to serve God!

Where does your satisfaction in service come from? Are you serving people only?

Application: Remember, as you serve, you are serving God! When our service is rendered to Christ in response to what He did and still does to serve and save us, then no one will dampen our entusiasm for serving people for His sake. Respond to God's love by keeping His commandments, by doing His will. His death and resurrection motivate us to present ourselves to Him in a life of service. We live a Christ-pleasing life because we love the Lord Jesus, who first loved us.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, let Your Spirit be our guide, our strength and our teacher as we motivate ourselves in spreading the Gospel. Lord, lead us to opportunities for Your service and love to others.
And Father, thank You for giving us the privilege and satisfaction of serving You. In Jesus' Precious Name we pray, Amen.

You can begin your motivation right now by sending this to your friends and family ~ especially those who have not yet accepted our Lord, Jesus Christ, as their personal Savoir. Place a thought in a mind
~ Plant a seed that will grow tall and proud! And may God Bless you as you walk the walk and talk the talk giving all the glory to Him!