by Vonette Bright
**Why don’t you come and join us on the blog? http://talk.thelife.com/2007/11/03/what-is-your-motivation/
At a high school commencement, one graduate said, “I barely finished. If I’d blown it, my parents would’ve killed me!”
Another student, adopted from an Asian-Pacific country, had a very different perspective. She said, “I want to express my deepest appreciation to my American parents for loving me… I want to do everything I can to show them how much I love them and to make them proud of me!”
What a difference in their two perspectives!
So friend, how about your motivation? Do you serve your Heavenly Father out of fear that He would punish you? Or is it because you appreciate His great love and what He’s done for you? The Bible says, “I will shout for joy and sing your praises, for you God have ransomed me.”
Thank Jesus for what He has done for you!
Life Lesson: Biblical perspective on the end times
Experience It: Living in the power of the Holy Spirit
About the Author: http://talk.thelife.com/authors/vonette/
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I serve GOD out of LOVE. I appraciate everything everything THE LORD does for me, EVEN THE SMALL THINGS in life.
Even when I am having more bad days then good ones, I THANK GOD for just being alive and for getting through everything.
THANK YOU, SWEET JESUS AND DEAR GOD FOR BEING THERE FOR ME. THANK YOU FOR GETTING ME THROUGH WHAT FEELS LIKE “DEATH WARMED OVER.” THANK YOU FOR GETTING ME THROUGH ALL THE PAIN AND SUFFERING I GO THROUGH.
If it wasn’t for you being there for me, I would not of made it at all.
GODS WILL NOT MINE BE DONE
Chris
I want to say that I totally agree with Chris. If if wasn’t for God and his love, power and strength, and the obedience of two of my close friemds to HIs promptings to pray and talk to me, I wouldn’t be here right now. I serve God out of love and thankfulness for all He has done and is doing for me. I just can’t ever thank Him enough for beting there for me through all that my husband and I have been through this year.
Praise the lord! We have so very much to be grateful for. My parents taught me long ago (-: I am old now;-) that”attitude determines your altitude”. If you know anything about flying an airplane you know this is true. And if you’ve been walking with The Savior for very long you will have discovered the attitude of gratitude produces altitude.
Have a blessed day everyone.
Ladies, I too, am able to go on because my Lord Jesus has carried me & my husband through the darkest days of our lives. When we lost our son, our only child, a few years ago, I felt like my heart was litteraly riped out of my body. But after the initial shock, I felt the Lord lift me off the floor & carry me through the worse valley I could ever imagine. Through the agony, I could feel His comforting arms around me. I He was more real to me than He had ever been before. I knew He didn’t just say “I love you”, He enveloped me in His love. I knew He loved me, for real. He did not forsake me. He gives us the grace we need, when we need it.
I feel like I would just like to say I totally agree with Linda in name and in words. As most of you know we lost our teenage daughter quite a few years ago and I too felt like my heart was literally riped out of my body. For me it took a long time to get over and I still have my days of crying. For whatever reason we never got support from our friends probably because they didn’t know what to say or do, the church we were going to was going through its own problems so we felt very much alone, but yes The Lord was there the whole time even though maybe some times I didn’t really feel like he was.Since then there has been many more trials added to the pile but I know that The Lord has been with me each step of the way and that everything that does happen good or bad is for a reason. And I too am so Glad That he will Never Leave Me Nor Forsake Me or Give Up On Me even though at times I might feel like he is not around. I just want to say that meeting all you ladies on this site has been one of the most exciting thing that has happened to me in the past 15yrs or so. I am so very thankful for each and everyone of you. May The Lord Richly Bless You All!
Dear Vonette, Thank you for such a lovely subject on what motivates. When I first started to read the scripture as the The Holy Spirit taught…I would literally, have to stop and cry. My heart, did burn like the disciples on the road to Emmaues. Paul, writes about this so much as he traveled to countries like, Greece, where men were worshipping unknown Gods (Corinthians). My motivation, is like Paul’s……The love from our Father(GOD) and His WORD (JESUS)that is alive(HOLY SPIRIT), because of the cross at Calvary. No, other man can boast of his belief that changed a world and started where all of them started..Genesis and the covenants that are never broken but made to reconcile us through his blood.
My walk with Jesus never ends as he knows when we are sleeping and battles of the unseen are taking place. His Holy Spirit, is my seal, redeemed and reconciled, as I am marked for Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
Motivation, to to go out, as ministers of the word, as we are part of the royal priesthood, to share more than ever about of Jesus Christ. Motivation, that I feel his presence within me. Motivation, is the, Joy, I find in my trials and sorrows, as he his promise give me a daily and eternal hope and strength that is unknown to the unbeliever. Motivation, to unlock the mystery to the lost and pray the Lord would turn their hearts toward him with repentance and acceptance. Most of all, beside his love for me is my MOTIVATION that comes from FEAR for others who do not KNOW, how, BIG OUR GOD OF ISRAEL is!!!
Vonette, I pray, if anyone reads this devotional today that they would stop and look within, as it is Saturday cleaning day or shopping! What motivates them to do their chores or keep an appointment? There are those that are depressed or feel sad today. Lord, in your name Jesus, I ask you to find your gracious favor and place it upon their heart. So, that they may get on their knee’s or just sit and ask, YOU…The MIGHTY LORD, we serve into their heart…to unlock the mystery of your Wisdom and Love. The news is so sad as the devastions are overwhelming. The loss of homes in fires, jobs, ravaging storms leaving families again on roof tops. Not to mention loss of jobs and with that a loss of worth for the one’s that support a family. “Jesus, is calling you and may you be motivated to pour out your losses and trials. His arms are waiting as he standing at the door for you to come in and abide.
We thank you so much Lord. Your Good News..the Gospel will never perish and come back void. Open eyes and hearts around the world. Revive our country and its people according to your way not mine. Your will not ours be done!!
In his perfect peace,
In his perfect time,
Toni
Toni, thank you, thank you for your Inspiring Comment & Spirit Filled Prayer for everyone in the word. You are One Amazing Lady & May The Lord Continue To Use You To Bless & Encourage Others.
Linda … I hear you singing!! The Lord is inspiring you and motivating you, not ME! His HOLY SPIRIT!!.. is upon you as you are carved in the Palm of his hand! Linda, you sound so special and I don’t live in Canada, but USA. I would come over and we would rejoice, in a revival that we should wake up with every morning. Gramma, above spoke of altitude and attitude of an airplane….we hit some bumps up at 38,000 feet over the evening waters!! My attitude…wooo. jumps! from, “What was that,” too, Oh, just turbulence (trial0.” However, after flying all these years, I know to sit still until I hear the pilot, “It is now safe to get up!” So be still and know that God is using you even now!! He is preparing you to share your story with someone else. If life were perfect we wouldn’t need a saviour. You are part of declaring his Salvation Army!
Linda, you need some hugs, so Jesus take the wheel from Linda and I both! I, ask in your name, Jesus, that you would bring Godly women to this woman and sisters in you. Lord, I am also going to ask for Linda to have a goal to mentor the unsaved and the saved. Her compassion, in her weakness, will be made perfect like Paul’s thorn. We, are all your instruments and precious vessels that you are refining and molding daily. Search… Our Hearts..Oh God..and .. let us continue to abide when the tide is high and we are low!! Lord, thank you again….motivate me to clean today!!! Bye Linda…..and Gramma..thanks for the air traffic report from our Heavenly Father!! .. Have a good one …angel hugs, found only in our wings, for Jesus…..Toni
This is my first post ever on a Christian message board. I am so grateful for this website and that I have found this wonderful devotional newletter. I am one who has suffered through depression, anxiety and hopelessness. I even had a nervous breakdown after my husband lost his 3rd job in 3 years. I was literally paralyzed and my walk with the Lord was nonexistent. Through the Grace of God and His Goodness, and through the help of a Christian counselor, I am ALIVE again. The greatest gift my counselor gave me was two-fold: 1. Rest in the Lord, knowing He is waiting for you and 2. Look for JOY; study JOY in the Bible; Be JOyFUL in each day God has given. So now after a long summer of destraught and despair, I wake up every day knowing that I can find JOY. I thank you ladies for sharing your hearts. To Linda who lost her son, I pray for you and rejoice that you have found JOY after a profound loss. Please pray for Sandra who just lost her 16 year old son in a truck rollover last week. He is one of her twin boys. They live in the small town of Gonzales,TX and are a wonderful family. Again, thank you for the posts and may God be always near.
In my head, I know better, but in real living, my motivation is more often fear of deferred punishment.
One of you ladies (I’m sorry, I have memory problems [seeing a neurologist to try to track down why]), I don’t remember exactly who, told me that by thinking this (fearful) way , I am seeing Him in according to my own understanding.
I’ve learned that seeing Him with the traits of our parents (especially our fathers) is natural. In my case that means with unpredictability, abusiveness, and judgementalism. Going by what that someone on this site told me, it follows: “…and lean not on your own understanding.”
Today, I have to remind myself that the way I see God now is my responsibility, not anyone else’s. It is so easy to blame and not take responsibility for not cultivating my relationship with Him the way I could or should.
Thank you, Jesus for reminding me of this. It is good that You gave me a “yucky” feeling while writing the section where the was blaming or not. Common or not, that kind of thinking isn’t going to get me anywhere good. In Your Name, I pray. Amen.
I HAVE served Him out of love and gratitude, so I know what it means to live this way (in otherwords to “obey”). I have to stop telling myself things like, “I can’t remember how,” or “…what it’s like,” because these thoughts are only excuses for not putting the time or the effort into doing it again.
Thank you for this short and simple, but very good devotional :-}. I love ya’ll!
Sorry: didn’t proof my editing; “…where the was blaming or not…” should have read, “…where I was blaming.”
i thank the Lord every day for all he has done for me
bless you all
sharon
The Pipe Line
My direct line the hidden Secrets,
the mysteries hidden in my word.
The mysteries I have placed within your heart.
The tunnel of My extraordinary Love, my child.
The deep yearning, knowing …
The deep seeking for My Mysteries …
The hidden secrets I have waiting for you
alone.
Those who seek My wisdom in the Flame.
Matthew 7:7 Keep on asking and it will be
given you; Keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and
[the door] will be opened.
V8.For everyone who keeps on asking receives; and he who keeps seeking finds;
and to him who keeps on knocking,[the door]
will be opened. (AMP.)
The Secrets of My hidden thunder!
The Secrets of My Passion!
The Secrets hidden in My Flame!
The Burning desire, the Secrets hidden deep
within your Spiritual heart that I have planted from the very beginning of time,
My precious one,
The Brush burning in, over, and through My
chosen people, my elect…
The Tapestry, the Revelation awaiting you.
The Secret ancient paths I desire for you to walk, My chosen, elect, the predestined.
A hunger that’s unsatisfied, unsatisfied.
I come now and awaken you to more of My
hidden Secrets.
Listen as I set My Heart upon you,
then the other voices will fade and dissipate.
My lovers always find what they’re Searching, longing to know …
Those earnestly searching for the hidden white, shimmering pearl, the Treasure of great value is My love for you and those in our midst, the souls of the harvest are
ripe for the picking, ready and waiting to hear the Good News and to receive My
forgiveness for their sins and My unending Love for them, now and forever. Amen!
v43.Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who
has ears, let him hear. Matthew 13:43 LAB.
WOW!!! another provoking devotion w/so many wonderful responses.
The Lord is doing surgery on my heart ‘again’… it has become
callused w/so many losses in recent years. He has shown me I have a bitter root deep inside me… so, I say well Lord, will You please take it away? I question my motivatin for anything right now. I have served HIM in ministry that was wonderful for 2yrs… then it was
pulled from me as I lost my job at The Salvation Army where I was able to minister to the lost, hopeless, etc… I loved doing that it’s what I was created for I thought… now I can hear, “lean not on your own understandin” Frankly, I am angry w/God…He knows it and we are working together to bring healing to my wounded heart. And prayerfully healing to this body that is sooo filled w/infirmities of many kinds…. I guess I’m blaming God… not a very
smart thing to do… however, that’s where I’m at and He is still w/me carrying me through this… Thank you ALL for sharing and allowing me to maybe be a part of this wonderful email world of Christian Women in love w/their Saviour….
Jeanette,
Thank you for your post. I especially liked your advise about looking for joy. I admit, I don’t think about my motivation often but I will do so more from now on. In Philippians 2:3 it says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” I thank God for my family and friends everyday and now I thank Him for this site where I can be encouraged and also pray for other ladies. I too am new to this site. I have only posted 3 or 4 times although I have been receiving the devotional for a while.
Thank you, Dear Lord Jesus, for the countless ways you are there for us all every day wrapping your loving Arms around us and sheltering us in this challenging world we live in…For making the worst human days of challenge better..for making some sense out of the hardest things. For making the simplest days beautiful. Today the weather here in Ga so astounding ..a mild, Autumn day..sun shining ..the palette of fall colors starting to spill over in nature..Am sooo glad to be alive and able to feel and encourage and be encouraged…and am able to do that because of all the love and tender mercies you lavish on me daily! Bless you, Dear Father, and help us all not to miss one of the beautiful, free things you place daily in our pathways..Thank you for making my heart spill over out of gratitude for your forgivenss and unconditional love..and help me, Lord, to give that to others.
amen!!
bless all of you who write here
sharon
Do you serve your Heavenly Father out of fear that He would punish you? Or is it because you appreciate His great love and what He’s done for you? The Bible says, “I will shout for joy and sing your praises, for you God have ransomed me.”
My answer to this Qestion is both. I serve him out of fear that he would punish me, for the fear is what keeps me in his perfect Will and I also love him for what he has done for me, which makes my serving him out of fear the more enjoyable, because I know what he has done for me & is doing for me out of his Love, Grace, and Mercy, he yet takes care of me & my family as he promised. For the scripture says in 10:28 Matthew “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul, But rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell”. So God Bless You, Jesus Loves You and I do too. ROSHELLE
I wasn’t saved until I was 38 years old; until then I was a ‘good girl/woman’ and a regular church-goer. Having been brought up going to church, and mindful of right and wrong, it never occurred to me that I wasn’t a Christian, or that I was headed anywhere but heaven. But, at 38-years-old, I faced possibly losing my mother to a life-threatening illness, and my world collapsed. Unknown to me, I worshipped my parents. But, God, in His infinite mercy and grace, opened my eyes and let me see the truth, and He is now at His rightful place on the throne of my heart! I am so grateful to Him, for He could have by-passed me, leaving me smug in my presumptuous worthiness. Now, I see, that it has nothing to do with me, and everything to do with Him! Nothing I do is worthy of heaven’s reward, but for His sacrifice that has washed me clean! May I never tire of thanking and praising Him for His abundant mercy!
Hello,
I just found this blog today and loved reading every single post. The strange part is I went to a womens retreat yesterday and it was on motivation. I told myself after the retreat that one thing I could do to motivate myself everyday was to get up every morning and before doing anything else I want to either read my Bible or read devotionals on the internet. In other words I want to start every day with the Lord and thank him for everything in my life. I pray that he will use me to help the friends and family I have who don’t know him. I don’t know how to reach them but He does and I pray he will put the words in my mouth to talk to them. I never know quite what to say, although I try. Thank you all for the wonderful posts. I have found my daily motivation!
Welcome Diane M. it is so neat that you came across this devotional site and you are just going to love it here because everyone is just to super nice and so encouraging in The Lord. May The Lord Richly Bless You & I Pray You Will Have Wonderful Sunday!
Good afternoon Ladies, I have been blessed by reading your comments today. I was also blessed by the sermon I heard at my church as we celebrated women’s day today. The subject was about the woman with the issue of blood for twelve years who was determined to be healed. She struggled through the crowd to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment fully expecting to be healed. Jesus felt her touch even with the crowd around Him; called her forth and then this is what brought tears to my eyes; Jesus called this suffering, societal outcast “DAUGHTER” claiming her as His own and reassured her that her faith had healed her and she could now go forth in peace. {Luke 8:40-48} My sisters-in-Christ and daughters of Jesus may you all go forth with faith and in peace {attitude} and may you reach the high places {altitude} that He has set for you. May you be Healed of all physical, mental, emotional, financial, relational afflictions and may your testimonies bring comfort and healing to others. What power is being released by you all for the healing of others on this website!!!!!!!!!God bless you now and forever more.
this fits in good with the sermon we had at church. Our pastor spoke on (God is good, the Gospel is good news, and God gives good things. God loves us and wants us to go to heaven to be with him some day and that is enough motivation for me to be all that I can be for him. God doesn’t want to punish us he wants us to be submisive to him and do good things and live our lives for him. Thank you Jesus that we do not have to be in fear that you are going to punish us if we follow you and do good things praise your holly name. Amen
Welcome Diane M. :-}.
I do the best i can to Serve GOD out of love and respect that he is m father and he is deserving of my best service. But as human beings i think it is natural for us to do some things out of fear for we know that the punishment that comes woth disobeyinf him can be very uninteresting, so there is bound to be an element of fear here and there in our lives, but the best is for us to try and live in the most Godly way possible and this is by statring to do the simple things like loving one another enerstly and the rest shouuld fall into place as we go along. this is food for thought for all of us, to do the best we can to Love and Serve our Lord fearlessly.
Marilyn, I am glad that you were able to see where your faith had been misplaced :-}. I think there are a lot of people who are in exactly the same place that you once were. Maybe it is their parents, maybe their jobs, maybe their homes, maybe their church leaders, maybe their possessions, maybe their traditions, maybe the institution of their church or denomination, maybe other people, maybe themselves…but many people I have watched don’t see it. This is especially true of “good” idols. It’s really easy to not know you’re doing this. Thank you for your honesty about this :-}.
I definitely serve Him out of fear. Fear that my children will not KNOW Him, and I don’t want to be responsible for them not going to heaven you know? I fear that when I die the Lord will say He never knew me. I feel I’m in a dark place, and I have no close friends to help me through this or to lean on. It would be so nice to have a close friend.. someone calling me up and saying “Hey, would YOU like to come over and watch a movie?”, anything… Have you prayed and read today? Where do you need accountability and encouragement?… This is what I want to be for someone someday…
Seeking Him, (or at least trying)
Stephanie
Stephanie..
Just said a prayer for you that He will send an earthen friend nearby to share with..and in meantime? He is our friend, too! One that never leaves nor forsakes us, too! Hebrews 13:5..But, know it helps to have earthen ones as well..Praying a Proverbs 17:17 friend into your life! Keep seeking Him, too! We find Him when we do!!He brings marvelous “light” in our days, too, and a quick prayer, daily, “invites” HIm in!!! You’ll find many friends here at this special site, too, and MUCH PRAYER support..Amen!
Diane M…Welcome!!!
Welcome Diane M.
Marilyn
I know where you are coming from, that is just about exactly how I felt and I didn’t become saved till I was 60. But isn’t is wonderful that God places happenings and people in our lives that help us make these changes we so desperately need.
Stephanie
I really feel for you not having a close Christian friend I think this is so important to keep us on track. I will also pray for you!!
I have probably mentioned this more times than I should have but I like to quote Isaiah 41:10 when dealing about fear “Do NOT FEAR, for I am with you. Do not anxiously look about you for I am your God, I WILL strengthen you, surely I will help you. I think we need to have a fear of God that is, to be in awe of him, but not to be afraid of Him. If I’m wrong on this someone please correct me, but that is how I feel about it.
Joy
JOY!!!
Think you are absolutely “right”..In the Greek and Hebrew translations, am sure that “fear” means “Reverence”!!! For me? And real fear would be being separate from HIm..For being in His wondrous Presence is great Love, Joy, Peace and Encouragement. Amen!!!
Fran
Thankyou for the encouragement that I am on the right track, as I am such a new Christian sometimes I hesitate to comment as I would really not want to steer anyone in the wrong direction. “Reverence” was really the word I wanted but just couldn’t think of it”
Joy
stephanie
you have many close friends here and can “talk” to any of us at anytime
i will be praying for you. blessings
sharon
Thank you for all the welcomes! I think I have found some new Christian friends!
Stephanie, I will pray for you. I feel such pain crying out from your email. I know with all of us praying for you things will be brighter before you know it!
Dianne, I think you are so right when you imagine that there are many people who worship idols unaware — but for the grace of God, I was among them! These idols take on many different forms, and many are worthy of honor, but not worship. God gently, lovingly, opened my eyes and heart to the truth, and set me free from that which cannot satisfy. This is why I have such a burden in my heart for those who think they know, but they know not. Good people, caring people, people who serve in the church. Doing good works, that they may earn heaven. I want them to know the God that I know, the God Who doesn’t need their “filthy rags,” but instead, cloaks us with His Son’s righteousness, that we may enter heaven worthy! And, dear Stephanie, God tells us so many times in the scriptures, “do not be afraid.” He is so loving, so tender, so compassionate, and His children are precious to Him! He is our “Abba”, our “Daddy.” Yet, He is a holy God, full of justice and truth. And, as His adopted children, it is our privilege to honor Him, to respect His commands, and to seek His will for our lives. This we do as our loving response to His grace! God bless you, Stephanie, and may He bring wonderful Christian friends into your life to encourage you and to nurture you in the faith!
Oh, and one more thing, Stephanie — do not burden your heart with feeling responsible for making sure your children are saved. That is God’s role, and He does it in His timing. All that He needs and asks of you, is that you love them as the blessings that they are, teach them about Jesus, guide/discipline them with Christian values, and let them see how precious He is to you! And, lift them up to your heavenly Father for His caretaking. It is said that when our children are little, we talk to them about Jesus . . . and when they are older, we talk to Jesus about them. God bless!
Stephanie, hi I know exactly how you feel it has only just been lately that I now have one Christian friend and we only see each of & talk once a week. I used to have others and especially one girl who was just like a sister and we did everything together & then all of a sudden she was too busy and didn’t have time for me anymore. Oh how I have missed her friend ship. It has been a good 5yrs before this other person has come into my life but she too is a wonderful friend. I’m not really why I told you all that but just keep trusting The Lord and He Will Send You A Close Christian Friend. Meanwhile like others have said we are all here for you 24/7 any time you need us to be your close Christian friend.
Hugs, Love & Prayers,
Linda R.
I just checked “fear” in the Oxford American dictionary and one of its definitions IS “(archaic) regard God with reverence and awe.”
:-}.
Hello Ladies, once again a blessing to read everything that has been posted. I too will be praying for you Stephanie because at one time I was fearful that I was going to die early like my mother did (39). I wanted an opportunity to raise my children and have grandchildren and the Lord did allow me the opportunity. Once I let the enemy know that I was fearful of dying he really worked me with it. I then became sick and went through a deathful surjery and almost died, but the ordeal allowed me to become aware that I had no control over death. Had it came then it would have been so quick. the Lord had my angels posted around my bed when the death angels came and rescued me. What an expericnce, but the fear of dying has never been apart of me again. I now had a heart attack June 30 and was told I have congestive heart failure at the age of 60 years old and at the prime of my ministry and my life. Fear tried to attack me again, but I yelled out one night “devil, I am going to sleep”. I know there are some things I have to change and it is up to me how long I want to live with a change of diet and life style. Pray for me ladies, again remember I am the generation of women who were never taught how to take care of themselves but we sure know how to carefully wonderfully take care of others. Life and death is in my tongue and I speak life to every dead place in all of our lives and why should we worry, we are in the master’s hand. When I look at babies and children dying of cancer and young women and men not even allowed the opportunity to live. I thank God for 42 years of marriage, five wonderful chidlren, 17 beautiful grandchildrn and 2 great. All my children are healthy and living a good life and are able to take care of themslves, some are serving the Lord and Iam waitng for the others to come into his royal family in God’s set time. What more can I ask for. I know I am in the Lord’s hands and he has allowed me yet to live to minister to many of you and to be a witness to change many peoples lives still as I write. I thank you JESUS. Nothing will separate me from the love of God. Nothing!!! Hold on women of God and be encouraged, the Lord is so mindful of his promises and he will never leave or forsake us.
Ann Davis,
Bless you beautiful lady of God for this precious testimony and the many prayers know you are lifting daily!
Ann Davis
ditto Fran’s repy and I will pray for you too. Sorry to be so late with this!
Joy