Under bridges and in alleys

motivation

April 6, 2010

What is it that motivates us as we live and walk this life? Some people would say it is all about getting ahead, moving forward, having more. But more of what? More power? Prestige? Influence? Goods? When one stops to really contemplate and think on those words, what do they mean for us as Christians?

What good is power if we don’t know how to use it properly? Or prestige? Or influence? And how much will goods help us if we are just hoarding them to our own benefit?

Le’ts look at how the world defines motivation, power and influence.

motivation |ˌmōtəˈvā sh ən|

The reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way

The general desire or willingness of someone to do something

power |ˈpou(-ə)r|

The ability to do something or act in a particular way, esp. as a faculty or quality

The capacity or ability to direct or influence the behavior of others or the course of events

Denoting something associated with people who hold authority and influence

Do someone/something a power of good informal be very beneficial to someone or something.

In the power of, under the control of : a church ministering in the power of the Holy Spirit.

The powers that be the authorities. [ORIGIN: with biblical allusion to Rom. 13:1.]

influence |ˈinfloŏəns|

the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something, or the effect itself

ORIGIN late Middle English : from Old French, or from medieval Latin influentia ‘inflow,’ from Latin influere, from in- ‘into’ + fluere ‘to flow.’ The word originally had the general sense [an influx, flowing matter,] also specifically (in astrology) [the flowing in of ethereal fluid (affecting human destiny).] The sense [imperceptible or indirect action exerted to cause changes] was established in Scholastic Latin by the 13th century but not recorded in English until the late 16th cent.

Thought I’d throw a little history in there as well!

So what is our desire, our willingness, the reason for behaving as we do?

As believers in, and followers of Christ, if we are motivated simply for our own gain, than I am quite sure we have missed the mark. We have veered off into the standards of the world. A place where we should not be. At least our motivation should not be there. Our bodies may be here, but our minds should be “taking every thought captive for Christ” and “setting our affections on things above, not on things on the earth.”

Our motivation and desire should be totally about and consumed with passion for the Lord.

Ps 73:25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.

Col 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

Heb 6:11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:

We should desire nothing but the Lord, to be filled with His knowledge, wisdom and understanding, to the full assurance of our hope. When we have put our desire for Him first, it is at that point that He releases the latches of the floodgates of His blessings upon us.

As silly creatures of habit, we so often get this wrong. We try to do all on our own, then cry, moan and complain when events and situations do not go our way. Open our eyes Lord. Take those blinders away. Let us concentrate on you first, and fill us so we can “infect” others with your love as you have loved us.

Jeremiah 17.7 states: But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.

So what about power and influence? Let’s remind ourselves of what the Lord said.

2 Timothy 1.7 says : For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

The Lord desires us to have a spirit of power, His power, not one of our own weakness. And yet, when we are weak then we are strong and are filled with more power. Almost contradictory in some ways. And, somehow, so incredibly simple.

1 Corinthians 1.27-31 says this:

But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

That no flesh should glory in his presence.

But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

In Luke 19 it describes how when we are faithful with little, the Lord is gracious to give us more to have power and authority over. If we are unable or unwilling to take what the Lord has given us, even if it seems small in the eyes of the world, and with the Spirit’s help, to have it grow and mature, than I don’t think the Lord will look too favorably when we ask Him for something greater when we have not proved ourselves capable of using what He already gave us.

The Father wants to give us more spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1.3). Are we willing to use them for His kingdom and glory?

My prayer for all who read this is that you would know the strong arms of the Heavenly Father giving you the hug you desire and yearn for from Him. And that as you get that hug, you will melt into His arms and cry out “Abba, Father.”

Will you join with me for a hug from the Father? He is waiting.

Resurrection Sunday

From a friends posting on his blog. Says it pretty well, I think.

Tomorrow (today) is resurrection Sunday.

There will be many songs played that will paint different pictures of what transpired in that tomb, the night before Jesus rose from the dead.

Sermons will be preached.

Pastor's will be in prayer tonight over what they are to say tomorrow.

Bottom line to it all is this....

Simple truth.

Jesus rose from the dead.

A state of being that I am incapable of beating.

A moment in time that I will go to (death) knowing that

what I have done here on earth, as far a choices and decisions made,

will affect where I spend eternity.

Simple truth.
Jesus rose from the dead.

There are those who would argue the point of Jesus' resurrection.

But I know.

By faith, I know.

By faith, I know that Jesus rose from the dead.

Spent 40 days teaching His disciples.
Then gathering them on a hillside outside of Jerusalem,

Gave them final instructions and ascended back to heaven.

By faith, I know that one day He is coming back.

To gather unto Himself those who are saved.

I know this.

How?
Because Jesus rose from the dead.

No matter how many sermons are shared tomorrow.....

No matter how much Easter music is played....

No matter who fine your dress is tomorrow...

It all comes down to what do you believe....

I don't mean what you confess to believe....
I mean the deep-down-inside-make-a-difference- in-my-life beliefs.

They belief that governs how you live and approach others.

Because if you truly believe that Jesus rose from the dead.....

Then live like it.

Love others...
Love yourself....
Love God....

Show it...
Demonstrate it....
Give away freely what has been given to you.....

And oh yeah...

One other thing.....

HE IS RISEN!

Wonderful grace

"The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hid in a field..."

Matthew 13.44

"Put your hand to the plow and don't look back."

Father help me to keep my focus on you and not on the temporary things of this world that only bring satisfaction for a brief time and then are gone. Let my satisfaction be in you and you alone. You alone shall be my treasure of great price. You are my Lord and I desire to follow you.

Life is full. There are hurdles that need to be got over, thoughts that continually need to be taken captive, prayers that need to be prayed. Sometimes it may seem overwhelming and close to impossible, but I want to continue to strive toward the goal of knowing my Lord fully and totally.

Lord, I am yours. Mold me, shape me, refine me, use me. Be the director of my life. Take away those horrid goals I put up for myself that keep me from helping to see what you want me to do. Let your grace surround me.

As we sing on New Year's eve:

Wonderful grace of Jesus, greater than all my sin

How shall my tongue describe it? Where shall His praise begin?

Taking away my burden, setting my spirit free;

For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.

Wonderful the matchless grace of Jesus, Deeper than the mighty rolling sea!

Higher than the mountains, sparkling like a fountain,

All sufficient grace for even me!

Broader than the scope of my transgression,

Greater far than all my sin and shame!

O magnify the precious name of Jesus! Praise His name!!!

Wonderful grace of Jesus, reaching to all the lost

By it I have been pardoned, saved to the uttermost.

Chains have been born asunder, giving me liberty;

For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.

Wonderful grace of Jesus, reaching the most defiled

By its transforming power making him God's dear child,

Purchasing peace and heaven for all eternity;

And the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.

O, Wonderful grace!

To BE alive in such an age

A new year.

So what is different between 12 midnight and one second or one minute later? What changed in those moments of life to make everyone celebrate and shout, set off fireworks, get drunk, act foolish, make promises to themselves that most people cannot keep? And now not only a passing of one year but of a decade as well.

I certainly don't have all the answers. But I do have some that I know are ultimate in truth.

Christ came and died so we may have life and have it to the fullest. John 10.10

Life is more than food and clothes. Luke 12.23

Christ lives in me. Galatians 2.20

Our life does not change from the passing of one year to the next. Certainly we celebrate for having made it through the past year by the helping hand of the Lord. Yet, we continue to live, hopefully more fully for the Lord.

While reading a poetry book, I came across a poem by Walt Whitman, hence the title for this post.

To BE alive in such an age!

With every year a lightning page

Turned in the world's great wonder book

Whereon the leaning nations look.

When men speak strong brotherhood,

For peace and universal good,

When miracles are everywhere,

And every wince of common air

Throbs a tremendous prophecy

Of greater marvels yet to be.

O thrilling age,

O willing age!

When steel and stone and rail and rod

Become the avenues of God-

A trump to shout His thunder through

To crown the work that man may do.

To be alive in such an age!

When man, impatient of his cage,

Thrills to the soul's immortal rage

For conquest-reaches goal on goal,

Travels the earth from pole to pole,

Garners the tempests and the tides

And on a Dream Triumphant rides.

When, hid within the lump of clay,

A light more terrible than day

Proclaims the presence of that Force

Which hurls the planets on their course.

O age with wings

O age with flings

A challenge to the very sky,

Where endless realms of conquest lie!

When, earth on tiptoe, strives to hear

The message of a sister sphere,

Yearning to reach the cosmic wires

That flash Infinity's desires.

To be alive in such an age!

That blunders forth its discontent

With futile creed and sacrament,

Yet craves to utter God's intent,

Seeing beneath the world's unrest

Creation's hugs, untiring quest,

And through Tradition's broken crust

The flame of Truth's triumphant thrust;

Below the seething thought of man

The push of a stupendous Plan.

O age of strife!

O age of life!

When Progress rides her chariots high,

And on the borders of the sky

The signals of the century

Proclaims the things that are to be-

The rise of woman to her place,

The coming of a nobler race.

To be alive in such an age-

To live in it,

To give to it!

Rise, soul, from thy despairing knees.

What if thy lips have drunk the lees?

Fling forth thy sorrows to the wind

And link thy hope with humankind-

The pion of a larger claim

Will put thy puny grief to shame.

Breathe the world thought, do the world deed,

Think hugely of thy brother's need.

And what thy woe, and what thy weal?

Look to the work the times reveal!

Give thanks with all thy flaming heart-

Crave but to have in it a part.

Give thanks and clasp thy heritage-

To be alive in such an age!

O, to be alive! Is there greater joy?