Understanding Inner Motivations
Today’s reading helps us understand the principle of the “heart over head”. All of us have those friends who are smart, strong, and ambitious, but that we would not trust in a second with our spouses, our families, and things that matter to us most. When it comes down to it, the purity of heart and our inner motivations are what really matter. From the pureness of the heart, all goodness flows.
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Scripture:
“The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” – 1 Timothy 1:5
Observation/Application:
That being said, let us never discount the power of the mind and controlling our thoughts. It is important to train our mind and our thoughts in all things The temptations of the devil and this world are strong and unless we are aware and diligent, we will think like an untrained child. And like a child, we will be overtaken by that which is stronger.
If we are to overcome the forces of evil in this world, we cannot expect to overcome it as an untrained child. We need to train like a fighter, each and every day working on ourselves and devoting ourselves to training in righteousness and goodness, and devoting ourselves to the Lord, seeking his wisdom and direction and strength. We are to humbly submit ourselves and our lives fully to the Lord. We have to be all-in.
We can’t fake being “all-in”. Just like your friends, your spouse, and your boss knows it, so does God. Above everyone else, God knows your heart. So let us humbly and passionately seek the Lord. As we plant those seeds in our lives, we can be confident that those seeds will sprout and take root. And if we nourish these habits consistently over time, these plants will develop and strengthen like trees that do not sway to and fro. And over time, these trees will bear fruit in the Spirit which is all good things that come from God.
Just as we know the motivations of those around us, let us search out inner most self for our motivations. Why do we make the choices that we make? Why are we doing what it is that we are doing? Are we paying attention to that which God has called us? Or are we allowing this winds and storms around us blow us around like a small seedling among the rocks. Let us seek good soil which are the foundation upon which we stand in the Lord Jesus Christ. And as our plant matures in faith let us not be choked out by weeds and thorns. For a good crop will come when we our efforts are not diluted by other plants stealing our nutrients, our sunlight, and our fruit.
As we step into today, let us walk in love. Let our hearts be pure as we seek the Lord in all that we do. Let us be diligent in our efforts, and not take for granted the gifts that God has given us, that our talents will be nurtured and developed and used for the glory of God. And let us be strong as the winds and storms try to blow us over and tear out our roots. Stay firmly planted in the Lord. And at all times and in all circumstances, let us pray with a sincere faith.
I call you blessed.
Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for your Word this beautiful day. For this is the day that you have made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Help us to seek you first today and every day. We open our hearts and our minds to you Lord. We thank you now that your Spirit is at work in us and that all forces of the enemy are being destroyed. for We thank you that your strength and power is flowing through our veins, and that your wisdom is flowing through our minds and removing any obstacles that we face or chains that try to bind us and hold us back. For you are a good God. And we know that all things are possible through you. And we thank you right now for the freedom, for the healing, and for the love and peace that is coming upon us. We thank you for the strength and passion that comes from you Lord that allows us to train ourselves like a fighter. Help us to not take a single day for granted. Motivate us when we are weak. Pick us up when we fall, and get us back into the game. For what you created in us is good and pure and perfect. Help us to wash clean all of the things that are not good and pure and holy. You know the desires of our hearts Lord, and we thank you for fulfilling the desires of our hearts. We give you all the honor and glory and praise, in Jesus mighty name. Amen.
Today’s full reading: 1 Timothy 1-4
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