
This week's discussion topic is: Are My Motives Pleasing to You, God?
Ask yourself these questions:
Do you go to church to fulfill an obligation?
Do you get involved to get a reaction from someone; possibly pity, recognition or even money?
Do you volunteer in your child’s classroom to analyze the new teacher or is it to help?
Do you share prayer requests for a chance to gossip or because you truly care and are praying?
What is the real underlying motive for all of the good stuff that you do?
Great questions! Six years ago my answers would have been different. Back then I was still on the performance track. I needed to “do” so that I would feel good about myself. I did everything that I thought was expected of me as a pastor’s wife, mother, daughter, believer. I thought that if no one else was going to volunteer then I must do it. I do not think I did things to get recognition. Actually, I don’t like drawing attention to myself. Some of what I did was to draw attention to my husband. I thought if I performed well, then he would look good as a pastor. That is how my “performance track” was set up – I did everything for others. I’m sure some may think, what is wrong with that? One thing –
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. “ I Corinthians 10:31
The above scripture should be the key to everything we say or do. Before something comes out of my mouth, into my mouth, from my heart, mind, or from my hands – I must ask three questions:
What is my motive for doing this?
Will this bring honor and glory to my God?
Lord, is this a need that I am to supply?
Do I fail to ask these questions at times? Unfortunately, yes. The past six years the Lord has been teaching me many things about myself and His Word. Admittedly my mouth is still my biggest problem. I can already hear my husband and others saying “AMEN!” One time I told my husband after he gave me one of those scolding looks, “If you just knew some of the things I don’t say then you would be so proud of me!” We laughed, but seriously, I must keep my mouth shut more often. If it does not glorify my God then I need to “ZIP IT!” Another problem that I am working on is what goes into my mouth. I am learning to make wiser choices when it comes to food. My health has been so poor for way too long. I am making a conscious choice to “Live Well”.
Actually that is the key to all I do. I need to make a conscious effort to live as to the Lord.
“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:” Psalm 139:23.
I need to ask myself, what is my motive for doing this? Will it glorify God? If not, don’t do it. If so, then I need to ask the Lord if this is something He wants me to do, or pray that someone else will fill the need. We are not super women – we cannot do it all. So the key is PRAYER. We must pray and ask the Lord to direct our way.
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5,6.
So the questions we should ask ourselves are:
What is my motive for doing this? Search my heart Lord.
Will this bring honor and glory to God?
Is this something the Lord wants me to do? Pray, Pray, Pray… Trust the Lord to lead. He will guide us… if we just let Him!
Dear Heavenly Father, search my heart and examine my motives for all I say or do. May I relinquish my ways… to Your ways. May all I say, think, eat, do be pleasing and glorifying to You. In Jesus precious name. Amen.
10 comments:
Hello precious sister Michele,
I had to chuckle when you wrote:
"“If you just knew some of the things I don’t say then you would be so proud of me!”
That was me too! And sometimes, sadly still is! One thing that helps me is that God made me reeeallll slllooowwww. So most times, I don't have anything in my mind...just helium! ☺
Thanks for sharing with us today sister! Loved your post!
Bless you!
Sunny
"needed to “do” so that I would feel good about myself. I thought that if no one else was going to volunteer then I must do it."
I too had those thoughts also.
As for 'zipping it', I am AMAZED how I'm learing too 'be silent, be silent' instead of always having to share my point of view or prove I'm right (especially where it concerns my marriage). The peace that has come from me just being silent and allowing God to work not only in my heart, but my husband's has been truly mind boggling. WOW..has taken me 25 years to learn to control this mouth of mine..Praise God for His revelation and strength to be obedient..Great devotional. Thank you so much for sharing from your heart. I was truly blessed.
Yes you made me smile I was thinking to myself thats me, thats me, the part especially of things I don't say, how proud he would be of me as well. Hahaha! But still there are those moments when I do "open mouth and insert foot" but I don't do it harmfully.
Great post lots to think about here
Blessings to you my friend
Oh, you nailed it with this! If it does not glorify my God then I need to “ZIP IT!” Each day I pray that God would put His arm across my shoulder and His hand over my mouth! I only want to write, say and do what is glorifying to God. What a failure I am, sometimes, but He who began a good work in me will finish it. I am confident of that! May He always examine our motives and bring them to light. Loved loved loved your post!
I am constantly quoting the Proverb,"Even a fool is perceived whise when he is silent." to my sons. I need to heed it more myself. And to get at the heart motives behind my words and actions...wow...thankfully God doesn't reveal too much to me at once. I can rest in His ability to finish the good work He began in me...but it ouches to ask myself if I do all to the glory of God. I can definitely say that answer is not always yes. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Thankfully we have a Saior who understands our weakness!
It is a funny thing to me , but I feel that it saddens Him. I just do not want to grieve him or sadden Him. It is sorta like when someone I love hurts themselves or does something to their own harm. It breaks my heart. I would never want to break His heart. I think that I look at it more like that . Like more of a respect then trying to make Him look good to others(like He needs my help)ha.:)
Of course I wound not want to intentionally embarrass a Good Friend either.
I see glorifying God more like hugging him or bidding him a good day. Like showing Him how much I love Him back.
I used to be a human "doing".
It has taken me a long,long time to become a human "being".
As in "behold "becoming new"
Amen my dear friend, love you.
Hi Michele, I discussed this on my blog as well.
This comment made me laugh out loud, "If you just knew some of the things I don’t say then you would be so proud of me!" Ha!!!
I think it would be even more challenging to be a pastor's wife because in the south, people automatically expect you to sing, teach, and be there every time the doors are opened!
Thank God for freedom!
Love!
Beth
Thank you Michelle for joining us today on this heart changing topic! I loved your honesty and like others have said before me, I loved what you said...
"If you just knew some of the things I don't say then you would be so proud of me!"
Oh...I can relate, as a Pastors wife I have to "zip" it also, and sometimes my motives for saying or "not" saying something is purely selfish. God is working on me. Good to see you AT THE WELL today....Laurie
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