DO YOUR MOTIVES LINE UP WITH YOUR REQUESTS
Do you know that your motives can be out-of-line even when you want or attempt to do spiritual things?
Review the various requests in Esther Chapters 4 & 5 based on the following characters and analyze their motives.
Mordecai - Renting his clothes and putting on sackcloth and ashes, going out into the city crying with a loud and a bitter cry to save His people
Maids & Chamberlains - Reporting information seen to Queen Esther
Esther - Proclaiming a fast for three days then going to the king with her plans
Haman - Telling his friends and his wife the glory of his riches and advancement above the princes; His special acknowledgement by Queen Esther then saying all that means nothing as long as he see Mordecai sitting at the king's gate.
Haman's friends and wife - Advising him to build a gallows to hang Mordecai
Today's Focus: What's Your Motive?
We are told to possess, to build and to go forward, but do your motives add up to your dreams, desires and requests? Let's discuss...
- What are you pursuing?
- What are your motives in acquiring them?
Let's also be careful that while we may seek to better ourselves that we may at times have to pursue for the benefit others.
- Like Esther is your request for the benefit of someone/others?
- Who and what will they gain from your "If I perish, I perish" pursuit?
DO A MOTIVE CHECK TODAY!
Even if it is your personal dreams/desires, may your motives be right and line up with goodly desires that will benefit the kingdom of God.
God Bless and always remember to... KEEP THE FAITH!
Virtuous Jewel
Another great reflection and questions to answer in the quiet place of my heart.I think my motives are towards the will of pursuing the will of God, but I realize the flesh is sneaky and I should be aware of it devices. I will stay silent for now regarding my pursuits, but it is good to be aware of the things that can go wrong when my motives and attitudes don't line up with God's will and purpose for my life. The Book of Esther exposed a lot of characteristical traits - some good and some bad - that are important to evaluate to help me grow as a servant of the Most High God.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Virtuous Jewel for empowering me today.
Blessed to be a blessing first Lady. All glory goes to God! Isn't it amazing what comes out when you read the word with prayer and fasting rather that the bible story. This is so deep. That's why I wrote that there are both good and bad. But since we are doing a cleansing and fast I just felt the nudging to extract what we can do better before we can get into the positive. Oh my God.. it's so so so much!
DeleteThank you for your honesty and sincere post. God Bless!
You are so right Pastor Julie. Thanks for sharing such insightful information with me and others. I will pray today and moving forward that my motives be in line with God's plan and purposeful for my life. Also, my motives need to be also in the service of others, and not of self alone. May God add his riches blessings to All.
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Wayne S.
Thanks for sharing my Bro. May God do the work in you to allow you to move in the direction he planned for you. Keep on the path of righteousness, and His purpose will be revealed to you. May you be blessed as we join forces together with the right attitude and motives to share God's love and serve others.
DeleteThank you Pastor Julie. You are truly a Woman of God and I am blessed that I can call you friend of mine. Halleluyah! God has been good to us. God is revealing himself to me on a daily basis and he has shown me today of a greater dependence on him. We need to have a greater dependence of the Most High. WIthout him, it is hard to accomplish things in our lives. Glory! I thank him for the support of friends this day of fasting cause without them and God I would not have made it through. Oh Jesus! Dear God keep our attitudes and motives in line with your plan and promise for our lives. Thank you Jesus!
DeleteRegards,
Wayne S.