Motivation

What motivates you? What motivates you to seek God? What motivates you to live righteously? What motivates you to live on a budget, watch your health, spend time with your family, work hard to make money?

Finding proper motivation is what produces stress-free success.

What motivates you is a hugely important question. Marketing firms for television commercials and on the internet are highly interested in this. Anyone who does any public speaking is seeking to motivate people to something. Your relationship with yourself and God is a constant working out of proper motivation.

Accountability/Fear Motivation

A preacher sought to motivate:

“We’ll all stand before God and give an account one day. A woman who interceded daily for 40 years, crying out for family and neighbors, seeking only God and not materialism, will have a good reward. A hard working couple who got the right education, the right job, earned well and retired early may have lived a wasted life when they stand before God. It is time we embraced our calling to serve!”

Accountability, a fear of the consequences of standing before God having done very little for the His kingdom, are real things. They are not, however, God’s highest form of motivation. The law and its consequences do exist to keep a lid on bad behavior, but it will never produce intimacy with God. Galatians 4 does say we start out under “tutors and governors” but we are supposed to mature into a heart cry of “Abba Father.” In other words, we are supposed to mature into a passionate love for our Heavenly Father as the motive behind all that we do.

Only Love Matures

Walking with God is not a matter of being sufficiently                                                    convicted by a fear of consequences into maturity.

Walking with God is a matter of learning to truly, experientially love God and then growing in that love the rest of your life. Only in this manner can a person sell out to the purposes of God from a place of love rather than works. The minute my motivation slips back into fear I slip back into works, trying to establish my own righteousness.

Works

Rom.10:2-4 — For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

So what motivates you?

Most Christians would say they have a goal of daily communion with God. We all long to live in His presence moment by moment, yet many would say they find this hard to do.

This has been my story. For years I’ve loved books like, The Practice of the Presence of God, Rees Howells Intercessor, and the Autobiography of Madam Guyon. They describe such wonderful communion with God. I’ve often thought of Enoch going so deep into communion with God that one day he simply stepped over to the other side.

Walking with God is described in several different ways in the Bible:

• Abiding (John 15:4)
• Being led by the Spirit (Romans 6-8)
• Entering God’s rest (Hebrews 3, 4)

I’ve often struggled to “be led,” to “rest,” to “abide.” God has been giving me a key that makes all this work.

A Wonderful Key

The key is living in love. Living in love empowers us to abide in God.

In the New King James Bible there is an interesting Section Heading for 1 Jn.4:7, 8:

“Knowing God Through Love”

These verses really get to the heart of the matter.

7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

These verses are so helpful in that they give you a heart gauge to see if you are abiding – are you walking in love? Without walking in love there’s a breakdown in knowing God and abiding in Him. So in searching for this breakdown you simply look for the “love disconnect.”

Love is how you walk in daily communion. Receiving His love and giving it away is the Key to Life!

Practically speaking, how do you do this? Here are two things I’m seeking to do daily in my devotions.

1—Receiving His Love

Daily in devotions I seek to position myself to let His love into my heart.

I ask myself:

• Can I focus on God’s presence right now and know in my heart I’m loved?
• Am I receiving His love or do thoughts come about some way I’m not measuring up?
• As I seek to embrace God’s love do thoughts come about a relationship that is not right or a sin in my life?

If I notice anything hindering God’s love — the disconnect — I remind myself of His truths:

• He loves me with an everlasting love. (Ezk.31:3) There’s never a time I’m not loved by God, even when I’ve made mistakes.
• There’s nothing I can do to cause God to love me any more than He already loves me and nothing I can do to cause Him to love me any less. I can never be “good enough” to receive His love, it’s a free gift. (Rom.3:27, 28, Eph.2:8, 9, 1 Jn.4:10)
• Only love matures. Fear of judgment and condemnation never produce true maturity. It is God who will finish the work He began in me. I can’t work hard enough to produce it. I can only cooperate with it. (Phil.1:6, Rm.2:4)
• Once I’ve embraced God’s love for me anew I deal with anything in my heart.
  • If I’ve sinned I repent.
  • If I’ve wronged someone I ask forgiveness.
  • If I’m emotionally triggered and can’t get past it I find someone to do prayer ministry with me.

2—Giving God’s Love Away

The second thing I do is consider how I might give God’s love away to others. I might ask God in prayer to show me some ways. I sometimes consider different relationships in my life and consider how I might show God’s love to them today.

If want to read my life story and steps to a complete road map to maturity get my book, The Sonship Empowered Life.

As you seek to live in God’s love daily you will be amazed at how your relationship with Him begins to rapidly grow!

Love is the answer to every problem you have. Whether it’s with your spouse, children, or a co-worker. Whether you feel stuck in life or stuck in habits you can’t seem to break. Whether you’re dealing with loss, health issues, or financial problems. Love is the answer.

A deficit of love is always the root cause.

Security Comes With Love

Think of love in terms of disciplining an 11-year-old child. Say he lied about passing a test at school.

You could spank him, restrict him, take away privileges, but that deals with behavior only.

• What made him feel he couldn’t simply talk to you if there was a problem?
• What communicated to him you wouldn’t be safe and loving?

But you may contest, “He didn’t come and talk because he wanted to cop out of the test.” Okay then…

• What made him feel overwhelmed by the test, that he needed to cop out?
• Why didn’t he know he would be lovingly supported even when he felt stuck?

Knowing we are loved no matter what is the answer.

Consider This Example

In ministering Prayer Ministry to people for many years I’ve worked with them through the worst abuses you could possibly imagine. I’ve even had various people tell me they prayed while actually being abused, but it didn’t stop. Personally I never try to answer things like this. We just bring it to God in prayer.

But here’s the amazing part. The minute a person reaches the place of knowing the abuse was not because something was wrong with them and that God did not abandon them, in that moment all the pain goes away. I’ve seen it 1000s of times. It always comes down to knowing we are loved. 

Love Casts Out Fear 

1 John 4:18 reads in the Greek, “mature” love in our hearts casts out fear. Any time I have a fear in any area of my life, God’s love has not yet fully matured in that area of my heart. If I fear a financial crisis I don’t yet know at a heart level my Father’s love that supplies all my needs, takes care of the flowers and birds, and I’m way more important to Him than those.

However, there’s more. His love isn’t just the answer to fear. It’s the answer to anger, loneliness, insecurities, feelings of powerlessness…

Everything.

Every problem you have can be answered through God’s love.

God’s goodness leads us to repentance. The minute we can see God’s true heart of love and goodness in the midst of any challenge we have we are on the way to freedom!

We’ve asked permission from ANNA MCCARTHY to use her blog post as one of ours.

Please read on. 
_____________________________

A while back I was asked by a group of pastor’s wives to go with them to strip clubs.

That sentence alone sounds strange. But hang with me.

At first I was a little hesitant. And not for reasons you might think.

I love people. Especially ones who are broken; it’s part of my calling. But, given what I’ve walked through, I know how fragile broken people can be.

And I know how insensitive the church can be.

And I was uneasy.

But, these weren’t just any pastors wives.

They had a vision.

One that longed to love on women that society had thrown aside.

It reminded me a lot of Jesus.

So, I jumped on it.

Their plan was to visit these clubs once a month to deliver a meal and gift baskets. I joined them the first night and I’ll be honest, I had NO IDEA what to expect.

Now, I had my fair share of time (back in the day) in bars and such, but I’d never been to a strip club. I was totally unaware of what I was walking into.

We arrived and the bouncer ushered us back into the dressing room where we introduced ourselves and began distributing the gifts and food.

I was shocked by what I saw.

And I’ll tell you why:

I was raised to believe that no good comes from places like that. Which is probably true on many levels. (I wouldn’t suggest making it your go-to for date nights)

But, I was filled (as were many Christian kids) with fear about “places like that”. That “those people” were heathens and doing all kinds of sinful, shameful things.

Which, again, is true of strip clubs.

And bars.

And many other places.

Even churches.

But, these girls – these lovely, girls – were so…..normal.

As I talked with one in particular, she reminded me of any young mom I’d talk to in the school pick up line.

Minus the fact that she didn’t have much clothing on – I tried not to focus on that.

(Oh dear God, she’s talking about strippers in a Christian blog and talking about them being half naked. We should not EVEN be thinking such things! First, my sweet friend, it’s okay to laugh. Like seriously, it’s OKAY. The fact that 4 pastors wives and their pregnant friend even went into a strip club is kinda funny. If you’re going to walk with Jesus, you’re going to find yourself in some pretty awkward situations. And if you don’t have a sense of humor, you’re toast. Like seriously. So, I give you full permission to go ahead and laugh at the mental picture)

They showed pictures of their children, talked of pregnancy (I was pregnant at the time) chatted about trying to get back in shape after having a baby, etc. It was SO NORMAL.

But, as we talked, and I looked into their eyes, I saw women – young, broken women. Who had stories, probably much like mine or yours.

We didn’t stay long. They had a shift to work, and we didn’t want to overstay our welcome.

But, as we left, they thanked us.

More than once.

As I drove home, I totally fell apart in my car.

Not because I felt sorry for them. Not because I thought I was so much better than they were. Not because I pitied their circumstance.

I cried because my heart was broken.

One thing the Lord continues to do in my heart, is humble it. Like over and over. Countless times, I think I’m going in to minister to some lowly soul and then I walk out, completely undone because the condition of my own heart was exposed.

I wept before God asking for His forgiveness in the way I had viewed women in that profession.

Because, people – that could have been me.

It could have been any of us.

Had my journey taken a few different turns, I very well could have been on the receiving end of that encounter.

Man. HE WRECKED ME.

I had my baby shortly after that visit and didn’t get to go back for the monthly visits to see the women.

But, I stayed in contact with one of the women organizing it and every so often, I ask her how it’s going.

They have been visiting them for a year now and received permission to leave a prayer box where the women could leave prayer requests.

The first few times they collected the box it had silly things written in it.

But they continued to leave it there.

Over the following weeks and months (as they continued to love on these women), the prayer requests got real.

Real situations

Real hurt

Real needs

Last time my friend and I got together, I asked about the strip clubs and this is what she said:

Her eyes always, always fill with tears when we talk about it because God is SO in love with these precious women.

She said, “The women are starting to reach out more. I’ve been texting with one and getting to connect with her a bit deeper”

We talked a bit more and she turned to me and said something that I am  still rattled by.

“You know what one of them said to me last time?”

“What?”

“She said that she was so glad we come to visit them because we’re not like the other churches”

I said, “what did she mean by that?”

She said, “Apparently other churches send them hate mail. ALL THE TIME”

I’m sure my face turned three shades of white.

Complete shock and disbelief gripped me.

We both looked at eachother and about fell into a pool of tears right there.

People – church –  WHAT ARE WE DOING?!

Did we forget (or do we just sing it songs) that Jesus was a friend of sinners?

Did we forget that it’s his kindness that leads us to repentance?

Did we forget that it is ONLY the blood of Jesus that makes us holy?

That ALL OF OUR GOOD BIBLE LOVING STUFF is like filthy rags without Him?

Jesus was UNAFRAID of walking in love to the least of the least.

Like the scum of the scum.

He walked right in, sat down and ate with sinners.

Gross, ugly sinners.

And the religious HATED HIM FOR IT.

A few years ago, I met with another pastor’s wife across the country who shared with me a similar ministry, although after months of developing relationships with the dancers, they asked the owners a crazy question.

They asked to hold a Bible study.

 IN THE STRIP CLUB.

Just for the dancers.

Surprisingly, they were given a yes.

(Something about it building morale in the employees, but whatever. It was a yes!)

So, they started leading a Bible study in the club.

But, something was missing.

And those ministering knew it.

The women they were ministering to needed to be led by a man – not because these women were incapable, but because of the damaged, skewed image they had of men. They needed to see a man who was safe – they needed a man who knew Jesus.

This woman’s husband (who was a pastor) stepped up and took on the challenge. And, for months the dancers wouldn’t even look him in the eye.

But he kept showing up….

Soon, one by one, the women met Jesus through this pastor’s humble, gentle leadership.

There were prayer sessions.

Women were set free.

And many went on to lead, healthy restored lives.

All because this group of women and this pastor were unafraid to go where God was leading them.

I’m not suggesting that we all have this calling.

I am not the Holy Spirit.

What I AM saying to you is that if Jesus were here, walking among us, wouldn’t it be just like him to walk into the most un-Christlike place (strip club or whatever) and completely freak the religious folk out?

Just a thought.

He loved then.

He loves now.

But, he can only reach as far as you and I are willing to go.

Hugs,

Anna

 

A foundational experience of being loved by God and a freedom to love others is the foundation of the Christian life and the key to living in emotional health, rest and peace, and a continuing sense of God’s presence in your heart.

Let’s consider what this looks like.

Love from God’s Perspective

I wrote previously of A Father’s Love Vision sharing that God set up Creation primarily to experience and respond to His love. Judgment, sin, righteousness, intercession, etc. are all important, but are all secondary.

Love from the Believer’s Perspective

In many cases a person becomes receptive to salvation during a time of difficulty in their lives.

Imagine if when the person came to salvation and joined a church their very first experience was that of being loved rather than obligation and duty.

Imagine their salvation call was from the pain of living without love and how that hurts ourselves, others, and the heart of God rather than their obligation to fulfill justice and escape the fires of hell.

Then imagine their first impressions were not making sure they fulfill their duty to pray, read the Word, attend church, tithe, and evangelize; but rather, it was an experience of being loved. At every service other believers hugged them, said kind words, listened to their heart, included them, invited them. An atmosphere existing with no competition or cliques but just plain and simple love.

I believe if this type of atmosphere was in our churches we could bypass a lot of counseling and years of struggle.

I believe this experience of love is what the Gospel is all about. It’s what people all over the world are starving for. 1 John 4:7, 8 — To know God is to love. He who doesn’t love does not yet know Him.

Maturing New Believers

As the new believer is founded on an experience of being loved, the next step is learning to stay in God’s love regardless of what life throws at him. And he doesn’t do this alone but with the support of a body of loving believers.

• Jude 1:21 …and to keep ourselves in the love of God.
• Jn.15:17 these things I commanded you that you may love one another.
• Jn.15:9… remain in My love.

Love Feasts

In Jude 1:12 the Bible talks about believers holding Love Feasts. The word love here is actually “agape.” Agape feasts! A time to get together over a meal. A time to share God’s good love and take communion together.

A feast of Agape love. We take communion and recount God’s amazing love. We share a meal and share of God’s expressions of love in our lives. Finally, we make it a point to show each other how much we care, and how valuable each person is in our sight and Gods.

I believe this would be a nice way to draw people more deeply into an experience of God’s love.