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“Messiah's
Ongoing Truth Instructs Valiantly, Enhancing Scripture!"
(M.O.T.I.V.E.S)
Ramesh C. Reddy
Publisher
SCRIPTURE:
"It is true that some preach Christ out of envy
and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love,
knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former
preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that
they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it
matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false
motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice."
(Philippians 1:15-18)
Approach Question:
What has your reason been for preaching the
Gospel and what has been the outcome?
Observations/Interpretations:
I asked myself what are the false motives for
preaching the Gospel?
1. Out of envy
2. Out of rivalry
3. Selfish Ambition
4. Not sincerely
5. Stir up trouble for others.
I asked myself what are the true motives for
preaching the Gospel?
1. Out of goodwill
2. Out of love.
3. Taking the place of others who are unable to.
Observations/Interpretations:
I asked myself what is Paul more concerned about
and why is that significant?
Paul is more concerned about having the Gospel preached
regardless of people's motives. He even says,
'But
what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether
from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I
rejoice'
It is more than likely that the Philippians must have complained to
Paul that there were those who were preaching the Gospel with false
motives. Paul agrees with them in v.15 'It is true' but he wants them
all to see the big picture.
We have to remember that Paul used to be a Pharisee and was well
grounded in the Jewish law and commandments. He may have remembered an
important fact from Isaiah 55.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither
are your ways,' declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the
earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your
thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not
return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my
word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but
will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent
it." (Isaiah 55:8-11)
Paul knew that God's Word will not go void but accomplish its purposes
regardless of individuals own motives. Because the Gospel was being
preached, Paul rejoiced.
Implications:
I asked myself, what is the purpose of
today's study to apply in my life?
I am not commended to
preach the Gospel out of envy, rivalry, selfish ambition, with non
sincerity, and to stir up trouble for others. I need to preach the
Gospel out of goodwill, out of
love, and to take the place of others. Preaching the Gospel is not a
popularity contest about who can do the best, who can win more converts,
who can fill the most pews, etc. God forbid that is not why God's Word
should be preached, taught, or ministered to others for. I need to use
God's Word for the sole purpose of the power of the Gospel of Jesus
Christ to change lives.
The
purpose of today's devotional is for me to understand that motives in
preaching the Gospel are very important and the results can affect our
own lives positively or negatively even if those the Gospel reaches are
affected positively.
I ask you now dear friends, how are your
motives in life?
Dear friend, your motives for doing something can be for the right
reason or the wrong reason. What I have realized is that even when we
think we are doing good, if our motives for doing it is wrong, it will
not bring us happiness and contentment in the long run.
This can be in any area whether it is academics, relationships, career,
etc. Take your motives to the Lord in prayer and allow Him to help you.
He will my friend. Yes, He will, for He loves you so much. Oh, yes He
does!
If you are doing ministry and your reasons for being in ministry are
false motives, it is important to ask God for forgiveness and refrain
from operating on false motives. God's Word can go out from you to
others and God can bless other people's lives but God will not be
pleased with you for doing things with false motives. In this case, it
would be hard for you to see God's blessings in your own life. If you
are thinking about ministry, please continually pray to the Lord and let
Him work through you rather than doing it with your own selfish
ambitions.
Motives are not limited to ministry alone but our motives need to be
checked in all areas of our lives as we depend on Christ to lead us,
guide us, and teach us. Praise the Lord! Amen!
If you are reaching out to others with the Gospel and do not see results
in their lives right away, please do not give up. You are the sower but
God is the One that makes the seed grow in people's lives. His Word will
not go void and you should claim that promise! Amen! Messiah's
ongoing Truth instructs valiantly, enhancing Scripture! Amen!
"Messiah's Ongoing Truth Instructs
Valiantly, Enhancing Scripture!" (M.O.T.I.V.E.S)/"How are your
M.O.T.I.V.E.S in
life?"
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, we thank you for your
abundant love for us. Thank you so much Lord Jesus how much you love us
and care for us. Thank you for dying for our sins and coming back to
life to save us. Lord have mercy; Christ have mercy. We confess that we
have sinned. Lamb of God wash away our sins. I thank you Jesus for
forgiving us and cleansing us with your precious Blood. Help us to live
our life for thee and may we always have true motives as we serve thee.
Help us please to proclaim your Word and not think that our pastors will
do it or missionaries will do it but help us to be obedient to your
Great Commission. Thank you so much Jesus. For you called each of us
whatever our profession we are in to be Ambassadors for you Christ.
Thank you so much that your Word never goes void. Thank you Lord for the
promises we can claim from your Word! We turn our lives to thee and to
the usage of your plans. We ask you to be in control of our lives. Thank
you so much Jesus! We rest in thee Lord and walk with thee. Thank you
that you have heard our prayers and answered us! Whatever your will is
please give us the willingness and strength to bear it. Thank you Jesus!
In Your Name We Pray Jesus! Amen!!!
May the Lord Jesus guide you in
His love leading you! Amen!
No matter what you feel in your heart,
know that Jesus has come in and resides with you! You are not alone! To
make your walk strong with the Lord, spend time in prayer talking to Him
as you would to a friend. You don’t need special words to talk to the
Lord. Spend time in His Word reading Psalms and turniLOVINGg them into
prayer. Next allow God to heal you and speak to you through the Gospel
of John or Gospel of
Mark before moving on to other Books of the Bible! Slowly, let the Lord
show you to which Scriptures He wants you to go to next. It is also important to be part of a body of believers to
help you grow in the faith. Find a Bible believing church that preaches
the Word of God from Genesis to Revelation proclaiming Jesus Christ our
crucified and risen Lord who brings us hope, healing, and help by His
grace alone!
Feel free to email me at
reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.com
if you want to meet to study the Bible,
pray with, talk about Spiritual issues or whatever is on your mind! My
number is 412-641-9426
"This is my
work and I can do it only because Christ's mighty energy is at work
within me." (Colossians 1:29, TLB)
Express Your
View
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2012 DEVOTIONALS:
"What
have your C.H.A.I.N.S done to others in your life?"By
Ramesh C. Reddy
(May 21, 12, 9:04 a.m.)
Philippians 1:12: "How
can you feel so S.P.E.C.I.A.L when things are going so wrong in your
life?"By
Ramesh C. Reddy
(May 18, 12, 8:20 a.m.)
Philippians 1:9-11:
"What is your L.O.V.I.N.G response in life
based on?"By
Ramesh C. Reddy
(May 18, 12, 8:20 a.m.)
Philippians
1:8:
"How can your A.F.F.E.C.T.I.O.N grow towards
others in life?"By
Ramesh C. Reddy
(May 17, 12, 6:32 a.m.)
Philippians 1:7:
"Why cannot you be saved by G.R.A.C.E. alone?"By
Ramesh C. Reddy
(May 16, 12, 9:55 a.m.)
Philippians 1:6:
"Where are you C.O.N.F.I.D.E.N.T in?"By
Ramesh C. Reddy
(May 15, 12, 10:54 a.m.)
Philippians 1:3-6:
"How can you attain a P.A.R.T.N.E.R.S.H.I.P in
the Gospel?"
By
Ramesh C. Reddy
(May 14, 12, 08:38 a.m.)
Philippians 1:3:
"How will others R.E.A.C.T towards God when
they remember you?"
(May 11, 12, 09:53 a.m.)
By Ramesh C. Reddy
Philippians
1:1-2:
"When do you
B.L.E.S.S others in life?"
(May 09, 12, 7:30 a.m.)
By Ramesh C. Reddy
Philippians
1:1:
"Why bother to let others T.R.A.I.N you when
you are already a leader?"
(May 10, 12, 9:01 a.m.)
By Ramesh C. Reddy
Philippians
1:1:
"Why should you believe you are H.O.L.Y
instead of being a sinner?"
(May 08, 12, 8:05 a.m.)
By Ramesh C. Reddy
Philippians
1:1:
Who will you be a S.L.A.V.E to in life?
(May 07, 12, 7:06 a.m.)
By Ramesh C. Reddy |
