Main Point and Overview:
Motivation is the “straw that stirs their cup.” What motivates a person will expose the true intensions of that person’s heart. If he is driven by people’s applause, that will eventually come out in his actions. If he is easily offended by pushback, that will eventually come out in his actions. The point being that a selfless disciple of Jesus doesn’t get “caught in the weeds” with trivial issues. He is laser-focused on magnifying his Savior no matter what it costs him. The Apostle Paul was the kind of leader that we all need to emulate. While you might be thinking that the standard is set too high, I would beg to differ. True meaningfulness is not found in pushing our agendas or pursuing more attention; it’s found in being a powerful instrument in the hands of Almighty God. That’s what Paul was; that’s what you and I can be. Sitting in a Roman prison, Paul didn’t sulk. Instead, he got to work…preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Many of the Palace Guard came to know Jesus because of his incredible passion in the face of personal pain. Not only did the “lost become found,” but other Christians were inspired to “raise the level of their commitment” to Jesus. It’s true that when you and I are bold in our faith, it has an inspiring effect on the next generation and those who are watching. Paul didn’t care who “got the credit” for the Gospel. He didn’t care what was said about him. He didn’t even care if the “pastor down the road had a bigger church.” In fact, he didn’t care about himself. He only cared about the glory of God and the evangelism of the “lost.” Can the same be said of us? Are you humble enough to celebrate God’s blessings in someone else’s life, even if it means that you are “out of the spotlight.” Paul found joy in being a nobody. What about you?
Motivation is the “straw that stirs their cup.” What motivates a person will expose the true intensions of that person’s heart. If he is driven by people’s applause, that will eventually come out in his actions. If he is easily offended by pushback, that will eventually come out in his actions. The point being that a selfless disciple of Jesus doesn’t get “caught in the weeds” with trivial issues. He is laser-focused on magnifying his Savior no matter what it costs him. The Apostle Paul was the kind of leader that we all need to emulate. While you might be thinking that the standard is set too high, I would beg to differ. True meaningfulness is not found in pushing our agendas or pursuing more attention; it’s found in being a powerful instrument in the hands of Almighty God. That’s what Paul was; that’s what you and I can be. Sitting in a Roman prison, Paul didn’t sulk. Instead, he got to work…preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Many of the Palace Guard came to know Jesus because of his incredible passion in the face of personal pain. Not only did the “lost become found,” but other Christians were inspired to “raise the level of their commitment” to Jesus. It’s true that when you and I are bold in our faith, it has an inspiring effect on the next generation and those who are watching. Paul didn’t care who “got the credit” for the Gospel. He didn’t care what was said about him. He didn’t even care if the “pastor down the road had a bigger church.” In fact, he didn’t care about himself. He only cared about the glory of God and the evangelism of the “lost.” Can the same be said of us? Are you humble enough to celebrate God’s blessings in someone else’s life, even if it means that you are “out of the spotlight.” Paul found joy in being a nobody. What about you?
Posted in Devotional