Dear Ones,
Hope you had a wonderful weekend. Kurt is doing well recovering from his surgery and Mark’s family should arrive home today. This morning I plan to fry fish given us by friends Emoji and go to Aldi’s and my exercise class.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
It’s good to examine ourselves and ask the Lord to show us things in our lives that come from selfish motives rather than out of love for the Lord. We can do wonderful things for Him and yet do it with the wrong motive, and it counts for nothing. We can ask ourselves why we are doing what we do? Do we do it to for the applause of others and to be held in high esteem, or do we do it out of love for the Lord? Our motive in reality is more important to the Lord than any sacrificial thing we do.

We’ve probably all had someone do something for us that we sensed their motive was wrong and they just wanted others to admire their sacrificial behavior. We notice they make a point to share with others the good deed they have done. But it leaves us feeling rather used, and the gift no longer seems like a gift to us. The Pharisees were masters at making a big deal out their deeds to be seen by others, for they loved the applause of men. But the Lord sees through to the motive. One day He will say to those with wrong motives, “I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil.” (Luke 13:27)

We need to be honest with ourselves, open to see when we have selfish motives. We may not be aware at first, but we begin lacking peace and know that something is not quite right. The test may be to ask ourself, “If no one knows, do I still want to do it?” If we find our motive is wrong, we need to repent and do it God’s way! Everything we do should be for His glory and not ours, and out of a heart of love for Him with obedience following. I have to confess there are time lapses when I feel the Lord wants me to do something and it is not something I would choose. I end up praying, “Lord, my attitude isn’t right, but change my heart so I do it willingly out of love and because you asked me.”

Challenge for today: Make it a habit to examine your motives and repent whenever needed.
Blessings on your week and prayers and love, Judy