OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - 2/05/2013 BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

THURSDAY 2 MAY, 2013

WATCH YOUR MOTIVE

MEMORY VERSE:

For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. Romans 16:18

READ:

Romans 16:17-18

Rom 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

Rom 16:18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

MESSAGE

Samson was one Bible character who lived in self-will. He was more concerned about himself than the One who called and anointed him. When I studied this character, I discovered that Samson could be said to be among the worst ingrates. Many Christians today are equally ungrateful. When he was bound and brought to the Philistines and the power of God came on him, and he had victory over his enemies, he could not say a thank you. Rather, he attributed the victory to himself. Like Samson, many ministers do not know how to appreciate God. When a past Nigerian military head of state died and the streets were agog with joy, the Lord told me to watch, that not many Nigerians would thank Him. But I replied that I will tell every member of The Redeemed Christian Church of God to thank Him for a new dawn. Do you remember to thank Him for His mercies no matter how little they may be?

Watch you prayers and motives! Are you doing that divine assignment just for Him or for yourself? During the Marriage Super of the Lamb, one criterion that will be used for judging works done for the Lord is the motive. A popular world evangelist once said that some people are good because they cannot afford to be otherwise. Why are you doing that pastoral assignment? Why did you sign up to be a worker in God's vineyard? When you ask the question 'why' concerning works, you will be shocked at your findings. Although people will tell you they are in service for the love of God, you will find some who are there for the praise for men, some to please somebody, while some are in the service because of the honour attached to the office. If your motive is below what God requires, you may lose your works to the testing fire of the Lord. In the same way, if you want to attract great rewards in Heaven, it will depend on your motive. If your motive is to glorify God and impact or bless the lives of others, you will not go unrewarded. Motive is crucial in rewards. However, because the deed is external while the motive is internal, many people do not care much about serving God right. It is better not to do something good at all than to do it with the wrong motive. Having done it, you will have expectations but they will be disappointed.

ACTION POINT

If you work hard for God but with wrong motives, your pregnancy of reward expectations will deliver emptiness in Heaven.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Judges 1-4