Daily Motivation

DAILY MOTIVATION

Part 11 of 12 in Train to Reign Series

Luke 9:23

“Then He said to them all: ‘If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.’”

Apostle Paul abandoned the world’s ways when he met Jesus. (Jesus has that affect on everyone He meets). Since Paul had persecuted Jesus’ followers (Acts 9:1-2), he was motivated daily to preach the gospel after meeting Jesus. Acts 13:9 shows that Saul also went by the name “Paul.”

Paul’s daily motivation was to preach Christ crucified. Paul was so motivated, that he took the message of Jesus throughout the known world—planting churches wherever he went! He was following Jesus’ example. Jesus was also motivated daily. But Jesus’ motivation was the cross.

Imagine that the first thing you knew for certain as a child was that you would die on a cross! That’s a gloomy future. Living with that knowledge would make any person depressed. But not Jesus. The cross motivated Jesus to complete His mission on earth perfectly. Along the way, He made great friends—as well as bitter enemies. His influence turned the world upside down. Jesus’ passion for people—even those He knew hated Him—is undeniable.

Jesus loves you, too.

Jesus’ love ought to motivate His followers daily. When people believe in Jesus—invite Him into hearts, declaring Him Lord of their lives—they are “Saved.” This is what Jesus meant in John 3:7: “...You must be born again.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 declares, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

As new creations, Romans 6:6-7 teaches, “For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be done way with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.” New creations are declared righteous (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Believers are Jesus’ bodies on earth (1 Corinthians 12:27). We’re motivated by what our Father prepared in advance for us to do (Galatians 2:20). Jesus didn’t die so that we’d sit idly in pews on Sundays listening to God’s Word. His crucifixion freed us to achieve victory doing what we’re created to do.

Since eternal lives are at stake, how can believers keep silent about our victory? We must be motivated each day to share our Good News about Jesus to a hurting world.

Take Home Nugget

The cross motivated Jesus. Jesus motivated Paul. Jesus motivates His followers to correctly choose which activities to pursue every day.

Heavenly Father, What motivates me every day is more selfish than divine. Teach me Your way, Jesus. Motivate me daily to bring You glory. Amen.

J.D. Griffith

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