God cares deeply about the reasons behind our actions, not just the actions themselves. While people may judge by outward appearances, God looks at the heart and examines our true motives, even those hidden from ourselves. Outward acts of service, giving, or worship are meaningless if they are not rooted in a heart fully devoted to God. It is essential to continually ask ourselves why we do what we do, ensuring our motivation is to honor and obey God above all else. [01:06:54]
Proverbs 16:2 (ESV)
All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit.
Reflection: Think of a recent good deed or act of service you performed—what was your true motivation? Ask God to reveal any hidden motives and help you align your heart with His purposes.
The story of King Saul reminds us that seeking the approval of others can lead us away from obedience to God. Saul’s fear of people and desire for their praise caused him to disobey God’s clear command, showing how people-pleasing can become a destructive motive. As followers of Christ, our primary motivation must be to please God, not people, trusting that His ways and boundaries are for our good and protection. [01:16:41]
1 Samuel 15:22-24 (ESV)
And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king.” Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.”
Reflection: In what area of your life are you tempted to seek people’s approval over God’s? What would it look like to choose obedience to God, even if it means disappointing others?
True surrender means letting go of our own control and entrusting our lives fully to God. Like releasing a bowling ball, once we give our lives to God, we must resist the urge to keep trying to control the outcome. Surrender brings freedom, peace, and joy, as we trust that God knows what is best for us and will guide us in love. This surrender is not passive, but an active choice to obey God’s word and follow His leading every day. [01:24:34]
Romans 12:1 (ESV)
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are still trying to maintain control? How can you actively surrender this to God today and trust Him with the outcome?
Because our hearts can be deceitful and our motives mixed, we need to regularly invite God to search us and reveal anything that is not pleasing to Him. Like David, we can pray for God to test our motives and point out anything that offends Him, trusting in His unfailing love to lead us in the right path. This humble openness allows God to purify our hearts and align our motivations with His truth. [01:27:49]
Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV)
Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
Reflection: Take a quiet moment to pray David’s prayer—ask God to search your heart and reveal any motives that need to change. What did He show you, and how will you respond?
God’s desire is not to condemn but to restore us when we humbly surrender our lives to Him. Even when our motives have been wrong or we have failed, God’s plan is reconciliation and restoration. When we give our hearts fully to Jesus, He brings new life, freedom, and the joy of relationship with Him. This restoration is available to all who are willing to surrender and trust in His love. [01:33:23]
2 Corinthians 5:17-18 (ESV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.
Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you need God’s restoration? What step can you take today to surrender this area to Him and receive His healing and freedom?
Today, we gathered to pray for our brothers and sisters embarking on mission trips to India and Indonesia, asking for God’s protection, favor, and anointing as they go to serve and train others. We also remembered the persecuted church worldwide, interceding for those who have lost loved ones and for the freedom to worship Christ without fear. This freedom we enjoy is not to be taken for granted, and we must remain thankful and vigilant, knowing that persecution can come at any time.
Our focus then turned to the third pillar of our church: “Love is our motivation.” Before we can talk about love, we must examine our motivations—the reasons behind our actions. Motivation is the internal drive that compels us to act, and it can be rooted in either good or selfish desires. God is not only interested in what we do, but why we do it. Scripture teaches that while people look at outward appearances, God examines the heart and the motives behind our actions.
We explored the story of King Saul, who started well but eventually allowed the fear of people and the desire for their approval to override his obedience to God. Saul’s downfall was not just in his actions, but in his motives—he became a people-pleaser rather than a God-pleaser. This serves as a warning for us: our service, worship, and acts of love must be motivated by a desire to honor God, not to gain the approval of others.
The human heart, as Jeremiah says, is deceitful and desperately wicked. Often, we are not even aware of our own motives. James reminds us that sometimes our prayers go unanswered because our motives are selfish. The solution is complete surrender—giving God control of our hearts and lives, trusting Him to lead us, and asking Him to purify our motives. Like David, we must invite God to search our hearts, test our motives, and lead us in His ways.
As we reflect, we must ask ourselves: Would we still serve, give, or sacrifice if no one noticed? Would we persist if it meant suffering or misunderstanding? God is calling us to a deeper level of surrender and authenticity, where our motives are aligned with His love and truth. Restoration and reconciliation are always God’s goal, and He invites us to humble ourselves, surrender, and be restored.
1 Samuel 15:10-31 (ESV) — > The word of the Lord came to Samuel: “I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned back from following me and has not performed my commandments.” ... (Read the full passage in your Bible)
2. Proverbs 16:2 (ESV)
> All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit.
3. Jeremiah 17:9 (ESV)
> The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?
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