LUKE 3:21-22 – Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

THEME OF THE DAY:  LIFE’S GREATEST MOTIVATOR.  What motivates us to get out of bed each morning?  There are a few things to list, but ultimately there is only one way that provides lasting contentment, satisfaction, and zealous consistency.  However, consider a couple lesser motivators to cause us to throw the covers back, roll out of bed, and greet the day.

First, a positive. We have responsibilities we must meet regardless of our feelings, like family and job. Next, the negative; the consequences of not fulfilling our responsibilities. We each know what our homes and jobs would look like if we woke-up one morning and said, “Not today. The world is just going to go on without me”.  But there is one ultimate motivator which is to be the driving force in all we do – the affirmation from our Heavenly Father as found in today’s scripture.

Our Lord Jesus just experienced the joy of baptism followed by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit for His earthly life of ministry.  Immediately after both, we hear the voice from heaven affirming the Father’s love and pleasure toward His Son.   Friends, there is nothing more sustaining, strengthening, and encouraging to live zealously for the Lord in all we do, even the routine “dull” things, than to know and experience God’s pleasure. Think about it.  Is there really anything more rewarding and satisfying than to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord in all things knowing the Father delights in us as we do?

The Apostle Paul would recognize this motivator for all of life – So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him (2 Corinthians 5:6-9).

But how is that worked out in life?  What it is not is personal resolve in the strength of self.  That might get us out of bed and about our responsibilities.  It won’t give us the proper heart and attitude toward our responsibilities. This is a spiritual work requiring spiritual means.  Remember what happened to Jesus prior to this affirmation of being pleasing to His Father?  The outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon Him.  To live a life motivated by bringing pleasure to God we must do so by spiritual means and that means faith in His power to work through us.   It means starting the day before we do anything else of speaking to the Lord, thanking Him for His power and presence to live a life pleasing to our Father.   Learn to do this.  Learn to start the day while still in bed focusing on the spiritual not the temporal.  If we develop this habit, we will become keenly aware of God’s Presence in our lives and when His Presence is known so will be His Power enabling us to do all things motivated by His pleasure.

PRAYER: “Father, let my life so reflect Your Son, that what was said of Him may be said of me.”

QUOTE: “Live for one purpose – to be pleasing to the Lord; and all of life will take on the fragrance of Christ.”

Because of Him,

Pastor Jim