Need

The Need Theory of motivation states that: 

NEED results in  
DRIVE resulting in 
ACTIONS resulting in 
SATISFACTION

What motivates me when I know that all my needs are met in Christ Jesus - when I'm fully satisfied in Him?

I'm motivated to enjoy relationship with my heavenly Father today.  I'm motivated to experience the abundance of His love.


I love this life!

Copyright 2011

Leah Lambert Smith

Condemnation

Romans 8:1   There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

I used to be proud of my critical thinking abilities.  Then one day it dawned on me that my critical thinking extended to being critical of others and especially of myself.  Argh.  

Being my own worst critic was paralyzing.  When I would berate myself, my biggest loss was the encouraging voice of one who should always be my champion - me!  As the apostle Paul so beautifully points out in Romans 8:31, if God is not condemning me, how dare anyone else (including me).

My Savior so lovingly bore into death everything about me that was worthy of condemnation.  I am free from condemnation now!  Do I heap condemnation upon myself because I doubt that Jesus did a thorough job of freeing me?  Do I think He needs to go back and try death and resurrection again?  Maybe get it right this time?  

Of course not!

I am being changed from glory to glory by the Holy Spirit.  I am learning to be patient with myself when my faults loom large because that which is not of God is being done away with.

I love this life.

　

I Will Not Be Lion Food

1 Peter 5:6-9 AMP

6) Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you, 

7) Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. 

8) Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour.

9) Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset--rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same (identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world.  

I will not be lion food.  I will immediately cast my care.

I want to be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), vigilant and cautious as 1 Peter 5:8 requires and firm in faith [rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined] as 1 Peter 5:9 requires.  One choice that I know will help me to be consistently strong is the choice to humbly cast my care upon God. 

Carrying care slows me down and weakens me.  My pride will stop my progress altogether by throwing a why-me pity party as if my cares are so unique, no one on earth could possibly deal with them.  Lions seek the weak and slow as easy prey.

In 1 Peter 5:7, the word translated casting implies a sudden motion.  My pride wants to control and deal with the problems of my life, only relinquishing them when all attempts to do so fail.   When I immediately throw my care on God, my strength remains consistent.

I will not be lion food.  I will immediately cast my care upon God

I love this life!

Copyright 2011  Leah Lambert Smith

Unique and Personal

God has such a unique and personal relationship with everyone. I am grateful for the liberty in this relationship. Our God-inspired lives are meant to be too uniquely incredible for another person to fully comprehend.  Part of the fun is for each of us to be surprised by the mysteries of God that are shown through another.  My relationship with God isn’t between you and me. We may influence each other, but should never try to control each other.

Liberty is discussed in I Corinthians 10:23-33.  This truth jumped out at me. 

 

 I Cor. 10:29b, 31b (Amp) – “Why should another man’s scruples apply to me and my liberty of action be determined by his conscience…whatever you may do, do all for the honor and glory of God.”  
 

These verses point out that I should choose “my liberty of action” within the confines of “whatever you may do, do all for the honor and glory of God.”  My heart's desire is that my life uniquely brings Him honor and glory. 

I love this life.

Copyright 2012  Leah Lambert Smith

Count it all what?

James 1:2-5, NKJV
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.  If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

This has become one of my favorite Bible passages.  The "count it all joy" part used to frustrate me until it clicked what James is teaching here. God will give me the wisdom I need in trials.  With this knowledge, that end from beginning, if I ask, I'll be given the wisdom to go through a trial, I have freedom to enjoy the process. 

I've mentioned before that I wanted to be a scientist.  It's fun to me, now that I understand the wisdom available for me in trials, to explore the testing of my faith which produces patience.  I can observe patience having its perfect work.  It's like watching something captivating happen under a microscope, only I get to experience it from the inside out.  The end is always a victory but the process requires a path of growth that fascinates me.

The quicker I remember to embrace God's available wisdom, the quicker the transition to joy during a trial comes.

I love this life!

Copyright 2011  Leah Lambert Smith