Motivating Factor

If you are looking for the posts about

God's Amazing Blessing Announcement—I'm moving!

here's the link to the first Part: 

http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2015/05/announcement-part-1-im-moving.html

Then follow the arrows at the bottom of each post to the next Part.

There are 10 parts in all.

I recommend that you read each part, there are amazing details—

and God took care of each and every one! 

______________________________________________

This post is the continuation of my study of Philemon.

Yet for love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you just for what I am—I, Paul, an ambassador [of Christ Jesus] and an old man and now a prisoner for His sake also— Philemon 1:9 (AMP)

In verse 8, Paul notes that he could demand, Philemon to fulfill his request, as it is the "right thing" to do. But here in verse 9, Paul doesn't want the "do it or else attitude", rather, Paul would like Philemon to fulfill his request simply out of love, and respect for who Paul is. 

Love. That is a great motivating factor. And this isn't the "I feel gooey" love, rather this love based on Christ and what He did for all of us. It's not a feeling, rather love is a decision. Paul is basically saying, "Because I love God, and I then love you, I act in accordance with God's Word, and I'd like you to do the same."

Paul also makes three other reason clear on why he can is and making this request: 1. He is an ambassador (apostle, chosen by God), 2. He is an old man, 3. He is in prison for preaching God's Truth. 

·Love [Loyalty] and ·truth [faithfulness] bring ·forgiveness of sin [atonement for guilt]. By ·respecting [fearing] the Lord you will avoid evil.  Proverbs 16:6 (EXB) 

Instead, by truth spoken in love, we are to grow in every way into Him—the Anointed One, the head. Ephesians 4:15 (VOICE)

When a heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG), then the love God has for us, and the love we have for God, will be evident in our speech and actions. Doing things because of the love of God and love for each other, is the ultimate motivating factor. 

Body Guard

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 16. Here is what I learned. 

Keep and protect me, O God, for in You I have found refuge, and in You do I put my trust and hide myself. Psalm 16:1 (Amplified)

Keep me safe, O God, I’ve run for dear life to you. Psalm 16:1 (MSG)

The word for “protect” conveys that of a “body guard”. The job description of a body guard: The primary responsibility of bodyguards is assessing security threats and providing the necessary security measures. 

http://careers.stateuniversity.com/pages/7710/Bodyguard.html#ixzz2GvD6j0yY

God is the ultimate ‘body guard’ because of Who He is. The Word for “God” is “El” which means Mighty, Strong, Powerful.

Who better could provide protection and keep me safe, than the Almighty Powerful God? There is no one else who could even come close. 

Because of WHO God is, the Almighty Powerful God, I know that I am safe in Him. Nothing can separate me from the Love of God. 

The one who loves us gives us an overwhelming victory in all these difficulties. I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love which Christ Jesus our Lord shows us.[a] We can’t be separated by death or life, by angels or rulers, by anything in the present or anything in the future, by forces  or powers in the world above or in the world below, or by anything else in creation. Romans 8:37-39 (GW)

God is my body guard, and because of Who He is, I can rest and relax knowing that I am safe in Him. That fact creates a very positive day!