What Motivates You?
Success in anything first begins with personal motivation. And motivation is simply the internal condition that activates behavior with proper direction. Motivation is an impulse or a driving force that stems from an internal state of being. So in other words, the motivation of your life derives from the most inward condition of your heart. Whatever rules your heart will motivate your life in its behaviors, actions and reactions.
God can only operate in our lives according to how we partner and cooperate with His Word and principles. Our motivation should only be the total submission to the will of God in our lives. John the Baptist said it best, “…I must decrease and He must increase.” It’s called living inside out.
When we live inside out, we live not according to an extrinsic motivation, based on external conditions like riches, rewards, applause, etc; rather an intrinsic motivation based on self-discipline, conviction and submission. Intrinsic motivation is simply the resident internal power of the Holy Spirit operating in us thus, causing us to connect with all He has for us. This power is simply a passion to give all of who we are to Him – a total surrender to His Lordship.
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us…(Ephesians 3:20)
Let us remember that this promise given to us is conditional…”according to the power that works in us“. In other words, according to our internal motivation, God can and will work in our lives in an “exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think fashion.” And our success will be imminent.
So…what is your internal condition? What motivates you? What drives you? What leads you? Is it extrinsic or intrinsic?
Before I let Christ enter into my life, i always worked or was motivated in myself aggrandizement, so the other people see what i was capable of in order to receive complements and demonstrated how good i was.
But since i walk by faith and not by sight, i came to senes that i never needed that to be my motivation in live because i understand that apart from Him I’m nothing, i have no strength, i have no direction, I’m purposeless.
And that’s what is motivating my trying to know Him more through His word, through a Great men of God, (yes, you pastor) who always pour into us a living water that comes from the Father himself, and allow us to work for this world which need Jesus.
That’s what motivates me, that on some point of my live i will be part with Impact Church in a huge outreach preach the Word of God, imparting testimonies, praying for the sick and lost. That is what motivates me and I want to know more of Him, I would like to know how to die so He can live plenty in me… Teach me pastor how to do that.
Our Flesh Is a Huge wall that nobody realize that we have in ourselves, is like a jail… and knowing that, our motivation should be that we need to come out it and live free in Jesus who shape us and model us, always
I’ll pray that we got to a point of desperately seeking Him as our motivation so like John the Baptist said ” More of Him, Less of Us”.
Javi…. Keep that focus!! Stay with that thought!! if you do, you will reach what you are believing for and I will be able to teach you what you want to learn. Keep pressing….
Wow!! Now I have to go and think about this.. Thanks Pastor for asking the question…
Yes… please do and share with us your thoughts.
I believe what motivates me is intrinsic but always under the scrutiny and attack of extrinsic factors that want to distract. I know I would not be where I am, doing what I am doing if it were not out of obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit. It goes against conformity, passivity or complacency; the trap that a lot of us can very easily fall into if we don’t maintain the focus on the higher call. Nevertheless the moment you focus on the pleasures or comforts of this world or the American dream, the quicker and easier it is to become of no Kingdom value. God help me always get what you paid for to others and to live life with divine purpose on purpose each day.
Yes Laz, its the focus on the HIGHER CALL that keeps properly aligned with God’s purpose. I like to call it, “living with eternity in mind!”
Hope motivates me!!! Knowing that God loves me and that He is with me, knowing His promises upon my life,my family and church (in the bible and through prophetic words) motivates me to press on as you said!:)
Joselyn, then keep your motivation on him! Stay focussed…
I think that the inner motivation that we have is the promise of God that has for us, that is our drive, our motivation. The promise of God is what motivates us to continue moving forward and connect with God’s will. When I accepted Jesus in my life and I realize something just now. I don’t deserve anything that I have, but is only because of the grace of God that I have what I have and is only because of His mercy that I don’t get what I truly deserve as a sinner. God’s love is so big and powerful, that even when we don’t deserve anything God still has promise us salvation, prosperity, influence and his favor. I mean if that doesn’t motivate you to continue the race I don’t know what else.
God has promise me so many things and I don’t even know how is going to happen, but I know my God is faithful and I’m going to submit to His will and leading in my life. As you said pastor before we get disappointed only when we make false expectations and we attempt to get the promises our way and not the way God wants. I have to let God be the leader of my life and I have to trust him 110% in everything. Thats my motivation, knowing that God is faithful and all His promises are yes and amen.
Mario, whatever happens in your life, never change your inner pursuit of HIm! Let Him be your only motivation.
I want to think it is intrinsic but that my extrinsic does creep in and
I have keep focus on my love for God and all people. Without true
and constant submission to the will of God I will quickly revert back
to thoughts and desires of my flesh.
I believe that I have so much love for my Heavenly Father and each
day I have I am given so much joy by the the love and compassion
I share with everyone.
Cindy… thanks or your honesty. I believe that all of us are there with you. I only wish that many of us are as honest as you are.
Honestly Pastor I think I live more extrinsic than intrinsic. I find myself looking for praise and attention at times and that’s when I know I need to get things in order. Sometimes it’s easier to get what you “need” from affection or praise but it never lasts. It’s only Him who can give me the true motivation I need. Because I’m running the race for a different prize. And not just for myself.
Thank you for this blog it’s given me a lot to think about. 🙂
Ashley, Ashley, Ashely…. I very proud of you! Your focus must be always on Him. Dig deep down and tie your roots to Him. Thanks for your honesty… I have so much to say to you…
what motivates me is that i know that i have a purpose and a destiny to fulfill and i keep reminding myself that i will be student body president of my school during my senior year this is what keeps me motivated to keep going and don’t quiet for the wonderful life i live in christ.
Excellent, Januel!! Keep your focus!!
I think am intrinsically motivated. I think the final product is what motivates me. For example, when I see a small goal accomplished I am motivated to achieve an even bigger goal. That was a good question about what motivates us. May God motivate me to not forget about the little details in life and get his will done.
Excellent Jazz!!! That’s what I hoping to see in all my leaders! Very proud of you!!
Oh boy. Um… very good questions! I must agree with pastor Laz’s opening statement. “I believe what motivates me is intrinsic but always under the scrutiny and attack of extrinsic factors that want to distract.” There is such a fine line between both. The course of intrinsic motivation can often times prove foggy. How many times have we all done something for God later to realize there was a hint of external and personal motivation? I believe the key is Lordship as you mentioned sir. Paul said “I am crucified with Christ and now it is not I that lives but Christ that lives in me.” Paul crucified “self.” Paul also went on to say “I crucify my flesh daily.” I believe there must be a daily crucifixion of self in order that Christ may truly live and rule in me. To answer your question pastor, my motivation is intrinsic but at times distracted by extrinsic. I must continue to crucify self. Its only in my death that He can truly be glorified.
HIS Word.
Jeremiah 29:11
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
I almost daily repeat this scripture to myself in order to face every obstacle that comes my way, every disappointment, etc. It keeps me going knowing that He is there. Everytime I am ready to give up, this is my wake up call to get back on track and focus. It helps me find hope when it seems hopeless. I must continue to let his will be done in my life.
Jalina, Stay with it… keep it in your heart! He is really working in your life!
Well Pastor what motivates me is my wife and she is always there when I need her. and I know that I have the Lord and his word motivates me to go out there and spread his word.
Make sure you remember that.
I’m motivated by God’s will for my life. I’m driven by trying to accomplish all that I’m suppose to do. I don’t want to miss any marks. i think sometimes that motivation makes me my own worst critic because I want everything to perfectly line up.
Andrea… you and I are the same on this… I can identify with you on this one.
The things that motivates me are God’s promises in my life, that keeps me even tho situations comes and goes but I keep believing on that because at the end I know he won’t leave me, and my family motives me too because being united things will be good. And will would see his hand upon us. Thank you for that word!!
Lesbia… Keep pressing!!
Pastor great question, I have to say that life has given me a lot of surprises, and challenges, but God has given me the ability to bounce right back up. You always said to us that we go thru challenges and situation but that does not mean we have to camp there. So to answer your question I have learned to go back and listen to the words that I received throughout the years and focus on that. So the word of God spoken over my life motivates me. Thank you for teaching me that.
Marc, Very good response… That’s what the Apostle Paul told Timothy… “Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight” Marc you are a fighter!!
Well knowing I still have alot to die or like Paul said “I beat my body and make it my slave..” My motivation is to fulfill what God has placed me on this earth for, I refuse to be another person with a call or gift and fall short. What drives me is the love and passion for Jesus. Once I chose to follow God the shedding began, I let go of all ambitions, dreams, wants even needs because they wheren’t centered around Him. I believe I’m in a building process of molding and shaping (and still dying) where self-dicipline,conviction and submission are key. Thank you sir and greater things are coming… I BELIEVE!
Excellent Luis!! Keep pressing… It’s key that you recognize your current condition and make the proper adjustments.
I would love to say that my internal condition is one that is always focused on God but I know it isn’t 100% of the time. Constantly I ask God to show me the way. I know he’s saying “I am, but you’re not listening good enough”. So I’m asking daily for God to change me, make me new and open my eyes and ears. I don’t want to be the same way I was yesterday. Wow, bet that takes pursuit.
Yes… it takes pursuit…
So…what is your internal condition? What motivates you? What drives you? What leads you? Is it extrinsic or intrinsic?
What motivates me is growth and development of my family life and those that I lead. To see a Godly minded person is such a wonderful thing to experience and be a part of.
Definitely intrinsic. To have God work through us.
Very good Junior… Keep your focus!
For me it’s both internal and external –
Internally what motivates me is pursuing Him in order to fully live out my purpose and walk in the destiny I have – not just to exist but to do something with the life that has been given.
Externally what motivates me is knowing that I can do something to better my self, not just for the sake of my personal wealth, but to know that I’m contributing to my family’s provision and also that I can assist towards ministry, blessing someone etc.
Great stuff Mel…
I strive to be motivated by my convictions.
Normally when I do things just because of any external reason, as other people opinion or expectation, I will fail and “disappoint” the very same people that expressed those opinions.
If I am not moved by my convictions I sense I am defrauding myself, and normally I will put no real effort on it.
Now, knowing how I process things, force me to keep my convictions constantly in check, and I always question the source of my convictions: Is it the Word of God and His Spirit, or my own flash and background?
I try to be willing to make the proper adjustments.
And making those proper adjustments is key to succeeding in God’s will.
good stuff Sylvia!
I think what motivates ME (and many others) is a little of both.
extrinsic motivation: We all want to be “successful” and/or remembered for something. We want the reward of people saying all the great things we’ve done or accomplished. Even when we do things for God we still want people to acknowledge that it was US He used to do it.
intrinsic motivation: I feel that without that self discipline and the Holy Ghost working in us we would just be bodies wondering aimlessly through this earth. We’d feel no purpose or desire to do anything. We all have a little something in us that motivates us to do things.
For myself it’s my family (both extrinsic and intrinsic) I want to win my family for Jesus, know that after they’ve gone from here that I will one day see them again in Heaven. I’m motivated within myself to talk to them and do everything I can to have them see the truth. At the same time it’s a motivation to receive that reward of knowing “as for me and my household” and having the satisfaction and gratification that “I” was the vessel God chose to use to move their hearts.
Jen, I’m standing in faith for your family as well! As long as your extrinsic motivation is within the scope of God’s word, it’s fine. And believing for people to be born again is probably intrinsic in pursuit than extrinsic.
My internal condition is can be improved spiritually since I am never satisfied with where I am in that area. No matter how much, I read and study the word, I will not say that I am in a good place spiritually. When I do say this, I settle at that level. What motivates me is knowing that no matter what condition I am in currently, it can always be better. I tend to let external circumstances and situations cause me to fall into stagnant states. I thank God for my wife, my pastors, and my friends who challenge me when I fall into these states. Ultimately, I have found that if I can’t motivate myself, then the motivation I get from others can only take me so far.
Rudy…. Never being satisfied is the key to any kind of growth and forward progression.
What motives me? I will say both intrinsic and extrinsic.
It is a constant battle between both, inside out my motivation is when I accomplish something by following step by step, been discipline and get the results that I’m expecting. While my external motivation is to recieve praise or reconignition for something that I’m suppost to do. It doesn’t make any senses. Therefore my internal motivation must be focus only in God so he can receive the praise and glory for who he is in my life.
Jessy – Our minds don’t make sense many times. But it’s ok… Great answer!
There is an internal combustion engine in me that won’t quit. I’ve learned a lot through experiences with the vision God has given to you, Pastor Manny, for this region. Although many challenges have come and gone, they have served to increase momentum and intensity. The motivation comes from internalizing the two most important commandments, as given by Jesus. That simplifies purpose to the core and makes interim goals and objectives so radical that they cannot be ignored or set aside. Now, shrinking back is not even a thought. The only challenge is confidence in decisions, and that too is in fact not important because it is God’s perfect will to see people come to Christ. Since that is what I’m about…mistakes and all…then who can stand against it? If that doesn’t motivate me to action, then nothing ever will.
May your passion be contagious!