What is our motive?

Week 2: WHAT IS OUR MOTIVE?

How can motive enter into asking? James 4:3

Group:1- Many times we use God as a good luck charm.  We go to Him when times suck.  Our motives shouldn't be for God to make things better.  Like the parable of the talents, Matthew 25:14-30, if we use our talents wisely God will bless us.

Group:2- Many times we go to God to see what we can get from him.  There is always going to be asking no motive what our motive is.  God can change our motives.  Ultimately our motive needs to be for God's glorification!  Every aspect of our life should bring Gods glory.  Just because we are asking for something for ourselves it doesn't mean it's a selfish motive.

Group:3- sin allows for impure motives.

How do you read Psalm 37:4?  Where do desires come from?

Group:1- desires come from the heart.

Group:2- our hearts can be wrong, as we grow in the Lord He gives us His desires.  We can have faith God will provide things He has already promised.  God provided for Leah with her car, rent etc.

Group:3- they come from delighting in God, finding pleasure and joy in Christ.

What are we doing when we ask for something "In His Name?" John 14:13-14

Group:1- When we pray, God grants things to us in order to glorify Him.  We are going out and doing it with faith.

Group:2- There is power in God's name.  We have to be confident in who we are in God.  We come in the name of the King!

Group:3- in Matthew 17:14-21 the disciples cast out demons, but Jesus said it can only be cast out through prayer. 

Punch Line: How do the passages above reflect on the idea of praying “in the Spirit” Eph 6:18

Group:1- Like the Simon and the sorcerer- sometimes we want prophetic gifts etc. supernatural powers, but without the right motives and Gods blessing it is in vain.

Group:2- a common thread was: motives, desires.  Listening to the spirit in His promptings.  Jesus only does what God is doing in heaven.  Taking a step in the unknown and trusting.

Group:3- we are to have pure motives, our desires should line up with God, and we are to use Jesus name in prayer which is how we pray in the spirit.

Application-

Examine your motives.

Ask the Lord to teach us how to pray.

Food for thought:

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO PRAY IN THE SPIRIT???