Listen to Psalm 26:2&3 from the Message Bible - Examine me, GOD, from head to foot, order your battery of tests. Make sure I’m fit inside and out - So I never lose sight of your love, But keep in step with you, never missing a beat.
David wanted the Lord to show if there was any error in him. He wanted to be fit...inside and out! This is the year that we need to be fit inside and out. Spirit, soul and body! I like verse 3 - David didn't want to to lose sight of God's love, and he wanted to keep in step with God. That says a lot right there, that to keep in step with God we can't lose sight of his love and we need to be fit inside and out. Spiritually healthy, mentally healthy, emotionally healthy and physically healthy.
The place to start is at the root, our motives. We need to know why we do what we do and say what we say. And because we think most of the time that we are motivated by a good and selfless purpose, but we're not able to fully judge our motives without the help of the Holy Spirit.
Let's think for a moment about God's motives. What motivates God’s heart for doing everything that He does? The answer would have to be, love… Because He loves, and He is love, this motivates Him to action. He does nothing out of selfishness or hatred. There is no evil or bad in Him. As we follow Jesus in everything, we follow Him in our motives too. We should be motivated by love and put others before ourselves. Lining our will up with His will and His word.
So, as we examine our own heart and question our motives, we should consistently ask our self, “Are we doing what we’re doing and saying what we’re saying because we love? Or is it because I’m thinking about myself.” Lord, show me if there is any self-centeredness in me.
“Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? (We could say are your motives tender and compassionate?) Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.” (Philippians 2:1–5, NLT)
Jesus is others minded, so we should think of others as He does. This attitude that Jesus has goes straight to the root of our heart and deals with our motives. Noticed that this passage doesn't say "be a doormat" it says do what Jesus does because you understand why He does what He does. How can we do that? By allowing the Holy Spirit to examine our motives and “check“ us if we get off.
I will end today with Psalm 19:14 from the Passion Translation - "So may the words of my mouth, my meditation-thoughts, and every movement of my heart be always pure and pleasing, acceptable before your eyes, Yahweh, my only Redeemer, my Protector."
David wanted the Lord to show if there was any error in him. He wanted to be fit...inside and out! This is the year that we need to be fit inside and out. Spirit, soul and body! I like verse 3 - David didn't want to to lose sight of God's love, and he wanted to keep in step with God. That says a lot right there, that to keep in step with God we can't lose sight of his love and we need to be fit inside and out. Spiritually healthy, mentally healthy, emotionally healthy and physically healthy.
The place to start is at the root, our motives. We need to know why we do what we do and say what we say. And because we think most of the time that we are motivated by a good and selfless purpose, but we're not able to fully judge our motives without the help of the Holy Spirit.
Let's think for a moment about God's motives. What motivates God’s heart for doing everything that He does? The answer would have to be, love… Because He loves, and He is love, this motivates Him to action. He does nothing out of selfishness or hatred. There is no evil or bad in Him. As we follow Jesus in everything, we follow Him in our motives too. We should be motivated by love and put others before ourselves. Lining our will up with His will and His word.
So, as we examine our own heart and question our motives, we should consistently ask our self, “Are we doing what we’re doing and saying what we’re saying because we love? Or is it because I’m thinking about myself.” Lord, show me if there is any self-centeredness in me.
“Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? (We could say are your motives tender and compassionate?) Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.” (Philippians 2:1–5, NLT)
Jesus is others minded, so we should think of others as He does. This attitude that Jesus has goes straight to the root of our heart and deals with our motives. Noticed that this passage doesn't say "be a doormat" it says do what Jesus does because you understand why He does what He does. How can we do that? By allowing the Holy Spirit to examine our motives and “check“ us if we get off.
I will end today with Psalm 19:14 from the Passion Translation - "So may the words of my mouth, my meditation-thoughts, and every movement of my heart be always pure and pleasing, acceptable before your eyes, Yahweh, my only Redeemer, my Protector."
Posted in 21 Days of Prayer
Recent
Archive
2026
February
A Daily Word to Construct a Life of FaithHuman Wisdom vs. God's WisdomThe Reverence of the Lord: The Beginning of WisdomSilence or Defense? The wisdom of ResponseThe Pillars that Hold the House - pt. 1The Pillars That Hold The House - pt. 2The Path You Choose Builds The Future You LiveThe Danger of Subtle CompromiseDon’t Co-exist With What Christ ConqueredLaw of The SpiritCorrection Protects the Path and Keeps the Walls StraightWords of Life and HealthTo Embrace Correction is to Love Wisdom and LifeHe Sent His WordAssets vs. Liabilities
March
Treasure Hunters of TruthHis Word Revives UsHealing Is A BenefitLeaning On The LordRedeeming Your LifeWisdom Makes Common SenseHealing Is SatisfyingConsider The ConsequencesDon't Be GullibleHe Increases Our StrengthWeakness Exchanged For StrengthDon't Be A FoolHe Carried SicknessUncompromised AllegianceIf We Were, Then We ArePrudence: Wisdom That Thinks AheadA Finished WorkRecognizing DangerJehovah RaphaSlow Down And Listen
April
Healing WordsThe Walls Around the HouseFollow God's InstructionsWisdom Was Before The BeginningSeven Vital Healing PointsSeek Wisdom BeforeWords Of LifeWisdom Lives Where Prudence DwellsGod Will Keep His WordSeek Wisdom EarlyThe Sound MindListen At The GatePassing Up SicknessOur Identity In ChristWe Need More LightYour Word Revives MeDestroyed For Lack of KnowledgeBinding And LoosingDigging For the Treasure of WisdomThe Incorruptible Seed
May
The Condition of Your Inner FilterGod’s Answer for a Troubled MindNeglect Always Shows UpGuarding Your Mind DailyRight Thinking Produces Right LivingYou Are Not PowerlessStrength Comes from the WordPeace That Guards Your MindThe Honor of Overlooking An OffenseWholeness is God’s DesireThe Arrogant and Un-wise React QuicklyHealing Is In the CovenantOffense Builds WallsJesus Fulfilled ItClara Barton and The American Red CrossPride Is The Root of StrifeGod Is A Healing God and “Healer" Is His NameThe Gateway ArchRule Your SpiritIt Is A Finished WorkThe Golden Gate Bridge Opens To PublicThe DukeThe Iconic Chrysler Building Officially Opens in NYCHealing Is Part of the GospelYour Words Set DirectionYour Tongue Is Steering Your LifeReceive and Walk in ItUnknown by Man, But Known by GodOne Spark Can Start a FireThe Speech That Helped Ignite a RevolutionIsaiah Looked Ahead
June
The Tongue Reveals The HeartDo Not Forget His WordKentucky, Helen Keller and SupermanFresh Water and Bitter WaterMercy and Truth Stabilize the HeartThe First Lady of AmericaWisdom Speaks PeacefullyTruth Produces RestThe First PhotophoneSow Peace With Your WordsHealth To Your FleshThe Golf Match That Became a Global TraditionUnspoken Expectations Create Unnecessary Frustration
No Comments