Motives

Websters 1828 Dictionary:
1. That which incites to action; that which determines the choice, or moves the will. Thus we speak of good motives, and bad motives; strong and weak motives. The motive to continue at rest is ease or satisfaction; the motive to change is uneasiness, or the prospect of good.

Quotes:
It's not our job to play judge and jury, to determine who is worthy of our kindness and who is not. We just need to be kind, unconditionally and without ulterior motive, even - or rather, especially - when we'd prefer not to be.

-Josh Radnor-

Every action needs to be prompted by a motive.

-Leonardo DaVinci-

Would we not do well to have the pleasing of God as our motive rather than to try to elevate ourselves above our brother and outdo another?

-Ezra Taft Benson-

Scripture:

Joseph Smith History 1:46

This he forbade me, saying that I must have no other object in view in getting the plates but to glorify God, and must not be influenced by any other motive than that of building his kingdom; otherwise I could not get them.

My Thoughts:

Lately I've been thinking of why people do what they do, say what they say, and act the way they act. Motives was my answer. So I decided to do a word study on 'motives'. I learned that there is no gray motive. Either you do something because of a bad motive or a good motive. A hidden motive or a true motive. A clear motive or an unseen motive. And you know which kind of motive it is because of where your heart is. No one else knows where your heart is except for you and God. So is your motive in His favor, or not? There is only one answer, only one motive.

Miracle

Websters 1828 dictionary:
Literally, a wonder or wonderful thing; but appropriately,

In theology, an event or effect contrary to the established constitution and course of things, or a deviation from the known laws of nature; a supernatural event. Miracles can be wrought only by Almighty power, as when Christ healed lepers, saying, "I will, be thou clean," or calmed the tempest, "Peace, be still."
Scriptures:
~Mark 6:5-6":
5 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.

 6 And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.

~Ether 12:12:
12 For if there be no faith among the children of men God can do no miracle among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their faith.

~Luke 5:18–20

“And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee”

Quotes:~An extraordinary event caused by the power of God. Miracles are an important element in the work of Jesus Christ. They include heeling's, restoring the dead to life, and resurrection. Miracles are a part of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Faith is necessary in order for miracles to be manifested
~Miracles. An important element in the work of Jesus Christ, being not only divine acts, but forming also a part of the divine teaching. Christianity is founded on the greatest of all miracles, the resurrection of our Lord. If that be admitted, other miracles cease to be improbable. Miracles should not be regarded as deviations from the ordinary course of nature so much as manifestations of divine or spiritual power. Some lower law was in each case superseded by the action of a higher. They were intended to be a proof to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ
Songs:

• count your many blessings
• Master the tempest is ragging

My Thoughts:
Jesus and heavenly father are the only ones who can do real miracles. Those who pretend to do miracles are false prophets. God loves us so much that he sends blessings AND miracles in our lives, and we should be thankful for both. I know that God loves us and that he has put many stumbling blocks in my life but as well as stumbling blocks he has put miracles, he loves us very much!
~Megan