The dictionary defines "motto" as: a sentence, word or phrase inscribed on something as appropriate to or indicative of its character or use; a short expression of a guiding principle.

Our hearts are inscribed with guiding principles which not only reflect the reason why we are living, but show forth our character and our purpose. What is written in our hearts results in the kind of life we live and what we do with our lives. In essence, we all have a motto whether we recognize it or not. "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." (Luke 6:45) AND "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. (Proverbs 23:7) It is up to us what kind of treasure we hide in our hearts, what kind of motto guides our life. The motto written by the unregenerated thoughts of men, by the vain philosophies of this present age, through the results of bitterness or rebellion, and by doctrines of demons, will produce evil things. The motto inscribed by the Spirit of the living God in our hearts will bring godly direction and purpose to our lives, producing good things.

The motto can be changed. That is the good news! When we accept Jesus Christ as our personal savior and turn our life over to his Lordship, we become a new creation, old things pass away and all things become new. As to the heart, Ezekiel 36:26-27 says, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them." No one is stuck with a motto, it can be re-written. Indeed, it must be re-written if we are to live as God intends for us to live.

Clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart. (2 Corinthians 3:3),

The Spirit needs our cooperation. Though He is a ready writer, we need to give him the pen and ink with which to work. The inscription of God's word in our hearts is put there on purpose. Not just God's purpose, but ours as well. We give ourselves to concentrated reading and study of the scriptures, sensitive listening and reflection of the proclaimed Word through God's servants, meditation (considering what the scriptures are saying until they are a part of our life), memorization (the art or practice of committing the scriptures to memory), and prayer. The Spirit inscribes the "motto" in our heart. The motto is the expressions of God's guiding principles. As it is inscribed in our hearts it becomes the source for godliness and righteousness. It becomes our godly principles. It governs our actions and our character. It produces the kind of life that glorifies God. It expresses the reason why we are living. And it promotes the fulfilling of our God given destinies. Mottoes are profoundly simple.

Finally, in a very practical exercise of the motto the Lord has inscribed in our hearts, we should be able to express or write the motto plainly. In reference to the dictionary definition it would be expressed in "a sentence, word or phrase" or in a "short expression". The motto would be "appropriate to or indicative of your character or purpose" and define your "guiding principles." You surely can have more than one, but to be able to communicate what your motto is will help keep you focused and motivated. Your motto could be a statement of faith, a statement of purpose, a statement of mission, a statement of assurance, or any other that encourages your soul in the things of your God.

Then the LORD answered me and said: "Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. (Habakkuk 2:2-3)

For example, one of my mottoes is " THE BEST IS YET TO COME " I have it before me each day, I even have a coffee mug that my family found for me that says that very thing. When I think about it, it is what I want inscribed in my heart, and I am always encouraged by the motto no matter what is going on. I believe it is scriptural, and instrumental in propelling me forward and upward into the things that the Lord has called me to. It helps me to stay on track and to make the best use of each day. It helps me to make decisions in faith. It is simple and it is profound. It is all encompassing and generates vision. It is a good example of what a motto is to be.

What motto do you have?