Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living from The Global Church of the Nazarene in Lenexa, Kansas, United States for Wednesday, 12 August 2015 - "The Cry of Our Heart" Scripture: Philippians 2:12-18

Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living from The Global Church of the Nazarene in Lenexa, Kansas, United States for Wednesday, 12 August 2015 - "The Cry of Our Heart" Scripture: Philippians 2:12-18RG AUDIO 081215

Philippians 2:12 So, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed when I was with you, it is even more important that you obey now when I am away from you: keep working out your deliverance with fear and trembling,[Philippians 2:12 Psalm 2:11] 13 for God is the one working among you both the willing and the working for what pleases him. 14 Do everything without kvetching or arguing, 15 so that you may be blameless and pure children of God, without defect in the midst of a twisted and perverted generation,[Philippians 2:15 Deuteronomy 32:5b] among whom you shine like stars in the sky, 16 as you hold on to the Word of Life. If you do this, I will be able to boast, when the Day of the Messiah comes, that I did not run or toil for nothing. 17 Indeed, even if my lifeblood is poured out as a drink offering over the sacrifice and service of your faith, I will still be glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise, you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

"The Cry of Our Heart" by Author: Michael Palmer

We all want to be used by God. We all want to grow spiritually, and so we invest. We invest in the newest translation of the Bible, the most popular books, and attend the most influential conferences. We want God to use us.
To be used is flashy. To be used brings acclaim. If we are used by God then people will know our names, notice our intelligence, and see our godliness. However, in our desperate attempts to attain public acclaim, we miss out on the far more important work: The work of the heart. This is the desperately important work focused on the spaces we wish would stay hidden. Hidden, however isn’t an option if we’re hoping to be sent and used by God.
The cry of the sent will always be, “Change my heart.” If we’re not first changed, we will never be part of changing our world. If we are not first humbled, we will never be able to model the humility of Christ. It’s the hard work of the Spirit that creates the servant leader and propels the kingdom servant out; out ot heal the hurts of a world desperate for truth.
Hymn for Today: "I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go" by Mary Brown

1. It may not be on the mountain’s height,

Or over the stormy sea;

It may not be at the battle’s front

My Lord will have need of me.

But if by a still, small voice He calls

To paths I do not know,

I’ll answer, dear Lord, with my hand in Thine,

"I’ll go where You want me to go."

Refrain:

I’ll go where You want me to go, dear Lord,

Over mountain, or plain, or sea.

I’ll say what You want me to say, dear Lord.

I’ll be what You want me to be.

2. Perhaps today there are loving words

Which Jesus would have me speak;

There may be now, in the paths of sin,

Some wand’rer whom I should seek.

O Savior, if Thou wilt be my Guide,

Tho' dark and rugged the way,

My voice shall echo the message sweet,

I’ll say what you want me to say.

Refrain:

I’ll go where You want me to go, dear Lord,

Over mountain, or plain, or sea.

I’ll say what You want me to say, dear Lord.

I’ll be what You want me to be.

3. There’s surely somewhere a lowly place

In earth’s harvest fields so wide

Where I may labor thro' life’s short day

For Jesus, the Crucified;

So, trusting my all to Thy tender care,

And knowing Thou lovest me,

I’ll do Thy will with a heart sincere,

I’ll be what You want me to be.

Refrain:

I’ll go where You want me to go, dear Lord,

Over mountain, or plain, or sea.

I’ll say what You want me to say, dear Lord.

I’ll be what You want me to be.

Thought for Today:

"Salvation is not simply Christ's work in us; it is also His work through us, which is demonstrated by a life of holiness"[Daniel Powers].
Please pray:
For the development of Christian leaders in Swaziland.
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