Latest / First15 Devotional / The Longing for Greatness
Transcript
- 0:04[SPEAKER_00]: Today, as we continue our series, looking at seven longings of the human heart, we're going to take time to recognize and satisfy our longing for greatness.
- 0:17[SPEAKER_00]: The longing for greatness within the heart of man has produced tremendous, interrible things.
- 0:24[SPEAKER_00]: It's produced peace and war, advancement and destruction.
- 0:30[SPEAKER_00]: And as we look at this longing today, I pray that God reveals the purity and power of it, as well as his plans to satisfy it moment by moment day by day.
- 0:45[SPEAKER_00]: Welcome to the first 15 podcast.
- 1:14[SPEAKER_00]: Our verse for today comes from second Corinthians chapter 2 verse 9, Scripture says, what no I has seen nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.
- 1:37[SPEAKER_00]: As children, we dream of a life of adventure and impact.
- 1:44[SPEAKER_00]: We pretend to be astronauts, adventuring into the unknown.
- 1:49[SPEAKER_00]: Police officers, serving and seeking justice, or even a king, rightly deserving respect from all in our kingdom.
- 2:01[SPEAKER_00]: No child ever dreams of doing something mundane or meaningless.
- 2:07[SPEAKER_00]: But as we grow older, we accept reality that few ever attain what society deems the most respected and honorable professions.
- 2:19[SPEAKER_00]: We settle in the mediocrity and work to attain greatness in whatever ways we can.
- 2:26[SPEAKER_00]: We give our lives to a business, a social circle, or even a church position, all in an attempt to fulfill our need to do something or be someone great.
- 2:40[SPEAKER_00]: The truth is that our longing for greatness will never be satisfied until we surrender our concept of greatness to the truth of Scripture.
- 2:52[SPEAKER_00]: Jesus tells us whoever humbles himself is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
- 2:59[SPEAKER_00]: And in Matthew 20 verse 26, Jesus says, whoever would be great among you must be your servant.
- 3:10[SPEAKER_00]: You have a heavenly father who longs to make you great in his sight.
- 3:16[SPEAKER_00]: He has a plan for you filled with eternal reward, significance, and satisfaction.
- 3:24[SPEAKER_00]: But it will cost you everything.
- 3:28[SPEAKER_00]: His plan is the exact opposite of the world.
- 3:33[SPEAKER_00]: To be eternally great is to lay down your life, stop seeking greatness in the world's eyes, and give your heart entirely to the service and plans of your heavenly Father.
- 3:50[SPEAKER_00]: The Bible tells of the wonderful life in store for those who would devote themselves to the Lord.
- 3:58[SPEAKER_00]: Matthew 519 tells us that whoever does them and teaches them, God's commandments, will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
- 4:09[SPEAKER_00]: 1 Corinthians 2 9 says, what no I has seen nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.
- 4:24[SPEAKER_00]: In John 1010, Jesus proclaims that He came to earth in order that we might have life and have it abundantly.
- 4:36[SPEAKER_00]: The opinion of man is fleeting and fickle.
- 4:41[SPEAKER_00]: But your heavenly Father's plans and purposes are entirely steadfast.
- 4:47[SPEAKER_00]: You can live a life so great that all of eternity is changed as a result.
- 4:54[SPEAKER_00]: You can live your life so devoted to God that heaven meets Earth through your life and changes the eternal trajectory of souls.
- 5:07[SPEAKER_00]: You were made for greatness.
- 5:10[SPEAKER_00]: You are called to a specific task that only you can do.
- 5:14[SPEAKER_00]: Take time to surrender your life entirely to your heavenly Father
- 5:25[SPEAKER_00]: May your time be marked by the peace, passion, and purpose that comes from wholeheartedly living for God.
- 6:01[SPEAKER_00]: as we begin.
- 6:02[SPEAKER_00]: In what ways are you seeking greatness in the world?
- 6:08[SPEAKER_00]: Take time to confess any of your pursuits that aren't in line with the heart of God as stated in Scripture.
- 6:18[SPEAKER_00]: Matthew 184 says, whoever humbles himself is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
- 7:15[SPEAKER_00]: and next.
- 7:17[SPEAKER_00]: Ask God to reveal his heart for what he deems to be great in your life.
- 7:24[SPEAKER_00]: Ask the Holy Spirit to instill in you a desire to lay down your life that you might find it in God.
- 7:33[SPEAKER_00]: Romans 12 verse 2 says, Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of
- 7:44[SPEAKER_00]: that by testing, you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
- 8:33[SPEAKER_00]: And last, commit yourself to live in pursuit of his opinion instead of the world around you.
- 8:43[SPEAKER_00]: Ask the spirit to help you live in line with his perfect leadership.
- 8:49[SPEAKER_00]: Commit yourself to trust him as he leads you into the perfect plans of your Heavenly Father.
- 8:57[SPEAKER_00]: Isaiah 30 verse 21 says,
- 9:00[SPEAKER_00]: And your ears shall hear a word behind you saying, this is the way, walking it.
- 9:07[SPEAKER_00]: When you turn to the right, or when you turn to the left.
- 9:50[SPEAKER_00]: follow whatever the Spirit would lead you to do today.
- 9:54[SPEAKER_00]: True repentance requires us to turn away from the life we've been living and live for God instead.
- 10:03[SPEAKER_00]: It always leads us to a better, more abundant life.
- 10:09[SPEAKER_00]: Know that whatever the Spirit leads you to do, it is out of love for you.
- 10:15[SPEAKER_00]: Responding to his leading is the only way to live a life full of the fruit of the Spirit.
- 10:22[SPEAKER_00]: And the only way to satisfy your longing for greatness.
- 10:27[SPEAKER_00]: May your day be marked by the purposes and plans of your loving Heavenly Father.
- 10:47[SPEAKER_00]: Thank you so much for listening to today's podcast, The Longing For Greatness.
- 10:53[SPEAKER_00]: I'm Josh Miller with verse 15.
- 10:56[SPEAKER_00]: As you go about the rest of your day, try and recognize when you're longing for greatness gets stirred up and take just a moment to follow it to its source.
- 11:06[SPEAKER_00]: Is that specific desire a fruit of God or a fruit of pride or fear?
- 11:13[SPEAKER_00]: Is it the spirit leading you to fulfill his purpose for you today or an opportunity to gain more traction in the pursuit of the world?
- 11:23[SPEAKER_00]: And if it's God, take courage and boldly go forth.
- 11:28[SPEAKER_00]: If it's not, simply notice the desire and let it go.
- 11:32[SPEAKER_00]: May you find the daily practice of allowing God to satisfy your longing for greatness, to lead you into a deeper and fuller fulfillment of God's wonderful plans for your life.
- 11:46[SPEAKER_00]: Have a wonderful rest of your day, and may God bless you as you see Kim.