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A MISSIONARY HEART
SATURDAY, JULY 2
Philippians 1:5-8

2 Corinthians 5:18-20

 

“Blessed are the undefiled
in the way, who walk

in the law of the LORD.”

 

A MISSIONARY HEART
 
Christians can express their love for the Lord in many ways. The Apostle Paul was thankful for the Philippian Christians and the way they actively expressed their love. From the beginning of their salvation, they were interested in seeing others saved. One of the ways they expressed this interest was in their “fellowship” (Phil 1:5) with Paul. This fellowship was in the form of financial support and prayer. We can talk about our concern for the lost and the “whitened harvest fields” but a real concern takes concrete steps of action. And the Philippian Christians had taken such steps (2 Cor 8:7-8).
 
Paul showed his deep concern for the believers in Philippi by stating that he had them in his heart (Phil 1:7). How important it is for us to feel a deep concern for believers in places other than our own. The Apostle’s concern was so strong that even when he was not physically present with the young churches, he felt as if he were (1 Thess 2:17). The believers were partakers with Paul of God’s sovereign, saving grace. He never forgot the unity this grace made possible.
 
Paul was confident that as a result of the missionary endeavour many lives would be greatly changed. It is a great joy to see someone come to Christ. Salvation means a new life, a changed manner, an eternal goal (2 Cor 5:17). We can be confident that the God who saved us will continue the work of making His children Christ-like in all they do. This work will continue until we see Jesus face to face (Phil 1:6).
 
May all of us, like the great Apostle of old, stand before God as those who have a great love for the churches of the world. May we bear a deep concern especially for churches in new missions fields as they struggle to maintain a testimony to their new-found faith. May we continue to pray for them, as well as for ourselves, that the work God is doing in us will be evidenced in our daily lives.
 
THOUGHT: Is the Lord’s work in my heart evidenced in my life?

PRAYER: Father, give me a true missionary heart.

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