If we are going to be used by God, we must first acknowledge that he is already at work all around us, and that his work isn't contingent upon us.

This is not something we're starting up. The weight is not on our shoulders.

The pressure is off.

I hope today you're freed up to be used by God out of joy and delight,

rather than obligation or stress.

Welcome to the first 15 podcast.

Thank you. Welcome to the First 15 podcast. Our scripture for today comes from Philippians chapter 2, verse 13. Scripture says, it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

God is calling you and me to a lifestyle of joining him where he is already at work.

Foundational to co-laboring with God is acknowledging that he is in constant pursuit of humanity. There is nowhere you can go that God won't be.

There is no one you could talk to

whom God doesn't already see, love relentlessly,

and have amazing plans for.

Sharing God's heart begins and ends with His grace.

His grace empowers us to step outside of ourselves and love others.

In grace, he pursues us, even in our sin.

Grace sent Jesus to die for us that we might have salvation

through Him. And it's by grace we receive that free gift of salvation. It's important to

understand God's grace because without it, we work in vain.

If we operate under the perspective that salvation, healing, deliverance, and freedom for others hinges on our ability or our mercy,

we will achieve nothing.

But when we understand that we are merely carriers of God's heart and fellow recipients of God's lavish grace, we work from a place of power and truth.

1 Timothy chapter 2, verses 3 and 4 says,

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