WEBVTT 00:04.333 --> 00:12.699 [SPEAKER_00]: In today's first 15, we're going to look at how God transforms us as we allow him to meet us at our place of weakness. 00:13.859 --> 00:19.323 [SPEAKER_00]: You were never created to be self-sufficient, to have no need for a relationship with God. 00:20.304 --> 00:31.031 [SPEAKER_00]: Contrary to what the world tells us every day, weakness can actually be a tremendous source of strength when we allow God to meet us powerfully in humility. 00:32.187 --> 00:39.357 [SPEAKER_00]: May God replace pressure and pride with peace and humility today as we meet with him right now. 00:40.339 --> 00:42.482 [SPEAKER_00]: Welcome to the first 15 podcast. 01:12.420 --> 01:17.203 [SPEAKER_00]: our Scripture for today comes from 2 Corinthians 12 verse 9. 01:18.184 --> 01:22.266 [SPEAKER_00]: Scripture says, My grace is sufficient for you. 01:23.187 --> 01:26.409 [SPEAKER_00]: For my power is made perfect in weakness. 01:29.771 --> 01:34.914 [SPEAKER_00]: The ways of God are radically different than what we experience in the world. 01:36.335 --> 01:39.557 [SPEAKER_00]: The world tells us that only the strong survive 01:40.717 --> 01:44.220 [SPEAKER_00]: The world values those who can take care of themselves. 01:45.682 --> 01:49.065 [SPEAKER_00]: We're taught to look to our own strength as our source. 01:50.226 --> 01:53.329 [SPEAKER_00]: We're taught never to let others see our weakness. 01:54.670 --> 01:59.114 [SPEAKER_00]: But God values those who acknowledge their weakness in humility. 02:00.616 --> 02:04.940 [SPEAKER_00]: His heart is for the destitute, the needy, and the lost. 02:06.522 --> 02:24.401 [SPEAKER_00]: Jesus spent his valuable limited time with the prostitutes, tax collectors, lepers, and sinners, and as a result, we who can never be perfect, who even at our best still can't cut it, have renewed hope. 02:26.383 --> 02:33.364 [SPEAKER_00]: in second Corinthians 129, Paul writes, but he said to me, my grace is sufficient for you. 02:34.084 --> 02:36.945 [SPEAKER_00]: For my power is made perfect in weakness. 02:38.085 --> 02:46.267 [SPEAKER_00]: Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 02:49.047 --> 02:54.488 [SPEAKER_00]: True growth and transformation aren't the result of working in our own strength 02:55.908 --> 02:59.230 [SPEAKER_00]: We can't change ourselves, no matter how hard we try. 03:00.511 --> 03:12.117 [SPEAKER_00]: Transformation is only possible when we declare the truth of our weakness, stop living in our own strength, and receive the power of a loving present God. 03:13.485 --> 03:20.450 [SPEAKER_00]: Transformation comes when we make room for the Holy Spirit to fill us, empower us, and set us free. 03:21.471 --> 03:25.854 [SPEAKER_00]: Not because we are deserving of his help, but because he loves us. 03:27.875 --> 03:34.720 [SPEAKER_00]: Psalm 10314 says, For he knows our frame, he remembers that we are dust. 03:37.205 --> 03:39.526 [SPEAKER_00]: God doesn't expect perfection from us. 03:40.606 --> 03:42.887 [SPEAKER_00]: He knows perfection is unattainable. 03:44.147 --> 03:47.328 [SPEAKER_00]: And instead of perfection, he asks for honesty. 03:48.568 --> 03:52.409 [SPEAKER_00]: Instead of valuing our strength, he values our humility. 03:53.790 --> 03:56.631 [SPEAKER_00]: What he asks of us, all of us can give. 03:58.211 --> 04:01.252 [SPEAKER_00]: All of us can boast of our weaknesses as Paul did. 04:02.591 --> 04:07.172 [SPEAKER_00]: All of us can look at our lives and declare our need for God's grace. 04:08.413 --> 04:11.894 [SPEAKER_00]: And in doing so, we receive power from on high. 04:13.214 --> 04:20.557 [SPEAKER_00]: In acknowledging that we are dust, we gain the help of an Almighty, all-loving, ever-present God. 04:22.037 --> 04:24.818 [SPEAKER_00]: Stop trying to attain perfection in this life. 04:26.236 --> 04:32.439 [SPEAKER_00]: Stop finding your value and identity in what you do, and look to God as your strength. 04:33.599 --> 04:37.781 [SPEAKER_00]: Allow His love, power, and help to be your source. 04:39.342 --> 04:45.345 [SPEAKER_00]: Live in light of the truth that His strength is both able and available to you. 04:47.086 --> 04:49.567 [SPEAKER_00]: May you enter into a season of peace, 05:25.540 --> 05:31.185 [SPEAKER_00]: As we begin, meditate on God's heart to meet you in your weakness. 05:32.889 --> 05:39.336 [SPEAKER_00]: second Corinthians 12.9 says, but he said to me, my grace is sufficient for you. 05:40.217 --> 05:43.140 [SPEAKER_00]: For my power is made perfect in weakness. 05:44.642 --> 05:53.632 [SPEAKER_00]: Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 06:38.277 --> 06:38.797 [SPEAKER_00]: and next. 06:39.958 --> 06:42.538 [SPEAKER_00]: In what ways are you living in your own strength? 06:43.919 --> 06:48.880 [SPEAKER_00]: Where do you need to stop striving and receive the grace and help of God? 06:50.641 --> 06:51.121 [SPEAKER_00]: Psalm 10314 says, 07:39.853 --> 07:46.760 [SPEAKER_00]: and last, declare your weakness to God and receive the power of His presence. 07:48.462 --> 07:50.023 [SPEAKER_00]: Ask Him how He wants to help you. 07:51.485 --> 07:56.630 [SPEAKER_00]: Make space in your heart for the Holy Spirit to strengthen you and empower you. 08:36.517 --> 08:45.245 [SPEAKER_00]: Proverbs 22 force has, the reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life. 08:47.347 --> 08:53.452 [SPEAKER_00]: God has riches, honor and life in store for you as you live in his strength. 08:54.773 --> 09:02.160 [SPEAKER_00]: He longs to lead you to fullness of life if you will be willing to enthrone him as Lord over your heart. 09:03.601 --> 09:12.776 [SPEAKER_00]: may you be founded on the grace and help of God, an experience fullness of life today in the presence of your loving Father. 09:31.343 --> 09:33.524 [SPEAKER_00]: Thank you for listening to today's podcast. 09:34.305 --> 09:50.495 [SPEAKER_00]: As you go about your day today, notice the times when you feel most weak, when you feel most stressed or overwhelmed, and come tomorrow to meet with God with those needs in mind, inviting him to continue the work he's done today in your heart in life. 09:51.755 --> 09:55.998 [SPEAKER_00]: Have a wonderful rest of your day, and may God bless you as you seek him.