WEBVTT 00:04.013 --> 00:11.366 [SPEAKER_00]: All of us have insatiable longings that can only be satisfied in communion with our heavenly father. 00:12.188 --> 00:22.967 [SPEAKER_00]: The longing to be enjoyed, fascinated, to gaze upon beauty, and to be someone great, are driving forces within each of us. 00:22.947 --> 00:35.945 [SPEAKER_00]: the longing to experience intimacy without shame, to be wholehearted, and to make a deep and lasting impact, resound within each of us at the foundation of who we are. 00:37.107 --> 00:47.622 [SPEAKER_00]: God created these longings, knowing that they can only be fully satisfied in Him, that they would be avenues 00:48.125 --> 00:58.490 [SPEAKER_00]: As we look at each of these longings individually this week, I pray your heart would find its fulfillment in the loving nearness of your Heavenly Father. 00:59.292 --> 01:01.678 [SPEAKER_00]: Welcome to the first 15 podcast. 01:27.697 --> 01:43.516 [SPEAKER_00]: Our Scripture for today comes from Isaiah 62 verse 5, Scripture says, as a bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so your God will rejoice over you. 01:47.060 --> 01:53.147 [SPEAKER_00]: The human race has no greater driving force than the longing to be enjoyed, 01:54.123 --> 01:59.439 [SPEAKER_00]: Most of us have spent our entire lives working to be enjoyed by others. 02:00.482 --> 02:07.744 [SPEAKER_00]: We'll go to whatever length necessary to prove ourselves worthy of being liked or loved. 02:08.635 --> 02:15.383 [SPEAKER_00]: Some work tirelessly at a talent or skill, hoping to impress with their abilities. 02:16.584 --> 02:26.336 [SPEAKER_00]: Some devote countless hours to their appearance, hoping the way they look will attract others and satisfy their longing to be enjoyed. 02:27.798 --> 02:34.626 [SPEAKER_00]: Some hope that money and possessions will cause people to like them, or to want to spend time with them. 02:35.737 --> 02:45.134 [SPEAKER_00]: Regardless of how we seek to be enjoyed, if we're honest, we will discover this longing is a driving force in all of us. 02:46.937 --> 02:48.259 [SPEAKER_00]: Think back on your life. 02:49.542 --> 02:50.884 [SPEAKER_00]: Think back on yesterday. 02:52.146 --> 02:57.576 [SPEAKER_00]: What did you do so that people would like you, so that people would enjoy you? 02:58.805 --> 03:05.638 [SPEAKER_00]: I could name lots of ways, I strive for people's affection or adoration on a daily basis. 03:07.140 --> 03:09.725 [SPEAKER_00]: I long with everything in me to be enjoyed. 03:10.867 --> 03:18.501 [SPEAKER_00]: I cringe at the thought of feeling cast out, loved by two few or none, unenjoyable. 03:19.595 --> 03:31.231 [SPEAKER_00]: You see, we can't help our need to be enjoyed because God created each of us with longings that match avenues He created to lead us back to His presence. 03:33.114 --> 03:38.802 [SPEAKER_00]: Our Father created all of us with a longing to be enjoyed by Him. 03:39.980 --> 03:41.982 [SPEAKER_00]: the creator of all things. 03:42.923 --> 03:50.670 [SPEAKER_00]: The only one who knows everything about you, longs for you to know that he deeply enjoys you. 03:51.931 --> 03:55.335 [SPEAKER_00]: You, just being fully you, are loved. 03:56.436 --> 04:04.604 [SPEAKER_00]: You, with all your failures, victories, sins, and quirks are enjoyable to God. 04:06.125 --> 04:09.328 [SPEAKER_00]: God made you the way he did for a reason. 04:10.169 --> 04:15.536 [SPEAKER_00]: He enjoys talking with you, and watching you work. 04:15.556 --> 04:24.387 [SPEAKER_00]: He longs for you to live the life he's laid out for you, and experience the fullness of joy he has richly provided you. 04:26.150 --> 04:28.473 [SPEAKER_00]: Of course, he hates when we sin. 04:29.454 --> 04:34.621 [SPEAKER_00]: He can't possibly enjoy something we're doing that's harmful to us and others. 04:35.802 --> 04:39.467 [SPEAKER_00]: But even in our failure, God pursues us. 04:40.274 --> 04:50.328 [SPEAKER_00]: Even in rebellion, God longs for us to turn our hearts towards Him, so that He can run out to meet us and close us with grace. 04:52.191 --> 04:59.341 [SPEAKER_00]: Out of His unconditional love, He wants to throw a celebration in honor of restored relationship with you. 05:01.984 --> 05:07.412 [SPEAKER_00]: Seek fulfillment for your longing to be enjoyed in the arms of your loving father. 05:08.658 --> 05:14.608 [SPEAKER_00]: see him as your father running out to meet you that you might be fully enjoyed by him. 05:16.131 --> 05:25.607 [SPEAKER_00]: Let his love sink into the depths of your heart that you're longing to be enjoyed may be fully satisfied in him. 05:27.550 --> 05:34.041 [SPEAKER_00]: May your time and guided prayer be marked by the joy your father has over you. 05:36.637 --> 05:59.100 [SPEAKER_00]: As we begin, 06:00.059 --> 06:09.115 [SPEAKER_00]: Open your Bible to Luke 15, verses 11 through 32, and meditate on the story of the Prodigal Son. 06:10.737 --> 06:17.028 [SPEAKER_00]: Put yourself in the story, and place your perception of God in the character of the Father. 06:18.551 --> 06:25.122 [SPEAKER_00]: Ask the Spirit to help you see yourself in the story to believe God's Word about yourself. 07:07.610 --> 07:13.537 [SPEAKER_00]: And next, ask the Spirit to show you how God feels about you right now. 07:14.978 --> 07:21.966 [SPEAKER_00]: Ask him to show you how God the Father rushes toward you and longs to wrap you up in his arms. 07:23.608 --> 07:37.043 [SPEAKER_00]: Zephaniah 3 verse 17 says, the Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will 07:37.917 --> 07:40.143 [SPEAKER_00]: He will quiet you by his love. 07:41.266 --> 07:52.838 [SPEAKER_00]: He will exult over you with loud singing. 08:30.010 --> 08:31.773 [SPEAKER_00]: and last. 08:31.793 --> 08:34.858 [SPEAKER_00]: Receive the enjoyment of your heavenly Father. 08:36.360 --> 08:41.168 [SPEAKER_00]: Rest in the love of God, and let it fill up the depths of your heart. 08:43.131 --> 08:57.874 [SPEAKER_00]: John 3 16 says, for God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 09:11.152 --> 09:39.606 [UNKNOWN]: Thank you very much. 09:40.058 --> 09:48.212 [SPEAKER_00]: When you feel the urge to do something to gain the approval of man today, stop and receive God's enjoyment again. 09:48.252 --> 09:57.328 [SPEAKER_00]: Doing life out of a place of already being enjoyed is the only way to live emotionally fulfilled. 09:58.870 --> 10:05.121 [SPEAKER_00]: You have an abundantly full reservoir of love available to you at any time. 10:05.776 --> 10:14.298 [SPEAKER_00]: God has always pleased to show you how much He loves you, if you will simply turn your heart toward Him and receive. 10:15.781 --> 10:21.135 [SPEAKER_00]: May your day today be marked by the limitless love of your Heavenly Father. 10:36.640 --> 10:39.323 [SPEAKER_00]: Thanks so much for listening to today's podcast. 10:39.743 --> 10:41.665 [SPEAKER_00]: I'm Josh Miller with First 15. 10:42.406 --> 10:51.937 [SPEAKER_00]: If you haven't already, make sure you're subscribed to the podcast so you won't miss a single opportunity for God to satisfy the longings of your heart this week. 10:52.738 --> 10:56.902 [SPEAKER_00]: Tomorrow, we're going to take a look at our longing for fascination. 10:57.403 --> 10:58.304 [SPEAKER_00]: You don't want to miss it. 10:59.084 --> 11:03.289 [SPEAKER_00]: Have a wonderful rest of your day, and may God bless you as you see Kim.