WEBVTT 00:04.334 --> 00:12.266 [SPEAKER_00]: In today's verse 15, we're going to look at the opportunity God gives us every day to simply be who we are. 00:13.127 --> 00:20.198 [SPEAKER_00]: His pursuit of our hearts freezes as we experience his unconditional all-encompassing love. 00:21.199 --> 00:31.995 [SPEAKER_00]: So as we open our hearts to His loving pursuit today, I pray that God would do a mighty work of freedom in our hearts. 00:46.673 --> 01:10.521 [SPEAKER_00]: Our Scripture for today comes from Psalm 139 verse 13, Scripture says, 01:13.758 --> 01:18.407 [SPEAKER_00]: God will never ask you to be anyone other than who you are. 01:18.427 --> 01:23.097 [SPEAKER_00]: He's not asking you to be just like other believers. 01:24.359 --> 01:30.552 [SPEAKER_00]: He's not asking you to copy those around you that seem to be well liked or accepted. 01:31.814 --> 01:41.225 [SPEAKER_00]: So often, we view God as a parent who spends all his efforts trying to fix us on the outside that we might keep up appearances. 01:42.447 --> 01:44.409 [SPEAKER_00]: But it couldn't be more the opposite. 01:45.570 --> 01:49.034 [SPEAKER_00]: God doesn't spend time trying to cover up who we are. 01:50.056 --> 01:56.303 [SPEAKER_00]: Rather, he devotes himself to uncovering who we truly are, who he made us to be. 01:56.283 --> 02:06.090 [SPEAKER_00]: Psalm 139, 13 says, For you formed my inward parts, You knitted me together in my mother's womb. 02:08.399 --> 02:11.625 [SPEAKER_00]: God formed you wonderfully and uniquely. 02:12.927 --> 02:16.814 [SPEAKER_00]: He gave you a personality and calling all your own. 02:16.874 --> 02:22.584 [SPEAKER_00]: He sees past all the exteriors we create to try and fit in. 02:23.706 --> 02:28.794 [SPEAKER_00]: He sees through all our efforts to cover up what makes us unique and different. 02:29.836 --> 02:32.601 [SPEAKER_00]: He sees us for who we really are. 02:33.307 --> 02:44.905 [SPEAKER_00]: And he is calling us to cast down our facades and live out of the revelation that we are already right now fully loved and accepted by our creator. 02:47.269 --> 02:52.277 [SPEAKER_00]: Discovering your identity begins with a journey with God to your heart. 02:53.455 --> 03:02.525 [SPEAKER_00]: If you're wondering who you truly are, you need not look past yourself, but rather with the Holy Spirit, take an honest look at yourself. 03:03.966 --> 03:06.228 [SPEAKER_00]: Don't shy away from your insecurities. 03:07.270 --> 03:10.093 [SPEAKER_00]: Don't shy away from that which makes you different. 03:11.594 --> 03:14.397 [SPEAKER_00]: Allow God to reveal how He sees you. 03:15.939 --> 03:20.003 [SPEAKER_00]: Allow Him to reveal to you the true desires of your heart. 03:20.911 --> 03:36.894 [SPEAKER_00]: and allow him to lay a secure foundation for you, built on his unconditional love that you might live vulnerable and honestly, allow God to fill you with the courage to be yourself today. 03:38.616 --> 03:43.864 [SPEAKER_00]: Stop trying to change yourself to fit into the expectations of others. 03:44.975 --> 03:51.542 [SPEAKER_00]: and live with your identity and value securely founded in the love of your Heavenly Father. 03:53.845 --> 03:58.830 [SPEAKER_00]: Spend some time in God's prayer, looking at your heart with the Holy Spirit. 04:00.192 --> 04:02.534 [SPEAKER_00]: Allow Him to reveal how He sees you. 04:04.096 --> 04:07.360 [SPEAKER_00]: Ask Him how He has formed you and made you unique. 04:08.921 --> 04:12.265 [SPEAKER_00]: And allow Him to empower you to be yourself today. 04:13.477 --> 04:21.765 [SPEAKER_00]: May your time and guided prayer be filled with freedom and courage, as you cease striving to be someone that you're not. 04:51.023 --> 05:03.597 [SPEAKER_00]: As we begin, meditate on God's call for you to be who you are. 05:03.637 --> 05:20.777 [SPEAKER_00]: Allow scripture to fill you with a desire to live honestly. 05:59.418 --> 06:00.080 [SPEAKER_00]: and next. 06:00.962 --> 06:04.290 [SPEAKER_00]: In what ways are you striving to be someone you're not? 06:05.733 --> 06:10.845 [SPEAKER_00]: How are you seeking to keep up appearances rather than live honestly? 06:27.920 --> 06:30.252 [UNKNOWN]: Thank you. 06:51.173 --> 06:51.875 [SPEAKER_00]: and last. 06:52.897 --> 06:56.004 [SPEAKER_00]: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal how he sees you. 06:57.327 --> 07:03.681 [SPEAKER_00]: Ask him to fill you with courage to cast down any facades and be who you truly are. 07:49.814 --> 07:56.341 [SPEAKER_00]: Matthew 621 says, for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 07:57.842 --> 08:08.292 [SPEAKER_00]: If you choose to place value and identity on what God says about you, then your heart will find freedom that transcends the ways and cares of the world. 08:09.634 --> 08:19.804 [SPEAKER_00]: Treasure what God says about you, store up his words and truth over you, let them be your source of hope and life. 08:20.392 --> 08:29.085 [SPEAKER_00]: May your heart be with your loving, kind, heavenly father, as you seek to find freedom to live as you truly are today. 08:56.251 --> 08:58.475 [SPEAKER_00]: Thanks for listening to today's podcast. 08:58.876 --> 09:00.238 [SPEAKER_00]: I'm Josh with First 15. 09:01.340 --> 09:06.990 [SPEAKER_00]: As you go about your day today, look for opportunities to practice being who you fully are. 09:07.852 --> 09:11.438 [SPEAKER_00]: Maybe it's choosing not to say something to make yourself look better. 09:12.360 --> 09:17.449 [SPEAKER_00]: Maybe it's taking an opportunity not to say anything at all, but just to listen. 09:17.918 --> 09:25.227 [SPEAKER_00]: Whatever it is, there is freedom and no longer needing to appear as anything other than who you fully are. 09:26.388 --> 09:32.215 [SPEAKER_00]: If God has been using this space in a meaningful way in your life, would you consider supporting this ministry? 09:32.836 --> 09:41.867 [SPEAKER_00]: We are reaching millions of people around the world through podcasts, emails, app and website, all because of generous donors like you. 09:41.847 --> 09:50.135 [SPEAKER_00]: You can make a donation today at supportfirst15.org that supportfirst15.org. 09:50.155 --> 09:54.810 [SPEAKER_00]: Have a wonderful rest of your day and may God bless you as you see Kim.