WEBVTT 00:04.655 --> 00:14.131 [SPEAKER_00]: Today we're launching a brand new series looking at the role of honesty in getting the most out of our time along with God and the most out of life. 00:14.812 --> 00:20.942 [SPEAKER_00]: And we're starting that series off by looking today at how honesty is the foundation. 00:20.922 --> 00:32.692 [SPEAKER_00]: May God give us the courage to be who we truly are with Him, with ourselves and with others today, and may newfound freedom be the fruit in our hearts and lives. 00:33.574 --> 00:35.860 [SPEAKER_00]: Welcome to the first 15 podcast. 00:59.009 --> 01:25.472 [SPEAKER_00]: Our Scripture for today comes from 1 Peter 3, verse 10, Scripture says, Whoever desires to love life and see good days let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit. 01:29.013 --> 01:36.385 [SPEAKER_00]: Deciding to live openly and honestly is foundational to experiencing fullness of life in God. 01:37.687 --> 01:39.770 [SPEAKER_00]: God doesn't deal with our facades. 01:40.732 --> 01:48.945 [SPEAKER_00]: He doesn't speak to love on, heal, deliver, or empower the fake self we try and portray. 01:49.415 --> 01:57.529 [SPEAKER_00]: Rather, he faithfully pursues who we really are, drawing us out from the walls we've built up around our hearts. 01:59.292 --> 02:11.473 [SPEAKER_00]: First Peter 3 10 says, whoever desires to love life and see good days let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit. 02:12.938 --> 02:14.984 [SPEAKER_00]: when the Bible talks about honesty. 02:15.706 --> 02:24.973 [SPEAKER_00]: It isn't just talking about God's heart for us not to speak lies, but also that we wouldn't believe or live out lies. 02:25.662 --> 02:30.186 [SPEAKER_00]: In living honestly, we will love life and see good days. 02:31.747 --> 02:34.430 [SPEAKER_00]: Nothing good comes from being dishonest. 02:35.711 --> 02:40.135 [SPEAKER_00]: There is no life in trying to appear as something we're not. 02:41.576 --> 02:48.322 [SPEAKER_00]: Abundant life comes from communion with God, and God always meets us where we're at. 02:50.124 --> 02:51.405 [SPEAKER_00]: Assess your life today. 02:51.465 --> 02:54.488 [SPEAKER_00]: Are you living honestly? 02:55.109 --> 02:58.437 [SPEAKER_00]: Are you trying to portray yourself as something you're not? 02:59.861 --> 03:03.651 [SPEAKER_00]: Are you deceiving yourself or looking at yourself honestly? 03:03.691 --> 03:12.493 [SPEAKER_00]: Are you coming before God just as you are or trying to appear like you have everything together? 03:14.313 --> 03:24.954 [SPEAKER_00]: honesty is at the foundation of encountering God, loving others, experiencing a abundant life, and doing good eternal works. 03:26.618 --> 03:29.023 [SPEAKER_00]: Everything God does is about the heart. 03:30.325 --> 03:35.275 [SPEAKER_00]: He's about that which has substance, that which is real, 03:35.828 --> 03:39.736 [SPEAKER_00]: He's not calling you to share your picture perfect life with others. 03:40.818 --> 03:49.375 [SPEAKER_00]: He's calling you to be vulnerable with others, that they would see the unconditional grace-filled nature of relationship with God. 03:50.738 --> 03:56.149 [SPEAKER_00]: He's not asking you to clean yourself up before you worship him or meet with him. 03:56.129 --> 04:06.049 [SPEAKER_00]: He's asking you to come as you are that he might reveal the love he already has for you even in your imperfections. 04:08.213 --> 04:12.121 [SPEAKER_00]: Take time to make honesty a core value in your life. 04:13.403 --> 04:17.952 [SPEAKER_00]: Reflect on the importance of being open and vulnerable. 04:18.421 --> 04:25.491 [SPEAKER_00]: allow the Spirit to illuminate any ways in which you are valuing appearance above reality. 04:26.933 --> 04:30.438 [SPEAKER_00]: In shoes today to be who you truly are. 04:31.880 --> 04:38.910 [SPEAKER_00]: May you find new peace and joy today as you remove the pressure of appearance. 04:59.309 --> 05:00.528 [UNKNOWN]: Thank you. 05:05.249 --> 05:06.010 [SPEAKER_00]: as we begin. 05:06.070 --> 05:10.015 [SPEAKER_00]: Meditate on the importance of honesty. 05:11.437 --> 05:14.921 [SPEAKER_00]: May Scripture help you make honesty a core value. 05:16.283 --> 05:23.152 [SPEAKER_00]: First Samuel 16 verse 7 says, for the Lord sees not as man sees. 05:24.334 --> 05:29.400 [SPEAKER_00]: Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. 05:44.551 --> 05:56.215 [UNKNOWN]: Thank you so much for watching. 06:10.505 --> 06:18.971 [SPEAKER_00]: and next assess your heart in what ways do you value appearance above reality? 06:20.456 --> 06:24.649 [SPEAKER_00]: Where are you working to try and appear as something you're not? 06:40.272 --> 06:41.474 [UNKNOWN]: Thank you. 07:05.264 --> 07:05.945 [SPEAKER_00]: and last. 07:07.106 --> 07:11.450 [SPEAKER_00]: Ask God to reveal His love for you even in your imperfections. 07:12.992 --> 07:17.237 [SPEAKER_00]: Allow His love to fill you with the courage to be honest today. 07:18.718 --> 07:21.481 [SPEAKER_00]: Rest in His unconditional love for you. 07:23.123 --> 07:32.993 [SPEAKER_00]: Romans 5 8 says, but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 07:43.030 --> 07:55.048 [UNKNOWN]: Thank you. 08:13.085 --> 08:19.434 [SPEAKER_00]: the only confidence available to us to live honestly is the unconditional love of God. 08:20.836 --> 08:24.020 [SPEAKER_00]: Christ died for you while you were in your sin. 08:25.081 --> 08:29.788 [SPEAKER_00]: He gave his life just to have relationship with you just as you are. 08:31.170 --> 08:33.012 [SPEAKER_00]: Choose to receive his love. 08:34.234 --> 08:38.620 [SPEAKER_00]: Choose to value his opinion over others' opinions. 08:39.292 --> 08:44.668 [SPEAKER_00]: Let his love be your source over the fickle affections of people. 08:45.911 --> 08:53.132 [SPEAKER_00]: May you find courage to be yourself today and thereby experience true freedom in your heart. 09:13.008 --> 09:15.230 [SPEAKER_00]: Thanks for listening to today's devotional. 09:15.731 --> 09:17.513 [SPEAKER_00]: I'm Josh Miller with verse 15. 09:18.414 --> 09:24.120 [SPEAKER_00]: As you go about your day today, notice the times that you feel most drawn towards faking it. 09:24.961 --> 09:29.666 [SPEAKER_00]: Maybe it'll be around a specific person or about a specific insecurity. 09:30.447 --> 09:41.479 [SPEAKER_00]: Whatever it is, simply notice it and come back tomorrow with that scenario in mind, ready and willing to see God bring you life-giving freedom in His presence. 09:41.459 --> 09:54.049 [SPEAKER_00]: If you are already, make sure to follow the podcast and let us know how first 15 is impacting your life by leaving a rating or a review or shooting us a note at podcast at first15.org. 09:54.771 --> 09:59.502 [SPEAKER_00]: Have a wonderful rest of your day and may God bless you as you see Kim.