WEBVTT 00:04.233 --> 00:12.370 [SPEAKER_00]: As we near the end of our week on honesty, today we're going to discover together how there is freedom in the light. 00:13.008 --> 00:25.923 [SPEAKER_00]: Any part of our lives in which we're walking in darkness, living isolated and unknown, makes space for our hearts to be chained to thoughts and temptations God wants to set us free from. 00:26.904 --> 00:33.271 [SPEAKER_00]: So may the spirit lead us into the light today, and may we find the courage to follow him. 00:34.112 --> 00:36.535 [SPEAKER_00]: Welcome to the first 15 podcast. 00:58.823 --> 01:14.284 [SPEAKER_00]: Our Scripture for today comes from Isaiah 42 verse 16, Scripture says, 01:15.209 --> 01:23.061 [SPEAKER_00]: And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known, I will guide them. 01:24.283 --> 01:30.834 [SPEAKER_00]: I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rust places into level ground. 01:31.855 --> 01:36.002 [SPEAKER_00]: These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them. 01:39.256 --> 01:49.957 [SPEAKER_00]: The imagery of light and darkness is used throughout Scripture as a metaphor for freedom and sin, and God and that which is without God. 01:51.340 --> 01:56.370 [SPEAKER_00]: Jesus consistently refers to himself as the light. 01:56.603 --> 02:12.178 [SPEAKER_00]: In reference to Jesus, Matthew 416 says, the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned. 02:14.380 --> 02:26.172 [SPEAKER_00]: Scripture also refers to us as the light in Ephesians 5-8, saying, for at one time you were darkness, 02:27.974 --> 02:36.718 [SPEAKER_00]: And in John 3, 19 through 21, Jesus describes a freedom that comes from bringing ourselves to the light. 02:37.560 --> 02:40.348 [SPEAKER_00]: He says, and this is the judgment. 02:41.130 --> 02:43.857 [SPEAKER_00]: The light has come into the world. 02:43.837 --> 02:49.545 [SPEAKER_00]: and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 02:50.726 --> 03:00.719 [SPEAKER_00]: For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, the last his works should be exposed. 03:00.740 --> 03:10.873 [SPEAKER_00]: But whoever does what is true comes to the light so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God. 03:13.503 --> 03:21.195 [SPEAKER_00]: One of the worst effects of sin is the shame it brings that causes us to hide from God and others. 03:22.818 --> 03:27.044 [SPEAKER_00]: Adam and Eve hid from God because of the shame of the first sin. 03:28.206 --> 03:36.439 [SPEAKER_00]: And still today, even though Christ has paid the price for every sin we could ever commit, we hide ourselves from God. 03:38.140 --> 03:42.005 [SPEAKER_00]: God longs for us to run to Him when we make a mistake. 03:43.206 --> 03:50.916 [SPEAKER_00]: He's the father in the prodigal sun story whose arms are eternally extended to us, no matter what we've done. 03:52.518 --> 03:59.507 [SPEAKER_00]: He longs to embrace us, restore us, and free us in His eternal embrace. 04:00.483 --> 04:11.117 [SPEAKER_00]: He longs for us to step out of our shame, bring ourselves fully into his light and be delivered from the destructive effects of our sin. 04:13.000 --> 04:24.735 [SPEAKER_00]: In Isaiah 42, 16, God says, I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known, I will guide them. 04:24.935 --> 04:31.605 [SPEAKER_00]: I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places, into level ground. 04:32.427 --> 04:36.413 [SPEAKER_00]: These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them. 04:37.735 --> 04:41.741 [SPEAKER_00]: Nothing you could do could cause your God to forsake you. 04:43.104 --> 04:45.327 [SPEAKER_00]: He's not surprised by your sin. 04:46.469 --> 04:48.512 [SPEAKER_00]: He knows you are dust, 04:49.319 --> 04:53.068 [SPEAKER_00]: But he longs to embrace you in your weakness. 04:54.311 --> 04:57.879 [SPEAKER_00]: He longs to free you from the power of darkness. 04:59.203 --> 05:00.947 [SPEAKER_00]: You don't have to hide from him. 05:02.110 --> 05:07.783 [SPEAKER_00]: You can come before your God, honestly, and live as a child of the light. 05:08.810 --> 05:15.959 [SPEAKER_00]: You can experience true freedom, as your sin is forgiven, and times of refreshing come. 05:17.841 --> 05:24.990 [SPEAKER_00]: Take time as you enter into guided prayer, to bring that which has caused you shame into the light. 05:26.352 --> 05:33.501 [SPEAKER_00]: May you find freedom today, as God reveals to you the power of His forgiveness and grace. 05:49.563 --> 06:10.812 [SPEAKER_00]: As we begin, reflect on what scripture says about light and darkness, allow God's Word to stir up your desire to bring yourself fully to the light. 06:12.260 --> 06:22.972 [SPEAKER_00]: Isaiah 42 16 says, and I will lead the blind in a way they do not know, in paths that they have not known, I will guide them. 06:24.233 --> 06:31.321 [SPEAKER_00]: I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. 06:32.462 --> 06:36.867 [SPEAKER_00]: These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them. 06:45.250 --> 07:03.732 [UNKNOWN]: Thank you for watching. 07:19.034 --> 07:19.636 [SPEAKER_00]: and next. 07:20.579 --> 07:23.287 [SPEAKER_00]: What do you need to bring to the light? 07:24.691 --> 07:31.491 [SPEAKER_00]: What is causing you shame? 08:05.204 --> 08:08.471 [SPEAKER_00]: and last bring yourself to the light. 08:10.015 --> 08:13.804 [SPEAKER_00]: Ask God how he feels about that which is causing you shame. 08:15.487 --> 08:21.441 [SPEAKER_00]: Take time to receive His forgiveness and grace and rest in His love. 08:59.879 --> 09:13.639 [SPEAKER_00]: first John 17 says, but if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his son cleanses us from all sin. 09:15.562 --> 09:21.711 [SPEAKER_00]: When you commit yourself to walk with God throughout your day, he will guide you to the light. 09:23.033 --> 09:27.439 [SPEAKER_00]: Jesus' blood is powerful enough to cleanse you from 09:28.516 --> 09:32.749 [SPEAKER_00]: There is freedom when your heart is totally and completely his. 09:34.273 --> 09:42.458 [SPEAKER_00]: May you be set free from shame and darkness today, as you live openly and honestly before the Lord your God. 10:01.692 --> 10:05.938 [SPEAKER_00]: Thank you for listening to today's podcast on finding freedom in the light. 10:06.599 --> 10:08.281 [SPEAKER_00]: I'm Josh Miller with First 15. 10:09.222 --> 10:15.831 [SPEAKER_00]: As you go about your day today, try and notice areas in which you're tempted to live in the dark, to live unknown. 10:16.733 --> 10:26.586 [SPEAKER_00]: And when you notice them, take a deep breath, allow the spirit to give you courage and a sense of his guidance, and choose to live differently today. 10:27.106 --> 10:31.480 [SPEAKER_00]: May God empower us all to walk in the freedom of the light today. 10:31.520 --> 10:36.897 [SPEAKER_00]: Have a wonderful rest of your day, and may God bless you as you seek Him.