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Tilling the Soil of the Heart: Scripture · First15 Devotional

• 0:04
  [SPEAKER_00]: as we reach the middle of our weak-long focus untiling the soil of our hearts.
• 0:10
  [SPEAKER_00]: Today, we're going to look at the power of Scripture in receiving all that God longs to give us.
• 0:17
  [SPEAKER_00]: Within the pages of Scripture, there is a wealth of stories.
• 0:21
  [SPEAKER_00]: All conveying how God has met with and restored his people from the beginning of civilization.
• 0:29
  [SPEAKER_00]: And these stories are powerful resources in softening our hearts towards God, inviting Him to meet with us and mold us into His likeness.
• 0:40
  [SPEAKER_00]: as we look at the power of Scripture today.
• 0:43
  [SPEAKER_00]: May God stir our hearts to spend time every day in the pages of this transformative book.
• 0:50
  [SPEAKER_00]: And may Scripture guide us deeper into true relationship with its author.
• 0:56
  [SPEAKER_00]: Welcome to the first 15 podcast.
• 1:25
  [SPEAKER_00]: Our verse for today comes from Psalm chapter 1, verses 1 and 2, Scripture says, Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked.
• 1:39
  [SPEAKER_00]: Nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers, but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.
• 1:58
  [SPEAKER_00]: One of the most powerful tools in telling the soil of our hearts is Scripture.
• 2:05
  [SPEAKER_00]: Each time you open the Bible, you're looking at a miracle.
• 2:11
  [SPEAKER_00]: Second Timothy, three, 16 tells us, all Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reprove, for correction, and for training and righteousness.
• 2:28
  [SPEAKER_00]: When you are reading the Bible, you are reading the very word of God, breathed out by Him, and powerful in its ability to reveal both the character of God and your identity.
• 2:43
  [SPEAKER_00]: Romans 122 says, Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.
• 2:54
  [SPEAKER_00]: when you renew your mind through Scripture, you allow the Bible to transform your heart into fertile soil that bears everlasting fruit.
• 3:05
  [SPEAKER_00]: So let's look today at a few ways we can use Scripture to renew our minds and allow it to mold and shape us into disciples who are in tune with and receptive to the love and leading of God.
• 3:23
  [SPEAKER_00]: There is a wealth of power and wisdom within God's Word.
• 3:27
  [SPEAKER_00]: As it reveals His love and faithfulness to His people, stories of God's deliverance and provision to an ungrateful people, demonstrate not only God's faithfulness then, but also the great length He will go to for those ransomed into His family now by the blood of Christ.
• 3:50
  [SPEAKER_00]: The story of Jesus' sacrifice for our sins is both heart-wrenching and life-giving.
• 3:58
  [SPEAKER_00]: That He would willingly endure one of the most heinous, torturous methods ever created, assures us of the love God has for us.
• 4:10
  [SPEAKER_00]: That He would experience separation from His heavenly Father for the sin of the entire world.
• 4:21
  [SPEAKER_00]: Reading stories like these and meditating on their meaning and application will make us receptive to the presence and will of God.
• 4:32
  [SPEAKER_00]: They can empower us to live in grateful obedience to his plans and purposes.
• 4:41
  [SPEAKER_00]: As Paul wrote in Second Timothy, the Bible is also a useful tool for life-giving correction
• 4:50
  [SPEAKER_00]: Correction from God is an important and wonderful part of being his son or daughter.
• 4:56
  [SPEAKER_00]: His correction resembles a skilled gardener pulling the weeds out of the soil, making room for seeds he has planted to receive nourishment and thereby flourish into fruit.
• 5:10
  [SPEAKER_00]: You see, God doesn't correct out of anger or frustration.
• 5:15
  [SPEAKER_00]: but rather out of his rich love, patience, and desire for us to walk in the abundant life he's prepared for us.
• 5:26
  [SPEAKER_00]: Proverbs 312 states, the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father, the son, and whom he delights.
• 5:37
  [SPEAKER_00]: So, opening our hearts to Scripture like Ephesians 429, let no corrupting talk come out of your mouth, but only such as is good for building up as fits the occasion that it may give grace to those who hear.
• 5:54
  [SPEAKER_00]: It's incredibly powerful.
• 5:57
  [SPEAKER_00]: Pulling out the weeds of corrupting or negative talk will create space in the soil of our hearts
• 6:07
  [SPEAKER_00]: Yielding the fruit of speech that does indeed give grace, open your heart today to the power of God's Word and telling the soil of your heart, allow the Holy Spirit to teach you by speaking directly into your life using the words of Scripture.
• 6:28
  [SPEAKER_00]: May your time and guided prayer be marked by the inner voice of the Spirit and transformation of the heart.
• 7:10
  [SPEAKER_00]: As we begin, ask the Spirit to reveal an area in which you need correction.
• 7:18
  [SPEAKER_00]: Think about something in your life that is hurting your ability to develop good soil, and thereby good fruit.
• 7:27
  [SPEAKER_00]: Where are you not experiencing the abundant life Jesus died to give you?
• 7:36
  [SPEAKER_00]: I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
• 8:18
  [SPEAKER_00]: and next.
• 8:20
  [SPEAKER_00]: Reflect on or search for a scripture to use for meditation on the subject.
• 8:27
  [SPEAKER_00]: If you feel that negative speech is hindering you, a verse like Ephesians 429 that we read earlier is a great start.
• 8:35
  [SPEAKER_00]: If you feel like lust or another sin is hindering you, search for scriptures addressing the sin you struggle with.
• 9:27
  [SPEAKER_00]: In last, make space to meditate on what that verse means for your life today.
• 9:34
  [SPEAKER_00]: Allow God to impact your life through these words that have meant so much for so many.
• 10:00
  [UNKNOWN]: Thank you.
• 10:49
  [SPEAKER_00]: When we align ourselves with God's Word, we lose the burden of living life apart from the annoying thing and filling of his spirit.
• 10:59
  [SPEAKER_00]: Giving up things like negative speech, lust, greed, and other sins, create space for that which brings life in abundance.
• 11:11
  [SPEAKER_00]: Today, give over anything you feel is crowding your spiritual life.
• 11:16
  [SPEAKER_00]: and allow God to fill you with grace to live according to His Word.
• 11:22
  [SPEAKER_00]: His Word is the perfect guide through every situation.
• 11:26
  [SPEAKER_00]: Useful for any occasion.
• 11:29
  [SPEAKER_00]: Allow the Spirit to speak to you, both through the Bible and directly.
• 11:35
  [SPEAKER_00]: Till the soil of your heart, to be receptive to all that he would do and through you today.
• 12:11
  [SPEAKER_00]: Thank you for listening to today's podcast on the power of Scripture in telling the soil of our hearts.
• 12:18
  [SPEAKER_00]: I'm Josh with First 15.
• 12:21
  [SPEAKER_00]: If you're looking to go deeper into the practice of reading Scripture, every day on the First 15 website, we have an extended reading that offers a deeper time of reflection on the topic for the day.
• 12:33
  [SPEAKER_00]: In addition to our extended reading, the U.V.
• 12:36
  [SPEAKER_00]: Bible app offers tons of valuable resources to help you spend more time in Scripture and to learn how to soak up more of the wisdom within its pages.
• 12:47
  [SPEAKER_00]: If you haven't already, make sure to subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating for review.
• 12:52
  [SPEAKER_00]: Thanks again for being here.
• 12:55
  [SPEAKER_00]: Have a wonderful rest of your day and may God bless you as you see Kim.