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Transcript

The Longing to be Enjoyed · First15 Devotional

• 0:04
  [SPEAKER_00]: All of us have insatiable longings that can only be satisfied in communion with our heavenly father.
• 0:12
  [SPEAKER_00]: The longing to be enjoyed, fascinated, to gaze upon beauty, and to be someone great, are driving forces within each of us.
• 0:22
  [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.
• 0:37
  [SPEAKER_00]: God created these longings, knowing that they can only be fully satisfied in Him, that they would be avenues
• 0:48
  [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.
• 0:59
  [SPEAKER_00]: Welcome to the first 15 podcast.
• 1:27
  [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.
• 1:47
  [SPEAKER_00]: The human race has no greater driving force than the longing to be enjoyed,
• 1:54
  [SPEAKER_00]: Most of us have spent our entire lives working to be enjoyed by others.
• 2:00
  [SPEAKER_00]: We'll go to whatever length necessary to prove ourselves worthy of being liked or loved.
• 2:08
  [SPEAKER_00]: Some work tirelessly at a talent or skill, hoping to impress with their abilities.
• 2:16
  [SPEAKER_00]: Some devote countless hours to their appearance, hoping the way they look will attract others and satisfy their longing to be enjoyed.
• 2:27
  [SPEAKER_00]: Some hope that money and possessions will cause people to like them, or to want to spend time with them.
• 2:35
  [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.
• 2:46
  [SPEAKER_00]: Think back on your life.
• 2:49
  [SPEAKER_00]: Think back on yesterday.
• 2:52
  [SPEAKER_00]: What did you do so that people would like you, so that people would enjoy you?
• 2:58
  [SPEAKER_00]: I could name lots of ways, I strive for people's affection or adoration on a daily basis.
• 3:07
  [SPEAKER_00]: I long with everything in me to be enjoyed.
• 3:10
  [SPEAKER_00]: I cringe at the thought of feeling cast out, loved by two few or none, unenjoyable.
• 3:19
  [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.
• 3:33
  [SPEAKER_00]: Our Father created all of us with a longing to be enjoyed by Him.
• 3:39
  [SPEAKER_00]: the creator of all things.
• 3:42
  [SPEAKER_00]: The only one who knows everything about you, longs for you to know that he deeply enjoys you.
• 3:51
  [SPEAKER_00]: You, just being fully you, are loved.
• 3:56
  [SPEAKER_00]: You, with all your failures, victories, sins, and quirks are enjoyable to God.
• 4:06
  [SPEAKER_00]: God made you the way he did for a reason.
• 4:10
  [SPEAKER_00]: He enjoys talking with you, and watching you work.
• 4:15
  [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.
• 4:26
  [SPEAKER_00]: Of course, he hates when we sin.
• 4:29
  [SPEAKER_00]: He can't possibly enjoy something we're doing that's harmful to us and others.
• 4:35
  [SPEAKER_00]: But even in our failure, God pursues us.
• 4:40
  [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.
• 4:52
  [SPEAKER_00]: Out of His unconditional love, He wants to throw a celebration in honor of restored relationship with you.
• 5:01
  [SPEAKER_00]: Seek fulfillment for your longing to be enjoyed in the arms of your loving father.
• 5:08
  [SPEAKER_00]: see him as your father running out to meet you that you might be fully enjoyed by him.
• 5:16
  [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.
• 5:27
  [SPEAKER_00]: May your time and guided prayer be marked by the joy your father has over you.
• 5:36
  [SPEAKER_00]: As we begin,
• 6:00
  [SPEAKER_00]: Open your Bible to Luke 15, verses 11 through 32, and meditate on the story of the Prodigal Son.
• 6:10
  [SPEAKER_00]: Put yourself in the story, and place your perception of God in the character of the Father.
• 6:18
  [SPEAKER_00]: Ask the Spirit to help you see yourself in the story to believe God's Word about yourself.
• 7:07
  [SPEAKER_00]: And next, ask the Spirit to show you how God feels about you right now.
• 7:14
  [SPEAKER_00]: Ask him to show you how God the Father rushes toward you and longs to wrap you up in his arms.
• 7:23
  [SPEAKER_00]: Zephaniah 3 verse 17 says, the Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will
• 7:37
  [SPEAKER_00]: He will quiet you by his love.
• 7:41
  [SPEAKER_00]: He will exult over you with loud singing.
• 8:30
  [SPEAKER_00]: and last.
• 8:31
  [SPEAKER_00]: Receive the enjoyment of your heavenly Father.
• 8:36
  [SPEAKER_00]: Rest in the love of God, and let it fill up the depths of your heart.
• 8:43
  [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.
• 9:11
  [UNKNOWN]: Thank you very much.
• 9:40
  [SPEAKER_00]: When you feel the urge to do something to gain the approval of man today, stop and receive God's enjoyment again.
• 9:48
  [SPEAKER_00]: Doing life out of a place of already being enjoyed is the only way to live emotionally fulfilled.
• 9:58
  [SPEAKER_00]: You have an abundantly full reservoir of love available to you at any time.
• 10:05
  [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
  [SPEAKER_00]: May your day today be marked by the limitless love of your Heavenly Father.
• 10:36
  [SPEAKER_00]: Thanks so much for listening to today's podcast.
• 10:39
  [SPEAKER_00]: I'm Josh Miller with First 15.
• 10:42
  [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
  [SPEAKER_00]: Tomorrow, we're going to take a look at our longing for fascination.
• 10:57
  [SPEAKER_00]: You don't want to miss it.
• 10:59
  [SPEAKER_00]: Have a wonderful rest of your day, and may God bless you as you see Kim.