Latest / First15 Devotional / Be Who You Are

Transcript

Be Who You Are · First15 Devotional

• 0:04
  [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.
• 0:13
  [SPEAKER_00]: His pursuit of our hearts freezes as we experience his unconditional all-encompassing love.
• 0:21
  [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.
• 0:46
  [SPEAKER_00]: Our Scripture for today comes from Psalm 139 verse 13, Scripture says,
• 1:13
  [SPEAKER_00]: God will never ask you to be anyone other than who you are.
• 1:18
  [SPEAKER_00]: He's not asking you to be just like other believers.
• 1:24
  [SPEAKER_00]: He's not asking you to copy those around you that seem to be well liked or accepted.
• 1:31
  [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.
• 1:42
  [SPEAKER_00]: But it couldn't be more the opposite.
• 1:45
  [SPEAKER_00]: God doesn't spend time trying to cover up who we are.
• 1:50
  [SPEAKER_00]: Rather, he devotes himself to uncovering who we truly are, who he made us to be.
• 1:56
  [SPEAKER_00]: Psalm 139, 13 says, For you formed my inward parts, You knitted me together in my mother's womb.
• 2:08
  [SPEAKER_00]: God formed you wonderfully and uniquely.
• 2:12
  [SPEAKER_00]: He gave you a personality and calling all your own.
• 2:16
  [SPEAKER_00]: He sees past all the exteriors we create to try and fit in.
• 2:23
  [SPEAKER_00]: He sees through all our efforts to cover up what makes us unique and different.
• 2:29
  [SPEAKER_00]: He sees us for who we really are.
• 2:33
  [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.
• 2:47
  [SPEAKER_00]: Discovering your identity begins with a journey with God to your heart.
• 2:53
  [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.
• 3:03
  [SPEAKER_00]: Don't shy away from your insecurities.
• 3:07
  [SPEAKER_00]: Don't shy away from that which makes you different.
• 3:11
  [SPEAKER_00]: Allow God to reveal how He sees you.
• 3:15
  [SPEAKER_00]: Allow Him to reveal to you the true desires of your heart.
• 3:20
  [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.
• 3:38
  [SPEAKER_00]: Stop trying to change yourself to fit into the expectations of others.
• 3:44
  [SPEAKER_00]: and live with your identity and value securely founded in the love of your Heavenly Father.
• 3:53
  [SPEAKER_00]: Spend some time in God's prayer, looking at your heart with the Holy Spirit.
• 4:00
  [SPEAKER_00]: Allow Him to reveal how He sees you.
• 4:04
  [SPEAKER_00]: Ask Him how He has formed you and made you unique.
• 4:08
  [SPEAKER_00]: And allow Him to empower you to be yourself today.
• 4:13
  [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.
• 4:51
  [SPEAKER_00]: As we begin, meditate on God's call for you to be who you are.
• 5:03
  [SPEAKER_00]: Allow scripture to fill you with a desire to live honestly.
• 5:59
  [SPEAKER_00]: and next.
• 6:00
  [SPEAKER_00]: In what ways are you striving to be someone you're not?
• 6:05
  [SPEAKER_00]: How are you seeking to keep up appearances rather than live honestly?
• 6:27
  [UNKNOWN]: Thank you.
• 6:51
  [SPEAKER_00]: and last.
• 6:52
  [SPEAKER_00]: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal how he sees you.
• 6:57
  [SPEAKER_00]: Ask him to fill you with courage to cast down any facades and be who you truly are.
• 7:49
  [SPEAKER_00]: Matthew 621 says, for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
• 7:57
  [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.
• 8:09
  [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.
• 8:20
  [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.
• 8:56
  [SPEAKER_00]: Thanks for listening to today's podcast.
• 8:58
  [SPEAKER_00]: I'm Josh with First 15.
• 9:01
  [SPEAKER_00]: As you go about your day today, look for opportunities to practice being who you fully are.
• 9:07
  [SPEAKER_00]: Maybe it's choosing not to say something to make yourself look better.
• 9:12
  [SPEAKER_00]: Maybe it's taking an opportunity not to say anything at all, but just to listen.
• 9:17
  [SPEAKER_00]: Whatever it is, there is freedom and no longer needing to appear as anything other than who you fully are.
• 9:26
  [SPEAKER_00]: If God has been using this space in a meaningful way in your life, would you consider supporting this ministry?
• 9:32
  [SPEAKER_00]: We are reaching millions of people around the world through podcasts, emails, app and website, all because of generous donors like you.
• 9:41
  [SPEAKER_00]: You can make a donation today at supportfirst15.org that supportfirst15.org.
• 9:50
  [SPEAKER_00]: Have a wonderful rest of your day and may God bless you as you see Kim.