Blooming Inspired Network

Michelle interviews author, speaker and coach, Jayme Hull, whose heart is to not only mentor others, but to empower mentors to walk out life encouraging others to mature in their faith and walk as Christ's disciple. In the conversation, Michelle found Jayme's testimony resonates with Hebrews 13:7, "Listen to your leaders, who have spoken God’s word to you. Notice the fruits of their lives and mirror their faith." (VOICE)

Because Jayme had mentors to reach out and pour into her life, she found her way to a deeper faith and relationship with God. Those relationships inspired her to move forward in her faith and she has been equipping millennial women for the last 37 years. (Transcript is not available for this episode.)

More about Jayme:

Her "ABOUT" page at her website opens with, "Hi, I'm Jayme. Grab a cup of coffee and let's talk about my God story..."

Jayme Hull is a dynamic speaker and passionate mentor who motivates audiences to invest in others through mentoring.

Shaped by countless mentors over the past, Jayme now has the privilege of mentoring millenial women for the past thirty-five years. As a Church Mentoring Consultant she trains Church leaders how to successfully produce mentor programs.

Her first book titled, Face to Face: Discover How Mentoring Can Change Your Life was released April 2016. Jayme has written hundreds of articles for her own website and for online media, including: More to Life Online Magazine, Divine Detour Blogs, Ask Dr. B Online, Dear Reader Online, and more. She has appeared on The Harvest TV Show and Real Life TV Show as well as 15 radio shows including Dr. Gary Chapman Building Relationships, The Chris Fabry Show and Boundless Podcast with Focus on The Family.

Jayme is an authentic connector who is passionate about inspiring people to connect with others through a face to face mentoring relationship. She is on a mission to intentionally develop a mentoring movement. She has spent a lifetime encouraging people to invest in others and make a positive difference in today’s culture.

Jayme and her husband John have been happily married since 1980 and currently live in Franklin, TN. Being with her family is Jayme’s favorite way to spend her time. She and John love to hang with her three adult kids, their spouses and adore every minute with their four beautiful grandchildren."

Learn more about Jayme at https://jaymeleehull.com

Michelle continues her quest to discover keys to Revival in Psalm 119 reading verses 169-176 in the Passion Translation. Today, we'll look at the question: “Who or What am I following after?” As our hearts search our soul for the answer, we will look at the Key of Worship as our life’s pursuit

Show Transcript:

You are listening to the Blooming Inspired Podcast on the Blooming Inspired Podcast Network. We exist to empower the voices of women who live their lives #BloomingAlive through Podcast Community. Now, here is your host.

Blooming Inspired Podcast equipping and empowering the voices of women who live their lives Blooming Alive.

Introduction

Good Morning! This is Michelle Bentham, host of Blooming Inspired Podcast. I want to take a moment to encourage you. I don’t know if you’ve been in the thick of spiritual warfare lately, but around the lake here in Granbury it has been amped up.

Last week my prayer group and I took the time to stand and pray with other prayer groups around our nation and in other countries. We have been praying together a few years and asking God to move in our personal lives, our families, our city, county, region, state and nation as well as throughout the entire world. As we did, things began to happen and even though we experienced resistance in the spiritual realms there was breakthrough.

My friend, Deb DeArmand just released a new quick-read devotional packed with humor and practical wisdom called Bumper Sticker Be-Attitudes over at Amazon.com. And even though this sounds like some kind of shameless promotion, I wanted to share something she posted on Facebook: “It’s never too late to finish, and it’s always too early to quit.” This happens to be a chapter title in her book. As I think about this encouragement I’m drawn to a particular Scripture. Galatians 6:9 in The Passion Translation reads this way: “And don’t allow yourselves to be weary or disheartened in planting good seeds, for the season of reaping the wonderful harvest you’ve planted is coming!”

Don’t give up! Yes, the battle in this season may be hard, but victory and breakthrough are on the other side. Just like the tiny seed that is birthed beneath the hard earth. It take a lot of stick to it and determination to breakthrough - but once you do there is light and life -- especially opportunities to grow in abundance and bear much fruit. So stay at it, friends. The other side of the story - the harvest is worth the price you pay. And be sure to pick up Deb’s book over at Amazon.com and leave a review once you’ve read it. You can click the link in this post for more information about her book!

Now--- For our final reading in Psalm 119 in “The Revival Series.” I have to say I am grateful to be at the end of this journey with you today. WHY? You may be asking. Well, remember at the beginning way back in May - 28 Episodes ago, I began reading in Psalm 119:1… I told you that I felt God has encouraged me to read Psalm 119 back in 2014 but each time I tried I couldn’t get past the first 20 verses? Yes. Well, that struggle WAS VERY REAL. Amen?

I didn’t see myself as the person who was happy to keep God’s commands, and His Word. Not that I ddin’t try to be obedient, and remain in His word daily. Not that at all… But, because I didn’t see myself as a person of integrity. I know. This may be news to you… But, friends. I”ve lived most of my life with an impoverished spirit hanging on me like an old coat. Anytime success or a move in God’s direction got me excited, there the enemy would be trying to discourage me by reminding me of not only the horrible past I had lived, but also the struggle with strongholds and temptation to sin I face daily. I believed deep in my heart I’d never change completely until I got to Heaven and saw Jesus. In truth, I was trying to change myself not trusting God to do it… So in 2016 when in prayer I felt the Holy Spirit nudge me and ask me why I had not read Psalm 119 as the Lord had put on my heart to do… I responded, “Because I cannot find myself in it.”

Then is when I felt like Jesus pulled my face up in His hands and said, “Beloved, you aren’t supposed to read Scripture to find yourself… Your supposed to read Scripture to find Me.”

That’s a life-changing truth right there, my friends. A life changing truth. Maybe you need to hear that for yourself today. God’s Word - the fullest expression of Himself to us - is Jesus. The primary way He reveals Himself to us in this season is through the Scriptures, but Holy Spirit is the great Revelator. He guides us into all truth. And He will teach us to hear and respond to the Shepherd’s voice if we will only give ourselves to the process. Surrender is a position of obedience and victory in God’s Kingdom. Let’s surrender one more time to read our last 8 verses of Psalm 119.

This week we are going to be reading from Psalm 119:169-176 in the Passion Translation - so grab your favorite Bible translation to read from and let’s get ready to read by reviewing what we covered last time.

Review

In our last episode, we read verses 161-168 as we continued to discover keys to revival. As we read, we considered the question: “What Do I Have My Heart Set On?" And as we walked through each verse we picked up another Revival Key that comes from remaining devoted to God’s Word. That key is a longing and a hunger for more of Him through His Word. That desire to go deep into God’s Word leads us to discover both His love and His power in a way that compels us to change and live only for Him.

As we read through verses 169-176 today, I want you to ask yourself, “Who or What am I following after?” As our hearts search our soul for the answer, we will look at the Key of Worship as our life’s pursuit

This Week’s Reading

So Now Let’s Pray, Father God, I ask that you would give each person within the sound of my voice an encounter with You, Your Son and the Holy Spirit this morning as we read Your words of life together. Impart the truth of who You are to our hearts, minds, souls and bodies today - we ask for Holy Spirit revelation to open our eyes to the way You see, open our ears to hear Your majestic voice, and open our hearts to know Your heart in intimacy and truth. I thank you that when we believe in Christ, we are hidden in Him and His blessings. Let our heart’s rend themselves before you today in a sacrifice of praise as we give our lives to worship you - the only one who is worthy of all praise! Remind us of these truths as we read today and make them real for us! I ask these things in Jesus’ Holy Name, AMEN.

The heading for today’s reading is, “I Want To Follow You”

Verse 169: Lord, listen to my prayer. It’s like a sacrifice I bring to you; I must have more revelation of your word! Do you hear that? Our prayers and longing for God are a sacrifice that praises and glorifies Him as God. It keeps us dependent upon the Holy Spirit’s revelation as we seek to know Him through His Word. My heart is tender to the glory of God in this hour. My morning has been full of distractions - people requesting time with me for coaching, sharing and declaring His truth in our lives. I’ve also been praying with my prayer sisters and receiving revelation for a loved one as I’ve reviewed what God has taught us through the last six months of our lives together. And then, the posts about the horrible massacre of the families from LeBaron, Mexico.

I’ve seen the reports, and I personally know family members here in the states who broke away from their lifestyle. But, if in our religious piety as Christians we can have no compassion for people who were murdered for the simple fact that they existed. If we cannot pray for the people of Mexico in this hour who are tormented, tortured and terrorized by the drug-lords and cartels. Then who is the God we are serving? I don’t have to agree with their lifestyle to grieve for their loss. I don’t have to know them to love them from His perspective. Jesus died on the cross for both those murdered in Mexico yesterday and for the drug-lords and cartel members, and the corrupt government who has allowed this to go on unabated for decades.

God’s arm is not too short to save, but His people seem to have hardened hearts when it comes to their desire for justice. May His mercy endure and His goodness be made known to those who grieve today. May He put His protective hand on the citizens of Mexico in this hour and all who make their home there. May His loving-kindness and tender mercy bring repentance and deliverance for both the people and the oppressors and may those who pray for peace and safety find it in Him today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Verse 170: Take my words to heart when I ask you, Lord; rescue me, just like you promised! Micah 6:8 commends us that God has shown us how to live our lives in surrender to Him. My memory reflects it this way, “Do justice (in our own hearts), love mercy (toward other people) and walk in humility with oug God.” So often, our heart cry to God is for mercy for ourselves, we do love mercy for ourselves. And we also cry out for justice toward those we deem wrong, hurtful or criminal. And in so doing, I believe we grieve the heart of God as He was so willing to lay His life down for us to be free, but we cannot cross that line of sacrifice and give up our own rights and prideful judgments to minister His love and mercy to those who offend us the most. It’s no wonder we find Him absent in the midst of tragedy when our hearts will not bend to sacrifice for Him in our praise.

Verse 171: I offer you my joyous praise for all that you’ve taught me. When the worship music plays at church, when the circumstances are overwhelming your heart, when people are hurting you and fear consumes you - Where Do You Find Your Heart Focused? The only way to live in joyous praise for all He has taught you is to make every moment of your life an act of worship. If the music at church, the actions of others, the circumstances or pain of your life and fear are consuming your focus - if you aren’t focused on who God is, what He has promised you and the way He has delivered you over and over again - then you will not be able to offer Him your joyous praise. Joy is a gift from God - happiness, is fleeting and temporary, but the state of being the blessed of God defies all circumstances determined only by the condition of our heart before Him. Will we bow and bend to His will or be driven by the wanton fear that compels us to forsake His perfect love?

Verse 172:Your wonderful words will become my song of worship, for everything you’ve commanded is perfect and true. My favorite worship song right now might surprise you… It’s Kanye West’s title song from the album “Jesus is King.” This song is the exclamation point on a beautiful, resounding chorus of words that tells the story of one who was lost and became found by God. Of The Son who is worthy of celebrating, and the way a surrendered life to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords brings life to even those that society calls crazy, vain and unworthy. I know Scripture, and the words of worship I hear on the lips of Kanye West are the highest praise for a worthy King.

Verse 173: Place your hands of strength and favor upon me, for I’ve made my choice to follow your ways. When God’s strength comes to you, His favor rests upon you - the key is to choose. God has given us the ability to choose who and what we worship and pursue in life. When we make Him our life’s pursuit, His strength empowers us and His favor carries us into places that would never be open to us without Him. The most obvious gates that open to us, the gates of Heaven and living in His eternal presence beyond our life on earth. And that favor alone is worth everything - He is worthy of surrender, worship and the highest praise.

Verse 174: I wait for your deliverance, O Lord, for your words thrill me like nothing else! A heart focused on the promises of God, having experienced His life-giving presence and the fulfillment of His promises will wait patiently for His deliverance and timing as we remain steadfast in our worship of Him.

Verse 175: Invigorate my life so that I can praise you even more, and may your truth be my strength! A heart bent on worshipping God seeks revival for one purpose - To praise God even more. To seek truth at all costs. To be strengthened and enraptured by the joy of the Lord which is our strength.

Verse 176: I’ll never forget what you’ve taught me, Lord, but when I wander off and lose my way, come after me, for I am your beloved! Knowing God shouldn’t just change the way we think or act, it should change the way we worship. We will rest in His unfailing love when we remember that the final Key to Revival is a life surrendered in daily worship to the most high and majestic God of the Universe who is our only source of life, hope and redemption. Amen?

I’m about to read you the keys we’ve discovered through Psalm 119 these last six months. If you’d like a PDF copy of the Keys to Revival from Psalm 119 please email [email protected] and put “Subscribe” in the subject line! Everyone who subscribes to Blooming Inspired Network this week will receive a printable PDF of the promises of God and Keys to Revival found in Psalm 119.

Let’s take a look back…

In Episode 122, we read Psalm 119:1-8! The subtitle for this passage was “The Way to Happiness” where we found the KEY TO REVIVAL: Obedience. This key leads to a life of joy and integrity that is found in God through focusing on His Scriptures and His Son, Jesus, who is His Word. Key Verse: I will give my thanks to you from a heart of love and truth.

And every time I learn more of your righteous judgments,I will be faithful to all that your word reveals—so don’t ever give up on me! - Psalm 119:7-8 TPT

In Episode 123, we read Psalm 119:9-16! The subtitle for this passage was “True Joy” and we discovered the KEY TO REVIVAL: Meditation. Focusing our hearts and minds on Scripture which leads us to treasure God’s Word, leading us to experience more of God’s true joy and purity in our hearts. Key Verse:I consider your prophecies to be my greatest treasure,and I memorize them and write them on my heart to keep me from committing sin’s treason against you.- Psalm 119:11 TPT

In Episode 124, we read Psalm 119:17-24! The subtitle for this passage was “The Abundant Life” and we discovered the KEY TO REVIVAL: A Humble & Teachable Heart. When we remain humble and teachable, focusing our hearts and minds on Scripture, it leads us to treasure God’s Word in our hearts. Key Verse: Your commandments are my counselors; your word is my light and delight! - Psalm 119:24 TPT

In Episode 125, we read Psalm 119:25-32! The subtitle for this passage was “Revived By The Word” and we discovered the KEY TO REVIVAL: Relying on God’s Strength. When we grow weary and are overcome with discouragement or fatigue, God’s Word brings strength to our hearts, mind and physical being - reviving us to press up and into who God is to discover who we are. Key Verse: I will run after you with delight in my heart, for you will make me obedient to your instructions. - Psalm 119:32 TPT

In Episode 126, we read Psalm 119:33-40! The subtitle for this passage was “Understanding God’s Word” and we discovered the KEY TO REVIVAL: Revelation Wisdom. Focusing our hearts and minds on the revelation wisdom of God through His Word is a key that leads us to passionate obedience as God transforms our hearts and minds to obey His command. As we pursue passionate obedience, His Word delights and protects our hearts from idolatry and deception. Key Verse: See how I long with cravings for more of your ways? Let your righteousness revive my spirit! - Psalm 119:40 TPT

In Episode 130, we read Psalm 119:41-48! The subtitle for this passage was “Trusting the Lord” and we discovered the KEY TO REVIVAL: Trusting God. As we lean into who God is revealed to be in Scripture, we learn to trust Him as we receive His grace, love and comfort, affirming His promises as truth that is safe to obey. Our longings turn to His righteousness that revives our spirit! Key Verse: I long for more revelation of your truth, for I love the light of your word as I meditate on your decrees.- Psalm 119:48 TPT

In Episode 131, we read Psalm 119:49-56! The subtitle for this passage was “My Comfort” and we discovered the KEY TO REVIVAL: God’s Comfort. Experiencing God’s comfort leads us to treasure the promises of His Word and gives us a desire to know Him with a devoted heart. Key Verse: Your revelation-light is eternal; I’m encouraged every time I think about your truth! - Psalm 119:52 TPT

In Episode 132, we read Psalm 119:57-64! The subtitle for this passage was “My Heart’s Devotion” and we discovered the KEY TO REVIVAL: Devotion to God. As we realize God’s comfort and set our hearts on Him through His Word and obedience, we realize our utter dependence on Him to live our lives according to His will as He cares for us. Key Verse: Give me more revelation of your ways, for I see your love and tender care everywhere.- Psalm 119:64 TPT

In Episode 133, we read Psalm 119:65-72! The subtitle for this passage was “My True Treasure” and we discovered the KEY TO REVIVAL: God’s Goodness & Kindness. As we rest our hearts in God’s goodness and loving kindness it leads us to understand God is our safe place and refuge as we experience the power and beauty of His Word. Key Verse: Everything you do is beautiful, flowing from your goodness; teach me the power of your wonderful words!- Psalm 119:68 TPT

In Episode 134, we read Psalm 119:73-80! The subtitle for this passage was “Growing Through God’s Word” and we discovered the KEY TO REVIVAL: Maturing In Scripture. As we come to understand God’s character, nature and promises through His Word, alongside walking in obedience to all of who He is, we are delivered of both pride and shame. With pride and shame defeated in our lives - God restores honor that unlocks passion and purpose in every area of our lives. Out of His Abundance and Truth our wholehearted pursuit become to fulfill God’s every desire. Key Verse: Make me passionate and wholehearted to fulfill your every wish, so that I’ll never have to be ashamed of myself.- Psalm 119:80 TPT

In Episode 135, we read Psalm 119:81-88! The subtitle for this passage was “Deliver Me” and we discovered the KEY TO REVIVAL: Deliverance As we mature by growth in God’s Word, we become delivered by that same word as our hearts are renewed by His tender love which leads us to an obedience from our hearts in gratitude and love toward a God who proves Himself worthy. Key Verse: Revive me with your tender love and spare my life by your kindness, and I will continue to obey you.- Psalm 119:88 TPT

In Episode 136, we read Psalm 119:89-96! The subtitle for this passage was “Faith In God’s Word” and we discovered the KEY TO REVIVAL: Revelation Truth As we realize God’s revelation truth in our life, our faith in Him grows, rooting His words deeply in our hearts. These roots displace the lies of the enemy that keep us from realizing His Freedom. Key Verse: I’ve learned that there is nothing perfect in this imperfect world except your words, for they bring such fantastic freedom into my life!- Psalm 119:96 TPT

In Episode 137, we read Psalm 119:97-104! The subtitle for this passage was “I Love God’s Word” and we discovered the KEY TO REVIVAL: God’s Wisdom As we fall in love with God’s Word, through the revelation of Scripture, we are filled with His Wisdom. As we discover His Wisdom in our hearts, we begin to see not only ourselves, but others and the world around us by His revelation-light. His wisdom is the revelation-light by which our spiritual eyes see, our spiritual ears hear and our spiritual hearts understand. Key Verse: I refuse to turn away from difficult truths, for you yourself have taught me to love your words.- Psalm 119:102 TPT

In Episode 138, we read Psalm 119:105-112! The subtitle for this passage was “Truth’s Shining Light” and we discovered the KEY TO REVIVAL: Gratitude As God’s revelation-light informs our understanding with His Wisdom,our hearts turn to Him in gratitude and joy, His Spirit’s refreshing becomes our standard which leads us to continually partner with God in obedience to His Word and Commands - realizing freedom that leads us to our life’s rest and righteousness found only in Jesus Christ. Key Verse: Everything you speak to me is like joyous treasure, filling my life with gladness. - Psalm 119:111 TPT

In Episode 139, we read Psalm 119:113-120! The subtitle for this passage was “Trust & Obey” and we discovered the KEY TO REVIVAL: Living From His Presence As we learn to live in the freedom of gratitude that produces joy, refreshing and leads us to rest and righteousness in Christ, we find our obedience comes continually from a heart that obeys and trust God completely. This heartfelt obedience and humility it requires bows us low in reverence for God’s holiness and righteousness when we live from his presence. The New Testament reveals that Jesus has clothed us in a robe of His Righteousness - His wrap-around presence keeps our hearts obedient to His Word. Key Verse: You’re my place of quiet retreat, and your wrap-around presence becomes my shield as I wrap myself in your word! - Psalm 119:114 TPT

In Episode 142, we read Psalm 119:121-128! The subtitle for this passage was “I Will Follow You” and we discovered the KEY TO REVIVAL: Intimacy As we come into this place of living from His presence, in obedience to all that Scripture reveals Him to be, realizing we are His gives our hearts the desire to experience and encounter His tender love more and more. As we encounter His presence and His love we grow in revelation understanding our hearts long to follow Him in all His wonderful ways. Key Verse: Let me feel your tender love, for I am yours. Give me more understanding of your wonderful ways.. - Psalm 119:124 TPT

In Episode 143, we read Psalm 119:129-136! The subtitle for this passage was “I Long To Obey You” and we discovered the KEY TO REVIVAL: Sin’s Grief As we come into this place of living from His presence, in obedience to all that Scripture reveals Him to be, we begin to look around and see the state of our fellow man and the decaying world culture that surrounds us giving us a grief from God’s heart over sin and its consequences. We understand His justice comes through loving-kindness and tender mercy - offering salvation to those who most grievously offend. Our grief compels us to follow God’s heart to intercede for God’s breakthrough, salvation and mercy in the world and lives around us. We desire for His Kingdom to Come and Will Be Done on Earth as it is in Heaven. Key Verse: When I witness the rebellious breaking your laws, it makes me weep uncontrollably! - Psalm 119:136 TPT

In Episode 144, we read Psalm 119:137-143! The subtitle for this passage was “God’s Word is Truth” and we discovered the KEY TO REVIVAL: Freedom As we discover the freedom that comes from God’s word that burns like fire in our bones, a furious passion for His truth and His freedom rises in us. Just like the disciples who encountered the resurrected Christ on the Damascus road, we recognize His presence and His power when our hearts burn within us as His words are spoken over us, through us and from the Scriptures. Key Verse: All your promises glow with fire; that’s why I’m a lover of your word. - Psalm 119:140 TPT

In Episode 145, we read Psalm 119:144-151! The subtitle for this passage was “Save Me, O God” and we discovered the KEY TO REVIVAL: Surrender As God’s words burn like fire in our bones, stirring a passionate fire within our hearts for His presence and His word, we realize our utter dependence on God as our source - our source of life, our source of existence, our source of salvation and our source of victorious eternal life. Only He can save us and redeem us which leads us to surrender to His lordship and His love, asking Him to weave Himself into the very fiber of our being as we find ourselves in Him. Key Verse: Before the day dawns, I’ll be crying out for help and wrapping your words into my life.- Psalm 119:147 TPT

In Episode 146, we read Psalm 119:152-160! The subtitle for this passage was “Breathe Life Into Me Again” and we discovered the KEY TO REVIVAL: Heart Cry As God’s words blaze themselves into the very fiber of our being, revival comes to our hearts. We cry out to Him in trial and affliction, and perseverance, strength and power reinforce us as Holy Spirit breathes life into our soul and spirit once again. This is a key to personal and corporate revival. Key Verse: Lord, see how much I truly love your instructions. So in your tender kindness, breathe life into me again. 119:159 TPT

In Episode 147, we read Psalm 119:161-168! The subtitle for this passage was “Devoted to God’s Word” and we discovered the KEY TO REVIVAL: Hunger For More As we realize His strength and the power of revival in our life, we long for more of Him - His presence, His salvation, His deliverance, His truth, His righteousness, His victory - in our lives. This causes us to hunger and thirst for His righteousness. A hunger and thirst that is most fulfilled when we give ourselves wholeheartedly to His Word. Key Verse: My love for your ways is indescribable;

in my innermost being I want to follow them perfectly! - Psalm 119:167 TPT

Closing Remarks

That's all the time that I have today! Thank you for tuning in with us. I want to ask you if this podcast has been a blessing to you: would you consider subscribing to it and share it with your friends and family? We’d love to partner with you in sharing messages that encourage and inspire.

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BIBLE STUDY SEASON IS UPON US! We began our The Gospels: Verse-By-Verse Bible Study in October. We will resume this Saturday, in person (Granbury, TX) and on Facebook Live at 10 am (Central Time). That’s right - This season our study is found in the book of Luke. We’ll pick up with Chapter 3 on Saturday morning at 10am (CT). You can learn more and catch up on last week’s study by visiting facebook.com/bloominginspired.

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Be sure to TUNE IN! BIPN’s Accidental Hope Podcast airs on Wednesdays at 2 p.m. central time. Each week Jennifer Eikenhorst brings hope-filled messages and interviews related to overcoming accidents and traumas we face in life. You don’t want to miss her inspiring podcast this week. And now, I want to remind you as I always do: Blooming where you're planted is the first step to living your wildest dreams, so live your lives blooming alive!

Thank you for listening to the Blooming Inspired Podcast on the Blooming Inspired Podcast Network. This show airs on Tuesdays at 11 am central time. Please take a moment to like, share and subscribe to this podcast. To learn more about this podcast and it’s network, or the ministries of Blooming Inspired Network please visit BloomingInspiredNetwork.com and click the podcast link at the top of the page.

Psalm 119:169-176 The Passion Translation (TPT)

I Want to Follow You

169 Lord, listen to my prayer. It’s like a sacrifice I bring to you;

I must have more revelation of your word!

170 Take my words to heart when I ask you, Lord;

rescue me, just like you promised!

171 I offer you my joyous praise for all that you’ve taught me.

172 Your wonderful words will become my song of worship,

for everything you’ve commanded is perfect and true.

173 Place your hands of strength and favor upon me,

for I’ve made my choice to follow your ways.

174 I wait for your deliverance, O Lord,

for your words thrill me like nothing else!

175 Invigorate my life so that I can praise you even more,

and may your truth be my strength!

176 I’ll never forget what you’ve taught me, Lord,

but when I wander off and lose my way,

come after me, for I am your beloved!

The Passion Translation (TPT)

The Passion Translation®. Copyright © 2017 by BroadStreet Publishing® Group, LLC.

Used by permission. All rights reserved. thePassionTranslation.com

Michelle continues her quest to discover keys to Revival in Psalm 119 reading verses 161-68 in the Passion Translation. Today, we'll look at the question: “What Do I Have My Heart Set On?" As we read, we'll discover the key of longing or hunger for more. A longing or hunger and desire to go deep into God’s Word leads us to discover both His love and His power in a way that compels you to change and live only for Him.

Show Transcript:

You are listening to the Blooming Inspired Podcast on the Blooming Inspired Podcast Network. We exist to empower the voices of women who live their lives #BloomingAlive through Podcast Community. Now, here is your host.

Blooming Inspired Podcast equipping and empowering the voices of women who live their lives Blooming Alive.

Introduction

Good Morning! This is Michelle Bentham, host of Blooming Inspired Podcast. It’s been a while since I’ve shared a new episode in our Revival Series. God has been impressing upon me that next year is going to require stewardship of rest and the health of my body. I’ve taken a few weeks to get my mind and heart in a place of rest, and now I’m working on getting health to my bones. I’ll be wrapping up our Revival Series as we conclude our reading of Psalm 119 next week. I have a few things stirring in my heart around recent events related to women in ministry that I will be bringing to you in the coming weeks. I also plan to feature some of my favorite podcasters’ shows in November and December, including an interview I did with Jayme Hull, an author and speaker who is passionate about face to face mentoring with Millenials. Be looking for that show to air in two weeks.

This week we are going to be reading from Psalm 119:161-168 in the Passion Translation - so go ahead and grab your Bible and let’s get ready to read by reviewing what we covered last time.

Review

In our last episode, we read verses 153-160 as we continued to discover keys to revival. In our last reading, we discovered the Key of God’s Loving-Kindness, that when we cry out to Him in our weariness and the difficulties we face as we serve Him, that He will breathe life into us again! Isn’t that the heart of revival?

As we read through verses 161-168 today, I want you to ask yourself, “What Do I Have My Heart Set On?” Are you devoted to God’s Word, meaning you read the Scriptures and try to do what they say… Or, Are you devoted to God’s Son, trusting His promises as revealed to you in the Scriptures and living out of your relationship with Him. Jesus is the final and fullest expression of who God is to us. When we say God’s Word these days we often think of a book, but when Scripture refers to God’s Word… It is often talking about Jesus.

This Week’s Reading

So Now Let’s Pray, Father God, I ask that you would give each person within the sound of my voice an encounter with You, Your Son and the Holy Spirit this morning as we read Your words of life together. Impart the truth of who You are to our hearts, minds, souls and bodies today - we ask for Holy Spirit revelation to open our eyes to the way You see, open our ears to hear Your majestic voice, and open our hearts to know Your heart in intimacy and truth. I thank you that when we believe in Christ, we are hidden in Him and His blessings. Remind us of these truths as we read today and make them real for us! I ask these things in Jesus’ Holy Name, AMEN.

The heading for today’s reading is, “Devoted to God’s Word”

Verse 161: The powerful elite have persecuted me without a cause, but my heart trembles in awe because of your miracle-words. When you read the Scriptures seeking God’s heart… Does your heart tremble in awe at the miraculous way God’s Spirit and His Truth speak to you? When the persecution of a friend or spiritual leader in your church comes how do you respond? You see, the powerful elite are not God, whether they are of the government in a legal sense or of the governing body of your church. Scripture commends us to submit to godly leadership based in Biblical principles, but spiritual abuse comes from the person - not from God.

It has become a slippery slope in recent years, all this painful reality being exposed in #MeToo and #ChurchToo, I have my own #MeToo story that has nothing to do with the church, but that doesn’t mean I’ve not been spiritually abused. You see for women in, especially evangelical, church settings,it is considered Biblical to introduce a woman to “her place” while giving a man a title and paycheck worthy of a pastor and giving a woman the title of director and a paycheck that is only a small percentage of what they offer the man.

Not to mention what happens to a pastor’s wife if he should die while in the pastorate. Many times it means not only a loss of love and comfort, but a loss of income, insurance and even the home if the pastor’s family was afforded a parsonage. And the church leaders, often men, will come and say we can help you a few months but then - figure it out. You may not see this as persecution, oh, but it is. It is spiritual abuse and spiritual abuse is a form of persecution without cause.

Yet, as we see the Psalmist in this passage, crying out to God in the season of persecution we see his heart turn to God’s miracle words which cause his heart to tremble in awe before the Lord. I think of the end of the book of Luke when the two disciples realize they are talking to Jesus they reflect, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as He talked with us along the road…”

I want to ask you when life closes in and the season is dark, do you turn to the Scriptures and find Jesus speaking to you, causing the awe and tremble of a heart burning within you to devote yourself to Him no matter what you face?

Verse 162: Your promises are the source of my bubbling joy; the revelation of your word thrills me When was the last time you reflected on the promises of God in Scripture and they gave you JOY? Scripture tells us joy is the promised reward for those who suffer grief and loss, and even in persecution there is a loss of expectation and a grief over missed opportunities or lost relationships. But, God’s promises bring us bubbling over joy - joy that becomes strength as we immerse ourselves in His word and allow it to thrill and delight us - even when we face devastating circumstances.

Verse 163: I despise every lie and hate every falsehood, for I am passionate about keeping your precepts. Jesus said that Satan is the Father of Lies. Meaning all falsehood and deception comes from Satan, himself, and if you believe and live by lies then you are agreeing and aligning yourself with the enemy of God. An enemy that God says over and over again that He hates. He hates lies and falsehood because they damage relationships and hurt people. He hates lies because He, Himself, is Truth - all truth comes from him. Committing ourselves to His precepts breaks any alignment with lies and deception, and removes the enemy’s power to work in our lives and destroy us.

Paul writes in the book of Romans that Satan veils the eyes of those who are perishing so they may not see the truth. And, yet the good news is that the Truth of God, the Scriptures and who He is, will uproot and destroy the lies of Satan if we focus on it. Replacing the lies life has taught me - whether by persecution, experience, the enemy’s whispers to me in my weakness, or that I’ve told so myself - with God’s eternal and unchanging truth sets me free from not only the enemy’s hold on my life, but also sets me free to be fully who He designed and paid a price for me to be. When His truth becomes my passion I can say like the traditional hymn, “Though none go with me. Still, I will follow. No turning back.”

Verse 164: I stop to praise you seven times a day, all because your ways are perfect! This verse just makes me giddy… The Psalmist mentions praising God seven times a day - every time I eat something, when I wake and when I lay down to sleep - my heart rejoices in the Lord. But also, because it says all God’s ways are perfect. Did you know that? All God’s ways are perfect! And that number 7, it is the perfect number of creative completion as the Lord created the earth in 6 days and rested on the 7th. When my heart rests perfectly in Him, my life is full of peace and full of praise for the one who made it so.

Verse 165: There is such a great peace and well-being that comes to the lovers of your word, and they will never be offended. A few years ago, I heard a teacher talking about living life “UNOFFENDED.” I hit pause on that word as he explained he lived by the law of love and grace and chose not to get offended by people and circumstances. And here is this word - 1) that affirms my conclusion from the last verse and 2) affirms this word about living unoffended. You see, if the Bible truly is God’s mind revealed to man, and we become transformed by taking on the mind of Christ in our lives - then the result loving God’s Word (Jesus) by reading the Scriptures will not only allow us to realize God’s peace, which passes our ability to understand, but also to overcome offense and the wounds that life offers us along the path home. Jesus withstood great persecution, accusation and pain -- They killed Him. And yet He forgave, He laid His life down for the very ones who called for the government leaders to end it. This is the life unoffended, this the life of a transformed heart - and it comes first from loving Jesus and then by living according to His words.

Verse 166: Lord, I’m longing for more of your salvation, for I want to do what pleases you. As one whose lived a lot of my life squandering my resources and my time in wild living, then in just really unhealthy relationships, thought and behavior patterns I realize that the Lord’s salvation is my only hope - ever - and His salvation sanctifies, purifies and transforms me from the inside out so that my life becomes a pleasing sacrifice laid out before Him, one drawn up in wells of obedience born of faith and trust in the One who saved me.

Verse167: My love for your ways is indescribable; in my innermost being I want to follow them perfectly! Once again the Psalmist confirms my conclusion from the last verse we read. That when I long for more of God’s salvation in my life it stirs a love and passion for me that is beyond description. Have you ever had an encounter with God you found hard to put into words? I have. I can’t explain exactly what happened but all I know is that after the encounter I WAS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. It felt like some part of the old me had been removed and a new part had been given in its place. A fresh new part. This is what I believe it means to have a new heart and a new mind. When the innermost part of your being wants to follow God perfectly.

This is a Key to Revival - a longing or hunger for more. A desire to go deep into God’s Word, and know both His love and His power in a way that compels you to change and live only for Him.

Verse 168: I will keep your instructions and follow your counsel; all my ways are an open book before you. I remember a time in my life when I first began to pursue Scripture and God’s will in my life. I had been saved at age 12, meaning I knew my destination after life on earth was Heaven because Jesus was my savior who paid the price for my sins, but I did not know Him as Lord quite yet. I believe this is what Paul means when he says that people are saved as ones escaping flames. They get the benefit of heaven, but no transformation in life on earth.

I would study Scripture for hours.. I would wrestle with His words and my actions. I would lay in the floor weeping in repentance. I would cry out for more, longing to know Him in intimacy and friendship. But, there was that whole life between salvation and when I began to pursue Him… Some 18 years… Where I had locked up my skeletons in a padlocked closet in my mind and didn’t want to expose them to anyone, even God. Have you ever thought you were keeping something from God by not confessing it to Him? Honey, He already knows.

I had to lay my life out like an open book before Him and trust Him with all the bad choices I made alongside the good ones. And the truth is… He redeems it all for His glory. Both my human good (filthy rags) and my human bad (sin) - God redeems them and exchanges them for a crown of life that bring Him glory. Let’s do as Psalm 5 exhorts us, lay our lives out before Him every single morning and let His fire fall on our hearts, consuming what doesn’t look like Him and refining the parts that do.

Closing Remarks

That's all the time that I have today! Thank you for tuning in with us. I want to ask you if this podcast has been a blessing to you: would you consider subscribing to it and share it with your friends and family? We’d love to partner with you in sharing messages that encourage and inspire.

If you’d like to be a guest on this show or get more information about hosting your own podcast on the Blooming Inspired Podcast Network - please reach out to [email protected]. I’d love the opportunity to connect with you and figure out how we can share your voice with the world around us.

BIBLE STUDY SEASON IS UPON US! We began our The Gospels: Verse-By-Verse Bible Study in October. We will resume this Saturday, in person (Granbury, TX) and on Facebook Live at 10 am (Central Time). That’s right - This season our study is found in the book of Luke. We read the first 80 verses in October and will pick up in Chapter Two next week. You can learn more and catch up on last week’s study by visiting facebook.com/bloominginspired.

If you’d like to get this podcast delivered to your smart device, we're available on Apple and on Google Podcasts.

Again, I would like to ask you partner with us. We would love for you to share about our podcast on social media -- share it with your friends your family -- the people within your influence let them know what we're doing at Blooming Inspired Network! And don’t

Tune In Wednesdays! Accidental Hope Podcast airs on Wednesdays at 2 p.m. central time. Each week Jennifer Eikenhorst brings hope-filled messages and interviews related to overcoming accidents and traumas we face in life. You don’t want to miss her inspiring podcast this week. And now, I want to remind you as I always do: Blooming where you're planted is the first step to living your wildest dreams, so live your lives blooming alive!

Thank you for listening to the Blooming Inspired Podcast on the Blooming Inspired Podcast Network. This show airs on Tuesdays at 11 am central time. Please take a moment to like, share and subscribe to this podcast. To learn more about this podcast and it’s network, or the ministries of Blooming Inspired Network please visit BloomingInspiredNetwork.com and click the podcast link at the top of the page.

Psalm 119:161-168 The Passion Translation (TPT)

Devoted to God’s Word

161 The powerful elite have persecuted me without a cause,

but my heart trembles in awe because of your miracle-words.

162 Your promises are the source of my bubbling joy;

the revelation of your word thrills me

like one who has discovered hidden treasure.

163 I despise every lie and hate every falsehood,

for I am passionate about keeping your precepts.

164 I stop to praise you seven times a day,

all because your ways are perfect!

165 There is such a great peace and well-being that comes

to the lovers of your word, and they will never be offended.

166 Lord, I’m longing for more of your salvation,

for I want to do what pleases you.

167 My love for your ways is indescribable;

in my innermost being I want to follow them perfectly!

168 I will keep your instructions and follow your counsel;

all my ways are an open book before you.

The Passion Translation (TPT)

The Passion Translation®. Copyright © 2017 by BroadStreet Publishing® Group, LLC.

Used by permission. All rights reserved. thePassionTranslation.com

Sound Recording Copyright ℗ 2019 Michelle Bentham, Blooming Inspired Podcast. All Rights Reserved.

Michelle continues her quest to discover keys to Revival in Psalm 119 reading verses 153-160 in the Passion Translation. Today, we'll look at the question: "When I feel weary, persecution is consuming me and I think that life is escaping me… Do I ask God to breathe His life into me again?' As we do we'll discover the key of crying out to God in seasons of trial and persecution asking Him to breath life into us again.

Show Transcript:

You are listening to the Blooming Inspired Podcast on the Blooming Inspired Podcast Network. We exist to empower the voices of women who live their their lives #BloomingAlive through Podcast Community. Now, here is your host.

Blooming Inspired Podcast equipping and empowering the voices of women who live their lives Blooming Alive.

Introduction

Good Morning! This is Michelle Bentham, host of Blooming Inspired Podcast. I have been encountering the Lord’s goodness in my reality these last few days - to say I am overwhelmed by His presence is an understatement. As we read about those keys of utter dependence and surrender last week - I had no idea God would give me a tangible experience of this reality in my own life just a few days later.

It reminds me that we are called to live by faith, with a full expectancy that the God who promised is faithful to fulfill and complete His promises to us, through us and for us -- and make us the fulfillment of His promises to the world around us. Amen?

This week we are going to be reading from Psalm 119:153-160 in the Passion Translation - so go ahead and grab your Bible and let’s get ready to read by reviewing what we covered last week.

Review

In our last episode, we read verses 145-152 as we continued to discover keys to revival. As we read, we saw God as our refuge and rescue, crying out to Him to save us. In it we found two primary keys of walking in Utter Dependence - dependence on hearing God’s voice spoken to us through both the Scriptures and by revelation of His Holy Spirit being critical to experiencing revival.

In the same way we also discovered the Key of Surrender, in this case, it means to surrender our right to be right and my need to justify myself is also a key to surrender. Learning that when we sacrifice our need to be right on behalf of others we look like Jesus. As we concluded we acknowledged that the truths of God are established forever - His revelation, His promises and His Kingdom are all established forever. Every plan of God is revealed and established by His Son Jesus Christ.

This Week’s Reading

So Now Let’s Pray, Father God, I ask that you would give each person within the sound of my voice an encounter with You, Your Son and the Holy Spirit this morning as we read Your word together. Impart truth to our hearts, minds, souls and bodies today - we ask for Holy Spirit revelation to open our eyes to the way You see, open our ears to hear Your majestic voice, and open our hearts to know Your heart in intimacy and truth. I thank you that when we believe in Christ, we are hidden in Him and His blessings. Remind us of these truths as we read today and make them real for us! I ask these things in Jesus’ Holy Name, AMEN.

The heading for today’s reading is, “Breathe Life Into Me Again” As we work our way through scripture today, I want you to consider this question: When I feel weary, persecution is consuming me and I think that life is escaping me… Do I ask God to breathe His life into me again?

Verse 153: Look upon all my misery and come be my hero to rescue me, for I will never forget what you’ve revealed to me. As I consider this verse, I am reminded of this weekend. I had a powerful encounter with God at a writing retreat I attended this weekend. During worship He invaded my heart and wrecked me in the best way. My heart was tender, the tears were flowing and my pen was writing a psalm of praise and surrender to God.

An hour or so later, I was hurrying to gather my things and get on the road to go home. I made a few stops for lunch and gas. As I was filling my car with I remembered my front floorboard was littered with trash and decided to open the door to throw it out. As I opened the door, I locked the door back with the key remote thinking I didn’t want anyone entering from the other side to take my purse or phone. As I gathered the items I wanted to discard, my hands got full and I dropped my keys in the seat so as not to drop them in the trash. When I stepped away from the door - it closed.

YEP! And just like that I locked my keys in the car. My husband is 40 minutes away at home. I’ve not got my phone or my keys, no insurance information or Onstar number (though Onstar would hardly work since I haven’t turned it on since I bought the car). I was stuck.

I panicked for a moment before thinking, I’ll just use the phone in the store to call my husband - easy peasy. As I waited in line to talk to the clerk behind the counter, I looked to the door and there stood one of my Writing Sisters from the retreat. She had missed her turn and stopped in at the gas station to get a drink before getting back on course again. I used her phone to call my husband and he was on his way.

I bought water and a pack of gum and realized… I have my phone on my arm. An Apple Watch. So I sent my husband a text telling him to text or call me when he got there because I could use my watch. However, to use my watch, I needed to be close to my phone so I stepped out and stood by the car. When my husband arrived I thanked him for rescuing me.

Our relationship with God can be a lot like that moment when I realized I locked my keys in the car. For a minute I felt helpless and uncertain of how to even ask for help. But, then… God sent my sister to help me reach my husband and then I realized I could’ve called him myself if I’d only remembered that I had a way to communicate with him directly.

When times of trouble come, it can be hard to remember that God is our ultimate hero and rescuer. That we need only cry out to Him, surrender our hearts to Him in our circumstances and watch Him send miracles to rescue us as we have need. I was so profoundly reminded of how much God loves me as he sent people who love me to my rescue on Sunday.

Verse 154: Take my side and defend me in these sufferings; redeem me and revive me, just like you promised you would. Seasons of trial and suffering can do one of two things. Either we will press into God, as the psalmist is doing, resting in His promises and trusting God to defend and redeem us and our circumstances, bringing life to us again and again as He revives us in the trying seasons. OR, we can let our hearts questions God in the suffering, feeling every bit a victim of our circumstances and feel hopeless to change them.

God sent His Son to die for us, and His Holy Spirit to empower us so that we don’t have to be victimized by our circumstances and the godless cultures we live in - rather, we can stand on His promises and seek His help to overcome the difficulties and trials we suffer in our lives.

Verse 155: The wicked are so far from salvation, for they could not care less about your message of truth. Here the psalmist contrasts his own careful consideration of God’s word and promises with the attitude of those who don’t know or believe in God. They do not care about God’s word, or being obedient to Him. They don’t know how to claim and stand on God’s promises of truth when trouble comes. We must remember to be set apart from the world we live in, and cry out as the psalmist will demonstrate rather than resign ourselves to the hurtful season of injustice that swirl all around us.

Verse 156: Your tender mercies are what I need, O God; give me back my life again through the revelation of your judgments. When trouble comes, even troubles I have earned, God’s mercies are what I need. I need His mercies when I offend Him, and when others offend me -- I need His mercies all the more so I can offer them to others. Only through God does my soul and my spirit find the life it needs. Only through the revelation of His truth and justice does my suffering find meaning. He is all I need.

Verse 157: I have so many enemies who persecute me, yet I won’t swerve from following your ways. Sometimes when the persecutors come, and the assaults are many -- it can feel confusing and become a distraction. It can make me afraid to pursue God because it feels more real than He is to me. It can even make me doubt His goodness and His promises unless, I commit myself to stay the course with Him no matter what comes at me to throw me off track. No matter how many times the adversary seeks to destroy me or discourage me -- I will not forget to follow after Jesus. Being His disciple is the only way for me…

Verse 158: I grieve when I see how the faithless ones live, for they just walk away from your promises. 14 years ago my son passed away. I ended up attending a support group for bereaved parents offered through a local church. A few of the parents attending did not believe in God. They found it difficult to find hope after such a devastating loss and continually expressed a need for justice for the child who had passed away. They expressed a difficulty to forgive the people they felt responsible for the loss they had suffered and they often found a way to blame God in their misery.

It hurt my heart deeply to see their pain and hopelessness on full display. The futile ways they worked to ensure that the person paid and so their child’s life could have meaning. They tried to assuage their grief by raising funds for research or campaigning for legislative changes, only to return after the events feeling more empty, more angry and hurt than before. Nothing filled the void for them. They had no hope. (As an aside, I’m not saying that non-profit formations, fundraisers for such causes and legislative advocacy are in themselves meaningless. I’m saying without God they will not fill the void left in the grief of a loss and love so deep.) It creates an exhausting cycle of trying to redeem the loss yourself and feeling hopeless when nothing takes the pain away. But, God promises that if we turn to Him - even if we don’t know Him when our circumstances change… That His promises are true for all who will call upon His name. Cry out to Him today.

Verse159: God, you are near me always, so close to me; every one of your commands reveals truth. In those moments of utter despair, when you feel defeated and beat down. Remember God is near you, draw near to Him, He is so close - waiting for you to cry out to Him in your need. Remember His words, the ones He’s written on your heart, the promises of Scripture that will carry you through to the place of truth and freedom - life in abundance once again.

Verse 160: Lord, see how much I truly love your instructions. So in your tender kindness, breathe life into me again. Here, we see a key - that when we love God’s instructions, expressed to us through His Holy Spirit and the Scriptures, we will realize His tender heart for us - the loving-kindness of a good father and a merciful and gracious Savior who brings life to us again and again until we enter into our Heavenly home. Cry out to Him in your need and watch Him revive you with His life giving Spirit in every sort of need.

Closing Remarks

That's all the time that I have today! Thank you for tuning in with us. I want to ask you if this podcast has been a blessing to you: would you consider subscribing to it and share it with your friends and family? We’d love to partner with you in sharing messages that encourage and inspire.

If you’d like to be a guest on this show or get more information about hosting your own podcast on the Blooming Inspired Podcast Network - please reach out to [email protected]. I’d love the opportunity to connect with you and figure out how we can share your voice with the world around us.

BIBLE STUDY SEASON IS UPON US! We began our The Gospels: Verse-By-Verse Bible Study this past Saturday. We will resume on October 12th in person (Granbury, TX) and on Facebook Live at 10 am (Central Time). That’s right - This season our study is found in the book of Luke. We read the first 80 verses last weekend and will pick up in Chapter Two next week. You can learn more and catch up on last week’s study by visiting facebook.com/bloominginspired and checking out the events listed on our page!

If you’d like to get this podcast delivered to your smart device, we're available on Apple and on Google Podcasts.

Again, I would like to ask you partner with us. We would love for you to share about our podcast on social media -- share it with your friends your family -- the people within your influence let them know what we're doing at Blooming Inspired Network!

Tune In Wednesdays! Accidental Hope Podcast airs on Wednesdays at 2 p.m. central time. Each week Jennifer Eikenhorst brings hope-filled messages and interviews related to overcoming accidents and traumas we face in life. You don’t want to miss her inspiring podcast this week. And now, I want to remind you as I always do: Blooming where you're planted is the first step to living your wildest dreams, so live your lives blooming alive!

Thank you for listening to the Blooming Inspired Podcast on the Blooming Inspired Podcast Network. This show airs on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11 am central time. Please take a moment to like, share and subscribe to this podcast. To learn more about this podcast and it’s network, or the ministries of Blooming Inspired Network please visit BloomingInspiredNetwork.com and click the podcast link at the top of the page.

Psalm 119:153-160 The Passion Translation (TPT)

Breathe Life into Me Again

153 Look upon all my misery and come be my hero to rescue me,

for I will never forget what you’ve revealed to me.

154 Take my side and defend me in these sufferings;

redeem me and revive me, just like you promised you would.

155 The wicked are so far from salvation,

for they could not care less about your message of truth.

156 Your tender mercies are what I need, O God;

give me back my life again

through the revelation of your judgments.

157 I have so many enemies who persecute me,

yet I won’t swerve from following your ways.

158 I grieve when I see how the faithless ones live,

for they just walk away from your promises.

159 Lord, see how much I truly love your instructions.

So in your tender kindness, breathe life into me again.

160 The sum total of all your words adds up to absolute truth,

and every one of your righteous decrees is everlasting.

The Passion Translation (TPT)

The Passion Translation®. Copyright © 2017 by BroadStreet Publishing® Group, LLC.

Used by permission. All rights reserved. thePassionTranslation.com

Michelle continues her quest to discover keys to Revival in Psalm 119 reading verses 145-152 in the Passion Translation. Today, we'll look at the question: "Who or What do I turn to in difficult circumstances?" As we read, we'll discover the key of utter dependence on God and surrender to Him as our source in every moment of our lives as a key to revival, not only for us - but as we engage with the world around us as well!

Show Transcript:

You are listening to the Blooming Inspired Podcast on the Blooming Inspired Podcast Network. We exist to empower the voices of women who live their their lives #BloomingAlive through Podcast Community. Now, here is your host.

Blooming Inspired Podcast equipping and empowering the voices of women who live their lives Blooming Alive.

Introduction

Good Morning! This is Michelle Bentham, host of Blooming Inspired Podcast. We announced last week on our Facebook Page that we would begin sharing this podcast once a week on Tuesdays at 11 am (CT). We’ll replay the episode on Thursday mornings in case you didn’t catch it on Tuesday - AND, we also have Bible study airing on Facebook Live each week at 10 am (CT) at facebook.com/bloominginpsired. So you will still have the opportunity to #GetBloomingInspired each week through the podcast and Bible study. Our next session of Bible study will be on Saturday, October 12th --- If you haven’t already liked the Blooming Inspired FB page go ahead and do so today! That way you’ll get notified and see our posts in your regular feed.

I had an early appointment this morning that ran longer than I intended and so we’re running a bit late getting online today. We’ll be reading from the Passion Translation in Psalm 119. So go ahead and grab your favorite translation of the Bible and turn to Psalm 119: 145-152 as I recap what we read last time.

Review

In our last episode, we read verses 137-144 as we continued to discover keys to revival. As we read, we acknowledged the truth of God's Word, and how it leads our hearts to burn with furious passion for the Lord. When we understand His word, we understand not only His righteousness but the faithfulness of His promises. These promises are TRUTH to set us free.

This Week’s Reading

So Now Let’s Pray, Father God, I ask that you would impart truth to our heart, mind and soul today - would you open our eyes to see your revelation, open our ears to hear your voice, and open our hearts to know you more? I thank you that when we believe in Christ, we are hidden in Him and His blessings. Remind us of these truths as we read today! I ask these things in Jesus’ Name, AMEN.

The heading for today’s reading is, “Save Me, God” As we work our way through scripture today, I want you to consider this question: To who or what do I turn when troubles come?

Verse 145: Answer my passionate prayer, O Lord, and I’ll obey everything you say. The psalmist almost seems to be bargaining with God - “if You’ll answer my prayer, I’ll obey you…” But, that is not what they write. Instead we see two connected statements… Answer my passionate prayer, O Lord, and I’ll obey everything you say. The psalmist is asking for God to answer his prayer so he’ll know what to do… Dependent upon God speaking to him for his next step.

Do we live this way? Utterly dependent on our relationship with God -- what we read in Scripture AND the way we sense Him responding to our prayers. Are we committed to cry out to Him in every circumstance and obey what we sense He is leading us to do?

It is powerful to consider how the psalmist is reaffirming his commitment to obey God over and over again throughout this lengthy psalm - which leads me to a conclusion. The key to revival is both walking in dependence on God’s words given to us in Scripture and by revelation of the Holy Spirit. That to awaken our hearts to His truth we must know the Scriptures and then receive revelation from the Holy Spirit about how to live, and move, and find our being in Him. He alone can protect, guide and reveal Himself to us in every circumstance we face. We must be willing to cry out to Him, wait for His response and respond as He directs us. Utter dependence is a key to revival.

Verse 146: Save me, God, and I’ll follow your every instruction. Again, we see the psalmist in utter need. Dependent upon the salvation of God -- his heart cry is if you will show me your salvation I will do it. I will do what you instruct me to do. As we approach God through the Scriptures and prayer, I’m reminded that my heart must remain teachable. When my spiritual eyes and ears are tuned to the voice of God and His instructions - only then will I know the true depth of His redemption and salvation in my life. I cannot rely only on what I’ve known about God - but rather come to Him crying out each day, in every situation and receive His instruction as both truth and necessity in every moment of my life.

Verse 147:Before the day dawns, I’ll be crying out for help and wrapping your words into my life. What a beautiful picture of dependency on God. Early in the morning, before the sun even comes up -- I’ll be crying out for your assistance as I wrap your words into my life. The deepest desire of our heart should not only be to depend on God and be saved by Him, but to have a heart to Know Him the way we are Known By Him. To have His words that express not only His will, but His very being to us - to be woven into the fiber of who we are. To be written upon our hearts as only He can write them. Wrapping our lives in His words, and His truth. Hiding ourselves in Him.

Verse 148: I lie awake every night pondering your promises to me. Letting His promises resonate deep within our hearts. That His word would resound so loudly that it would rob us of our sleep the way a young maiden rehearses the words of her lover as she lies on her pillow at night. Pondering, meditating on and dreaming of the promises of God and His truth in my life.

Verse 149: Lord, listen to my heart’s cry, for I know your love is real for me; breathe life into me again by the revelation of your justice. When we know the reality of God who is LOVE for us, then we begin to understand that His justice is not that of vengeance - taking recompense for what has offended Him. But rather, His justice, born of love, lays down its life to save those who offend Him. What would our heart’s cry sound like if we knew the love of God for those who offend us? If our justice sacrificed itself on behalf of others… What would that look like? I believe sacrificing my right to be right, and surrendering my need to be justified is a key to revival. It changes my heart to see from God’s perspective those that would offend me the most and step forth in truth to reveal His heart for them.

Verse 150: Here they come—these lawless rebels are coming near, but they are all so far away from your laws. Honestly, we can recognize the lawlessness in others, we can also avoid meeting them and ministering to them because they seem like a lost cause. But, Jesus didn’t render them lost causes. He came to save them, to correct them, to free them from the bondage of both sin and religious piety that was empty and valueless in the eyes of God. Can I pray for the sinner, the lawless ones, the way I pray for the saints I live my life with day in and day out? Can I dig for the gold of God’s treasure in them rather than call them out for who they are being or what they have done? How will we reach them if we do not love them as we find them - in their lawlessness. It’s not saying that evil is good, but saying I believe God placed His goodness inside of every life He created and it is my job to lead them out of darkness and into the light of His truth so they may discover it for themselves. Isn’t this what love looks like?

Verse151: God, you are near me always, so close to me; every one of your commands reveals truth. If God is always near me, so close to me that His truth is continually revealed to me, then what do I have to fear? If Christ lives within me, if the powerful Spirit of God lives inside of me and has baptized me in His Power and His Truth - then why do I fear when the world around me rages and people seem to seek to harm me? Why don’t we, as the Body, believe and walk in His authority and live as if the victory is ours for the taking, that people’s lives will change when they encounter the God whom we profess? Why do we try to manufacture gimmicks and device schemes to get people to church when the Holy Spirit Himself wins people to Jesus Christ when He is lifted up? What if our next marketing plan for the local church was to be like Jesus everywhere we go, and make disciples in the streets and the marketplaces because the word dwells so richly in us that God’s goodness splashes out on everyone we mee? His goodness and His promises do not come to me for my benefit alone - they come so I may be a benefit to others.

Verse 152: I’ve known all along how true and unchanging is every word you speak, established forever! The truths of God are established forever - His revelation, His promises and His Kingdom are all established forever. Every plan of God is revealed and established by His Son Jesus Christ. So why wouldn’t we cry out to Him in our need expecting Him to respond with favor, goodness and blessing toward His beloved Children?

Closing Remarks

That's all the time that I have for today! Thank you for tuning in with us. I want to ask you if this podcast has been a blessing to you: would you subscribe to it and share it with your friends and family? We’d love to partner with you in sharing messages that encourage and inspire.

If you’d like to be a guest on this show or get more information about hosting your own podcast on the Blooming Inspired Podcast Network - please reach out to [email protected]. I’d love the opportunity to connect with you and figure out how we can share your voice with the world around us.

BIBLE STUDY SEASON IS UPON US! We began our The Gospels: Verse-By-Verse Bible Study this past Saturday. We will resume on October 12th in person (Granbury, TX) and on Facebook Live at 10 am (Central Time). That’s right - This season our study is found in the book of Luke. We read the first 80 verses last weekend and will pick up in Chapter Two next week. You can learn more and catch up on last week’s study by visiting facebook.com/bloominginspired and checking out the events listed on our page!

If you’d like to get this podcast delivered to your smart device, we're available on Apple and on Google Podcasts. 

Would you partner with us? We would love for you to share about our podcast on social media -- share it with your friends your family -- the people within your influence let them know what we're doing at Blooming Inspired Network!

Tune In Wednesdays! Accidental Hope Podcast airs on Wednesdays at 2 p.m. central time. Each week Jennifer Eikenhorst brings hope-filled messages and interviews related to overcoming accidents and traumas we face in life. You don’t want to miss her final of a three part interview series with Tina Boyd as they talk about how Faith Moves You Forward this week!

And now, I want to remind you as I always do: Blooming where you're planted is the first step to living your wildest dreams, so live your lives blooming alive!

Thank you for listening to the Blooming Inspired Podcast on the Blooming Inspired Podcast Network. This show airs on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11 am central time. Please take a moment to like, share and subscribe to this podcast. To learn more about this podcast and its network, or the ministries of Blooming Inspired Network please visit BloomingInspiredNetwork.com and click the podcast link at the top of the page.

Michelle continues her quest to discover keys to Revival in Psalm 119 reading verses 137-144 in the Passion Translation. Today, as we continue to discover Keys to Revival how the truth of God's Word leads our hearts to burn with furious passion for the Lord. When we understand His word, we understand not only His righteousness but the faithfulness of His promises. These promises are TRUTH to set us free. Today we discover the Key of Freedom found in the truth of God's Word.

Psalm 119:137-144 The Passion Translation (TPT)

His Word Is True

137 Lord, your judgments reveal your righteousness,

and your verdicts are always fair.

138 The motive behind your every word is pure,

and your teachings are remarkably faithful and true.

139 I’ve been consumed with a furious passion to do what’s right,

all because of the way my enemies disrespect your laws.

140 All your promises glow with fire;[a]

that’s why I’m a lover of your word.

141 Even though I’m considered insignificant and despised

by the world, I’ll never abandon your ways.

142 Your righteousness has no end; it is everlasting,

and your rules are perfectly fair.

143 Even though my troubles overwhelm me with anguish,

I still delight and cherish every message you speak to me.

144 Give me more revelation so that I can live for you,

for nothing is more pure and eternal than your truth.

[Show Transcript is unavailable for this episode.]

Michelle continues her quest to discover keys to Revival in Psalm 119 reading verses 129-136 in the Passion Translation. Today, as we continue to discover how the keys of living from intimacy and following God in obedience as our passionate pursuit and souls longing leads us to crave His presence and grieve over sin. When we come into a right understanding of Who God is as we pursue Him through His Word – the keys of presence and obedience bring us into understanding the justice of His heart toward a lost and dying world.

Show Transcript:

Blooming Inspired Podcast equipping and empowering the voices of women who live their lives Blooming Alive.

Introduction

Good Morning! This is Michelle Bentham, host of Blooming Inspired Podcast. I’m always excited to jump on the podcast with you each week. I’ve been on a social media and podcast break for the last month while traveling and am ready to get back in touch and into Psalm 119.

Before I do, I wanted to share a little about the last few weeks of my life and a few changes that will be coming soon to Blooming Inspired Network.. First, I want to say as I’ve spent time away I’ve missed “seeing you” on Facebook and interacting with you there. Still, part of the reason I’m needing to make changes centers on the book God has been stirring in my heart for 14 years now.

In August I attended the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association Conference in Nashville, TN. This event inspired me to get serious about my book project and developed some definite goals for the next few months. I was able to spend time with my writing friends from North Texas while making new friends the few days we were there. It’s been an amazing time in my life and encourages me to take steps of faith like never before.

If you don’t know, writing a book is labor intensive and time consuming. So, I may not be able to interact with you as often on Facebook, but I’ll be bringing you content that will still encourage and inspire you to go deeper with God in your life.

After I returned home from the writer’s conference, I w laundry and headed out again. This time for a retreat for ministry leaders in Telluride, CO. The theme of the Retreat was rest and and… BOY, Did I Need It. The scenic beauty surrounded us on every side. I was incredibly blessed. I took my calendar and my laptop hoping to do some planning and writing while away. But, instead… I heard the Lord whisper, “Just enjoy my creation with me.”

I laid in bed late at night and looked up at the diamond-like stars glistening in a black sky just beyond the windows of my bedroom. I fell asleep to the peaceful sound of a creek running behind the house where we stayed. I woke up early and took in the first rays of light coming over the mountains to our east without ever leaving my bed. I marvelled at those mountainous landscapes that surrounded us. And, I enjoyed the 100s of birds, most of them Hummingbirds, that lived in the Douglas Fir Trees around the retreat house.

Until… The third day. The plumbing backed up in the electrical closet downstairs. We were moved up the mountain from Telluride to the Mountain Village Lodge where we spent our last two nights in an even more beautiful setting with less oxygen. I just have to say I’m grateful for the Gondolas and shuttles in that area that helped us get around.

Several other women journeyed with us on the retreat that week and we quickly became heart friends. I miss them already, but they reminded me why Blooming Inspired Network exists - we’re here for you!

Now… Here’s the fun part - we’re going to allow you to submit content for the page! Did you read a Scripture or quote that really moves you? Do you have a word from God that you want to share? GREAT! Simply DM the content to the Blooming Inspired Page, and we’ll look for an opportunity to get it posted. Here are a few guidelines:

Our content is by women for women, looking forward to empowering your voice and pen! Not that doesn’t mean we don’t value the voices and offerings of men - we do! But this is a place for wildflowers to bloom. So bring on the women who are wildflowers waiting to sing!

[Please note: Not every quote that gets submitted will fit our scope and needs at Blooming Inspired Network - but we’ll be sure to let you know if your content is selected and when it will post.]

Content for Quote or Scripture Graphics: Must include the original author or Scripture Reference AND Translation in the message. We’ll ask for it if it is not included. TIP: Ask yourself, “How will this equip and empower women to walk in their role and reign in God’s Kingdom?” Then send us your thoughts along with the quote. We’ll include your note and tag you in the post. :)

Other Content: 1) It must be encouraging. 2) It must inspire action. 3) It must be biblically sound. 4) Be sure to respond to the comments if your content is posted. We’ll tag you in the post… :)

Do you have a testimony or Podcast idea? Listen for an opportunity to join the fun at the end of today’s show!

If you want to go deeper with the Wildflowers at Blooming Inspired Network be sure to join our Wildflower Women Relaunch on Facebook! We’d love to connect and enjoy the encouragement of community with each of you.

Are you a writer? Be sure to DM or fill out the contact page at the website. We’d love to get a sample from you as we’re starting a blog soon! We need writers! :)

With that said, in addition to our weekly podcasts - Blooming Inspired Network will post on Facebook 2-3 times a week. Looking at a Monday, Wednesday & Friday. The more you engage with our content the more we’ll bring to you there.

We’ll also be posting to Instagram, Twitter and A NEW! Pinterest account we’ll be opening this week. We’d love to pin your work. Be sure to connect with us and let us know what you’re up to. But enough about this social stuff… Let’s get to our show.

Review

In our last episode of the Revival Series we read verses 121-127 and saw the way God’s tender love leads us into not only His righteousness but, when we choose to submit to God in obedience, it also leads us to beautiful intimacy with Him. Today we continue that theme as we look at what it means when our longings are to obey God.

This Week’s Reading

This week we’re returning to our reading in verses 128-136. We’re reading from the Passion Translation, but go ahead and grab your Bible and turn to the Psalm so you can follow along, I’ll pray to open our discussion today.

Father God, I ask that you would open our eyes to see your revelation, open our ears to hear your voice, and open our hearts to know you more. Protect us from the plans of your adversary and keep us from harm. I ask these things in Jesus’ Name, AMEN.

The heading for today’s reading is, “I Long to Obey You.” As we read today, I want you to consider this question: “Do I Long To OBEY God?” Let’s begin:

Verse 129: Your marvelous words are living miracles; no wonder I long to obey everything you say. Did you catch that? There is a link to seeing God’s living miracles and obedience. Not just obedience for the sake of obedience… But, there is a sense of an obedience that HANGS on every word God has spoken to us. How does God speak personally to us: Through His Word - Jesus, through the Scriptures, and through the revelation that the Holy Spirit brings to us when we walk closely with Him.

When you read the Scriptures or sense God speaking to you through the Holy Spirit, do you feel compelled to respond in some way? This is where I think obedience becomes a key. My friend, Tracy, says often - Obedience is the Love Language of the Holy Spirit. And, I agree. If we never do what we read about in Scripture how will we ever know the Greater Works that Jesus said we who come after would do? Obedience is more than doing the right thing because God said so, obedience is an expression of both faith and love toward God. An expectant faith, that knows God will respond - keeping the promises of His Word - when we obey Him.

Verse 130: Break open your word within me until revelation-light shines out! Those with open hearts are given insight into your plans. Before you ever experience a breakthrough in your circumstances, God’s word - the Scriptures must break open within you - flooding your being with the revelation light of Christ. Only then will we see and understand the plans God speaks of in Jeremiah 29:11, plans that the NKJV calls THOUGHTS. I recently heard Jesse Beebe speak at a conference and she said, “Did you know God has one destiny for your life, but many plans?”

That’s right. God doesn’t just have 1 PLAN for your life - He has many plans that all lead to the one destiny He created and designed you to fulfill in your lifetime. It is through His Scriptures that these plans first break open to us, and as we follow Him through each revelation in obedience to His call… We find our hearts open and we discover the insights and wisdom of His truth in every area of our lives.

Verse 131: I open my mouth and inhale the word of God because I crave the revelation of your commands. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 we read that the Scriptures are “God-Breathed.” Picture the words of God being inhaled into your body like life-giving oxygen, bringing both light and life to the thoughts and intentions of your heart, soul and body. What would our lives look like if we craved God’s Word like our bodies crave oxygen to breathe.

The other evening I was working with my husband cleaning out closets and rooms in our house. My allergies have been bothering me lately and I’ve had a little trouble breathing at times. As I bent over to pick something up I found myself unable to catch my breath. I tried to find my inhaler but couldn’t seem to get it.

Without oxygen, all I could do was sit on the side of my bed - feeling my lungs burn with their need for oxygen and pray that my husband would realize I needed his help. Eventually he came along and found my inhaler. I took a couple of puffs and began to feel my airway open and my lungs fill with the oxygen my body needs to live.

This is the picture this scripture paints - that our souls hunger for God’s word and crave the revelation of His truth. Our lives depend on it…

Verse 132: Turn your heart to me, Lord, and show me your grace like you do to every one of your godly lovers. Have you ever been reading scripture and your heart became convicted about something in your life that perhaps you’d never considered sin before that moment? In Isaiah 6, we see the prophet standing before God’s throne as God displayed His glory to Isaiah. The Lord was looking for a man to send as a prophet to Israel, and in the presence of God’s glory all Isaiah could say was “Woe to me, I am undone because I am a sinful man of unclean lips.” (Isaiah 6:5 my paraprase)

This picture of our human hearts, and its inclination toward evil, being undone before a Holy God is what it means to truly FEAR the Lord. To revere Him, and His majesty. To humble and prostrate ourselves before Him as we behold the beauty of His splendor beyond our ability to conceive. A revelation of God’s glory creates a desire for His heart be turned to us as He extends His grace in our lives. As He does, as we behold His glory and His grace in our lives, our souls respond in obedience to Him because we love Him recognizing it was He Who first loved us. This is the relationship that God desires for us - that our obedience would lead us to the deeper revelations of intimacy with His heart.

Verse 133: Prepare before me a path filled with your promises, and don’t allow even one sin to have dominion over me. We see now how God’s Word, intimacy and obedience lead to purpose. If we are going to fulfill our God-given purpose in life we must know God intimately through His word and respond to it in obedience as the Holy Spirit prompts us to move. If Jesus is God’s Word, and all of God’s promises are Yes And Amen in Jesus - then knowing scripture- being deeply connected to Him through it will lead us down a path filled with His promises. And the more we focus on Him through the Scriptures the more we will realize that transformation that we are called to as we renew our minds in His Word.

Verse 134: Rescue me from the oppression of ungodly men so that I can keep all your precepts. As we behold God through His Word, and seek to obey Him - the natural inclination of our hearts will be to experience His protection as we seek to keep His word. God longs for us to ask for His protection - that we would not be oppressed by the ungodly or be distracted from His will in our lives by the ever-darkening world around us. The key is to cry out to Him both in repentance and seeking His refuge in our lives.

Verse135: Smile on me, your loving servant.[a] Instruct me on what is right in your eyes. (Footnotes form TPT: Psalm 119:135 [a] Or “Cause your face to shine on me.”) That phrase “Smile on me” here is more literally translated, “Cause Your Face To Shine On Me…” What does that mean… Cause Your face to shine on me? As I asked the Lord about that this morning I felt like He reminded me of Moses. When Moses went up on the mountain and encountered the Lord his face blazed with the Glory of God. So much so that the people of Israel covered his face with a veil because they could not bear to look upon it. I’m reminded that we become like what we behold - God told Moses He spoke to him as a friend. I believe when the Face of God shines on us - we are face to face with Him. Beholding Him and His glory gets on us. We are marked by His presence and people cannot help but see it on us. And because of this, our deep desire is to do what is right in His sight. Not only are we marked by Him when His face shines on us, but we begin to look and act like Him as a result.

Verse 136: When I witness the rebellious breaking your laws, it makes me weep uncontrollably!

A number of years ago I joined a governmental prayer group during election season. I found myself praying Joel 2 during that season. As I did I received a revelation about what it means to weep between the altar and the door. Before that time, I would glance past that moment to the part where the Lord restores what had been lost and stolen from us in a double portion way. But, as I prayed these scriptures over the election I found myself seeing a different picture. A picture of the priests of God (in Christ, we are believer-priests) walking to the door and seeing the plight of the world around them. The condition of their fellow man, and returning to the altar weeping in their prayers for His redemption. Those days of prayer and that election marked me in immeasurable ways.

I like to tell people I’m the grace girl. I sincerely do not believe there is any circumstance, any person, beyond the redemption of God. His arm is not too short… But, sometimes my faith to believe is woefully limited. Limited by what I can see, taste, touch, feel and smell. Seriously… Don’t tell me I’m the only one.

Recently I attended a large church who has security teams in place to help keep both the congregants and the staff at the church safe. In the world we live in, this is not an unreasonable position. During the service the leaders make time for the congregants to interact with and greet one another before the weekly message begins. A young man was going around and greeting people, speaking to them. He must have been loud or disturbing to some because a few minutes later the security team came in and took him out. He did not return to the service.

Now, I do not know the exact circumstances of what took place, but when the church is an unwelcoming place for people then it becomes a problem. Rather than shut people out - we should create places for them to connect that facilitate the safety of others but also take into consideration the needs of the individual who may be seen as “unacceptable.” The church cannot be a police state - if it becomes such we will look more like the pharisees than Jesus in every way.

I’ve worked on staff in churches, and written position papers on marriage as well as run background checks on folks who desired to serve in ministry. I’ve had to report sex offenders and watched pastors lovingly and discerningly develop ministry plans that allowed the offenders to attend church while caring for those around them and creating safe parameters to allow for interaction.

When I think of the way the rebellious around me make me grieve these days. It’s not the world - the ones outside God’s house and family - that bring me to tears but those who have seemingly forgotten who we are and Who we represent to the lost and dying world around us.

Father God, as I read today, my heart grieves at a church that protests sinners rather than loving them, that exiles the unlovely and the broken rather than embraces them and I grieve that after all these years of knowing you - at times - even my heart still does not look like yours. Change our hearts God, make us crave the breakthrough of your revelation and truth in our hearts and minds like air to breathe, give me more faith in your Spirit’s ability to transform sinners into saints, than in the human spirit’s ability to wreak havoc and devise evil. Make my heart like yours. I desire your words like the air I breathe and I desire to obey you more than anything else in my life. Bring me to your heart by your Word, O God. And bring the world to yourself as you do. IN Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Closing Remarks

That's all the time that I have for today! Thank you for tuning in with us. I want to ask you if this podcast has been a blessing to you: would you subscribe to it and share it with your friends and family? We’d love to partner with you in sharing messages that encourage and inspire.

As you may know, our Redeemed Rebel Podcast aired its last show for this season yesterday. While Michele will still be popping in from time to time as a guest host on this show or showing up as a guest on our other shows -- she will not be regularly featured through the Redeemed Rebel Podcast for the foreseeable future. Be sure to catch her last episode and connect with her this week at facebook.com/redeemedrebelunveiled.

If you’d like to be a guest on this show or get more information about hosting your own podcast on the Blooming Inspired Podcast Network - please reach out to [email protected]. I’d love the opportunity to connect with you and figure out how we can share your voice with the world around us.

BIBLE STUDY SEASON IS UPON US! Since I’ve been off social media the last few weeks I’ve failed to get the word out… BUT, events are going up this week and we’ll begin in person (Granbury, TX) and on Facebook Live THIS SATURDAY, September 21st at 10:00 am. That’s right - we’re going to be starting our show a little earlier in the morning, but we’ll be bringing you an hour of Bible study each week as we read through THE GOSPELS - Verse By Verse. This season our study will be the 24 chapters of the book of Luke. You can learn more by visiting facebook.com/bloominginspired and checking out the events or by visiting bloominginspirednetwork.com

If you’d like to get this podcast delivered to your smart device, we're available on Apple and on Google Podcasts. We are also available on the Podcoin App.

By The Way, Podcoin is a great app! They pay you “podcoins” for listening to any podcast that's listed on their app. All of the Blooming Inspired Podcast Network’s podcasts are listed there. We’re working on keeping our shows as “Bonus Shows” on the app. That means if you download the app and create your account with our referral code, “Blooming” you’ll get 300 “podcoins” just for signing up, AND when we’re a bonus app you get extra podcoins just for listening!! You can use your podcoins to buy gift cards or make donations to charitable organizations. That’s a WIN-WIN, don’t you think? So if you're interested in subscribing Podcoin is a great way to get our podcast and you get the extra benefit of earning gifts while you're listening.

Would you partner with us? We would love for you to share about our podcast on social media -- share it with your friends your family -- the people within your influence let them know what we're doing at Blooming Inspired Network!

Tune In Wednesdays! Accidental Hope Podcast airs on Wednesdays at 2 p.m. central time. Each week Jennifer Eikenhorst brings hope-filled messages and interviews related to overcoming accidents and traumas we face in life. You don’t want to miss her final of a three part interview series with Tina Boyd as they talk about how Faith Moves You Forward this week!

And now, I want to remind you as I always do: Blooming where you're planted is the first step to living your wildest dreams, so live your lives blooming alive!

Thank you for listening to the Blooming Inspired Podcast on the Blooming Inspired Podcast Network. This show airs on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11 am central time. Please take a moment to like, share and subscribe to this podcast. To learn more about this podcast and it’s network, or the ministries of Blooming Inspired Network please visit BloomingInspiredNetwork.com and click the podcast link at the top of the page.

Michelle continues her quest to discover keys to Revival in Psalm 119 reading verses 121-128  in the Passion Translation. Today, as we discover the keys of living from intimacy and following God in obedience as our passionate pursuit and souls longing.  When we come into a right understanding of Who God is as we pursue Him through His Word - the keys of presence and bring us into an obedience that is born of love and intimacy rather than obligation. 

Show Transcript:

Blooming Inspired Podcast equipping and empowering the voices of women who live their lives Blooming Alive. 

Introduction

Good Morning! This is Michelle Bentham, host of Blooming Inspired Podcast. I’m always excited to be jumping on the podcast with you each week. This week we’re returning to our Revival Series and Psalm 119 beginning in verse 121. Go ahead and grab your Bible and turn to the Psalm as I pray to open our discussion today. 

Father God, I ask that you would open our eyes to see your revelation, open our ears to hear your voice, and open our hearts to know you more. Protect us from the plans of your adversary and keep us from harm. I ask these things in Jesus’ Name, AMEN. 

Psalm 119:121-128 The Passion Translation (TPT)

The heading over this passage is I Will Follow Your Ways

You know the image I chose for today’s podcast is an image of a man and woman dancing. That’s right, a man and a woman dancing. Because when a woman or a bride even chooses to dance with her groom she chooses to follow Him. This is exactly what we see a picture of - this beautiful submission that is reflected in the dance of a woman giving herself in obedience to her husband. A Bride giving herself to her Bridegroom. We, the church, surrendering ourselves to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the Sovereignty of Father God in obedience. 

Today’s Reading

Verse 121: Don’t leave me to the mercies of those who hate me, for I live to do what is just and fair.

How many of us pray for God to let us get away with SIN? Not many? But, don’t we often find ourselves sinning anyway, making a mess of things and go back to God trying to bargain our way out of the consequences.

 “God, if you’ll just get me out of this mess, I’ll never do this again.”  

I believe, especially after salvation many of us desire in heartsto do what is right before God. So, why don’t we always do what is right before God, and end up crying out in desperation for His rescue?

Sin Brings Consequences

This reminds me of something that my daddy used to tell me as a kid. He would say, “Sugar, if you screw up and do something wrong just come and talk to me about it. I’ll go easier on you if you just tell me what happened than if you go around and hide it hoping I won’t find out.” 

God’s Grace & Mercy Cleanses Us From Sin and Unrighteousness

I feel like God says this to us in 1 John 1:9 - if you belong to me you won’t go on sinning, but instead you’ll confess your sins and know I’m faithful and just to forgive them and cleanse you from all unrighteousness. If your sins involve consequences in the real world, you bet you’ll have to deal with them. But God in His grace and mercy will give you the help you need to get through it if you will take it to Him and trust Him to help you work through the mess. Yes, even when you’ve earned it. That’s called mercy.

God’s Promises Also Free Us From Oppression 

Verse 122: Let me hear your promise of blessing over my life, breaking me free from the proud oppressors.

When we feel oppressed by people and the world around us all we have to do is look to God. Reminding ourselves, focusing on His promises will help us to overcome - breaking free from - the way the world around us seeks to bind us up. You notice he wants to be broken free from the proud oppressors but a lot of times that oppression is happening in our mind. Our actions are a result of what is happening in our mind - the way we think. So in order for our response to change, our thinking has to change. And God’s promises should always change the way we think. 

A Lovesick Lover

Verse 123: As a lovesick lover, I yearn for more of your salvation and for your virtuous promises.

As we’ve walked through the previous verses of Psalm 119, we see this progression from seeking God, to knowing God, to walking in intimacy with God. That is what I see in this verse - as a lovesick lover, I yearn for more of your salvation and your virtuous promises.- Think about it! Does your heart yearn for more of God’s salvation and the virtues of His promises to become a reality in your life? When we belong to God, walking in a depth of intimacy with Him, we not only want to please Him, we want to understand and receive from Him as well. 

Tender Love & Understanding

Verse 124: Let me feel your tender love, for I am yours. Give me more understanding of your wonderful ways. His tender love will lead us into understanding. We will marvel at the wonder of who He is as well as what He does. Have you ever stopped and considered all the wonderful things about God. If we flip over to Psalm 139, the Psalmist enumerates them this way, “How wonderful are your ways? I know that full well.” 

Are you full up on the wonder of who God is, not just what He does for us? How Wonderful Are You God… Help us to know that full well! 

Known By Revelation

Verse 125: I need more revelation from your word to know more about you, for I’m in love with you! It is in this place of intimacy, birthed from revelation through the Word of God (Jesus) and the scriptures that cause us to pour ourselves out in love for Him, the way He has poured out His tender love upon us. There is this idea in knowing that can mean to either know by experience or to know by information. We must never settled in the place of simply knowing about God - information, but rather we should seek to KNOW God personally by a first person experience of who He is. 

Breakthrough is My Heart Cry! 

Verse 126: Lord, the time has come for you to break through, for evil men keep breaking your laws. Do you hear the heart crying out for breakthrough? Weary of the fight and the pain that comes with a broken world... Meet us in the midst of this chaos God and deliver us -- all of us -- all those you long to call by your Name, and bring us to your goodness and your heart. We’re longing for, waiting on your breakthrough to come. 

Truth is Our Treasure

Verse 127: Truly, your message of truth means more to me than a vault filled with the purest gold. When we value God, His truth and His presence in our lives more than we value anything else, even gold and earthly treasures, we will find ourselves positioned for more of who He is. 

His Truth is Right & Beautiful

Verse 128: Every word you speak, every truth revealed, is always right and beautiful to me, for I hate what is phony or false. As we conclude today we see this love journey with God leads us not only to intimacy but a deep longing in our hearts to be obedient to God, His Word & Truth and to the promptings of His Holy Spirit which brings power and revelation to our lives. 

That’s all the time I have for today. As we close I’d like to tell you about my new adventure as a member of The John Maxwell Team. I’ve recently enrolled in their certification program and I’m walking through the process of getting certified as a Speaker, Teacher, Trainer and Coach through their platform. In July I completed their Maxwell Method Certification for the DISC personality/behavioral Assessment. If you contact me during the month of August to purchase the DISC assessment and book a follow up coaching session to review the report, I’ll give you a $50 discount off the recommended price. That’s RIGHT! I’ll help you walk through your report and plan next steps, the report is $50 with a session fee of $197.00. IF YOU CONTACT ME BEFORE AUGUST 31, 2019 to order your report and schedule your session you can get both the report and the session for $197.00. To take advantage of this offer, just email [email protected] and put Maxwell Method DISC Report in the Subject Line. Let me know you want to take advantage of my August Special and we’ll get you started. 

Be sure to tune in tomorrow for the Accidental Hope Podcast with Jennifer Eikenhorst. She is our Hope Ambassador around this wildflower garden, passionate about helping others seek hope and build community after experiencing an accidental loss or trauma. Check her out right here at the bloominginspirednetwork.com or on Facebook @accidentalhope, again that’s facebook.com/accidentalhope

And now I want to remind you as I always do, Blooming where you’re planted is the first step to living your wildest dreams so live your lives blooming alive.

Michelle continues to detour this week in a familiar passage in Mark 7 where Jesus seems to respond to a woman's request in a harsh or unkind manner In this conclusion she shares how to  recognize what is happening in the context and how to overcome Jezebel's influence.

Michelle takes a detour this week as she shares a revelation about a familiar story from Mark 7. Listen in to this two part series on overcoming Jezebel's influence.