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Blooming Inspired Podcast | Episode 138: Truth's Shining Light (Revival Series)
Michelle continues her quest to discover keys to Revival in Psalm 119 reading verses 105-112 in the Passion Translation. Today, as we discover the keys of gratitude, joy and being refreshed, we also see how they partner with obedience to bring about freedom. As we step out by faith, trusting God’s revelation-light, we find ourselves walking a path that will lead into obedience, joy, rest and righteousness.
Blooming Inspired Podcast equipping and empowering the voices of women who live their lives blooming alive.
Greeting
Good morning this is Michelle Bentham. I’m the host of Blooming Inspired Podcast. I took a break on Tuesday this week and offered you a special encore presentation of last Thursday’s podcast. But today we are diving right back where we left off last week. We’ve been reading through Psalms 119 looking for keys to revival as we work through the verses.
Before we get started, let’s pray: “Lord God, we come humbly today and ask you to give us eyes to see, ears to hear and a heart to know you more. Lord, we ask you to speak now as your servants are listening - send Holy Spirit to give us revelation truth and light to mark the path ahead of us today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Review
Last week we focused on placing our faith in God’s word and finding that our hearts love and treasure His Word.That faith in God leads to freedom, and loving His Word leads us to an uncompromising desire to be both obedient to His Word and to face the difficult truths in His word. Our keys from the last reading are wisdom and understanding that come from God’s Word.
Today’s Reading
Today we are going to be reading Psalm 119:105-112. Grab your Bible, a pen and if you desire - your favorite journal to take some notes as we get ready to jump into this section of scripture. I’m reading from the Passion Translation today. The heading over this section is “Truth’s Shining Light.” We’ve read in the previous verses that God’s revelation-light brings us to walk in His ways, to face difficult truths, and find obedience to His Word. Let’s see what God wants to share with us today.
Something Familiar
Before I get to today’s reading, I want to acknowledge the familiar words that can be found in many of the other translations of Psalm 119:105-106, from the NIV. “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws.”
Catch this… God’s word is a lamp for my feet and a light to my path. The key to following God, being obedient to Him, and as the psalmist confesses, keeping His righteous laws -- is the shining light of His Truth - His Word. Remember this from John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except by me.” He also said, “You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” (See John 8:32)
Freedom & Obedience
How many of us in our lives would say that freedom and obedience walk hand in hand.Today’s key of truth partnered with the key of obedience will lead us to freedom. Not the kind of freedom that casts off restraint, but the kind of freedom that compels us to bow low, follow closely and seek to Know Him - Jesus, the Truth of God, His Living Word.
Personal Testimony
I remember being a teenager, convinced I knew it all, and especially knew better than my parents who were old-fashioned and simply did not understand this modern world we lived in. Unlike James Dean, I was a Rebel With A Cause. I wanted to be free. In my mind, freedom was the ability to choose WHATEVER I wanted to do. I could not wait to be out from under their authority so I could find my own way, choose what I wanted and cast off the restraint of their rules in my life.
Can I tell you that led me to some very difficult years in a prodigal season that led me to be an unwed mother, following that up with marrying a very broken and abusive man? We had two more children by the time I was 21 and then I divorced him. After my divorce we lived in poverty on welfare assistance from the state. I gave myself to wild living (mostly by way of alcohol and honky tonks) and some of my choices landed me in jail - not once, but a few times. All I can say is that the mercy of God met me in the middle of my mess -- and many of the messes I created learning to walk out of the broken patterns of my past. In my late 20s I began to seek God, to hunger for a relationship with Him again the way I had when I was saved at age 12.
His Truth Changed My Life
By the time I was 30 I was searching the Scriptures doing regular Bible study and seeking truth. It would be several more years before I would sincerely begin to walk out that truth and discover God’s unending love and powerful truth as a reality in my life. It’s been a long road from their to here. But, in that journey I have found the more I allow the Holy Spirit to guide and restrain me through God’s Word, the more obedient my heart becomes and the more I realize obedience to God’s Word in my heart and my life --- the more free I become.
Truth’s Shining Light
Now, let’s read from the Passion Translation and see what additional insights we can gather from this passage of Scripture: Verse 105-106: “Truth’s Shining light guides me in my choices and decisions; the revelation of your word makes my path clear. To live my life by your righteous commitment.”
Just Enough Light
The Hebrew language often paints a picture for the reader or hearer. I feel like the picture for this passage is that picture we find in the NIV: a picture of God’s light, like a lamp in our hand… or, if you will, our hearts... shining the light of truth into a dark world around you.
A lamp shines in darkness, illuminating the immediate area surrounding us. The picture from Psalm 119:105 is just enough light to take the next step. It doesn’t show us all the things that could be seen in the darkness. It lights the path that God wants us to take. Giving us a clear direction. If we are willing to follow God through the truth of His revelation-light in our lives, our choices and decisions will honor that light as we choose to live our lives by His righteous commitment.
Take the Next Step
Often times I think we get off track because we do not feel God is guiding or directing us - when in fact, our hearts are not obedient because we do not see the bigger picture. It’s like standing in the mall and looking at their map to find a store. You have to get your bearings to find that STAR with the words, You Are Here emblazoned in red.
I’m a big picture kind of kid, the details often don’t matter to me as much as knowing where we’re going and plotting the best way to get there. I’ve often mused that life would be so much easier if God would just give us the road map so I know where we’re headed.
Not Just A Road Trip
As I am sharing this with you, a picture of the television show “The Amazing Race” pops into my head. If you aren’t familiar with it, coupled contestants from various place are selected to run the amazing race. At the beginning of each episode the audience is given a preview of what the contestants must do to get to the next Pit Stop for that leg of the race.
The contestants have no clue where they are going - they are just following the instructions, completing the task outlined in the series of clues they receive, and then trying to run the best race to arrive at the Pit Stop first.
We’ll be back in a minute or two as we share something exciting with you!
[Podcoin Promo - information included in the close]
Not Exactly Your Average Road Trip
It’s not like a road trip where you ask Siri or Google to get you directions and then you follow their directions to get to where you are going. The contestants are compelled to not only find the clues, but follow them precisely - even in countries where they do not speak or understand the language. They are dependent on the information provided at each detour, roadblock and clue that is provided or else they won’t complete that leg of the journey and finish the race. They also are provided resources to get the transportation needed to make the journey, and sometimes have to do unpleasant and difficult assignments to complete the race.
But, you know… Many of us use our map apps to help us get where we are going the fastest route with the fewest delays, detours or obstacles to overcome. As a matter of fact, we’ll set our map and then in the midst of driving realize a better way and turn off the directed path - then our maps start recalculating and giving us instructions to get us back on track and headed to our destination. But, the thing is --- we pick the route we want to take and then deviate from that path. Requiring the system to update and reroute us to get us to our destination in a timely manner.
Finish Your Race
The truth is, many of us are off track simply because we thought we knew a better way and went our own direction instead of following God. Walking closely with God through His Word is where you will find Him best. As you incline your heart to His Word - His Holy Spirit will Shine the Light of Jesus and give you clear direction and the assignments needed to run your race well. The question is… Will you partner with Him through the Key of Obedience? Trusting Him to give you just the light you need for the next step, or are you asking for a bigger picture?
Overwhelmed
Verse 107: “I’m bruised and broken, overwhelmed by it all; breath life into me again by your living word.”
Life really has a way of beating us down. I often get pacing and run hard after following Jesus. But, the drawback is I get weary, and need to rest. One of the keys for today’s reading is to be refreshed when you are weary.
A Yoke of Rest
In Matthew 11, Jesus tells His followers that when they feel weighted down by life and are wearied by its burdens, to come and exchange these heavy burdens for his yoke of rest - which is easy and light. Jesus wants to carry your load for you. You don’t have to go it alone. But, in order to make the exchange you have to learn to pause, surrender and receive His gift of rest.
Offering Thanks
Verse108-109: “Lord, receive my grateful thanks and teach me more of how to please you. Even though my life hangs in the balance, I’ll keep following what you’ve taught me, no matter what.”
The next key we find is thanksgiving - a heart turned in gratitude before God, expressing thanks, seeks to please Him. It takes faith to thank God in a hard season. When my son passed away nearly 14 years ago - I read that sweet verse in Thessalonians where it says to “Give thanks in every circumstance.”
Thankful In… Not Thankful For
Learning to thank God in unpleasant or painful circumstances will lead us to depend on Him in those seasons. It will tune our hearts to see Him moving in our lives and answering our prayers as we pray them -- because we are relying on Him, looking for His goodness in the midst of our pain and trevail, we have the opportunity to find Him faithful and respond by faith to Him, which pleases Him. And when we find His goodness, and the faith to follow Him no matter what we experience the depths of His love for us as we continually seek to follow Him. A response of obedience that is born of love, is an act of worship.
Freedom Comes Through Obedience
Verse 110: “The ungodly have done their best to throw me off track, but I’ll not deviate from what you’ve told me to do.”
When I submit to God allowing Him to guide my path as I follow in obedience. Even when the distractions and assignments from the enemy come at me - I’ll not be sent off course. I’ll be steadfast in my determination to follow God, and do what He has told me to do.
Freedom comes through obedience, and when freedom comes so does JOY in the obedience!
Joy In Obedience
Verse 111-112: Everything you speak to me is like joyous treasure, filling my life with gladness. I have determined in my heart to obey whatever you say, fully and forever!”
When we begin to realize the freedom of obedience in our lives, His words become joyous treasure that we receive in gladness. It sets our hearts in determination to realize FULLY His plan and purpose for our lives as we seek to do whatever He says - to live fully until we reach eternity.
Father God, we thank you for Jesus, your revelation-light, in a dark and dying world. We thank you for Holy Spirit who guides, reminds, and convicts us of your word and your truth. We ask Lord to make our hearts and our steps true to you, to increase our faith and to walk boldly knowing your word gives us the strength, rest and refreshing we need to do everything you have said over our lives! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
What’s Your Take?
What are you thinking as we close out the message today?
I’d love for you to share your insights with me. You can find me at facebook.com/bloominginspired and share your thoughts in the comments or send me a direct message. We’ve also got a contact form on the website: bloominginspirednetwork.com just click the Let’s Connect link at the top of the page.
Ways to Listen
Want more of Blooming Inspired Podcast - or maybe you’d like to learn more about Blooming Inspired Network - be sure to like us on Facebook. We’re also on Twitter: @bloominspirenet and Instagram: @bloominginspired. We’d love to see you on our pages - if you stop by be sure to leave us a comment and let us know you’re tuning in.
I want to remind you that our podcast is available through your favorite subscription services like Apple Podcasts (Formerly iTunes) or Google Play. You can also find us on the Podcoin App as we shared in this podcast. Podcoin is the app that pays you to listen to our podcasts - and really any podcast you find on their app. You can use your podcoins to purchase gift cards or make donations to charitable organizations. It’s a win-win if you ask me… So check out the Podcoin App today and use our referral code: BLOOMING to get 300 podcoins when you create your account!
Closing
Thank you for tuning in to today’s podcast. Don’t forget to tune in on Mondays at 4pm (CT) to catch Michele Turman, our resident Redeemed Rebel, Gold Digger and Hope Dealer, as she shares The Redeemed Rebel Podcast each week. You’ll also not want to miss next week’s Accidental Hope Podcast at 2pm (CT) right here on Blooming Inspired Network. I will be the featured guest joining Jennifer Eikenhorst, our Hope Ambassador, talking about Bible Journaling and Creative Journaling as a way to find hope and healing in difficult circumstances. You don’t want to miss it!
Be sure to take a moment to like us on social media. If you love our show and it’s been a blessing to you would you help us get the word out by sharing it with your friends and family on social media. We’re praying for you often and want you to know you are important to our show and our ministry - we could not do this without you! 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!
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By Michelle Bentham
5
11 ratings
Michelle continues her quest to discover keys to Revival in Psalm 119 reading verses 105-112 in the Passion Translation. Today, as we discover the keys of gratitude, joy and being refreshed, we also see how they partner with obedience to bring about freedom. As we step out by faith, trusting God’s revelation-light, we find ourselves walking a path that will lead into obedience, joy, rest and righteousness.
Blooming Inspired Podcast equipping and empowering the voices of women who live their lives blooming alive.
Greeting
Good morning this is Michelle Bentham. I’m the host of Blooming Inspired Podcast. I took a break on Tuesday this week and offered you a special encore presentation of last Thursday’s podcast. But today we are diving right back where we left off last week. We’ve been reading through Psalms 119 looking for keys to revival as we work through the verses.
Before we get started, let’s pray: “Lord God, we come humbly today and ask you to give us eyes to see, ears to hear and a heart to know you more. Lord, we ask you to speak now as your servants are listening - send Holy Spirit to give us revelation truth and light to mark the path ahead of us today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Review
Last week we focused on placing our faith in God’s word and finding that our hearts love and treasure His Word.That faith in God leads to freedom, and loving His Word leads us to an uncompromising desire to be both obedient to His Word and to face the difficult truths in His word. Our keys from the last reading are wisdom and understanding that come from God’s Word.
Today’s Reading
Today we are going to be reading Psalm 119:105-112. Grab your Bible, a pen and if you desire - your favorite journal to take some notes as we get ready to jump into this section of scripture. I’m reading from the Passion Translation today. The heading over this section is “Truth’s Shining Light.” We’ve read in the previous verses that God’s revelation-light brings us to walk in His ways, to face difficult truths, and find obedience to His Word. Let’s see what God wants to share with us today.
Something Familiar
Before I get to today’s reading, I want to acknowledge the familiar words that can be found in many of the other translations of Psalm 119:105-106, from the NIV. “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws.”
Catch this… God’s word is a lamp for my feet and a light to my path. The key to following God, being obedient to Him, and as the psalmist confesses, keeping His righteous laws -- is the shining light of His Truth - His Word. Remember this from John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except by me.” He also said, “You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” (See John 8:32)
Freedom & Obedience
How many of us in our lives would say that freedom and obedience walk hand in hand.Today’s key of truth partnered with the key of obedience will lead us to freedom. Not the kind of freedom that casts off restraint, but the kind of freedom that compels us to bow low, follow closely and seek to Know Him - Jesus, the Truth of God, His Living Word.
Personal Testimony
I remember being a teenager, convinced I knew it all, and especially knew better than my parents who were old-fashioned and simply did not understand this modern world we lived in. Unlike James Dean, I was a Rebel With A Cause. I wanted to be free. In my mind, freedom was the ability to choose WHATEVER I wanted to do. I could not wait to be out from under their authority so I could find my own way, choose what I wanted and cast off the restraint of their rules in my life.
Can I tell you that led me to some very difficult years in a prodigal season that led me to be an unwed mother, following that up with marrying a very broken and abusive man? We had two more children by the time I was 21 and then I divorced him. After my divorce we lived in poverty on welfare assistance from the state. I gave myself to wild living (mostly by way of alcohol and honky tonks) and some of my choices landed me in jail - not once, but a few times. All I can say is that the mercy of God met me in the middle of my mess -- and many of the messes I created learning to walk out of the broken patterns of my past. In my late 20s I began to seek God, to hunger for a relationship with Him again the way I had when I was saved at age 12.
His Truth Changed My Life
By the time I was 30 I was searching the Scriptures doing regular Bible study and seeking truth. It would be several more years before I would sincerely begin to walk out that truth and discover God’s unending love and powerful truth as a reality in my life. It’s been a long road from their to here. But, in that journey I have found the more I allow the Holy Spirit to guide and restrain me through God’s Word, the more obedient my heart becomes and the more I realize obedience to God’s Word in my heart and my life --- the more free I become.
Truth’s Shining Light
Now, let’s read from the Passion Translation and see what additional insights we can gather from this passage of Scripture: Verse 105-106: “Truth’s Shining light guides me in my choices and decisions; the revelation of your word makes my path clear. To live my life by your righteous commitment.”
Just Enough Light
The Hebrew language often paints a picture for the reader or hearer. I feel like the picture for this passage is that picture we find in the NIV: a picture of God’s light, like a lamp in our hand… or, if you will, our hearts... shining the light of truth into a dark world around you.
A lamp shines in darkness, illuminating the immediate area surrounding us. The picture from Psalm 119:105 is just enough light to take the next step. It doesn’t show us all the things that could be seen in the darkness. It lights the path that God wants us to take. Giving us a clear direction. If we are willing to follow God through the truth of His revelation-light in our lives, our choices and decisions will honor that light as we choose to live our lives by His righteous commitment.
Take the Next Step
Often times I think we get off track because we do not feel God is guiding or directing us - when in fact, our hearts are not obedient because we do not see the bigger picture. It’s like standing in the mall and looking at their map to find a store. You have to get your bearings to find that STAR with the words, You Are Here emblazoned in red.
I’m a big picture kind of kid, the details often don’t matter to me as much as knowing where we’re going and plotting the best way to get there. I’ve often mused that life would be so much easier if God would just give us the road map so I know where we’re headed.
Not Just A Road Trip
As I am sharing this with you, a picture of the television show “The Amazing Race” pops into my head. If you aren’t familiar with it, coupled contestants from various place are selected to run the amazing race. At the beginning of each episode the audience is given a preview of what the contestants must do to get to the next Pit Stop for that leg of the race.
The contestants have no clue where they are going - they are just following the instructions, completing the task outlined in the series of clues they receive, and then trying to run the best race to arrive at the Pit Stop first.
We’ll be back in a minute or two as we share something exciting with you!
[Podcoin Promo - information included in the close]
Not Exactly Your Average Road Trip
It’s not like a road trip where you ask Siri or Google to get you directions and then you follow their directions to get to where you are going. The contestants are compelled to not only find the clues, but follow them precisely - even in countries where they do not speak or understand the language. They are dependent on the information provided at each detour, roadblock and clue that is provided or else they won’t complete that leg of the journey and finish the race. They also are provided resources to get the transportation needed to make the journey, and sometimes have to do unpleasant and difficult assignments to complete the race.
But, you know… Many of us use our map apps to help us get where we are going the fastest route with the fewest delays, detours or obstacles to overcome. As a matter of fact, we’ll set our map and then in the midst of driving realize a better way and turn off the directed path - then our maps start recalculating and giving us instructions to get us back on track and headed to our destination. But, the thing is --- we pick the route we want to take and then deviate from that path. Requiring the system to update and reroute us to get us to our destination in a timely manner.
Finish Your Race
The truth is, many of us are off track simply because we thought we knew a better way and went our own direction instead of following God. Walking closely with God through His Word is where you will find Him best. As you incline your heart to His Word - His Holy Spirit will Shine the Light of Jesus and give you clear direction and the assignments needed to run your race well. The question is… Will you partner with Him through the Key of Obedience? Trusting Him to give you just the light you need for the next step, or are you asking for a bigger picture?
Overwhelmed
Verse 107: “I’m bruised and broken, overwhelmed by it all; breath life into me again by your living word.”
Life really has a way of beating us down. I often get pacing and run hard after following Jesus. But, the drawback is I get weary, and need to rest. One of the keys for today’s reading is to be refreshed when you are weary.
A Yoke of Rest
In Matthew 11, Jesus tells His followers that when they feel weighted down by life and are wearied by its burdens, to come and exchange these heavy burdens for his yoke of rest - which is easy and light. Jesus wants to carry your load for you. You don’t have to go it alone. But, in order to make the exchange you have to learn to pause, surrender and receive His gift of rest.
Offering Thanks
Verse108-109: “Lord, receive my grateful thanks and teach me more of how to please you. Even though my life hangs in the balance, I’ll keep following what you’ve taught me, no matter what.”
The next key we find is thanksgiving - a heart turned in gratitude before God, expressing thanks, seeks to please Him. It takes faith to thank God in a hard season. When my son passed away nearly 14 years ago - I read that sweet verse in Thessalonians where it says to “Give thanks in every circumstance.”
Thankful In… Not Thankful For
Learning to thank God in unpleasant or painful circumstances will lead us to depend on Him in those seasons. It will tune our hearts to see Him moving in our lives and answering our prayers as we pray them -- because we are relying on Him, looking for His goodness in the midst of our pain and trevail, we have the opportunity to find Him faithful and respond by faith to Him, which pleases Him. And when we find His goodness, and the faith to follow Him no matter what we experience the depths of His love for us as we continually seek to follow Him. A response of obedience that is born of love, is an act of worship.
Freedom Comes Through Obedience
Verse 110: “The ungodly have done their best to throw me off track, but I’ll not deviate from what you’ve told me to do.”
When I submit to God allowing Him to guide my path as I follow in obedience. Even when the distractions and assignments from the enemy come at me - I’ll not be sent off course. I’ll be steadfast in my determination to follow God, and do what He has told me to do.
Freedom comes through obedience, and when freedom comes so does JOY in the obedience!
Joy In Obedience
Verse 111-112: Everything you speak to me is like joyous treasure, filling my life with gladness. I have determined in my heart to obey whatever you say, fully and forever!”
When we begin to realize the freedom of obedience in our lives, His words become joyous treasure that we receive in gladness. It sets our hearts in determination to realize FULLY His plan and purpose for our lives as we seek to do whatever He says - to live fully until we reach eternity.
Father God, we thank you for Jesus, your revelation-light, in a dark and dying world. We thank you for Holy Spirit who guides, reminds, and convicts us of your word and your truth. We ask Lord to make our hearts and our steps true to you, to increase our faith and to walk boldly knowing your word gives us the strength, rest and refreshing we need to do everything you have said over our lives! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
What’s Your Take?
What are you thinking as we close out the message today?
I’d love for you to share your insights with me. You can find me at facebook.com/bloominginspired and share your thoughts in the comments or send me a direct message. We’ve also got a contact form on the website: bloominginspirednetwork.com just click the Let’s Connect link at the top of the page.
Ways to Listen
Want more of Blooming Inspired Podcast - or maybe you’d like to learn more about Blooming Inspired Network - be sure to like us on Facebook. We’re also on Twitter: @bloominspirenet and Instagram: @bloominginspired. We’d love to see you on our pages - if you stop by be sure to leave us a comment and let us know you’re tuning in.
I want to remind you that our podcast is available through your favorite subscription services like Apple Podcasts (Formerly iTunes) or Google Play. You can also find us on the Podcoin App as we shared in this podcast. Podcoin is the app that pays you to listen to our podcasts - and really any podcast you find on their app. You can use your podcoins to purchase gift cards or make donations to charitable organizations. It’s a win-win if you ask me… So check out the Podcoin App today and use our referral code: BLOOMING to get 300 podcoins when you create your account!
Closing
Thank you for tuning in to today’s podcast. Don’t forget to tune in on Mondays at 4pm (CT) to catch Michele Turman, our resident Redeemed Rebel, Gold Digger and Hope Dealer, as she shares The Redeemed Rebel Podcast each week. You’ll also not want to miss next week’s Accidental Hope Podcast at 2pm (CT) right here on Blooming Inspired Network. I will be the featured guest joining Jennifer Eikenhorst, our Hope Ambassador, talking about Bible Journaling and Creative Journaling as a way to find hope and healing in difficult circumstances. You don’t want to miss it!
Be sure to take a moment to like us on social media. If you love our show and it’s been a blessing to you would you help us get the word out by sharing it with your friends and family on social media. We’re praying for you often and want you to know you are important to our show and our ministry - we could not do this without you! 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!