1 00:00:02,640 --> 00:00:13,720 Speaker 1: Life Audio Well, hello there, my friends. Welcome back to 2 00:00:13,760 --> 00:00:14,660 Speaker 1: How to Say the Bible. 3 00:00:14,690 --> 00:00:17,680 Speaker 2: I am your host, Nicole Younis, and I am so 4 00:00:17,730 --> 00:00:20,250 Speaker 2: glad to be with you today. We have been at 5 00:00:20,370 --> 00:00:25,849 Speaker 2: this since January of 2020. Gosh, how much has changed 6 00:00:26,090 --> 00:00:30,190 Speaker 2: in these past six years, but we have spent more 7 00:00:30,250 --> 00:00:35,239 Speaker 2: than 300 episodes together exploring and discovering God's Word and 8 00:00:35,300 --> 00:00:37,479 Speaker 2: the way it applies to our life, and this has 9 00:00:37,520 --> 00:00:40,280 Speaker 2: been such a beautiful place, and I've been so grateful 10 00:00:40,360 --> 00:00:40,740 Speaker 2: for it. 11 00:00:41,510 --> 00:00:42,600 Speaker 1: Those of you who. 12 00:00:42,470 --> 00:00:46,570 Speaker 2: Follow along on my newsletter or website or Instagram know 13 00:00:46,630 --> 00:00:48,710 Speaker 2: that I have a big change coming in my life, 14 00:00:49,130 --> 00:00:52,330 Speaker 2: and I'm really excited about what God has been doing. 15 00:00:52,350 --> 00:00:55,730 Speaker 2: I've been in a discernment process for the last several 16 00:00:55,770 --> 00:00:59,080 Speaker 2: months with a local church in my area, and and 17 00:00:59,180 --> 00:01:01,360 Speaker 2: I'm going to be coming on staff as a church 18 00:01:01,420 --> 00:01:02,280 Speaker 2: planting pastor. 19 00:01:02,820 --> 00:01:03,680 Speaker 1: I'll be in that. 20 00:01:03,560 --> 00:01:07,380 Speaker 2: Church for 18 months or so, and then we'll be 21 00:01:07,459 --> 00:01:11,240 Speaker 2: planting a church out of that church. So God is 22 00:01:11,280 --> 00:01:14,760 Speaker 2: doing something that I didn't see coming and never thought 23 00:01:14,819 --> 00:01:19,100 Speaker 2: would happen, and I am thrilled and excited, but it 24 00:01:19,200 --> 00:01:21,400 Speaker 2: also means that it's a new season and that this 25 00:01:21,459 --> 00:01:25,380 Speaker 2: will be the end of this podcast, this last series, 26 00:01:25,459 --> 00:01:27,770 Speaker 2: at least for now. This is a goodbye for now, 27 00:01:28,120 --> 00:01:30,850 Speaker 2: and I've spoken with some of you. You've been asking 28 00:01:30,870 --> 00:01:34,569 Speaker 2: where you can find my teaching, and there are 300 episodes. 29 00:01:34,110 --> 00:01:35,350 Speaker 1: That you can go back to. 30 00:01:35,630 --> 00:01:38,610 Speaker 2: And then once the church launches, of course, there will 31 00:01:38,650 --> 00:01:41,810 Speaker 2: be recordings when I'm preaching. So I'm looking forward to 32 00:01:41,850 --> 00:01:45,179 Speaker 2: staying in touch with you over these next several months. 33 00:01:45,240 --> 00:01:49,900 Speaker 2: Would love your prayer and your encouragement as we advance 34 00:01:49,960 --> 00:01:52,380 Speaker 2: the kingdom of God in a new church here in Richmond. 35 00:01:52,940 --> 00:01:54,720 Speaker 2: So I want to stay in touch. So I hope 36 00:01:54,740 --> 00:01:56,100 Speaker 2: that we will be able to do that. And I've 37 00:01:56,140 --> 00:01:58,040 Speaker 2: got some ways for you to be able to do that. 38 00:01:58,420 --> 00:02:03,220 Speaker 2: And appropriately so, this final series on the podcast for 39 00:02:03,280 --> 00:02:07,930 Speaker 2: now is the next four weeks about discerning God's will, 40 00:02:08,210 --> 00:02:11,690 Speaker 2: wayfinding to the good life. And this is a very 41 00:02:11,770 --> 00:02:16,080 Speaker 2: personal podcast series because it comes exactly out of what 42 00:02:16,560 --> 00:02:20,119 Speaker 2: my husband Dave and I, alongside of a group of people, 43 00:02:20,200 --> 00:02:23,480 Speaker 2: have been doing together to discern the this next step 44 00:02:23,540 --> 00:02:26,359 Speaker 2: about this church. And so it's just been a joy 45 00:02:26,380 --> 00:02:29,660 Speaker 2: to put this together for you because it feels so 46 00:02:29,760 --> 00:02:32,990 Speaker 2: relevant and so real to my own experience, something that 47 00:02:33,070 --> 00:02:34,490 Speaker 2: I have just gone through. 48 00:02:34,510 --> 00:02:36,329 Speaker 1: And I know that you might be here. 49 00:02:36,490 --> 00:02:39,690 Speaker 2: Maybe you were sent this podcast because you also have 50 00:02:39,750 --> 00:02:42,470 Speaker 2: a decision in front of you or you've been looking 51 00:02:42,530 --> 00:02:45,690 Speaker 2: for direction, wondering where God is, trying to figure out 52 00:02:46,110 --> 00:02:47,669 Speaker 2: how to take your next step. And we're going to 53 00:02:47,710 --> 00:02:50,930 Speaker 2: be exploring that together over the next four weeks. So 54 00:02:51,010 --> 00:02:54,180 Speaker 2: I've put together something for you that has a double 55 00:02:54,220 --> 00:02:55,639 Speaker 2: way of being helpful to us. 56 00:02:56,200 --> 00:02:58,900 Speaker 1: The first is this is a easy way for you. 57 00:02:58,860 --> 00:03:02,450 Speaker 2: To follow along with the podcast and to be with God, 58 00:03:02,650 --> 00:03:04,890 Speaker 2: talking to God, even if you are not used to 59 00:03:04,930 --> 00:03:06,930 Speaker 2: talking to God or don't know what that means, that 60 00:03:06,950 --> 00:03:09,050 Speaker 2: you could be doing that over the next four weeks. 61 00:03:09,090 --> 00:03:11,030 Speaker 2: So we put together a free download for you that 62 00:03:11,070 --> 00:03:14,549 Speaker 2: goes with this series. You can go grab that download 63 00:03:14,710 --> 00:03:17,560 Speaker 2: at NicoleUnis.com slash decisions. 64 00:03:17,940 --> 00:03:18,480 Speaker 1: Very easy. 65 00:03:19,080 --> 00:03:21,200 Speaker 2: Free for you, just an easy thing for you to 66 00:03:21,400 --> 00:03:24,640 Speaker 2: use as we go through this series together. The double 67 00:03:24,720 --> 00:03:27,120 Speaker 2: duty of that, it will also get you on my 68 00:03:27,160 --> 00:03:30,130 Speaker 2: newsletter list and we'll be able to stay connected. So 69 00:03:30,510 --> 00:03:32,650 Speaker 2: you can unsubscribe at any time, of course, but it's 70 00:03:32,690 --> 00:03:35,230 Speaker 2: an easy way for you to keep up with updates 71 00:03:35,530 --> 00:03:38,910 Speaker 2: and prayer requests and just the comings and goings of 72 00:03:38,970 --> 00:03:42,280 Speaker 2: the Spirit of God moving here in Richmond, Virginia. You 73 00:03:42,320 --> 00:03:44,620 Speaker 2: can do that through my Instagram at Nicole Eunice, but 74 00:03:44,660 --> 00:03:47,650 Speaker 2: if you get On that download, I'll also send you 75 00:03:47,690 --> 00:03:51,080 Speaker 2: a link to my sub stack where I write weekly essays. 76 00:03:51,680 --> 00:03:53,680 Speaker 2: So there's lots of ways that we'll be able to 77 00:03:53,720 --> 00:03:56,500 Speaker 2: keep in touch, even though this podcast won't be that 78 00:03:56,540 --> 00:04:00,380 Speaker 2: primary way anymore. So that's my updates for you. Again, 79 00:04:00,440 --> 00:04:04,940 Speaker 2: NicoleYunus.com slash decisions. Go grab this download as we get 80 00:04:05,100 --> 00:04:09,470 Speaker 2: into our series today. This first week, we are talking 81 00:04:09,650 --> 00:04:15,210 Speaker 2: about longings and desires. So let's get into that together. 82 00:04:15,470 --> 00:04:16,190 Speaker 1: Here we go. 83 00:04:16,950 --> 00:04:23,620 Speaker 2: Here we are on How to Stay the Bible. Okay, 84 00:04:23,650 --> 00:04:28,120 Speaker 2: my friends, we are starting this conversation around how we 85 00:04:28,279 --> 00:04:31,420 Speaker 2: understand and discern God's will for our life. 86 00:04:31,540 --> 00:04:32,620 Speaker 1: How do we wayfind? 87 00:04:32,680 --> 00:04:36,240 Speaker 2: How do we make ourselves toward the good life that 88 00:04:36,300 --> 00:04:36,920 Speaker 2: God has. 89 00:04:36,839 --> 00:04:37,839 Speaker 1: Promised to us? 90 00:04:37,940 --> 00:04:40,900 Speaker 2: And before we can do that, and you may be thinking, no, like, Nicole, 91 00:04:40,920 --> 00:04:43,719 Speaker 2: I have this decision right now. I'm thinking about This job, 92 00:04:43,800 --> 00:04:46,200 Speaker 2: I'm thinking about how I need God to provide for me. 93 00:04:46,660 --> 00:04:51,150 Speaker 2: I'm thinking about this relationship. But before we get into that, 94 00:04:51,250 --> 00:04:53,790 Speaker 2: we do need to back up a little bit to 95 00:04:53,910 --> 00:04:57,630 Speaker 2: really engage with this idea of what my true longings are, 96 00:04:57,710 --> 00:05:03,230 Speaker 2: my real desires are. And this may fall as unfamiliar 97 00:05:03,370 --> 00:05:08,119 Speaker 2: in your ears. Perhaps you've only thought of desires as sin, 98 00:05:08,380 --> 00:05:10,930 Speaker 2: as things that you shouldn't have. There's a There's a 99 00:05:11,010 --> 00:05:15,090 Speaker 2: world in the church in which this concept that we 100 00:05:15,130 --> 00:05:17,990 Speaker 2: would have longings in our heart that would actually be 101 00:05:18,110 --> 00:05:21,330 Speaker 2: holy or good, you may never have heard that before. 102 00:05:21,450 --> 00:05:23,029 Speaker 2: So I want to take you to the Bible, as 103 00:05:23,089 --> 00:05:24,910 Speaker 2: I always do, to make sure that whenever we hear 104 00:05:24,950 --> 00:05:26,710 Speaker 2: something that maybe we think, oh, I don't know about 105 00:05:26,750 --> 00:05:29,039 Speaker 2: that or that doesn't sound right, we go to the 106 00:05:29,070 --> 00:05:31,900 Speaker 2: Bible ourselves and we look in the Bible for what 107 00:05:32,000 --> 00:05:34,600 Speaker 2: we're talking about here. So I'm going to send you 108 00:05:34,640 --> 00:05:37,020 Speaker 2: to a couple of places. The first is Psalm 37, 109 00:05:37,020 --> 00:05:41,229 Speaker 2: verse 4. And this verse says, take delight in the 110 00:05:41,290 --> 00:05:45,590 Speaker 2: Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Now, 111 00:05:45,630 --> 00:05:47,909 Speaker 2: this has been misconstrued and we're going to get into that. 112 00:05:48,470 --> 00:05:52,250 Speaker 2: This has been misconstrued because sometimes we don't necessarily understand 113 00:05:52,270 --> 00:05:57,990 Speaker 2: our full desires. We have incomplete desires, self-centered desires, surface 114 00:05:58,050 --> 00:06:00,610 Speaker 2: level desires, and we don't do the work to dig 115 00:06:00,750 --> 00:06:04,860 Speaker 2: under those to really find the divine desire, the holy desire. 116 00:06:05,760 --> 00:06:08,560 Speaker 2: But this idea of desire is a word that is 117 00:06:08,810 --> 00:06:11,350 Speaker 2: used in the Bible. It's used here in Psalms. It's 118 00:06:11,410 --> 00:06:15,290 Speaker 2: also used, Jesus himself says in Matthew 9, 13, when 119 00:06:15,330 --> 00:06:18,990 Speaker 2: he's describing God's true heart. He says, did I not 120 00:06:19,070 --> 00:06:23,830 Speaker 2: say I desire mercy, not sacrifice? So this idea is 121 00:06:23,950 --> 00:06:28,200 Speaker 2: a desire. We are made in God's image. God says 122 00:06:28,220 --> 00:06:31,760 Speaker 2: that he desires things. The Psalms say that our hearts 123 00:06:31,820 --> 00:06:35,400 Speaker 2: desire things. And this idea of a spiritual desire, a 124 00:06:35,500 --> 00:06:40,000 Speaker 2: true desire, is that the real heart, the real heart 125 00:06:40,040 --> 00:06:42,700 Speaker 2: of all of us, because we are made in God's image, 126 00:06:42,839 --> 00:06:46,500 Speaker 2: because we are children of God, before sin corrupted our 127 00:06:46,560 --> 00:06:49,960 Speaker 2: lives and our world, first and foremost, we are made 128 00:06:50,540 --> 00:06:53,260 Speaker 2: in the image of God. He is our spiritual parent 129 00:06:53,300 --> 00:06:57,480 Speaker 2: and that his desires live in us and that our 130 00:06:57,700 --> 00:07:03,870 Speaker 2: real truest desires, our deepest desires, actually do reflect God's heart. 131 00:07:05,070 --> 00:07:09,110 Speaker 2: Jesus himself is quick with new people as they come 132 00:07:09,150 --> 00:07:12,630 Speaker 2: to him. He asks the question often, what do you want? 133 00:07:13,390 --> 00:07:16,170 Speaker 2: In John chapter 1, as he's calling his disciples and 134 00:07:16,190 --> 00:07:19,010 Speaker 2: they're following him, he turns to a couple of them 135 00:07:19,050 --> 00:07:22,370 Speaker 2: and says, what do you want? There's someone who approaches 136 00:07:22,410 --> 00:07:24,610 Speaker 2: him for healing in Matthew chapter 20, and he says, 137 00:07:24,670 --> 00:07:27,140 Speaker 2: what do you want me to do for you? There's 138 00:07:27,180 --> 00:07:29,900 Speaker 2: this sense that as we approach God, we have to 139 00:07:30,020 --> 00:07:32,000 Speaker 2: ask the question, what do we want? What do I 140 00:07:32,160 --> 00:07:36,230 Speaker 2: want from my life? What does a good life look 141 00:07:36,290 --> 00:07:40,110 Speaker 2: like to me? Oftentimes, I think that our desires are 142 00:07:40,250 --> 00:07:44,330 Speaker 2: actually too small, and we're so focused on the moment 143 00:07:44,370 --> 00:07:47,130 Speaker 2: that we're in, and we're thinking, no, I just want 144 00:07:47,150 --> 00:07:49,070 Speaker 2: to be out of the pain I'm in, or I 145 00:07:49,130 --> 00:07:53,100 Speaker 2: just want to feel harmony or peace in my life, 146 00:07:53,240 --> 00:07:56,340 Speaker 2: or I just want this promotion because I just need 147 00:07:56,380 --> 00:07:59,660 Speaker 2: more money. I need to be provided for. Those things 148 00:07:59,960 --> 00:08:03,070 Speaker 2: are true, but a lot of times there's more to 149 00:08:03,150 --> 00:08:06,520 Speaker 2: it than that. We have these desires that are surface level. 150 00:08:07,020 --> 00:08:09,600 Speaker 2: And in order to get ourselves to the deeper desire, 151 00:08:09,660 --> 00:08:13,280 Speaker 2: we actually have to spend time sort of wrestling through 152 00:08:13,340 --> 00:08:16,920 Speaker 2: what's behind that. So for instance, let's say you desire 153 00:08:16,940 --> 00:08:19,750 Speaker 2: a promotion. You're just desiring that next job or you 154 00:08:19,770 --> 00:08:22,530 Speaker 2: desire more money. You want more money for your life 155 00:08:22,590 --> 00:08:26,130 Speaker 2: because you're anxious and fearful about what you have or what. 156 00:08:26,050 --> 00:08:26,790 Speaker 1: You don't have. 157 00:08:27,250 --> 00:08:30,050 Speaker 2: And if you think about that, you might ask yourself, 158 00:08:30,130 --> 00:08:34,020 Speaker 2: how might this desire be connected to something even more 159 00:08:34,120 --> 00:08:37,940 Speaker 2: true than a desire for money because that desire is 160 00:08:37,960 --> 00:08:41,640 Speaker 2: a desire for security or a desire for freedom from 161 00:08:41,740 --> 00:08:44,880 Speaker 2: fear or maybe it's a desire for the way I 162 00:08:44,920 --> 00:08:47,930 Speaker 2: appear to other people that I might feel secure in myself, 163 00:08:47,990 --> 00:08:51,130 Speaker 2: that I might feel worthy in myself because of how 164 00:08:51,230 --> 00:08:54,970 Speaker 2: others view me. So maybe I can see there that 165 00:08:55,030 --> 00:08:58,650 Speaker 2: I have this desire in me that partially is selfish 166 00:08:58,970 --> 00:09:01,890 Speaker 2: but really is connected to a deeper, deeper desire that 167 00:09:02,320 --> 00:09:05,080 Speaker 2: I want to understand. And this is a question that 168 00:09:05,100 --> 00:09:08,000 Speaker 2: we don't just ask ourselves once, but that we continue 169 00:09:08,380 --> 00:09:10,920 Speaker 2: to ask ourselves because at the core, we have to 170 00:09:11,040 --> 00:09:12,600 Speaker 2: understand what. 171 00:09:12,480 --> 00:09:13,579 Speaker 1: We really want. 172 00:09:23,520 --> 00:09:26,490 Speaker 2: And once we do begin to understand what I really want, 173 00:09:26,520 --> 00:09:30,589 Speaker 2: maybe what I really want is love. What I really 174 00:09:30,670 --> 00:09:34,500 Speaker 2: want is peace. What I really want is security. What 175 00:09:34,580 --> 00:09:39,120 Speaker 2: I really want is freedom from fear or anxiety. And 176 00:09:39,260 --> 00:09:43,020 Speaker 2: then we get there and we begin to actually move 177 00:09:43,500 --> 00:09:47,210 Speaker 2: towards asking the question, well, what is it that God 178 00:09:47,550 --> 00:09:51,230 Speaker 2: says makes a good life? What is it that Jesus 179 00:09:51,270 --> 00:09:54,190 Speaker 2: is even promising in the first place? If we're so 180 00:09:54,290 --> 00:09:57,100 Speaker 2: caught up in that one thing, we're just really focused 181 00:09:57,530 --> 00:09:59,810 Speaker 2: on that one relationship or that one thing that we 182 00:09:59,850 --> 00:10:03,900 Speaker 2: need to change, we can miss the deeper places that 183 00:10:03,960 --> 00:10:08,000 Speaker 2: God is calling us to, this more important question, which is, 184 00:10:08,460 --> 00:10:12,199 Speaker 2: what is my true desire? And yes, our true desires 185 00:10:12,320 --> 00:10:14,660 Speaker 2: are unique to us in some ways, but in some 186 00:10:14,720 --> 00:10:17,660 Speaker 2: ways they are not unique. They are shared in. 187 00:10:17,600 --> 00:10:18,939 Speaker 1: The human experience. 188 00:10:19,550 --> 00:10:25,210 Speaker 2: I think that we desire security. We desire love. We 189 00:10:25,250 --> 00:10:30,100 Speaker 2: desire peace. We desire freedom. We desire purpose. We want 190 00:10:30,120 --> 00:10:34,560 Speaker 2: to know that our lives matter. These are holy desires. 191 00:10:34,620 --> 00:10:38,540 Speaker 2: These are good things. Now, oftentimes we try to meet 192 00:10:38,600 --> 00:10:40,800 Speaker 2: those good things with things that might not be good. 193 00:10:41,400 --> 00:10:44,600 Speaker 2: But the reality is the desire inside of us is 194 00:10:44,640 --> 00:10:49,150 Speaker 2: a holy, God-given desire. And once we get there, then 195 00:10:49,170 --> 00:10:51,160 Speaker 2: we can ask the question, well, what is it that 196 00:10:51,220 --> 00:10:54,079 Speaker 2: God says our life can be about? What is it 197 00:10:54,120 --> 00:10:58,240 Speaker 2: that God promises? And when we go and ask that question, 198 00:10:58,800 --> 00:11:04,329 Speaker 2: what that brings me to is Luke chapter 17, verses 21. 199 00:11:04,330 --> 00:11:06,710 Speaker 2: This is a place where many times in the Gospels, 200 00:11:07,050 --> 00:11:10,309 Speaker 2: we find that Jesus is teaching about this concept that 201 00:11:10,330 --> 00:11:13,610 Speaker 2: there is a kingdom of God. And oftentimes we think 202 00:11:13,650 --> 00:11:15,480 Speaker 2: about the kingdom of God and we think, oh, maybe 203 00:11:15,620 --> 00:11:17,290 Speaker 2: is that like another word for heaven? 204 00:11:17,360 --> 00:11:18,750 Speaker 1: That's what's going to happen in heaven. 205 00:11:18,770 --> 00:11:20,980 Speaker 2: That's why I need to make sure that I'm following 206 00:11:21,040 --> 00:11:23,020 Speaker 2: Jesus now and doing the right things so that I 207 00:11:23,059 --> 00:11:25,360 Speaker 2: could go to heaven, because that's a place where I'll 208 00:11:25,400 --> 00:11:29,160 Speaker 2: finally experience these things that I wish that I could have. Well, 209 00:11:29,360 --> 00:11:32,260 Speaker 2: contrary to that, that's actually not what Jesus says in 210 00:11:32,280 --> 00:11:35,660 Speaker 2: the Bible. In Luke 17, verse 21, he says, you 211 00:11:35,700 --> 00:11:37,660 Speaker 2: won't be able to say about the kingdom of God, 212 00:11:37,740 --> 00:11:40,360 Speaker 2: here it is, or it's over there, for the kingdom 213 00:11:40,400 --> 00:11:44,910 Speaker 2: of God is already among you. So there's this idea 214 00:11:44,970 --> 00:11:47,530 Speaker 2: that even as we walk on this earth, even as 215 00:11:47,590 --> 00:11:50,030 Speaker 2: we do the things that we do, even as we 216 00:11:50,630 --> 00:11:55,700 Speaker 2: survive through our lives, Jesus is offering something that is 217 00:11:55,840 --> 00:11:58,840 Speaker 2: right here with us already, that this kingdom of God 218 00:11:58,920 --> 00:12:03,120 Speaker 2: is accessible to us even right now, even in today. 219 00:12:04,020 --> 00:12:06,050 Speaker 2: And so we know that it's an invisible kingdom. It's 220 00:12:06,090 --> 00:12:08,190 Speaker 2: not something we can see, just like Jesus said, you 221 00:12:08,230 --> 00:12:10,829 Speaker 2: can't say here it is or it's over there, for 222 00:12:10,910 --> 00:12:14,069 Speaker 2: it is already among you. And so we might ask 223 00:12:14,090 --> 00:12:15,990 Speaker 2: the question, well, how will we know that we are 224 00:12:16,070 --> 00:12:21,230 Speaker 2: experiencing the kingdom of God? Romans 14 verse 17 says, 225 00:12:21,790 --> 00:12:23,790 Speaker 2: the kingdom of God is not a matter of what 226 00:12:23,830 --> 00:12:26,190 Speaker 2: we eat or drink. Now, the reason that it starts 227 00:12:26,250 --> 00:12:29,970 Speaker 2: there is because the apostle Paul is explaining to the 228 00:12:30,050 --> 00:12:32,890 Speaker 2: early church that they have been looking for the good 229 00:12:32,950 --> 00:12:36,230 Speaker 2: life in the things that they're doing or not doing. 230 00:12:36,820 --> 00:12:38,720 Speaker 2: They're looking for the good life in a set of 231 00:12:38,880 --> 00:12:41,950 Speaker 2: rules and requirements, and that if I do these rules 232 00:12:42,010 --> 00:12:45,150 Speaker 2: and requirements, then I will experience what I want. I 233 00:12:45,190 --> 00:12:47,469 Speaker 2: will get what I want, which is what we all do. 234 00:12:47,570 --> 00:12:50,330 Speaker 2: This is a common setting of the heart, that we 235 00:12:50,410 --> 00:12:52,230 Speaker 2: look for the things and the ways that we can 236 00:12:52,290 --> 00:12:55,010 Speaker 2: do better because that's the way that God will give 237 00:12:55,050 --> 00:12:59,980 Speaker 2: us what we want. But contrary to that, in Romans 14, 17, 238 00:12:59,980 --> 00:13:02,660 Speaker 2: the Apostle Paul says, no, absolutely, this argument that they 239 00:13:02,679 --> 00:13:06,240 Speaker 2: were having in this particular context is around what you 240 00:13:06,320 --> 00:13:09,520 Speaker 2: can or cannot eat or drink. Paul says, no, the 241 00:13:09,580 --> 00:13:11,500 Speaker 2: kingdom of God is not a matter of what we 242 00:13:11,559 --> 00:13:14,200 Speaker 2: eat or drink, but listen to this, but of living 243 00:13:14,220 --> 00:13:19,230 Speaker 2: a life of goodness and peace and joy in the 244 00:13:19,260 --> 00:13:22,650 Speaker 2: Holy Spirit. So when we ask the question, how do 245 00:13:22,670 --> 00:13:26,030 Speaker 2: we know we are experiencing the kingdom? The first thing 246 00:13:26,070 --> 00:13:29,490 Speaker 2: that Romans 14 tells us is that experiencing the kingdom 247 00:13:29,850 --> 00:13:33,390 Speaker 2: will be experiencing a good life, a life of goodness 248 00:13:34,010 --> 00:13:35,860 Speaker 2: and peace and and joy. 249 00:13:36,800 --> 00:13:38,060 Speaker 1: And then we add to that. 250 00:13:37,920 --> 00:13:41,040 Speaker 2: In 1 Corinthians 4 verse 20, where it says, for 251 00:13:41,080 --> 00:13:43,320 Speaker 2: the kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk, 252 00:13:43,880 --> 00:13:48,400 Speaker 2: it's living by God's power. So the kingdom of God 253 00:13:48,490 --> 00:13:53,210 Speaker 2: is experienced when we are experiencing goodness and peace and 254 00:13:53,309 --> 00:13:58,689 Speaker 2: joy in the Holy Spirit and living by God's power. Now, 255 00:13:59,270 --> 00:14:01,429 Speaker 2: if you just forgot everything that you've ever heard about 256 00:14:01,470 --> 00:14:03,589 Speaker 2: Christianity or everything that you've heard in the church and 257 00:14:03,610 --> 00:14:06,360 Speaker 2: you just ask the question, What is it that you want? 258 00:14:07,160 --> 00:14:10,480 Speaker 2: And you begin to move toward your true desires. And 259 00:14:10,640 --> 00:14:13,460 Speaker 2: inside of those true desires, you hear this promise that's 260 00:14:13,500 --> 00:14:17,760 Speaker 2: being made that the kingdom of God is already available 261 00:14:17,820 --> 00:14:21,440 Speaker 2: to us right now. And that this kingdom, this place 262 00:14:21,480 --> 00:14:23,620 Speaker 2: that we can live, that we can be citizens of, 263 00:14:23,740 --> 00:14:26,480 Speaker 2: even as we move through our lives, wherever you live 264 00:14:26,520 --> 00:14:30,140 Speaker 2: in the world, that there is a citizenship available to 265 00:14:30,180 --> 00:14:34,400 Speaker 2: you that is a society that a place, a group, 266 00:14:34,460 --> 00:14:37,740 Speaker 2: a tribe, a group of people who are living in 267 00:14:37,780 --> 00:14:42,340 Speaker 2: the kingdom of God that live a life of goodness, peace, joy, 268 00:14:42,520 --> 00:14:48,300 Speaker 2: and power, would your desires fit within that? Would what 269 00:14:48,380 --> 00:14:51,380 Speaker 2: you want fit within that? Now, you might say, no, Nicole, 270 00:14:51,480 --> 00:14:55,970 Speaker 2: I'm literally asking about this relationship, this promotion, this argument 271 00:14:56,120 --> 00:14:58,930 Speaker 2: in my life, this place of pain in my life. Absolutely, 272 00:14:58,950 --> 00:15:02,570 Speaker 2: I understand that. But we have to have a vision. 273 00:15:03,540 --> 00:15:06,500 Speaker 2: for what God is inviting us to. We have to say, 274 00:15:06,640 --> 00:15:08,810 Speaker 2: oh yeah, like if I could have that, that. 275 00:15:08,730 --> 00:15:11,090 Speaker 1: Is what I would want. That is what I would want. 276 00:15:11,150 --> 00:15:13,970 Speaker 2: I'm going to move away from the exact circumstances of 277 00:15:14,290 --> 00:15:16,530 Speaker 2: how I might get there. But if what God is 278 00:15:16,590 --> 00:15:20,430 Speaker 2: saying is that there is an opportunity for me to 279 00:15:20,510 --> 00:15:24,470 Speaker 2: experience a kingdom right here on earth, and in this kingdom, 280 00:15:24,530 --> 00:15:28,930 Speaker 2: in this citizenship, I am going to experience goodness and 281 00:15:29,050 --> 00:15:32,530 Speaker 2: peace and joy and power in my life, then yes. 282 00:15:33,270 --> 00:15:33,970 Speaker 1: Do I want that? 283 00:15:35,190 --> 00:15:38,250 Speaker 2: Now, the reality is, of course, there is a sense 284 00:15:38,330 --> 00:15:41,530 Speaker 2: of the fullness of this kingdom will only be known 285 00:15:41,630 --> 00:15:46,690 Speaker 2: completely in heaven. There's a disconnect sometimes between earth and 286 00:15:46,730 --> 00:15:48,370 Speaker 2: heaven in the sense of the only place I'm going 287 00:15:48,390 --> 00:15:50,120 Speaker 2: to experience the kingdom of God is heaven. 288 00:15:50,630 --> 00:15:51,120 Speaker 1: Not true. 289 00:15:51,820 --> 00:15:54,300 Speaker 2: We can experience it now, but we're going to know 290 00:15:54,400 --> 00:15:58,970 Speaker 2: it in its fullness in heaven later. In Revelation verse 12, 291 00:15:58,960 --> 00:16:01,280 Speaker 2: it says that there will be a time where there 292 00:16:01,300 --> 00:16:04,530 Speaker 2: will be a loud voice shouting, it has come at 293 00:16:04,630 --> 00:16:08,130 Speaker 2: last salvation and power and the kingdom of God, the 294 00:16:08,190 --> 00:16:12,860 Speaker 2: authority of Christ, because the accuser of our brothers and sisters, 295 00:16:12,910 --> 00:16:14,980 Speaker 2: meaning the accuser of those who are living in the 296 00:16:15,020 --> 00:16:17,100 Speaker 2: kingdom of heaven, has been thrown down to the earth, 297 00:16:17,580 --> 00:16:20,220 Speaker 2: the one who accuses them before our God day and night. 298 00:16:20,860 --> 00:16:23,200 Speaker 2: So now we get to enter into this understanding, oh, 299 00:16:23,220 --> 00:16:26,080 Speaker 2: there is a battle that we're in. There is a 300 00:16:26,180 --> 00:16:29,220 Speaker 2: difficulty that we live in here on earth, that we 301 00:16:29,360 --> 00:16:33,750 Speaker 2: are in a true conflict. And in this conflict, we 302 00:16:34,050 --> 00:16:36,210 Speaker 2: are doubting what the kingdom of God is, that we 303 00:16:36,250 --> 00:16:39,560 Speaker 2: have this accuser, this enemy in our lives who is 304 00:16:39,680 --> 00:16:44,800 Speaker 2: constantly accusing God of what he says, who's constantly desiring 305 00:16:44,900 --> 00:16:48,720 Speaker 2: to sow doubt and division within us so that we 306 00:16:48,800 --> 00:16:52,080 Speaker 2: might not really believe that the kingdom of God is accessible. 307 00:16:52,180 --> 00:16:55,730 Speaker 2: And that's what many of us are experiencing. Oftentimes, the 308 00:16:55,760 --> 00:16:59,050 Speaker 2: reason that we short circuit our holy desires is because 309 00:16:59,450 --> 00:17:02,570 Speaker 2: we have all of these doubts about how those desires 310 00:17:02,590 --> 00:17:03,270 Speaker 2: are going to be met. 311 00:17:03,310 --> 00:17:05,570 Speaker 1: And we have all of these difficulties. 312 00:17:06,050 --> 00:17:09,830 Speaker 2: And we have this accuser who has spent his entire 313 00:17:09,950 --> 00:17:14,950 Speaker 2: eternity accusing brothers and sisters, God's children, of what God 314 00:17:14,990 --> 00:17:18,209 Speaker 2: says is true, accusing them and saying, hey, doubt what 315 00:17:18,250 --> 00:17:21,780 Speaker 2: he says. It's not really real. And so together as 316 00:17:21,800 --> 00:17:24,300 Speaker 2: a group of people, as a community, we are desiring 317 00:17:24,400 --> 00:17:28,609 Speaker 2: to encourage one another to believe that what God says 318 00:17:29,170 --> 00:17:31,909 Speaker 2: he can do and who Jesus says he is, is 319 00:17:32,100 --> 00:17:34,540 Speaker 2: actually true. And it's not just true in heaven. It's 320 00:17:34,640 --> 00:17:37,840 Speaker 2: true on earth as it is in heaven, because the 321 00:17:37,859 --> 00:17:39,000 Speaker 2: kingdom of God is among us. 322 00:17:39,080 --> 00:17:40,600 Speaker 1: It's close to us. It's near to us. 323 00:17:50,119 --> 00:17:52,040 Speaker 2: So when we ask about our desires and we think 324 00:17:52,080 --> 00:17:54,489 Speaker 2: about our desires, I want to bring you to this 325 00:17:54,550 --> 00:17:56,770 Speaker 2: final place where we just will do a little mini 326 00:17:56,830 --> 00:17:59,869 Speaker 2: Bible study right now in John chapter 7. So if 327 00:17:59,910 --> 00:18:01,250 Speaker 2: you have your Bible, this is just one of my 328 00:18:01,350 --> 00:18:03,689 Speaker 2: favorite places to go when I think about what is 329 00:18:03,710 --> 00:18:07,260 Speaker 2: it that Jesus really invited people to? What is it 330 00:18:07,340 --> 00:18:10,220 Speaker 2: that he's inviting us to even right now, even today, 331 00:18:10,260 --> 00:18:12,760 Speaker 2: wherever you are, no matter what you think about Jesus 332 00:18:12,820 --> 00:18:15,120 Speaker 2: or God, or if you haven't really thought much about 333 00:18:15,160 --> 00:18:17,320 Speaker 2: God or Jesus, this is a new thought for you, 334 00:18:17,380 --> 00:18:19,460 Speaker 2: I want to introduce you to the person of Jesus. 335 00:18:19,540 --> 00:18:21,960 Speaker 2: You can find out about him and read about him 336 00:18:22,200 --> 00:18:25,960 Speaker 2: in the Gospels, which is the books inside of the Bible, Matthew, Mark, Luke, 337 00:18:26,000 --> 00:18:29,000 Speaker 2: and John. They talk about Jesus's life, and they're told 338 00:18:29,060 --> 00:18:32,129 Speaker 2: from the perspective of different disciples and followers who were 339 00:18:32,170 --> 00:18:35,389 Speaker 2: experiencing Jesus on earth. But one of my favorites is 340 00:18:35,450 --> 00:18:38,889 Speaker 2: in John chapter 7. And at this part of John, 341 00:18:38,950 --> 00:18:41,629 Speaker 2: what's happened here is that Jesus has been at a 342 00:18:41,670 --> 00:18:44,750 Speaker 2: Jewish festival in called the Festival of the Booths or 343 00:18:44,790 --> 00:18:46,030 Speaker 2: the Festival of the Shelters. 344 00:18:46,090 --> 00:18:47,070 Speaker 1: We can find out about that. 345 00:18:47,109 --> 00:18:49,560 Speaker 2: It's at the beginning of John chapter 7, where it 346 00:18:49,600 --> 00:18:53,680 Speaker 2: talks about this festival of tabernacles. The idea here was 347 00:18:53,760 --> 00:18:56,240 Speaker 2: that the Jewish people would remember what God had done 348 00:18:56,280 --> 00:18:59,619 Speaker 2: for them and celebrate in a variety of festivals throughout 349 00:18:59,660 --> 00:19:00,119 Speaker 2: the year. 350 00:19:00,560 --> 00:19:02,820 Speaker 1: And this particular festival, what I want you to know 351 00:19:02,859 --> 00:19:03,240 Speaker 1: about this. 352 00:19:03,300 --> 00:19:05,560 Speaker 2: And this is right here in my study notes, is 353 00:19:05,600 --> 00:19:10,320 Speaker 2: that this festival was really about God providing for his 354 00:19:10,420 --> 00:19:14,649 Speaker 2: people in the wilderness. about God providing shelter and provision 355 00:19:14,790 --> 00:19:17,190 Speaker 2: in the wilderness. And when we think about what that 356 00:19:17,230 --> 00:19:19,780 Speaker 2: means for us in the modern day, think of our 357 00:19:19,820 --> 00:19:22,780 Speaker 2: world as the wilderness. That's what we're, as we walk 358 00:19:22,859 --> 00:19:25,100 Speaker 2: on earth, we are wandering in the wilderness and we 359 00:19:25,140 --> 00:19:27,880 Speaker 2: have a God who says he wants to provide shelter 360 00:19:28,000 --> 00:19:31,180 Speaker 2: and provision for us. And in the midst of this 361 00:19:31,260 --> 00:19:35,679 Speaker 2: festival that was happening, Jesus stood up on the last 362 00:19:35,740 --> 00:19:38,619 Speaker 2: day of the festival and he said in a loud voice, 363 00:19:38,680 --> 00:19:42,340 Speaker 2: this is verse 37, Interesting that he stood up because 364 00:19:42,400 --> 00:19:45,250 Speaker 2: rabbis would sit down to teach. So it would have 365 00:19:45,369 --> 00:19:48,610 Speaker 2: caught people's attention when he stood up with this loud voice. 366 00:19:48,650 --> 00:19:49,980 Speaker 2: He had something really important to say. 367 00:19:50,240 --> 00:19:50,500 Speaker 1: To say. 368 00:19:50,540 --> 00:19:53,120 Speaker 2: Of course, that's what comes to mind when we hear 369 00:19:53,160 --> 00:19:55,680 Speaker 2: those words is obviously if we were in a crowd 370 00:19:55,700 --> 00:19:57,720 Speaker 2: of people, if you were on a crowded subway or 371 00:19:57,859 --> 00:20:00,840 Speaker 2: at the airport or at a concert and everyone was 372 00:20:00,859 --> 00:20:03,520 Speaker 2: sitting down and someone stood up next to you to 373 00:20:03,700 --> 00:20:05,620 Speaker 2: shout in a loud voice, it would get your attention. 374 00:20:05,660 --> 00:20:07,520 Speaker 2: You would be startled. You would look over at them. 375 00:20:08,280 --> 00:20:11,470 Speaker 2: And this is what Jesus said, verse 38. He said, 376 00:20:11,730 --> 00:20:15,550 Speaker 2: anyone who is thirsty may come to me. Anyone who 377 00:20:15,609 --> 00:20:19,070 Speaker 2: believes in me may come and drink. For the scriptures 378 00:20:19,130 --> 00:20:23,730 Speaker 2: declare rivers of living water will flow from his heart. 379 00:20:25,090 --> 00:20:29,070 Speaker 2: And so Jesus actually addresses a longing, a desire. He says, 380 00:20:29,510 --> 00:20:33,120 Speaker 2: do you have a need? Are you thirsty for something? 381 00:20:33,710 --> 00:20:37,040 Speaker 2: Are you thirsty for something in your life? Are you unsatisfied? 382 00:20:37,690 --> 00:20:40,530 Speaker 2: is there this desire in you that is not being met? 383 00:20:40,690 --> 00:20:43,450 Speaker 2: And he says, if you are thirsty, come to me. 384 00:20:44,510 --> 00:20:46,950 Speaker 2: And then he talks about this idea of living water, 385 00:20:46,970 --> 00:20:51,260 Speaker 2: that there will be living water that will flow. Living water, 386 00:20:51,380 --> 00:20:54,379 Speaker 2: of course, if you imagine like a spring of water, 387 00:20:54,400 --> 00:20:57,840 Speaker 2: if you've ever hiked or camped or know anything about 388 00:20:57,859 --> 00:21:00,700 Speaker 2: sort of survival, you know that living water is water 389 00:21:00,740 --> 00:21:03,520 Speaker 2: that you can drink from, that if it's a spring, 390 00:21:03,760 --> 00:21:04,740 Speaker 2: it's clean water. 391 00:21:05,220 --> 00:21:06,460 Speaker 1: You can drink straight from it. 392 00:21:06,510 --> 00:21:09,129 Speaker 2: If you If you hit stagnant or still water or 393 00:21:09,190 --> 00:21:12,290 Speaker 2: water that's been not close to the source, it has 394 00:21:12,330 --> 00:21:15,370 Speaker 2: to be treated. You have to watch out for bacteria 395 00:21:15,570 --> 00:21:17,399 Speaker 2: and problems in the water, even if. 396 00:21:17,380 --> 00:21:20,180 Speaker 1: You think it looks good. It's tainted. It's contaminated. 397 00:21:20,940 --> 00:21:23,540 Speaker 2: And Jesus says, no, I am a source of living water, 398 00:21:23,640 --> 00:21:28,320 Speaker 2: reviving and refreshing, that Jesus himself brings us back to 399 00:21:28,340 --> 00:21:32,600 Speaker 2: the good life. And more than that, Jesus actually declares 400 00:21:32,640 --> 00:21:35,400 Speaker 2: that from these rivers of living water, this is where 401 00:21:35,780 --> 00:21:39,399 Speaker 2: healing comes from. This is where our truest nature and 402 00:21:39,580 --> 00:21:42,010 Speaker 2: freedom and life come from, and that we are revived 403 00:21:42,070 --> 00:21:42,790 Speaker 2: by that living water. 404 00:21:42,830 --> 00:21:44,670 Speaker 1: But not only that, but that. 405 00:21:44,609 --> 00:21:48,210 Speaker 2: We ourselves become a source of life for other people, 406 00:21:48,270 --> 00:21:51,830 Speaker 2: that we ourselves become a source of living water for others. 407 00:21:52,990 --> 00:21:55,350 Speaker 1: Friends, so often I think it's not that. 408 00:21:55,310 --> 00:22:00,010 Speaker 2: Our desires are too big, it's that our desires are 409 00:22:00,050 --> 00:22:03,850 Speaker 2: too small, that we don't place our desires within this 410 00:22:04,010 --> 00:22:08,600 Speaker 2: larger story. this larger narrative that there is a kingdom 411 00:22:09,400 --> 00:22:11,020 Speaker 2: on this earth that we can be a part of. 412 00:22:12,020 --> 00:22:14,400 Speaker 2: And that Jesus himself says, what. 413 00:22:14,200 --> 00:22:17,220 Speaker 1: Do you want? What are you thirsty for? 414 00:22:17,820 --> 00:22:21,000 Speaker 2: Because you can come to me and be revived in me. 415 00:22:21,060 --> 00:22:24,380 Speaker 2: You will find what you need in me. Now, this 416 00:22:24,420 --> 00:22:27,410 Speaker 2: is a courageous choice. This is a courageous journey because 417 00:22:27,430 --> 00:22:30,670 Speaker 2: we actually have to wrestle through those questions of what 418 00:22:30,730 --> 00:22:33,330 Speaker 2: do I really want? And that's what I want to 419 00:22:33,369 --> 00:22:35,810 Speaker 2: invite you to this week. I want you to ask 420 00:22:35,869 --> 00:22:38,170 Speaker 2: that question, what do you really want? And then ask 421 00:22:38,210 --> 00:22:42,170 Speaker 2: yourself again, what is the desire under that desire? Say 422 00:22:42,230 --> 00:22:44,770 Speaker 2: what you really want to God. Be clear, be honest, 423 00:22:44,830 --> 00:22:48,469 Speaker 2: be courageous, and ask God. Even if you never have 424 00:22:48,490 --> 00:22:51,129 Speaker 2: talked to God before, say, God, help me understand. If 425 00:22:51,170 --> 00:22:53,619 Speaker 2: you're real, God, help me understand what is the desire 426 00:22:53,690 --> 00:22:55,379 Speaker 2: under this desire. And I know that you're going to 427 00:22:55,440 --> 00:23:00,419 Speaker 2: find that holy longing. St. Ignatius talks about this as 428 00:23:00,480 --> 00:23:05,770 Speaker 2: our holy imagination. the imagination to imagine good things, and 429 00:23:05,810 --> 00:23:09,889 Speaker 2: allow God to sift out the small and self-centered desires 430 00:23:10,290 --> 00:23:14,980 Speaker 2: for something more beautiful, something bigger, something more purposeful, something 431 00:23:15,100 --> 00:23:21,780 Speaker 2: truly kingdom-oriented. Remember, you can go to NicoleYunus.com slash decisions 432 00:23:21,880 --> 00:23:24,570 Speaker 2: to grab your free download that goes with this series. 433 00:23:24,619 --> 00:23:28,030 Speaker 2: Grab a friend or two. Ask the questions. What is 434 00:23:28,070 --> 00:23:30,990 Speaker 2: it that you really want? Next week, we'll talk about 435 00:23:31,030 --> 00:23:34,100 Speaker 2: the terrain... of our journey and how God uses it 436 00:23:34,560 --> 00:23:36,420 Speaker 2: to help us wayfind to the good life. 437 00:23:37,080 --> 00:23:37,680 Speaker 1: Talk to you soon. 438 00:23:41,900 --> 00:23:45,340 Speaker 2: How to Study the Bible with Nicole Younis is a production. 439 00:23:44,940 --> 00:23:46,919 Speaker 1: Of Life Audio and Salem Media. 440 00:23:47,510 --> 00:23:49,629 Speaker 2: If you like what you heard today, please take a 441 00:23:49,690 --> 00:23:53,369 Speaker 2: second to rate and review the podcast in your favorite podcast. 442 00:23:52,990 --> 00:23:55,950 Speaker 1: App so that more listeners like you can find the show. 443 00:23:56,790 --> 00:24:01,170 Speaker 2: For more faith-filled, inspirational podcasts, visit us at lifeaudio.com.