When the trials of life weigh heavily upon us, discovering renewed strength in God's Word can be a transformative experience. Join my dear friend Savannah Grant and me as we share heart-to-heart on the profound impact of transparency, the vitality of faith, and the life-changing wisdom found in scripture. Our conversation is an oasis for those thirsting for spiritual growth, offering insights into God's impeccable timing and the lessons learned from adversity.
From the deep reflections on the lineage of Abraham's faith to our own, this episode weaves personal anecdotes and biblical narratives that illuminate the importance of patience, resilience, and the beauty of God's promises. We discuss the necessity of aligning with God's divine schedule, and how the challenges we face can serve as the very cornerstone of our testimonies. Savannah's and my stories of trials, including imprisonment and illness, serve as testament to the strength and guidance that can be found in scripture during life's toughest moments.
Closing this episode, we leave with a profound sense of hope and a call to action. We encourage you to immerse yourself in the Bible, to let it nourish your soul and direct your path toward fulfillment. Reflecting on the richness of Psalms 119, we underscore the delight in following God's commandments and finding joy amidst the journey. So, step with us into a deeper exploration of God's Word, and let your heart be eager for the spiritual growth that awaits.
When the trials of life weigh heavily upon us, discovering renewed strength in God's Word can be a transformative experience. Join my dear friend Savannah Grant and me as we share heart-to-heart on the profound impact of transparency, the vitality of faith, and the life-changing wisdom found in scripture. Our conversation is an oasis for those thirsting for spiritual growth, offering insights into God's impeccable timing and the lessons learned from adversity.
From the deep reflections on the lineage of Abraham's faith to our own, this episode weaves personal anecdotes and biblical narratives that illuminate the importance of patience, resilience, and the beauty of God's promises. We discuss the necessity of aligning with God's divine schedule, and how the challenges we face can serve as the very cornerstone of our testimonies. Savannah's and my stories of trials, including imprisonment and illness, serve as testament to the strength and guidance that can be found in scripture during life's toughest moments.
Closing this episode, we leave with a profound sense of hope and a call to action. We encourage you to immerse yourself in the Bible, to let it nourish your soul and direct your path toward fulfillment. Reflecting on the richness of Psalms 119, we underscore the delight in following God's commandments and finding joy amidst the journey. So, step with us into a deeper exploration of God's Word, and let your heart be eager for the spiritual growth that awaits.
New, new, new, everything new, new, new, new, new, new, everything new. I'm ready to go. Hello, it's Stephanie and you are now listening in to Inside Beauty Inspires, where we motivate, encourage and inspire through the Word of God. I hope you guys have been enjoying this show as much as I have. Shout out to the ladies of ISI this would not be possible without you, guys. We get up each and every single morning, 6 am. We get into this word. It is amazing, you know, and once you start to eat the word, eat the scroll, eat the word of God, you taste it and it is so amazing, it's so good. Back in the studio with me, I have none other than my beautiful friend, savannah Grant. Tell the people what's up.
Speaker 2:Savannah, beautiful friend, savannah Grant, tell the people what's up, savannah, what's up? Hello everyone.
Speaker 1:So, savannah, talk to the people. I want to ask you a question. So, since you've been doing the show and I appreciate you as well for coming in and being part of this with me I think it's important to share your story. I think it's important to share what you've been through, and so my question has anyone given you any feedback on the show since you've been doing this, since you've been a part of Inside Beauty Inspires?
Speaker 2:Yes, so I have had some feedback. It's been nothing but positive, which I'm grateful for, and you have an excellent show as well. I think that it is imperative for us as a people no matter what type of life you live, you have to have a relationship with God. Like I said, it's imperative. They love that. We've been transparent, that I've been transparent and you have to be. I feel like you have to be transparent when you're telling a story which isn't a story for me. It's my life, right, so it's not made up Right. In order for you to reach someone, in order for healing to come about, you have to be transparent. You have to be open about those very things that has hurt you, those things that are hitting those secret things. Yes, so yes, I've had a lot of good feedback concerning the show and our topics and I'm loving it.
Speaker 1:Yeah, good, good, I'm excited about it as well. I'm excited about the direction that the show is going in. You know, of course, we do Bible studies every morning. So I definitely want to shout out the ladies of ISI this wouldn't be possible without you guys being so dedicated, motivated and encouraged to get up each and every morning. But we're learning so much about our Father. Shout out to Jesus, shout out to God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. You know I had to shout my crew out. You know that's the crew, that's the crew. But today, you know, on last week, we talked about wisdom and how it's important to have wisdom, and this week, you know, we're going to talk about, um, god's timing and and the things that we go through, how the word is applicable to what we're going through. Honestly, it's the antidote. If we really apply the words of God to our life, it gets better, it gets better. You said something earlier. You said a relationship. The relationship that you have with your father, the Heavenly Father, is the most important relationship that you could ever have in your entire life. You know, really, to me, that's the relationship that matters.
Speaker 1:I want to go ahead and start by reading this devotional. It says the Timing of God. Gaze into the night. Go ahead and try to count the stars. He continued your seed will be as numerous as the stars. Your seed will be as numerous as the stars. Genesis 15, verse 5.
Speaker 1:Delay is not the same thing as a denial. I'm going to say that again for the people in the back Delay is not the same thing as denial. When the promises of God feel just out of reach, it's time to settle our questions with the infallible of his word, with the reliability of his word. Remaining close to him and reminding ourselves of his faithfulness is vital. He loves to bless us, longs to bestow far greater gifts than we've ever seen or we've ever had. It's time to believe it, time to let hope arise, to dream great, big dreams that can only be accomplished by the power and wisdom of our loving Father, dreams that seem too good to be true, dreams that both excite and scare us.
Speaker 1:It's okay to run after the promises with the carefree joy of a child who's never known defeat. The wisdom we've gained from being with God stabilizes us and guides our steps. The closer we get to the Lord, the more we trust his timing. We understand that love holds our promises in the safety of his hands. Love holds our promises in the safety of his hand. This is the prayer, Father. Sometimes your promises feel as they are taking too long to come to pass. Doubt creeps in and I wonder if you've forgotten. I need your grace to steady my faith. Help me to trust, to remember that my days are orchestrated by your wisdom and that all I have to do is tune in into the harmony of your love. Is that not? Was that not a word? Is that not?
Speaker 2:beautiful, that was a word, and it made me reflect back on some things in my life when I was in prison. Because when you going through, when you know the word of God, when you pray in God's word back to him and nothing is showing up, nothing is happening, and it seems like God isn't listening, like he's not there. Our time isn't his time, and I have to remind myself that so often. Ok, god is the author and the finisher of our faith and he's the. He knows the beginning and he knows the end. Yes, he also knows and hears conversations that we don't hear. Yes, and see, when we're going through, we don't remember that. So in our going through and I'm saying this because I have to do this for myself as well, absolutely In our going through, we have to continuously stay meditated on the word of God, ok, and if you don't know the word, you can't pray the word, that's right.
Speaker 1:You can't give him the word back, right? You don't know what to pray, right? Right, because there's promises, right, you know like and I think that's so amazing what you just said. I mean, we all have to have that self-reflection because we're all wanting it, I want it and I want it now. You know, that's the type of world that we live in Savannah. Things are like, right there at our fingertips.
Speaker 1:If we can be honest with you, I'm guilty of DoorDash. We don't feel like going home, we don't feel like going out. Hey, let me just Door nash them. But I'm just saying we like the convenience of it, right, yes, but when it comes down to god's timing, it can be a little aggravating, because we're like daddy, what you got going on up there? Did you forget about me? Like you know, like the devotional said today.
Speaker 1:But the truth of the matter is he hasn't right, he hasn't. He knows how to get you to your intention. And when you said that he's the author, he's the finisher. Jesus is the perfecter of our faith. Yes, he is. You know this is, do you know? I just read that, you know this, in Genesis. But he's speaking to Abraham. He's speaking to Abraham. And if we're the seed of Abraham, that means we us too, right, you know, because he's the father of faith, right? So if his promises trickle down like that, then it's a promise of ours. Why aren't we seeing these things come to fruition? Because we don't know the word. That's right and that's a problem. People Listen, we need to wake you guys up for real, for real, because you got to get in your word. It's secondhand. Information is good, but it's another thing when you're studying it for yourself. Speak about it.
Speaker 2:And the word of says that my people suffer for a lack of knowledge. You got to get in that word and know it for yourself. Yes, david had to encourage himself, girl. He had nobody else to encourage him. If he didn't have the word of God, he wouldn't have been able to encourage himself.
Speaker 1:You know you are saying say that for the people in the back, because we do, you know, go ahead it. Say that for the people in the back because we do, you know, go ahead, go ahead.
Speaker 2:I didn't even mean to interrupt, go ahead. So yeah, I'm always reminded of David as well. He went through it, he went through the fire, so did I like? I have story after story after story and it always brings me back to the goodness of God, it always helps me to reflect back God, you got me through that moment, that hard time in my life. And without the test, we don't have a testimony, we can't help others in their season of going through, because we all go through now.
Speaker 1:Yes, we do. And you know, if you say you haven't, um, keep living, like my mom would tell me. So that today I said, mama, you remember you used to tell me, keep going, keep living. You ain't seen nothing yet because you haven't. But when you come up against these trials and tribulations, you know he got has a way of using that for your good. That's why he says count it all joy. And in the time we're going through it I mean of course you don't count all joy You're like, why am I going through this? What happened? Of course, like I tell my kids there's consequences to everything. But God is teaching us through that. You know what I'm saying. And if we stay there and we go through it, we'll be able to see what's on the other side.
Speaker 1:Right, when you spoke of David just now, I had to, I had to giggle, because I always tease my son about David. You know, like in first Samuel 16, it's like they say David was a good looking man, right, so I'd be like you know, you know, tyler, and Dave was was cute looking man. I like you, I just tease him. But you know and that's not to say that there's nothing wrong with the looks, but that's what I reference David as David and Goliath. You know that he was the least of them to. You know he wasn't in the house, he went in the house, he was in the field tending to the sheep. You know he, he was different. He was different, and God anointed David, but David had to go do some things, and so one thing that I always remember about reading anything about David besides, he was good looking I always remember that in, god was with David and God was with David and David was with God.
Speaker 1:Well, god was with David, and so, if God was with David, god was with Abraham. What makes us think God is not going to be with us? I mean, he's with us too. Yes, I just think God is not going to be with us.
Speaker 2:I mean, he's with us too. Yes, he is with us Even when it doesn't feel like it. Yes, Even when you're going through. Even he comes to the prisons to see us. He comes to see us in those very dark moments in our life and I know it doesn't feel like it and I can speak on it. I can attest to it because I've had countless dark moments and I can always look back and see how he brought me through.
Speaker 1:It's just a breath of fresh air. Yes, it is. You know, when I think about the goodness of God, it just it does something to me and which brings me into the word. Today, man, listen, you know, god gave me a word. I asked him what he wanted us to talk about today and he took me to Psalms 119, verse 71. And what Psalms 119, 71 says it was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. And you know when. And just knowing that this is David who spoke these things, you know, knowing that David was going through at the time, you can identify with him. You know when I thought about you, your story, you know, I often hear you say you know it had to happen.
Speaker 1:Yes, I believe that, and I do too, because I believe that there's no mistakes. You know, I really don't. I feel like God knows the end. Just like you said, he's the Alpha and he's the Omega. Right, and Jesus is the perfecter of our faith. Even he's so amazing, right and Jesus is the perfecter of our faith. Even on our worst day, we're still in alignment. Why do I say that? Because the steps of a good man is ordered. The steps, because it's real, the steps of a good man is ordered. He says it is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes. He's acknowledging that the Lord used affliction in his life to bring him back from straying and teach him his decrees and commandments.
Speaker 1:I want you to weigh in on this, because when I saw that scripture, it made me want to read the rest of them. Yes, and may I warn you guys, y'all go to the book of Psalms 119. I warn you guys, y'all go to the book of Psalms 119. It is a. I think it's 176 verses. That's how many verses it is. It's a long book, but man, oh man, he spoke to me through it and I wanted to start right there. That was one of the scriptures that came to me and I wanted you to weigh in on it because of the things that you've been through thus far.
Speaker 2:Man. Afflictions, don't we go through them? But I think about what I've gone through. I hear people tell me all the time People have inboxed me on social media when they hear my story A woman doing 20 years, like I know guys that can't do that much time. And it's not just about doing 20 years in prison. It goes back even being sick, having cancer, leaving my child, losing my mom at 16 years old, having parents. That was addicts, and the list goes on. And no, I don't want people to feel sorry for me. I went through those things Because I had to and I thank God for it. You know, I really, really do, because it made me a better person, it made me to appreciate life and it remind me of the goodness of God. And it goes back to what I just said earlier we don't see the good while we're going through. It's hard to see. It's hard to see.
Speaker 2:It's hard to see, it's hard, but if you have just a little faith that's the faith of a mustard seed that's all it takes. If you have seen a mustard seed to see how small it is, that's all it takes just a little bit and got to do the rest.
Speaker 1:Yes, but I'm going to tell you something when you say that, because I thought about something. As you were saying, your heart has to be pure. Yes, absolutely, you got to have a pure heart. You know what I'm saying? Only the pure heart is going to see his face. But the purity of your heart, that means that you know the affliction that you did go through. It didn't come. You weren't trying to. It happened, okay, it happened. But are you an evil person? No, are you mean? No, unless, you have to be right. I have been Look, look, look. I'm just saying I mean, you're keeping it real, Keep it real here, okay, yes, but what I'm saying? I'm saying all of that to say this In the same sentence of us having that guard up, you still, your heart was pure, even in defending yourself.
Speaker 1:You know, I think about your case. I think about your case, your situation, what happened, and I think about the times that you called the police. I think about the restraining orders. You know, I think about these things because we do know her name, sabrina Greenleaf, and you did have restraining orders against this woman. They don't want to talk about this and I'm here to tell the truth. The truth just sets you free, right?
Speaker 1:So at the end of the day, when it's all said and done, it's unfortunate at the end of the day. That's how I really feel. I hate when things like this happen and unfortunate at the end of the day. That's how I really feel. I hate when things like this happen. And I know you are. I know people think that you're not genuine or that you don't feel bad about this. But, savannah, I know you, right, I know who you are, I know and she know you. If the truth be told, if we can be honest I mean, let's be honest You've had a conversation with this lady prior to any of these things going on. You are not the aggressor, right, you weren't.
Speaker 1:Okay. So, even in the sense that you were afflicted, you got taken away from your son 20 years, 20 years in prison for something that you were very sorry for doing. We're most remorseful of to the point where you pray for her every single day. You follow the word of God and for her children. You did that because of what the word of God says.
Speaker 1:Now, see, everybody doesn't know that part, right? Okay, because we're telling the story, we're being open, we're being transparent, because it's time for the truth to come out. You know we want you guys to understand something we're not here to condemn anyone. We're not here to condemn anyone. We're not here to push any type of agenda like that. This is kingdom agenda. This is our lives we're talking about.
Speaker 1:Savannah went through this for real. Okay, she had to do the time for real, but she's seeing it from the lenses of God, and that's what life is about. We all got problems. We all go through things. We all have ups and downs, things that happen to us all. Savannah and a lot of people aren't looking at it from a perspective of what the word says.
Speaker 1:See, when you get into the word that secondhand information can only take you so far. But when you get into this word and you get to know him for yourself, you realize that this is not a joke, Right? This is not a joke. Right, this is not a joke. The truth will set you free. He will vindicate you.
Speaker 1:He does know his children. He calls us all by name, right? He knows how many pieces of hair you have in your head and you know the passion that you hear in my voice is because you know when people I've been that person as well, on a different spectrum. You know, and been criticized, talked about slander and not knowing the truth, not knowing the truth. But God has a way and so when we get into the word, it reveals the truth, it reveals the motives, it reveals the heart of a person. So, you know, when you said that it was good that I was afflicted, that's what it says in Timothy. How do I know that? Because I read and study the word. He says count it all, joy these things that we go through.
Speaker 2:Yes, yes, because at the end of the day, joy comes through those trials. It does Through those hardships. And with that being said, you know, so many people feel like I have no remorse. They say I'm slow, they say so many things about me but that's neither here nor there. But when you have went through this thing for so long, am I still supposed to grieve? No, still not supposed to have a life and go on? Absolutely not. We are overcome by the words of our testimony.
Speaker 1:And that's why you are, that's and that's why you're not going to live in that.
Speaker 2:I did it. Two families were impacted on a based on a bad decision that I made, that she made, because we both made bad decisions. It wasn't one sided Right, but that's what's been painted, absolutely.
Speaker 1:It's been painted.
Speaker 2:Exactly what's been painted, but I took responsibility from the very moment it happened.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:And people always say, well, you don't look like what you've been through. People always say, well, you don't look like what you've been through. And I always tell you, and I always tell people when your conscience is clear and your heart is pure.
Speaker 2:Come on you are looking at the glory of God, my God, I mean. There's no other way for me to say it, no other way for me to put it, because that's what it is. Am I perfect? Absolutely not. Do I do everything right? Absolutely not, but I strive to be a better person every single day, and I love God, and I make that very clear.
Speaker 1:I love it. I love it. You know, when you were saying that, I was thinking about the affirmations that we say each and every morning. Again, you know I always shout out the ladies of ISI because you know those are my girls for real. You know that's my family. You know I have family, but you know you want to be around like-minded people. You want to be around people that actually respect your anointing. Show up for you, show you that, yeah, I see you for real.
Speaker 1:For real, because a lot of people don't right right, and when you start to get into the word, god starts to elevate you. He starts doing it. It's not even you doing it, but if you don't speak your truth, if you don't, if you don't tell, if you don't speak it, then how will anybody know that they can overcome through the words of their testimony? You know, when we say I have the mind of Christ, every single day I say that and I put that in the affirmations because it's important for us to imitate his character. Who is Jesus? How did he walk this earth? Like? Who is this man that walked? That was God's son and why is the Holy Spirit a spirit that we all need?
Speaker 1:When you start to get into the words. You realize it. You know, you realize so much, I mean, when I tell you my mind's been blown based off of the things that we've been studying. You know that were in the book of Joshua and you know, just learning, how all you have to do is follow instructions. And I have to say it because you know you spoke on it last the show, before you were given instructions. You were given directions. You were given. You were told not to go back.
Speaker 2:You were told these things by the prophet Right and the prophet didn't know you Not listening, not taking heed, because God always send warnings before destruction.
Speaker 1:Yes, he does and I feel like that.
Speaker 2:Those moments that I chose to ignore were warnings. Okay, we all get them, and once a thing happened, we oftentimes look back and say well man, oh, I should have just been I should have just listened, yeah, and then it's too late. Yeah, yeah, I think a lot of people go there.
Speaker 1:I think a lot of people have just been. I should have just listened, yeah, and then it's too late. Yeah, yeah, I think a lot of people go there. I think a lot of people have been there. I think a lot of people realize that after, because, you know, my thing is this you know you're not going to stay the same, right? So I feel like growth is essential. You're not going to stay the same way. You're be growing. You should be, but a lot of people aren't?
Speaker 2:It's sad, it's very sad. It's sad to live the same life day after day, month after month, year after year, with the same mess, carrying the same stuff, and there's no growth, just stuck and stagnant.
Speaker 1:Yeah, like Lot's wife. You know she turned around and you know the revelation that God gave me with that is that if you look up where she is, she's still in that same spot to this very day, stuck in the same place because she didn't listen, she wasn't supposed to turn back and she did, and so that's what typically happens. You know what I'm saying, but in your aspect, I feel like you know you've been in prison. You're spending this time. You are already spending time with God.
Speaker 1:Prior to going into this, it showed you a way to navigate why you were in it. You knew who to cling to. I mean, I think about that Savannah, because there's so many people that don't know a way out. You know, I just seen something on TikTok, the lady in Myrtle Beach. She ended up suicide. It was a suicide. She unallowed herself and she had a Bible. She was a woman of God, you know, based off of some of her posts, but she still did that, because people are lost. They don't know which way to go. You think you're getting it, because if you're really getting it, you're not going to do that. If you're really getting it, you're not going to do that.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:That's what I really believe, that with all of my heart and all of my soul. If you really are getting it because where does it align If he's the fit, if you believe, see, there's blessings and curse To me, you can pick and choose which battle you choose to take. But if you're not truly applying the word of God, if your heart isn't truly pure, you're not going to see the blessings. Right, you're not? Okay, you know, we were reading about that earlier. The promised land? Okay, moses didn't even get to go into the promised land.
Speaker 2:Yeah, because he did a thing as simple as hitting that rock. He hit the rock. It's not funny, but but you would. Something as simple and minute. It's that he didn't get to go into the promised land, something that they had all been waiting for, something that he was the leader.
Speaker 1:He was the leader. He was leading them and he gonna speak. God say speak to it, he gonna hit it, he gonna hit it. Out of anger and I was gonna say out of the frustration right Frustration.
Speaker 1:And I feel like that's what happens in the everyday life. We get frustrated with things, we get irritated. Where are you at God? What's happening? You know I heard something in the street about you know you, you have trolls. You know they'll come on your you know, and they'll say all kinds of stuff. You got to have a kind of, you got to be a woman. You got to have something there to not allow it to get the best of you, and I believe that that's the word of God.
Speaker 2:It's the word of God, and God prepared me for a time such as this when I was in prison. I went through it there From the time I stepped foot in prison and I actually started my time off fighting, trying to defend myself. Every time somebody said something negative or derogatory towards me, or if they saw something on TV, I was always fighting, trying to defend who Savannah is, and I had to learn early on I can't keep fighting.
Speaker 1:That's it.
Speaker 2:Let God fight your battles, that's it. He knows who you are and I know who I belong to. Yes, so today it doesn't matter.
Speaker 1:I love it. I love it because God will fight for you. You just have to be still. And you know, when you were saying that, I'm gonna tell you what I was thinking about. I was thinking about, like you know, we're growing up right, so we've been in these relationships and people out there fighting to stay with the person that is abusing them or, you know, fighting. You know, but this was behind.
Speaker 2:Yes, what happened with you right, it still happens in so many relationships today. So that's why I feel the need to be so vocal about it. Yes, because people men, women too want to play games. You want to be out here and have your side chick and your main woman and not realizing how you're affecting people's lives. And not only that soul ties are real. Soul ties are real.
Speaker 1:They are, but that's a whole different subject. I know girl, because we'll get what, but they're real though.
Speaker 2:Yes, they are, and you know you just can't play with people's lives like that. It's still happening. Once you do a thing, you can't undo it. Yeah happening once you do a thing, you can't undo it, yeah, and then there's repercussions behind that thing that you've done. Right, right right.
Speaker 1:Yeah, you know, when you said that way, you right, because you know I was thinking about, I was thinking about the growth process. You know I was thinking about, like you know, but you grow to it, right, you know you had to come to a place and grow to it. You said when I first got in there, I was defending myself, I had to fight. You know, you had to come to a place and grow to it. You said when I first got in there, I was defending myself, I had to fight. You know, and a lot of people do feel like they have to fight, they're forced to fight. I've never been a fighter, not a fighter. You know, I'm saying, um, I just I'm. I love peace. You know, I'm a peacemaker. Blessed are the peacemakers where they just see his face. Okay, I'm just saying I'm peacemaker. But when it comes down to it, you know, and some people feel like that's all they had to do, their whole life they've been fighting, yes, like miss sophia yeah, the same way.
Speaker 1:Well, you had to in my story yeah, yeah, it all because of of a relationship you know and not even then that that was the more vital part of it.
Speaker 2:But even looking back over my life growing up as a child, in middle school and high school, I always had to fight.
Speaker 1:Yeah, always. And you know, because people don't understand. You know you strike me as the person that was just quiet and to yourself.
Speaker 2:I was, but I fought. Now, yeah, you had to push me, but that's's what I'm saying. You had to be pushed to do it. I had to be pushed to do it, but you know, I just wasn't the type. After I've had enough of the name calling and the picking, and you know, and you hit me, that's gonna be a different story because you forced me to fight back. Yeah, and so now the, the 45 year old Savannah, I can pick and choose who I give my energy to. Yes, I can pick and choose who I'm surrounded by. I'm not going to argue with you. I'm not going to debate with you. I'm not going to debate with you. We're too grown to be fighting, absolutely Okay. So I'm not going to do that anymore. I don't have to.
Speaker 1:Well, you're growing, you're growing. That's where growth comes in. That's where it comes in. I thought about a post that I had on my wall the other day. It was a picture of a caterpillar, right, and you look at a caterpillar and that's all it looks like. It's a really funny looking worm, you know, it looks really. If I can be honest, the caterpillars, they kind of look a little ugh. I don't like to look at them. They're weird looking. Okay, they're weird little insects, but they turn into the most beautiful butterfly, but incense, but they turn into the most beautiful butterfly, but they have to go into darkness, they have to go into a cocoon, they have to go into this place of isolation, you know, and, um, sometimes that well, not even sometimes it's in that isolation that God is able to do a new thing. Yes, it's in that isolation that he's able to fix the things that are wrong. He's able to train you, right? Um, we go through ups and downs, that's all it is training. He's training us because we all have a purpose, right?
Speaker 1:One thing that I've been so vocal about is the way that I love God. I do, I truly do, and I love the word. I love it. It's like, when I start reading the word, something happens, something happens on the inside of me. Reading the word, something happens, something happens on the inside of me, I get excited and I know that God is speaking. So I want to get back to Psalms 119 and I'm just going to like I'm not going to read it inside of you guys, but I'm going to sum it up here just in this word and then we're going to pick out some of these verses in the book of Psalms 119. That stands out. But listen, I am telling you, if you got a word, if you got a Bible, you download the Bible app on your, on your iPhone, your Android, whatever type of phone you're using, and and just push play. You know, and listen to the books, you know he's going to speak to you. So this says the word. It says the structure of Psalms 119, the longest Psalms and the longest chapter in scripture is fascinating.
Speaker 1:The 22 stanza follows, in the order, the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Within each eight verses stanza, the first letter of each line corresponds to the same Hebrew letter. So in English, this would be eight verses beginning with A, followed by eight verses beginning with B, eight verses beginning with C and so on. But the focus of this psalm is not the Hebrew letters. The focus of Psalms 119 is the word, as the most extended treatment of this topic in scripture.
Speaker 1:Psalms 119 uses various terms precepts, law, decrees, statues, commands to speak about the word of God. God's word is eternal. His commands are wise. Those who walk in God's commands God considers blessed. If one wants to be pure, the word of God needs to be his or her guide. So you see how important the word of God is. That's what the book of Psalms 119 speaks about. Arranged in the fashion to help facilitate the likely, it says the memorization likely among children. Memorization of the word leads to meditation upon the word producing the strength the psalms describe. Cause me to understand the way of your precepts that I may meditate on. Your wonderful deeds. Strengthen me, according to your word, as the word made flesh, jesus would amplify God's ways and guide God's people. Now, that's a summary. Just to sum it up. Okay, that's not Psalms 119, but that's just a summary of what it entails. Okay, and it's really in following the instructions, the book of instructions. At the end of the day, I want to ask you, savannah, what sticks out to you in this book?
Speaker 2:So Psalms 119 is very long. You did sum it up, but it's so much. In that one Psalm you have the blessings of God. In that Psalm you have the protection of God's word, the comfort of God's word, the obedience of God, the hope of God's word and the instructions, the instructions. It's full of instructions, it's really simple.
Speaker 1:It's very simple if we follow. But the thing about it is we don't trust God like we say we do.
Speaker 2:Right, right, you know people go ahead and now you have so many different religions and belief systems and notice what I just said belief systems Because we, as people, we believe in something, we believe in whatever feels good to us, or some people are programmed and they just go with whatever feels good or whatever somebody else is doing, but for me it's the word of God, girl, that word would change your whole life.
Speaker 1:Yes, it will. This word will change your whole life. Let's see, this is one of the one I'm just going to read, just like just first one. It says joyful are people of integrity who follow the instructions of the Lord, joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. They do not compromise with evil and they walk only in his path. You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully. Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees. Then I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with your commands. I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with your commands.
Speaker 1:Like that's verse six. I mean, this is just. This is just the very beginning. And this is David speaking. He said as I learn your righteous regulations, I will thank you by living as I should. I will obey your decrees. Please don't give up on me. Please don't give up on me. You know, when I read that, I'm listening to David speak about the emotions and the feelings that he has when he's worshiping God. Right, he's telling him and he's letting him know my life is going to be a reflection of your word. What stands out to you. And what do you see out of Psalms 119?
Speaker 2:Oh wow, it's so much I know In the Psalms itself. But for me, oftentimes we get so caught up in, especially if you know the word of God. God, what did I do wrong? What am I not doing right? You know, and it brings back to remembrance to me is in this particular verse, verse 57. Lord, you are mine. I promise to obey your word. We promise to obey because we feel like we're doing something wrong or not living up to God's expectations, and sometimes we do try to do that, but that's what Jesus went to the cross for, because we are imperfect people. Ok, so the scripture says I promise to obey your words with all my heart. I want your blessings.
Speaker 1:I love it. I love it. You know, I know it says more. I say I know it says more. What else does it say?
Speaker 2:Okay, just a moment, because my Bible app just did something.
Speaker 1:I saw it.
Speaker 2:I saw it. It did Okay. So it says Lord, you are mine. I obey your words with all my heart. I want your blessings Be merciful, as you promised. I pondered the directions of my life and I turned to follow your laws. I will hurry. I will hurry without delay to obey your commands. Evil people try to drag me into sin, but I am firmly anchored to your instructions. I read I rise at midnight to thank you for your just regulations. I am a friend to anyone who fears you, anyone who obeys your commandments. Oh Lord, you are unfailing love. Your unfailing love fills the earth.
Speaker 1:Teach me your decrees. I love it when, when you were reading it, I was just like man, because this is what David was saying. Right, I mean, these are all of his words. I like that you know for me what stands out. It's crazy that it's not crazy that you say that, but people want to know what to do. How do I get this thing right? Well, if you go to Psalms 119, verse 9, it says how can a young person stay pure? That's right. By obeying your word. I have tried hard to find you. Don't let me wander from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. I praise you. Right, it's in the word. It's in the word.
Speaker 2:It's in the book.
Speaker 1:Yes, you know. You see, these are the decrees and the commands that God is wanting us to live by. That's why the stories in the book is such an important part of your life, whether you realize it or not. You can't have the New Testament without the old.
Speaker 2:That's right.
Speaker 1:You know, we started with Abram. His name was changed to Abraham and he was the father of faith. If we read it, it makes sense all the way up, even in the book of Psalms. You know, do you see something?
Speaker 2:else in the book of Psalms 119 that you want to speak with the people about, or you know, just give them one of those scriptures, okay. So I want to read this too, and I am reading the New Living Translation. Okay, so it says in 65, you have done many good things for me, o Lord. Just as you promised, I believe in your commands. Now teach me good judgment and knowledge. I used to wander off until you disciplined me. See, the discipline has to come in. Come on, okay. But now I closely follow your word. You are good and you do only good. Teach me your decrees. Arrogant people smear with lies, but in truth I obey your commandments with all my heart. Their hearts are dull and stupid, but I delight in your instructions. My suffering, my suffering, was good for me. It taught me To pay attention to your decrees. Your instructions are more valuable to me Than millions in gold and silver.
Speaker 1:That's it Now. I know that one spoke to you. It did. I know it did. I know it did. It did Because God is speaking. And that spoke to you directly Because of the things that you went through when I was reading this earlier. I had a place in here where it spoke to me and I said what it says right here, the next verse, the next verse over. So you just read up to 72, right 73 says you made me, you created me.
Speaker 1:Now give me the sense to follow your commands. May all who fear you find in me a cause for joy, for I have put my hope in your word. I know, oh Lord, that your regulations are fair. You disciplined me because I needed it. Now let your unfailing love comfort me, just as you promised me, your servant. Surround me with your tender mercy so I may live, for your instructions are my delight. Bring disgrace upon the arrogant people who lied about me. Meanwhile, I will concentrate on your commands. Let me be united with all who fear you, with those who know your laws. May I be blameless in keeping your decrees. Then I will never be ashamed, did you.
Speaker 2:You heard it. You know I did. See, you don't have to be ashamed of anything that you've done when you have the word of God hitting in your heart. Come on now, it's real. See, we had to go through, I had to go through you had to you just read it.
Speaker 1:You did In the word.
Speaker 2:We have to be disciplined.
Speaker 1:We have to be. You know, it's in the word. And see again, psalms 119 has so many scriptures, but when you've been through this and it's speaking directly to what you've been through, it hit different. Yes, it does. It hit different. Verse 85 says to trap me. All your commands are trustworthy. Protect me from those who hunt me down without cause. They almost finished me off, but I refuse to abandon your commandments and your unfailing love. Spare my life and I can continue to obey your laws. I can continue to bear your law. Do you see how what you went through is reflected in the word of God? Yes, every bit of it. Every bit of it, you know.
Speaker 1:I think at some point you got to stop playing church. You have to, you have to. You got to stop playing church, you know. I can say this boldly because I have had the encounters to back it up. He's coming back. We don't know the day nor the hour, but he's real. Who's real? Jesus is real, the Holy Spirit is real, god is real, angels are real and Satan is real. People don't play with it. He got a three-part agenda. Who team are you on? Because, at the end of the day, it's only two.
Speaker 2:That's what his words say. Ain't no in-between it? Ain't you got to pick?
Speaker 1:a side and then God's going to show you, because I'm going to tell you something your life will be a reflection of the side that you choose. You will know whether that person used wisdom or not. You know the Bible says what profits a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul. And we're watching the Cat Williams, the P Diddy's, we're watching everybody expose one another coming out. Why? Because that's what the word of God says the truth will set you free. And it says what's sunning and dark will come to the what Light Every time, every time.
Speaker 1:Listen, you know, I know that you're probably like wait, what? I wasn't even ready. I know you weren't, because, listen, I'm going to read this right here, verse 97. Again, this is a long book, y'all. Psalms 119, verse 97. Oh, how I love it, because I do Remember I said this to you earlier. I was like I just love the word. Well, look at what David said. Oh, how I love your instructions. I think about them all day long.
Speaker 1:Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant God. Yes, I have more insight than my teachers, for I am always thinking of your law. I'm even wiser than my elders, for I have kept your commandments. I refuse to walk on any evil path so that I may remain obedient to your word. I haven't turned away from your regulations, for you have taught me well and I say that with a smile, for you have taught me well because God is the one that taught me. He's the one that taught me this how sweet your words taste to me. They're sweeter than honey.
Speaker 1:Your commands give me understanding. No wonder I hate every false way of life. No wonder I hate every false way of life. Your word is a lamp to guide my feet Light for my path. I've promised it once and I'll promise it again I will obey your righteous regulations. I have suffered much. Oh Lord, restore my life again as you promised. Lord, accept my offerings of praise and teach me your regulations. My life constantly hangs in the balance, but I will not stop obeying your instructions. The wicked have set their traps for me, but I will not turn from your commandments. Your law, your laws are my treasures, they are my heart, they are my heart's delight. I am determined to keep your decrees to the very end. Go ahead and read verse 113. Keep going and go ahead and read verse 113.
Speaker 2:Keep going. So 113 says I hate those with divided loyalties. You just heard me say pick a side.
Speaker 1:That's why I said go on and read it, go on and put the word out.
Speaker 2:I love your instructions. You are my refuge and my shield. Your word is my source of hope. Get out of my life you evil minded people, for I intend to obey the commands of my God. Lord, sustain me, as you promised that I may live. Do not let my hope be crushed. Sustain me and I will be rescued. Then I will meditate continuously on your decrees.
Speaker 2:But you have rejected all who stray from your decrees. They are only fooling themselves. You skim off the wicked of the earth like scum. No wonder I love to obey your laws. I tremble in fear of you. I stand in awe of your regulations. Don't lead me to the mercies of my enemies, for I have done what is just and right. Please guarantee me a guarantee, a blessing for me. Don't let the arrogant oppress me. My eyes strain to see your rescue, to see the truth of your promise fulfilled.
Speaker 2:I am your servant. Deal with me in unfailing love and teach me your decrees. Give discernment to me, your servant, then I will understand your laws. Lord, it is time for you to act, for these evil people have violated your instructions Truly. I love your commands more than gold, even the finest gold. Each of your commandments is right. That is why I hate every false way. Your law is wonderful. No wonder I obey them. The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand. I paint with expectations, longing for your commands. Come and show me your mercies, as you do for all who love your name. Guide my steps by your word so I would not be overcome by evil. Ransom me from the oppression of evil people, then I can obey your commandments. Look upon me with love. Teach me your decrees. Rivers of tears gush from my eyes because, because people disobey your instructions. Man, listen.
Speaker 1:This, this word is something else. You know, time is getting away from us, man. I mean, I'm into it, I'm all into it. So y'all should see me over here. I'm like, oh God, keep speaking. God, let the people hear you.
Speaker 1:But that's what's happening. He is speaking and he wants you guys to understand what's written in the word, what's written in the book of instructions, the Bible, you know. Open it up and start to read it. You're going to gain insight, insight. You're going to know which way to go, you're going to know who is who. And guess who's going to give you all the insight that you need? Your father. He loves you, he wants you to know more about who he is. And you know, because the time is running out, we're going to have to catch back up with next week. But listen, my words of encouragement to you is get into your words, start to read your word. You know, allow the Lord to order your steps. Well, allow the Lord to order your steps and he will do just that. Do you have anything? You want to leave them with Savannah?
Speaker 2:The word of God says study to show thyself approved. Get into the word for yourself. Learn the word for yourself. You don't have to go by somebody else's teaching. You don't know if it's false or if it's real. Get into the word, learn it for yourself, taste and see what is good because this word is it's good, it's delicious, it's so, it's sweet like honey.
Speaker 1:That's what songs, that's what david said. It's sweet like honey, listen. Thank you, latems. That's what David said. It's sweet like honey, listen. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for listening in to Inside Beauty Inspires. We will be back next week to follow up on Psalms 119. I'm telling you, that's where it's at. Go ahead and get into it. Peace. I'm ready to go, ready for more. I'm ready for new, like a straight up start. You already know.