Inside Beauty Inspires
Inside Beauty Inspires takes on real life experiences and introduces the Word of God to help believers to navigate peaks and valleys fearlessly. Real, raw, & relevant, Inside Beauty Inspires seeks to unleash a fresh anointing in the atmosphere. Our goal is to connect our listeners to “the plug”, Christ Jesus, a savior who has paid the price for all of our sins and wants nothing more than to see His children win!
Inside Beauty Inspires
Embracing Authentic Relationships: Unveiling Divine Wisdom, Navigating Jealousy, and Cultivating Heartfelt Friendships
Ever wondered how authentic relationships can shape your spiritual journey? In this enlightening episode of "Inside Beauty Inspires," we are thrilled to welcome back Savannah Grant to explore the profound wisdom hidden in Proverbs 27:17, "Iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend." Through heartfelt discussions, we emphasize the importance of building trust-based connections that foster mutual support and spiritual growth, aligning perfectly with God's vision for unity and collective strength. Join us as we unpack the true essence of authentic relationships that go beyond social media facades, and learn how to discern true guidance through divine wisdom.
The episode goes deeper into the perils of pride and jealousy, drawing rich insights from biblical teachings. We shine a light on the dangers of boasting without acknowledging God's will and how arrogance can lead to detrimental consequences. The discussion also contrasts human jealousy with the just and redemptive jealousy of God, providing valuable lessons on humility and contentment. Stories like that of Cain and Abel serve as poignant reminders of the destructive power of envy and the importance of gratitude and honest communication in maintaining healthy friendships.
To wrap up, we reflect on the critical need for speaking truth in love and the transformative power of maintaining a clean heart and spirit. Personal anecdotes and biblical stories underscore the significance of offering constructive criticism in friendships, even when it's uncomfortable. We also dive into the concept of divine orchestration, emphasizing the importance of faith and seeking God's counsel in all circumstances. By the end of this episode, you'll be inspired to embrace new beginnings with renewed wisdom, gratitude, and a deep commitment to building authentic relationships that honor God's plan for our lives.
new, new, new, everything new, new, new, new, new, new, everything new. I'm ready to go. Hello. Hello, it is stephanie l harrison and you are now listening into inside beauty inspires, where we motivate, encourage and inspire through biblical principles. I want to take the time to welcome back to the show Savannah Grant. Savannah, I've missed you in the studio. Welcome back.
Speaker 2:Hello, hello. I missed you too. I miss being able to share this wonderful word with the followers, the listeners, so I guess we're just going to jump right back into it.
Speaker 1:Amen, amen. Let's jump into this word because, listen, we've been into the book of Proverbs and again, savannah, you know, I like when we have, like when I have somebody in here with me because I'm able to ask questions. I'm able to. You know, there's a flow the book of Proverbs. You know, the Holy Spirit spoke to me in the beginning of July and said I want you to study the book of Proverbs with the ladies of ISI. Shout out, ladies of ISI. Is it not the best thing far as getting a refresher on what the word of God says regarding wisdom?
Speaker 2:Yes, most definitely it's what we go through on a day to day basis. It's real. It's real, it's raw and it's what we go through as a people. So Proverbs is definitely one of those books that you dive into and get wisdom, and it just teaches you how you should conduct yourself, the manner that you should conduct yourself, so I absolutely love it.
Speaker 1:I do too, and I'm going to tell you what I find so interesting. You know I've been talking about Solomon, we've been talking about David's lineage and you know Solomon's, david's son, and knowing the things that that came from that line, knowing the things that they went through, getting more detail to the way that the world operated during that time, is it not similar to the way that the world is operating now? Yes, just different times.
Speaker 2:But it's yet it's the same.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's the same Right. You know, solomon was also the one that said there's nothing new under the sun. You know, he wrote the book of Ecclesiastes, which tells you about life. So you know, one thing that I can honestly say about our father is he knows how to set us up. He set his children up, you know, he put everything in the Bible, and if those who have ears to hear hear the words that I'm speaking today, it's time for you to start taking God seriously and get into your word, because this word isn't just for me, it's just not for Savannah, it's for everybody who's willing to taste and see how good God can make their lives if they trust and believe, if they trust and believe. You know, this weekend we're now in the book of Proverbs 27, proverbs 27. And so today we're going to go through Proverbs 27,.
Speaker 1:But there's one Proverbs Proverbs 27, 17 is one of those words that I've been standing on for a long time. Proverbs 27, 17 says iron sharpens iron. So a friend sharpens a friend. So, then, this is one of my favorite scriptures, and the reason why this is one of my favorite scriptures is because we need each other, whether we realize it or not. I need you, you need me. Scriptures is because we need each other, whether we realize it or not. I need you, you need me, we need each other. I think that when God created the world, he created us for one another, to empower, encourage, inspire one another. In the word of God, he chose people, and so you know. Again, I want to take this time out to thank you again for just being a part of ISI, the prayer call. That's the name of it and that's what we, that's what we try, or I try to model, you know, when it comes down to the word of God, because we all need sharpening, we all are on the potter's wheel. We don't know all there is to know in life. We're not the same person that we were 10 years ago, let alone 20 years ago. But God has a way of, at the right place, the right time, and it's through a word, but it's his word.
Speaker 1:I want to take this time out and read this real quick before we jump into this actual book. It says relationships take work. Others of the same mind and spirit can help us mature our faith and walk in truth. It takes work and dedication to sharpen iron and it takes work and dedication to be a friend. Casual friends or acquaintances can't nonchalantly address our issues or polish out our flaws. To build a relationship where there's enough mutual trust and spiritual agreement to work through problems together requires a foundation of love and connection. The work of a relationship must first be embraced before two friends can sharpen each other. The Lord made us to live in a community, have the support and the accountability of friends and family and walk through life with others. We are not supposed to hide away in comfortable mediocrity. God's intention is for us to embrace community relationships and all the human variables which accompany being vulnerable with others.
Speaker 1:Wow, did I not just speak those words in my own term? Yep, this is what it's about. This is why Inside Beauty Inspires is here to deliver the word, to give the word. Relationships take work. How will we know which way to go? Unless God gives it, unless somebody is sent to give you the word? Right, right.
Speaker 1:And so for me, iron sharpens iron. It's more than just a verse, it's a lifestyle. It's a lifestyle for me. And to know that God kept his hands right there with me, even when I wanted to give up, even when I was tired of calling in every morning, he steadied me. Steadfastness is a real thing, dedication is a real thing, diligence is a real thing, and I'm saying these words because that's what you've shown since you've joined the prayer call. You've been all of those things, and so you know. I want to say thank you for sharpening me, because you have, you've taught me a lot of things, things especially with what you've gone through. So you know, when it comes down to this word, I know that God is doing it in his timing, but I know that if we are in alignment to what his word says, then we're going to be in the right place at the right time, just like you're here today. What are your thoughts on on that word? Iron sharpens iron.
Speaker 2:For me today, iron sharpens iron is a big deal, because I've had people in my life in the past that hasn't sharpened me, that I thought had my genuine well being as a concern and they really didn't. So, for me today, those type of values that you have with iron sharpens iron, um, with relationships, those good relationships of value, mean so much to me. Um, because you, you don't have a lot of authentic people today. Um, for me, how society is today, because it's changed so much since I left with social media, um, just the world period.
Speaker 2:You have all these different platforms and you have people wanting to and I'm just going to say it for lack of better words they just want to be relevant and jump on people's bandwagon, not really having a mind of their own and not really standing for something. You know, I was always taught if you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything, and so a lot of people. That's how the world is today. So I'm going to value those relationships that that people give me now, that's in my circle, that genuinely cares about me, that has my best interests at heart, when I'm in need, when I need a word of encouragement, is there and it's right on time always always, because God is who he says he is.
Speaker 1:Savannah, you know, the Bible says the steps of a good man is ordered, and I truly do believe that. What I've been realizing here is that, you know, in Jeremiah 29, 11, for I know the plans I have for you, right Plans? Now, that word plan is mentioned in the Bible a lot. I've realized this getting into the word, seeking his face, the plans you have and the plans God has, and God knows who, what, where, when and why. Nothing throws God off, nothing. We're thrown off, but God is never thrown off, and so, for me, I value those relationships too, because I've come encounter with the same exact type of people.
Speaker 1:Authenticity is not something that is. That is something that should be relevant, but it isn't, unfortunately. People like fake news, people like things that are fake. I mean, it's a real thing, and when you really are a real person, well, I don't want to say a real person, because people are real, but when you really are authentic, people don't even know how to take people that are real no more, because in this world on social media, you can be whoever you want to be, whoever you want to be whoever you want to be.
Speaker 2:I also learned that in prison, because you have people coming in from all different walks of life. Yes, and I mean all of them. You had school teachers, you had nurses, you had attorneys, paralegals, and then you had your, your common person from everyday life, and you had your drug addicts. So you had all these different type of people and you could come in nobody knowing who you really are. Until somebody comes in and know who you really are, you can be whoever you want to be, and it's the same way on social media Absolutely, absolutely.
Speaker 1:Absolutely.
Speaker 2:And people love the drama and the messiness. That's what I see gets people attention now.
Speaker 1:It does. It does, and I think that you know a part of it too is that they can relate in a sense, because when you're just like the person that's doing it, there's two different types of people out here in this world. You do have those who are real and you have those who are fake. The Bible says there's two ways to live you can have the blessed life or you can have the cursed life. The choice is up to you. But if you're in, like you said, when you and I think about what you just said if, when you go into a population or to an area with all those different personalities aka the earth, the world If you don't know who you are, who you are, or if you don't have the creator giving you directions, ordering your steps, then you'll do whatever you feel is important, whatever you feel like you want to. And I'll even say this Some people don't even understand when I say this, but even when you make those mistakes, they're still a part of the journey. All of this is a part of the journey, all of this is part of the plan, and so you know. I thank you so much for for weighing in on that because, to be honest with you. Proverbs 27, 17 is again. It's more than that scripture, it's the way of life, because we need one another to survive. Whether we realize this thing or not, we really truly do, and it comes by the hearing of the word really truly do and it comes by the hearing of the word. You know, we're always talking about Jesus and talking about God and you hear people talking about faith and God did this and God did that, and they, they align a lot of things to God. But is there true power there? That's the problem for me. Is there true power there, or are there words with no power? Are there, um, people that look the part but are not really the part? It's a real thing, you know.
Speaker 1:I'm saying and not trying to deviate off of the subject at hand, because we are talking about iron, sharp and iron. It's just that in this world, you got to be careful who you allow to sharpen. You Ain't no other way to put it Right. You know, absolutely, if you don't have wisdom, you will say yes to everybody that comes your way, giving you a word or giving you some encouragement because it sounds good. But is God in it? And that's the ultimate thing, right there? Is God a part of the equation. So we're going to jump into the book of Proverbs 27, because, again, we've been studying the book of Proverbs throughout this month and you guys are going to hear it on the 27th. It says, and as I read, I'm going to have Savannah to give you guys a little more insight on what this Proverbs mean. Okay, verse one says do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day will bring. What does the commentary say about this?
Speaker 2:savannah. The commentary says we don't know what tomorrow holds. The bible says, but too many people strut around talking boldly about what they're going to do with it. What does God say about such arrogance? Don't boast about tomorrow, for you don't know what tomorrow might bring. It's a sin, then, to brag about all the deals we're going to cut without a thought to what God's mind is on the subject. The hospital emergency room is full of people who had plans for tomorrow. So is the cemetery. Now, that was a word.
Speaker 1:Yeah and think about it. It's a sin. It's a sin, the things that we call sin. If you get into the word, you'll see what that type of sin look like. Verse two says let someone else praise you and not your own mouth, and outsider and not your own lips.
Speaker 2:What does your commentary say Don't claim to love your christian brothers and sisters if you won't demonstrate your love by your actions. Concealed love is worthless. Better to speak the truth than love and give a a straying brother or sister an open rep.
Speaker 1:You man, when needed so, in other words, as believers, we know the beginning and end. Purpose for everything is God and his glory. Our self praise is futile and will fade quickly. So engaging in the praise of our heavenly father is eternal engagement. Don't become derailed, chasing attention and praise for ourselves. But Savannah, this is what people do. It may feel good for a moment, but ultimately it leads to nothing. Furthermore, it's uncommonly to draw attention to our good works. If we're living godly lives, others will notice, naturally, and they can draw attention to our good deeds as a testimony of Christ working in us.
Speaker 1:First Peter, five, six and seven says Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God and he may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for he cares for you. God knows we desire recognition, praise and honor, but he will bring it in His way at His time. It should not come from our lips. Do you not know how many people do this that are not aware that it's in the word that is written? Let's keep going. Stone is heavy and sand a burden, but a fool's provocation is heavier than both. What does that mean? Mean what?
Speaker 2:does it say in the commentary Solomon makes clear that a fool, the one who rejects the wisdom of God's offer, has no redeeming value. He's pathetic and has nothing to offer. Why would anyone choose his way? Yet young people do so every day. Parents, love your children enough to teach them and model for them that life lived from the divine point of view will bring them blessings and joy.
Speaker 1:If you do what God say, do. If you do what God say, do. If you do what God say, do, do you see and listen? We need to be teaching our children this book, the book of Proverbs, because that's a real statement. Pathetic, that's what it said Pathetic.
Speaker 2:They won't listen, pathetic and has nothing to offer.
Speaker 1:Let's keep going. Verse four Anger is cruel and furry Over and furry, overwhelming. But who can stand before jealousy? I want to hear what it has to say about that, because that word right there, that's a real yes it is, yes, it is speak on jealousy girl because Solomon says jealousy is more relevant than anger.
Speaker 2:Solomon says I'm gonna repeat that Solomon says jealousy is more relevant than anger. Don't foolishly, don't foolishly make yourself its target don't foolishly make it yourself.
Speaker 1:Its Wrath is fierce and anger is a flood, but who can stand before jealousy? Wow See, let me tell y'all something Human jealousy is an ugly quality. It wreaks possessiveness and distrust. God's jealousy, however, is not merited, but it also saves us from hell and draws us to him. When we are jealous, it is because someone has what we want.
Speaker 1:Perhaps we feel threatened, slighted or underappreciated. Whatever the cause, our response to jealousy should be to bring it before God and ask him to remind us how blessed we truly are. On the other hand, god has every right to be jealous of us, because he is our creator, savior and sustainer. Not only do we exist because of him and for him, but he paid a high price to redeem us back to himself. He is unwilling to share with us, with the world, because he wants and deserves his holy church. He is unwilling to share us with the world because he wants and deserves his holy church. Speak on jealousy, because here's the truth of the matter. I've came up across this one, you've come up across this one. This one is a real thing, and I don't think people realize how big of a thing jealousy is. But jealousy is the ugliest trait that you can have Weigh in on.
Speaker 2:So for me, jealousy can look like a number of things. For me, I don't know what that looks like, because that's not in my DNA, girl, thank God. Thank God, it's not in my DNA. It's never been a part of who I am, although that word has been attached to me for some time now Wow.
Speaker 2:But if you really and truly know who I am as a person, you would know that that isn't who I am. So when I think of jealousy, I think of it. It's really a complex emotion that compasses feelings ranging from suspicion to rage, to fear, to humiliation. It strikes people of all ages. It has no gender and it has no sexual organ origin so for me, um, people are they? They on the outside looking in, and I'm gonna speak from me and how that looks like for me yes, speak on it because I want to know people on the outside looking in.
Speaker 2:They see how you look, they see how you conduct yourself um, they see how you carry yourself, they see how you're dressed, they see how you live, but they're merely on the outside looking in when you have things um, people tend to cover covet things covet covet things, covet, covet things, whether it's in relationships, if you have a boyfriend or you have a girlfriend, okay, if you have a nice car, if you have on the latest J's or the latest outfit. People covet those things and they tend to get jealousy.
Speaker 1:The root of jealousy always come up when it comes to things, materialistic things, and that's the saddest part for me because it's real and you know and I didn't mean to interrupt, but I wanted to say that because it comes down to material stuff, stuff that you cannot take with you. They on the outside, looking in, see something and they want it. I don't have a jealous bone in my body, so when you say that's not a part of your DNA, I can identify with that Savannah, because when you know who you are, when you know whose you are, you just be yourself. You're not trying to be the latest and greatest, you're not saying look at me, you're just being you. Yes, so when you're naturally yourself, people I don't know, it's like they don't have an identity. I'm just going to say it's like they don't have an identity and they become jealous of yours, they become jealous of what you have, and it's the ugliest. In Genesis, chapter 3, we see jealousy Out the gate with Cain and Abel Yep, yep, out the gate.
Speaker 2:Two brothers, two siblings that came out the same womb.
Speaker 1:Why did one kill the other Out of jealousy? And so people act like this isn't a real thing. It is Well, they know it's a real thing but people aren't talking about it because real jealousy is coveting what you want, what you have, like if you got something that I want, don't. Nobody got nothing I want Savannah. God got everything that I want. That's right. My father do God got everything that I want my father do. But I ain't no human being like, yeah, you might, you might have a little bit more money than me, you might have a bigger house than me. Congratulations, the same way that you're blessed with it. I won't even say it that way because I ain't even looking at you like that and thinking on a different magnitude.
Speaker 2:with the cars, with the houses, with titles, with having all of these things attached to you. People on the outside looking in don't know what comes along with that. They don't know. Excuse me, the hell that you've been through. They don't they don't get to that point to get what. What God has for you, what he has for you, is for you. That's it. It's for you your time. If you wait, if it's for you, you're going to get it.
Speaker 1:You're going to get it. The Bible says that he said. He said in one of his scriptures he adds riches and he adds no sorrow. He maketh one rich and adds no sorrow. God is the one that's doing it. But you made a very valid point. You don't know the hell that I've been through to be where God has me in in my life.
Speaker 1:You know both envy and jealousy desire something they want or don't have, but jealousy often takes it a step further. Jealousy takes it a step further. I had pulled this up on my on my phone and I want to read it. It says an example of how the difference in envy and jealousy could possibly play out. A friend recently found out she's expecting. She and her husband were happy about the news, even though they didn't plan on starting a family for years, but in the blink of an eye she has it all.
Speaker 1:You, however, have a heart that breaks a little more each month, a strained family budget due to fertility tests and treatments, and an emptiness that's hard to feel Envy. As a friend, you are genuinely happy for her. You pray for her and the baby, but you wish you were experiencing the same joyful news. There is a tinge of sadness and discontentment, but it's overridden by joy for your friend and your trust in God's timing. Jealousy, that tinge of sadness, lingers, eventually allowing bitterness to take root in your heart. Thoughts like she wasn't even trying to get pregnant play in your mind on repeat, Resentment grows and the desire to spend time with her begins to wane and eventually the friendship ends.
Speaker 1:Disappointment leads to sadness, which leads to discontentment, opening the door to bitterness to take root, for resentment to grow. This is a real thing, Savannah. It's a real thing and I, you know I didn't want to just ball down on that one, because we're just only on verse four, right, but this is something that a lot of people experience. This is something that you've experienced. This is something that I've experienced, so we can speak to the expert we can speak to this for me.
Speaker 2:When you're dealing with a person, that's jealousy to me, it says that that person carries low self-esteem, to covet, to possess things, things, things that other people have is is is just crazy to me.
Speaker 1:You know, and it sounds weird for you to say it because people don't I mean, I get what you're saying. I trust me. I understand verbatim what you say. I.
Speaker 2:I really it's hard for me to speak on it because it's it's not something that I possess have.
Speaker 1:I experienced it absolutely my entire life, and so you see, I had to look up at, I had to look up. Oh, I had to get it out. I had to get old.
Speaker 2:I can't really. It can come from a place where, first and foremost like I said, I believe it comes from low self-esteem, insecurities or even fear fear being abandonment. Depending on the type of jealousy and the type of thing that they're coveting over, it can even go as far as a mental illness, because some people are just sick with jealousy. They're sick with it.
Speaker 1:It's just not a good trait. No, it's not. It ain't something that I've ever struggled with. So when you say I step, you know, I really don't know exactly how to describe it. I get it because when you never really looked at a person like that or have ever wanted anything anyone had, that's why I said you see, I had to look it up on Google, I had to put it in Google for Google to give me, you know, like, some background to it. Even though I can speak to it now, of people being jealous of what God is doing in your life, it's not something that you want to experience, because it starts to make you question who you are Right, you know. It starts to make you look at yourself. When you know there ain't nothing wrong with you, when you know you're walking by the word of God, you start looking at yourself like am I doing something wrong? You know, did I do this? Did I make you feel this way? No, this is something that's on the inside of them, right, and it's nothing that you've done Nothing.
Speaker 2:It's absolutely not. I believe that it comes from the root of it comes from a person's inability to see what God has provided for them in their life and a lack of thankfulness.
Speaker 1:And a lack of thankfulness.
Speaker 2:Yeah, thankfulness and a lack of thankfulness yeah, why not be? At a place in your life of thankfulness and a contentment, what God has provided for you at this time girl.
Speaker 1:That's why Solomon was talking about it in Ecclesiastes. He was talking about the seasons, and there's a time for everything. It's a season, it's time for everything. God sends the rain. When those trees, some kind of way, they communicate with God, like yo, where you at, they don't have to beg God to send rain. It's going to rain in its proper season In its proper season. But in the book of Deuteronomy he says that I will send rain in its proper time when you choose the blessed life right.
Speaker 1:These trees and birds are blessed. We know that. That's why he always referenced into it. You can learn from the birds. They don't have a. What does he say? They have food. They don't know where they're going to get their food, for God provides for them. He said they don't have a care in the world. The trees they grow. They're deeply rooted, but the rain from heaven comes down and waters them and they grow. Why don't we think God's going to do the same thing for us While we're out here wondering or trying to see what other people are getting or how they're getting it? God has a plan and a position for you as well, if you're patient and wait on God. And then another reason why people aren't seeing it and the reason why people are jealous is because they don't realize that you really are doing it God's way, so you can put on a mask.
Speaker 1:Have you ever seen the movie Mask with Jim Carrey? Yes, okay, jim Carrey put this mask on, and when you put this mask on, you can be in it. He got bold. I'm talking about he even had women. The mask brought all kinds of things, but it was a mask. It was a mask. And what if you're coveting somebody that's wearing a whole mask? What if you're wanting something that ain't even original?
Speaker 2:people want that too right, that's not even authentic, girl. It's not even real. It's not even real, it's a facade. It, girl, it's not even real. It's not even real, it's a facade. It's a facade.
Speaker 1:It's a facade and I'm going to tell y'all something. Typically, what I like to do, I do, I like to get into this word and I like to um, I like to really like. I'd be like all right, let's go to Galatians. We're right there in the middle of the scripture while we um, while we're doing go to Galatians. We're right there in the middle of the scripture while we're doing it, because Galatians 5 is speaking about this very thing. But I do want to continue to keep going, so let's just do this here before we go to Galatians 5. I'm going to go to Galatians 5 because I'm going to get y'all to work, but I don't want time to get away from us. So we didn't mean to spend a lot of time, but we did.
Speaker 1:When I say we didn't but we did, meaning this day is the 27th, is Proverbs 27th. We're doing what that says to Lord. This was the word of the Lord and it's something for us to understand. Now, verse five and six go hand in hand, and I'm a read it together, because I need y'all to understand what it says. Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Better is open rebuke than hidden love wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses. Man, listen to me. Tell me what the commentary said before I go in don't.
Speaker 2:Don't claim to love your christ Christian brother or sister If you won't demonstrate your love by your actions. Concealed love is worthless. Better to speak the truth in love and give a a strand brother or sister, and open reprimand when needed. The wounds of a friend are trustworthy, but the kisses of an enemy are excessive. In other words, better friends who will, with love, wounds us for our good than someone who excessively kisses up to us and never tells it like it is. After all, didn't, didn't Judas betray Jesus with the kiss? A true friend corrects you when you're wrong. A legitimate, a legitimate friend would never absolve you of the evil you do. And that's so true if I genuinely even if I don't genuinely care about you. I'm just gonna tell you the truth I got not.
Speaker 1:No, I don't know no other way to be. I don't know no other way to be. I don't.
Speaker 1:I do not, you may not want to hear, I'm gonna say it people born with this. This is something people born with right. It's something people born with. You can try to fake it. You can try to be, act like you. Something I'm going to give it to you, whether you like it or not. This is what it says here.
Speaker 1:A real friend will offer a rebuke instead of lip service. A good friend cares more about being honest and helpful than being liked. Flattery feels good, but it accomplishes nothing. Honest criticism can help us mature and learn, especially when giving lovely and carefully.
Speaker 1:God is a true friend who doesn't hide his love. He openly gives his rebuke because he cares enough about our growth. If we want to be more like God, we ought to consider what kind of friend we are. Do we only say nice things and avoid uncomfortable conversations, or are we ready and willing to challenge our loved ones, to confront their sins and address the problems? We need friends like this and we need to be friends like this. Let's be loving and honest so our friends know we are trustworthy and reliable.
Speaker 1:But let me tell you what has happened in my life. I've dealt with things like this. I can speak to it, and it's a very passionate place because when you're doing what the Lord says, it's not the same as the world. You don't see things the way the world sees things. You see things from his perspective when he's growing you up and he's the one that's ushering you, he's the one that's teaching you, he's the one that's showing you. So when he gives you an assignment and he tells you, I need you to say this this way to this person and they can't receive it, what do you do with that Savannah? You've done your part.
Speaker 2:I did my part and see that's the thing with people. That's the thing they don't want to hear the truth, they don't like constructive criticism and make you out to be the bad guy because it's coming from you.
Speaker 1:Well, you got to take it up from God. You got to take it up with God Because, at the end of the day, I didn't get to choose, god, you didn't get to choose, did you? When we say, oh God, use me, use me, do we get to tell him how?
Speaker 2:to use? No, absolutely not. You have to be a willing vessel and when you, when you are willing to lay your life down and do what thus says the Lord, that can look any type of way.
Speaker 1:I got people right now that feel some kind of way, because they let a root of bitterness get inside of them from something else that happened in their lives long ago. God brought me in their life to help get from where they are to where they want it to be. I know who I am. I will never let nobody tell me who I am because, savannah, I get up every morning and I seek his face. I want to know him. My life is a reflection of my faith. But when people do this, it causes you to want to do exactly what my card told me not to Go into a corner. Let me just be quiet. I don't want to offend anybody. I'm going to say it the wrong way. You start questioning your very self on the very thing that God gave you. It's not fair, but it's real. It's not fair, but it's real. It's real. And the only reason why I'm speaking like this y'all is because it's happened to me multiple times, multiple times. And guess what? It comes back to those unseen sins lurking in our heart.
Speaker 2:Lurking in our heart Psalms 19.
Speaker 1:We don't know we don't know.
Speaker 2:That's why you have to crucify the flesh daily daily.
Speaker 1:Not people think you go to church on Sunday and go to Bible study on.
Speaker 2:Wednesday and that's it. You have to have a relationship, you got to have a relationship. You can say you can wear crosses on your neck, come on. You can say I love God. You can say you can, you can wear crosses on your neck, come on. You can say I love God. You can say you can speak of God. You can even speak scripture. Quote it. The devil knows the scripture Quote it.
Speaker 2:He was one of God's angels, most beautiful angels, but he thought he was going to get up there. He did have that takeover Jezebel spirit. Come on and do what he wanted to. Do he wanted to. And that's how people in the world are.
Speaker 1:Did it have anything to do with jealousy?
Speaker 2:It had a lot to do with jealousy. Did he want to be like God? He wanted to be like God. It's only one of him.
Speaker 1:And we all see what happened, with Satan wanting to be like God.
Speaker 2:Let me tell you something you can be jealous, you can be a liar, you can be a backbiter, you can be all of these things, but good always overcomes evil Always. You're not going to win. No, when you come up against a child of God, you're in a losing battle.
Speaker 1:And see Country Wayne said it Leave God cheering alone. God, show up for them, kids, and you're going to end up hurting yourself, trying to hurt them.
Speaker 2:And you don't know the anointing that people carry.
Speaker 1:You don't know what rank people carry. Honey, you don't. Foolishness. That's why people forfeit the blessing Foolishness.
Speaker 1:Isaiah was a prophet. He spoke what God told him to say, whether the people wanted to hear it or not. Guess what God did, his big one? He destroyed everything for the precious cornerstone. And not even talk about this cornerstone, because everybody know when the cornerstone came on, he was tripping everybody up. Wait, you ain't doing it the way Moses did it. Moses did it this way.
Speaker 1:Hold on, this, ain't right, satan a sinner, sinner. They criticize the things they don't understand and then they start to poke fun and mock. That's not a good place to be. No, it's not. No, it's not Because God said get rid of everything.
Speaker 1:He wanted to get rid of all the people, for God's sake. In Exodus 34. But he said at this point in the book of Isaiah because we're in the book of Isaiah on the prayer call he wanted to get rid of everything and start over. Y'all, don't listen, y'all do what you want to do, what you want me to say. I'm trying, I'm trying. Let's keep going here, y'all, because I mean, this day is the word of God, and I'll say this before we go any further. It says pushing against the grain of modern culture. Can't we all just get along mentality?
Speaker 1:These verses say that having a friend who will tell the truth is valuable, even when that truth is difficult or unwelcome. In fact, people who only tell their acquaintances what they want to hear are not friends but enemies. These verses point to the gospel of Jesus Christ, not only because Jesus was kissed by an enemy masquerading the mask as a friend, but also because the cross of Christ is meant to transform the daily lives of believers. If God's people really believe what scripture says about the cross, then they can both give and receive a rebuke without getting angry. The cross reveals that all people are sinners, so believers should be able to accept their friend's correction.
Speaker 1:Believers in cross find comfort not in delusional self-righteousness, but in the knowledge that Christ paid the penalty for all of our sins. All of us fall short of the glory of God. It's just one of those things where don't let the enemy use you, because he will, he will. You will think oh well, god did this and God did that. Okay, god did. Verse 7 says one who is full loathes honey from the comb. But to the hungry, even what is bitter tastes sweet. Even what is bitter tastes sweet what it say what?
Speaker 2:it say Savannah Lord have mercy. Don't take the things you have for granted. Someone somewhere would be grateful to have them.
Speaker 1:But to the hungry, even what is bitter tastes sweet. Like a bird that flees its nest. Is anyone who flees from home Like a bird that flees its nest? Is anyone who flees from home?
Speaker 2:What is that? The wandering man Solomon describes is not merely out for a stroll. He's wandering away from responsibilities and into trouble, like a bird wandering from its nest. He's abandoning his own protection. So if you had to just stayed.
Speaker 1:Read it one more time for the people in the back please.
Speaker 2:The wandering man Solomon describes is not merely out of out for a stroll. He's wandering away from responsibilities and into trouble, like a bird wandering from its nest. He's abandoning his own protection. So when you stay with God on the right side, you can always be protected, every single time.
Speaker 1:The Bible say no weapon formed against me shall prosper, and I stand on that word, verse 9. Perfume and incense brings joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from the heartfelt advice of friends' counsel. What does it say about a friend's counsel?
Speaker 2:Few things bring joy and blessings like a trustworthy friend. A faithful friend would speak godly counsel into your life and is always willing to come when needed. Seek out such a friend and become such a friend. That is so true that's so true, even if I don't know you, I'm gonna always tell you to do the right thing and not the wrong when people call me about their problems, what's the first thing I ask them?
Speaker 1:Savannah, what did God say? Do?
Speaker 2:you talk to God.
Speaker 1:You got to talk to him, do you talk to him you have before you fly off the handle? Do you talk to God before you respond emotionally? Do you talk to God?
Speaker 2:the word of God says be angry but sin not. You know I wasn't gonna go and talk about this and I'm not gonna go into a whole long drawn-out details, but I've had so many people call me this week in reference to interviews and what I need to do and you should do this and you should do that, and my response to that is I'm going to do what God say to me.
Speaker 1:Come on, savannah, say it again. You're going to do what?
Speaker 2:I'm going to do what God says.
Speaker 1:do that's the only way to move.
Speaker 2:That is the move. There's no other way. When you do things off of emotions, you're going to mess up, you're going to miss and you're going to set yourself up for a trap that you're going to fall in.
Speaker 1:And honey, and you don't know how you're going to come up out of it because of what you did. Some people are unaware. That's why the Bible says my children perish for lack of knowledge. You don't even know, you don't even know. See the Bible says in 1 Corinthians I use the foolish things of this world. That's what I conceal stuff in the foolishness of this world.
Speaker 2:And what doesn't look right to men, to people may look foolish, but God said I will use the foolish things. And it brings me back to what God told me some time ago what I did, what happened to me, what led me to prison. I did this thing, I've taken accountability for it from the beginning and I've heard and I've read the comments that people say. But I know what God said In spite of what I did, he said that he will get the glory. See, sometimes you have to go through a thing, you have to go through mess into the world. It looks like a foolish thing, but God is in the background. Yes, orchestrating. Yes, foolish thing, but God is in the background, yes, orchestrating. Yes, he knows the beginning to the end.
Speaker 2:And he told me that I would have the glory, yes, god, and in the end he is gonna have the glory oh, let me tell you something.
Speaker 1:The word says. The bible says he'll never put those to shame who trust in him. He said he'll never put those to shame with Trust, sam Savannah. If you believe that, then you know that's true. Has he put you to shame?
Speaker 2:yet he hasn't. The world thinks that he's put me to shame. See what they don't know. He orchestrated this whole thing.
Speaker 1:Oh yeah.
Speaker 2:He said that he would set you up for a major comeback. Yes, he did. The comeback is on the way. Listen, let me tell y'all, it's in the making.
Speaker 1:You got me on one. Now I'm going to tell you why you got me on one. Because I was trying to tell the people last week. I was ready to tell these people last week about the story in 1 Kings, when the man had the vision and saw them. Y'all I can go to it. I'm getting excited. That's why I'm going down. But it was a prophet and the prophet God, allowed the prophet to see a vision. I don't want to run from this, but I got to. Got to run to it because of what you just said. People don't think that God be setting things up. He does.
Speaker 2:People be like. Everything isn't of the like, everything isn't yeah, everything isn't of the world, everything isn't the devil.
Speaker 1:No.
Speaker 2:Everything isn't evil. No, god is the great orchestrator.
Speaker 1:God is the great when I read this, sorry Girl, when I read this Go to first, come on, come on and turn to firstst King, chapter 22 with me we gonna y'all. I'm sorry we didn't get to go through the whole Proverbs 27 because you know. But don't worry, but there's more. Listen, we'll pick back up. I got to say this Tell me when you at 1st Kings 22.
Speaker 1:All right, for three years there was no war between Aram and Israel. But in the third year, josaphat, king of Judah, went down to see the king of Israel. The king of Israel had said to his officials Don't you know that Ramoth-Galad belongs to us? And yet we are doing nothing to retake it from the king Aram. So he asked Josaphat, will you go fight with me against Ramoth? The lad Joseph, that and listen, I know I might not be even pronouncing these words right Charges to my head and not my heart. Joseph replied to the king of Israel I am as you are, my people, as it says. I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses. But Joseph also said to the king of Israel first seek the counsel of the Lord, first seek the counsel of the Lord. So the king of Israel brought together the prophets about 400 men it's okay, 400 men and asked them shall I go to war against Ramoth-Galad or shall I refrain? Go? They answered, for the Lord will give it into the king's hand. But Josaphat asked is there no longer a prophet of the Lord here whom we can inquire of? The king of Israel answered Joseph that there is still one prophet, though, whom we can inquire of the Lord. But I hate him because he never prophesizes anything good about me, but always bad. He is Micaiah, son of Imala. The king should not say such a thing, joseph replied. So the king of Israel called one of his officials and said Bring Micaiah, son of Imala.
Speaker 1:At once, dressed in their royal robes, the king of Israel and Joseph, king of Judah, were sitting on their thrones at the threshing floor, by the entrance of the gate, with all the prophets prophesying before them. Now Zezekiah, son of Canaan, had made iron horns and he had declared this is what the Lord says With these you are, with these, you will gore the Arameans until they are destroyed. All the other prophets were prophesying the same thing. Attack Ramoth-Galad and be victorious, they said, for the Lord will give it, give it into the King's hand. What? What? Now I'm going to tell y'all. Y'all heard my sister. She told y'all I'm going to do what God told me to Listen to what Micaiah said.
Speaker 1:As surely as the Lord lives, I can tell him only what the Lord tells me. Can't tell you what you want me to say. I got to tell you what the Lord told me to say. When he arrived, the king asked Micaiah, shall we go to war against Ramoth the lad, or not? Attack and be victorious. He said, for the Lord will give it into the king's hand. Then the king said to him how many times must I make you swear to tell me nothing but the truth in the name of the Lord? Then Micaiah answered I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd, and the Lord said these people have no master. Let each one go home in peace. The king of Israel said to Josaphat. Then I tell you that he never prophesizes anything about anything good about me, but only bad. He was the prophet of the lord. I'm gonna tell you what god told me to say.
Speaker 1:Micaiah continued therefore, hear the word of the lord, wait for y'all, just wait for it. I saw the lord sitting on his throne with all the multitudes of heaven standing around him, on his right and on his left. And the Lord said who will entice Ahab into attacking Ramoth and going to his death there? One suggested this and another that finally say finally, finally, finally, a spirit came forward and stood before the Lord and said I will entice him. By what means? The Lord asked I will go out and be a deceiving spirit in the mouths of all his prophets. He said you will succeed in enticing him, said the Lord, go and do it. Don't tell me that God won't set it up. I said all of that. You hear me. I said all of that to say this God has set it up. He caused it to happen the way that it did. I'm talking about the story. So now the Lord has put a deceiving spirits in the mouth of all these prophets of yours. The Lord has decreed disaster for you.
Speaker 1:Then Zechariah, son of Canaan, went up and slapped Micaiah in the face. Which way did the spirit from the Lord go when he went from me to speak to you? He asked, god offended and slapped this man in the face. This man was speaking from God. This man spoke what he said, but you got mad at what the man said and went and slapped the prophet in the face. Listen to what Micaiah said. Micaiah said you will find out on the day you go to hide in an inner room. The king of Israel then ordered to take Micaiah and send him back to Ammon, the ruler of the city, and Joash, the king's son, and say this is what the king says Put this fellow in prison and give him nothing but bread and water until I return safely. Micaiah declared if you even return safely, the Lord has not spoken through me. Then he added mark my words, all you people. I just want to stop right here. Savannah, do you understand the gist of why I said what I said?
Speaker 1:I absolutely do, do you understand why I said Because let me tell you something. Mark my words. You do know that we're in the book of Isaiah and we're talking about this very thing right now. He said there would be like a sheep scattered in the hilltops with no master. That's what happened before Jesus came on the scene. Y'all, who did it? Who said it? Who's the author? Because people will come up against you with that too, friend, I'm just letting you know yes, you said God orchestrated. You said God, god did, he did, he did boldly for his glory.
Speaker 2:For his glory, not me, because it's not about me, it ain't about, it's not about.
Speaker 1:No, it's about the word of God. Y'all listen. I done went over my time today. I know that y'all probably be like step was on one. Oh well, listen, Get into the book of Proverbs so that you can know wisdom, and talk to your children about the book of Proverbs so you can know wisdom Also. I want to leave you with this word Start to realize how grateful you are to have all that you have. Be content with everything God has for you. Listen, being grateful is such a wonderful gift you can give yourself. Take five minutes each day and reflect on what you are grateful for. I'm going to tell y'all right now, Friend, what are you grateful for? I'm going to ask you what are you grateful?
Speaker 2:for I'm gonna ask you what are you grateful? For? So many things that I'm grateful for first and foremost. I don't care what, what it looks like come on give it to the people. They need to know what it feels like. Come on.
Speaker 2:I don't care Always come through for me, for every need is supplied, every, always, always. So I'm grateful for that. When it don't look like I want it to look like, when it doesn't feel the way that I want it to feel, I'm going to tell you what I'm grateful for. He always show up. And I can't forget what he's already done for me. Talk about it.
Speaker 1:Savannah. People need reminders, Remember back when God did what he did how he did it.
Speaker 2:He did it then and he can do it now.
Speaker 1:Listen, I'm grateful for the ladies of ISI and I'm grateful for that Bible. My gratefulness is in this word. I'm grateful for this right here because people just neglect it, act like it ain't real. But when you open that bad boy up and you start to read the scroll, oh, you see how real that Bible is, baby, and then you won't be so loose with your lips when it come down to certain things.
Speaker 2:Right, right, and I'm so grateful. The word of God says I thank his sin Psalms. Is it Psalms 55 and 11, creating me, god, a clean heart and a contrite spirit. I'm so thankful for a clean heart. Yes, yes, yes, you do know, because I can't do any and everything.
Speaker 1:I was just took it out.
Speaker 2:It ain't going to let me do any and everything. It's Psalms 51. Psalms 51. Creating me a clean heart and a contract spirit.
Speaker 1:That's the.
Speaker 2:King James Version yes.
Speaker 1:Yes, yes, I'm so grateful You've been reading it, it, you've been reading it every morning.
Speaker 2:I'm so grateful, yes, I'm so, so grateful for that along. If I'm not grateful for anything else in the world, see, he's not gonna. Let me just do and say whatever you want whatever I want to say, because it's a price to pray for it first of all and I don't want that over my head I know what it looks like Me either friend, I'm keeping it.
Speaker 1:God, have your way. You know what I'm saying. Who for the fight? God, not me. Well, listen y'all. This has been a beautiful show. I'm so excited. You know that you guys are here listening to us. Listen, get into your word. If I don't tell y'all nothing else to do, get into your word. Be grateful. Think of five things that you're grateful for. Write them down, put them in the front so that you can meditate on them and reflect on them. But, more than anything, get into your word and get into the book of Proverbs. Have an amazing day on purpose Peace, new mind, new heart. I got that new style, new life, new day. It's my life, it's real.