SO, WHEN YOU GET CLOSE
00:00:01.46\00:00:02.56
TO THE LORD, SOMEBODY
00:00:02.56\00:00:04.06
OUGHT TO GET RATTLED.
00:00:04.06\00:00:06.56
YOU OUGHT TO
MAKE A WAVE SOMEWHERE.
00:00:06.56\00:00:08.83
YOU OUGHT TO APPEAR ON
00:00:08.83\00:00:09.73
SOMEBODY'S RADAR SCREEN,
00:00:09.73\00:00:11.76
SOMEBODY OUGHT TO FROWN
00:00:11.76\00:00:13.10
WHEN YOU COME AROUND IF
00:00:13.10\00:00:14.33
YOU'RE LIKE JESUS.
00:00:14.33\00:00:15.80
?  PRAISE THE LORD,
LET'S JUST PRAISE THE LORD. ?
00:00:15.80\00:00:22.23
Announcer: THIS IS THE BREATH OF
LIFE TELEVISION BROADCAST WITH
PASTOR WALTER L. PEARSON, JR.
00:00:22.23\00:00:26.43
WHEN GOD GETS READY HE CAN
DELIVER YOU, IF YOU CALL ON HIM,
IF YOU TRUST IN HIM.
00:00:26.43\00:00:31.96
?  HE'S WORTHY OF THE
PRAISE, JESUS IS WORTHY. ?
00:00:31.96\00:00:40.20
YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE DOWN FLAT
ON YOUR FACE, BUT THE POWER OF
GOD WILL LIFT YOU UP.
00:00:40.20\00:00:44.36
?  WORTHY OF
ALL, ALL THE PRAISE. ?
00:00:44.36\00:00:50.16
I'M READING TONIGHT
FROM I KINGS CHAPTER 18.
00:00:50.16\00:00:55.43
THERE IS ONLY ONE VERSE
00:00:55.43\00:00:57.06
THAT WE ACTUALLY REQUIRE
00:00:57.06\00:00:59.03
TO GET US TO THE POINT OF
00:00:59.03\00:01:01.76
THE SERMON FOR THIS OCCASION,
00:01:01.76\00:01:04.73
AND THAT ONE WILL BE VERSE 21.
00:01:04.73\00:01:09.83
HERE'S WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS:
00:01:09.83\00:01:10.93
I'VE ENTITLED OUR STUDY
FOR THIS OCCASION, "DECISIONS".
00:01:33.80\00:01:37.93
"DECISIONS."
00:01:37.93\00:01:38.93
LET'S BOW TOGETHER AS WE PRAY.
00:01:38.93\00:01:41.60
FATHER IN HEAVEN,
00:01:41.60\00:01:43.23
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE TRUTH
THAT IS IN THE WORD OF GOD.
00:01:43.23\00:01:46.66
NOW, AS WE OPEN THY WORD WE
PRAY FOR POWER THAT IS BEYOND
00:01:46.66\00:01:52.33
OURSELVES; FOR
THESE ARE TROUBLED TIMES,
00:01:52.33\00:01:55.53
AND IN TIMES LIKE THESE, WE NEED
TO HEAR THE VOICE OF OUR GOD.
00:01:55.53\00:02:00.96
SO, WE HAVE NOT COME TO
HEAR OPINIONS FROM HUMANKIND,
00:02:00.96\00:02:06.73
WE'VE COME NOW TO
HEAR TRUTH FROM HEAVEN.
00:02:06.73\00:02:09.73
GIVE IT TO US FATHER, AND
OUR SOULS SHALL BE SATISFIED.
00:02:09.73\00:02:14.06
THIS IS OUR PRAYER IN
THE NAME OF JESUS, AMEN.
00:02:14.06\00:02:18.96
WE COME TO THIS
DISCUSSION BECAUSE OF OUR THEME,
00:02:18.96\00:02:25.06
"IF GOD BE FOR US,
WHO CAN BE AGAINST US ?"
00:02:25.06\00:02:31.43
I WILL TELL YOU THAT I BELIEVE
FROM THE VERY FIBER OF MY BEING,
00:02:31.43\00:02:36.90
FROM THE CORE OF WHO I AM
THAT IF YOU ARE ON GOD'S SIDE,
00:02:36.90\00:02:43.50
AND IF GOD IS ON YOUR
SIDE, THERE IS NO POWER
00:02:43.50\00:02:47.66
ON THE FACE OF THE
EARTH THAT CAN OVERCOME YOU.
00:02:47.66\00:02:52.00
AND TONIGHT, AS WE
LOOK IN THIS EXPERIENCE,
00:02:52.00\00:02:55.66
YOU WILL SEE ONE MAN
STANDING IN THE POWER OF GOD,
00:02:55.66\00:03:00.83
AGAINST EVERYTHING THAT
CAN BE ARRAYED AGAINST HIM,
00:03:00.83\00:03:04.90
AND HE WILL MAKE IT
BECAUSE GOD IS WITH HIM.
00:03:04.90\00:03:10.26
IN TIMES LIKE
THESE WE MUST UNDERSTAND
00:03:10.26\00:03:12.70
BECAUSE THERE SEEM TO BE
POWERS ARRAYED AGAINST US.
00:03:12.70\00:03:18.30
EVERY DEMOGRAPHIC IN
SOCIETY CAN CLAIM IT.
00:03:18.30\00:03:21.23
THERE ARE PEOPLE
WHO DON'T LIKE YOU,
00:03:21.23\00:03:23.80
THERE ARE SYSTEMS THAT
SEEM TO BE CANTED AGAINST YOU,
00:03:23.80\00:03:27.76
THERE ARE PROBLEMS
THAT RISE UP TO FACE YOU
00:03:27.76\00:03:31.00
AND EVERYBODY SEEMS TO HAVE SOME
CHALLENGE THAT IS UNANSWERABLE.
00:03:31.00\00:03:37.23
BUT THE FACT IS,
THAT EVEN NOW, GOD IS ABLE
00:03:37.23\00:03:42.33
AND IF YOU ARE ON
GOD'S SIDE, GOD ON YOUR SIDE,
00:03:42.33\00:03:47.10
THERE IS NO PROBLEM
THAT CAN OVERCOME YOU.
00:03:47.10\00:03:51.13
WATCH AS ELIJAH SHOWS YOU
THAT IF YOU'VE GOT FAITH IN GOD,
00:03:51.13\00:03:56.26
THEN GOD WILL
NEVER LET YOU DOWN.
00:03:56.26\00:03:59.70
THE FACT IS THAT WARNINGS
HAD ALREADY GONE TO THE HOUSE OF
00:03:59.70\00:04:05.76
AHAB. AHAB'S WIFE IS JEZEBEL.
00:04:05.76\00:04:08.96
I DO NOT INTEND TO SEEM SEXIST
WHEN I SAY THAT JEZEBEL'S NAME
00:04:08.96\00:04:16.00
GIVES ME SHIVERS, BECAUSE THE
FACT IS THAT JEZEBEL IS MARRIED
TO AHAB AND SOMETHING HAPPENS
00:04:16.00\00:04:23.63
WHEN YOU GET MARRIED. IF YOU ARE
NOT ALIKE WHEN YOU GET MARRIED,
00:04:23.63\00:04:25.73
YOU WILL BE ALIKE PRETTY SOON.
00:04:25.73\00:04:29.73
THINK ABOUT IT
BEFORE YOU GET MARRIED.
00:04:29.73\00:04:33.90
JEZEBEL'S NAME HAS "THE RING."
00:04:33.90\00:04:37.26
BUT AHAB IS EVIDENTLY TOO WEAK,
00:04:37.26\00:04:40.53
OR HE PERHAPS IS
THE SAME AS SHE IS,
00:04:40.53\00:04:44.66
SO THAT THIS FAMILY THAT
SHOULD BE STANDING FOR GOD,
00:04:44.66\00:04:48.73
IS INSTEAD
ENCOURAGING WORSHIP OF BAAL.
00:04:48.73\00:04:53.26
THOSE VERY LEADERS WHO
SHOULD HAVE BEEN SAYING,
00:04:53.26\00:04:56.46
"STAND FOR GOD JEHOVAH"
00:04:56.46\00:04:58.63
ARE INSTEAD BRINGING
THE PRIESTS OF BAAL, 450;
00:04:58.63\00:05:03.80
THE PROPHETS OF BAAL, 450; AND
THE PRIESTS OF BAAL, 400 TAKING
00:05:03.80\00:05:10.53
CARE OF THEM. SO THAT THE NATION
IS NOT ENCOURAGED NOW TO STAND
00:05:10.53\00:05:15.83
FOR GOD, THE NATION IS
PUSHED TOWARDS IDOLATRY.
00:05:15.83\00:05:19.73
AND THE QUESTION
COMES, "HOW WILL YOU DECIDE ?"
00:05:19.73\00:05:23.60
"WHERE WILL YOU BE ?"
00:05:23.60\00:05:25.03
"WHICH SIDE WILL YOU BE ON ?"
00:05:25.03\00:05:27.00
SOME OF THEM, SAY THE SCHOLARS,
WERE INCLINED TO STRADDLE THE
00:05:27.00\00:05:34.03
FENCE. NOW, THAT'S NOT NEW.
00:05:34.03\00:05:36.43
THERE ARE ALWAYS PEOPLE
WHO WANT TO BE ON BOTH SIDES.
00:05:36.43\00:05:40.66
THEY WANT TO BE ON
GOD'S SIDE, JUST IN CASE;
00:05:40.66\00:05:45.46
AND THEY WANT TO BE WITH
EVERYBODY ELSE, JUST IN CASE.
00:05:45.46\00:05:49.06
SO, THEY EITHER GO
FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER,
00:05:49.06\00:05:53.26
OR THEY HIDE ONE SIDE WHEN IT'S
APPROPRIATE AND HIDE THE OTHER.
00:05:53.26\00:05:58.53
BUT THE FACT IS THAT AT
SOME POINT IN YOUR LIFE,
00:05:58.53\00:06:02.56
YOU'VE GOT TO COME TO THE
DECISION THAT YOU'RE EITHER FOR
GOD OR AGAINST HIM.
00:06:02.56\00:06:07.80
GOD DOES NOT SHARE WELL.
00:06:07.80\00:06:10.53
IF YOUR HEART BELONGS TO GOD,
00:06:10.53\00:06:13.46
HE IS NOT INCLINED
TO SHARE YOUR HEART.
00:06:13.46\00:06:17.36
HE WANTS ALL OF IT
BECAUSE HE GIVES YOU ALL OF HIM.
00:06:17.36\00:06:21.90
AND SO, THERE ARE PEOPLE
WHO HAVE PLAYED BACK AND FORTH,
00:06:21.90\00:06:25.26
JUST AS SOME OF THESE FOLK DID.
00:06:25.26\00:06:27.33
THE SETTING IS INTERESTING.
00:06:27.33\00:06:30.40
IN THE NATURAL WORLD THERE WERE
SOME EVENTS THAT MADE PEOPLE
PERHAPS WANT TO GO FOR BAAL.
00:06:30.40\00:06:38.70
SOME OF THE
HISTORIANS SAY THAT BAAL,
00:06:38.70\00:06:42.06
ONE OF THE MOST INTIMATE
GODS OF CANAANITE SOCIETY,
00:06:42.06\00:06:47.26
WAS THE ONE WHO BROUGHT RAIN.
00:06:47.26\00:06:50.86
BAAL WAS ALLEGEDLY,
ACCORDING TO THE MYTHOLOGY,
00:06:50.86\00:06:54.73
KILLED BY HIS ENEMY, BUT
THEN WHEN HE WAS RESURRECTED
00:06:54.73\00:06:59.06
IN THE SPRING, OR PERHAPS
THE FALL, THE RAINS WOULD COME.
00:06:59.06\00:07:04.63
SO THE FOLK WOULD PRAY TO
BAAL FOR THE RAIN TO COME.
00:07:04.63\00:07:08.70
NOW THE FACT IS, THAT GOD
IS THE ONE WHO GIVES RAIN.
00:07:08.70\00:07:14.70
BUT THERE IS A
SLIGHT CONTROVERSY POSSIBLE.
00:07:14.70\00:07:17.73
IF YOU STUDY THE BIBLE, YOU WILL
DISCOVER IN EPHESIANS CHAPTER
00:07:17.73\00:07:23.26
TWO AND VERSE TWO, THAT GOD HAS
GIVEN SATAN A LIMITED POWER OVER
00:07:23.26\00:07:29.93
THE ELEMENTS. "THE PRINCE OF THE
POWER OF THE AIR" HE'S CALLED.
00:07:29.93\00:07:34.76
NOW, WHEN I AM FLYING, I
REHEARSE THAT TEXT TO MYSELF.
00:07:34.76\00:07:42.80
AND I ALSO
REHEARSE ANOTHER TEXT.
00:07:42.80\00:07:46.70
PSALM 24 SAYS, "THE EARTH
IS THE LORD'S AND THE FULLNESS
00:07:46.70\00:07:54.16
THEREOF." SO EVIDENTLY THIS
POWER THAT SATAN HAS AS THE
PRINCE OF THE POWER OF THE AIR
00:07:54.16\00:07:58.13
IS NOT A
PERMANENT, EXCLUSIVE POWER.
00:07:58.13\00:08:02.00
IT'S LIMITED AND TEMPORARY.
00:08:02.00\00:08:04.73
SO, WHEN I'M FLYING I'M
ALWAYS TALKING TO GOD SAYING,
00:08:04.73\00:08:07.70
"LORD, LET HIM HAVE
ALL THAT OTHER SPACE,
00:08:07.70\00:08:11.56
BUT THE SPACE THAT I'M FLYING IN
WOULD YOU TAKE IT OVER PLEASE ?"
00:08:11.56\00:08:16.86
THE FACT IS THAT WHILE THE DEVIL
MAY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH
00:08:16.86\00:08:21.00
THROUGH BAAL SOME KIND OF
RAIN THAT CAME AT SEASONS;
00:08:21.00\00:08:26.40
GOD IN FACT HAS THE POWER
AND THE CONTROL OF THE EARTH
00:08:26.40\00:08:31.83
AND ONLY GIVES A
LITTLE AWAY, TEMPORARILY.
00:08:31.83\00:08:36.10
IN FACT, IF YOU WOULD READ IN
MATTHEW, YOU WILL DISCOVER, IN
CHAPTER 5 AND VERSE 45,
00:08:36.10\00:08:42.10
THAT GOD ALLOWS THE RAIN TO
FALL ON THE JUST AND THE UNJUST.
00:08:42.10\00:08:46.40
THAT DOESN'T EVEN
SOUND LIKE THE DEVIL.
00:08:46.40\00:08:49.13
SO GOD DOES IN FACT TAKE
BACK CONTROL OF THE RAIN.
00:08:49.13\00:08:54.90
BUT ALL THROUGH DEUTERONOMY,
00:08:54.90\00:08:57.66
INTERESTING
THAT IT'S BACK THERE,
00:08:57.66\00:08:59.80
DEUTERONOMY WOULD HAVE
US BELIEVE THAT WHEN GOD
00:08:59.80\00:09:03.33
GETS DISTURBED AT
PEOPLE AND THEIR DISOBEDIENCE,
00:09:03.33\00:09:08.63
THAT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT GOD
CAN DO IS TO HOLD BACK THE RAIN.
00:09:08.63\00:09:14.36
DEUTERONOMY CHAPTER
28 AND VERSE 23 GOD SAYS,
00:09:14.36\00:09:18.66
"IF YOU DISOBEY ME, I'LL
MAKE THE SKY LIKE BRASS AND THE
00:09:18.66\00:09:25.83
GROUND LIKE IRON." THAT
MEANS NOTHING WILL GET THROUGH.
00:09:25.83\00:09:28.03
THE RAIN FALLS FROM THE TOP;
THE DEW RISES FROM THE BOTTOM,
00:09:28.03\00:09:32.00
BUT IF YOU DISOBEY ME,
I'LL CUT THEM BOTH OFF;
00:09:32.00\00:09:36.00
AND THERE'LL BE NOTHING.
00:09:36.00\00:09:38.06
THEN YOU READ IN DEUTERONOMY
CHAPTER 11 AND VERSE 16 THAT GOD
CAN SHUT UP HEAVEN.
00:09:38.06\00:09:43.63
SO WATCH WHAT GOD DOES.
00:09:43.63\00:09:47.26
GOD SAYS, "OH, YOU THINK
IT'S BAAL WHO BRINGS RAIN ?
00:09:47.26\00:09:51.26
WELL, THEN I'LL TURN IT OFF, AND
SEE IF YOU CAN GET BAAL TO TURN
00:09:51.26\00:10:02.90
IT BACK ON." AND SO, BECAUSE OF
THE RECALCITRANCE OF THE HOUSE
00:10:02.90\00:10:07.43
OF AHAB, GOD CALLS THIS ELIJAH
FROM HIS MOUNTAIN RETREAT AND
00:10:07.43\00:10:12.13
SAYS, "GO NOW, TRAVEL
DOWN TO THE PALACE OF AHAB,
00:10:12.13\00:10:15.93
AND WHEN YOU GET THERE TELL
HIM THAT IT WON'T RAIN FOR THREE
00:10:15.93\00:10:23.20
YEARS." NOW, LET ME EXPLAIN
SOMETHING ABOUT WHAT GOD DOES
WHEN HE COMMANDS THINGS.
00:10:23.20\00:10:30.70
GOD SOMETIMES COMMANDS THINGS
THAT DON'T MAKE SENSE--TO YOU.
00:10:30.70\00:10:44.63
GOD DOESN'T HAVE TO MAKE
SENSE, BECAUSE GOD MADE SENSE.
00:10:44.63\00:10:50.86
(applause)
00:10:50.86\00:10:56.66
GOD DOESN'T HAVE TO BE
LOGICAL, GOD MADE LOGIC.
00:10:56.66\00:11:02.23
IF HE CHOOSES,  HE CAN
GO BEYOND WHAT IS LOGICAL.
00:11:02.23\00:11:07.16
HE CAN DO THINGS
THAT ARE ILLOGICAL.
00:11:07.16\00:11:10.20
HE CAN MAKE THINGS HEAVY
LIGHT, OR THINGS LIGHT HEAVY;
00:11:10.20\00:11:15.76
MAKE FEATHERS FALL AND ELEPHANTS
FLOAT IF IT SERVES HIS PURPOSES.
00:11:15.76\00:11:22.56
SO GOD TELLS A PROPHET, TRAVEL
THROUGH THE WELL-WATERED LANDS
00:11:22.56\00:11:31.23
INTO SAMARIA. WHILE ELIJAH IS
TRAVELING, HE'S LOOKING AT THE
BROOKS RUNNING OVER, GURGLING
00:11:31.23\00:11:37.73
WITH WATER. HE'S LOOKING AT
THE TREES, THAT ARE FILLED WITH
00:11:37.73\00:11:41.06
LEAVES. HE'S LOOKING AT
PLANTS THAT ARE FLOURISHING.
00:11:41.06\00:11:43.86
HE SEES NO SIGN AT ALL
THAT THERE WILL BE A DROUGHT.
00:11:43.86\00:11:48.83
BUT GOD TOLD HIM TO
GO DELIVER A MESSAGE,
00:11:48.83\00:11:51.13
AND HE WALKS PAST THE
PLANTS THAT ARE WELL WATERED,
00:11:51.13\00:11:55.63
GOING TO TELL THE KING
THAT THERE'LL BE NO MORE RAIN.
00:11:55.63\00:11:59.76
SEE, WHEN GOD TELLS YOU TO DO
SOMETHING, DON'T WAIT UNTIL IT
00:11:59.76\00:12:07.56
GETS LOGICAL. JUST DO IT.
00:12:07.56\00:12:09.53
JUST DO WHAT GOD SAYS.
00:12:09.53\00:12:11.66
SO NOW HE PASSES, GETS
SOMEHOW INTO THE PALACE OF AHAB
00:12:11.66\00:12:17.00
PAST THE GUARDS THAT
MUST HAVE BEEN THERE.
00:12:17.00\00:12:20.16
HE DID NOT STOP FOR "STATE
CRAFT"--DID NOT HAVE ANY
INTRODUCTION THAT WE CAN READ.
00:12:20.16\00:12:26.50
EVIDENTLY WAS NOT
SUMMONED, DID NOT WRITE LETTERS,
00:12:26.50\00:12:29.73
THERE WAS NOTHING EXCHANGED
ON THE LEVEL YOU WOULD EXPECT
00:12:29.73\00:12:32.73
IT TO BE 'CAUSE WHEN GOD MAKES
AN APPOINTMENT, ALL YOU GOT TO
00:12:32.73\00:12:38.50
DO IS KEEP IT. SO NOW HE'S
THERE, HE APPEARS IN THE PALACE
00:12:38.50\00:12:44.00
AND SAYS TO AHAB, "IT
WILL NOT RAIN FOR THREE YEARS."
00:12:44.00\00:12:47.20
AND BEFORE AHAB CAN THINK
TO REACT, THE PROPHET IS GONE.
00:12:47.20\00:12:52.10
AFTER YOU'VE DONE WHAT GOD SAYS,
YOU DON'T HAVE TO HANG AROUND
00:12:52.10\00:12:58.23
FOR
SOCIALIZING. THE JOB IS DONE.
00:12:58.23\00:13:00.23
AND NOW THIS MAN FINDS HIMSELF
HATED FOR TELLING THE TRUTH.
00:13:00.23\00:13:09.93
OH, YOU MEAN THAT WAS
HAPPENING WAY BACK THEN ?
00:13:09.93\00:13:16.60
THE BIBLE SAYS, "THEY THAT LIVE
GODLY SHALL SUFFER PERSECUTION."
00:13:16.60\00:13:23.63
SOME FOLK THINK THAT WHEN
YOU GET RIGHT, EVERYTHING GETS
00:13:23.63\00:13:27.73
RIGHT. WELL, BECAUSE
SATAN HAS THAT LIMITED CONTROL,
00:13:27.73\00:13:32.60
THEN SOMETIMES WHEN YOU
ARE LIVING CLOSEST TO GOD,
00:13:32.60\00:13:36.86
YOU HAVE THE MOST
PROBLEMS IN YOUR EXPERIENCE.
00:13:36.86\00:13:41.53
BEWARE WHEN ALL MEN SPEAK WELL.
00:13:41.53\00:13:46.06
BEWARE WHEN THINGS ARE GOING TOO
WELL BECAUSE IF YOU REPRESENT
00:13:46.06\00:13:50.93
JESUS, THE PEOPLE WHO
HATE JESUS WILL HATE YOU.
00:13:50.93\00:13:55.86
IF THE PEOPLE WHO
HATE JESUS LOVE YOU,
00:13:55.86\00:13:59.70
SOMETHING IS
WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE.
00:13:59.70\00:14:03.76
SO, WHEN YOU GET CLOSE TO
THE LORD, SOMEBODY OUGHT TO GET
00:14:03.76\00:14:10.13
RATTLED. YOU OUGHT TO
MAKE A WAVE SOMEWHERE.
00:14:10.13\00:14:12.40
YOU OUGHT TO APPEAR ON
SOMEBODY'S RADAR SCREEN,
00:14:12.40\00:14:15.36
SOMEBODY OUGHT TO FROWN WHEN YOU
COME AROUND IF YOU LIKE JESUS.
00:14:15.36\00:14:20.16
BECAUSE YOU CAN READ IT IF
YOU WANT TO -- SOME OF US READ
00:14:20.16\00:14:23.13
SELECTIVELY IN THE BIBLE AND
WE WANT TO THINK THAT WHEREVER
00:14:23.13\00:14:25.90
JESUS WAS, IT WAS PEACEFUL AND
HE MEANDERED OVER THE UNDULATING
00:14:25.90\00:14:34.56
HILLS AND MEADOWS. BUT IF YOU
KEEP ON READING YOU WILL FIND
00:14:34.56\00:14:37.56
JESUS COMING TO SITUATIONS
THAT ARE CHARGED WITH HATRED.
00:14:37.56\00:14:42.00
BECAUSE IF YOU STAND FOR
SOMETHING, SOMEBODY WILL DISLIKE
00:14:42.00\00:14:47.80
YOU. SO NOW THE MAN OF GOD HAS
DONE WHAT GOD TOLD HIM AND NOW
EVERYBODY GETS ANGRY.
00:14:47.80\00:14:53.10
THIS DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.
00:14:53.10\00:14:56.56
WHEN THE SIN OF A NATION RISES
TO THE LEVEL THAT IT CAUSES GOD
TO TURN THE WATER OFF,
00:14:56.56\00:15:05.70
SHOULD YOU GET MAD AT THE
ONE WHO CAME TO ANNOUNCE IT
00:15:05.70\00:15:09.86
OR SHOULD YOU BE DISTURBED
AT THE SIN THAT CAUSED IT ?
00:15:09.86\00:15:15.70
THE FACT IS THAT THESE PEOPLE
SHOULD HAVE UNDERSTOOD THAT SOME
TRIALS COME TO WAKE YOU UP;
00:15:15.70\00:15:23.03
SOME PROBLEMS COME TO
GIVE YOU A WAKE UP CALL;
00:15:23.03\00:15:26.93
SOME THINGS HAPPEN IN YOUR LIFE.
00:15:26.93\00:15:29.23
GOD ALLOWS THEM SO
THAT YOU CAN SEE YOURSELF.
00:15:29.23\00:15:32.10
TRIALS ARE NOT TO TELL GOD ABOUT
YOU, GOD ALREADY KNOWS ABOUT
00:15:32.10\00:15:38.40
YOU. TRIALS ARE TO
TELL YOU ABOUT YOU.
00:15:38.40\00:15:43.70
BUT INSTEAD OF GETTING ANGRY
AT THE SIN AND THE SINNERS,
00:15:43.70\00:15:47.70
INSTEAD OF TURNING TO GOD
AND CALLING ON HIM FOR MERCY,
00:15:47.70\00:15:52.40
THEY TURN INSTEAD ON THE MAN WHO
CAME AND MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT
00:15:52.40\00:15:56.70
AND THEY BEGIN TO SEARCH
FOR HIM AND TRY TO FIND HIM
00:15:56.70\00:15:59.70
SO THAT THEY CAN TAKE HIS LIFE,
AS THOUGH TAKING HIS LIFE WOULD
CHANGE WHAT GOD DECIDED.
00:15:59.70\00:16:09.23
IT'S RIDICULOUS.
00:16:09.23\00:16:11.30
YOU CAN KILL ALL THE PREACHERS,
AND GOD WILL STILL BE GOD.
00:16:11.30\00:16:18.26
IN FACT, THE ONE THING I LOVE
ABOUT THIS BOOK IS THAT THE BOOK
DOES NOT CARE WHO READS IT.
00:16:18.26\00:16:25.53
THE BIBLE SAYS THE SAME THING
TO THE HIGH AND TO THE LOW;
00:16:25.53\00:16:29.30
IF YOU'VE GOT EVERY
CREDIT CARD AVAILABLE,
00:16:29.30\00:16:31.40
IT SAYS THE SAME THING TO YOU.
00:16:31.40\00:16:33.60
IF YOU COULDN'T GET A
CREDIT CARD ON YOUR BEST DAY,
00:16:33.60\00:16:36.20
IT SAYS THE SAME THING TO YOU.
00:16:36.20\00:16:41.60
IF YOU DRIVE A USED CAR THAT'S
SO OLD THE NAME HAS DROPPED OFF,
00:16:41.60\00:16:45.30
IT SAYS THE SAME THING TO YOU.
00:16:45.30\00:16:47.46
OR IF YOU DRIVE A CAR
THAT'S RECOGNIZABLE ANYWHERE,
00:16:47.46\00:16:50.36
IT SAYS THE SAME THING.
00:16:50.36\00:16:51.93
THE BIBLE DOES NOT
CHANGE BECAUSE OF WHO YOU ARE;
00:16:51.93\00:16:54.86
IT DOES NOT CUT CORNERS
BECAUSE OF YOUR SOCIO- ECONOMIC
00:16:54.86\00:16:59.36
CONDITION. IT'S PLAIN.
00:16:59.36\00:17:01.16
SO TRUTH DOES NOT CHANGE BECAUSE
YOU GET ANGRY AT THE BEARER OF
00:17:01.16\00:17:06.93
TRUTH. THE BIBLE DOESN'T CHANGE;
00:17:06.93\00:17:08.53
GOD DOES NOT CHANGE BECAUSE
YOU GET ANGRY AT SOME PREACHER.
00:17:08.53\00:17:11.70
IN FACT, I'VE KIND OF MADE IT MY
RULE, IF I DON'T' GET SOMEBODY
00:17:11.70\00:17:16.36
UPSET, WHAT'S THE
USE IN PREACHING ?
00:17:16.36\00:17:20.93
YOU OUGHT TO
CAUSE A LITTLE RIPPLE.
00:17:20.93\00:17:23.93
SOMETHING OUGHT TO HAPPEN.
00:17:23.93\00:17:24.86
I DO NOT PREACH TO DISTURB FOLK.
00:17:24.86\00:17:28.03
BUT IF YOU TELL IT LIKE IT IS,
00:17:28.03\00:17:29.50
SOMEBODY OUGHT TO
GET A LITTLE WORRIED.
00:17:29.50\00:17:32.96
IT JUST OUGHT TO BE.
00:17:32.96\00:17:34.43
SO NOW THEY ARE ANGRY AT ELIJAH.
00:17:34.43\00:17:38.26
NOW THAT SHOULD NOT
HAVE BEEN THE RESPONSE.
00:17:38.26\00:17:42.33
IN FACT I CHALLENGE YOU, THERE'S
A TEXT THAT WE READ ALL THE TIME
00:17:42.33\00:17:46.33
IN SECOND CHRONICLES, CHAPTER
7, AND THAT SHOULD BE YOUR
00:17:46.33\00:17:52.63
RESPONSE. NOW MOST OF
US DON'T READ VERSE 13.
00:17:52.63\00:17:55.36
WE READ VERSE 14.
00:17:55.36\00:17:57.16
AND IN FACT LET ME READ
VERSE 14 'CAUSE YOU'LL LOVE IT.
00:17:57.16\00:18:00.30
YOU KNOW IT, YOU'LL PROBABLY
BE ABLE TO SAY IT WITH ME.
00:18:00.30\00:18:02.16
YOU KNOW THAT
ONE, LOOK AT VERSE 13.
00:18:19.16\00:18:22.20
IT'S AMAZING.
00:18:22.20\00:18:22.96
PART OF THE PROBLEM THAT
LEADS TO REPENTANCE, GOD SAYS,
00:18:33.40\00:18:38.46
"IF YOU GO AGAINST MY WILL,
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I HAVE
00:18:38.46\00:18:42.36
AN OPTION TO DO, IS
TO SHUT UP THE RAIN."
00:18:42.36\00:18:46.66
TURN IT OFF.
00:18:46.66\00:18:48.43
TURN IT OFF.
00:18:48.43\00:18:50.00
AND IF YOU COME TO
ME WITH A HUMBLE HEART,
00:18:50.00\00:18:55.26
AND IF YOU CONFESS YOUR SIN,
THEN I WILL HEAR FROM HEAVEN AND
I'LL HEAL YOUR LAND.
00:18:55.26\00:19:02.00
SO WHAT ISRAEL SHOULD
HAVE DONE WAS TO PRAY.
00:19:02.00\00:19:06.40
BUT INSTEAD, AHAB SAID,
"THE PROBLEM IS THAT PREACHER.
00:19:06.40\00:19:14.43
WHERE IS HE ?"
00:19:14.43\00:19:16.43
HE HAD PEOPLE OUT
LOOKING FOR THE PREACHER.
00:19:16.43\00:19:19.53
IF YOU WANT TO
HIDE, LET GOD HIDE YOU.
00:19:19.53\00:19:25.63
GOD MADE A LITTLE PLACE
FOR ELIJAH DOWN BY THE BROOK
00:19:25.63\00:19:30.50
CHERITH, AND FED
HIM THERE BY RAVEN.
00:19:30.50\00:19:34.93
NOW YOU KNOW THAT'S INTERESTING.
00:19:34.93\00:19:36.90
SOMEBODY'S IN HERE TONIGHT
TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE
00:19:36.90\00:19:38.30
YOU'RE BREAKFAST
IS GONNA COME FROM.
00:19:38.30\00:19:41.90
TRYIN' TO KNOW
HOW YOU'RE GONNA EAT,
00:19:41.90\00:19:44.30
HOW YOU'RE GONNA
MAKE A WAY FOR YOURSELF.
00:19:44.30\00:19:46.66
GOD CAN MAKE A
WAY OUT OF NO WAY.
00:19:46.66\00:19:50.13
I AM NOT CERTAIN THAT I WOULD
CHOOSE TO BE FED BY A BIRD,
00:19:50.13\00:19:53.70
BUT IF I GOT HUNGRY
ENOUGH, I'D TAKE IT FROM A BIRD.
00:19:53.70\00:20:01.50
I READ A STORY THE OTHER
DAY ABOUT A MAN WHO GOT HUNGRY
00:20:01.50\00:20:04.50
AND A CAT BROUGHT HIM BREAD.
00:20:04.50\00:20:06.63
NOW, I THINK I'D HAVE TO BE
PRETTY HARD PRESSED TO EAT BREAD
DELIVERED BY A CAT.
00:20:06.63\00:20:12.73
THE ONLY WAY THE CAT CAN DELIVER
THE BREAD IS IN THE CAT'S MOUTH,
00:20:12.73\00:20:16.66
AND IF I HAD TO PICK UP
THE BREAD WITH THE LITTLE TEETH
00:20:16.66\00:20:20.40
MARKS IN IT, I'D HAVE TO THINK
A LONG TIME BUT HUNGER WOULD
00:20:20.40\00:20:23.53
EVENTUALLY OVERCOME MY
PREDILECTION FOR FOOD THAT HAD
NOT BEEN OFFERED TO CATS.
00:20:23.53\00:20:30.33
AND I WOULD BE
EXCITED TO GET THE BREAD.
00:20:30.33\00:20:33.50
WHAT I'M TELLING YOU IS THAT GOD
CAN MAKE A WAY OUT OF NO WAY.
00:20:33.50\00:20:37.90
IF GOD BE FOR YA'
WHO CAN BE AGAINST YA ?
00:20:37.90\00:20:43.43
DO YOU SEE IT ?
00:20:43.43\00:20:44.76
THEN WHEN THE BROOK DRIED UP,
00:20:44.76\00:20:47.86
'CAUSE REMEMBER GOD SAID
I'M GONNA TURN OFF THE RAIN
00:20:47.86\00:20:50.10
AND WHEN THE RAIN GETS TURNED
OFF, EVENTUALLY EVERYTHING DRIES
00:20:50.10\00:20:53.40
UP. THEN GOD SENT HIM
OVER TO THE COAST OF PHOENICIA
00:20:53.40\00:20:58.00
AND THERE HE CAME TO
THE WIDOW OF ZERIPATH.
00:20:58.00\00:21:01.73
I LOVE THE STORY.
00:21:01.73\00:21:03.13
THE WIDOW WAS OUT IN THIS
DROUGHT, FEEDING HER CHILD
00:21:03.13\00:21:06.93
AND GATHERING UP STICKS TO
MAKE THE LAST CAKE OF BREAD.
00:21:06.93\00:21:12.36
IN FACT, THE CAKE OF
BREAD SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING WE
00:21:12.36\00:21:14.16
USED TO EAT IN THE
HOUSING PROJECT WHERE I GREW UP.
00:21:14.16\00:21:18.10
SOME OF YOU FOLK ARE TOO WEALTHY
TO UNDERSTAND THIS BUT LET ME,
LET ME ACCULTURATE YOU.
00:21:18.10\00:21:24.60
THERE WAS A TIME LONG
AGO BEFORE MICROWAVE COOKING
00:21:24.60\00:21:31.80
WHEN THINGS GOT HARD,
WHEN THINGS GOT TOUGH.
00:21:31.80\00:21:37.00
YOU COULD GET A
LITTLE MEAL, A LITTLE OIL,
00:21:37.00\00:21:40.43
AND ONE OF THOSE
BIG, UGLY FRYING PANS.
00:21:40.43\00:21:46.13
YOU KNOW, BIG, BLACK FRYING
PAN AND PUT THAT THING IN THERE,
00:21:46.13\00:21:52.46
AND LET IT SIZZLE A LITTLE BIT,
AND YOU KNOW WHEN YOU GET DOWN
00:21:52.46\00:21:55.76
THAT FAR, IT DOESN'T TAKE
THAT MUCH TO GET YOU EXCITED.
00:21:55.76\00:22:01.43
I CAN REMEMBER WHEN MY MOTHER
WOULD DO THAT AND I KNEW TIMES
00:22:01.43\00:22:04.23
WERE ROUGH BUT WE'D STAND
AROUND AND WATCH THAT THING.
00:22:04.23\00:22:12.20
"MOM, IS THAT READY YET ?"
00:22:12.20\00:22:18.70
THE LADY GOT HER LAST LITTLE
CAKE, HER LITTLE BOY, THE STICKS
GATHERED AND SHE SAYS,
00:22:18.70\00:22:25.26
"WE'RE GONNA EAT ONE
MORE MEAL AND WE'RE DEAD."
00:22:25.26\00:22:28.80
AND THE PREACHER SHOWS UP--COME
ON NOW; LET'S GET REAL HERE.
00:22:28.80\00:22:38.20
AND THE PREACHER SHOWS UP AND
SAYS, "IF YOU GIVE ME THE LAST
00:22:38.20\00:22:44.86
CAKE, THEN THE LORD
WILL MAKE A WAY FOR YOU."
00:22:44.86\00:22:50.06
(applause and laughter)
00:22:50.06\00:22:58.76
NOW YOU KNOW YOU TALK ABOUT US
PREACHERS ALL THE TIME ABOUT
THAT KIND OF THING.
00:22:58.76\00:23:03.36
"IF YOU LET ME RIDE,
THE LORD WILL LET YOU RIDE.
00:23:03.36\00:23:08.00
IF YOU TAKE CARE OF ME FIRST,
THE LORD WILL THEN TAKE CARE OF
00:23:08.00\00:23:12.06
YOU." AND FOLK TALK
ABOUT THAT ALL OVER THE PLACE.
00:23:12.06\00:23:13.86
WHAT IN THE WORLD IS
WRONG WITH THESE PREACHERS,
00:23:13.86\00:23:15.76
THEY THINK WE'RE SUPPOSED
TO TAKE CARE OF THEM FIRST.
00:23:15.76\00:23:17.60
WELL, I DON'T KNOW ABOUT NOW,
BUT THIS IS IN THE BIBLE FOLKS.
00:23:17.60\00:23:21.46
I DON'T KNOW, YOU
FIGURE IT OUT FOR YOURSELF.
00:23:21.46\00:23:25.16
BUT THE MAN OF GOD
COMES AND SAYS, "LOOK, YOU
00:23:25.16\00:23:27.60
GIVE ME SOMETHING TO EAT
THE LORD WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU."
00:23:27.60\00:23:29.86
NOW, THE LADY MUST HAVE BEEN
DEDICATED TO GOD BECAUSE ONLY
GOD--LISTEN--THE QUESTION IS,
00:23:29.86\00:23:38.36
"WILL YOU TAKE
CARE OF YOUR CHILD ?"
00:23:38.36\00:23:40.76
GOD REQUIRES THAT YOU
TAKE CARE OF YOUR CHILD,
00:23:40.76\00:23:43.60
BUT NOW GOD
REQUIRES A NEW PRIORITY.
00:23:43.60\00:23:46.73
I BELIEVE THAT WHEN
GOD TALKS TO YOUR HEART
00:23:46.73\00:23:51.86
THERE ARE TIMES WHEN GOD WILL
REQUIRE OF YOU SOMETHING THAT IS
00:23:51.86\00:24:01.76
NOT TRADITIONAL. ALL YOU GOTTA
DO IS MAKE SURE IT WAS GOD.
00:24:01.76\00:24:05.10
(applause)
00:24:05.10\00:24:12.93
I DON'T' KNOW, WE READ NOTHING
ABOUT WHAT THE LITTLE BOY SAYS.
00:24:12.93\00:24:16.96
I REMEMBER ONE TIME A
PREACHER CAME TO OUR HOME,
00:24:16.96\00:24:19.83
AND MY BROTHER AND I WE WERE
ABOUT TO EAT SOME ICE CREAM.
00:24:19.83\00:24:25.90
AND THIS PREACHER HAD
READ SOMETHING RECENTLY THAT
00:24:25.90\00:24:29.03
SAID THAT THERE WAS A CERTAIN
ELEMENT IN ICE CREAM THAT WAS
00:24:29.03\00:24:34.06
UNHEALTHY. AND HE AND MY
FATHER HAD A LONG DISCUSSION.
00:24:34.06\00:24:37.00
AND HE SAID THE ONLY WAY TO FIND
OUT WHETHER IT'S IN THE ICE
CREAM OR NOT IS TO MELT IT.
00:24:37.00\00:24:44.46
(laughter)
00:24:44.46\00:24:51.83
IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, ONCE ICE
CREAM HAS BEEN MELTED, IT IS NO
00:24:51.83\00:24:57.93
LONGER ICE CREAM.
IT'S SOMETHING DISGUSTING.
00:24:57.93\00:25:00.30
MY BROTHER AND I LOOKED
AT EACH OTHER WITHOUT A WORD.
00:25:00.30\00:25:03.26
BUT OUR HOPE WAS THAT
OUR FATHER WOULD SAY, "NO."
00:25:03.26\00:25:07.66
OUR FATHER SAID "YES."
00:25:07.66\00:25:10.00
WE SAT THERE AND WATCHED OUR
ICE CREAM MELTING BECAUSE OF A
00:25:10.00\00:25:19.00
PREACHER. CAN YOU IMAGINE WHAT
WE THOUGHT OF THAT PREACHER ?
00:25:19.00\00:25:23.03
I'LL NEVER TELL.
00:25:23.03\00:25:24.66
(laughter)
00:25:24.66\00:25:28.23
BUT HERE, WHAT DID
THAT LITTLE BOY THINK ?
00:25:28.23\00:25:31.30
WE NEVER READ THAT HE OBJECTED.
00:25:31.30\00:25:33.30
EVIDENTLY THERE MUST HAVE
BEEN SOME TRAINING THAT OCCURRED
00:25:33.30\00:25:35.30
BEFORE THIS EVENT BECAUSE
THE LITTLE BOY NEVER SAYS,
00:25:35.30\00:25:38.36
"MOM, WHAT ?
00:25:38.36\00:25:42.26
YOU GIVE HIM YOUR HALF.
00:25:42.26\00:25:47.80
LET ME AND THE PREACHER EAT.
00:25:47.80\00:25:49.10
YOU HAVE FAITH."
00:25:49.10\00:25:51.93
THIS CHILD MUST
HAVE BEEN TRAINED.
00:25:51.93\00:25:54.43
AMEN ?
00:25:54.43\00:25:56.20
THE WOMAN SAYS, "TAKE IT."
00:25:56.20\00:25:57.76
AND YOU'VE READ IT, AFTER THAT,
EVERY TIME THE LADY WOULD GO
00:25:57.76\00:26:04.20
BACK, SHE'D FIND A LITTLE MORE
MEAL IN THE MEAL CONTAINER AND A
LITTLE MORE OIL IN THE OIL
00:26:04.20\00:26:11.73
CONTAINER. I LIKE
THE WAY GOD DID THAT.
00:26:11.73\00:26:14.16
SEE, SOME OF US
WANT A FULL SUPPLY.
00:26:14.16\00:26:21.03
WHEN GOD GIVES ME
SOMETHING, GIVE IT ALL.
00:26:21.03\00:26:23.86
GOD, IF YOU CAN'T GIVE
ME A LEXUS, GIVE ME NOTHING.
00:26:23.86\00:26:27.66
THERE ARE TIMES IN OUR
LIVES WHEN WE ALL SUFFER PAIN OR
00:26:29.30\00:26:33.50
GRIEF, WHEN THIS HAPPENS, YOUR
FAITH IN GOD CAN GET WOUNDED.
00:26:33.50\00:26:37.20
YOU MAY WONDER WHY GOD
IS ALLOWING YOU TO HURT.
00:26:37.20\00:26:39.86
DURING THESE TIMES, YOU MAY EVEN
QUESTION YOUR OWN TRUST IN GOD.
00:26:39.86\00:26:43.83
WELL, I HAVE A FREE BOOK
I'D LIKE TO SEND YOU CALLED
00:26:43.83\00:26:46.56
'HOW TO BELIEVE WHEN YOU HURT.'
00:26:46.56\00:26:48.33
WRITTEN BY CHARLES SCRIVEN,
HOW TO BELIEVE WHEN YOU'RE HURT
00:26:48.33\00:26:51.13
TEACHES US HOW TO
BECOME WOUNDED HEALERS.
00:26:51.13\00:26:53.66
FINDING CONSTRUCTIVE WAYS TO
COPE, IT GIVES US CONFIDENCE
THAT WE ARE NOT ABANDONED.
00:26:53.66\00:26:58.83
THAT GOD SHARES OUR
PAIN WHEN WE SUFFER.
00:26:58.83\00:27:02.00
GOD IS PREPARING A
PLACE FOR YOU AFTER THIS LIFE
00:27:02.00\00:27:04.73
WHERE PAIN AND GRIEF
WILL NO LONGER EXIST.
00:27:04.73\00:27:07.80
IN LUKE 6:21 JESUS SAID,
'BLESSED ARE YOU THAT WEEP NOW,
FOR YOU WILL LAUGH.'
00:27:07.80\00:27:13.63
SO LET YOURSELF SMILE,
KNOWING THAT JOY IS YET TO COME.
00:27:13.63\00:27:17.90
JUST CALL THIS TOLL
FREE NUMBER 877-BOL-OFFER
00:27:17.90\00:27:22.56
AND ASK FOR A FREE COPY OF
'HOW TO BELIEVE WHEN YOU HURT'.
00:27:22.56\00:27:26.23
?  PRAISE THE LORD,
LET'S JUST PRAISE THE LORD. ?
00:27:29.06\00:27:35.06
Announcer:  IF YOU'D LIKE AN
AUDIOCASSETTE COPY OF TODAY'S
00:27:35.06\00:27:37.70
PROGRAM, CALL THE NUMBER
ON YOUR SCREEN, OR WRITE:
00:27:37.70\00:27:39.23
WALTER PEARSON, P.O. BOX
97192, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20077.
00:27:39.23\00:27:45.40
FOR YOUR LOVE GIFT OF ANY
AMOUNT, WE'LL SEND OUT YOUR COPY
00:27:45.40\00:27:48.83
RIGHT AWAY. AND IF YOU HAVE
A SPECIAL PRAYER REQUEST, WRITE
00:27:48.83\00:27:51.26
US. WALTER PEARSON WANTS THIS
MINISTRY TO BE A BLESSING IN
00:27:51.26\00:27:54.46
YOUR LIFE. WALTER PEARSON
BELIEVES THAT JESUS CHRIST IS
THE ANSWER TO EVERY PROBLEM YOU
00:27:54.46\00:28:00.60
FACE. ?  HE'S
WORTHY OF THE PRAISE. ?
00:28:00.60\00:28:06.30
?  JESUS IS
WORTHY, OF ALL THE GLORY. ?
00:28:06.30\00:28:16.83
?  OH YES HE'S WORTHY. ?
00:28:16.83\00:28:23.36
?  JESUS IS WORTHY OF
ALL, ALL THE PRAISE. ?
00:28:23.36\00:28:28.60