Hello. 00:00:19.75\00:00:21.08 My name is Shelley Quinn 00:00:21.12\00:00:22.45 and I welcome you to 00:00:22.48\00:00:23.82 "Exalting His Word". 00:00:23.85\00:00:25.19 A program that will focus on 00:00:25.22\00:00:26.55 the transforming power of 00:00:26.59\00:00:27.99 the word of God. 00:00:28.06\00:00:29.39 I'm convinced this teaching series can be 00:00:29.42\00:00:31.83 life changing for you. 00:00:31.86\00:00:33.36 Now, that's a bold statement but 00:00:33.43\00:00:35.36 I have it supported both by scripture 00:00:35.40\00:00:38.13 and by personal testimonies. 00:00:38.17\00:00:40.27 In scripture, 00:00:40.30\00:00:41.64 God said in Deuteronomy 32:47 that 00:00:41.67\00:00:45.91 His words are not idle words. 00:00:45.94\00:00:48.38 But that they are life to you. 00:00:48.41\00:00:50.88 And Jesus said in John 6:63 00:00:50.95\00:00:54.25 "The spirit gives life. 00:00:54.32\00:00:56.45 "The flesh counts for nothing. 00:00:56.52\00:00:58.02 "The words that I have spoken to you are spirit 00:00:58.09\00:01:02.69 "and they are life." 00:01:02.76\00:01:04.09 Our Loving Heavenly Father has a plan for our lives 00:01:04.13\00:01:08.06 and it is revealed in His word. 00:01:08.13\00:01:11.53 More than that, 00:01:11.57\00:01:12.90 the word of God has the creative power to 00:01:12.93\00:01:14.90 fulfill every detail of His plan. 00:01:14.94\00:01:17.81 And through this series 00:01:17.84\00:01:19.94 we'll be taking a closer look at 00:01:19.97\00:01:22.28 His wonderful plan of love 00:01:22.31\00:01:24.28 and learn how to put it into action by 00:01:24.31\00:01:27.88 putting God's word into practice. 00:01:27.95\00:01:30.59 And relying on the power of God that's available for us. 00:01:30.65\00:01:35.79 And as far as testimonies go, 00:01:35.86\00:01:37.66 I've been sharing this teaching for 00:01:37.73\00:01:39.83 a number of years now. 00:01:39.86\00:01:41.50 And I've witnessed when 00:01:41.53\00:01:42.90 you learn to Exalt His Word, 00:01:42.93\00:01:44.30 it doesn't matter how long you've been a Christian. 00:01:44.33\00:01:49.34 You learn to tap into 00:01:49.37\00:01:51.61 the source of God's power that 00:01:51.64\00:01:53.71 will change you in ways that 00:01:53.74\00:01:55.58 you didn't think possible. 00:01:55.64\00:01:57.28 Everyone from baby Christians to 00:01:57.31\00:02:00.32 Pastors have marveled 00:02:00.38\00:02:02.58 at how God changed their lives 00:02:02.65\00:02:04.35 through this wonderful understanding of 00:02:04.42\00:02:07.52 this Bible teaching. 00:02:07.59\00:02:09.09 He brought them into 00:02:09.16\00:02:10.56 a more intimate relationship with Him. 00:02:10.63\00:02:13.03 And a relationship that was filled with love, 00:02:13.09\00:02:17.23 joy, 00:02:17.27\00:02:18.60 peace, 00:02:18.63\00:02:19.97 and power! 00:02:20.00\00:02:21.34 Power that God provides us to walk in Christ's footsteps. 00:02:21.37\00:02:24.17 Like others, you'll discover that 00:02:24.21\00:02:26.98 the power of God's word 00:02:27.01\00:02:29.11 through that power you can escape from 00:02:29.14\00:02:31.58 the corruption of the world 00:02:31.61\00:02:33.68 and learn to be more like Jesus. 00:02:33.72\00:02:35.82 Which by the way, 00:02:35.88\00:02:37.22 the Bible says it's your destiny. 00:02:37.25\00:02:39.05 If we want to have abundant life here on earth 00:02:39.12\00:02:43.56 and share in the glorious eternal inheritance that 00:02:43.63\00:02:46.06 God has prepared for us, 00:02:46.13\00:02:49.06 it's vital that we understand 00:02:49.10\00:02:51.87 the importance of taping into 00:02:51.90\00:02:54.30 the power of God's word 00:02:54.34\00:02:56.77 by putting it into practice. 00:02:56.81\00:02:58.14 That's what we'll be talking about in this series. 00:02:58.17\00:03:00.78 How to enjoy abundant life 00:03:00.81\00:03:03.21 by putting God's word into practice. 00:03:03.24\00:03:05.61 Let's ask the Lord to bless our time together today. 00:03:05.68\00:03:10.32 Heavenly Father, 00:03:10.39\00:03:11.72 we ask in a special way that 00:03:11.79\00:03:13.66 you would anoint this program. 00:03:13.72\00:03:16.06 Anoint the ears of my brothers 00:03:16.12\00:03:19.73 and my sisters who are listening. 00:03:19.79\00:03:21.56 And Father God in the Name of Jesus we ask that 00:03:21.63\00:03:24.67 you will teach us how to 00:03:24.70\00:03:26.80 tap into the power that 00:03:26.84\00:03:28.64 You make available for us to 00:03:28.67\00:03:30.31 overcome evil and become like Jesus. 00:03:30.34\00:03:32.54 We give you all the praise and all the glory. 00:03:32.57\00:03:35.31 And we just acknowledge Father that 00:03:35.34\00:03:37.51 the Holy Spirit is our teacher. 00:03:37.58\00:03:39.81 In Christ' Name, amen. 00:03:39.88\00:03:42.95 Do you feel 00:03:43.02\00:03:44.35 there's got to be more to life than 00:03:44.39\00:03:46.92 you've been experiencing? 00:03:46.99\00:03:49.06 Are you tired of the old 00:03:49.12\00:03:50.96 three steps forward 00:03:51.03\00:03:52.56 two steps back routine? 00:03:52.63\00:03:54.56 Then stay tuned to learn that 00:03:54.60\00:03:56.46 God has a plan for your life! 00:03:56.50\00:03:58.90 He will give you 00:03:58.93\00:04:00.34 the power to press forward victoriously! 00:04:00.37\00:04:03.44 Before we begin today's Bible study, 00:04:03.47\00:04:06.27 let me first share some highlights of 00:04:06.31\00:04:08.84 what you can expect in weeks to come. 00:04:08.88\00:04:11.81 This will be a rapid overview just to 00:04:11.85\00:04:14.42 wet your appetite for 00:04:14.48\00:04:16.58 what's coming in these series. 00:04:16.65\00:04:18.59 I'll be sharing... [information on screen] 00:04:18.65\00:04:25.33 Then we'll move on to the plan the Lord has. 00:04:25.99\00:04:28.40 [information on screen] 00:04:28.43\00:05:27.39 It's going to be an exciting series! 00:05:27.46\00:05:30.29 I do hope you'll make it your practice to 00:05:30.36\00:05:33.06 tune in every week 00:05:33.09\00:05:34.63 and follow this teaching as it develops. 00:05:34.66\00:05:37.87 I know God will bless 00:05:37.90\00:05:40.04 the instruction of His word 00:05:40.07\00:05:42.44 and I eagerly expect Him to 00:05:42.47\00:05:44.07 bless you through this teaching. 00:05:44.11\00:05:46.21 We will be learning the act that God declares is 00:05:46.24\00:05:49.28 the most appropriate for you and for me to 00:05:49.31\00:05:53.18 give Him our highest respect 00:05:53.25\00:05:57.75 and bring Him glory. 00:05:57.82\00:05:59.15 And that is Exalting His Word. 00:05:59.19\00:06:02.36 In fact, 00:06:02.42\00:06:03.76 the practice of Exalting His Word 00:06:03.79\00:06:05.93 will give you a new lease on life. 00:06:05.99\00:06:10.10 Have you ever looked at your life 00:06:10.17\00:06:13.40 and wished that 00:06:13.44\00:06:15.90 you could maybe start over at some point? 00:06:15.94\00:06:19.24 I don't know your circumstances but 00:06:19.27\00:06:21.54 if you're anything like I was in the past, 00:06:21.58\00:06:24.81 feeling powerless to affect changes in your life, 00:06:24.85\00:06:29.15 desiring a closer walk with God 00:06:29.22\00:06:32.79 and wanting the joy of 00:06:32.85\00:06:35.06 your salvation restored. 00:06:35.12\00:06:37.53 I know you would appreciate a new beginning. 00:06:37.59\00:06:40.63 I've got good news! 00:06:40.70\00:06:42.70 God is the God of new beginnings! 00:06:42.73\00:06:45.60 Let me share with you how 00:06:45.63\00:06:47.30 He brought me from a destructive path 00:06:47.34\00:06:51.34 to His path of life. 00:06:51.37\00:06:53.17 Perhaps you're familiar with 00:06:53.21\00:06:55.21 the verse found in Isaiah 35:8 00:06:55.28\00:06:57.91 which talks about 00:06:57.98\00:06:59.31 God's highway of Holiness. 00:06:59.35\00:07:01.38 I think this is the narrow road that 00:07:01.45\00:07:03.79 Jesus mentioned that leads to life. 00:07:03.85\00:07:08.09 Let me read this to you from 00:07:08.16\00:07:09.69 Matthews 7:13 and 14 00:07:09.76\00:07:13.83 Jesus said, 00:07:13.90\00:07:15.20 "Enter through the narrow gate 00:07:15.23\00:07:16.97 "for wide is the gate 00:07:17.00\00:07:18.63 "and broad is the road that 00:07:18.67\00:07:20.70 "leads to destruction. 00:07:20.74\00:07:22.50 "But small is the gate 00:07:22.54\00:07:24.74 "and narrow the road that leads to life 00:07:24.77\00:07:28.81 "and only a few find it." 00:07:28.84\00:07:32.51 You know, I have to admit... 00:07:32.55\00:07:35.62 In the past it seemed to me that 00:07:35.68\00:07:39.39 God's highway of Holiness 00:07:39.45\00:07:41.39 was poorly paved and marked. 00:07:41.46\00:07:44.99 I didn't recognize the road signs. 00:07:45.06\00:07:47.86 The guide posts that 00:07:47.96\00:07:50.27 needed to be there to keep me 00:07:50.33\00:07:54.20 on the right path. 00:07:54.24\00:07:55.70 In fact, I stumbled into many potholes! 00:07:55.74\00:07:58.37 I took several wrong turns 00:07:58.41\00:08:00.18 and exits that ended in road blocks. 00:08:00.21\00:08:04.35 My loving Lord 00:08:04.38\00:08:05.78 would reach out for me 00:08:05.85\00:08:07.18 and guide me back to His path of life. 00:08:07.22\00:08:10.99 And hand in hand I walked happily with my Savior 00:08:11.05\00:08:14.96 for long stretches of the way. 00:08:15.02\00:08:17.13 Then incredibly I would withdraw my hands from His. 00:08:17.19\00:08:21.73 When I started wondering around 00:08:21.76\00:08:24.27 under my own direction again, 00:08:24.30\00:08:26.87 confusion soon clouded my mind. 00:08:26.90\00:08:30.21 I couldn't see the narrow path that 00:08:30.24\00:08:34.44 Christ ask me to follow. 00:08:34.51\00:08:38.01 You know, it baffled me 00:08:38.08\00:08:40.25 when passion for Christ as my first love 00:08:40.32\00:08:43.65 begin to fade. 00:08:43.72\00:08:45.05 Have you ever experienced that? 00:08:45.09\00:08:46.72 Why does the joy drain from Bible study? 00:08:46.79\00:08:51.46 Why does prayer become stiff 00:08:51.49\00:08:55.10 and mechanical? 00:08:55.13\00:08:56.60 Few people in the church 00:08:56.63\00:08:58.70 speak of this awkward condition so, 00:08:58.73\00:09:01.77 most of us master the cover up... 00:09:01.80\00:09:05.74 a verbal camouflage. 00:09:05.77\00:09:07.88 You know what I mean! 00:09:07.91\00:09:09.24 We give God lip service but 00:09:09.28\00:09:11.95 we don't yield daily control to Him. 00:09:11.98\00:09:15.72 That's what I did! 00:09:15.78\00:09:17.12 Can you identify with this dilemma? 00:09:17.15\00:09:20.29 If we're really honest with ourselves, 00:09:20.36\00:09:23.56 I think most of us can! 00:09:23.63\00:09:25.66 On a couple of occasions when I was young, 00:09:25.73\00:09:29.16 I ignored God's direction all together 00:09:29.20\00:09:31.93 and I followed a destructive path. 00:09:31.97\00:09:36.17 I would slam into a barricade 00:09:36.20\00:09:39.51 and then stunned and ashamed 00:09:39.54\00:09:42.54 I limped away. 00:09:42.61\00:09:46.15 Away from Christ. 00:09:46.21\00:09:48.28 This is embarrassing to admit but, 00:09:48.35\00:09:50.42 if I had been on trial 00:09:50.49\00:09:52.35 as a believer in Christ 00:09:52.42\00:09:54.32 during those episodes, 00:09:54.39\00:09:55.72 they couldn't have produced enough physical evidence 00:09:55.79\00:09:59.09 to convict me. 00:09:59.16\00:10:01.16 Even now, 00:10:01.23\00:10:02.56 shame strikes at my heart if 00:10:02.60\00:10:05.03 I visit the gallery of my past. 00:10:05.07\00:10:06.94 But the Lord has taught me to 00:10:06.97\00:10:09.74 return my focus to Him rapidly! 00:10:09.77\00:10:14.31 We ALL need to keep our eyes 00:10:14.38\00:10:17.51 fixed on our Savior. 00:10:17.55\00:10:19.18 And then His voice reassuring us that we are forgiven 00:10:19.21\00:10:23.69 will help us to avoid falling 00:10:23.75\00:10:26.29 into the pit of condemnation. 00:10:26.35\00:10:28.29 We should learn to side step that snare of the devil! 00:10:28.36\00:10:33.43 And by God's divine grace to press forward, 00:10:33.46\00:10:37.93 in assurance of His power to 00:10:37.97\00:10:41.30 keep our feet from slipping off track again. 00:10:41.34\00:10:44.51 If we do this our hearts will be filled with joy, 00:10:44.54\00:10:49.14 thanksgiving, 00:10:49.18\00:10:50.51 and praise to the God of new beginnings! 00:10:50.55\00:10:54.08 There is a way to keep our hand in God's hand. 00:10:54.15\00:10:59.19 God is teaching me to walk so near to Him that 00:10:59.25\00:11:04.09 I sense His heartbeat! 00:11:04.16\00:11:06.19 And He wants to teach this to you also. 00:11:06.26\00:11:10.37 We all need to recognize 00:11:10.43\00:11:12.50 we're absolutely dependant upon His power to 00:11:12.53\00:11:17.14 work in us. 00:11:17.17\00:11:19.21 God has revealed to me 00:11:19.24\00:11:20.78 the central mystery of Christian life. 00:11:20.81\00:11:24.28 And that is the triumphant intrigue of His word. 00:11:24.35\00:11:30.05 The miracle working power of God's word is 00:11:30.12\00:11:34.49 His way to transform us into His image. 00:11:34.56\00:11:38.76 God is teaching me to exalt His word above all things. 00:11:38.83\00:11:44.20 And the Lord wants you to experience 00:11:44.23\00:11:47.24 the joy of this lifestyle too! 00:11:47.27\00:11:50.47 It pays to know this. 00:11:50.51\00:11:52.34 The secret of success for all humanity is 00:11:52.37\00:11:57.85 "Exalting His Word". 00:11:57.88\00:12:00.55 I want to explain to you 00:12:00.62\00:12:02.58 where the program title came from. 00:12:02.65\00:12:06.55 In Psalms 138:2 the Bible says... 00:12:06.62\00:12:11.76 [text on screen] 00:12:11.79\00:12:13.43 What does that mean? 00:12:24.64\00:12:26.27 A study in the Hebrew language 00:12:26.31\00:12:28.51 helped me gain a better understanding of 00:12:28.54\00:12:31.98 this wonderful truth. 00:12:32.01\00:12:35.32 The bottom line is this... 00:12:35.38\00:12:37.59 God exalts His word above everything! 00:12:37.65\00:12:42.82 That means nothing is more important to God 00:12:42.89\00:12:46.59 than His word! 00:12:46.66\00:12:48.00 [information on screen] 00:12:48.03\00:12:50.30 Why? 00:13:41.12\00:13:42.45 The Bible explains it to us 00:13:42.48\00:13:44.32 in the first chapter of the Gospel of John. 00:13:44.39\00:13:48.39 "In the beginning was the Word 00:13:48.46\00:13:51.09 "and the Word was with God 00:13:51.16\00:13:53.33 "and the Word was God. 00:13:53.36\00:13:56.26 "And in Him... 00:13:56.30\00:13:58.17 He became flesh, the Word became flesh 00:13:58.20\00:14:01.87 "In Him was life, 00:14:01.90\00:14:04.24 "and that life was the light for all men." 00:14:04.27\00:14:08.41 And the word of God sacrificed His lifeblood to 00:14:08.44\00:14:14.12 save you and me. 00:14:14.18\00:14:15.98 Jesus Christ was, is and ever will be 00:14:16.05\00:14:21.92 the Living Word of God. 00:14:21.99\00:14:24.69 Even at His second coming, 00:14:24.76\00:14:26.36 the Bible describes Jesus as the Word. 00:14:26.39\00:14:31.00 Let me read to you from 00:14:31.03\00:14:34.10 Revelation 19:13 and 16. 00:14:34.14\00:14:40.11 This is what the Bible declares... 00:14:40.14\00:14:42.28 "He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood. 00:14:42.31\00:14:47.28 "And His name is called the Word of God. 00:14:47.32\00:14:52.59 "And He has on His robe and on His thigh 00:14:52.65\00:14:57.26 "a name written 00:14:57.33\00:14:58.66 "King of Kings and Lord of Lords." 00:14:58.69\00:15:03.37 In the Bible Christ is also called 00:15:03.40\00:15:06.80 the Word of Life. 00:15:06.84\00:15:08.30 Everything that He is, the Bible is also. 00:15:08.34\00:15:13.64 He is love, 00:15:13.68\00:15:15.01 light, 00:15:15.04\00:15:16.38 life 00:15:16.41\00:15:17.75 and power. 00:15:17.78\00:15:19.11 The Bible is love, 00:15:19.15\00:15:20.62 light, 00:15:20.65\00:15:22.15 life 00:15:22.22\00:15:23.92 and power. 00:15:23.99\00:15:25.62 How privileged we are to 00:15:25.69\00:15:27.09 hold a Bible in our hands! 00:15:27.16\00:15:30.29 We are grasping the hand of God. 00:15:30.36\00:15:34.46 And He will lead us! 00:15:34.46\00:15:36.43 Since God exalts His word above everything else, 00:15:36.46\00:15:42.40 would you agree with me that 00:15:42.44\00:15:44.34 the Word of God should be our top priority also? 00:15:44.37\00:15:49.78 God's promises, 00:15:49.81\00:15:52.21 His purpose in bringing you this teaching is to 00:15:52.28\00:15:57.15 help you grasp the true meaning of 00:15:57.22\00:16:00.69 Exalting His Word. 00:16:00.76\00:16:02.32 We'll let the Bible tell us 00:16:02.39\00:16:06.06 and teach us 00:16:06.13\00:16:07.46 why God has elevated His word to 00:16:07.50\00:16:09.60 the place of highest honor and ranking. 00:16:09.66\00:16:13.50 Just as important, 00:16:13.54\00:16:14.87 this study will teach us and reveal 00:16:14.90\00:16:18.27 how we too can exalt God's Word! 00:16:18.31\00:16:21.31 This is a life changing study! 00:16:21.34\00:16:25.31 I have it on the authority of God's word. 00:16:25.35\00:16:29.52 Do you want a closer walk with Jesus? 00:16:29.58\00:16:35.46 Do you want the joy of your salvation 00:16:35.52\00:16:38.36 restored to you? 00:16:38.39\00:16:40.03 Are you ready to over come a powerless condition? 00:16:40.10\00:16:44.33 If you'll take to heart 00:16:44.37\00:16:46.47 the studies in this lesson series, 00:16:46.50\00:16:50.31 God will do a great work in you! 00:16:50.34\00:16:54.21 Hundreds of Christians have 00:16:54.24\00:16:56.18 eagerly embraced this teaching. 00:16:56.21\00:16:58.68 And their testimonies confirms 00:16:58.75\00:17:00.98 the power of Exalting God's Word. 00:17:01.05\00:17:03.95 I also testify to this truth by my own changed life. 00:17:04.02\00:17:09.16 God gave me a new beginning 00:17:09.22\00:17:11.46 and when He opened up my understanding to 00:17:11.53\00:17:15.73 this teaching of the power of His word, 00:17:15.76\00:17:19.53 He changed me in all ways! 00:17:19.57\00:17:23.07 If you really want to get 00:17:23.10\00:17:24.74 into the depth of this teaching, 00:17:24.77\00:17:26.41 I've written a companion book that will... 00:17:26.44\00:17:31.01 That you might enjoy as a study tool. 00:17:31.05\00:17:33.75 We're gonna take a quick break 00:17:33.82\00:17:35.85 and the announcer will tell you 00:17:35.92\00:17:37.65 how you could order this book if you're interested. 00:17:37.72\00:17:40.39 But please stay with us because 00:17:40.46\00:17:42.82 we'll be right back to 00:17:42.89\00:17:45.09 talk about the power of God that's 00:17:45.16\00:17:47.76 available to us for the asking. 00:17:47.76\00:17:50.97 If this dynamic series is making a difference in your life, 00:17:56.24\00:17:59.04 Then you should know about a special study guide 00:17:59.07\00:18:01.28 written by Shelley Quinn. 00:18:01.31\00:18:02.64 Exalting His Word With 00:18:02.68\00:18:04.01 Life Affirmations From Scripture 00:18:04.05\00:18:05.38 Is an in dept study of the Word of God. 00:18:05.41\00:18:08.08 Please send your love gifts to 00:18:10.82\00:18:12.92 Even now, 00:18:31.24\00:18:32.57 if I reflect on my Christian walk 00:18:32.61\00:18:34.51 I recognize that I daily live 00:18:34.54\00:18:37.15 in either one of two conditions. 00:18:37.21\00:18:40.12 I'm either powerful 00:18:40.18\00:18:41.52 or pitiful! 00:18:41.55\00:18:42.88 Either I walk in the power of God's word, 00:18:42.92\00:18:45.35 in His Spirit or 00:18:45.42\00:18:47.06 I limp through the day 00:18:47.12\00:18:48.46 staggering under the weight of my earthly burdens. 00:18:48.49\00:18:51.43 Life is a messy affair, isn't it? 00:18:51.49\00:18:54.56 If we try to live as Christians 00:18:54.56\00:18:58.47 by limited human strength 00:18:58.50\00:19:00.14 and understanding, 00:19:00.17\00:19:01.50 we are to be pitied because we have forgotten 00:19:01.54\00:19:04.37 our Lord's advice to us from John 15:5. 00:19:04.41\00:19:09.04 Jesus said, 00:19:09.08\00:19:10.41 "Apart from Me, you can do nothing." 00:19:10.45\00:19:14.05 The pitiful condition of 00:19:14.12\00:19:15.65 my earlier Christian experience 00:19:15.72\00:19:17.95 was because I tried to 00:19:18.02\00:19:20.86 live for Christ by self propelled performance. 00:19:20.92\00:19:25.36 Not knowing how to achieve 00:19:25.43\00:19:28.56 and sustain maturity in Christ. 00:19:28.60\00:19:30.17 I followed the old routine of three steps forward 00:19:30.20\00:19:34.40 two steps back! 00:19:34.44\00:19:36.14 In fact, I felt like a child that 00:19:36.17\00:19:38.41 was trying to walk up the down escalator. 00:19:38.44\00:19:41.81 Have you ever seen a child at play like this? 00:19:41.84\00:19:44.15 With great enthusiasm he meets the challenge of 00:19:44.18\00:19:46.41 the mechanical stairs that are flowing downward. 00:19:46.48\00:19:50.99 And usually he scrambles about half way up 00:19:51.05\00:19:55.42 the moving staircase. 00:19:55.49\00:19:57.03 Then resting for a moment he lets 00:19:57.09\00:19:59.86 the staircase bring him back 00:19:59.89\00:20:02.46 in the opposite direction. 00:20:02.53\00:20:03.87 And then as he nears the bottom platform again 00:20:03.90\00:20:06.20 the upward struggle begins again! 00:20:06.23\00:20:10.11 You know, 00:20:10.14\00:20:11.47 watching children in this action 00:20:11.51\00:20:13.01 I've noted something that's very interesting. 00:20:13.04\00:20:15.41 Rarely do they press forward all the way to the top 00:20:15.44\00:20:19.28 and step off the escalator. 00:20:19.31\00:20:21.38 Most often they perform the upward effort, 00:20:21.45\00:20:24.22 stop their advancement, 00:20:24.29\00:20:25.62 and ride the downward flow. 00:20:25.65\00:20:27.99 Then they struggle up a similar distance 00:20:28.06\00:20:31.59 and backslide again. 00:20:31.66\00:20:33.03 When they're finally weary of the game 00:20:33.06\00:20:35.70 they stop! 00:20:35.73\00:20:38.00 Can you see a comparison 00:20:38.03\00:20:40.60 between our Christian walk 00:20:40.64\00:20:42.64 and this escalator scene? 00:20:42.67\00:20:44.67 Christians struggle against 00:20:44.71\00:20:46.91 the downward trend of the world system. 00:20:46.94\00:20:50.58 It's just like we were trying to 00:20:50.61\00:20:52.95 walk up a down escalator! 00:20:52.98\00:20:55.75 If we stop advancing, 00:20:55.82\00:20:58.35 we start back sliding! 00:20:58.42\00:21:00.96 And if we're startled into weariness of loss ground 00:21:01.02\00:21:05.23 usually we start pressing forward again 00:21:05.29\00:21:08.30 unless we've grown exhausted by the effort. 00:21:08.33\00:21:11.37 Oh how we must guard our hearts so that 00:21:11.40\00:21:15.17 we don't weary of the upward race! 00:21:15.20\00:21:18.87 Unchecked backsliding 00:21:18.91\00:21:20.24 can cost us our relationship with Christ 00:21:20.28\00:21:22.98 and it doesn't have to be this way! 00:21:23.01\00:21:25.78 God will give us the victory 00:21:25.81\00:21:27.98 if we'll just let Him! 00:21:28.05\00:21:29.75 We must press forward in determination to 00:21:29.82\00:21:33.59 make to the top in Christ like maturity 00:21:33.66\00:21:35.89 depending on His power to overcome all of our obstacles! 00:21:35.96\00:21:41.63 One of my favorite scripture promises is 00:21:41.70\00:21:45.00 II Corinthians 12:9. 00:21:45.03\00:21:47.57 Jesus said, 00:21:47.60\00:21:48.94 "My GRACE is sufficient for you. 00:21:48.97\00:21:51.21 "For My power is made perfect in your weakness." 00:21:51.24\00:21:55.88 He never intended for us to rely on limited human strength. 00:21:55.91\00:22:02.28 We can't press forward without His power! 00:22:02.35\00:22:05.95 Backsliding can't be prevented without His power! 00:22:06.02\00:22:10.76 Remember the Savior's words? 00:22:10.83\00:22:13.23 "Apart from me you can do nothing." 00:22:13.29\00:22:16.97 Only the power of Christ overcomes our weaknesses. 00:22:17.03\00:22:21.84 Only by His power are we able to 00:22:21.87\00:22:26.11 do what He asks us to do. 00:22:26.14\00:22:27.68 Our hope is found in absolute dependence upon God. 00:22:27.71\00:22:34.22 It's true. 00:22:34.28\00:22:35.62 He is the God of new beginnings! 00:22:35.65\00:22:37.82 The Bible tells us in Lamentations 3:22,23 00:22:37.89\00:22:43.06 "because of the Lord's great love 00:22:43.12\00:22:48.26 "For His compassions never fail! 00:22:48.30\00:22:51.03 "They are new every morning!" 00:22:51.07\00:22:54.14 Let me ask you... 00:22:54.17\00:22:55.67 have you grown weary 00:22:55.70\00:22:57.24 and realized that you are backsliding? 00:22:57.27\00:22:58.91 He will renew your strength 00:22:58.94\00:23:00.78 exchanging His strength for yours! 00:23:00.81\00:23:04.65 Have you made a wrong turn 00:23:04.71\00:23:06.95 and find you're in a crooked path? 00:23:07.02\00:23:09.62 Cry out for direction. 00:23:09.68\00:23:11.02 He will guide you back to the path of light! 00:23:11.05\00:23:14.96 Is there an obstacle that is preventing you 00:23:15.02\00:23:19.66 from drawing near to the Lord? 00:23:19.69\00:23:22.10 He desires to remove it 00:23:22.13\00:23:24.07 and He will 00:23:24.13\00:23:25.47 if you'll just give Him permission. 00:23:25.50\00:23:27.47 Let me read one of 00:23:27.50\00:23:29.47 my favorite scripture promises from Isaiah... 00:23:29.50\00:23:33.14 excuse me- 00:23:33.17\00:23:34.61 Jeremiah 29:11. 00:23:34.68\00:23:37.51 I hardly have to read it because 00:23:37.58\00:23:39.18 I know this one by heart but He says, 00:23:39.21\00:23:42.22 "I know the plans I have for you. 00:23:42.28\00:23:46.49 "Plans to prosper you 00:23:46.55\00:23:49.52 "and not to harm you. 00:23:49.59\00:23:52.66 "Plans to give you hope and a future." 00:23:52.73\00:23:55.76 God does have a plan for our lives! 00:23:55.80\00:23:59.13 And let me tell you something... 00:23:59.17\00:24:00.70 It's better than the one we're living! 00:24:00.74\00:24:03.81 In fact, 00:24:03.84\00:24:05.57 it is dramatically different than the one 00:24:05.61\00:24:08.74 most Christians are following. 00:24:08.78\00:24:10.55 In His unconditional love 00:24:10.58\00:24:12.91 and infinite wisdom 00:24:12.98\00:24:14.98 He designed a plan that is so simple 00:24:15.05\00:24:18.59 anyone can share in it. 00:24:18.65\00:24:21.32 The word of God reveals the plan 00:24:21.39\00:24:25.69 but it does more than that. 00:24:25.76\00:24:27.10 It actually brings the power to 00:24:27.13\00:24:30.37 create God's purposes in us. 00:24:30.43\00:24:32.43 Jesus Christ is the mediator for this plan. 00:24:32.47\00:24:35.60 He brings us into agreement with this God 00:24:35.64\00:24:38.94 and reconciles our differences. 00:24:38.97\00:24:40.84 Now what exactly does that mean to reconcile? 00:24:40.88\00:24:46.01 To understand this term 00:24:46.08\00:24:47.52 I think the easiest thing to do is to 00:24:47.58\00:24:50.19 compare it to our banking account. 00:24:50.25\00:24:53.36 We were overdrawn in our account with God 00:24:53.42\00:25:00.36 because of sin. 00:25:00.43\00:25:01.73 There was no way that we could pay the debt. 00:25:01.76\00:25:04.93 So Christ paid our debt for us 00:25:04.97\00:25:09.17 on the cross of Calvary. 00:25:09.20\00:25:11.47 And then in addition to that, 00:25:11.51\00:25:13.68 He deposited His righteousness into our account to 00:25:13.71\00:25:20.15 cover our deficit. 00:25:20.22\00:25:21.98 Then God sent His Holy Spirit 00:25:22.05\00:25:24.39 and He is the agent... 00:25:24.45\00:25:26.52 the helper of this plan. 00:25:26.59\00:25:29.59 I'll tell you 00:25:29.66\00:25:30.99 it is by the Spirit's power operating within us that 00:25:31.03\00:25:35.10 God can work out His plan for our lives. 00:25:35.13\00:25:39.33 In fact... 00:25:39.37\00:25:40.70 [information on screen] 00:25:40.74\00:25:43.17 My most favorite Bible promise is 00:26:04.09\00:26:07.23 Philippians 2:13 00:26:07.30\00:26:09.36 [text on screen] 00:26:09.40\00:26:12.47 God's message to you today can be summarized 00:26:16.54\00:26:20.84 in Isaiah 43:18,19. 00:26:20.88\00:26:23.95 Listen to the heart of 00:26:23.98\00:26:25.91 our loving Heavenly Father... 00:26:25.95\00:26:28.45 [information on screen] 00:26:28.52\00:26:31.35 Friend, God wants to give you 00:26:55.58\00:26:59.38 the gift of a new beginning. 00:26:59.45\00:27:03.35 Will you receive it? 00:27:03.42\00:27:05.19 I pray that you do. 00:27:05.25\00:27:07.76 Well, that's all the time that we have for today. 00:27:07.82\00:27:11.79 I hope that you'll tune in next week 00:27:11.83\00:27:13.83 when I'll share how God proved to me that 00:27:13.90\00:27:18.10 His word is life. 00:27:18.13\00:27:20.04 When He miraculously healed me. 00:27:20.07\00:27:22.94 My prayer for you is that 00:27:22.97\00:27:25.07 God will multiply His mercy, 00:27:25.11\00:27:29.01 His love and His grace to you and yours. 00:27:29.04\00:27:32.01 And that He will watch over His word to 00:27:32.08\00:27:35.42 perform it in your life 00:27:35.48\00:27:37.65 as you cooperate with Him. 00:27:37.72\00:27:39.42 I hope that today you've been encouraged 00:27:39.49\00:27:43.49 in some way to spend your time 00:27:43.56\00:27:46.13 making that which is most important to God 00:27:46.19\00:27:50.10 the very thing that is also most important to you. 00:27:50.13\00:27:56.50 Exalting His Word. 00:27:56.54\00:28:00.11