Hello. 00:00:18.80\00:00:19.78 I'm Shelley Quinn 00:00:19.83\00:00:20.88 and I welcome you to 00:00:20.93\00:00:21.95 "Exalting His Word". 00:00:22.00\00:00:23.82 Today will be discussing 00:00:23.87\00:00:24.92 how to plant God's promises in our heart. 00:00:24.97\00:00:28.02 I'm so happy that you could join us 00:00:28.07\00:00:30.42 for this wonderful Bible teaching. 00:00:30.47\00:00:32.72 You know, there's power 00:00:32.77\00:00:34.72 in the promises of God. 00:00:34.77\00:00:36.15 Power to change your lives. 00:00:36.20\00:00:38.85 I'd like to take just a moment 00:00:38.90\00:00:40.32 and explain our theme text which is found 00:00:40.37\00:00:43.55 in Psalms 138:2. 00:00:43.60\00:00:46.58 And what that verse says is that 00:00:46.63\00:00:49.55 God exalts His name 00:00:49.60\00:00:51.62 and His word above all things. 00:00:51.67\00:00:54.78 And He magnifies His word 00:00:54.83\00:00:58.05 even above His name. 00:00:58.10\00:00:59.85 In other words God exalts His word 00:00:59.90\00:01:03.72 above all things! 00:01:03.77\00:01:05.65 If you're a regular viewer 00:01:05.70\00:01:07.38 you know that I like to take a moment each week 00:01:07.43\00:01:10.25 and dwell on the deep and beautiful truth of 00:01:10.30\00:01:13.68 this Scripture as we begin. 00:01:13.73\00:01:15.62 I was impressed today to do this 00:01:15.67\00:01:17.45 just a little bit differently than 00:01:17.50\00:01:18.82 the pattern that I've been following. 00:01:18.87\00:01:20.42 Let's review this verse from a different angle. 00:01:20.47\00:01:23.45 Let's talk about how WE can exalt God's word 00:01:23.50\00:01:27.58 in the same manner that He does. 00:01:27.63\00:01:30.05 If we follow God's example 00:01:30.10\00:01:32.78 and exalt His word above everything 00:01:32.83\00:01:35.55 that means that nothing will be more important to us. 00:01:35.60\00:01:38.95 God's word will be our number one priority. 00:01:39.00\00:01:42.95 We would promote His word to the highest rank of 00:01:43.00\00:01:46.82 importance looking to the Bible 00:01:46.87\00:01:48.98 for all the answers to all of life's questions. 00:01:49.03\00:01:53.28 We will give the word of God 00:01:53.33\00:01:55.95 the highest position of praise. 00:01:56.00\00:01:57.52 Which means we will demonstrate our worship for Him 00:01:57.57\00:02:01.98 by walking in obedience to His word. 00:02:02.03\00:02:05.85 If we do as God does 00:02:05.90\00:02:07.72 and exalt his word above everything 00:02:07.77\00:02:10.62 it means that we will recognize 00:02:10.67\00:02:12.42 the creative life-giving power of His word 00:02:12.47\00:02:16.52 to transform our lives. 00:02:16.57\00:02:17.78 We'll become like the ancient patriarch Job 00:02:17.83\00:02:21.58 and esteem and treasure God's word 00:02:21.63\00:02:24.88 more than our daily food. 00:02:24.93\00:02:26.65 It's interesting to look at this definition from 00:02:26.70\00:02:30.68 a different point of view, isn't it? 00:02:30.73\00:02:33.02 For a number of programs 00:02:33.07\00:02:34.04 we've looked at this from God's perspective 00:02:34.05\00:02:36.22 and to look at how He views his word. 00:02:36.27\00:02:38.68 And maybe we thought we were beginning 00:02:38.73\00:02:40.65 to understand what it means to exalt God's word. 00:02:40.70\00:02:44.22 Now that we look at it from our perspective 00:02:44.27\00:02:47.95 does it make you realized that we still have 00:02:48.00\00:02:49.72 a way to go to learn to exalt God's word? 00:02:49.77\00:02:53.22 The Bible clearly and repeatedly states that 00:02:53.27\00:02:57.02 obedience is the pathway to all of God's blessings. 00:02:57.07\00:03:01.75 But we can't obey God by our limited human power. 00:03:01.80\00:03:05.75 We must live in absolute dependence 00:03:05.80\00:03:08.68 upon the transforming power of his spirit 00:03:08.73\00:03:11.78 and his word to walk in the pathway of blessings. 00:03:11.83\00:03:16.62 Before we began a program let's ask the Lord 00:03:16.67\00:03:19.22 to bless the study of his word. 00:03:19.27\00:03:21.42 Heavenly Father we come today to ask that 00:03:21.47\00:03:25.45 you would send your Holy Spirit 00:03:25.50\00:03:27.98 to teach us Father God 00:03:28.03\00:03:29.45 how to plant your promises in our hearts. 00:03:29.50\00:03:33.02 That we might partake of 00:03:33.07\00:03:34.32 Christ's divine nature 00:03:34.37\00:03:35.35 and escape the evil corruption of the world. 00:03:35.40\00:03:38.55 Lord we thank you. 00:03:38.60\00:03:40.18 We know we're praying according to your will 00:03:40.23\00:03:42.58 and may it be done for your glory. 00:03:42.63\00:03:44.92 In Jesus name, amen. 00:03:44.97\00:03:49.25 I heard a story about an Eskimo and two dogs. 00:03:49.30\00:03:52.55 Evangelist Billy Graham told it but 00:03:52.60\00:03:54.75 I don't recall if the story is his original. 00:03:54.80\00:03:58.28 What I do remember it is the moral of the story. 00:03:58.33\00:04:00.45 I'd like to share by version which I call 00:04:00.50\00:04:03.32 "Sinbad and The Junkyard Dogs". 00:04:03.37\00:04:07.72 Sinbad was a hard hearted sort of fellow 00:04:07.77\00:04:09.65 and he was a notorious gambler. 00:04:09.70\00:04:11.45 He owned a junkyard and two prize biting dogs. 00:04:11.50\00:04:16.22 A pit bull and a white German shepherd. 00:04:16.27\00:04:19.15 Every weekend Sinbad would take these animals 00:04:19.20\00:04:22.65 to the dogfights out in the country 00:04:22.70\00:04:24.88 where he would match them 00:04:24.93\00:04:25.92 against each other in the finding pens. 00:04:25.97\00:04:28.48 Sinbad established the odds 00:04:28.53\00:04:30.48 and the spectators placed their bets with him. 00:04:30.53\00:04:33.75 Most often for their favorite dog. 00:04:33.80\00:04:36.78 Now the pit bull often soundly whipped 00:04:36.83\00:04:40.58 the German shepherd. 00:04:40.63\00:04:41.75 Still much to the amazement of the onlookers 00:04:41.80\00:04:44.68 the shepherd sometimes pinned down the pit bull 00:04:44.73\00:04:47.45 within moments rendering him helpless. 00:04:47.50\00:04:51.68 Now Grady was a regular gambler. 00:04:51.73\00:04:55.18 And he tried to pick the winner 00:04:55.23\00:04:57.42 based on the odds. 00:04:57.47\00:04:58.98 Poor Grady! 00:04:59.03\00:05:00.02 He rarely won. 00:05:00.07\00:05:01.42 And he observed that Sinbad seldom had 00:05:01.47\00:05:04.45 to pay off on these bets. 00:05:04.50\00:05:06.88 Well Grady was fascinated 00:05:06.93\00:05:09.88 and he was greedy for gain. 00:05:09.93\00:05:11.55 So he made Sinbad a conditional offer 00:05:11.60\00:05:15.35 to purchase this dog pair. 00:05:15.40\00:05:17.95 He went to him and he said 00:05:18.00\00:05:19.68 "Sinbad I'll tell you what... 00:05:19.73\00:05:21.28 I'll pay you a handsome fee for these dogs 00:05:21.33\00:05:23.92 if you'll just tell me what is your system 00:05:23.97\00:05:27.48 for winning. 00:05:27.53\00:05:28.58 I don't understand how the pit bull appears to be 00:05:28.63\00:05:32.42 so much stronger on some weekends 00:05:32.47\00:05:34.98 but the German shepherd just beats 00:05:35.03\00:05:37.35 the day light out of him on others. 00:05:37.40\00:05:39.45 Once they agreed on the selling price 00:05:39.50\00:05:41.28 Sinbad grind and he said, "Grady it's simple. 00:05:41.33\00:05:47.68 "The one... 00:05:47.73\00:05:49.02 "I simply feed one dog one weekend 00:05:49.07\00:05:52.58 "and starve the other." 00:05:52.63\00:05:54.25 And he said "so one who gets fed wins". 00:05:54.30\00:05:57.75 You know the moral of the story applies to you and me. 00:05:57.80\00:06:01.15 Do you recognize it? 00:06:01.20\00:06:02.25 It might be helpful to review a similar message 00:06:02.30\00:06:04.52 from the Bible that's found in Galatians 6:8 00:06:04.57\00:06:07.32 There it says, "for he who sows to his flesh 00:06:07.37\00:06:11.32 "will of the flesh reap corruption. 00:06:11.37\00:06:14.42 "But he who sows to the spirit 00:06:14.47\00:06:16.75 "will of the spirit reap everlasting life." 00:06:16.80\00:06:21.55 As Christians you and I 00:06:21.60\00:06:23.78 have two natures within us. 00:06:23.83\00:06:25.88 The old flesh nature of sin 00:06:25.93\00:06:27.95 and the born again nature of Christ. 00:06:28.00\00:06:31.15 If we feed on the trash of the world system 00:06:31.20\00:06:34.88 our old sin nature will rear its ugly head 00:06:34.93\00:06:38.48 with a tenacity of a ferocious pit bull. 00:06:38.53\00:06:42.38 But in contrast if we feed 00:06:42.43\00:06:44.28 our new nature with the word of God 00:06:44.33\00:06:48.52 the good Shepherd comes forth 00:06:48.57\00:06:52.32 and wins the battle for us. 00:06:52.37\00:06:53.55 The nature we feed wins! 00:06:53.60\00:06:56.88 It's really that simple! 00:06:56.93\00:06:59.48 You know it's sad to say but 00:06:59.53\00:07:01.98 it's also so obvious that what 00:07:02.03\00:07:04.42 I'm about to say won't surprise you. 00:07:04.47\00:07:07.25 There is a drought in the land. 00:07:07.30\00:07:10.58 A righteousness drought. 00:07:10.63\00:07:11.98 Our Holy and righteous God abhors evil. 00:07:12.03\00:07:16.35 He hates it because it is in direct opposition 00:07:16.40\00:07:21.22 to His divine nature of love. 00:07:21.27\00:07:25.05 God's heart is broken by the pain 00:07:25.10\00:07:28.62 and suffering evil causes. 00:07:28.67\00:07:30.98 Do you think that 00:07:31.03\00:07:36.32 By our attitudes toward evil? 00:07:36.37\00:07:39.32 The Bible says in Proverbs 4:18 that 00:07:39.37\00:07:44.62 "The fear of the Lord is to hate evil." 00:07:44.67\00:07:47.68 When this verse says to fear the Lord 00:07:47.73\00:07:50.25 it means to have reverent respect and awe for God. 00:07:50.30\00:07:55.28 Now let me repeat that verse. 00:07:55.33\00:07:57.55 "The fear of the Lord 00:07:57.60\00:07:58.98 "is to hate evil." 00:07:59.03\00:08:02.12 You know it seems that we have a problem. 00:08:02.17\00:08:06.08 It seems that Christians, 00:08:06.13\00:08:07.58 Christians have lost their reverent respect 00:08:07.63\00:08:10.68 and awe for God. 00:08:10.73\00:08:12.15 We don't hate sin as God does. 00:08:12.20\00:08:16.28 I think maybe that 00:08:16.33\00:08:17.30 the vast corruption of our world has numbed 00:08:17.31\00:08:19.65 our senses in some way. 00:08:19.70\00:08:21.72 In many instances our response to sin has been 00:08:21.77\00:08:26.28 diluted to lukewarm indifference, 00:08:26.33\00:08:29.85 shrugging shoulders, 00:08:29.90\00:08:31.48 and clucking tongues. 00:08:31.53\00:08:33.25 And our apathy grieves God. 00:08:33.30\00:08:37.52 It's really become difficult 00:08:37.57\00:08:39.52 to avoid worldly images and influences, 00:08:39.57\00:08:43.62 hasn't it? 00:08:43.67\00:08:44.75 We are bombarded by evil images daily. 00:08:44.80\00:08:47.95 We need to be like the Psalmist 00:08:48.00\00:08:50.18 who recorded his prayer to God 00:08:50.23\00:08:52.55 in Psalms 119:37 00:08:52.60\00:08:54.92 He said "Lord turn my eyes away from worthless things 00:08:54.97\00:08:59.92 and revive me in your way Father. 00:08:59.97\00:09:03.82 Are we vigilant to turn our eyes away 00:09:03.87\00:09:07.75 from worthless things? 00:09:07.80\00:09:09.48 It breaks the heart of God 00:09:09.53\00:09:11.15 when we allow earthly trash 00:09:11.20\00:09:13.22 to gain entrance and pollute our minds! 00:09:13.27\00:09:17.82 Let me ask you question. 00:09:17.87\00:09:18.84 Have we forgotten that the Bible warns us that 00:09:18.85\00:09:22.12 friendship with this world system 00:09:22.17\00:09:24.82 is hatred toward God? 00:09:24.87\00:09:26.28 Look at the way the Holy Spirit inspired 00:09:26.33\00:09:30.08 the warning to us in James 4:4 00:09:30.13\00:09:33.78 [text on screen] 00:09:33.83\00:09:36.18 He's talking about spiritual adultery here. 00:09:36.80\00:09:38.88 Christians who are having a love affair with the world. 00:09:38.93\00:09:42.98 [back to text] 00:09:43.03\00:09:44.55 Now, that's a pretty stern warning, isn't it? 00:09:56.83\00:09:59.82 It's one that we should heed as well. 00:09:59.87\00:10:03.68 We need to recognize sin for what it is. 00:10:03.73\00:10:07.82 One of the reasons we seem to ignore the warning 00:10:07.87\00:10:12.25 is because the ways of the world 00:10:12.30\00:10:14.72 can sometimes seem so harmless. 00:10:14.77\00:10:17.45 One of Satan's favorite devices 00:10:17.50\00:10:20.92 is to make sin humorous. 00:10:20.97\00:10:24.72 Or to make it entertaining. 00:10:24.77\00:10:25.74 If he can put a cloak of humor of comedy on sin 00:10:25.75\00:10:30.08 and if he can cause us to respond with laughter 00:10:30.13\00:10:33.62 then the devil has scored! 00:10:33.67\00:10:35.32 Our laughter demonstrates our approval 00:10:35.37\00:10:38.68 for practices that go against 00:10:38.73\00:10:41.35 God's righteous decrees. 00:10:41.40\00:10:42.75 The Bible says in Roman 1:32 00:10:42.80\00:10:46.48 that we often know 00:10:46.53\00:10:54.55 and we understand that the wages of sin are death. 00:10:54.60\00:10:58.18 And that those who practice evil are 00:10:58.23\00:11:00.68 actually deserving of death. 00:11:00.73\00:11:02.22 But then he goes on to say in that verse that 00:11:02.27\00:11:06.38 we do the same practices of sin! 00:11:06.43\00:11:08.55 And we approve of those who practice them. 00:11:08.60\00:11:14.35 Are we the Devil's fool? 00:11:14.40\00:11:16.05 Let me show you Satan's number one trick. 00:11:16.10\00:11:19.98 Satan does all within his power... 00:11:20.03\00:11:22.42 [information on screen] 00:11:22.47\00:11:26.18 Do we have to open the package to realize that... 00:11:29.40\00:11:36.15 [back to statement] 00:11:36.20\00:11:39.88 Oh, may God help us to hate evil as he does. 00:11:39.93\00:11:44.22 Let us pray that we learn 00:11:44.27\00:11:46.95 to discern between the pure and the impure. 00:11:47.00\00:11:51.15 We should pray that God will teach us 00:11:51.20\00:11:54.55 his way of hating the sin 00:11:54.60\00:11:58.08 yet loving the sinner 00:11:58.13\00:11:59.78 with a redemptive love. 00:11:59.83\00:12:00.92 Let us pray ever more earnestly that 00:12:00.97\00:12:03.95 we don't develop judgmental attitudes 00:12:04.00\00:12:07.25 towards others. 00:12:07.30\00:12:09.08 None of us is righteous by our own merit. 00:12:09.13\00:12:13.05 Isaiah 64:6 puts it this way... 00:12:13.10\00:12:15.72 "All of us have become like one who is unclean 00:12:15.77\00:12:21.15 "and all our righteous acts 00:12:21.20\00:12:23.58 "are like filthy rags." 00:12:23.63\00:12:25.48 In reality we should all 00:12:25.53\00:12:27.78 be saying there but for 00:12:27.83\00:12:29.78 the grace of God go I. 00:12:29.83\00:12:31.98 Did you know that judging others is 00:12:32.03\00:12:35.32 nothing short of self exaltation? 00:12:35.37\00:12:38.52 Or self-righteousness? 00:12:38.57\00:12:40.65 And that is the Devil's favorite trip wire 00:12:40.70\00:12:45.55 to cause our downfall. 00:12:45.60\00:12:47.32 Self-righteousness is a sinister spirit of pride! 00:12:47.37\00:12:53.35 And when you think about it 00:12:53.40\00:12:54.37 the spirit of pride is the spirit of antichrist. 00:12:54.38\00:12:59.25 Which is in direct conflict 00:12:59.30\00:13:01.52 to the absolute humility of Christ. 00:13:01.57\00:13:04.75 We should always be mindful of the council that 00:13:04.80\00:13:07.95 we've been given in Philippians Chapter 2 00:13:08.00\00:13:11.25 "Let this might be in you 00:13:11.30\00:13:13.88 "which was also in Christ Jesus." 00:13:13.93\00:13:17.12 He humbled himself 00:13:17.17\00:13:18.45 and he became obedient to the point of death 00:13:18.50\00:13:22.08 even the death of the cross. 00:13:22.13\00:13:25.48 Our spiritual enemy 00:13:25.53\00:13:28.45 comes in like a flood. 00:13:28.50\00:13:29.68 Trying to knock us off of our sure foundation. 00:13:29.73\00:13:33.55 And pride is his greatest scheme 00:13:33.60\00:13:36.68 to separate us from the Lord. 00:13:36.73\00:13:39.42 Do we feed on the Devil's slaughter ourselves 00:13:39.47\00:13:43.38 while condemning others for their sin? 00:13:43.43\00:13:45.88 How easy it is to fall into this trap! 00:13:45.93\00:13:48.85 We must deprive our selfish prideful nature 00:13:48.90\00:13:53.12 and partake of God's divine nature. 00:13:53.17\00:13:56.62 Do you remember what we talked about last time 00:13:56.67\00:13:59.35 about how we partake of God's divine nature? 00:13:59.40\00:14:03.12 The answer is found in II Peter 1:4 00:14:03.17\00:14:08.42 "He (that's God) has given us his very 00:14:08.47\00:14:11.12 "great and precious promises 00:14:11.17\00:14:13.22 "so that through them you may participate. 00:14:13.27\00:14:17.98 "Become part takers off his divine nature 00:14:18.03\00:14:21.48 "and escape the corruption in the world 00:14:21.53\00:14:24.72 "caused by evil desires." 00:14:24.77\00:14:27.45 That's found in II Peter 1:4. 00:14:27.50\00:14:30.85 By God's gracious and loving design 00:14:30.90\00:14:34.98 he has given us 00:14:35.03\00:14:36.18 given us everything that we need 00:14:36.23\00:14:38.85 to live godly lives. 00:14:38.90\00:14:39.98 He has a system a system for escaping evil 00:14:40.03\00:14:44.72 and he wants us to learn it! 00:14:44.77\00:14:46.98 In drawing near to God, 00:14:47.03\00:14:49.42 hiding his word in our hearts 00:14:49.47\00:14:51.45 and living in his promises 00:14:51.50\00:14:53.48 we can escape the clutches of evil. 00:14:53.53\00:14:56.92 We'll be right back to discuss a practical way 00:14:56.97\00:14:59.95 in which we can put God's system into practice. 00:15:00.00\00:15:03.98 Please stay tuned! 00:15:04.03\00:15:06.22 If this dynamic series 00:15:08.27\00:15:09.24 is making a difference in your life, 00:15:09.25\00:15:10.75 then you should know about 00:15:10.80\00:15:12.18 a special study guide 00:15:12.23\00:15:13.38 written by Shelley Quinn. 00:15:13.43\00:15:14.55 Exalting His Word with 00:15:14.60\00:15:15.57 Life Affirmations From Scripture 00:15:15.58\00:15:16.78 is an in depth study of the word of God. 00:15:16.83\00:15:19.62 Please send your love gifts to... 00:15:22.53\00:15:24.32 What God wants us to do he is seeking our cooperation. 00:15:36.83\00:15:42.75 He wants us to depend on his power 00:15:42.80\00:15:46.85 to develop the nature of Christ within us. 00:15:46.90\00:15:52.55 His solemn vows are upon us 00:15:52.60\00:15:53.57 and our destiny is to become like Jesus! 00:15:53.58\00:15:57.58 Hallelujah!!! 00:15:57.63\00:15:58.65 Taking part in his divine nature 00:15:58.70\00:16:01.68 does require effort. 00:16:01.73\00:16:03.38 It requires a vigorous spirit empowered effort 00:16:03.43\00:16:08.25 to plant God's promises in our hearts. 00:16:08.30\00:16:10.72 We must sow to the spirit to reap everlasting life. 00:16:10.77\00:16:15.78 What I'd like us to do now is 00:16:15.83\00:16:17.88 to consider the potential of the harvest. 00:16:17.93\00:16:22.82 We sow what we reap. 00:16:22.87\00:16:26.32 Excuse me... 00:16:26.37\00:16:27.34 We reap what we sow!! 00:16:27.35\00:16:29.18 Isn't that right? 00:16:29.23\00:16:30.20 We can't plant one thing 00:16:30.23\00:16:32.88 and harvest something else! 00:16:32.93\00:16:34.45 This law of God can't be violated 00:16:34.50\00:16:37.08 in either the spiritual realm or the physical realm. 00:16:37.13\00:16:41.18 Ask any farmer and he will tell you 00:16:41.23\00:16:43.92 if you sow wheat you reap wheat. 00:16:43.97\00:16:47.78 If you sow corn you reap corn. 00:16:47.83\00:16:51.55 Why? 00:16:51.60\00:16:52.57 Because the potential of the harvest is 00:16:52.58\00:16:56.48 wrapped inside this seed. 00:16:56.53\00:16:58.18 The Bible says this in Galatians 6. 00:16:58.23\00:17:02.22 [text on screen] 00:17:02.27\00:17:04.25 You're probably familiar with 00:17:33.40\00:17:35.78 the parable of sowing seed that Jesus told. 00:17:35.83\00:17:40.02 It's recorded in Luke chapter 8 00:17:40.07\00:17:42.32 and I'd like to read some of that to you right now 00:17:42.37\00:17:45.32 because this really is going to right in 00:17:45.37\00:17:48.25 with the very practical application 00:17:48.30\00:17:51.15 to our lives today. 00:17:51.20\00:17:52.88 I'm going to start in Luke 8:5. 00:17:52.93\00:17:55.78 "A farmer went out to sow his seed. 00:17:55.83\00:17:59.05 " As he was scattering the seed 00:17:59.10\00:18:01.82 "some fell along the path. 00:18:01.87\00:18:04.08 "It was trampled on 00:18:04.13\00:18:05.28 "and the birds of air ate it up. 00:18:05.33\00:18:07.48 "Some fell on rock and when it came up 00:18:07.53\00:18:10.18 "the plants a withered because they had no moisture. 00:18:10.23\00:18:13.48 "Other seed fell among thorns 00:18:13.53\00:18:15.42 "which grew up with it and choked the plants. 00:18:15.47\00:18:18.65 "Still other seeds fell on good soil. 00:18:18.70\00:18:22.08 "It came up and yielded a crop 00:18:22.13\00:18:24.88 "a hundred times more than was sown." 00:18:24.93\00:18:27.35 Now, listen to Christ's explanation 00:18:27.40\00:18:30.25 of this parable. 00:18:30.30\00:18:31.27 This is the meaning of the parable, he said. 00:18:31.28\00:18:33.65 The seed it is the word of God. 00:18:33.70\00:18:37.58 Those all along the path 00:18:37.63\00:18:39.12 are the ones who hear and then 00:18:39.17\00:18:40.75 the devil comes and takes the word out of their hearts 00:18:40.80\00:18:44.85 so that they may not believe and be saved. 00:18:44.90\00:18:48.25 Those who are on the rock 00:18:48.30\00:18:49.35 are the ones who received the word with joy. 00:18:49.40\00:18:52.15 But when they hear it they... 00:18:52.20\00:18:56.15 they just have no roots 00:18:56.20\00:18:57.55 and they believe for a while 00:18:57.60\00:18:59.18 but at the time of testing they fall away. 00:18:59.23\00:19:00.58 And then it says the seed that fell among thorns 00:19:00.63\00:19:05.62 stands for those who hear it 00:19:05.67\00:19:07.58 but as they go on their way 00:19:07.63\00:19:09.65 they are choked by life's worries, 00:19:09.70\00:19:13.18 riches and concerns. 00:19:13.23\00:19:15.48 And they do not mature. 00:19:15.53\00:19:17.62 But the seed on good soil 00:19:17.67\00:19:20.02 stands for those with a noble and good heart 00:19:20.07\00:19:23.85 who hear the word and retain it 00:19:23.90\00:19:26.85 and by persevering produce a crop. 00:19:26.90\00:19:30.02 Well, as Christ explained 00:19:30.07\00:19:34.38 the meaning of this parable to his disciples 00:19:34.43\00:19:36.28 do you remember he said the seed is the word of God? 00:19:36.33\00:19:40.85 Let me paraphrase the rest of his explanation. 00:19:40.90\00:19:44.58 Some of us hear a message from God's word 00:19:44.63\00:19:47.85 and because our heart is burdened and hardened 00:19:47.90\00:19:50.82 the devil comes and easily snatches away 00:19:50.87\00:19:53.55 the seed of the word. 00:19:53.60\00:19:54.75 Others hear are promise from the Bible 00:19:54.80\00:19:57.78 and we receive it with joy but 00:19:57.83\00:19:59.68 we just don't cling to it long enough 00:19:59.73\00:20:02.82 for it to take root. 00:20:02.87\00:20:03.84 We lose faith as conditions challenge our believe. 00:20:03.85\00:20:08.12 Sadly we reject the eternal power 00:20:08.17\00:20:12.78 and truth of God's testimony 00:20:12.83\00:20:14.15 and we accept the conflicting evidence of 00:20:14.20\00:20:17.58 our circumstances. 00:20:17.63\00:20:19.15 Then there are those of us who sow his promises 00:20:19.20\00:20:24.15 and with our eyes on Jesus 00:20:24.20\00:20:28.98 are nurtured for awhile. 00:20:29.03\00:20:30.65 Yet, we allow our focus to be interrupted 00:20:30.70\00:20:34.48 by the demanding hustle and bustle of life! 00:20:34.53\00:20:38.28 Soon worldly manners begin 00:20:38.33\00:20:42.45 to creep in like weeds 00:20:42.50\00:20:44.18 and they begin growing out of control! 00:20:44.23\00:20:46.35 And they overcome our mind 00:20:46.40\00:20:48.95 and these weeds and thorns 00:20:49.00\00:20:52.98 just choked the life of God's word 00:20:53.03\00:20:55.32 right out of our hearts. 00:20:55.37\00:20:57.22 We quit trusting in his knowledge 00:20:57.27\00:20:59.75 and we returned to our limited human understanding. 00:20:59.80\00:21:05.48 And our growth as Christians is studded because 00:21:05.53\00:21:08.62 we no longer acknowledge God's way of 00:21:08.67\00:21:11.88 bringing us to maturity. 00:21:11.93\00:21:13.58 You know the best way to explain 00:21:13.63\00:21:15.95 how God brings us to maturity 00:21:16.00\00:21:17.82 is described in Proverbs 3:5,6 00:21:17.87\00:21:22.25 There it says... 00:21:22.30\00:21:23.35 "Trust in the Lord 00:21:23.40\00:21:25.28 "with ALL of your heart 00:21:25.33\00:21:26.62 "lean NOT on your own understanding 00:21:26.67\00:21:29.58 "and in all your ways acknowledge him 00:21:29.63\00:21:32.95 "and He shall direct your paths." 00:21:33.00\00:21:36.05 Any time that we quit tending to 00:21:36.10\00:21:39.02 the fertile ground of the kingdom of God 00:21:39.07\00:21:42.15 that's within us, 00:21:42.20\00:21:43.38 we'll find that 00:21:43.43\00:21:44.65 we have sacrificed the good seed. 00:21:44.70\00:21:47.92 His word. 00:21:47.97\00:21:48.95 God designed the potential of the harvest 00:21:49.00\00:21:53.15 to be wrapped inside the seed. 00:21:53.20\00:21:56.22 You should pause to consider this... 00:21:56.27\00:22:00.98 I want to encourage you 00:22:06.40\00:22:08.45 to sow the seed of God. 00:22:08.50\00:22:10.82 His Holy Word into your heart 00:22:10.87\00:22:13.72 and if you'll abide in His promises 00:22:13.77\00:22:16.85 He will make certain that 00:22:16.90\00:22:18.85 the life-giving potential of His seed 00:22:18.90\00:22:21.52 takes root and develops and matures! 00:22:21.57\00:22:24.78 And He will develop their nature of 00:22:24.83\00:22:27.12 Christ within you. 00:22:27.17\00:22:28.65 Planting God's promises in your heart 00:22:28.70\00:22:30.85 can save your soul from troubles. 00:22:30.90\00:22:34.15 Here's how James put it. 00:22:34.20\00:22:36.32 [text on screen] 00:22:36.37\00:22:38.15 Remember the Bible is your mirror! 00:23:12.13\00:23:16.05 It reveals a reflection of 00:23:16.10\00:23:19.32 who you are in Christ. 00:23:19.37\00:23:20.52 It shows the new nature that 00:23:20.57\00:23:22.62 God wants to create in you 00:23:22.67\00:23:24.55 by the life-giving power of His word. 00:23:24.60\00:23:28.28 But you must cooperate with the Lord. 00:23:28.33\00:23:31.38 You've got to plant His promises 00:23:31.43\00:23:35.25 and by His power allow God 00:23:35.30\00:23:38.18 to start working His plan in you. 00:23:38.23\00:23:43.02 As Jesus concluded the parable of 00:23:43.07\00:23:45.98 the "sow-er" and the seed 00:23:46.03\00:23:47.95 this is what He said; 00:23:48.00\00:23:49.25 "But the seed on good soil stands for 00:23:49.30\00:23:54.02 "those with a noble and a good heart 00:23:54.07\00:23:58.12 "who hear the word, 00:23:58.17\00:23:59.48 "retain it, 00:23:59.53\00:24:00.62 "and by persevering produce a crop." 00:24:00.67\00:24:06.18 In this summary 00:24:06.23\00:24:07.88 Christ identifies for us 00:24:07.93\00:24:09.92 the four steps necessary 00:24:09.97\00:24:12.82 to plant His promises 00:24:12.87\00:24:14.82 and partake of His divine nature. 00:24:14.87\00:24:18.25 Number one... 00:24:18.30\00:24:20.05 [steps on screen] 00:24:20.10\00:24:55.28 Next week... we are 00:24:55.33\00:24:57.15 ...Or next time 00:24:57.20\00:24:58.48 we are going to take a closer look at 00:24:58.53\00:25:02.58 these four critical steps for 00:25:02.63\00:25:05.42 planting His promises. 00:25:05.47\00:25:06.44 This is one of those great systems of truth 00:25:06.45\00:25:11.68 that God designed for us to overcome 00:25:11.73\00:25:13.95 our identity crisis. 00:25:14.00\00:25:16.22 If we will learn to walk 00:25:16.27\00:25:18.45 in the law of Liberty 00:25:18.50\00:25:20.38 and know that we can depend totally on God 00:25:20.43\00:25:24.25 to do a work that is within us. 00:25:24.30\00:25:28.05 And Him to work out 00:25:28.10\00:25:30.02 His power within us. 00:25:30.07\00:25:31.88 And then, if we will rely on 00:25:31.93\00:25:35.58 the miracle working power of God's word 00:25:35.63\00:25:39.02 and recognize that all of our potential 00:25:39.07\00:25:43.48 is wrapped inside of His word. 00:25:43.53\00:25:47.35 And that if we will plant the word 00:25:47.40\00:25:51.28 in our heart that the triumph 00:25:51.33\00:25:53.98 and entry of His word 00:25:54.03\00:25:56.45 will cause this miracle seed to start functioning. 00:25:56.50\00:26:02.08 To start growing 00:26:02.13\00:26:04.35 if we could just get this 00:26:04.40\00:26:06.45 in our minds that God's word 00:26:06.50\00:26:10.52 is life to us! 00:26:10.57\00:26:13.38 I pray... 00:26:13.43\00:26:14.40 as a matter of fact, 00:26:14.41\00:26:15.48 let's pray together that the Lord will 00:26:15.53\00:26:17.78 really impress this on our heart because 00:26:17.83\00:26:21.65 we all from time to time 00:26:21.70\00:26:23.35 need to be reminded that this word is 00:26:23.40\00:26:28.42 alive and active! 00:26:28.47\00:26:30.15 And when we put it in our hearts 00:26:30.20\00:26:32.62 it's God who is going to produce 00:26:32.67\00:26:36.68 a harvest of righteousness in us! 00:26:36.73\00:26:38.58 Let's take a moment before we close and pray. 00:26:38.63\00:26:41.82 Heavenly Father 00:26:41.87\00:26:43.28 I ask in the name of Jesus that 00:26:43.33\00:26:45.32 everything you are teaching us in this program that 00:26:45.37\00:26:49.55 you will empower us to do 00:26:49.60\00:26:51.85 and cause us Father God, just to come to you 00:26:51.90\00:26:55.25 seeking to know your will. 00:26:55.30\00:26:57.65 Seeking to know who we are in Christ. 00:26:57.70\00:27:01.62 Oh Father God in the name of Jesus 00:27:01.67\00:27:03.35 help us to overcome our identity crisis. 00:27:03.40\00:27:07.48 Teach us Father 00:27:07.53\00:27:09.12 and cause us to plant your promises 00:27:09.17\00:27:12.62 in our heart. 00:27:12.67\00:27:13.85 We thank you so much for your word Lord. 00:27:13.90\00:27:17.18 I praise you Father God. 00:27:17.23\00:27:19.48 I thank you for your word 00:27:19.53\00:27:21.02 and I pray that you are doing a great work 00:27:21.07\00:27:23.22 in my heart and in the hearts of 00:27:23.27\00:27:25.65 all my brothers and sisters for your Glory. 00:27:25.70\00:27:29.25 In Jesus name amen. 00:27:29.30\00:27:31.38 Well our time together 00:27:31.43\00:27:33.12 certainly passes quickly. 00:27:33.17\00:27:34.25 I hope the Lord is encouraging you through 00:27:34.30\00:27:37.35 these studies. 00:27:37.40\00:27:38.82 May God multiply 00:27:38.87\00:27:40.02 His mercy 00:27:40.07\00:27:41.04 love and grace to you. 00:27:41.07\00:27:42.12 And may He watch over His word 00:27:42.17\00:27:44.45 to perform it in your life as 00:27:44.50\00:27:46.98 you cooperate with Him. 00:27:47.03\00:27:48.68 Please remember to spend your time 00:27:48.73\00:27:51.32 making that which is most important to God 00:27:51.37\00:27:53.72 the very thing that is also most important to you 00:27:53.77\00:27:57.38 Exalting His Word! 00:27:57.43\00:28:00.02