We want to welcome you to our program today. 00:00:29.35\00:00:32.67 We're going to deal with the topic that many Christians 00:00:32.70\00:00:35.43 wouldn't have thought of as being a problem. 00:00:35.46\00:00:37.05 But before we do that, 00:00:37.08\00:00:38.94 I just say my name is Denis Uffindell 00:00:38.97\00:00:41.38 and glad to be sharing this program with you. 00:00:41.41\00:00:44.28 Let us have a word with the Lord before we start. 00:00:44.31\00:00:49.27 Dear Father in Heaven, 00:00:49.30\00:00:52.08 we come to You in Your worthiest day, 00:00:52.11\00:00:55.92 and our desire is to hear You speaking to us, 00:00:55.95\00:00:59.20 that we might receive of Your instruction 00:00:59.23\00:01:01.99 and be blessed in a progressive work with You. 00:01:02.02\00:01:05.84 And so give us attentive ears, 00:01:05.87\00:01:08.42 and listening hearts to Your spirit 00:01:08.45\00:01:10.05 we ask in Jesus' name, amen. 00:01:10.08\00:01:17.51 The topic that I have for you is by name blasphemy. 00:01:17.54\00:01:23.28 Now, you might think that 00:01:23.31\00:01:24.37 that's a little strange to talk to Christians about 00:01:24.40\00:01:26.81 because you may not think that 00:01:26.84\00:01:28.65 that's a problem for a Christian. 00:01:28.68\00:01:30.77 But I would like to ask you a question. 00:01:30.80\00:01:33.03 How many of you have just blasphemed God this week? 00:01:33.06\00:01:37.60 Most of you, I am sure would say no. 00:01:37.63\00:01:41.04 But I think as we go on a little bit, 00:01:41.07\00:01:42.68 you may find, you have to change you mind. 00:01:42.71\00:01:46.31 What is the meaning of blasphemy? 00:01:46.34\00:01:48.53 Well, the Apostle Paul in 1st Timothy 6:1 says this, 00:01:48.56\00:01:53.35 "That the name of God 00:01:53.38\00:01:54.62 and his doctrine be not blasphemed." 00:01:54.65\00:01:58.06 And in Titus 2:5, 00:01:58.09\00:01:59.72 "That the Word of God, be not blasphemed." 00:01:59.75\00:02:04.61 And he is talking about Christians living lives that 00:02:04.64\00:02:07.52 are inconsistent with Christianity, 00:02:07.55\00:02:10.38 and therefore bringing blasphemy 00:02:10.41\00:02:13.06 upon the name of God and upon the Bible. 00:02:13.09\00:02:17.01 So may I just point this out, the tragedy is, 00:02:17.04\00:02:22.00 that many people never become Christians 00:02:22.03\00:02:24.47 and others leave because of the inconsistency 00:02:24.50\00:02:28.53 of the lives of those who profess to be Christians. 00:02:28.56\00:02:32.50 In this case, they are causing 00:02:32.53\00:02:35.58 the name of God to be blasphemed. 00:02:35.61\00:02:38.13 So it is a serious thing. 00:02:38.16\00:02:40.41 But one might say, well, we are not responsible 00:02:40.44\00:02:42.73 for the evil that other people do. 00:02:42.76\00:02:46.25 Well, that's not altogether true 00:02:46.28\00:02:47.81 because we are responsible 00:02:47.84\00:02:49.27 for what we cause other people to do, 00:02:49.30\00:02:53.11 and we need to bear that in mind. 00:02:53.14\00:02:56.01 And there is another thing. 00:02:56.04\00:02:57.42 You remember that Solomon, 00:02:57.45\00:02:59.66 while he was a very fine follower 00:02:59.69\00:03:02.46 of God as a young man, 00:03:02.49\00:03:04.53 he later allowed things to happen in his life, 00:03:04.56\00:03:08.73 which drew him away from God. 00:03:08.76\00:03:12.35 And as a result, his life became a terrible blasphemy 00:03:12.38\00:03:15.84 against the name of God. 00:03:15.87\00:03:17.10 And he almost lost his way totally, 00:03:17.13\00:03:20.21 and never came back, 00:03:20.24\00:03:21.55 but fortunately he did come back. 00:03:21.58\00:03:25.05 Now, there is such a thing as an unforgivable blasphemy. 00:03:25.08\00:03:28.84 And Jesus speaks about that in Matthew 12:30 to 32. 00:03:28.87\00:03:35.78 He says, "All manner of sin 00:03:35.81\00:03:38.01 and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: 00:03:38.04\00:03:41.09 but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost 00:03:41.12\00:03:43.72 shall not be forgiven unto men." 00:03:43.75\00:03:46.18 Now on the surface of it, 00:03:46.21\00:03:47.24 it would appear that here is a sin so bad, 00:03:47.27\00:03:50.11 that even God says, "Sorry, I am not forgiving that." 00:03:50.14\00:03:53.77 But that is not really what it's all about. 00:03:53.80\00:03:57.36 There are several aspects to this. 00:03:57.39\00:04:00.30 First of all there is a blasphemy 00:04:00.33\00:04:03.05 which is a progressive hardening of heart. 00:04:03.08\00:04:07.04 We read about that, so far as the children of Israel 00:04:07.07\00:04:09.46 are concerned in 2nd Kings 17:13-14. 00:04:09.49\00:04:14.83 It says there, 00:04:14.86\00:04:16.15 "The Lord testified against Israel saying, 00:04:16.18\00:04:19.27 "Turn ye from your evil ways." 00:04:19.30\00:04:22.05 Notwithstanding, they would not hear, 00:04:22.08\00:04:24.29 but hardened their necks like their fathers 00:04:24.32\00:04:28.29 that did not believe in the Lord their God." 00:04:28.32\00:04:31.02 So here is a progressive saying, 00:04:31.05\00:04:34.06 no to God that results in the end 00:04:34.09\00:04:37.22 in someone being unable to ever say yes to Him again. 00:04:37.25\00:04:41.55 So it's a very dangerous thing to do that. 00:04:41.58\00:04:46.03 In the case of the Jews before the time of Christ, 00:04:46.06\00:04:49.39 time and the time again this happened until, 00:04:49.42\00:04:52.56 when Jesus left the temple for the last time, 00:04:52.59\00:04:55.22 He said, "Henceforth, 00:04:55.25\00:04:56.82 your house is left unto you desolate." 00:04:56.85\00:04:59.77 What did He mean by that? 00:04:59.80\00:05:01.34 He meant that God's presence would never be there again. 00:05:01.37\00:05:04.32 And as a nation, they ceased to be His people. 00:05:04.35\00:05:07.62 And as individuals, we can deal with that today. 00:05:07.65\00:05:11.96 That's why the Apostle Paul in Hebrews Chapter 3 says this, 00:05:11.99\00:05:16.64 "Today, if you will hear His voice, 00:05:16.67\00:05:19.60 harden not your hearts." 00:05:19.63\00:05:21.86 So, there is a time to say yes, 00:05:21.89\00:05:25.50 and there's a time 00:05:25.53\00:05:26.72 when perhaps it's to late to say yes. 00:05:26.75\00:05:30.24 What really was their failure? 00:05:30.27\00:05:32.31 It was to act in faith, upon the leading of God. 00:05:32.34\00:05:36.86 You see it's one thing to say I believe, 00:05:36.89\00:05:39.53 it's another thing to act on that belief 00:05:39.56\00:05:41.60 and prove that that belief is real. 00:05:41.63\00:05:45.65 So while at one stage, in the time of Jesus, 00:05:45.68\00:05:48.33 some of those who eventually crucified Him, 00:05:48.36\00:05:51.46 actually did believe in Him, 00:05:51.49\00:05:53.58 because they did not act upon that belief 00:05:53.61\00:05:56.50 because of the attitude of others. 00:05:56.53\00:05:59.24 In the end they ceased to believe, and they were lost. 00:05:59.27\00:06:05.10 But there's another factor, 00:06:05.13\00:06:06.74 and even perhaps more common factor, 00:06:06.77\00:06:10.00 that we have to bear in mind. 00:06:10.03\00:06:12.29 It would have been impossible, 00:06:12.32\00:06:13.64 I believe for them to have done that, 00:06:13.67\00:06:16.51 if they had spend real time with Jesus 00:06:16.54\00:06:20.13 or with God and His word, 00:06:20.16\00:06:22.32 opening their hearts to Him everyday. 00:06:22.35\00:06:26.82 The blasphemy against the Holy Spirit 00:06:26.85\00:06:29.68 is the progressive choice not to spend time with Him. 00:06:29.71\00:06:33.81 I'd like to repeat that because it's so important. 00:06:33.84\00:06:36.78 The blasphemy against the Holy Ghost that Jesus spoke 00:06:36.81\00:06:39.23 of is the progressive failure choice, 00:06:39.26\00:06:44.40 not to spend time with Him, which in the end proves fatal, 00:06:44.43\00:06:49.66 because the time comes, 00:06:49.69\00:06:51.34 when we are incapable 00:06:51.37\00:06:53.21 of spending time with Him anymore. 00:06:53.24\00:06:56.98 You know, one of the most beautiful symbols 00:06:57.01\00:06:59.96 that God uses of His relationship 00:06:59.99\00:07:01.66 with His Church is that of marriage. 00:07:01.69\00:07:06.08 In fact, in Jeremiah 3:14, He says, 00:07:06.11\00:07:09.64 "Turn, O backsliding Israel," says the Lord God, 00:07:09.67\00:07:13.35 "For I am married to you." 00:07:13.38\00:07:15.92 So He talks of it as a marriage relationship. 00:07:15.95\00:07:18.48 It's similar in the New Testament, 00:07:18.51\00:07:19.98 in Romans 7:4, 00:07:20.01\00:07:21.81 "Ye also are become dead 00:07:21.84\00:07:23.31 to the law by the body of Christ, 00:07:23.34\00:07:25.52 that ye should be married to another," 00:07:25.55\00:07:28.24 meaning to Christ. 00:07:28.27\00:07:30.99 Now, I don't know what you know about 00:07:31.02\00:07:32.74 the marriage relationship, because all of us 00:07:32.77\00:07:35.03 are in different positions there. 00:07:35.06\00:07:36.80 But the only meaning for one that I know of, 00:07:36.83\00:07:39.87 is where we have such a beautiful relationship, 00:07:39.90\00:07:43.16 that we love to spend time together. 00:07:43.19\00:07:46.85 It's the only satisfactory one, 00:07:46.88\00:07:49.35 and that's the only satisfactory one with Christ. 00:07:49.38\00:07:54.13 He therefore says in Revelation 2:4, 00:07:54.16\00:07:59.16 "I have somewhat against you, 00:07:59.19\00:08:01.05 because you have left your first love." 00:08:01.08\00:08:05.13 Now I am glad to say that I am confident, 00:08:05.16\00:08:07.78 that has not happened with my wife. 00:08:07.81\00:08:11.00 But I would be very, very unhappy, 00:08:11.03\00:08:14.23 if I knew that that had happened. 00:08:14.26\00:08:16.92 And that's what happens to many marriages, 00:08:16.95\00:08:19.29 and why eventually, they are dissolved. 00:08:19.32\00:08:22.40 It's because they have not spend time enough together 00:08:22.43\00:08:26.05 to keep that marriage relationship of love alive. 00:08:26.08\00:08:30.46 And that's why the Lord said to them 00:08:30.49\00:08:32.04 in Chapter 3 of Revelation and verses 15 and 16, 00:08:32.07\00:08:37.55 "Thou art neither cold nor hot. 00:08:37.58\00:08:40.53 And because you are neither cold nor hot, 00:08:40.56\00:08:42.56 I will spue you out of my mouth." 00:08:42.59\00:08:44.51 That's another way of saying, your failure, 00:08:44.54\00:08:48.13 to really love me with warm affection makes me sick. 00:08:48.16\00:08:54.04 And I know that they would make us sick, 00:08:54.07\00:08:56.36 if that was our experience with our spouse. 00:08:56.39\00:09:00.62 And that's why He says in another place, 00:09:00.65\00:09:03.76 that He is jealous. 00:09:03.79\00:09:05.90 Just imagine, Almighty God, jealous in relationship to us. 00:09:05.93\00:09:12.71 Why? 00:09:12.74\00:09:14.17 Because we are not showing enough interest in Him, 00:09:14.20\00:09:18.29 as compared with other people 00:09:18.32\00:09:20.35 and other things, that we enjoy doing. 00:09:20.38\00:09:24.84 In a beautiful book, The Desire of Ages, 00:09:24.87\00:09:28.29 the writer, one of my favorite authors, 00:09:28.32\00:09:30.20 puts it so well in a couple of paragraphs, 00:09:30.23\00:09:32.61 I would like to read them to you. 00:09:32.64\00:09:35.42 She says this, "It is not necessary for us 00:09:35.45\00:09:38.17 deliberately to choose the service 00:09:38.20\00:09:40.24 of the kingdom of darkness, 00:09:40.27\00:09:43.27 in order for us to come under its dominion. 00:09:43.30\00:09:47.23 We have only to neglect to ally ourselves, 00:09:47.26\00:09:50.58 with the kingdom of light." 00:09:50.61\00:09:51.74 In other words to spend time with God. 00:09:51.77\00:09:54.11 He goes on to say, 00:09:54.14\00:09:55.31 "The only defense against evil is the indwelling of Christ 00:09:55.34\00:10:00.00 in the heart through faith in His righteousness. 00:10:00.03\00:10:03.32 Unless we become vitally connected with God, 00:10:03.35\00:10:05.96 we can never resist." 00:10:05.99\00:10:08.05 And finally, "Without a vital connection with God, 00:10:08.08\00:10:11.37 through the surrender of ourselves to Him 00:10:11.40\00:10:12.99 moment by moment, we shall be overcome." 00:10:13.02\00:10:18.59 So that puts it very, very plainly 00:10:18.62\00:10:20.72 and very, very straight, 00:10:20.75\00:10:22.90 but it's essential we understand that. 00:10:22.93\00:10:26.16 He wants us to keep that connection, 00:10:26.19\00:10:29.37 to keep our hand in His, our ears tuned to His voice, 00:10:29.40\00:10:33.82 because we love to commune with Him. 00:10:33.85\00:10:38.15 The greatest compliment we can pay a person, 00:10:38.18\00:10:41.12 do you know what that is? 00:10:41.15\00:10:43.06 It's to choose to spend time with him. 00:10:43.09\00:10:46.06 If we choose to spend time with him, 00:10:46.09\00:10:48.40 we are telling them, 00:10:48.43\00:10:49.86 you are a person worth my time and my attention. 00:10:49.89\00:10:56.25 I value you. 00:10:56.28\00:10:58.31 And when we spend our days doing our own thing, 00:10:58.34\00:11:01.73 whether it be our work, our sports, our friends 00:11:01.76\00:11:05.86 or the whole combination and spend no time with God, 00:11:05.89\00:11:10.56 what we're really saying is, 00:11:10.59\00:11:12.81 "I don't think you are worth spending time with." 00:11:12.84\00:11:15.86 And that my friend is the greatest blasphemy. 00:11:15.89\00:11:23.62 What we're saying is not so much that I don't believe, 00:11:23.65\00:11:30.18 but saying you are not worthy of my attention. 00:11:30.21\00:11:35.07 Now, let me ask you the question again. 00:11:35.10\00:11:39.12 Have you blasphemed Jesus Christ this week? 00:11:39.15\00:11:43.45 It's a solemn question, isn't it? 00:11:43.48\00:11:45.29 When we see it that way. I hope you haven't. 00:11:45.32\00:11:49.45 But in our busy program 00:11:49.48\00:11:51.62 and the devil makes sure that he is getting faster 00:11:51.65\00:11:53.70 and faster every year, 00:11:53.73\00:11:56.56 it's so easy to have time with God crowded out. 00:11:56.59\00:12:00.38 I have found for myself, the only way to make sure that 00:12:00.41\00:12:03.71 that does not happen is for me, 00:12:03.74\00:12:06.67 right at the beginning of the day, 00:12:06.71\00:12:08.96 to spend the quiet time with Him. 00:12:08.99\00:12:11.65 If I do that, then it's easier 00:12:11.68\00:12:15.10 to keep Him in my mind later on in the day. 00:12:15.13\00:12:18.45 But if I allow that to be crowed out then, 00:12:18.48\00:12:20.84 I found that the devil brings this and that 00:12:20.87\00:12:23.14 and the other thing in, so that in the end, 00:12:23.17\00:12:25.66 I come to the end of the day very tired 00:12:25.69\00:12:30.75 and it is not been done. 00:12:30.78\00:12:33.48 So spend time with Jesus. 00:12:33.51\00:12:38.23 It's our greatest need. 00:12:38.26\00:12:40.72 He intents it to be our greatest joy, 00:12:40.75\00:12:44.25 and the beautiful thing about it is 00:12:44.28\00:12:46.06 that spending time with Jesus 00:12:46.09\00:12:48.16 has a transforming effect upon our whole lives. 00:12:48.19\00:12:51.51 It beautifies them. 00:12:51.54\00:12:53.07 I will never forget when I was a student in college 00:12:53.10\00:12:55.67 back in Britain many years ago. 00:12:55.70\00:12:58.22 A very dignified gentleman came to our campus 00:12:58.25\00:13:03.67 and it just so happened that it was summer time 00:13:03.70\00:13:05.31 and I worked on the college farm, 00:13:05.34\00:13:07.42 during the summer to earn 00:13:07.45\00:13:08.75 some money towards the next school year. 00:13:08.78\00:13:11.84 And we didn't have time to change during lunch time, 00:13:11.87\00:13:14.46 so we came in our dirty clothes. 00:13:14.49\00:13:17.52 Now at that college, we were assigned to certain tables. 00:13:17.55\00:13:21.72 We did not just go through the cafeteria 00:13:21.75\00:13:23.77 and sit where we liked. 00:13:23.80\00:13:25.63 And I was horrified, when I discovered 00:13:25.66\00:13:27.59 that this important gentleman 00:13:27.62\00:13:28.95 was going to be on the same table as I was. 00:13:28.98\00:13:31.53 I just felt so unprepared to be in that situation. 00:13:31.56\00:13:37.42 But I've never met him before. 00:13:37.45\00:13:39.87 And when I did 00:13:39.90\00:13:41.40 and we sat at the table together, everything changed. 00:13:41.43\00:13:45.12 Somehow or another, he had such a gracious way with him, 00:13:45.15\00:13:48.90 that he not only made me feel at ease, 00:13:48.93\00:13:51.87 but he increased my sense of self-worth. 00:13:51.90\00:13:54.78 And he made me aspire to greater things. 00:13:54.81\00:13:58.41 Now if a simple human being can do that, 00:13:58.44\00:14:02.62 then how much more can the presence of our God 00:14:02.65\00:14:06.17 in our lives do that to us. 00:14:06.20\00:14:09.93 There's no question. 00:14:09.96\00:14:11.32 It must be very, very powerful. 00:14:11.35\00:14:14.31 Now I read in Luke 6:12. 00:14:14.34\00:14:21.02 "Jesus went out into a mountain to pray, 00:14:21.05\00:14:24.14 and continued all night in prayer to God." 00:14:24.17\00:14:29.06 Think about that for a moment. 00:14:29.09\00:14:31.63 Our perfect savior, who never yielded to a wrong thought, 00:14:31.66\00:14:37.13 let alone did a wrong act, 00:14:37.16\00:14:39.52 so much needed the presence of His father in His life 00:14:39.55\00:14:43.47 that He would spend all night with Him in prayer, 00:14:43.50\00:14:46.44 in order to have the strength 00:14:46.47\00:14:47.80 He needed for the next day's tasks. 00:14:47.83\00:14:52.10 And then I thought to myself, 00:14:52.13\00:14:53.83 when that first really impacted me, 00:14:53.86\00:14:58.05 how much time have I spend in prayer to God? 00:14:58.08\00:15:03.78 Most of us would wonder, well what on earth 00:15:03.81\00:15:05.44 could you say praying all night? 00:15:05.47\00:15:08.15 But Jesus not only had plenty to talk to God about, 00:15:08.18\00:15:13.25 He wanted all that time, and He needed all that time. 00:15:13.28\00:15:18.00 And how much do you and I 00:15:18.03\00:15:19.99 need real time with God in prayer? 00:15:20.02\00:15:23.00 There is no possible substitute, 00:15:23.03\00:15:26.57 for spending time with God. 00:15:26.60\00:15:29.96 Furthermore, 00:15:29.99\00:15:32.88 it is deepen by our understanding of each other. 00:15:32.91\00:15:36.74 That's why it is essential to listen. 00:15:36.77\00:15:39.26 You know, I have noticed that most of our prayer life 00:15:39.29\00:15:43.60 is like a one way telephone conversation. 00:15:43.63\00:15:47.13 We talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, 00:15:47.16\00:15:48.32 and we are finished we say amen. 00:15:48.35\00:15:51.67 And if you like, down goes the telephone. 00:15:51.70\00:15:55.58 But God wants to talk to us. How does He do that? 00:15:55.61\00:15:59.02 He talks to us in His word. 00:15:59.05\00:16:02.18 And we have to be willing to spend time, 00:16:02.21\00:16:04.73 listening to what God has to say in His word. 00:16:04.76\00:16:11.78 And one of the best ways of doing that 00:16:11.81\00:16:13.97 is having read it, to meditate upon it, 00:16:14.00\00:16:17.66 so that it has the time too sink in. 00:16:17.69\00:16:20.93 Because I don't know, 00:16:20.96\00:16:22.03 if you'll like me, but I suspect you are. 00:16:22.06\00:16:25.10 It's possible to read a page of something, 00:16:25.13\00:16:27.81 and at the end of it, you haven't got any idea, 00:16:27.84\00:16:29.92 what you read, even though 00:16:29.95\00:16:31.13 you read every word and every line, 00:16:31.16\00:16:33.46 because our mind can be so easily 00:16:33.49\00:16:35.40 be distracted to other things. 00:16:35.43\00:16:38.33 If we are going to listen to God, 00:16:38.36\00:16:40.53 we must give real attention to it, 00:16:40.56\00:16:43.00 and think about what He has said. 00:16:43.03\00:16:45.99 And then it becomes absorbed into our being. 00:16:46.02\00:16:49.85 Wishing has never built houses, 00:16:49.88\00:16:53.61 or painted pictures or dug gardens, has it? 00:16:53.64\00:16:57.45 It's when we actually do it, that it happens. 00:16:57.48\00:17:02.14 And it will not cultivate 00:17:02.17\00:17:03.60 our marriage relationship with Christ. 00:17:03.63\00:17:06.43 Many people say, "Oh, I would love to or I wish to", 00:17:06.46\00:17:11.69 but they don't give it the time or give Him the attention. 00:17:11.72\00:17:16.82 You know, I happened to know a couple, 00:17:16.85\00:17:18.67 where there's been a real problem that way, 00:17:18.70\00:17:21.27 because her big plea is, "listen to me", 00:17:21.30\00:17:28.16 but she will start to talk to him, 00:17:28.19\00:17:29.35 and he will walk out of the room. 00:17:29.38\00:17:31.53 What does that do to a relationship? 00:17:31.56\00:17:33.53 It's destructive to a relationship. 00:17:33.56\00:17:36.21 So when we read the Bible, 00:17:36.24\00:17:37.96 or when we have talked to God in prayer, 00:17:37.99\00:17:41.20 we must stop and listen to what He has to say. 00:17:41.23\00:17:45.50 And some of our greatest blessings will come. 00:17:45.53\00:17:50.01 And so I appeal to those, 00:17:50.04\00:17:52.70 who have neglected to spend real time with God, 00:17:52.73\00:17:56.60 with Jesus each day; 00:17:56.63\00:17:58.90 don't treat your invitation to a personal time with Jesus, 00:17:58.93\00:18:03.33 with indifference or neglect. 00:18:03.36\00:18:06.39 That's blasphemy. 00:18:06.42\00:18:09.03 It's like putting a millstone around your neck, 00:18:09.06\00:18:12.03 and then trying to swim. 00:18:12.06\00:18:13.70 It's impossible. 00:18:13.73\00:18:15.75 Rather let's help ourselves, by ensuring 00:18:15.78\00:18:21.43 that our union with Christ is growing stronger, 00:18:21.46\00:18:24.28 by spending real time with Him. 00:18:24.31\00:18:27.19 Cultivate it. Give it time and attention. 00:18:27.22\00:18:33.33 Be with Him, in the quiet. 00:18:33.36\00:18:35.93 Pour out your soul to Him in prayer. 00:18:35.96\00:18:39.07 You know, one Christian writer has said, 00:18:39.10\00:18:40.98 not to pray weak prayers, and weak prayers are prayers, 00:18:41.01\00:18:45.82 where there is no vital connection with Him, 00:18:45.85\00:18:48.08 and where our own innermost feelings 00:18:48.11\00:18:50.25 are not being expressed. 00:18:50.28\00:18:53.98 Be with Him, in the quiet. 00:18:54.01\00:18:56.32 Be away from all the distractions. 00:18:56.35\00:19:01.09 And listen carefully to Him from His word, 00:19:01.12\00:19:06.37 what He has to say. 00:19:06.40\00:19:08.15 You know, the Bible tells us about a man 00:19:08.18\00:19:10.14 by the name of Enoch. 00:19:10.17\00:19:12.81 In Genesis 5:24, it says this, 00:19:12.84\00:19:17.81 "And Enoch walked with God: 00:19:17.84\00:19:20.36 and he was not, for God took him." 00:19:20.39\00:19:23.99 You know, to me that is a beautiful saying. 00:19:24.02\00:19:26.44 What is it saying here? 00:19:26.47\00:19:27.98 His walk with God got closer 00:19:28.01\00:19:29.86 and closer and closer through time, 00:19:29.89\00:19:32.76 until in the end God said, 00:19:32.79\00:19:35.54 "I can't leave him there any longer. 00:19:35.57\00:19:38.07 I must take him home with me." 00:19:38.10\00:19:40.49 Isn't that beautiful? 00:19:40.52\00:19:41.56 And that's what He wants, 00:19:41.59\00:19:42.62 of course, to do with all of us eventually. 00:19:42.65\00:19:44.68 And Jesus has promised to come back for those, 00:19:44.71\00:19:47.55 who look for Him, 00:19:47.58\00:19:49.01 who really want to be with Him and spend time with Him. 00:19:49.04\00:19:53.11 He placed, Enoch did, 00:19:53.14\00:19:54.90 the emphasis where it ought to be. 00:19:54.93\00:19:57.92 And the result was what? Living eternally with God. 00:19:57.95\00:20:04.15 And so I ask this question, what is most important? 00:20:04.18\00:20:08.63 No matter what one may say to the contrary, 00:20:08.66\00:20:12.50 what matters most to me, or to you 00:20:12.53\00:20:16.01 is what you spend your time with. 00:20:16.04\00:20:19.38 So, if we spend our time with God, 00:20:19.41\00:20:22.45 whenever we can, we are saying, 00:20:22.48\00:20:24.99 He has top priority, 00:20:25.02\00:20:27.32 but if it's even working for Him, 00:20:27.35\00:20:30.08 but not spending time with Him, then we are really saying, 00:20:30.11\00:20:33.59 "Well I enjoy doing the other things, 00:20:33.62\00:20:35.85 but I don't really enjoy first spending time with You." 00:20:35.88\00:20:40.39 And Jesus pointed this out, in a little story. 00:20:40.42\00:20:43.44 Two very close friends of His were Mary and Martha. 00:20:43.47\00:20:47.24 They were sisters. 00:20:47.27\00:20:48.35 He often spent time in their home. 00:20:48.38\00:20:50.99 On one occasion, 00:20:51.02\00:20:54.04 Martha was busy working in the kitchen, 00:20:54.07\00:20:56.00 preparing a meal, for Jesus and dallas for the disciples. 00:20:56.03\00:21:01.56 And she was getting a little behind probably. 00:21:01.59\00:21:03.59 And so, she came in, and there was Mary, 00:21:03.62\00:21:06.97 sitting at Jesus' feet. 00:21:07.00\00:21:09.94 And she said to Jesus, 00:21:09.97\00:21:13.62 "Tell Mary to come and help me." 00:21:13.65\00:21:17.47 And Jesus smiled as He looked at her, 00:21:17.50\00:21:19.23 and He said, "Martha, Martha. 00:21:19.26\00:21:21.75 You are troubled about many things, 00:21:21.78\00:21:23.94 but Mary has chosen the better part." 00:21:23.97\00:21:27.45 And what was that better part? 00:21:27.48\00:21:29.52 To sit at the feet of Jesus, commune with Him, 00:21:29.55\00:21:33.19 listen to Him and grow inner love for Him. 00:21:33.22\00:21:37.89 And that's what He wants for us. 00:21:37.92\00:21:41.85 If we spend time, with everything 00:21:41.88\00:21:44.83 and everyone else but with Him, 00:21:44.86\00:21:49.01 we are being unfaithful to our marriage relationship, 00:21:49.04\00:21:52.77 just as we would be to our wife or husband. 00:21:52.80\00:21:56.78 If we pay only lip service, 00:21:56.81\00:21:58.87 in the time we spend with God, it is in fact blasphemy. 00:21:58.90\00:22:04.86 When I first saw it that way, 00:22:04.89\00:22:06.35 I shredded about what that may be saying, 00:22:06.38\00:22:10.16 about my personal preference, 00:22:10.19\00:22:12.99 so far as spending time with God is concerned. 00:22:13.02\00:22:17.00 History tells us that in the testing time, 00:22:17.03\00:22:21.16 those who fail to spend time with Him now, 00:22:21.19\00:22:25.25 will be among the deliberate blasphemers then. 00:22:25.28\00:22:28.96 And that's the last thing I want it to happen to me. 00:22:28.99\00:22:32.62 You know the stories told in the Bible, 00:22:32.65\00:22:34.68 of the man by the name of Daniel. 00:22:34.71\00:22:37.70 Daniel was taken as a young slave to Babylon. 00:22:37.73\00:22:41.93 There he was taught in all the wisdom of the Chaldeans 00:22:41.96\00:22:44.45 and I'm sure they tried to persuade him, 00:22:44.48\00:22:46.46 to follow their way of life. 00:22:46.49\00:22:49.93 But he chose not to. 00:22:49.96\00:22:51.79 He chose instead, to spend time with his God. 00:22:51.82\00:22:55.92 And I read in the Bible, that three times everyday, 00:22:55.95\00:23:02.03 he knelt and spent time with God in prayer. 00:23:02.06\00:23:07.12 And if you know anything about his story, 00:23:07.15\00:23:10.33 you'll remember, perhaps you heard it 00:23:10.36\00:23:12.22 as a little child in Sunday school 00:23:12.25\00:23:15.41 or Sabbath school, of how Daniel, 00:23:15.44\00:23:18.06 because of his faithfulness, was thrown into the lions' den. 00:23:18.09\00:23:21.93 It doesn't say anything there about him trembling with fear. 00:23:21.96\00:23:26.02 The monarch who was mistakenly dragged 00:23:26.05\00:23:28.70 into making the terrible mistake 00:23:28.73\00:23:30.68 of condemning him to the lions' den, he trembled. 00:23:30.71\00:23:36.61 But when the next morning, he came back, 00:23:36.64\00:23:40.17 and he asked Daniel, 'Daniel, are you all right?' 00:23:40.20\00:23:43.45 And Daniel could say, 'My God has sent His angels, 00:23:43.48\00:23:47.40 and has shut the lions' mouths. 00:23:47.43\00:23:50.93 He knew what it was, 00:23:50.96\00:23:52.32 to have such a relationship with God 00:23:52.35\00:23:55.08 that he had nothing to fear, 00:23:55.11\00:23:58.77 nothing to fear. 00:23:58.80\00:24:02.08 Many year ago now, it occurred to me, 00:24:02.11\00:24:06.93 that if I really trusted God, 00:24:06.96\00:24:09.61 then I would be able to say without fear to Him, 00:24:09.64\00:24:13.06 'Lord you bring me whatever experience 00:24:13.09\00:24:15.43 You see that I need, in order that I might be 00:24:15.46\00:24:17.87 a growing Christian in relationship with You.' 00:24:17.90\00:24:21.83 But then I thought, but He could do 00:24:21.86\00:24:24.64 some pretty terrible things, what if. 00:24:24.67\00:24:28.97 And I was filled with fear. 00:24:29.00\00:24:31.62 And then I realized that I did not really trust Him, 00:24:31.65\00:24:35.18 because if I knew that He only wanted the best for me, 00:24:35.21\00:24:37.28 and that He loved me, better that I love myself, 00:24:37.31\00:24:40.11 I wouldn't have anything to fear. 00:24:40.14\00:24:44.11 The next two weeks, I didn't get very much sleep at night. 00:24:44.14\00:24:49.02 And I had no peace of mind as I battled over these things. 00:24:49.05\00:24:52.70 Naturally Satan didn't want me, to be willing to give him that. 00:24:52.73\00:24:58.29 But finally, I had to come to the point, 00:24:58.32\00:25:02.85 because I didn't want to be separated from Jesus, 00:25:02.88\00:25:06.78 to get on my knees and say to Him, 00:25:06.81\00:25:10.31 'Lord, You do what You will. 00:25:10.34\00:25:15.25 I choose to trust You.' 00:25:15.28\00:25:17.84 I must confess that at that point in time, 00:25:17.87\00:25:21.59 I couldn't have been, more wet with perspiration, 00:25:21.62\00:25:25.00 that if I had been in a sauna. 00:25:25.03\00:25:28.08 But I made the commitment. I made that decision. 00:25:28.11\00:25:32.72 And once that was made, 00:25:32.75\00:25:34.92 I had peace of mind and a much greater joy, 00:25:34.95\00:25:38.95 with my Lord Jesus Christ. 00:25:38.98\00:25:41.70 You see He knows, what's He's doing. 00:25:41.73\00:25:43.84 Unfortunately, Denis Uffindell doesn't 00:25:43.87\00:25:46.26 and I suspect that much of the time, 00:25:46.29\00:25:48.16 you don't either. 00:25:48.19\00:25:50.13 But He says, not only is all power given unto me, 00:25:50.16\00:25:54.84 but He is all wise, He never makes mistakes. 00:25:54.87\00:25:59.26 So if He governs my life, and I let Him, 00:25:59.29\00:26:03.78 because I have learnt to trust Him, 00:26:03.81\00:26:06.98 then I can have the peace that He spoke about, 00:26:07.01\00:26:09.73 the peace that passes all understanding. 00:26:09.76\00:26:12.69 And the joy, that no one can take away. 00:26:12.72\00:26:17.49 Would you like that joy? 00:26:17.52\00:26:19.30 Would you like that peace 00:26:19.33\00:26:21.18 in this world of turmoil and pain? 00:26:21.21\00:26:24.87 I want to assure you, that you can have it. 00:26:24.90\00:26:28.71 Jesus said 'My peace, I give unto you.' 00:26:28.74\00:26:33.40 We can have it, 00:26:33.43\00:26:34.68 if we will put out our hands by faith 00:26:34.71\00:26:37.61 and take it and claim it for ourselves. 00:26:37.64\00:26:41.04 But the only way, we'll ever do that 00:26:41.07\00:26:43.47 is if we spent so much time with Him. 00:26:43.50\00:26:45.91 We've learnt to trust Him, with all our hearts. 00:26:45.94\00:26:51.57 If that's you choice, will you pray with me right now? 00:26:51.60\00:26:56.13 Dear Lord, we give our hearts to You. 00:26:56.16\00:27:01.10 We choose to spend the time with you 00:27:01.13\00:27:03.83 that is necessary to have 00:27:03.86\00:27:05.23 a true marriage relationship with You. 00:27:05.26\00:27:08.89 And we claim Your promise, 00:27:08.92\00:27:11.14 to guide and direct and overrule in our lives, 00:27:11.17\00:27:14.37 for Your glory and our joy. 00:27:14.40\00:27:18.43 And we thank You for doing so, 00:27:18.46\00:27:21.99 in Jesus' name. 00:27:22.02\00:27:25.30 Now my friend, 00:27:25.33\00:27:28.90 when you get up from this program 00:27:28.93\00:27:30.43 and go your way, how are you going 00:27:30.46\00:27:32.78 to plan you day as a Christian? 00:27:32.81\00:27:36.06 Is Jesus going to have first place 00:27:36.09\00:27:37.85 in your time and in your heart? 00:27:37.88\00:27:42.50 I trust so, because that's what 00:27:42.53\00:27:45.94 He wants to have more than anything else. 00:27:45.97\00:27:49.67 And that's the only way 00:27:49.70\00:27:52.09 that you will have aboard the joy and the peace, 00:27:52.12\00:27:56.96 that can never depart from you. 00:27:56.99\00:27:59.78