Participants: Mike Lemon (Host)
Series Code: HDL
Program Code: HDL000011
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00:38 Hello, and welcome to Help in Daily Living.
00:40 Today, we're gonna be looking at the love of Jesus. 00:44 Love can motivate a person like a father and mother 00:47 to get up and stay up late and deny themselves sleep. 00:50 So that they can take care of a sick child. 00:53 Love can motivate a lover to give up energy and time 01:00 and even money for the sake of a beloved. 01:03 But we're not talking about human love, 01:05 we're talking about the love of God, 01:06 the love of Jesus. 01:08 And Paul says, it's the love of Jesus, 01:11 the love of Christ that constraineth us. 01:13 It's the love of Christ that motivates us 01:16 and changes us and transforms our lives. 01:19 I'm gonna -- before we start this very important topic, 01:22 ask Cyrus to lead us in a word of prayer. 01:27 Heavenly Father Lord, thank You for this opportunity 01:30 to come out into Your nature. 01:32 And Lord, I ask that, in our lives You would help us 01:35 to have that motivating, energizing, 01:37 and transforming love that You gave to us. 01:41 Thank You, Lord. In Jesus name I pray, amen. 01:47 When I was little, my family and I 01:49 always went to Disney World every year for our vacation. 01:52 Usually I loved going to Disney World 01:54 with all the rides and Disney characters. 01:56 But that day it was particularly hot and humid. 01:59 I have been walking around the whole day, 02:02 and I was beginning to get a little tired and cranky. 02:04 So as most little kids do, I began complaining 02:07 about the heat and begging that we go back to the hotel. 02:10 My parents tried everything to get me to stop, 02:13 but none of it worked. 02:14 Finally, my dad bent down and whispered in my ear. 02:17 If you're good for the rest of the time we're here, 02:20 I'll get you some of your favorite ice cream tonight. 02:22 And suddenly, it didn't seem so hot anymore, 02:25 as long as I kept thinking about the ice cream, 02:27 I can walk around for hours in the heat. 02:30 When we focus on the cross 02:32 and see the significance of God's amazing sacrifice. 02:35 We'll lay down our pride and selfishness. 02:37 Just like the heat faded away 02:39 when I focused on the ice cream, 02:40 so will our earthly desires and pride disappear, 02:44 compared to the cross everything else 02:46 seems small and unimportant. 02:48 All our pride, money, earthly possessions, 02:52 all become meaningless when we place them 02:54 in the light of the cross. 03:54 When I survey the wondrous cross 04:09 On which the Prince of glory died 04:22 My richest gain I count but loss 04:38 And pour contempt on all my pride 05:20 Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast 05:34 Save in the death of Christ my King 05:49 All the vain things that charm me most 06:04 I sacrifice them to His blood 06:51 See from His head, His hands, His feet 07:06 Sorrow and love flow mingled down 07:21 Did e'er such love and sorrow meet 07:32 Or thorns compose so rich a crown 07:45 Were the whole realm of nature mine 07:58 That were a present far too small 08:11 Love so amazing, so divine 08:28 Demands my soul, my life, my all. 08:50 The Apostle Paul was absolutely convinced 08:53 that if people could see, understand, realize 08:58 what Jesus did on the cross, 09:00 that our selfishness would be absolutely banished 09:03 from our hearts and I think 09:05 that's the only thing that really changes us 09:07 is to see the love of Christ when we look at the cross. 09:11 Ally, in your experience, your devotions with Christ, 09:16 was that the motivating factor for you. 09:19 Not at first, there was a time last year 09:22 where I was in a really rough spot spiritually 09:25 and I was, I was having my devotions faithfully 09:29 and praying everyday but it was more just because 09:31 I wanted to go to heaven than anything else. 09:33 And actually had kind of a lot of anger towards God. 09:37 I'd heard people say that Jesus and--God sends us trials 09:42 to bring us closer to Him. 09:44 Which is true, it's true in a sense but 09:48 Satan kind of used that and I started thinking that 09:51 God made the bad things happen, 09:53 to try to bring us closer to Him. 09:55 And so that just made me angry 09:57 and I didn't really make a place in my heart 09:59 to really love God. 10:01 And I, you know, when we don't make 10:04 God our first love we normally turn to people, 10:06 you know, our friends, or guys, or girls, 10:09 whatever and, you know, that's what I did. 10:11 But eventually I came to the place where I knew, 10:14 I needed a God, give God a chance, 10:17 a real chance to experience His love myself. 10:20 And to just distance myself and certain people. 10:22 And, my sister really encouraged me 10:25 to read this book called "An Endless Falling in Love" 10:27 by Ty Gibson, and so I started reading 10:29 and there was one chapter that, 10:31 that's totally blew my mind away. 10:35 It was talking about the risks God took 10:36 in sending Jesus to die for us. 10:40 And they were really real risks, 10:42 say some people can't understand the idea that 10:45 a sovereign God could have the possibility of failing. 10:48 But that's what Jesus faced, 10:50 there was a very real possibility 10:52 that Jesus could sin and the plan of salvation 10:55 wouldn't work out. 10:57 And He was willing to take that risk for me. 10:59 And I just, the author brought out the point of 11:03 what would have happened if Jesus had sinned, 11:04 like the whole universe would have been thrown into chaos. 11:07 And we would have ceased to exist 11:09 and who knows what would have happened to God's authority. 11:12 But Jesus soul came for me anyway. 11:15 And even though He did that, 11:16 He wouldn't force me to accept that gifts. 11:19 That's right, and because true love doesn't force. 11:21 That's right. And that just blew my mind 11:24 and I remember sitting on my bed, 11:26 thinking wow that's someone I can really trust. 11:30 And now as I look back I think, 11:33 that's why I need to have my devotions, 11:35 It's because I look at what He has done for me, 11:37 He's, God's totally worth loving. 11:40 That's why we have our devotions, 11:42 that's why we go to Church. 11:43 That's why we do what we do in a Christian walk. 11:46 So it's love of Christ completely that constrains us. 11:50 Totally. Yeah. 11:54 When I was younger, 11:55 I always wanted to fit in everywhere. 11:57 I would buy something to make me look better 12:00 or I would do something to make people think I was cooler. 12:03 I would try to change myself, 12:05 but no matter how hard I tried, I was never satisfied. 12:09 I always wanted more. 12:11 I can strive for worldly or wealth. 12:14 But it's when I ask God to come into my life 12:16 that I'll be changed, 12:18 that is when I'm truly satisfied. 12:38 All my life long I had panted 12:43 For a drink from some clear spring 12:48 That I hoped would quench the burning 12:53 Of His thirst I felt within 12:59 Hallelujah! I have found Him 13:04 Whom my soul so long has craved 13:09 Jesus satisfies my longings 13:14 Through His blood I now am saved 13:22 Feeding on the husks around me 13:28 Till my strength was almost gone 13:33 Longed my soul for something better 13:39 Only still to hunger on Hallelujah! I have found Him 13:50 Whom my soul so long has craved Jesus satisfies my longings 14:01 Through His blood I now am saved. 15:00 Well of water, ever springing Bread of life so rich and free 15:14 Untold wealth that never faileth 15:20 My Redeemer is to me Hallelujah! I have found Him 15:34 Whom my soul so long has craved Jesus satisfies my longings 15:48 Through His blood I now am saved 15:54 Through His blood I now am saved 16:02 Through His blood I now am saved. 16:17 In the Christian walk, sometimes we're doing things 16:19 that are just not satisfying 16:21 and they're tough, difficult jobs. 16:25 I know working out in the sun or summer, is a difficult job. 16:29 Yeah, when I first came to Fountainview, 16:32 it was the summer before my first man year 16:34 and I never had a job before. 16:36 And my first job I had to do was weeding out 16:38 in the carrot field for eight hours a day, 16:40 in the hot Sun, it was boring and it was uncomfortable 16:44 and I complained a lot, becuase 16:46 like I didn't want to do it and it was, 16:49 you know, it wasn't the glamorous-- 16:51 Not a glamorous job, no. 16:52 Yeah, it wasn't that wonderful a job. 16:54 But, been working over the years 16:59 after the end of four years, 17:01 every summer and learned a little bit about 17:03 like just doing it because it needs to be done. 17:08 And recently I've been thinking about doing my work 17:11 as if I was doing it unto God. 17:15 And it says in, Help in Daily Living it says, 17:18 "The true worker for God will do his best, 17:21 because in so doing he can glorify his Master. 17:24 He will perform every duty as unto God. 17:26 His one desire will be that Christ 17:28 may receive homage and perfect service." 17:31 And I was thinking like the love of Christ, 17:37 it cast out the selfishness. 17:40 Like if I realize that God is my boss, yeah 17:42 you know, like if I'm doing my work as if God is my boss. 17:45 And then I realize His love for me, 17:48 like how can I be selfish and complain. absoulutely. 17:50 And I just do my work as unto God. 17:52 And I know that He--if I'm doing 17:54 what He wants me to do like I just can't complain. amen. 18:01 Selling Christian books door to door, 18:03 I have met so many people who are hungering 18:06 and thirsting for something more than this world can offer. 18:09 At almost every door, 18:11 I see hurting people who see no way out. 18:14 They're reaching for the standard that this world 18:16 offers a fame and fortune, and the end of empty. 18:19 I have had so many experiences 18:22 where peoples lives have brightened up 18:23 and the five minutes that I have shared Jesus 18:25 with them at the door. 18:27 They come to realize that Jesus is what 18:29 they have been searching for. 18:31 It's a life changing experience for me 18:34 and the person I'm speaking to at the door. 18:36 God has given you and me the privilege to be used by Him 18:40 and to win souls to His kingdom. 18:41 He calls each of us to live each day as if it's the last 18:45 and to plead with the people to give their lives to God. 18:48 So open their eyes to His love 18:49 and His promise of eternal life. 18:52 I want to do what Christ has called me to do 18:54 and rescue those who are perishing. 19:20 Rescue the perishing, care for the dying 19:27 Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave 19:35 Weep o'er the erring one, lift up the fallen 19:43 Tell them of Jesus, the mighty to save 19:51 Rescue the perishing, care for the dying 20:07 Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save 20:27 Though they are slighting Him, still He is waiting 20:35 Waiting the penitent child to receive 20:43 So plead with them earnestly, plead with them gently 20:51 He will forgive if they only believe 21:40 Rescue the perishing, care for the dying 21:58 Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save 22:17 Someone is all alone, looking for the Jesus 22:33 Someone is trying to find the way to go 22:40 Will He be alone to make that work 22:51 Rescue the perishing, duty demands it 22:58 Strength for thy labor the Lord will provide 23:07 Back to the narrow way patiently win them 23:15 Tell the poor wand'rer a Savior has died. 23:40 That song, "Rescue the Perishing," 23:42 says that we should rescue the perishing 23:44 'cause duty demands it. 23:46 But think of Christ, I mean, what was His duty. 23:49 Was there a list that said, you have to do this? 23:51 No, it's right--it was in His heart 23:53 that His duty was to come here and He took a risk, 23:57 you know, He could have failed, but also we could reject Him. 24:01 And, you know, it's just all of that, 24:04 that constrains the love of Christ 24:06 and all that's within that. 24:08 We won't really fully understand it, 24:09 but it does change us. 24:11 How did Christ's love change you, Brooke? 24:14 Well, I wanted to come into Fountainview my junior year 24:17 and I applied because I wanted to kind of get away 24:20 from the negative influences of my old school. 24:23 And so I applied for my junior year, 24:24 but due to some situations 24:26 I wasn't able to come my junior year. 24:28 And I don't really understand why? 24:29 When I look back I understand that God had me 24:32 at my old school for a purpose and by keeping me there 24:34 He grew parts of my character that if I was anywhere else, 24:37 I wouldn't be able to be developed. 24:39 And while I was there about like December, 24:42 God was really impressing my heart again to apply. 24:44 And, so I applied, and then the summer came 24:48 and I really haven't heard much, 24:49 if I was accepted or not accepted. 24:51 And so I went to go sell Christian books, 24:53 not knowing where I was gonna go the next school year. 24:55 And I got a phone call about five weeks in 24:59 and it was from Fountainview saying that a girl 25:02 in the senior class was debating whether to come back, 25:04 or she's gonna go to Oakland Community College. 25:06 And so if she didn't come back I would be coming 25:09 and so I was like whoa! So I was just praying that God, 25:12 God would lead me where He wanted me to go. 25:13 And I knew, you know, that if I got accepted 25:17 that's where He wanted me or so I thought. 25:18 And I told my parents that this was happening 25:20 and they kind of like faked excited, 25:23 because they don't want their little girl to leave home 25:24 you know, and I waited that whole week 25:28 and I was just praying for God's will 25:29 to be done, you know. 25:30 And was praying that I wanna go where He wanted me to go. 25:33 And then a week later I got a phone saying that, 25:35 I've been accepted. 25:36 And as soon as I found that I got accepted. 25:39 I was like, wait, maybe God 25:40 wants me to stay in my old school. 25:41 I just really didn't know. 25:42 And there is a paragraph in Help in Daily Living, 25:46 that says, "There is a picture representing a bullock 25:49 standing between a plow and an altar, 25:52 with the inscription, 'Ready for either,' 25:54 ready to toil in the furrow or to be offered 25:56 on the altar of sacrifice. 25:58 This is the position of the true child of God, 26:00 willing to go where duty calls, 26:02 to deny self, and to sacrifice for the Redeemer's cause." 26:06 And that's kind of how I felt. 26:08 You know, like, I didn't know, 26:10 I didn't know if God wanted me to go to my old school 26:11 where I knew it was gonna be hard work, 26:13 you know, like the plow. 26:15 Or if He wanted me to go to Fountainview 26:16 where it's gonna cause lot of sacrifice on my part, 26:19 and also my parents more importantly, 26:20 you know, financially, and just letting their child leave, 26:24 you know, who's the youngest in the family. 26:25 And about a week after I got accepted 26:29 I talked to my parents on the phone. 26:31 And we ended up meeting up 26:33 a couple of days later and we talked in person. 26:35 I had a really good conversion and they just shared 26:37 how God had been showing them and giving them 26:39 complete peace that Fountainview is 26:41 where they--where God wanted me. 26:42 And where they thought that I would grow the most. 26:46 And so I was praising God because He gave my parents 26:48 complete peace and also financially 26:50 He provided some donations and stuff. 26:52 And ever since I'd been here, there's been sacrifice 26:56 but God's always provided. 26:57 And I know this isn't exactly where duty called, 26:59 and I praise God for bringing me here. 27:01 Amen, amen. It's the love of God 27:04 that changes us and gives us exactly what we want 27:08 and we can trust Him with that. 27:09 Val, can you close it with a word of prayer for us. 27:14 Dear Father in Heaven, Lord, 27:16 we want to thank You so much for the love 27:18 that You had in coming down and giving Your life 27:22 and showing us what true self-sacrifices. 27:26 And I pray that You would give us that same love for You. 27:28 So that we'll be willing to go every call us to 27:31 and to do whatever You ask us to. 27:35 In Jesus name, amen. Amen. 27:41 Help in Daily Living is a 13 part series 27:44 from Fountainview productions. 27:46 Designed to share the solid principles 27:48 of practical everyday Christianity. 27:51 It's a simple way to share the good news 27:53 about the power of the gospel with your friends, 27:56 family, and co-workers. 27:58 Order your copies now by calling 1-877-490-4141. 28:04 Or visit us online at www.fountainviewproducitons.com. 28:11 Help in Daily Living is also available 28:13 at your local ABC Christian bookstores. |
Revised 2014-12-17