[dramatic music] 00:01:31.99\00:01:44.40 This is It Is Written. I'm John Bradshaw. 00:02:12.13\00:02:14.86 Thanks for joining me. We live in a world that 00:02:14.86\00:02:17.40 is plagued by war. And when you read the Bible, 00:02:17.40\00:02:20.84 you make the remarkable discovery, that war actually 00:02:20.84\00:02:23.67 began in heaven, where Lucifer and his 00:02:23.67\00:02:27.38 angels fought against Michael, the Archangel, 00:02:27.38\00:02:30.15 and his angels. Today, around planet Earth, 00:02:30.15\00:02:33.68 there is not a day that goes by that there's not warfare 00:02:33.68\00:02:36.18 somewhere. Now, the vast majority of people 00:02:36.18\00:02:39.52 who participate in war are people who are simply 00:02:39.52\00:02:42.46 following orders, and many of them 00:02:42.46\00:02:44.83 pay the ultimate price. Others get to return home, 00:02:44.83\00:02:48.90 but some, scarred physically and emotionally. 00:02:48.90\00:02:53.40 And we remember them, and we honor them, 00:02:53.40\00:02:56.44 in places like this. 00:02:56.44\00:02:59.64 [Music] I'm at Veterans Park in 00:03:01.41\00:03:05.95 Collegedale, Tennessee, just miles from the 00:03:05.95\00:03:08.75 It Is Written office in Chattanooga, 00:03:08.75\00:03:10.89 Tennessee. The park was developed to honor 00:03:10.89\00:03:13.15 those who served to preserve our freedom. 00:03:13.15\00:03:16.32 Like other, similar veterans parks, this one honors all the 00:03:16.32\00:03:19.89 branches of military service: army, navy, air force, coast 00:03:19.89\00:03:23.87 guard, and marines. Along the walkway, 00:03:23.87\00:03:27.04 there's a timeline of wars. The plaque reminds us that 00:03:27.04\00:03:30.91 freedom is not free. Around this circle there are 00:03:30.91\00:03:34.94 individual bronze plaques commemorating all of the wars 00:03:34.94\00:03:37.75 that have been fought by Americans: 00:03:37.75\00:03:39.71 the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, both world wars, 00:03:39.71\00:03:43.45 and more recent wars. On each plaque is listed the 00:03:43.45\00:03:47.46 number of those who served, those wounded, and those who 00:03:47.46\00:03:51.36 made the ultimate sacrifice. Hundreds of thousands of 00:03:51.36\00:03:54.96 individuals have given their lives for the freedom enjoyed 00:03:54.96\00:03:57.60 in this country today. As the slogan aptly states, 00:03:57.60\00:04:02.44 "All gave some, and some gave all." 00:04:02.44\00:04:08.24 On July the 16th, 2015, a man opened fire at two 00:04:08.58\00:04:13.11 nearby military facilities, claiming five lives: 00:04:13.11\00:04:17.55 four marines and a naval petty officer. 00:04:17.55\00:04:21.12 This latest addition at Veterans Park honors 00:04:21.12\00:04:23.49 those who lost their lives that day. 00:04:23.49\00:04:25.53 Their names are listed right here. 00:04:25.53\00:04:29.00 That unprovoked terrorist attack reminds us that what Peter wrote 00:04:29.00\00:04:33.87 is applicable to us today. 1st Peter 5 and verse 8 says, 00:04:33.87\00:04:38.37 "Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks 00:04:38.37\00:04:42.64 around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." 00:04:42.64\00:04:47.42 At this monument, we read the words of 00:04:47.42\00:04:50.59 General Douglas MacArthur, "The soldier, above all others, 00:04:50.59\00:04:54.29 prays for peace, for he must suffer and bear the deepest 00:04:54.29\00:04:58.06 wounds and scars of war." There are plaques commemorating 00:04:58.06\00:05:03.03 those who were missing in action, became prisoners 00:05:03.03\00:05:05.77 of war, and killed in action. 00:05:05.77\00:05:08.44 This one reads, "You paid the ultimate price: you gave your 00:05:08.44\00:05:12.24 life that we might be free. You cannot know the benefits 00:05:12.24\00:05:16.21 your sacrifice made possible. We shall always be 00:05:16.21\00:05:20.08 grateful to you." This plaque commemorates those 00:05:20.08\00:05:23.42 who served as conscientious objectors. 00:05:23.42\00:05:26.49 It reads, "To those who served in the 00:05:26.49\00:05:29.19 military while refusing to bear arms: thank you for defending 00:05:29.19\00:05:32.76 your country in harmony with your conscience. 00:05:32.76\00:05:35.60 Your willingness to go into harm's way unarmed demonstrates 00:05:35.60\00:05:39.20 a faith that inspires all Americans. 00:05:39.20\00:05:43.04 Thank you for not refusing to serve." 00:05:43.04\00:05:47.68 [drum roll] Many of those who chose to be 00:05:48.28\00:05:51.18 conscientious objectors served as combat medics. 00:05:51.18\00:05:54.88 Now, this bronze memorial illustrates the scene of a 00:05:54.88\00:05:57.72 combat medic treating a wounded soldier. 00:05:57.72\00:06:00.72 Now, above all, this park is dedicated to the memory of 00:06:00.72\00:06:04.96 a local hero. He was a conscientious objector, 00:06:04.96\00:06:09.20 a combat medic, and a man of great faith. 00:06:09.20\00:06:14.07 We'll find out more in just a moment. 00:06:14.07\00:06:18.07 >: "Every Word" is a one-minute, Bible-based, daily devotional 00:06:18.57\00:06:21.88 presented by Pastor John Bradshaw, 00:06:21.88\00:06:23.88 and designed especially for busy people 00:06:23.88\00:06:26.08 like you. Look for "Every Word" on 00:06:26.08\00:06:28.58 selected networks or watch it online every day on our website, 00:06:28.58\00:06:31.99 ItIsWritten.com. [Music] 00:06:31.99\00:06:38.79 In 2009 the F-22 fighter plane cost the U.S. Air Force 00:06:40.86\00:06:44.83 somewhere between 137 million and 469 million 00:06:44.83\00:06:49.50 dollars each, depending on how you calculate. 00:06:49.50\00:06:52.67 A government pays what it does in order to have the best 00:06:52.67\00:06:56.18 weapons possible. Each of Gideon's 300 men went 00:06:56.18\00:06:59.45 into battle with a shofar -- that's a trumpet-- 00:06:59.45\00:07:03.52 and a torch inside a clay jar... 00:07:03.52\00:07:05.39 unconventional weapons. Judges 7, verse 20 says, 00:07:05.39\00:07:08.79 "Then the three companies blew the trumpets and 00:07:08.79\00:07:11.16 broke the pitchers-- they held the torches 00:07:11.16\00:07:13.33 in their left hands and the trumpets in their 00:07:13.33\00:07:15.50 right hands for blowing --and they cried, 00:07:15.50\00:07:17.60 'The sword of the Lord and of Gideon!'" 00:07:17.60\00:07:19.50 They blew the trumpets, broke the jars, and let 00:07:19.50\00:07:22.07 their light shine. When they let their light shine, 00:07:22.07\00:07:24.61 victory came. If you let your light shine, 00:07:24.61\00:07:27.21 if you'll let Jesus shine in you, you'll have victory, 00:07:27.21\00:07:30.75 too. I'm John Bradshaw for 00:07:30.75\00:07:32.45 It Is Written. Let's live today by every word. 00:07:32.45\00:07:35.55 [drum and fife music] This is It Is Written. 00:07:36.58\00:07:40.62 I'm John Bradshaw. The focus of Veterans Park here 00:07:40.62\00:07:44.29 in Collegedale, Tennessee, is a man who was a 00:07:44.29\00:07:47.46 conscientious objector. During World War II, he refused 00:07:47.46\00:07:51.97 to touch a weapon of any kind or to carry a gun. 00:07:51.97\00:07:55.50 He's a well-known local war hero, and known as 00:07:55.50\00:07:59.17 the Hero of Okinawa. This statue commemorates 00:07:59.17\00:08:03.61 Corporal Desmond Thomas Doss, a longtime resident of 00:08:03.61\00:08:08.28 this area. He's also a national hero, as 00:08:08.28\00:08:11.99 the recipient of this nation's highest award, the Congressional 00:08:11.99\00:08:16.76 Medal of Honor. [Music] 00:08:16.76\00:08:20.56 October 12, 1945, on the lawn of the White House, 15 Medal 00:08:20.56\00:08:25.50 of Honor recipients were given their award by the 00:08:25.50\00:08:27.67 President of the United States. When it was his turn, Desmond 00:08:27.67\00:08:31.84 walked up to the President. Harry S. Truman warmly shook 00:08:31.84\00:08:35.71 the hand of Corporal Doss and held it the entire time his 00:08:35.71\00:08:39.65 citation was read aloud. Then, as he placed the Medal of 00:08:39.65\00:08:43.39 Honor around his neck, the President said, 00:08:43.39\00:08:46.62 "I'm proud of you. You really deserve this. 00:08:46.62\00:08:48.92 I consider this a greater honor than being President." 00:08:48.92\00:08:53.83 He was a company aid man when the first battalion assaulted a 00:08:53.83\00:08:56.97 jagged escarpment 400 feet high. As our troops gained the summit, 00:08:56.97\00:09:01.40 a heavy concentration of artillery, mortar, and machine 00:09:01.40\00:09:05.04 gun fire crashed into them, inflicting approximately 75 00:09:05.04\00:09:08.38 casualties and driving the others back. 00:09:08.38\00:09:11.41 PFC Doss refused to seek cover and remained in the fire-swept 00:09:11.41\00:09:16.25 area with the many stricken, carrying them one by one to 00:09:16.25\00:09:19.95 the edge of the escarpment, and there lowering them, 00:09:19.95\00:09:22.92 on a rope-supported litter, down the face of the cliff 00:09:22.92\00:09:25.96 to friendly hands. On the 2nd of May, 00:09:25.96\00:09:29.60 he exposed himself to heavy rifle and mortar fire 00:09:29.60\00:09:32.40 in rescuing a wounded man 200 yards forward of the 00:09:32.40\00:09:35.90 lines on the same escarpment. 00:09:35.90\00:09:37.91 And two days later, he treated four men who had been cut down 00:09:37.91\00:09:41.68 while assaulting a strongly defended cave, advancing through 00:09:41.68\00:09:44.78 a shower of grenades to within eight yards of enemy forces in 00:09:44.78\00:09:48.18 a cave's mouth, where he dressed his comrades' wounds 00:09:48.18\00:09:51.59 before making four separate trips, under fire, 00:09:51.59\00:09:54.46 to evacuate them to safety. On the 5th of May, he 00:09:54.46\00:09:58.19 unhesitatingly braved enemy shelling and small-arms fire to 00:09:58.19\00:10:02.20 assist an artillery officer. He applied bandages, moved his 00:10:02.20\00:10:06.50 patient to a spot that offered protection from small-arms fire, 00:10:06.50\00:10:09.74 and while artillery and mortar shells fell close by, 00:10:09.74\00:10:13.64 painstakingly administered plasma. 00:10:13.64\00:10:16.28 Later that day, when an American was severely wounded 00:10:16.28\00:10:19.28 by fire from a cave, Private Doss crawled to him 00:10:19.28\00:10:22.48 where he had fallen, 25 feet from the enemy position, 00:10:22.48\00:10:25.59 rendered aid, and carried him 100 yards 00:10:25.59\00:10:28.69 to safety while continually exposed to enemy fire. 00:10:28.69\00:10:32.06 On the 21st of May, in a night attack on high ground near 00:10:32.06\00:10:36.40 Shuri, he remained in exposed territory while the rest of 00:10:36.40\00:10:40.50 his company took cover, fearlessly risking the 00:10:40.50\00:10:43.51 chance that he would be mistaken for an infiltrating 00:10:43.51\00:10:45.87 Japanese, and giving aid to the injured until he was, 00:10:45.87\00:10:49.18 himself, seriously wounded in the legs by the explosion 00:10:49.18\00:10:52.41 of a grenade. Rather than call another aid man 00:10:52.41\00:10:55.92 from cover, he cared for his own injuries and waited five hours 00:10:55.92\00:11:00.79 before litter bearers reached him and started carrying him 00:11:00.79\00:11:03.66 to cover. The trio was caught in an enemy 00:11:03.66\00:11:06.76 tank attack, and Private Doss, seeing a more critically 00:11:06.76\00:11:11.03 wounded man nearby, crawled off the litter and 00:11:11.03\00:11:15.10 directed the bearers to give their first attention 00:11:15.10\00:11:18.17 to the other man. Awaiting the litter bearers' 00:11:18.17\00:11:21.24 return, he was again struck, this time suffering a compound 00:11:21.24\00:11:25.31 fracture of one arm. With magnificent fortitude, 00:11:25.31\00:11:29.25 he bound a rifle stock to his shattered arm as a splint, 00:11:29.25\00:11:33.49 and then crawled 300 yards over rough terrain to the 00:11:33.49\00:11:37.73 aid station. Through his outstanding bravery 00:11:37.73\00:11:41.80 and unflinching determination in the face of desperately 00:11:41.80\00:11:44.97 dangerous conditions, Private Doss saved the 00:11:44.97\00:11:48.34 lives of many soldiers. His name became a symbol 00:11:48.34\00:11:51.71 throughout the 77th Infantry Division for outstanding 00:11:51.71\00:11:55.14 gallantry far above and beyond the call of duty. 00:11:55.14\00:11:59.25 Three and a half years before those words were read on the 00:11:59.25\00:12:02.95 lawn of the White House, Desmond Doss pulled on 00:12:02.95\00:12:05.72 his army uniform for the first time. 00:12:05.72\00:12:07.99 It was April the 1st, 1942. But things did not start well 00:12:07.99\00:12:12.56 for the soft-spoken Virginian. He wanted to be a combat medic, 00:12:12.56\00:12:17.33 but as providence would have it, he was assigned to an infantry 00:12:17.33\00:12:21.57 rifle company. [explosions] 00:12:21.57\00:12:29.31 When Pearl Harbor was attacked, Desmond was working at the 00:12:31.85\00:12:35.15 Newport News naval shipyard and could have requested a 00:12:35.15\00:12:38.59 deferment, but he was willing to risk his life on the front lines 00:12:38.59\00:12:42.86 in order to preserve freedom. He assumed his standing as a 00:12:42.86\00:12:47.03 conscientious objector would not require him to carry a weapon, 00:12:47.03\00:12:51.27 but his refusal to even touch a gun caused his fellow soldiers 00:12:51.27\00:12:55.60 to view him with disdain. Nobody believed a soldier 00:12:55.60\00:12:59.67 without a weapon was worth anything, so they ostracized 00:12:59.67\00:13:03.75 him, bullied him, cursed at him, and threatened him. 00:13:03.75\00:13:08.92 One man warned, "Doss, when we get into combat, 00:13:08.92\00:13:12.89 I'll make sure you don't come back alive." 00:13:12.89\00:13:17.23 Desmond had been raised with a fervent belief in the Bible, 00:13:17.23\00:13:20.43 and when it came to the Ten Commandments, he applied them 00:13:20.43\00:13:23.37 personally. During childhood, his father had 00:13:23.37\00:13:26.87 purchased a large, framed picture at an auction. 00:13:26.87\00:13:30.71 It portrayed the Ten Commandments with colorful 00:13:30.71\00:13:33.68 illustrations. Next to the words 00:13:33.68\00:13:36.44 "Thou shalt not kill" was a drawing of Cain holding 00:13:36.44\00:13:40.52 a club and standing over the body of his dead brother, 00:13:40.52\00:13:43.82 Abel. With that picture firmly 00:13:43.82\00:13:46.42 embedded in his mind, this young boy determined 00:13:46.42\00:13:49.52 that he would never take life. 00:13:49.52\00:13:53.19 And there was another commandment that Desmond took 00:13:53.19\00:13:55.26 just as seriously as the sixth, and that was the fourth 00:13:55.26\00:13:59.17 commandment. He was raised to go to church 00:13:59.17\00:14:02.14 every week, on the seventh day of the week. 00:14:02.14\00:14:06.37 The army was exasperated when this Bible-reading misfit asked 00:14:06.37\00:14:09.88 for a pass to attend church every Saturday. 00:14:09.88\00:14:13.98 They believed he was totally out of sync with the military. 00:14:13.98\00:14:16.48 In fact, they saw him as a liability. 00:14:16.48\00:14:19.75 So they tried to intimidate him. They gave him extra duties, 00:14:19.75\00:14:22.62 they declared him mentally unfit, and they tried to 00:14:22.62\00:14:25.89 court-martial him. But Desmond Doss wouldn't quit. 00:14:25.89\00:14:31.47 He saw it as his duty to serve God and country, but in that 00:14:31.47\00:14:36.50 order. 00:14:36.50\00:14:38.71 But things began to turn around when the men discovered that 00:14:40.21\00:14:42.88 this quiet, unassuming medic had an effective way to 00:14:42.88\00:14:46.51 treat the blisters on their feet. 00:14:46.51\00:14:48.75 And when someone fainted from heat stroke, Desmond was at 00:14:48.75\00:14:51.55 their side, offering his own canteen. 00:14:51.55\00:14:54.66 And he never held a grudge. With kindness and gentle 00:14:54.66\00:14:57.99 courtesy, he treated those who mistreated him. 00:14:57.99\00:15:00.80 He lived the Golden Rule: Do to others as you would have 00:15:00.80\00:15:04.37 them do to you. Desmond served in combat on the 00:15:04.37\00:15:07.80 islands of Guam and Leyte. In each military operation, 00:15:07.80\00:15:11.94 he exhibited extraordinary dedication to his men. 00:15:11.94\00:15:15.41 While others were taking life, he was busy saving life. 00:15:15.41\00:15:20.32 As enemy bullets whizzed past and mortar shells exploded 00:15:20.32\00:15:24.42 around him, he repeatedly ran to treat a fallen comrade 00:15:24.42\00:15:27.72 and carry him back to safety. By the time they reached 00:15:27.72\00:15:31.29 Okinawa, he'd been awarded two Bronze Stars for valor. 00:15:31.29\00:15:36.13 In May 1945, Japanese troops were fiercely defending Okinawa, 00:15:36.13\00:15:41.40 the only remaining barrier to an Allied invasion of their 00:15:41.40\00:15:44.77 homeland. The Americans were set on 00:15:44.77\00:15:47.34 capturing an imposing cliff that ran across the island. 00:15:47.34\00:15:50.95 The soldiers called it Hacksaw Ridge. 00:15:50.95\00:15:54.62 But upon reaching the top, Japanese forces suddenly 00:15:54.62\00:15:58.12 attacked. Officers ordered an immediate 00:15:58.12\00:16:00.89 retreat. As a hundred or more Americans 00:16:00.89\00:16:04.59 lay wounded and dying on enemy soil, one lone soldier disobeyed 00:16:04.59\00:16:09.86 those orders and charged back into the firefight. 00:16:09.86\00:16:14.07 With a constant prayer on his lips, he vowed to rescue as many 00:16:14.07\00:16:17.94 as he could before he either collapsed or died trying. 00:16:17.94\00:16:22.38 His iron determination and unflagging courage resulted 00:16:22.38\00:16:26.65 in saving 75 lives. Desmond Doss was a hero. 00:16:26.65\00:16:32.55 He was a hero to the men whose lives he saved. 00:16:32.55\00:16:35.39 He was a hero in American history. 00:16:35.39\00:16:38.19 But he was also a hero of faith. Without his faith in God, 00:16:38.19\00:16:42.86 he would not have been able to be the hero that 00:16:42.86\00:16:45.27 he was, when he endured those battles in the 00:16:45.27\00:16:47.87 Pacific Islands. How did he have the faith that 00:16:47.87\00:16:51.17 enabled him to face the enemy with quiet confidence? 00:16:51.17\00:16:56.34 I'll have the answer to that question in just a moment. 00:16:56.34\00:16:59.45 [Music] I'd like to offer you a special, 00:17:00.12\00:17:08.69 free book called "The Faith of Desmond Doss." 00:17:08.69\00:17:12.89 This book not only describes who Desmond was, but also how to 00:17:12.89\00:17:17.60 develop the kind of faith Desmond had. 00:17:17.60\00:17:20.67 To receive your copy of this book, just call: 00:17:20.67\00:17:23.07 1 (800) 253-3000, and ask for: 00:17:23.07\00:17:26.51 "The Faith of Desmond Doss." Lines are open 24 hours daily. 00:17:26.51\00:17:31.01 They may be busy when you call, so keep trying. 00:17:31.01\00:17:33.95 You can also write to request this book from It Is Written at 00:17:33.95\00:17:37.02 P.O. Box 6, Chattanooga, Tennessee, 37401, 00:17:37.02\00:17:41.39 and we'll mail a copy to your address in North America. 00:17:41.39\00:17:44.73 This is a powerful little book, and it's yours absolutely free. 00:17:44.73\00:17:48.06 All you need to do is to call right now, 1 (800) 253-3000. 00:17:48.06\00:17:53.44 There's no cost and no catch. Simply call now, and ask for 00:17:53.44\00:17:57.24 "The Faith of Desmond Doss," or visit us online at 00:17:57.24\00:18:01.48 ItIsWritten.com and download a free 00:18:01.48\00:18:04.68 electronic version of this book. 00:18:04.68\00:18:07.08 Desmond Doss believed that the Bible was the Word of God. 00:18:08.42\00:18:12.62 He read the Bible every day. He had a Bible with him the 00:18:12.62\00:18:16.02 entire time he was in the war. In fact, his Bible was his most 00:18:16.02\00:18:20.80 prized possession. Shortly before he shipped out 00:18:20.80\00:18:24.47 to the Pacific, he married his sweetheart, Dorothy. 00:18:24.47\00:18:27.80 As a wedding gift, she gave him a pocket Bible. 00:18:27.80\00:18:31.37 Inside that Bible she wrote a note especially to encourage 00:18:31.37\00:18:35.91 Desmond while he was away. "Dearest Desmond, As you read 00:18:35.91\00:18:40.58 and study the precious promises found in the Word of God 00:18:40.58\00:18:43.39 contained in this little Bible, may you be strengthened in 00:18:43.39\00:18:46.02 whatever trials may come to you. May your faith in God bring 00:18:46.02\00:18:49.36 comfort and peace of heart to you, that you may never be sad 00:18:49.36\00:18:51.86 or lonely, no matter how dark the way seems. 00:18:51.86\00:18:55.10 If we do not meet another time on this earth, we have the 00:18:55.10\00:18:57.93 assurance of a happy meeting place in heaven. 00:18:57.93\00:19:00.97 May God in His mercy grant us both a place there. 00:19:00.97\00:19:03.94 Your loving wife, Dorothy." 00:19:03.94\00:19:07.38 As he faced the enemy day after day, he read this letter again 00:19:07.88\00:19:10.88 and again, along with the promises he found in 00:19:10.88\00:19:14.28 his Bible. "He who dwells in the secret 00:19:14.28\00:19:17.39 place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of 00:19:17.39\00:19:20.09 the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, 00:19:20.09\00:19:22.66 'He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, 00:19:22.66\00:19:25.99 in Him I will trust.'" Psalm 91, 1 and 2. 00:19:25.99\00:19:30.83 "You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the 00:19:30.83\00:19:35.10 arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in 00:19:35.10\00:19:38.74 darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noon-day. 00:19:38.74\00:19:43.21 A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your 00:19:43.21\00:19:46.51 right hand; but it shall not come near you." 00:19:46.51\00:19:50.22 Psalm 91: 5 through 7. As Desmond read the Bible, 00:19:50.22\00:19:55.56 he read it as one who believed that God would protect him, 00:19:55.56\00:19:59.53 because he believed God's Word could be trusted. 00:19:59.53\00:20:02.96 Thoughts of fear were changed to feelings of confidence and 00:20:02.96\00:20:06.43 courage. As he read God's Word, he read 00:20:06.43\00:20:10.44 words like these: "It is better to trust in the 00:20:10.44\00:20:13.71 Lord than to put confidence in man." 00:20:13.71\00:20:17.08 Psalm 118, verse 8. "Trust in the Lord with all your 00:20:17.08\00:20:21.28 heart, and lean not on your own understanding. 00:20:21.28\00:20:25.39 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct 00:20:25.39\00:20:28.69 your paths." Proverbs 3:5 and 6. 00:20:28.69\00:20:33.40 As Desmond read his Bible, it molded his thinking. 00:20:33.40\00:20:37.27 He read this in the Proverbs: "For as he thinks in his heart, 00:20:37.27\00:20:41.57 so is he." Proverbs 23:7. 00:20:41.57\00:20:45.57 Thoughts become actions; actions become habits; 00:20:45.57\00:20:49.48 habits influence our character; and our character determines 00:20:49.48\00:20:53.35 our destiny. It's when times become really 00:20:53.35\00:20:57.25 challenging that our true character is revealed. 00:20:57.25\00:21:00.82 For Desmond Doss, he was the same person in the heat of 00:21:00.82\00:21:03.89 battle as he was outside of the theater of battle, 00:21:03.89\00:21:07.50 and that's because he had spent time with God. 00:21:07.50\00:21:10.47 Just because he didn't carry a weapon did not mean he was 00:21:10.47\00:21:12.77 defenseless. At all times, he had prayer and 00:21:12.77\00:21:16.47 the Word of God: two things far more powerful than any weapon. 00:21:16.47\00:21:23.58 "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to 00:21:23.58\00:21:26.85 man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be 00:21:26.85\00:21:30.99 tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation 00:21:30.99\00:21:35.26 also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." 00:21:35.26\00:21:40.43 First Corinthians 10:13. God promises you a way of 00:21:40.43\00:21:45.40 escape, just as He provided one for Desmond Doss. 00:21:45.40\00:21:49.24 The same promises that Desmond found in his Bible are the 00:21:49.24\00:21:52.21 promises that you can discover, and believe, and claim. 00:21:52.21\00:21:55.74 I'd like for you to get today's free book. 00:21:55.74\00:21:57.85 It's called: "The Faith of Desmond Doss." 00:21:57.85\00:22:00.15 I'll tell you how you can get it in just a moment. 00:22:00.15\00:22:02.52 [Music] Planning for your financial 00:22:03.35\00:22:05.62 future is a vital aspect of Christian stewardship. 00:22:05.62\00:22:08.99 For this reason, It Is Written is pleased to offer free planned 00:22:08.99\00:22:12.26 giving and estate services. For information on how we can 00:22:12.26\00:22:15.50 help you, please call (800) 992-2219. 00:22:15.50\00:22:20.24 Call today, or visit our special website, www.HisLegacy.com. 00:22:20.24\00:22:27.91 [Music] This is the Chattanooga 00:22:29.88\00:22:40.69 National Cemetery, in the state of Tennessee. 00:22:40.69\00:22:44.06 National cemeteries were first established under the 00:22:44.06\00:22:46.76 administration of President Abraham Lincoln. 00:22:46.76\00:22:49.40 They were specifically created for those who had served in the 00:22:49.40\00:22:52.23 military, beginning with the Civil War. 00:22:52.23\00:22:55.24 There are some graves here that date all the way back to that 00:22:55.24\00:22:58.11 time, every grave commemorating the life of one who would 00:22:58.11\00:23:01.84 sacrifice to preserve freedom, from every war since the 00:23:01.84\00:23:05.88 Civil War. This national cemetery covers 00:23:05.88\00:23:09.22 120 acres. More than 50,000 war veterans 00:23:09.22\00:23:13.09 are buried here. Undoubtedly there's a unique 00:23:13.09\00:23:16.06 story behind each grave marker. After serving his country in 00:23:16.06\00:23:20.93 World War II, Desmond Doss returned home, but not 00:23:20.93\00:23:24.57 everything turned out the way he might have hoped. 00:23:24.57\00:23:27.47 He was discharged from the military in 1946, but before 00:23:27.47\00:23:30.74 that time, he had developed tuberculosis. 00:23:30.74\00:23:33.98 All those cold, wet nights in a muddy foxhole in the Pacific 00:23:33.98\00:23:37.68 Islands eventually took their toll. 00:23:37.68\00:23:41.45 As the illness progressed, his left lung had to be surgically 00:23:41.45\00:23:44.32 removed, along with five ribs. For the rest of his life, 00:23:44.32\00:23:48.26 he survived on a single lung, until it, too, failed. 00:23:48.26\00:23:53.36 At the age of 87, Corporal Desmond Thomas Doss died, 00:23:53.36\00:23:58.63 on March 23, 2006, after being hospitalized with difficulty 00:23:58.63\00:24:04.27 breathing. For Desmond Doss, the war is 00:24:04.27\00:24:08.18 over; not just the war in the Pacific during World War II, 00:24:08.18\00:24:12.38 but the battle of life. Now he rests in peace; 00:24:12.38\00:24:16.95 his eternal destiny has been decided. 00:24:16.95\00:24:19.65 His body lies just beneath this grave marker. 00:24:19.65\00:24:23.22 One day, according to the Bible, the trumpet of God will awaken 00:24:23.22\00:24:27.73 the sleeping saints, and the greatest battle ever fought will 00:24:27.73\00:24:32.53 climax in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. 00:24:32.53\00:24:36.87 Desmond was a soldier who served in war, but he was also a 00:24:36.87\00:24:41.78 soldier in the battle of life. We're all soldiers in the battle 00:24:41.78\00:24:46.08 of life, and the outcome has already been determined. 00:24:46.08\00:24:51.22 We know that the enemy is the devil, but that ultimately 00:24:51.22\00:24:54.06 the victor is Jesus Christ. Every person born on this earth 00:24:54.06\00:24:58.89 is born behind enemy lines, but everyone can choose to be on 00:24:58.89\00:25:03.43 the winning side. You know, Jesus is coming back 00:25:03.43\00:25:06.67 soon, and when He returns death, sin, pain, sorrow, 00:25:06.67\00:25:12.01 it will all be done away with. It will all be gone. 00:25:12.01\00:25:16.61 Jesus is coming back, and when He returns, He'll make all 00:25:16.61\00:25:21.12 things new. "Let not your heart be troubled; 00:25:21.12\00:25:24.79 you believe in God, believe also in Me. 00:25:24.79\00:25:28.56 In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, 00:25:28.56\00:25:32.13 I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 00:25:32.13\00:25:36.10 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and 00:25:36.10\00:25:40.97 receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be 00:25:40.97\00:25:44.87 also." John 14, 1 through 3. 00:25:44.87\00:25:48.94 That wonderful promise assures you that a bright future 00:25:48.94\00:25:52.55 awaits you. For it to be a reality in your 00:25:52.55\00:25:55.45 life, all you need to do is believe. 00:25:55.45\00:26:00.96 [acoustic guitar music] There are many heroes in this 00:26:00.96\00:26:04.63 book, the Bible, and then there are many other heroes who 00:26:04.63\00:26:07.73 risk everything to preserve the freedoms that we enjoy today. 00:26:07.73\00:26:11.10 One of them was Desmond Doss, the World War II medic who 00:26:11.10\00:26:15.20 refused to carry a gun. But he had a prayer in his heart 00:26:15.20\00:26:19.51 and a Bible in his pocket. He saved dozens and dozens of 00:26:19.51\00:26:24.41 lives, and as a result was awarded the Congressional 00:26:24.41\00:26:28.42 Medal of Honor. If you want to know more about 00:26:28.42\00:26:32.62 his story and about the God who preserved him during a time of 00:26:32.62\00:26:36.49 war, I'd like to offer you a special, free book called 00:26:36.49\00:26:40.73 "The Faith of Desmond Doss." This book not only describes who 00:26:40.73\00:26:44.67 Desmond was, but also how to develop the kind of faith 00:26:44.67\00:26:49.70 Desmond had. To receive your copy of this 00:26:49.70\00:26:52.17 book, just call 1 (800) 253-3000 and ask for "The Faith of 00:26:52.17\00:26:57.58 Desmond Doss." Lines are open 24 hours daily. 00:26:57.58\00:27:01.25 They may be busy when you call, so keep trying. 00:27:01.25\00:27:04.42 You can also write to request this book from It Is Written at 00:27:04.42\00:27:07.22 P.O. Box 6, Chattanooga, Tennessee, 37401, 00:27:07.22\00:27:11.76 and we'll mail a copy to your address in North America. 00:27:11.76\00:27:15.26 This is a powerful little book, and it's yours absolutely free. 00:27:15.26\00:27:18.50 All you need to do is to call right now, 1 (800) 253-3000. 00:27:18.50\00:27:23.61 There's no cost and no catch. Simply call now and ask for 00:27:23.61\00:27:27.74 "The Faith of Desmond Doss." Or visit us online at 00:27:27.74\00:27:31.61 ItIsWritten.com and download a free electronic version of 00:27:31.61\00:27:36.12 this book. And thanks for remembering 00:27:36.12\00:27:38.75 It Is Written is a faith ministry, 00:27:38.75\00:27:41.26 made possible by the generosity of people like you. 00:27:41.26\00:27:44.16 We depend on you, and I greatly appreciate your financial 00:27:44.16\00:27:47.66 support. To enable It Is Written to 00:27:47.66\00:27:50.17 continue to share Jesus with the world, call us now on 00:27:50.17\00:27:53.60 (800) 253-3000. (800) 253-3000. 00:27:53.60\00:27:58.47 Or, write to It Is Written, P.O. Box 6, Chattanooga, 00:27:58.47\00:28:02.98 Tennesee, 37401. Or you can invest in 00:28:02.98\00:28:07.05 It Is Written's global ministry online at ItIsWritten.com. 00:28:07.05\00:28:13.19 Let's pray together. Our Father in Heaven, 00:28:13.19\00:28:15.52 we are thankful today for Jesus, who has won the war. 00:28:15.52\00:28:18.99 We thank you today for the strength of Your Spirit, and for 00:28:18.99\00:28:22.86 the example of people like Desmond Doss, 00:28:22.86\00:28:26.00 who through faith in You demonstrated what God can 00:28:26.00\00:28:30.27 do in a humble life. Lord, I pray that You would 00:28:30.27\00:28:34.44 take our hearts. Friend, is it time now for you 00:28:34.44\00:28:38.18 to give your heart to Jesus? You can do so now, by inviting 00:28:38.18\00:28:40.88 Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, and work in you as 00:28:40.88\00:28:43.92 He worked in Desmond Doss. Father, we thank You today for 00:28:43.92\00:28:48.19 inspiring us and for pointing our eyes and hearts and minds to 00:28:48.19\00:28:52.36 Jesus, who died so that we might live victoriously. 00:28:52.36\00:28:57.97 We thank You today, and we pray in Jesus' name, Amen. 00:28:57.97\00:29:04.51 [Music] 00:29:04.51\00:29:10.75 Thanks so much for joining me. 00:29:19.45\00:29:21.02 I'm looking forward to seeing you again next time. 00:29:21.02\00:29:22.72 Until then, remember: It is written; 00:29:22.72\00:29:25.33 man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word 00:29:25.33\00:29:29.30 that proceeds from the mouth of God. 00:29:29.30\00:29:38.84 [Music] 00:29:38.84\00:29:43.78