¤[Theme music]¤
00:00:09.87\00:00:16.95
>>John Bradshaw: This is It
Is Written. I'm John Bradshaw.
00:00:19.91\00:00:23.25
Thanks for joining me.
00:00:23.28\00:00:25.02
The Atacama Desert in Chile
is the driest place on Earth.
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It's where the largest
copper and gold mines in
00:00:30.49\00:00:32.86
South America are located.
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And from the Atacama
Desert comes a story of tragedy,
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a story of uncertainty,
yet a story of courage,
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hope and, ultimately,
a story of salvation.
00:00:42.04\00:00:45.87
[Heavy machinery sounds]
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It happened on a Thursday.
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It was August the fifth, 2010.
00:00:50.18\00:00:53.52
Five hours after
starting their workday,
00:00:53.55\00:00:55.38
the land became a tomb for 33
men when a collapse in the mine
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buried them 700
meters, 2300 feet below ground.
00:01:04.33\00:01:09.30
Imagine two Empire State
Buildings stacked on top of each
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other; that's how
far down they were.
00:01:17.01\00:01:19.81
They were trapped in
temperatures of up to 95 degrees
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Fahrenheit - 35 Celsius, and
they were trapped for 69 days.
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The San José mine is
located in the city of Copiapo
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in northern Chile.
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It was there that 33
men and their fellow workers
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risked their lives daily
to support their families,
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mining copper and
gold from the ground.
00:01:40.90\00:01:43.80
The events that unfolded
there in the Atacama Desert
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were watched by more than a
billion people around the world.
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It was one of
the greatest rescues
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in the history of humanity.
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¤[Music]¤
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That fateful day at the San José
mine everything seemed normal,
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just like any other day.
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But in a matter of moments,
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life took an unexpected
turn for those 33 miners
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and their families.
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Now, can you imagine being
trapped underground in a damp,
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dark place with no way out?
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[Hopeless theme]
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After the mine
collapsed, the men were totally
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disconnected from
the outside world.
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They were unable to ask for help
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or to tell rescue
groups that they were alive.
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No matter how much they
shouted, nobody could hear them.
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No matter how much
they tried to escape,
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there was no way out.
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Now, initially, dust kept
them from breathing normally,
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even blinded some
of them for some time,
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some hours.
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Some miners were injured.
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And in addition to the
physical exhaustion was fear,
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the frustration and the
uncertainty that quickly began
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to invade their minds:
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Will they come to rescue us?
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Will they think
that we are alive?
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Will they forget us?
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Now maybe you've
thought about it;
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maybe you've not.
00:03:05.48\00:03:06.38
But you and I,
like those 33 men,
00:03:06.41\00:03:09.38
are trapped, with no way out.
00:03:09.42\00:03:12.42
Yes, it's true human
beings can travel to the moon.
00:03:12.45\00:03:15.76
We've sent the Space
Shuttle up and brought it back.
00:03:15.79\00:03:18.76
The International Space
Station circles the globe.
00:03:18.79\00:03:22.43
Soon maybe we'll be able
to travel to other planets.
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But for now, the
earth is our only home.
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And you and I know only too well
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that everything is
not going well here.
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Just turn on the
TV, flick on the radio,
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go online, and you'll
be faced with bad news
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that can change your life.
00:03:39.51\00:03:41.05
Today we're no longer surprised
to hear about terrorist attacks,
00:03:41.08\00:03:44.32
the emergence of
some strange disease,
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or another
random act of violence.
00:03:47.09\00:03:49.29
We hear of wars,
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pestilences and
famines in all kinds of places.
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Maybe you or a loved one
is experiencing hardships
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of this kind, or a related kind.
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The truth is, we are all trapped
under a mountain of pain,
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or illness, or
hunger, or violence,
00:04:07.41\00:04:11.15
from which we
just cannot escape.
00:04:11.18\00:04:13.68
And even if we install
alarm systems to protect us from
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theft, even though we try
to take care of our health,
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when we try to live quietly,
not bother anybody else,
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at some point, in some way,
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we'll be the victim of evil.
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At some point you and I
will also ask ourselves:
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Will someone come to my rescue?
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Will there be a
solution to my problem?
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Is there anything we can trust?
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You know, even though
we're stuck in a place
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with no way out,
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God has
prepared a refuge for us.
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¤[Bird chirping
and bell chimes]¤
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It's a safe place where you and
I can learn to shield ourselves
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from the plans of the evil one.
00:04:50.82\00:04:52.89
And it's there that we can
wait and prepare while we look
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forward to the supreme
rescue of Jesus Christ.
00:04:57.99\00:05:03.77
In the initial hours in
which the miners were trapped
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underground, they
looked for ways out.
00:05:06.03\00:05:08.70
Now, to begin with,
00:05:08.74\00:05:10.14
they tried to escape
through ventilation shafts,
00:05:10.17\00:05:13.11
but they soon
discovered, to their dismay,
00:05:13.14\00:05:16.78
that the
ladders required by law,
00:05:16.81\00:05:19.71
that should have been there
to facilitate such an escape,
00:05:19.75\00:05:24.25
were missing.
00:05:24.29\00:05:26.09
Any other
attempts were dangerous
00:05:26.12\00:05:27.99
because they could
cause another collapse,
00:05:28.02\00:05:30.69
and with another collapse,
there would surely be death.
00:05:30.73\00:05:34.46
There was no other option
but to wait in the shelter,
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a shelter that had previously
been built underground and
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that was specially designed with
this type of situation in mind.
00:05:42.34\00:05:46.21
There, at least, they
found a safe place to stay,
00:05:46.24\00:05:49.14
there they had some food
to keep them for a few days.
00:05:49.18\00:05:53.92
From that refuge, finally,
the miners came to a conclusion:
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By their own physical strength
they could not get out of there;
00:05:58.49\00:06:05.46
rescue would have
to come from above.
00:06:05.49\00:06:10.00
I'll be back with
more from this story
00:06:10.03\00:06:11.60
and from the
Bible in just a moment.
00:06:11.63\00:06:14.57
¤[Music]¤
00:06:14.60\00:06:21.88
>>John: The greatest
event in all of history.
00:06:23.14\00:06:25.58
The Second
Coming of Jesus Christ.
00:06:25.61\00:06:27.78
What does the Bible
say that will be like?
00:06:27.82\00:06:30.89
Find out by
getting today's free offer,
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“The Second Coming of Jesus.”
00:06:32.99\00:06:34.52
To get today's free offer,
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call us, 800-253-3000,
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that's 800-253-3000.
00:06:38.29\00:06:40.96
Or visit us
online at iiwoffer.com,
00:06:41.00\00:06:45.13
iiwoffer.com.
00:06:45.17\00:06:47.37
Be sure you get
today's free offer,
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“The Second Coming of Jesus.”
00:06:50.14\00:06:52.87
¤[Music]¤
00:06:53.11\00:06:55.48
>>Announcer: Planning
for your financial future
00:06:55.51\00:06:57.08
is a vital aspect of
Christian stewardship.
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For this reason,
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It Is Written is pleased
to offer free planned giving
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and estate services.
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For information on
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please call 800-992-2219.
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Call today, or
visit our website,
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hislegacy.com.
00:07:15.96\00:07:18.13
Call 800-992-2219.
00:07:18.17\00:07:22.90
>>Girl: My mom woke up at
11:45, and she smelled smoke.
00:07:23.77\00:07:28.28
>>Man: About maybe
1:30 in the morning,
00:07:28.31\00:07:30.81
the, uh, my wife
got a phone call,
00:07:30.85\00:07:34.15
and I could hear the voice
on the other end of the line,
00:07:34.18\00:07:37.72
and she was basically screaming,
00:07:37.75\00:07:40.49
“There's a fire.
00:07:40.52\00:07:41.46
It's massive.
00:07:41.49\00:07:42.06
It's headed your way.
00:07:42.09\00:07:43.56
You need to get
out and get out now.”
00:07:43.59\00:07:45.43
>>Woman: After I hear fire,
00:07:45.46\00:07:46.90
I hear in the background,
00:07:46.93\00:07:48.76
the fire is two to four
blocks away from your house.
00:07:48.80\00:07:50.83
And I panicked.
00:07:50.87\00:07:52.07
We started praying.
00:07:52.10\00:07:53.27
Our prayers didn't last long.
00:07:53.30\00:07:54.80
They were desperate,
they were, they were rushed.
00:07:54.84\00:07:59.37
There was a need; it was urgent;
00:07:59.41\00:08:01.11
it was very, very urgent.
00:08:01.14\00:08:02.31
I said, please save my children.
00:08:02.34\00:08:05.25
¤[Sentimental music]¤
00:08:05.28\00:08:08.62
>>John: Where was God
when the fires burned?
00:08:08.65\00:08:09.98
Where was God
as people suffered?
00:08:10.02\00:08:11.89
Where was God
while people were dying?
00:08:11.92\00:08:14.69
Where was God in the
midst of the devastation?
00:08:14.72\00:08:16.83
¤[Music and fire crackling]¤
00:08:16.86\00:08:23.06
>>John: Thanks for joining
me today on It Is Written.
00:08:23.77\00:08:26.07
Back in 2010, 33 miners in Chile
00:08:26.10\00:08:31.21
were trapped deep
beneath the surface of the earth
00:08:31.24\00:08:34.81
after a collapse in the
mine in which they were working.
00:08:34.84\00:08:38.11
They were safe; they had food;
00:08:38.15\00:08:42.02
you know, things weren't
so rosy inside that shelter.
00:08:42.05\00:08:45.55
It became more obvious
with the passing hours.
00:08:45.59\00:08:48.42
It was extremely hot.
00:08:48.46\00:08:51.56
The food they had available
00:08:51.59\00:08:52.66
would only last
them for three days.
00:08:52.69\00:08:56.50
They couldn't
agree on everything.
00:08:56.53\00:08:59.00
And the wait caused desperation.
00:08:59.03\00:09:02.20
Have you ever had an
experience like that?
00:09:02.24\00:09:04.97
That waiting, that anxiety.
00:09:05.01\00:09:08.51
You might have.
00:09:08.54\00:09:09.74
You might even have experienced
something like that in church.
00:09:09.78\00:09:15.12
Sometimes the church,
00:09:15.15\00:09:16.35
where the name of
the Lord is praised,
00:09:16.38\00:09:18.52
doesn't feel like the
best place in the world.
00:09:18.55\00:09:21.16
Sometimes it can be suffocating.
00:09:21.19\00:09:24.39
Maybe somebody in that church
hasn't treated you kindly.
00:09:24.43\00:09:26.66
You haven't been able to
resolve your differences.
00:09:26.70\00:09:29.46
Well, maybe this spiritual food
doesn't satisfy your tastes.
00:09:29.50\00:09:33.97
Maybe you think it
just isn't necessary
00:09:34.00\00:09:36.77
to continue attending church.
00:09:36.81\00:09:38.71
But friend, stop.
00:09:38.74\00:09:40.91
I want to tell you something.
00:09:40.94\00:09:42.41
Unless the problem in
your congregation is of a moral
00:09:42.44\00:09:45.61
or scriptural nature
that just cannot be resolved,
00:09:45.65\00:09:48.82
don't leave.
00:09:48.85\00:09:50.35
If it's a
really serious problem,
00:09:50.39\00:09:52.45
don't leave the
church altogether.
00:09:52.49\00:09:54.22
Maybe you can find
another congregation to worship.
00:09:54.26\00:09:57.26
The truth is
that in these moments,
00:09:57.29\00:09:58.96
this moment in earth's history,
00:09:58.99\00:10:00.86
the church is the
safest place that we can be.
00:10:00.90\00:10:04.90
Here's what the
Bible says in Hebrews,
00:10:04.93\00:10:06.50
chapter 10 and verse 25:
00:10:06.53\00:10:09.00
“Not forsaking the assembling
of ourselves together,
00:10:09.04\00:10:12.41
as is the manner of some,
00:10:12.44\00:10:15.81
but exhorting one another,
00:10:15.84\00:10:17.48
and so much the more as
you see the Day approaching.”
00:10:17.51\00:10:23.65
No, the church isn't perfect.
00:10:23.69\00:10:26.29
Maybe you've seen or experienced
some unpleasant situations
00:10:26.32\00:10:29.49
in the church,
sometimes hurtful situations.
00:10:29.52\00:10:33.06
But the truth is, your rescue
and my rescue comes from above.
00:10:33.09\00:10:38.40
The church is not Paradise.
00:10:38.43\00:10:40.37
We were never
promised that it would be.
00:10:40.40\00:10:42.10
[Bells ringing]
00:10:42.14\00:10:43.44
But the church is
designed to be a haven,
00:10:43.47\00:10:45.84
a safe place,
00:10:45.87\00:10:47.74
as we get ready for
the return of Jesus Christ.
00:10:47.78\00:10:50.65
¤[Music]¤
00:10:50.68\00:10:58.22
Now, that wait was
incredibly stressful
00:10:58.25\00:11:00.82
for the families of the
miners trapped underground.
00:11:00.86\00:11:03.79
Upon hearing the disastrous news
that their loved ones were stuck
00:11:03.83\00:11:07.50
and couldn't soon be liberated,
00:11:07.56\00:11:10.47
they hurried desperately
to ask authorities for help.
00:11:10.50\00:11:13.74
They wanted to know if
their loved ones were alive
00:11:13.77\00:11:16.14
and what the rescue
plan was going to be.
00:11:16.17\00:11:18.14
Imagine the despair!
00:11:18.17\00:11:20.64
Adding to their
despair was the fact
00:11:20.68\00:11:22.51
that statistics
were not on their side.
00:11:22.54\00:11:24.78
It was said that
there was only a 2% chance
00:11:24.81\00:11:28.55
that the 33 men
could still be alive.
00:11:28.58\00:11:31.55
That same night
the rescue began.
00:11:31.59\00:11:34.06
Rescue workers tried
to find passages by which
00:11:34.09\00:11:36.79
they could enter the mine,
00:11:36.83\00:11:37.96
but all of the routes that
they thought they could use
00:11:37.99\00:11:40.00
were either blocked or
they threatened to collapse.
00:11:40.03\00:11:43.13
Two days later there was
another collapse in the mine.
00:11:43.16\00:11:46.84
Rescuers knew then that it would
be impossible for a human team
00:11:46.87\00:11:50.77
to safely reach the miners.
00:11:50.81\00:11:53.34
What do they do?
00:11:53.38\00:11:54.78
They began to drill
down to try to reach the men.
00:11:54.81\00:11:58.81
Ten different drilling
probes were used in an attempt
00:11:58.85\00:12:02.52
to establish contact
with those isolated miners.
00:12:02.55\00:12:05.82
And finally, it
was August the 22nd,
00:12:05.85\00:12:08.99
three weeks after the disaster,
a probe that was later named
00:12:09.02\00:12:12.99
"la Milagrosa"
(the miraculous one),
00:12:13.03\00:12:15.96
managed to find
the emergency shelter.
00:12:16.00\00:12:19.70
Underground, the miners
were listening to the drilling
00:12:19.73\00:12:22.37
with great expectation and hope.
00:12:22.40\00:12:25.27
They'd already
prepared a message
00:12:25.31\00:12:26.68
that they wanted to
share with their families.
00:12:26.71\00:12:28.78
A note they attached to
the tip of the drill said,
00:12:28.81\00:12:33.05
"We are fine in
the shelter, the 33."
00:12:33.08\00:12:37.59
The first sign of life
00:12:37.62\00:12:40.29
filled the hearts of
their loved ones with joy,
00:12:40.32\00:12:42.76
and amazed millions of
people around the world
00:12:42.79\00:12:46.09
who were following the news
of the trapped Chilean miners.
00:12:46.13\00:12:50.27
It was through a small
hole drilled hundreds of meters
00:12:50.30\00:12:52.93
into the earth,well,
maybe I should say a small hole,
00:12:52.97\00:12:57.14
that the miners
could finally communicate
00:12:57.17\00:12:58.74
with their rescue team
00:12:58.77\00:12:59.81
and receive the supplies
that would keep them alive
00:12:59.84\00:13:02.78
as they waited to get out
of their underground prison.
00:13:02.81\00:13:05.48
Through that hole
they received water,
00:13:05.51\00:13:07.45
food, clothing, medicine,
encouragement, and hope.
00:13:07.48\00:13:13.19
They also received
cameras to record messages,
00:13:13.22\00:13:17.36
so the people
up there could know
00:13:17.39\00:13:18.69
what their living
conditions were like down there.
00:13:18.73\00:13:21.60
Okay, now let's
pause for a moment.
00:13:21.63\00:13:24.20
Do you know that God has
provided you with a means
00:13:24.23\00:13:26.33
of communicating between
your place on earth and Heaven,
00:13:26.37\00:13:30.44
where God is?
00:13:30.47\00:13:31.71
Sure He has, and sure, you know.
00:13:31.74\00:13:33.78
That means of communicating
with God is prayer.
00:13:33.81\00:13:37.48
Matthew 21, verse 22:
00:13:37.51\00:13:39.21
“And whatever
things you ask in prayer,
00:13:39.25\00:13:41.85
believing, you will receive.”
00:13:41.88\00:13:45.09
The Bible also says in
Hebrews 4 and verse 16:
00:13:45.12\00:13:48.42
“Let us therefore come
boldly to the throne of grace,
00:13:48.46\00:13:52.69
that we may obtain
mercy and find grace
00:13:52.73\00:13:56.20
to help in time of need.”
00:13:56.23\00:13:59.77
It's through prayer,
00:13:59.80\00:14:01.14
through that, through
that little gap in time
00:14:01.17\00:14:04.54
that we dedicate
to speaking with God,
00:14:04.57\00:14:07.51
it's through prayer
that God listens to our needs
00:14:07.54\00:14:10.71
and attends to our requests,
00:14:10.75\00:14:12.45
and communicates with us.
00:14:12.48\00:14:13.72
It's through prayer that we
receive the necessary blessings
00:14:13.75\00:14:17.19
that strengthen us
as we wait for rescue
00:14:17.22\00:14:20.76
from this world of darkness.
00:14:20.79\00:14:22.99
Let me encourage you.
00:14:23.02\00:14:24.99
Don't neglect your daily
opportunity to speak to God,
00:14:25.03\00:14:30.07
to listen to God and
receive God's blessing.
00:14:30.10\00:14:33.30
You know what's so interesting?
00:14:33.34\00:14:35.50
When God architected
the plan of salvation,
00:14:35.54\00:14:39.97
He didn't make
things so that you and I
00:14:40.01\00:14:43.41
would have to do
something beyond our capability.
00:14:43.45\00:14:47.18
God never asked us
to do the impossible.
00:14:47.22\00:14:50.22
And here's what I mean by that:
00:14:50.25\00:14:51.85
God said, "if you
want to know Me, read."
00:14:51.89\00:14:54.36
You know, if you can't read,
00:14:54.39\00:14:55.82
you can listen to
somebody else read.
00:14:55.86\00:14:57.99
God said, "if you
want to be close to Me,
00:14:58.03\00:15:00.10
speak with Me in prayer."
00:15:00.13\00:15:02.60
Anybody can do that.
00:15:02.63\00:15:04.30
And even if you
couldn't speak out loud,
00:15:04.33\00:15:07.47
you can think
prayers in your mind.
00:15:07.50\00:15:11.07
It's just that simple.
00:15:11.11\00:15:12.67
The Word of God and prayer,
00:15:12.71\00:15:15.18
and in faith and trust
in a God who is responsible
00:15:15.21\00:15:21.92
for the greatest
rescue mission of all time.
00:15:21.95\00:15:25.32
I'll have more just ahead.
00:15:25.35\00:15:27.19
¤[Music]¤
00:15:27.22\00:15:35.06
>>Announcer: In Matthew
4:4, the Word of God says,
00:15:37.70\00:15:40.20
“It is Written,
00:15:40.24\00:15:41.27
‘Man shall not
live by bread alone,
00:15:41.30\00:15:43.14
but by every word that proceeds
from the mouth of God.'”
00:15:43.17\00:15:47.28
“Every Word”
00:15:47.31\00:15:48.24
is a one-minute,
Bible-based daily devotional
00:15:48.28\00:15:50.51
presented by
Pastor John Bradshaw,
00:15:50.55\00:15:52.25
and designed especially
for busy people like you.
00:15:52.28\00:15:55.38
Look for Every Word
on selected networks,
00:15:55.42\00:15:58.12
or watch it online
every day on our website,
00:15:58.15\00:16:00.59
itiswritten.com.
00:16:00.62\00:16:02.99
Receive a daily spiritual boost.
00:16:03.02\00:16:05.09
Watch “Every Word.”
00:16:05.13\00:16:06.53
You'll be glad you did.
00:16:06.56\00:16:08.00
Here's a sample.
00:16:08.03\00:16:10.97
¤[Music]¤
00:16:11.50\00:16:16.54
>>John: The Assyrian armies
were poised to destroy Judah.
00:16:16.57\00:16:19.51
There was nothing
King Hezekiah could do.
00:16:19.54\00:16:21.51
He was outnumbered.
00:16:21.54\00:16:22.88
To call God's people vulnerable
00:16:22.91\00:16:24.28
would be to
overstate their strength.
00:16:24.31\00:16:26.08
The king and the
people looked to God for help.
00:16:26.11\00:16:27.92
And what did God do?
00:16:27.95\00:16:29.28
Isaiah 37:36 says,
00:16:29.32\00:16:31.49
“Then the angel of
the Lord went forth,
00:16:31.52\00:16:33.02
and smote in the
camp of the Assyrians
00:16:33.05\00:16:35.22
a hundred and
fourscore and five thousand:
00:16:35.26\00:16:37.49
and when they arose
early in the morning,
00:16:37.53\00:16:38.93
behold, they were
all dead corpses.”
00:16:38.96\00:16:41.50
Things were
hopeless for God's people.
00:16:41.53\00:16:43.30
But they looked
toward God for deliverance,
00:16:43.33\00:16:45.13
and He delivered them without
Judah having to fire a shot.
00:16:45.17\00:16:48.37
And that's what
God can do for you.
00:16:48.40\00:16:50.11
When things seem
hopeless, they are not,
00:16:50.14\00:16:51.97
because God is involved.
00:16:52.01\00:16:53.41
When it seems like
you can't move forward,
00:16:53.44\00:16:55.34
you can, because
God is leading the way.
00:16:55.38\00:16:58.55
There is always hope
when your hope is in God.
00:16:58.58\00:17:02.98
I'm John Bradshaw
for It Is Written.
00:17:03.02\00:17:04.52
Let's live today by every word.
00:17:04.55\00:17:06.25
¤[Music]¤
00:17:06.29\00:17:10.86
>>John: Thanks for
joining me on It Is Written.
00:17:11.86\00:17:14.00
After getting in
contact with their rescuers,
00:17:14.00\00:17:16.33
the miners trapped 2,300 feet
below ground in a mine in Chile
00:17:16.36\00:17:23.10
had to prepare mentally and
physically for their rescue.
00:17:23.14\00:17:27.11
The wait continued
after that initial contact
00:17:27.14\00:17:30.65
for an additional 53 more days.
00:17:30.68\00:17:35.58
One of the doctors who devoted
every effort to keeping them
00:17:35.62\00:17:38.45
healthy in order to rescue
them was Dr. Jean Romagnoli.
00:17:38.49\00:17:42.62
He sent the
miners workout videos;
00:17:42.66\00:17:44.96
he sent them music.
00:17:44.99\00:17:46.16
And through that probe he
sent them other special items.
00:17:46.19\00:17:49.46
He was so
committed to his rescue
00:17:49.50\00:17:50.83
that he wrote on his helmet,
00:17:50.87\00:17:52.57
“No one will be left behind.”
00:17:52.60\00:17:55.54
Besides the Chilean government,
00:17:55.57\00:17:56.87
others who joined
the rescue team included
00:17:56.91\00:17:58.81
workers from NASA and also
a dozen private corporations
00:17:58.84\00:18:02.91
from different
parts of the world,
00:18:02.94\00:18:04.45
all of them working
together for one great rescue.
00:18:04.48\00:18:09.02
What was the end result:
00:18:09.05\00:18:10.35
a capsule called
Phoenix designed to bring
00:18:10.39\00:18:14.22
the miners up from
where they'd been trapped,
00:18:14.26\00:18:17.33
one by one.
00:18:17.36\00:18:20.23
Have you ever
thought about the cost Heaven
00:18:20.26\00:18:22.43
paid for your rescue?
00:18:22.46\00:18:24.93
Jesus, the son of God,
00:18:24.97\00:18:27.14
was encapsulated in human
form to come to this earth
00:18:27.17\00:18:29.94
to give His life for you.
00:18:29.97\00:18:31.94
The Bible says it this
way in Philippians 2:6-8:
00:18:31.97\00:18:36.21
“Who, being in the form of God,
00:18:36.24\00:18:39.58
did not consider it
robbery to be equal with God,
00:18:39.61\00:18:43.02
but made Himself
of no reputation,
00:18:43.05\00:18:45.69
taking the form
of a bondservant,
00:18:45.72\00:18:48.02
and coming in
the likeness of men.
00:18:48.06\00:18:50.09
And being found in
appearance as a man,
00:18:50.13\00:18:52.86
He humbled Himself and became
obedient to the point of death,
00:18:52.89\00:18:57.30
even the death of the cross.”
00:18:57.33\00:19:01.57
In addition to the
sacrifice made by Jesus,
00:19:01.60\00:19:04.87
all of Heaven
participated in the rescue
00:19:04.91\00:19:08.88
of the human family.
00:19:08.91\00:19:10.55
The angels became involved.
00:19:10.58\00:19:11.91
You read that in Luke,
chapter 2, verses 10 through 14.
00:19:11.95\00:19:14.82
Angels work daily on our behalf,
00:19:14.85\00:19:16.65
so that we would
be saved and not lost.
00:19:16.69\00:19:20.52
The Holy Spirit that abides
in us constantly invites us
00:19:20.56\00:19:23.66
to reflection, and
repentance, and consecration.
00:19:23.69\00:19:26.63
You read about that
in John, chapter 16.
00:19:26.66\00:19:28.13
The Spirit of God also
participated in the inspiration
00:19:28.16\00:19:31.73
of the Bible so that
we could have the Bible,
00:19:31.77\00:19:35.90
the Word of God,
00:19:35.94\00:19:37.24
in our midst and in our heart.
00:19:37.27\00:19:40.88
As you see, the whole universe
has joined in this rescue plan.
00:19:40.91\00:19:46.21
But you know, those miners
did have a role in the rescue.
00:19:46.25\00:19:50.72
No, they couldn't do
anything to rescue themselves,
00:19:50.75\00:19:53.42
but they needed to
follow the instructions
00:19:53.46\00:19:55.79
that were sent from above.
00:19:55.82\00:19:57.29
For example, they
had to lose weight
00:19:57.33\00:20:01.36
in order to fit
into the capsule.
00:20:01.40\00:20:03.50
You and I need to do the same.
00:20:03.53\00:20:05.37
No, I don't mean that
we need to go on a diet.
00:20:05.40\00:20:08.14
But there are some things that
we've just got to let go of.
00:20:08.17\00:20:10.34
We need to let go of the
bonds that tie us to this world,
00:20:10.37\00:20:13.24
the things that cause God's Word
00:20:13.27\00:20:14.71
to come second in our
lives rather than first.
00:20:14.74\00:20:17.38
It's important that we give
to God our destructive habits,
00:20:17.41\00:20:20.25
our negative
thoughts, bad thoughts,
00:20:20.28\00:20:23.18
anything that weighs
us down and prevents us
00:20:23.22\00:20:25.75
from having a transparent
relationship with God.
00:20:25.79\00:20:29.56
Because, just as Dr. Jean
Romagnoli and the rescue team
00:20:29.59\00:20:32.26
worked hard to
rescue the miners,
00:20:32.29\00:20:35.10
God has done the same for you.
00:20:35.13\00:20:36.56
Much more so.
00:20:36.60\00:20:38.50
And in His heart He has a
message for you that says,
00:20:38.53\00:20:42.54
“For God so loved the world that
He gave His only begotten Son,
00:20:42.57\00:20:49.04
that whoever believes
in Him should not perish
00:20:49.08\00:20:51.75
but have everlasting life.”
00:20:51.78\00:20:56.25
For those men the
big day finally arrived.
00:20:56.28\00:20:58.42
It was October the 12th, 2010.
00:20:58.45\00:21:01.16
At around 11:00 p.m.,
00:21:01.19\00:21:02.09
the miners began
to ascend, one by one.
00:21:02.12\00:21:05.39
The rescue lasted
all through the next day
00:21:05.43\00:21:07.40
and ended at around
10:00 o'clock that night.
00:21:07.40\00:21:11.20
As each miner left the capsule,
00:21:11.23\00:21:13.03
it seemed as though he
was experiencing a new birth.
00:21:13.07\00:21:16.57
Seeing the men emerge from
the depths of the earth was like
00:21:16.60\00:21:19.61
witnessing people
coming back from death to life.
00:21:19.64\00:21:23.24
Now, I'm
excited about this story
00:21:23.28\00:21:24.58
because it has a
really happy ending.
00:21:24.61\00:21:27.18
The miners saw
the sunlight again;
00:21:27.22\00:21:29.58
they embraced their loved ones
00:21:29.62\00:21:31.15
and could continue
their lives with new meaning.
00:21:31.19\00:21:33.92
In San Jose, Chile,
00:21:33.96\00:21:36.42
where the San
José mine operated,
00:21:36.46\00:21:37.99
where Camp Hope was established,
00:21:38.03\00:21:40.96
a cross was
erected as a monument.
00:21:41.00\00:21:44.87
There was no doubt in
the minds of the people
00:21:44.90\00:21:46.77
there that God was present
at every stage of this rescue.
00:21:46.80\00:21:51.21
God already had
a plan for the men.
00:21:51.24\00:21:53.81
He understood they'd go
through a difficult trial,
00:21:53.84\00:21:57.05
but He'd prepared
a shelter for them.
00:21:57.08\00:22:00.55
He also made it possible that
they could receive blessings
00:22:00.58\00:22:03.49
and assistance and
encouragement from above.
00:22:03.52\00:22:07.26
He gave them the physical
strength and peace of mind to
00:22:07.29\00:22:09.62
resist what was a tremendously
difficult experience,
00:22:09.66\00:22:14.46
great temptations.
00:22:14.46\00:22:15.76
And finally, He
gathered a well-prepared
00:22:15.80\00:22:19.03
team for the rescue.
00:22:19.07\00:22:21.24
Friend, the cross that
was raised at Camp Hope
00:22:21.27\00:22:24.14
was also raised on
Mount Calvary to remind us
00:22:24.17\00:22:26.54
that our salvation is near.
00:22:26.57\00:22:29.28
It tells us we are not alone
in our trials and our hardships.
00:22:29.31\00:22:32.41
It tells us God
has a refuge for us,
00:22:32.45\00:22:35.95
a refuge where we wait
for His rescue from above.
00:22:35.98\00:22:42.09
The cross tells us we
can communicate with God
00:22:42.12\00:22:44.19
directly through prayer,
00:22:44.23\00:22:45.36
and as we do, we
receive His blessings.
00:22:45.39\00:22:48.46
The cross tells us
there's a celestial army
00:22:48.50\00:22:52.37
working for our salvation.
00:22:52.40\00:22:54.77
Jesus said this,
John chapter 12, verse 32:
00:22:54.80\00:22:59.11
“And I, if I am
lifted up from the earth,
00:22:59.14\00:23:02.41
will draw all
peoples to Myself.”
00:23:02.44\00:23:07.22
If you've not yet done so,
00:23:07.25\00:23:09.38
come to Jesus right
now and let Him rescue you.
00:23:09.42\00:23:12.69
Do you feel trapped?
00:23:12.72\00:23:15.62
If so, wait on God.
00:23:15.66\00:23:17.69
God is not going to abandon you.
00:23:17.73\00:23:20.23
God is willing to rescue you.
00:23:20.26\00:23:22.36
Listen to this.
00:23:22.40\00:23:23.50
This is Psalm 40,
verses 1 through 3:
00:23:23.53\00:23:28.60
“I waited patiently for the
Lord; and He inclined to me,
00:23:28.64\00:23:33.68
and heard my cry.
00:23:33.71\00:23:35.01
He also brought me up
out of a horrible pit,
00:23:35.04\00:23:40.22
out of the miry clay,
and set my feet upon a rock,
00:23:40.25\00:23:46.02
and established my steps.
00:23:46.05\00:23:47.96
He's put a new song in my mouth-
00:23:47.99\00:23:50.89
Praise to our God;
many will see it and fear,
00:23:50.93\00:23:55.96
and will trust in the Lord.”
00:23:56.00\00:23:59.33
The Bible is clear.
00:23:59.37\00:24:01.17
The Lord is
coming to your rescue.
00:24:01.20\00:24:03.57
If things are difficult,
00:24:03.61\00:24:05.34
remember that
God is not far away.
00:24:05.37\00:24:07.21
God is with you.
00:24:07.24\00:24:09.51
If hope seems lost,
remember God is with you.
00:24:09.54\00:24:14.75
Sometimes you
can't see a way out,
00:24:14.78\00:24:17.29
but there is a way out,
because God is with you always.
00:24:17.32\00:24:23.59
The story had a
wonderful ending.
00:24:23.63\00:24:25.43
But as you and I both
know, not all stories do.
00:24:25.46\00:24:30.63
Not all stories
of accidents in mines
00:24:30.67\00:24:33.34
turn out to be so filled with
happy tears, joyful reunions.
00:24:33.37\00:24:39.31
Sometimes,
tragedies end in tragedy.
00:24:39.34\00:24:43.75
Where's the hope then?
00:24:43.78\00:24:44.85
Hope is still near,
because God is still with you.
00:24:44.88\00:24:49.35
In that great
event we look forward to,
00:24:49.38\00:24:50.79
the return of Jesus,
when Jesus comes back,
00:24:50.82\00:24:53.59
we won't remember the
tragedies of this earth;
00:24:53.62\00:24:55.66
we won't.
00:24:55.69\00:24:56.96
We won't remember the hardships;
we wouldn't even want to.
00:24:56.99\00:24:58.66
We won't call to mind our
trials and our temptations
00:24:58.69\00:25:01.73
and our frequent failings
and our often stumbling.
00:25:01.76\00:25:04.57
We won't.
00:25:04.60\00:25:06.23
God with us then will
cause us to think on new things.
00:25:06.27\00:25:10.97
God will wipe away
all tears from our eyes.
00:25:11.01\00:25:13.21
God is with you now.
00:25:13.24\00:25:15.48
And even if life is
really hard right now,
00:25:15.51\00:25:18.71
God is still with you.
00:25:18.75\00:25:20.62
He'll never leave you,
and He'll never forsake you.
00:25:20.65\00:25:24.02
¤[Music]¤
00:25:24.05\00:25:31.69
>>John: The greatest
event in all of history.
00:25:32.96\00:25:35.23
The Second
Coming of Jesus Christ.
00:25:35.26\00:25:37.43
What does the Bible
say that will be like?
00:25:37.47\00:25:40.54
Find out by
getting today's free offer,
00:25:40.57\00:25:42.60
“The Second Coming of Jesus.”
00:25:42.64\00:25:44.21
To get today's free offer,
00:25:44.24\00:25:45.21
call us, 800-253-3000,
00:25:45.24\00:25:47.91
that's 800-253-3000.
00:25:47.94\00:25:50.65
Or visit us
online at iiwoffer.com,
00:25:50.68\00:25:54.72
iiwoffer.com.
00:25:54.75\00:25:57.05
Be sure you get
today's free offer,
00:25:57.09\00:25:59.79
“The Second Coming of Jesus.”
00:25:59.82\00:26:02.66
>>John: Thank you for
remembering that It Is Written
00:26:02.76\00:26:04.73
exists because of the kindness
of people just like you.
00:26:04.76\00:26:08.10
To support this international
life-changing ministry,
00:26:08.13\00:26:11.37
please call us
now at 800-253-3000.
00:26:11.40\00:26:15.60
You can send your
tax-deductible gift
00:26:15.64\00:26:17.11
to the address on your screen,
00:26:17.14\00:26:18.57
or you can visit us
online at itiswritten.com.
00:26:18.61\00:26:22.44
Thank you for your prayers
and for your financial support.
00:26:22.48\00:26:25.25
Our number
again is 800-253-3000.
00:26:25.28\00:26:29.55
Or you can visit us
online at itiswritten.com.
00:26:29.58\00:26:32.69
>>John: Let's pray together now.
00:26:33.36\00:26:34.82
Father in
Heaven, we're encouraged,
00:26:34.86\00:26:37.56
we're encouraged, that
when things seem hopeless,
00:26:37.59\00:26:40.13
we can be hopeful.
00:26:40.16\00:26:41.23
We're encouraged, that
when things seem desperate,
00:26:41.26\00:26:43.16
we can be positive.
00:26:43.20\00:26:44.90
We're encouraged
that when hope seems lost,
00:26:44.93\00:26:48.60
we can know there's a bright
future ahead because of Jesus,
00:26:48.64\00:26:52.34
the Rescuer of all of us,
00:26:52.37\00:26:55.81
the One who rescues us from sin,
00:26:55.84\00:26:58.71
rescues us in the
midst of temptation.
00:26:58.75\00:27:00.38
We thank You
there's a bright day ahead.
00:27:00.42\00:27:02.58
We thank You,
You've not forgotten us.
00:27:02.62\00:27:04.09
And we thank You
that we can wait on You,
00:27:04.12\00:27:06.72
the One who brings us up
out of the pit of despair.
00:27:06.76\00:27:09.56
My friend, if you despair now,
or if you need to be rescued,
00:27:09.59\00:27:15.26
if there's a little desperation
about your situation,
00:27:15.30\00:27:17.33
if sin is overtaking you,
then reach out to God now.
00:27:17.37\00:27:21.80
Call on God now.
00:27:21.84\00:27:22.94
Open your heart to God now,
00:27:22.97\00:27:24.57
and He will take
your heart and make it
00:27:24.61\00:27:27.21
His dwelling place forever.
00:27:27.24\00:27:29.81
Lord, would You do that?
00:27:29.84\00:27:30.81
Would You take the
hearts yielded to You now,
00:27:30.85\00:27:34.08
the lives
surrendered to You now?
00:27:34.12\00:27:36.65
Bless us, please.
00:27:36.69\00:27:37.45
Keep us.
00:27:37.49\00:27:38.12
And we thank You.
00:27:38.15\00:27:39.95
The greatest rescue of
all time is soon to take place
00:27:39.99\00:27:42.49
when Jesus comes to this earth.
00:27:42.52\00:27:45.26
It's in Jesus' name we pray,
00:27:45.29\00:27:47.73
Amen.
00:27:47.76\00:27:49.40
Thank you so much
for joining me today.
00:27:49.43\00:27:50.73
I'm looking forward to
seeing you again next time.
00:27:50.77\00:27:53.40
Until then, remember:
00:27:53.44\00:27:55.07
“It is written:
00:27:55.10\00:27:56.27
‘Man shall not
live by bread alone,
00:27:56.30\00:27:58.84
but by every word that proceeds
from the mouth of God.'”
00:27:58.87\00:28:03.24
¤[Theme music]¤
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