Participants: Pr. Dwight Nelson
Series Code: NP
Program Code: NP032809
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00:27 And I can't feel at home in this world anymore
00:33 And I can't feet at home. 00:34 And I can't feel at home in this world anymore 00:43 Amen, God has given us 00:45 so many blessings, hasn't He? 00:47 Amen. I'm just-- 00:49 I feel so blessed with all the things 00:51 that God has given me and the next hymn 00:53 that we sing, Daniel Whittle, 00:56 he recognized that. 00:57 He recognized the many blessing 00:59 that God had given him 01:00 but he was desirous of more. 01:02 He wanted the showers of blessing 01:04 would be poured out upon him. 01:06 He recognized they were those little ones. 01:08 And please God, give me more. 01:28 There shall be showers of blessing 01:32 This is the promise of love 01:36 There shall be seasons refreshing 01:41 Sent from the Savior above 01:45 Showers of blessing 01:50 Showers of blessing we need 01:54 Mercy drops round us are falling 01:59 But for the showers we plead 02:05 There shall be showers of blessing 02:09 Precious reviving again 02:14 Over the hills and the valleys 02:18 Sound of abundance of rain 02:23 Showers of blessing 02:27 Showers of blessing we need 02:32 Mercy drops round us are falling 02:36 But for the showers we plead 02:43 There shall be showers of blessing 02:47 Oh that today they might fall 02:52 Now as to God we're confessing 02:56 Now as on Jesus we call 03:00 Showers of blessing 03:05 Showers of blessing we need 03:10 Mercy drops round us are falling 03:14 But for the showers we plead 03:19 Mercy drops round us are falling 03:25 But for the showers we plead 03:34 Amen. 03:36 We've experienced those blessings, 03:39 the thought of missing them 03:43 is more than we can bear, isn't it. 03:55 Pass me not 03:58 O gentle Savior 04:04 Hear my humble cry 04:13 While on others Thou art calling 04:23 Do not pass me by 04:32 Savior, Savior 04:41 Hear my humble cry 04:50 While on others Thou art calling 04:59 Do not pass me by 05:08 Let me at Thy throne of mercy 05:17 Find a sweet relief 05:26 Kneeling there in deep contrition 05:35 Help my unbelief 05:44 Savior, Savior 05:53 Hear my humble cry 06:02 While on others Thou art calling 06:11 Do not pass me by 06:20 Savior, Savior 06:29 Hear my humble cry 06:38 While on others Thou art calling 06:47 Do not pass me by 06:56 Thou, the spring of all my comfort 07:05 More than life to me 07:15 Whom have I on earth beside Thee 07:24 Whom in Heaven but Thee? 07:34 Savior, Savior 07:43 Hear my humble cry 07:52 While on others Thou art calling 08:01 Do not pass me by 08:20 He is marvelous! Jesus is wonderful! 08:23 Give Him glory! Shout to the Lord an' proclaim 08:27 He is marvelous! 08:29 Oh, so wonderful! 08:30 Give Him the glory an' praise 08:33 Oh, yes, He is marvelous! Jesus is wonderful! 08:38 Give Him the glory! Shout to the Lord an' proclaim 08:42 He is marvelous! 08:43 Oh, so wonderful! 08:45 Give Him the glory an' praise 08:48 Oh, yes, He is marvelous! Jesus is wonderful! 08:53 Give Him the glory! Shout to the Lord an' proclaim 08:57 He is marvelous! 08:59 Oh, so wonderful! 09:01 Give Him the glory an' praise 09:03 For He is the only Lord of all He shall 09:06 He is, He is Lord of Lords 09:10 He is King of King Lord of Lords 09:12 He is King of King Lord of Lords 09:16 Yes, He is King of King Lord of Lords 09:20 Yes, He is King of King Lord of Lords 09:25 He is King of King Lord of Lords 09:27 He is King of King Lord of Lords 09:39 He is marvelous! 09:40 Jesus is wonderful! 09:42 Give Him glory! Shout to the Lord an' proclaim 09:46 He is marvelous! 09:48 Oh, so wonderful! 09:50 He is marvelous! Oh, so wonderful! 09:54 He is marvelous! 09:55 Oh, so wonderful! Oh, so wonderful! 09:59 Give Him the glory an' praise 10:03 He is marvelous! 10:06 He is marvelous! Jesus is wonderful! 10:10 He is marvelous! He is marvelous! 10:16 Jesus is wonderful! 10:18 He is marvelous! He is marvelous! 10:24 Jesus is wonderful! 10:26 He is marvelous! He is marvelous! 10:32 Jesus is wonderful! 10:34 He is marvelous! He is marvelous! 10:40 Jesus is wonderful! 10:42 He is marvelous! He is marvelous! 10:48 Jesus is wonderful! 10:51 Oh, so, wonderful! 10:53 He is marvelous! 10:55 Oh, so, wonderful! 10:57 He is marvelous! 10:59 Oh, so, wonderful! Oh, so, wonderful! 11:03 Give Him the glory an' praise 11:06 Amen. 11:12 "I'm not saying this because I'm in need, 11:18 and I know what it is to have plenty. 11:22 I have learned the secret of being content 11:25 in any and every situation. 11:29 Whether, well fed or hungry. 11:32 Whether living in plenty or in want. 11:36 I can do all of this through him 11:39 who gives me strength." 11:45 We begin a new mini series today 11:47 "Four Secrets to Surviving 11:51 the Coming Economic Earthquake." 11:55 Secret number One, Shun It Like The Plague. 12:00 Let's pray. 12:05 Oh, God, You are marvelous. 12:08 You are wonderful. This is Your world. 12:13 Creator Father and Savior, we know what's up. 12:19 We feel it, we sense it in our soul of souls. 12:24 How do we survive this? 12:26 With hope, with courage 12:29 let today's teaching bring both to us. 12:32 We pray in Christ name, amen. 12:40 Has it astounded you? 12:44 Probably gonna get into bit of high provably here 12:49 but has it blown you out of the water as it has me. 12:56 Ever since, our world and our nation 12:59 last fall moved into this current economic crisis 13:02 I am absolutely astounded 13:05 at how we have overnight become so comfortable 13:10 with numbers that are humongous. 13:14 I mean a trillion, a trillion dollars. 13:18 Do you know how much a million dollars is? 13:22 If we took a stack of one thousand dollar bills-- 13:25 and by the way President Nixon 13:28 pulled amount of circulation back in 1969 13:31 to avoid counterfeiting big denominations. 13:33 But if we still had the thousand dollar bill 13:36 and we stacked them tight to get a million dollars 13:39 how high do you think that stack would be? 13:44 Four inches. 13:46 I will be happy for a stack of four inches, wouldn't you. 13:49 Absolutely. 13:50 How about a billion dollars? 13:51 If you stacked a billion dollars 13:53 how high would those thousand dollar bills go? 13:59 Three hundred feet. 14:01 Yeah, this is 50 feet to the top of this sanctuary. 14:04 So six times this height you get a billion dollars, 14:07 a stack of billion dollars, 300 feet. 14:10 And if you took those same thousand dollars bills 14:13 and stack them to equal a trillion dollars, 14:18 how high would that stack be? 14:20 Nearly 63 miles high. 14:27 Now do you know how much the government of the United States 14:33 is in debt for right now? 14:37 Do you know? We're gonna find out. 14:38 Let's turn these big screens into a desktop computer screen 14:42 let's put that internet browser up there. 14:45 And you may want to jot this down 14:47 this website 14:48 www.brillig.com/debt_clock 14:56 and let's find out to the very penny to the very second 15:00 what our national debt is right now. 15:04 Now let's enlarge just so that we can also see it. 15:06 Yeah, there we go okay. 15:07 Can you read that number? 15:10 Let's read that number out loud together. 15:13 Eleven trillion, fifty two billion, 15:17 eight hundred seventeen million, 15:20 sixty six thousand, 15:22 nine hundred and sixty two dollars 15:25 and three cents. 15:27 Now, can you? Hey, hey, hey hold it. 15:29 Can you read what's below? 15:31 Given our population we're about 305 million 15:34 the national debt has continued to increase, 15:37 I left out that part, 15:38 each citizen's share of this debt is $36,000. 15:42 Our debt now increases $3.74 billion 15:46 every 24 hours since September 28, 2007. 15:52 You know, how high that stack would be 15:54 if we stacked our national debt? 15:57 It would stack up past the international space station 16:01 three times, 699 miles. 16:06 Ladies and gentlemen, we're in debt. 16:10 But hold on that's not all the debt, 16:13 that's just the federal government. 16:15 Let's take the entire American debt, 16:17 all right that would be Federal Government 16:18 that would be state and local government, 16:21 let's take our business debt, 16:22 let's take our personal debt, all student loans, 16:25 all credit cards, all house mortgages. 16:29 The debt for America alone on this planet right now-- 16:32 put it on the screen please $57,000,000,000,000. 16:38 Houston we have a problem, a massive problem. 16:45 It's no wonder that debt has become 16:47 a painful four letter word in the America vocabulary. 16:52 Hey, listen, I know the moment 16:55 I say the word debt our stomachs begin to twist 17:00 and not with this awful sense of hopelessness. 17:08 Almost everybody in this building 17:11 right now knows the meaning of that twist. 17:17 I was talking with the friend of mine this week. 17:22 Do you know what, he could care a hill of beans 17:31 about the national debt? 17:33 What is giving his family such angst today 17:39 is the amounting of personal debt. 17:42 It is choking out their hope. 17:49 Is there any hope for the likes of you and me? 17:51 I believe there is. 17:52 I believe there are four secrets 17:55 to surviving the coming economic earthquake. 17:58 You'll say, "hey, wait a minute. 17:59 Dwight, what you mean coming of economic earthquake." 18:01 Haven't you heard? 18:02 We got politicians in Washington 18:04 now that have come up with all new strategy 18:07 that will kick start this economy 18:09 and we're soon gonna be humming 18:10 on our way once again. 18:13 Are you serious? 18:15 Is there a doctor in the house 18:18 because we need the doctor to stand up here and tell us 18:20 how is it that an artery clogs. 18:25 We need a physician to remind us 18:27 that it always happens imperceptibly 18:30 plague upon plague, 18:32 fatty deposit upon fatty deposit 18:34 until finally that constricted artery 18:37 goes thicker and thicker and thicker 18:40 until it is totally obstructed and you get a massive 18:45 catastrophic fatal cardiac event called death, 18:53 in case you didn't know. 18:59 Ladies and gentlemen, 19:00 that is what our national debt is doing to us today. 19:04 And you keep throwing billions of dollars at it. 19:06 You can keep throwing trillions of dollars 19:08 but every time you throw another fistful 19:10 there goes that artery tighter and tighter. 19:13 Some of you have been fooled 19:14 and for a while I was too into thinking 19:16 that if we track the stock market 19:18 we'll know the fortunes of our future. 19:20 The stock market is not telling us the condition. 19:26 We're headed for a massive catastrophic economic event. 19:34 We don't know when but we do know where. 19:38 God bless America land of the freely indebted. 19:44 That's where it's coming. So how can we? 19:47 I'm not, I'm not gonna preach to the nation today. 19:49 Here's a question, how can we, you and I-- 19:52 by the way however a pray for our leaders. 19:58 I'm praying to God for every one of those politicians 20:02 that they'll have the discernment 20:06 to make the decisions we need to keep this door open 20:09 just a little longer for the Gospel 20:11 to go to all the world. 20:12 That's what I'm praying for. 20:14 Okay, how you voted this fall? You pray, you pray. 20:18 And I don't care about the nation 20:19 right now I'm thinking about you and me, 20:20 average individual, average little people before God. 20:23 How shall we survive this coming catastrophic event? 20:28 Four secrets, four secrets 20:30 I want to share with you over four weeks 20:32 to infuse hope and courage into us 20:36 in the phase of the coming economic earthquake. 20:38 And we begin right now, secret number one. 20:41 Open your Bible please to the Book of Proverbs, 20:42 Old Testament. 20:44 Go to the Book of Proverbs. Please, Proverbs 22. 20:46 We'll take one line from the Old Testament 20:48 one line from the New Testament. 20:50 You didn't bring your Bible? 20:51 Oh boy, grab that pew Bible in front of you, please. 20:55 Proverbs 22 take a look at this. 20:59 Grab the pew Bible it will page 442. 21:02 The pew Bible would be the New King James Version. 21:04 I have that today is New International Version here. 21:08 That's what you'll be seeing on the screen. 21:10 Proverbs 22, Proverbs 22:7. 21:16 The wisest man on earth wrote these words, 21:18 "The rich rule over the poor." 21:21 Well, nobody needed in Proverb to figure that one out. 21:24 Don't read it now but in my blog, 21:25 in the bulletin today on our website 21:27 which is coming up on just a moment. 21:28 In my blog, New York Times reported it today 21:32 "In the midst of this global economic meltdown 21:35 that hedge fund managers have been able to hold 21:41 their own the great flourishing style." 21:43 Look at the billions-- the top 25 have each earned. 21:50 "The rich" we need Proverb to figure this out. 21:52 "The rich rule over the poor." 21:53 But here comes the line 21:54 "And the borrower is slave to the lender." 22:00 And you already knew that, didn't you? 22:02 Yeah, the moment you owe you're slave to whoever it is, 22:06 to whatever it is you owe. 22:08 All right, let's not-- 22:10 let just the Old Testament speak to us. 22:11 So let's go to the New Testament. 22:12 Put another line there Book of Romans 13, page 765. 22:20 Romans 13 it is the New Testament. 22:24 We're trying to find out secret number one. 22:26 Here is the New Testament Word for us. 22:28 Romans Chapter 13 lets begin in verse 7. 22:31 Paul writing "Give to everyone what you owe. 22:34 If you owe taxes, pay taxes, if revenue, then revenue, 22:36 if respect, then respect, if honor, then honor." 22:39 Now hold on because its verse 8. 22:41 "Let no debt remain outstanding, 22:45 except the continuing debt to love one another, 22:48 for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law." 22:53 There it is ladies and gentlemen, 22:54 secret number one. 22:55 I tell you, hands down. 22:57 Any wise financial counselor 22:58 that I know from the Late Larry Burkett 23:00 to the popular David Ramsey 23:02 they're univocal, they speak in one voice. 23:06 This is the secret. 23:08 This secret is so critical I need you to pull please 23:10 your pull out your study guide from today's worship bulletin, 23:13 brand new study guide, for a new mini series. 23:16 You're gonna want this study guide. 23:17 If you didn't get a bulletin, hold your hand up 23:19 our friendly ushers will come by your way right now. 23:22 All the way to the balcony and overflow as well. 23:26 Two very important lists that you will want to have. 23:30 So hold your hand up 23:31 we'll get the study guide to you. 23:32 And we're delighted to have those of you 23:33 who are watching right now on television 23:35 hope you'll be able to join us for the entire mini series. 23:38 Let me put our website on the screen for you 23:40 and you can go and get this identical study guide, 23:43 www.pmchurch, there you see it now, 23:47 www.pmchruch.tv, Pioneer Memorial, pmchurch.tv. 23:54 You're looking for the new mini series. 23:55 Four Secrets to Surviving the Coming Economic Earthquake. 23:59 This is teaching number one. 24:00 Secret number one, Shun It Like the Plague. 24:04 When you get the secret number one 24:05 it will say study guide, 24:06 click on study guide it'll be on you screen, 24:08 you can print it off, fill it in right there 24:11 and be a part of this. 24:14 Everybody have a study guide. 24:15 All right let's go, secret number one. 24:18 We'll call the Secret number 1-A. 24:19 Get out of debt, all right. Write that down. 24:23 It's a no brainer. Get out of debt. 24:25 You're saying "Dwight, what kind of debt?" 24:26 Write it down, all debt-- all debt. 24:30 There are two kinds of debt. 24:31 I want to spend a few moments 24:33 reflecting over with you right now. 24:36 Number 1, credit card debt. 24:37 Write that down, credit card debt. 24:40 Have you ever seen a grown man cry? 24:43 No-- I had a university student 24:46 in my office here in the Pioneer Memorial Church. 24:48 He shared with me the painful story 24:50 of how his parents before he came off 24:51 to Andrews University 24:53 gave him a credit card in their name. 24:57 And they said "Son, you understand now 24:59 use this only in emergencies." 25:06 Do you know how easy it is though 25:08 to type in those numbers 25:09 when you're online into that little box 25:11 that asks for the number just go ahead 25:13 and type them on in, just type the umbers on in 25:15 and then there's another box that says "submit" 25:17 and you can get a shopping cart 25:19 filled with the most glorious trinkets and treasures 25:24 you've ever seen in your life-- $50,000. 25:33 One study shows that 25% of college students graduate 25:38 with $5,000 as their credit card debt 25:40 when they get out of school $5,000. 25:43 Okay, we want to get out of credit card 25:45 because I'm not, it isn't, trust me, 25:47 it's not only college kids who are worried about 25:49 credit card debt it's all of us. 25:51 You want to get out of credit card debt 25:52 I have called from financial counsels 25:54 here are six, jot them down six principles. 25:57 Six strategies to help you get out the credit card debt. 25:59 Number 1, jot it down. 26:00 "Perform what David Ramsey calls a 'plasectomy.'" 26:05 Put quotation box around it. 26:07 Plasectomy, cut up the plastic in your life. 26:11 Financial counselors to the men and women agree 26:14 the only way to eliminate credit card debt is to quit 26:16 using your credit cards, cash only please. 26:22 David Ramsey-- now fill this out, this is fascinating. 26:25 "There is NO." 26:26 Now those who are his caps put on the screen please. 26:29 "There is NO positive side to credit card use. 26:33 You will spend 12-18% more 26:36 if you use credit cards instead of cash." 26:39 Now look you see somebody would saying listen, 26:42 "I'm paying my credit card off every single months. 26:44 It's not a problem. 26:45 I don't have any credit card debt." 26:47 Ah, good for you by the way 26:49 but the very fact that when you going on to Wal-Mart 26:52 and you're not putting three $20 bills on the counter 26:55 but you're reaching into that wall 26:57 putting the piece of plastic 27:00 means you will spend 12-18% more 27:03 because it never hurts to use this. 27:05 It kills me to put down a single $20 27:08 but three of those green things. 27:10 Are you sure I need these? 27:15 That's his point. 27:17 Oh, but I thought pastor, I thought we had to 27:19 you know be able to do stuff online and rent a car. 27:21 Oh, keep reading. 27:22 "I suggest" Ramsey goes on "a debit card 27:25 because it's right straight at your cash pile. 27:28 If you have to use plastic I suggest a debit card. 27:31 I use them for travel and the occasional convenience 27:34 of ordering something over the internet or phone. 27:36 Other than that I use cash." 27:40 All right here comes Number 2, principle number 2, 27:42 secret number 2 getting rid of credit card debt 27:45 "Always pay more than the minimum." 27:48 Keep writing, keep writing 27:49 "credit card companies are loan sharks." 27:53 Trust me. 27:55 Their minimum payment is designed 27:57 to keep you in their debt 27:59 for ever paying astronomical interest in the process. 28:03 And by the way with this current meltdown 28:04 guess what's happening 28:05 they're quietly jacking up the rate. 28:07 And if you're not reading the small print 28:09 you're paying more and more and more 28:12 and you don't even know it. 28:14 You'll never get it out of with minimum payment, please. 28:17 Number 3, "Pay off your credit cards 28:18 beginning with the lowest balance 28:21 in order to experience success as soon as possible." 28:25 Somebody will say well, I want to get rid 28:26 of the big one first. 28:27 No, no, no, start with your smallest credit card 28:30 because you got to feel like you're doing something. 28:32 Start with the smallest that's good counsel. 28:35 You can do it. Yep, you can do it. 28:37 Number 4, "Reduce the interest rate." 28:39 The Motley Fool that's the website 28:41 www.fool.com 28:43 notes that credit card companies are so eager 28:46 to have your business 28:48 they will negotiate the rates just you keep you coming. 28:51 Call their toll free number and say "I want to lower rate. 28:55 I'm gonna pay this off 28:56 and get another credit card with somebody else." 28:58 Boy, you'll get it just like that. 29:00 James 4:2, "You have not because you ask not." 29:04 A lot of stuff in life you can get if you just ask. 29:07 No, I'm being-- this is about life in general just ask, 29:10 just ask people, you'll be surprised what you can get. 29:13 All right, secret number 5 for credit card debt 29:16 "Beware that debt settlement companies." 29:18 Ramsey describes these people 29:21 the majority of them as hugely unethical. 29:24 They require their fees upfront which will soak you. 29:26 They tell you, they tell you to quit paying all your bills 29:29 which just ruin your credit report. 29:31 They don't answer the phone when you call. 29:32 The Federal Trade Commission 29:33 gets a heavy volume of complaints from consumers 29:36 over these organizations, don't do it. 29:37 Call the credit card company up yourself. 29:40 They got a toll free number. 29:41 Call them and say I got it-- we got to do something here. 29:44 They are eager to hang on to you 29:48 and they will make the adjustment. 29:49 By the way I was talking to somebody this last week 29:51 who told me that he heard an NPR Report 29:56 on these payday storefronts 29:58 you know they have in downtowns all over America. 30:01 It's a big payday. 30:03 Stay away from them, they'll eat you alive. 30:05 Don't ever go to them. 30:06 And finally, Number 6 credit card debt 30:08 talk to somebody please. 30:11 Here's our James Scurlock in this eye opening book 30:14 "Maxed Out" puts it. 30:16 You'll have it there in your study guide. 30:17 "Maybe it's because of what David Ramsey 30:19 calls the intense shame" 30:21 write that in "the intense shame 30:23 that everybody feels about debt the false certainty 30:26 that everybody has it together." 30:27 Everybody else has got it together but me. 30:31 People don't know maybe that's why 30:34 or maybe it's what Bob the Debtors Anonymous member 30:36 I interviewed, told me 30:37 "debt is simply not a socially acceptable topic, 30:40 one can talk about one's sex life 30:42 or even one's drug addiction as thought it were fashionable 30:45 but owning up to one's financial troubles 30:47 means being ostracized from the world 30:49 of polite conversation." 30:52 Ladies and gentlemen, 30:53 we're gonna have to get over the shame 30:56 and we're gonna have to talk about it. 30:58 Talk to somebody please. Don't suffer alone. 31:00 There is help. 31:03 The economic crisis we're in right now 31:05 by the way has turned both poppers 31:07 and millionaires into debtors. 31:10 If misery loves company you got a lot of company now. 31:12 Talk about it. 31:14 In fact, jot that down "It's the first step to help." 31:17 Here's the toll free number call the National Council 31:20 for Consumer Credit at 800-388-2227, 31:25 say, "I need help." 31:28 Financial counselor at Todd Washburn, I like this. 31:30 "It is in everybody's best interest 31:33 for you to be able to pay your bills." 31:35 Pay it off, get it off your credit record. 31:37 Just get it off. Pay it off. 31:40 Talk to somebody. 31:41 And by the way, 31:42 there are nonprofit financial counseling services 31:45 and they generally work on a sliding fee scale 31:48 that means whatever your little income is 31:51 they'll adjust it. 31:52 They want to help you. Just talk to somebody. 31:55 Don't suffer alone. You can do it. 31:59 There's help on our way. 32:00 And by the way, if you live here in Michigan 32:04 I have got some great news for you. 32:05 Listen, to this April 23, jot this down. 32:08 April 23, Thursday evening 8 o'clock eastern time 32:13 we're going to have him live coast to coast 32:16 and we're hosting him Dave Ramsey "Live!" 32:19 Right here in the Pioneer Memorial Church. 32:21 Go on his website we're already registered 32:23 as a host church, the host site. 32:27 You got to come 32:28 because Ramsey is gonna tackle the economy 32:30 as it is right now 32:31 and he's gonna offer some practical help, 32:33 how to get through this thing, how to survive? 32:36 Either I have to watch your calling right now. 32:38 Jot that down. April 23, Thursday 8 p.m., 32:41 you're watching here in Michigan, 32:42 you can make the long drive come on up here, 32:45 come on up to Andrews University, 32:46 Pioneer Memorial Church we'll host this for you. 32:48 One hour, live, emailed in questions 32:51 the whole nine yards it's gonna be, 32:53 it's gonna be a very informative 32:55 and I believe helpful evening, April 23 Thursday. 32:59 So that is ladies and gentlemen, 33:00 secret number one, get out of debt. 33:02 What kind of debt? All debt? 33:03 Credit card debt. 33:05 Let's do one more kind of debt student loan debt. 33:11 Two weeks ago let me hold this up. 33:14 Two weeks ago there's very informative 33:16 piece appeared in the Adventist Review 33:18 entitled "College Loan Crash Course." 33:20 How do avoid accumulating debt in and out of school, 33:23 written by graduate Alita Byrd not a graduate from here. 33:29 There is some good stuff in here. 33:30 Let me read her opening story. 33:32 "Sarah, not her real name 33:34 graduated from an Adventist college, 33:36 got a master's degree, and then went to medical school 33:38 at Loma Linda University in California. 33:40 She took out loans to pay for her education, 33:42 living expenses, and books, and she estimates 33:45 that she is now $300,000 in student loan debt. 33:49 "I don't think" she says "I will ever have it paid off." 33:52 If you think about it $300,000 she gone as it's like a house, 33:55 for a house, people usually get a 30-year mortgage, 33:58 and in 30 years I will be close to retirement. 34:02 She counsels Sarah does students to think hard 34:04 about their futures before starting graduate school. 34:06 "Don't start grad school" she says, 34:08 "without knowing your job in the end 34:10 will support the cost of your education." 34:12 She goes on "and don't" listen now this community 34:16 "don't go back to school 34:18 because you can't find a job or your board." 34:22 It's not worth it. It's not worth it. 34:25 Five secrets, she is got it here. 34:28 I'm sharing with you. 34:29 Five secrets for getting out of debt, 34:31 student life student loan debt. 34:35 Jot it down, Number 1 34:36 "Don't pay more than you have to for college." 34:39 That means shop around. 34:42 Everybody in the finance department 34:43 at Andrews University it just sat up ram on straight. 34:49 What do you mean shop around, Dwight? 34:52 Okay, 85% of Adventist college students 34:56 have to receive financial assistance, okay. 35:01 Now I like this she quotes Vicki Thompson 35:03 our own Vicki Thompson 35:05 who is she is associate director 35:07 of student finance at Andrews University. 35:09 So here is what Vicki is saying 35:10 listen to this, this is practical. 35:12 If you need to start 35:14 the financial application process early, 35:16 if you're a senior in high school 35:17 we got some seniors here. 35:18 If you're senior in high school start it now. 35:20 File for FAFSA 35:22 that's Free Application for Student Aid. 35:24 My daughter is going to college so she files for FAFSA 35:28 it incredible government assistance. 35:31 Go for grants and scholarships to the max 35:33 and please pursue active employment on campus 35:36 and through the summer. 35:37 Some people get so many student loans 35:38 they say, "listen, I don't have to work. 35:40 I got loans." 35:41 No, you're crazy work here and then work in the summer. 35:44 Don't go that far into debt. 35:46 You can control the amount of debt you embrace, all right. 35:49 Number 2, jot it down please "Live within your means." 35:54 Well, that makes sense. 35:58 This article points out a lot of kids think 36:02 living within my means, 36:03 means I need to live like mom and dad now live. 36:06 The counselors "don't live like your parents do now. 36:10 You're not there yet." 36:11 Trust me when they were your age 36:13 they weren't living like this 36:15 and especially when you came along. 36:20 "Live within your means." Start out small. 36:26 Number 3, "Prioritize your debt." 36:29 That's good. 36:30 You know, what she is suggesting? 36:32 She is saying listen pay off your credit cards first 36:35 because it's high interest debt. 36:36 Get rid of the high interest. 36:38 In fact, she points out you know your student loan 36:40 is probably one of the lowest interest rates 36:42 in the nation right now. 36:43 Save the student loan for last 36:46 because you need to payoff what's eating you. 36:48 It's the highest stuff. And that makes sense. 36:51 And by the way she says don't even start to saving yet. 36:54 Payoff the high debt first 36:55 because you know savings account 36:57 now the interest is so low. 36:59 You got a higher interest on your debt 37:00 than the savings do the debt first 37:03 then end up with the savings. 37:04 Good counsel. 37:05 So that's Number 3, "Prioritize your debt." 37:07 Number 4, "Avoid impulse purchases save before you buy." 37:12 And here is what she's thinking. 37:13 Okay, so you just have to have something. 37:15 You know you start a little home 37:16 and you gonna have to have something there. 37:19 So what she recommends is take the amount of payment 37:24 that would cost you, a monthly payment, 37:26 try it for a few months. 37:28 Just take it out of your budget put it away see, 37:30 if you can survive with the $100 less a month 37:33 on my present income. 37:34 If you can still survive, yes, if you can hold off. 37:37 You don't have to have what you think 37:38 you have to have all the time. 37:41 That's the point. 37:42 And finally Number 5, 37:43 we have already talked about this. 37:44 She says "Use your credit card wisely. 37:47 It is not a tool." I like this. 37:49 "It is not a tool to buy things you can't afford." 37:54 It's not what is four. 37:55 Bottom line, "A good education is an investment 37:58 you will reap for the rest of your life. 38:00 Just don't spend the rest of your life paying it off." 38:05 And there it is ladies and gentlemen, 38:06 secret number one, get out of debt. 38:09 Credit card debt, student loan debt, 38:10 auto loan debt, home mortgage debt, 38:14 medical expenses debt it doesn't matter 38:16 how the debt was incurred just get out of that debt. 38:22 Proverbs 22:7 write it in this time 38:24 "The borrower is slave to the lender." 38:28 And in Romans 13:8, 38:29 "Let no debt remain outstanding." 38:32 Now I like that because the Old King James 38:34 rendered it this way. 38:35 "Owe no man anything." 38:37 Hey, come on that impractical. 38:38 We're all gonna incur debt somewhere along the way. 38:41 But I like the way that TNIV puts it. 38:43 Don't let that debt remain outstanding on and on and on. 38:46 Just stop it, just get it over with. 38:48 And don't forget April 23, 38:49 you're living in this region April 23, Dave Ramsey live. 38:53 Hey, but give me, a give me a 1-B on this one. 38:55 Secret 1-B-- 1-A get out to debt, 39:00 1-B stay out of debt. 39:02 Write that in please "Stay out of debt." 39:03 And by the way keep your pen moving. 39:05 "The best way to do that is to quit looking at the ads." 39:10 Quit looking at them. 39:12 I want to listen to a very bright advertising executive. 39:14 In fact, he was president 39:16 of one of the top advertising agencies 39:18 in the US in San Francisco, Freeman, Mander and Gossage. 39:21 This is Jerry Mander, former president. 39:25 Listen to this you got it in your study guide 39:27 "Advertising exists only to purvey 39:29 what people don't need." 39:32 This is so true? 39:33 "Whatever people do need 39:36 they will find without advertising." 39:39 Hey, listen, when I get hungry 39:40 do I have to turn to TV and I say 39:42 what do I do of this hungry? 39:44 Oh, what shall I do? Television, tell me please. 39:49 When I'm cold do I get a magazine and say 39:52 what I do now. 39:53 No, I know you just put a coat on that's all you do. 39:56 When I'm sick do I need a television 39:59 and tell me to get Kleenex. 40:00 Are you kidding? 40:01 If I'm sick I can blow my nose in my hand if I want to. 40:05 I don't have to go to where they say I have to go. 40:09 That's the whole point, 40:10 ladies and gentlemen, of advertising. 40:12 It makes you want what you don't need 40:16 because if you needed it you've gotten it. 40:19 You get it. 40:22 All right, so Mander goes on. 40:23 "The goal of advertising 40:24 is discontent or, to put it another way, 40:27 and internal scarcity of contentment." 40:31 Well, I like that. 40:32 The whole point is getting me to buy 40:34 what I don't need to buy. 40:35 I just got to have that iPhone slung on my hip. 40:37 I got to have that iPhone. 40:39 I just got to wear those Abercrombie and Fitch jeans 40:42 well, I'm not well dressed. 40:44 Who comes up with this stuff? 40:49 And so we buy what we don't need. 40:52 We charge today what we will want tomorrow 40:55 we go into debt only to stay discontented. 41:00 But we're paying too high far too higher price 41:04 for the more that no longer seems like much. 41:10 So how, how do I free myself? 41:15 How do I release myself 41:16 from the hypnotic chant of Madison Avenue? 41:20 How do I pull away. Here it is. 41:23 We began with these words I read them in your hearing. 41:25 Let's go back there we'll end there 41:26 Philippians Chapter 4. 41:28 Go to Philippians 4. 41:31 Listen to this it, this, this is it, here it is. 41:34 Philippians Chapter 4, pick it up in verse 11. 41:39 Philippians 4-- by the way Paul is in prison. 41:43 Okay, he is in jail. 41:46 He is in dungeon as he is writing this. 41:48 Philippians Chapter 4 let's pick it up in verse 11. 41:54 Paul writing, "I'm not saying this because I'm in need, 41:58 for I have learned 42:01 to be content whatever the circumstances." 42:06 Verse 12, "I know what it is to be in need, 42:09 and I know what it is to have plenty. 42:10 I have learned the secret of being content 42:13 in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, 42:17 whether living in plenty or in want." 42:20 Verse 19 now. 42:23 "And so my God will meet all your needs 42:29 according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." 42:37 There it is ladies and gentlemen, 42:38 the secret to staying out of debt. 42:41 The secret to staying out of debt 42:44 is an attitude of contentment. 42:47 Would you write that down please? 42:48 "I have learned the secret of being content." 42:54 You see contentment is a quite state of mind 42:58 based upon a simple way of life. 43:06 Please come visit Karen and me any time you wish 43:08 but when you come to visit us 43:09 don't ask to see our garage, please. 43:15 Is this true the amount of storage space 43:18 in your home is inversely proportional 43:20 to the length of time you've spent in that home. 43:27 Maybe we're just materialistic packrats 43:31 but the stuff we had to have 43:35 is not a stuff we have to store. 43:39 We must open up a store 43:40 that's what we ought to do, contentment. 43:44 Contentment is a quite state of mind 43:48 based upon a simple way of life. 43:51 It will keep you out of debt. 43:53 Either some of you have got out of debt 43:55 over and over and over again. 43:58 It's time to say no more. I don't need that bigger house. 44:04 I don't need that new car. I don't need that wardrobe. 44:09 I don't need that toy. Stay out of debts. 44:13 Contentment is a quite state of mind 44:17 based upon a simple way of life. 44:21 Paul was not Zen Buddhist. 44:24 Paul is a radical follower of Jesus Christ 44:27 and he learned what matters most. 44:30 What matters most for me 44:32 is that I will be contented with whatever I have be it much 44:35 or little and his promise 44:37 my God will fill all your needs according to his riches 44:43 in Christ Jesus is our promise too. 44:46 You see when you reduce your wants-- 44:48 and by the way notice what he says. 44:50 My God will supply all your needs. 44:53 It is every wish you have every desire 44:55 and longing of your heart God will fill, never. 44:59 My God will fill all your needs. 45:02 Contentment is a quite state of mind 45:07 that is the fruit of a simple way of life. 45:12 You don't need it, 45:13 you don't have to have all of that. 45:16 Get out of debt. Stay out of debt. 45:19 And finally let's just slip this in, "Live out of debt." 45:25 I live out of a sense of indebtedness to whom? 45:30 P.T. Forsyth, 45:31 the New Testament theologian from last century 45:33 once wrote that the most common emotion expressed 45:36 in the New Testament is a sense of indebtedness. 45:42 That's the most common emotion in the New Testament. 45:44 Somebody has paid off my debt in full 45:48 and I'm free now forever and ever, amen. 45:53 That's good debt. 45:54 There is no other such debt called good. 45:58 They'll fool you if you think there is. 46:00 There is only one good debt in the universe 46:03 and that's debt to Him. 46:05 Oh, boy, I love this from Desire of Ages, fill it in. 46:07 And the gift of Christ-- look at this, 46:09 look what God has done for us. 46:10 "The whole treasury" isn't this some, 46:13 can you believe this? 46:14 "The whole treasury of heaven 46:16 is open to those God seeks to save. 46:19 Having collected the riches of the universe, 46:24 and laid open the resources of infinite power. 46:27 God gives them all into the hands of Christ 46:29 and he says all these are for man and women 46:31 use these gifts to convince them 46:33 that there is no love greater than Mine in earth or heaven. 46:36 Their greatest happiness will be found in loving Me." 46:42 Ladies and gentlemen, everything in the universe 46:45 was poured out in Lord's gift at Calvary. 46:50 You got it all. 46:51 Already you already have it all. 46:56 So you and I can now live. 46:57 I'm telling you we can live with a genuine spirit of joy 47:02 and gratitude for being indebted 47:04 to Him forever and ever. 47:06 Good debt. Great God. 47:10 Glorious cross. 47:13 Get out of debt. Stay out of debt. 47:19 Live out of debt and through it all. 47:21 I promise you, I promise you God will take care of you. 47:28 Yes, He will. He'll take care of it. 47:29 So I was jogging the other day indoors, 47:33 it was wet I couldn't run outside. 47:36 Our treadmill is downstairs faces the window. 47:40 And on that great morning 47:41 and I'm looking out at this leafless apple tree 47:46 and I'm working through in my mind 47:48 as I'm running on that treadmill 47:49 brooding over some difficult circumstances 47:51 and wrestling with God over 47:54 how this is all going to turn out 47:56 and you know how it works. 47:58 If you brood over something long enough 48:00 it just gets heavier, heavier and heavier. 48:05 And suddenly out of nowhere to blue jays 48:11 land one of those rain dripping branches. 48:16 And I'm staring at them as I run. 48:21 They hop from branch to branch until they were both facing me. 48:27 I'm as if they were saying hey boy, 48:30 look at us for a moment and I did. 48:35 I looked at them even in the grey light of that 48:37 early hour the translucent blue 48:40 streak glow in the rain. 48:45 I'm looking at them and I'm saying 48:46 hey, wait a minute. 48:49 Are they worried about some, did they look anxious? 48:58 Hey, wait a minute, 49:00 didn't the God who created them 49:05 isn't He my heavenly Father as well. 49:07 Do they have to sow and reap 49:09 and find barns to store their food? 49:11 No, and if they can trust my heavenly Father 49:17 can't I trust Him even more. 49:21 Because am I not more valuable than two little blue jays. 49:29 And that they flew away 49:33 but not before God made His point. 49:37 Hey, my God, 49:41 my God will fill all your needs 49:46 according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 49:50 I need to tell you my friend, God, I promise you 49:55 God will take care of you. 50:03 God will take care of you 50:07 through every day or all the way. 50:10 He will take care of you. God will take care of you. 50:16 I realize that some of you here today 50:21 are facing daunting debt. 50:30 Some of you are out of work right now. 50:37 Like the national debt your debt is mounting. 50:43 Some of you own a business 50:45 that is on the brink of bankruptcy. 50:50 Some of you are seniors facing graduation 50:54 in just a few weeks 50:56 without the prospect of any work at all. 51:01 Some of you have mounting medical expenses 51:05 and they just keep getting and higher and higher. 51:07 Some of you-- your life feels like it's out of control. 51:13 My God will fill all your needs 51:19 according to his riches in Christ Jesus. 51:22 I promise you, trust Him 51:25 and God will take care of you. 51:30 Right now I want you please 51:34 to listen to the people on either side of you 51:37 they are gonna minister to you right now, they will. 51:40 Listen to what they're saying. 51:43 They are gonna speak words of hope and courage to you 51:46 as they sing that old, 51:48 old gospel hymn "God Will Take Care of You." 51:52 As they sing, now seriously, listen, listen, as they sing 51:56 you listen to them they're signing it to you 52:00 and you might be signing it to them. 52:04 God really will take care of you. 52:06 Let's stand and let's sing that together. 52:50 Be not dismayed whate'er betide 52:55 God will take care of you 53:00 Beneath His wings of love abide 53:06 God will take care of you 53:11 God will take care of you 53:16 Through every day, o'er all the way 53:22 He will take care of you 53:29 God will take care of you 53:36 Through days of toil when heart doth fail 53:41 God will take care of you 53:47 When dangers fierce your path assail 53:52 God will take care of you 53:58 God will take care of you 54:03 Through every day, o'er all the way 54:08 He will take care of you 54:15 God will take care of you 54:23 All you may need He will provide 54:28 God will take care of you 54:34 Nothing you ask will be denied 54:39 God will take care of you 54:45 God will take care of you 54:50 Through every day, o'er all the way 54:56 He will take care of you 55:02 God will take care of you 55:10 No matter what may be the test 55:15 God will take care of you 55:21 Lean, weary one, upon His breast 55:27 God will take care of you 55:33 God will take care of you 55:38 Through every day, o'er all the way 55:45 He will take care of you 55:53 God will take care of you 56:04 And my God will meet all your needs. 56:08 According to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus 56:12 to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. 56:17 And the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ 56:19 be with your spirit, amen. 56:25 I like to take a moment here 56:26 at the end of the service to tell you about 56:27 one of the most important groups of people 56:29 that make this ministry possible. 56:32 There're team of people they're not afraid 56:34 to get down into the thick of life itself 56:37 which is why you're gonna find them. 56:39 You will find them moving forward on their knees. 56:42 They're prayer partners, a group of men and women 56:45 and young adults who believe 56:48 that there is humble television ministry 56:50 has been raised up by God for such a time as this. 56:52 And so pray earnestly that God will use the preacher, 56:55 that God will use me, that God would use 56:57 the countless other volunteers to spread 57:00 the everlasting gospel and the Word of God in ways 57:02 we could never have imagined before. 57:05 There are the ones who are praying 57:06 that God is gonna open up the hearts of people, 57:09 open up the hearts of viewers 57:11 around the world for the message, 57:13 the critical message for this end time generation. 57:17 And what I would like to do is ask you 57:19 would you be willing to be a prayer partner with us, 57:22 a prayer partner with new perceptions? 57:24 You don't have to call it toll free number. 57:25 You don't have to go online to register. 57:27 All I need to know is that 57:29 you'd willing to lift this little ministry up 57:34 day after day after day. 57:36 Pray that somehow through radio and television 57:39 and the web God will open up new doors, 57:41 new, new regions on earth 57:44 where the everlasting Gospel can be proclaimed. 57:47 There is no question the power of prayer 57:49 has potential to take this ministry to places 57:52 we could never have imagined before. 57:54 So that's it would you please be willing 57:58 to partner with me in prayer? 57:59 The times are urgent, the need is critical 58:03 and I hope you'll say, yes. 58:05 Till we're together in next time 58:07 may the prayer answering God 58:09 accompany you every step of the way. |
Revised 2014-12-17