Participants: Johnny & Idalia Dinzey (Host), Donald & Janelle Owen & Dan Peek & Tim Parton
Series Code: TDYFW
Program Code: TDYFW017015A
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00:01 I want to spend my life
00:07 Mending broken people 00:12 I want to spend my life 00:18 Removing pain 00:23 Lord, let my words 00:29 Heal a heart that hurts 00:34 I want to spend my life 00:40 Mending broken people 00:45 I want to spend my life 00:51 Mending broken people 01:07 Hello and welcome to Family Worship. 01:09 And from your 3ABN family in Christ, 01:11 we say happy Sabbath to you. 01:13 Happy Sabbath. 01:15 Well, Idalia, it's the time to receive the Sabbath 01:18 and we're just glad that 3ABN makes this time available 01:21 so that we can join with you and worship, 01:23 and we really hope that you will sing along, 01:26 and look up the scriptures with us 01:28 and so that we can receive the Sabbath together. 01:30 Now you may be watching this program 01:32 when the Sabbath is closing 01:33 because it is put on the air just before the Sabbath starts 01:38 and also put on the air after the Sabbath is ending. 01:41 And many of you have said that you enjoy the fellowship 01:45 and the family atmosphere of this program 01:47 and we just rejoice that this is what is happening 01:50 because that's our hope. 01:53 My name is John Dinzey, my wife Idalia also with me. 01:56 And we are glad that we are also among 01:59 brethren that love the Lord and also work with 3ABN. 02:03 And we're gonna start at my extreme right 02:06 and we have one of our engineers, 02:08 Dan Peek, welcome. 02:10 Thank you. 02:12 Thank you for being with us, and next to him, Idalia, is... 02:15 Celestine, very welcome. 02:18 Thank you. 02:19 I'm so glad that you're with us. 02:20 Thank you. 02:22 And so now we go over to my left, 02:24 and we have Brother Donald Owen 02:27 that is still with us, and he is not alone. 02:29 Could you tell us who is next to you? 02:30 My wonderful wife Janelle. 02:32 Yes. Oh, wonderful. 02:34 Praise the Lord, praise the Lord. 02:35 Very good. 02:36 And so we are glad that you are also with us 02:38 because we can join together to worship the Lord, 02:40 and before we continue, 02:42 let's go to the Lord in prayer 02:44 and ask Him to bless this program 02:45 and bless every one of you that is listening 02:48 and watching wherever you are. 02:49 Let's go to the Lord in prayer. 02:52 Our loving heavenly Father, 02:54 we thank you so much 02:56 that we can approach your throne of grace 02:59 with confidence, 03:00 confidence that you will hear us, 03:01 confidence that you are attentive to our prayer. 03:05 And we come to you Lord in Jesus name 03:07 to ask for Your blessing upon this program 03:10 and that all who listen, all who watch 03:13 that you will bless them and encourage them 03:16 in the journey that we must all walk. 03:19 And we pray, heavenly Father, that as we are together, 03:21 we will have a sensing of your presence 03:23 and we pray for a blessing upon all, 03:25 and we ask you for these things 03:27 in Jesus name. 03:28 Amen. Amen. 03:29 Amen. 03:31 Well, I would like to share some scriptures 03:36 that are found in Exodus 20:8-11, 03:39 some of you may be asking, 03:41 "What is this happy Sabbath that you said? 03:43 What is this all about?" 03:44 You may be new to watching 3ABN or listening, 03:47 and we want to give you the biblical basis for this 03:51 and so we go to Exodus 20 03:53 where God is talking to His people 03:56 that at that time were the people of Israel, 03:59 and this is a message for all Christians as well. 04:03 In Exodus 20:8-11, the Bible tells us, 04:06 "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. 04:09 Six days shall thou labor and do all thy work, 04:13 but the seventh day 04:14 is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God. 04:17 In it, thou shall not do any work, 04:19 thou nor thy son, nor thy daughter, 04:22 thy man servant, nor thy maid servant, 04:24 nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger 04:27 that is within thy gates." 04:29 And why? 04:30 He gives us the answer in verse 11. 04:31 "For in six days, the Lord made the heaven and the earth, 04:35 the sea, and all that in them is, 04:37 and rested the seventh day 04:40 wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day 04:42 and hallowed it." 04:44 Amen. 04:45 So we praise the Lord for the scripture 04:47 and of course, if you read in the beginning 04:50 of the Bible in Genesis 2, it says, 04:53 "The Lord sanctified this day." 04:55 Amen. 04:56 And what God has made holy remains holy. 04:58 Amen. 04:59 And so Jesus gave us the example 05:00 and he too, for example, He went in the synagogue 05:03 on the Sabbath day to worship the Lord. 05:06 Now we must also say 05:07 and that we can worship the Lord 05:09 any day of the week, any day of the week, 05:11 but for some reason, we needed the reminder, 05:15 so that scripture begins with, 05:17 "Remember, the Sabbath day to keep it holy." 05:20 And it says to keep it holy 05:22 because that's what we are to do. 05:23 In other words, as it says, we put the work aside 05:28 and the secular things of the world 05:30 and we enter into 05:31 a closer relationship with the Lord, 05:34 a closer amount of, 05:35 a closer time when we worship Him 05:37 and dedicate the day to the Lord 05:39 and day with family. 05:40 Any comments about this? 05:42 Well, I am blessed when it comes to family worship 05:46 because as we know the viewers 05:49 sometimes come to the light of keeping the Sabbath. 05:52 And they're like, "What do you do on the Sabbath? 05:55 You just sit around and do nothing 05:56 or what do you do? 05:58 How do you receive the Sabbath?" 05:59 So it depends in every home, if there are children, 06:02 you have to make it nice and short 06:03 and to their level, you know. 06:05 And in every phase of parenthood, 06:09 I've been blessed with receiving the Sabbath 06:12 and preparing all week to receive the Sabbath. 06:15 And now that our nest is empty, 06:18 you know, I enjoy my Sabbath with... 06:21 my Sabbath experience with my friends, 06:23 my coworkers 06:25 and fellow members of the Seventh-day Adventist church 06:28 here locally. 06:29 So, I ask you, how has it been for you? 06:32 Anyone would like to share either an experience 06:35 or how the Sabbath has been 06:37 a blessing to you and your family? 06:40 Not everybody goes at once, please. 06:43 Because I have to say, that I just really 06:45 I've been enjoying, especially being here 06:47 and learning what really the Sabbath is. 06:49 It took me a long time to understand. 06:51 I wasn't raised Seventh-day Adventist, 06:52 but then finally found out what the Sabbath was 06:55 and how it's really coming into rest with the Lord 06:57 and doing what He does 06:58 and fellowshipping with brothers and sisters 07:00 is just wonderful. 07:01 We've been doing actually 07:02 The Great Controversy study for... 07:04 How many months, it's been? Over a year. 07:05 Over a year now, so it's just been awesome 07:07 to spend time with people 07:08 and really dive into The Great Controversy. 07:10 Amen. So we do that for the Sabbath. 07:12 Amen. 07:13 So the Sabbath begins as we understand it 07:15 from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday. 07:17 That's right. 07:18 That's how the Bible accounts for the days. 07:19 I don't know if anyone else would like to share. 07:21 Brother Dan, how has been receiving 07:23 or keeping the Sabbath in your family? 07:25 Well, of course, I was raised as an Adventist 07:28 kind of like Paul, 07:29 an Adventist to the Adventist with all the right school, 07:32 but still it was, it was a while until, 07:36 you know, I begun to really understand. 07:37 I mean, you know, at first, it was a mechanical 07:39 sort of thing. 07:40 Well, you know, one, two, three, four, five, six for us, 07:43 the seventh is for Jesus. 07:44 And so, you know, we knew that Friday afternoon 07:47 we had to polish shoes, we had to iron clothes, 07:49 we had to, you know, 07:50 go through all those series of steps. 07:54 My dad, I didn't realize when I was really young 07:57 but as I got older and, you know, 07:59 we started working on other projects, 08:01 different places, 08:02 about two hours before sun down, 08:05 he would say, "All right, it's time to quit." 08:07 I mean, you know, always, one more thing. 08:10 Yes. 08:11 At least in my family, you know, 08:13 we never accomplish what we set out for the day. 08:15 Yeah. 08:16 I mean, we're never short on that. 08:20 But it was, it was nice. 08:23 I didn't always appreciate 08:24 entering into the rest as a child, 08:25 I'll have to be honest. 08:27 You know, I had my own thoughts 08:29 and, you know, I'd like to be out 08:30 riding my bicycle over the jumps 08:32 and doing whatever else, you know, 08:35 I might have had on my idea of the things to do, 08:39 go play with my friends, 08:41 and do the things that I wanted to do. 08:42 They were about me 08:45 and not about entering into the rest 08:47 and understanding relationship. 08:49 And I guess, you know, as a child, 08:51 you want a different kind of relationship 08:53 than you want as an adult with someone else. 08:55 That's right. Thank you so much. 08:57 Well, Idalia, we are also pleased to have, in the house, 09:02 as we say, Brother Tim Parton, that's over here on the piano 09:06 and we thank you so much 09:07 for being part of this worship hour with us. 09:10 Thank you, Tim. 09:11 You know, before we got started, 09:13 he was playing, and I guess, 09:15 I don't know if you have to warm up fingers or not, 09:18 but he was playing 09:19 and it was such a blessing to hear him play. 09:21 Thank you, Brother Tim. 09:23 Well, what's the song that we're gonna sing, Idalia? 09:25 Well, since the topic for the hour, 09:27 we're going to share promises that are dear to our heart. 09:30 So there is a hymn that came to our mind to share 09:35 and that is "Standing on the Promises." 09:38 And that's hymn number 518 09:40 in the Seventh-day Adventist Hymn Book. 09:43 But if you Google, "Standing on the Promises," 09:46 you will be able to find the lyrics 09:48 and also other songs that are in the hymn book. 09:52 But please join us as we praise the Lord in music 09:55 with "Standing on the Promises." 10:02 Standing on the promises of Christ my King 10:07 Through eternal ages let His praises ring 10:12 Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing 10:16 Standing on the promises of God 10:20 Standing, standing 10:25 Standing on the promises of God my Savior 10:30 Standing, standing 10:36 I'm standing on the promises of God 10:41 Standing on the promises that cannot fail 10:46 When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail 10:51 By the living Word of God I shall prevail 10:55 Standing on the promises of God 10:59 Standing, standing 11:04 Standing on the promises of God my Savior 11:08 Standing, standing 11:15 I'm standing on the promises of God 11:20 Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord 11:25 Bound to Him eternally by love's strong cord 11:29 Overcoming daily with the Spirit's sword 11:34 Standing on the promises of God 11:38 Standing, standing 11:42 Standing on the promises of God my Savior 11:47 Standing, standing 11:53 I'm standing on the promises of God 12:00 Amen. Amen. 12:02 Praise the Lord. 12:03 We can sing that song all together, 12:05 all over again, right? 12:06 Thank you so much, thank you Brother Tim 12:08 for being with us. 12:10 Thank you, Tim. Yes. 12:11 We are so blessed through this ministry of music. 12:13 Well, praise the Lord. 12:15 This is a beautiful hymn 12:16 and I'm sure that many of you have 12:19 sung this hymn before. 12:20 And, Idalia, in Spanish 12:23 I'm sure you've sang this one as well. 12:24 Oh, definitely, you know, it's interesting 12:27 how so many of us come to this country 12:31 or we just travel as missionaries 12:33 because Brother Dan Peek was raised as a missionary. 12:37 So I'm sure that the songs that we learned 12:39 in our native tongue, you know, in English 12:42 for your, in your situation, and mine in Spanish, 12:46 and when I hear the melody being played on the piano, 12:50 I'm like, "I know that song. 12:52 Oh, what hymn is that? What hymn was that?" 12:54 But I don't know the naming in English, 12:57 but we know the melody, 12:58 so it takes me back to my childhood, 13:01 you know, and sometimes I get Spanglish, 13:04 you know, singing in Spanish and English altogether 13:06 because I get so emotional. 13:08 So anyhow, it's just very fun to my heart and fun memories. 13:12 Amen. Yeah. 13:14 Well, I would like to say this that we were praying 13:17 and talking about what topic to talk about during this hour. 13:21 And, you know, the promises of the Lord 13:24 are encouraging to all His children. 13:27 Amen. 13:28 And I believe that everyone 13:32 should have at least one promise memorized 13:36 or know about it 13:37 or at least know some of the words 13:39 and all of us go through different experiences in life 13:43 and we find certain scriptures encourage us, 13:48 help us through those difficult times. 13:50 I would like to begin this by reading, 13:54 it's in 1 Kings 8:56, 13:58 and it's a declaration 14:01 of something that had happened. 14:06 1 Kings 8:56, if somebody has found that, 14:11 you could do us the favor 14:12 reading that nice and loud for us. 14:13 I have it, 1 Kings 8:56, 14:17 "Blessed be the Lord 14:19 who has given rest to His people Israel, 14:23 according to all that He promised. 14:26 There has not failed one word of all His good promise, 14:31 which He promised through His servant Moses." 14:34 Amen. Amen. 14:36 And so we see here, if you go into Exodus, 14:39 Leviticus, and Numbers, 14:41 you will notice wonderful promises 14:43 that God made to the people of Israel. 14:45 And this is a declaration 14:48 that everything that God promised, 14:51 not one word, it says there, of God's promise failed. 14:56 Amen. 14:57 And that's the wonderful thing about God, you know. 14:58 As human beings, maybe you have heard 15:00 somebody promise something. 15:01 I promise you I will do this. 15:03 And unfortunately, it didn't happen. 15:06 I remember our children saying something like 15:08 "Dad, I'm going to kill it when they were younger." 15:11 And they said, "I thought we were gonna do this." 15:15 And I say, "Well, I'm sorry we can do that, 15:16 but you promised." 15:18 And I said, "I promised that?" 15:20 I didn't remember that I had promised that 15:23 but they remembered. 15:24 So, you know, 15:27 we may not be able to keep all the promises we make. 15:29 But we should strive to be the men and women of yes and no 15:35 because it's biblical. 15:36 That's right. 15:38 So as our children were raised, 15:39 I always tell them let your yes be yes, 15:41 let your no be no, so whenever we say, 15:43 we are going to do this, Lord willing, 15:46 if it's the Lord's will, we will be doing this or that. 15:50 So it's important to value, you know, each other's words, 15:55 I don't have to promise Celestine, 15:57 I don't have to say, "Celestine, I promise you, 15:59 I'm gonna make you a dessert." 16:01 I don't have to promise you but I can say, 16:04 "Celestine, I want to make a dessert for you." 16:06 Thank you. One is best for you. 16:08 This is just an example, I'm not making that. 16:10 I know, I know. 16:12 Just kidding. I know. 16:16 So you know what I'm saying, 16:17 you're a mother of two daughters. 16:19 Yes. 16:21 And, Dan, you have two children too. 16:23 So when you... And a wife. 16:25 And a wife. 16:26 Of course, yes, and his wife of course, 16:28 but what I'm saying is that 16:30 we want our children to trust us. 16:32 Yes. 16:33 And the way we win their trust it's by fulfilling that 16:38 which we say we're gonna do if the Lord wills. 16:41 And then, with you guys, you don't have children 16:44 but you have each other. 16:45 We have pets. And you have friends. 16:47 Pets? 16:49 The pets are very faithful, aren't they? 16:50 Yeah, they are. 16:52 But as I'm saying, we just need to value it, 16:56 and the way we present it, 16:59 we were representing the Lord as Christian men and women. 17:02 Amen. That's right. 17:03 So whatever we promise, 17:05 when you talk about God's promises 17:08 or you're saying that God promised that, 17:09 but you promised me all the time then 17:11 and you don't fulfill the promise. 17:13 So unfortunately, 17:14 we are not creating a clean and crisp 17:19 understanding to our children 17:20 of how faithful God is at times, correct? 17:23 I mean, am I wrong? 17:24 Not really, you know why. You know exactly why. 17:26 But what I meant to say also is that 17:31 although people may say something 17:34 and sometimes people believe it. 17:36 And, you know, unfortunately, I don't want to dwell in 17:40 when elections time come, the politicians promise 17:43 they're gonna do, you know, from A to Z, 17:47 but when they get in there 17:48 and I'm not speaking about any politician in particular, 17:53 but when they get in there, 17:54 they normally don't do those things. 17:55 Now some people don't know this, Idalia. 17:57 I don't know if you know, 17:58 even though you used to live in Chicago. 17:59 I don't know. Let's see what they're gonna say. 18:01 They say the Chicago is called the Windy City, 18:04 but the reason it's called the Windy City, 18:06 now by the way, it is windy sometimes 18:08 because of the winds coming from Canada 18:10 and through the Lake Michigan, etcetera. 18:12 But the reason originally 18:13 why it was called the Windy City 18:15 is because the politicians used to promise so much 18:18 and then, when they would get into office, 18:19 they would do nothing. 18:21 So it was called they're just full of wind 18:23 so that's why it's called the Windy city. 18:25 Oh, never heard that before. 18:27 I even lived at Chicago, you lived in Chicago too. 18:29 Yeah, yes. 18:30 But God is not like that. 18:32 When He promises something, he will fulfill. 18:34 Amen. Amen. 18:35 He will fulfill what he says. 18:37 So we've each selected some promises, 18:40 who would like to start first 18:41 to share some promise that God has made? 18:45 I can start. Okay, Janelle. 18:47 Among the end, so I guess, I could start. 18:50 Do you want me to discuss through the ones that I... 18:52 Sure, go ahead. As you wish. 18:54 Okay. 18:55 The first one that I have listed here 18:57 that I really like is Philippians 1:6, 19:00 and it reads, "Being confident of this very thing, 19:05 that He which hath begun a good work in you 19:07 will perform it until the day of Christ Jesus." 19:10 Amen. 19:11 I like that one because 19:13 I don't know if you guys have heard the saying before, 19:15 "I'm not where I should be but I'm not where I was." 19:18 That's right. 19:19 And I feel like that's me, 19:21 you know, I'm gonna work in progress 19:22 and it's just a day-by-day process. 19:24 Yes. 19:25 And this one is really comforting to me, 19:27 because I know that He has begun a good work in me 19:31 and that He is continuing and we'll finish it. 19:35 Amen. 19:36 And so that's something that I really, I hold that one close 19:40 because some days I don't feel like I'm growing in Him, 19:45 but that one is a good promise for me. 19:48 So we'll each to share one, then we'll go through it again. 19:51 Okay, one at a time. 19:52 I just wanted to add to Janelle's comment is that, 19:56 you know, God always surprises us. 20:00 Yes. 20:01 You know, He does not leave us where He finds us. 20:03 Amen. Praise the Lord. 20:05 As we seek Him, we become changed as we contemplate. 20:09 So as we put forth our part and say, 20:12 "Lord, I wanna be just like you, 20:14 please help me transform 20:16 and give me the humility to accept this transformation 20:20 that You're making in my life." 20:22 Sometimes, so we can find ourselves 20:24 fighting against the Lord, you know. 20:26 But He then, again, a good working, 20:28 you will be faithful to complete it, 20:30 if we could just trust 100% in Him. 20:33 Amen. He's faithful. 20:35 Amen. Okay, well, who else has something to share? 20:39 I guess I'll share out of 2 Corinthians 5:20, 21. 20:43 Okay. 20:45 This is actually the amplified version, 20:46 but you guys can just follow along. 20:49 2 Corinthians 5:20, 21. Okay. 20:52 I shall back up to 19. 20:55 I don't have any amplified here, 20:56 but I'll just read it. 20:58 "To wit, that God was in Christ, 21:00 reconciling the world unto Himself," 21:03 I like this next part, 21:04 "not imputing their trespasses or sins unto them, 21:08 and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation." 21:11 And I'll read the rest here from amplified, verse 20. 21:14 "So we are Christ's ambassadors, 21:16 God making his appeal as it were through us. 21:19 We as Christ's personal representatives 21:21 beg you for His sake 21:22 to lay hold of the divine favor 21:24 now offered you and be reconciled to God." 21:27 And verse 21, "For our sake, 21:29 He made Christ virtually to be sin 21:32 Who knew no sin, 21:34 so that in and through Him we might become endued with, 21:37 viewed as being in, and examples 21:39 of the righteousness of God 21:41 what we ought to be, approved and acceptable 21:43 and in right relationship with Him by His goodness." 21:46 And I really thought about that, 21:48 how does someone who doesn't know sin become, 21:51 be made sin for us? 21:52 I mean, how does that happen? 21:54 How can somebody decide to come down here, 21:56 like Christ come down here, and take on the form of man? 21:59 That's right. 22:00 The form of flesh and become, you know, a servant 22:03 and take it to the cross for us 22:06 because that speaks a lot 22:08 and that kind of shows that he can relate to me personally. 22:10 And He's relatable to me, 22:12 to things that I've been through, 22:13 you know, I think of Hebrews 4:15 says, 22:15 "He's tempted by all points like we are 22:16 but yet without sin." 22:18 He's tempted by all points like we are, 22:19 so whatever we've been through, He's been through. 22:21 Amen. 22:23 So it makes Him a relatable Jesus, 22:24 and that's just, that's just amazing to me. 22:27 Amen. 22:28 Yes, that is really something 22:32 I think worthy of everyone stopping to consider 22:35 and meditate upon Him and think about 22:37 that God was willing to take on human flesh 22:44 to become like one of us and suffer the way He did. 22:49 And I mean, we read in the scriptures, 22:52 I say, some of His sufferings 22:54 because He goes beyond what we are able to read. 22:58 Yeah. 23:00 And I don't know 23:02 how many movies on the life of Christ you've seen, 23:05 I guess, I've seen a couple at least, 23:08 and they've tried to portray 23:10 the physical suffering of Christ, 23:12 but what they're not able to capture 23:16 is the internal suffering of Christ. 23:19 And I guess, that is, 23:22 I remember somebody, an atheist, 23:27 I was talking to an atheist, 23:28 and he said, "I went to see that movie." 23:31 And he said, "You shouldn't, 23:32 you should not go see that movie." 23:34 I said, "Really, why is that?" 23:35 He says, "Oh, no, they beat that man, they really... 23:39 He really was beaten almost through the whole two hours 23:45 that the movie was on, and it's just too much." 23:48 This atheist was talking like this. 23:52 And I said, "You know, 23:54 what they portrayed in that movie 23:57 is only part of the story 23:58 because the internal suffering of Christ." 24:01 And when I say internal suffering of Christ 24:02 for those that perhaps don't even understand 24:04 that part or have not stopped to consider it, 24:07 there is one aspect is that 24:09 Jesus Christ was 24:11 in constant communion with God the Father. 24:13 Amen, that's right. 24:15 And there comes a time, 24:16 beginning in the garden of Gethsemane, 24:18 when he begins to take upon Himself 24:20 the sins of the world. 24:22 That's right. 24:23 And as this is happening, He begins to experience 24:26 a separation from God the Father, 24:29 that is a suffering 24:31 that is so intense that you cannot display that, 24:36 you cannot put that into a film. 24:38 And so I think it's worthy of consideration for all of us. 24:43 Now that you've mentioned all that, 24:45 you took me back to like 24:47 when I was five years old 24:50 and, you know, in the Spanish countries, 24:52 they share the week of... 24:54 The Holy Week, the Passover Week. 24:57 The Passover Week. Yes. 24:59 In Spanish it's Semana Santa. 25:01 Anyhow, and I remember that the television was on 25:07 and as those scenes 25:10 of Jesus's crucifixion came on, I just... 25:14 I choke up right now just thinking about it. 25:17 I ran to the television and I hugged that television, 25:20 "Jesus! Please don't. 25:22 Jesus, please I love you. Please don't do this to Jesus." 25:25 And it just moved me so much, it's like, "How can this Man 25:29 do this to forgive me? 25:32 I love you, Jesus." 25:33 So I embraced that television, you know, just... 25:36 I guess it was so much, 25:39 but the reality is that it is too much. 25:42 Yeah. 25:44 It's like greater love is this, right? 25:47 So anyhow, we can continue talking about the crucifixion, 25:50 it was a very good promise. 25:52 Yes. We have our friend Celestine. 25:56 Celestine. Yeah. 25:57 You're not singing right now. Yeah, I'm already playing. 25:59 Oh, yeah I know. 26:01 But it's amazing to contemplate God's great love for us. 26:05 When we feel, you know, so small 26:07 but yet we're so special to Him. 26:09 Yeah. What do you have girl? 26:11 I have at here Isaiah 41:10. 26:15 Isaiah 41:10. Okay. Yes. 26:22 Okay, Isaiah 41:10. 26:24 Yes. Yes. 26:26 This is very special to me because... 26:28 Let me read it first. 26:29 Okay, let's read it. 26:31 All right. 26:32 "Fear not, for I am with you. 26:35 Be not dismayed for I am your God." 26:39 "I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, 26:44 I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." 26:48 Amen. That's just beautiful. 26:51 It's so true. I just see it like, "Whoa! 26:55 That's so comforting to me 26:58 especially what I went through." 27:00 That's right. 27:01 That is right. Yeah. 27:02 And you have become a widow, yes? 27:04 Right. 27:06 And you have your music ministry, 27:07 right, Celestine, 27:09 those concerts, we've seen you on 3ABN, 27:12 so you're part of our family. 27:14 Yes, thank you. Praise the Lord. 27:15 Everyone at home have been praying for you, too. 27:17 Yeah. 27:18 This has become so real to you. Yeah. 27:21 And, man, I would say, 27:25 church family is very important. 27:27 Amen. 27:28 Next to God because without my church family 27:31 here at 3ABN in Thompsonville, 27:33 I don't know I will ever make it. 27:35 No, because and of course, 27:37 my kids too really hurt me a lot. 27:39 It is the hardest thing you have to go through. 27:42 Yes. 27:43 And I'm still grieving, so I'm like just... 27:46 Yes. 27:47 God is sufficient. Amen. 27:49 Man, He is the source of all, but I just like, 27:52 "Wow, it's very difficult but God is good." 27:57 Amen. He's sustaining me. 28:00 Amen. My family in a daily basis. 28:03 Amen. So I praise Him. 28:04 Amen. With all my heart. 28:06 Praise the Lord. We love you, Celestine. 28:08 You know, I don't know if there is someone out there 28:11 that's experiencing the same thing 28:12 that Celestine has gone through with her two girls, 28:15 you know, it's a world that I don't know off 28:19 and there are many people that can identify with you 28:23 because they have gone through that hardship of separation, 28:26 the sudden death of your spouse, 28:29 you know, and he was not just a spouse, 28:31 he was your friend, your partner, 28:32 the father of your daughters. 28:34 And there are so many that maybe say, 28:36 "How am I gonna get through another week?" 28:39 Precisely, these promises we are sharing them with you 28:42 because that helps you to get through this week. 28:47 Amen, amen. Yes, amen. 28:49 And somebody else? 28:51 Dan, we haven't heard from you on this part. 28:53 Well, I kind of chose promises 28:57 that were dealing with a family. 28:59 I wanted to share one 29:02 that the Lord gave me, I don't know, 29:05 maybe six months ago or so, 29:07 I was praying about my son 29:11 who is entering his teenage years 29:13 and acting like a teenager. 29:15 And I'm sure that many other parents 29:17 can probably well identify with, 29:19 the child who doesn't want to identify 29:21 with the family anymore, anything, you know, 29:24 you have to use a lot of reverse psychology 29:27 or negative psychology, 29:28 I don't know what you call that. 29:29 Yes. 29:31 You know, I want you do this, so don't do that kind of thing. 29:35 Exactly. 29:36 I said, "Lord, I don't want to do this. 29:39 I mean, I don't know what to do." 29:42 I was perfect, I guess, I mean, that was my memory. 29:48 But the Lord, after a few days, 29:51 the Lord gave me this verse in 2 Samuel, 29:54 and it was one of the few times in my life 29:56 that the Lord has tapped me on the shoulder and said, 29:59 "By the way, this verse is for you." 30:03 So I claimed this 30:07 and I feel like He shared it with me, 30:08 but it doesn't mean that it doesn't apply to you 30:11 or anyone else. 30:12 So it's 30:14 2 Samuel 7:14, 15, 30:21 primarily 14, 30:22 but where God is talking to David 30:27 and David's trying to figure out 30:28 what to do with his teenage son, 30:29 I don't really know how old Solomon was, 30:31 but he was talking about Solomon 30:33 and God says, "I will be his father." 30:36 Amen. 30:37 "And he shall be My son." 30:39 And so he's gonna be God's son. 30:40 "If he commit an iniquity..." 30:42 And Pastor Lomacang, it wasn't Pastor Lomacang, 30:45 it was another pastor previous to that, 30:47 explained to us that iniquity was those sins that we love, 30:50 not just sin in general but those sins that we love. 30:52 Yes. 30:54 That we don't wanna give up, 30:55 cherished sins someone's called them. 30:58 "If he commits iniquity, 31:00 I will chasten him with the rod of men 31:03 and with the stripes of the children of men." 31:06 And going on to verse 15, 31:08 "But My mercy shall not depart away from him." 31:12 "As I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee." 31:15 So whenever my son 31:19 is acting disagreeable, 31:23 I try to remember to keep my mouth shut 31:26 and remind the Lord, 31:27 "By the way, you said this is your son. 31:29 You will discipline him. 31:31 I want to do my part, 31:33 but, Lord, you got to tell me what my part is 31:35 so that I don't, you know, beat the devil into him 31:38 'cause I might inclined to do that." 31:41 That's right. 31:42 You know, I have read here and, you know, 31:44 I do have the temper, 31:45 I did have the temper to do that, 31:49 but praise the Lord, you know, 31:51 He has delivered me from that as long as I stay with him. 31:53 Praise the Lord. Yeah. 31:55 In tune with Philippians 1:6 31:58 being confident of this very thing 32:00 that He who has begun a good work, 32:01 God is working in each one of our lives, 32:04 and as we yield and submit 32:06 and allow Him to make changes in our lives, 32:09 the work will continue until it's completed 32:11 and we praise the Lord for that. 32:12 Amen. Well, I'd like to share... 32:14 It's a beautiful promise by the way we're sharing. 32:16 Yes, it is. Yes, it is. 32:18 It's amazing how the Bible helps us in our everyday, 32:21 you know, relationships. 32:23 Absolutely. 32:25 My relationship with the Lord, 32:27 my relationship with my husband, 32:28 with my fellow workers, and neighbors, and all, 32:32 I know that this week, 32:34 for example, we've had deadlines, 32:36 we've had so many things to do and pressuring activities, 32:40 oh, we have to stretch ourselves, 32:42 sometimes you feel like, "Ugh!" 32:44 But, you know, one of the special things 32:47 that I really enjoy for Sabbath is that rest. 32:51 "And come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, 32:57 and I will give you rest." 32:59 This is from Matthew 11:28. 33:01 Amen. Come to me, it's an invitation. 33:04 It doesn't say, you know, little children come to me, 33:06 it just says a general invitation. 33:09 I'm like, "You're including me in that, Lord?" 33:11 "Come to me, Idalia, you know, you who labor 33:16 and are heavy laden and I will give you rest." 33:18 This week may be a week that we may have experienced, 33:23 I don't know if folks at home have experienced such a week 33:25 that they don't even wanna take time 33:27 for family worship right now, 33:28 their minds are so infested with so many problems 33:32 and things pending yet to do, even for Sabbath activities, 33:38 you know, "I still have this to do or that to do." 33:41 We need to come and rest, 33:44 we need to come to Him and rest in Christ 33:47 and you're gonna see the difference, 33:49 you feel like renewed. 33:50 Amen. 33:52 People are like, "How do you keep going?" 33:53 You know, it's important to, you know, sit and rest. 33:57 I know you're always going, Donald, 33:58 you're going door to door, going through town, 34:01 you know, many businesses trying to witness. 34:04 That's my twin, you know. 34:08 Nonstop. He is nonstop. 34:10 Yeah. All right, what a blessing. 34:13 But, you know, it is important for us to stop, 34:16 you know, be at Jesus's feet. 34:18 Amen. 34:19 And regain that focus, that peace, 34:22 that rest that we must have 34:25 in order to take on the new week, so... 34:29 Yeah. Thank you so much. 34:31 You're welcome. 34:32 You know, as you were saying that, 34:33 it was very interesting 34:35 that when God promises something 34:37 it's an open end, 34:38 there's no ending to the promise. 34:40 Yes. It's an open-ended promise. 34:42 Because everybody gets the flyers 34:44 that come into their homes 34:48 where they say, this offer only lasts so long, 34:51 you know, after two weeks it's over, after a day is over. 34:54 That's right. 34:55 Or they say, this weekend only, you know. 34:57 It expires. It expires. 34:59 But when Jesus has come unto me or ye that are weary 35:02 and heavy laden, 35:03 it is, it was not for just those people 35:05 that were there, it's for us living today as well. 35:07 That's right. 35:09 And we can take advantage of that same invitation 35:11 that Jesus makes because it's for us as well. 35:14 So I would like to read one 35:18 that has been a blessing to me. 35:20 And you know, I pretty much know 35:25 these by scriptures and most of you. 35:26 The scriptures you've read... Right, by memory. 35:28 You know them by memory as well. 35:30 But I'm gonna read it and we know 35:34 and we can stop right there 35:35 and He says, wow, he knows, he's not doubtful, 35:37 "We know that all things work together for good to them 35:42 that love God, to them who are the called 35:45 according to His purpose." 35:46 Amen. 35:48 So when I first started considering this scripture, 35:52 it was a time I guess, 35:53 that I needed this particular scripture 35:56 because, you know, you read certain things 35:58 but sometimes things stand out to you. 36:00 That's right. 36:01 And so I was going through some challenges, 36:07 facing some court things and things like that. 36:11 And this scripture was what the Lord used to help me 36:16 understand that this thing that I was going through, 36:20 He was gonna help me through it. 36:21 And at times you may even ask yourself 36:25 as I asked myself, "Well, Lord, I really don't know 36:29 how this is gonna work out to my good, 36:32 but I'm gonna trust You anyway." 36:33 And so, what a blessing to see that 36:37 God brings you through things and somehow it's for your good. 36:41 And you may find out later, maybe the next day, 36:45 maybe the next week, maybe a month later, 36:47 but sometimes it could be a year later or more, 36:50 that you say, "Wow, that thing that I went through, 36:54 it really was good that I went through that 36:57 because now I can help this person 36:59 that is going through the same thing. 37:01 And say, 'Wait on the Lord, He's gonna help you.'" 37:04 And so, all of these promises are precious, 37:06 all of these promises are precious. 37:08 Definitely, well, you know, 37:10 sometimes we do forget about the promise that he is with us, 37:13 like we find it in Isaiah 41:10, 37:16 "Fear not, for I am with you. 37:18 Be not dismayed for I am your God. 37:21 I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, 37:23 I will uphold you with My righteous hand." 37:26 Just like Celestine had shared before. 37:29 He is always with us. Yeah. 37:31 And He will never forsake us. 37:33 And it's so easy. 37:35 Janelle, have you felt all alone before 37:37 and forgotten that Christ has promised to be with you? 37:40 Yes, yes. I have. 37:42 There have been times. 37:43 When we first moved here, 37:45 you know, when you first move to an area, 37:46 you don't know people, 37:48 and it takes a while to kind of get to know people. 37:52 And so it was kind of like that. 37:55 When we moved here and... Thank you. 37:59 So there are times when that happens 38:01 and I've felt that before. 38:02 So but it was nice to eventually get to know people 38:06 and, you know, people we work with, church family, 38:09 and people in the community, but it's always, 38:12 it always feels kind of like you're alone 38:15 when you first move to a new area. 38:16 And even though we had each other, 38:18 there was still not that family, 38:20 you know, that we were used to. 38:21 Right, right. 38:23 I understand. 38:24 When I first moved down to Southern Illinois, 38:28 it was very hard for me. 38:29 I mean, I married someone that worked here at 3ABN. 38:34 I married John Dinzey. He was John Dinzey. 38:35 Yes, yes it was him. 38:38 Clarify. 38:40 In 1994, we got married. 38:43 So when we moved, when I moved down here, 38:46 it was a lot of culture shock. 38:48 I don't know if that happened to you. 38:49 Oh, yeah. Yeah. Did it? 38:51 How was that transition for you? 38:52 It was, man, it was a lot. 38:56 I was just so scared and all of the above, 38:59 crying, "I wanna go home." 39:00 You know. Yes, yes, yes, yes. 39:03 But, you know, like you mentioned earlier, 39:06 when we met our church family 39:09 and, you know, met one person and another, 39:12 and their gesture of friendship of love of welcoming, 39:16 that just dissipates 39:18 all the negative feelings that I had. 39:22 I'm like, "Lord, what am I do here?" 39:24 I remember. 39:25 This is so different, I couldn't handle. 39:27 I remember you were like when you were so new here 39:31 and I remember her talking to us, 39:34 you know, and man, I felt so comfortable right away, 39:37 praise the Lord. Oh, praise the Lord. 39:39 Glory to God. 39:40 I like that lady, she's really like, you know, 39:43 she's so welcoming, you know. 39:44 Yes. 39:46 Because I feel like a stranger, 39:47 we feel "Oh, boy, are we in the, 39:49 you know, right place?" 39:51 Was this a good decision? Yeah. 39:53 That's a good thing. Yeah, that was a blessing. 39:55 You have the gift of hospitality. 39:56 Yeah, praise the Lord. Yeah. Amen to that. 39:58 Praise the Lord. 40:00 I'd never forget that. 40:01 Oh, really. At the gym, at the gym. 40:04 Really? Yeah. 40:05 We could talk like so long. Forever? 40:07 Yeah. 40:09 But, man, it was so nice, thank you. 40:11 Praise the Lord. Yeah. 40:12 Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. 40:13 And that's what we would like to do with everyone 40:16 that steps foot here in the ministry of 3ABN. 40:19 Amen. That's right. 40:20 In the community, in our church, 40:22 and you know, certain people have that gift of hospitality, 40:27 and it is our responsibility to introduce that visitor 40:32 and other people to our members and to our friends. 40:35 I love it when people come and... 40:37 Oh, this Sabbath, last Sabbath, we shared with the family 40:42 that was listening, right, Dan? 40:43 That's right. What was that? 40:45 Well, you and Cynthia really got into them. 40:47 Cynthia your wife. Yeah. 40:50 But they were all, you know, 40:52 they were beginning to look for a country, a place. 40:55 Yes. 40:57 And so, so they said, "I hope we didn't grill them too much." 41:01 I said, "I think he survived." 41:02 Yeah, he survived. 41:05 So it's just talking about the area 41:06 and talking about things that we have in common, 41:10 you know, we don't have to jump into a deep Bible study. 41:14 It's just the ministry of Jesus what did He do, 41:16 He ministered to the people and gave them the welcoming, 41:21 and they listened, and they shared, 41:23 and they walked with Jesus. 41:25 Oh, how beautiful that experience must have been. 41:27 I was gonna share a testimony. Donald, yes. 41:30 I didn't put it in here, but Zechariah, 41:32 I'm not gonna go through all of it. 41:33 That's okay. 41:34 But I had a young man I met at Sam's club, 41:36 it's been a while ago, when I share the story, 41:37 it makes her tear up, it's just really powerful. 41:39 That's a good one. 41:40 I had a young man that was just in clothes, 41:41 you can tell he didn't have any money, 41:43 he's poor, homeless, really. 41:44 And just came down from Chicago, 41:45 and the Lord had told me to go a different route that day, 41:47 and I know why then. 41:49 So I met the young man, unbeknownst to me, 41:51 I didn't really want to talk to him, 41:52 looked kind of strange and stuff, 41:53 I'm like, "I don't wanna talk to this guy." 41:55 He's right in my face, he's right here, he's talking, 41:58 he's asking me all these questions 41:59 like, "What are doing here?" 42:01 I said, "I'm shopping. I'm shopping." 42:02 He said, "Okay, what are you shopping for?" 42:04 "I'm shopping for Three Angels Broadcast Network. 42:06 It's 24/7 around the world." 42:08 He goes, "Are you minister or something?" 42:10 I said, "No, I'm actually, I'm a lay person, 42:11 just help you about Jesus, 42:12 you know, and share the gospel." 42:14 Then he said, "People tell me I need to go back to church 42:16 and know who God is." 42:17 Oh, wow. 42:19 "So I've got to tell you a story, I want to pull you." 42:20 I pulled him in the aisle and I shared Zechariah 3 42:21 with him, and he just, 42:23 I shared him about how, you know, Satan is there, 42:24 telling you're not worthy to come into Heaven. 42:26 Yes. I said "So what is your name?" 42:27 He told me his name, actually lied to me at first, 42:29 then told me his real name. Yeah. 42:31 And so anyway, he shares name, 42:32 I said, "Well, you know, someone was being told 42:34 you can't come in this, you can't come to heaven 42:36 because you did this, that, and the other thing wrong." 42:38 I said, "But somebody else comes in the picture." 42:39 I said, "Jesus, he shows, nail-pierced hands, 42:41 He says, 'Look, I hung on the cross, 42:43 this is my blood, I died for him. 42:44 He's mine, I own him.'" 42:46 I said, "He's gonna put a crown 42:47 or he's gonna put a robe of righteousness on you, 42:49 he's gonna put a golden crown on you." 42:50 I said, "Now you're the son of God." 42:51 And he literally just, literally jumped up 42:54 almost broke my ribs, "He was a little boy." 42:56 He was like, "Can I pull you out? 42:57 Can I help?" 42:59 Oh, wow. I said, "Sure, yes, help." 43:00 Oh, what a blessing. Yeah, it was huge. 43:01 Amen. 43:03 Just the power of the Word of God. 43:04 Amen. Man! Amen. 43:05 This is... 43:07 I'm sure there are many experiences 43:08 that we can share of divine appointments. 43:12 Oh, yeah. 43:13 You know, there are no coincidences. 43:14 Oh, man. 43:16 And it's admirable to see 43:20 how the Lord prompts our hearts 43:22 and we don't understand why we're making this decision. 43:25 You know, taking another turn, 43:27 but the Lord took you 43:29 precisely to the place where He needed you. 43:31 So we have to be ever so sensitive to his prompting, 43:36 to His voice, 43:37 and that way, we not only bless that other person 43:41 but we're ever so blessed 43:42 and we grow from that experience. 43:44 Oh, yeah, definitely. Definitely. 43:45 Amen. 43:46 You know, so many stories come to mind. 43:48 I guess you have try to stop yourself. 43:50 Yeah. 43:52 From sharing some of these things 43:53 because you don't know which one to share. 43:56 But we know Janelle has another promise to share. 43:58 Yes. Yes. 43:59 I love this one. 44:01 It's just, it's awesome. 44:02 It's Revelation 12:11, 44:05 and I guess you could consider this a promise, 44:09 I claim it because I just like it a lot. 44:14 So Revelation 12:11. Yes. 44:16 "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb 44:18 and by the word of their testimony, 44:20 and they love not their lives unto the death." 44:25 I love the whole verse. 44:27 To me, it's just so powerful, 44:29 they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb 44:31 and the word of their testimony, 44:32 and how we can, you know, claim the blood of Christ 44:35 and like we're talking about, you know, testimony 44:39 and how our testimony unlike, 44:42 well, somebody mentioned earlier 44:43 about how sometimes God allows us to go through things, 44:46 so we can help someone else later. 44:48 Amen. That's right. 44:49 And I feel like, you know, by sharing our testimony 44:52 that is returning to God what is His, 44:54 you know, what He's done in the us. 44:56 And so I think it's really powerful 44:58 and it's a blessing to be able to share the testimony. 45:00 And sometimes it's not easy 45:03 because, you know, we've shared some things about our own lives 45:06 on national television, on 3ABN, 45:09 that was not so easy. 45:10 But God called us to it, He got us through it, 45:14 and He helped a lot of people. 45:15 Amen. Amen. 45:16 So praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. 45:18 Yeah. 45:19 Wow, there are so many experiences 45:21 that we live but they're unique. 45:23 Yeah. 45:24 And so you get to minister to a unique group of people 45:28 with a unique need, 45:30 so we all have something so peculiar, so special, 45:33 and so this is your responsibility, 45:37 you know, you bring hope to other people. 45:40 You bring peace, encouragement, motivation. 45:43 And you know what, 45:44 we don't need anyone to stump a mess. 45:46 I mean, the devil's busy enough to... 45:49 Oh, yeah. To attack us, right? 45:50 So we need to lift each other up. 45:52 Yeah. Definitely. 45:54 You know, I'm gonna try to share a story here 45:57 as brief as I can. 45:58 Okay. 46:00 It's almost like, it's almost like 46:02 not part of what we're sharing 46:04 but because we've gone 46:05 talking about witnessing to other people 46:07 and Pastor Alejandro Bullon, he's a Spanish evangelist. 46:10 He's the one that told this story the first time. 46:13 And there was this lady working in her garden, 46:16 and across from her was this open field, 46:18 and there comes these trucks and they parked there, 46:22 and they start unpacking their things, 46:23 it was a circus. 46:26 The land had been cleared and now there's a circus. 46:28 And the lady starts looking at them 46:29 still working in her garden. 46:30 And she starts to sweat. 46:33 And, you know, 46:35 the people across they're working in the sun 46:37 trying to put up their little tents 46:38 and their little rides and all that thing, 46:40 I'm saying little but they're big, 46:42 and they're working hard in the sun in the hot, hot sun, 46:45 and she goes "I'm thirsty." 46:47 So she goes inside, make some lemonade, 46:50 and she decides to make lemonade 46:52 for everybody working out there. 46:54 That's amazing. 46:55 And so she got this pitcher and she goes out there 46:59 and she has these cups, "Would you like some lemonade?" 47:03 And they look at her, "Sure." 47:06 And she gives them the lemonade, 47:08 she goes to the next person, and from one to another. 47:11 She's going to give them lemonade, 47:12 goes back, gets another pitcher, 47:14 and doing this all over the place. 47:17 And so somebody is looking at her, 47:19 was watching her do this. 47:21 And he goes, "Who is this women? 47:22 Who is this woman?" 47:24 And finally, the lady reaches this person 47:27 and she goes, "Would you like some lemonade?" 47:29 And he goes, "Who are you?" 47:32 And she goes, "I am so and so and I live across the street." 47:36 And he goes, "No, no, you're not." 47:38 And she goes, "Yes, I'm I live right there." 47:40 He goes, "No, you must be an angel," he said. 47:43 And she says, "Oh, no. 47:46 I am not an angel." 47:48 He goes, "Well, why are you doing this?" 47:49 She says, "Well, I'm doing this because I'm a Christian 47:54 and if Jesus would be here, He would do this for you, 47:57 so I'm doing it for Him because I think He impressed me 48:01 to do this for you." 48:02 And he goes, "Nobody, we've been to so many cities 48:05 all across Brazil, and nobody has done this for us, 48:09 literally all of South America." 48:11 And he goes, "You're the first one." 48:12 And he goes, Well, I'm only doing 48:14 what Jesus would have done if He was living across there." 48:17 Wow. 48:18 And he goes, "Well, I need to know this Jesus 48:21 who you're talking about." 48:22 Incredible. 48:24 "Oh, would you like to know Him?" 48:26 And this lady began Bible studies with these people, 48:29 eventually got the pastor there, 48:30 I'm cutting the story short. 48:32 And interestingly enough, 48:35 just about everyone in the circus 48:37 that worked in the circus was baptized. 48:39 Amen. Amen. 48:40 I'm cutting part of the story, 48:42 I'm cutting part of the story out, 48:44 but anyway, the story goes like this 48:47 that they've incorporated evangelism into their circus. 48:51 Incredible. 48:52 See there's a Seventh-day Adventist circus going around. 48:54 Oh, my goodness. 48:56 Now one of the things they do is the clown 49:00 does his acts and he makes people laugh, 49:02 and eventually he stops and he says, 49:05 "Now I've made you laugh and that's my job. 49:10 And you see this smiling face I have painted on my face. 49:13 For many years, 49:16 the smiling face was painted on, 49:18 but I was really sad inside, I was really sad inside. 49:22 And I don't know if you are the way I was, 49:24 but now the smile you see painted on 49:27 is really a smile that I have inside. 49:29 And I want to let you know why 49:31 and it's because I know a Jesus." 49:34 Amen. Amen. 49:35 And he says, "If you would like to know this Jesus 49:37 that has made me smile inside as you see outside, 49:42 I want to go passing out these little flyers." 49:44 And they pass out flyers and Bible study cards. 49:46 Incredible. 49:48 And so it's a transforming thing that has taken place. 49:49 That's awesome. 49:51 And so the Lord uses people in different ways. 49:53 That's right. 49:55 That's breathtaking, what a blessing... 49:56 It's wonderful. 49:57 You know, I have to say, 50:00 when I see the Department of Transportation workers 50:03 out there in the hot summer, 50:06 you know, under the hot sun, 50:08 I'm like, "Lord, I just wish 50:10 I could just make a big pail of lemonade 50:16 or whatever juice, I'll squeeze the oranges 50:19 and take it to them." 50:20 And you know, I may just do that 50:23 because my heart, you know, gets heavy 50:25 every time I see them out there, 50:27 and not only that, just anyone walking along the street 50:31 a homeless or somebody that is obviously in need. 50:37 If I'm at the grocery store in the parking lot, 50:38 I see elderly people, you know, carrying their bags 50:41 and I offer... 50:43 Or my kids have offered, 50:44 would you like some help with that? 50:46 And they are startled like, "No, no, 50:48 we just want to serve you, that's all." 50:50 So it's a blessing to serve. Amen. Amen. 50:53 Well, anyone else? Brother. 50:55 Yes, I guess I will share 50:57 if you want to turn to Isaiah 53, 50:59 this is a really powerful chapter 51:01 I won't read the whole thing, but Isaiah 53 is... 51:04 Oh, man. 51:06 It goes right along with Psalm 22 really well. 51:09 The picture it's painted there 51:11 obviously of what Christ went through for us again. 51:14 It just makes me so I can relate to, 51:16 He's relatable to me 51:18 and just it's just amazing what He went through for us. 51:20 Verse three and five, I'll just read. 51:22 Okay. 51:23 Said, "He was despised and rejected 51:25 and forsaken by men, 51:27 A Man of sorrows and pain 51:29 and he was acquainted with grief 51:32 and sickness, and like one from whom men hide their faces 51:36 he was despised, 51:37 and we did not appreciate his worth 51:39 or have any esteem for him." 51:40 Verse 5, "But he was wounded for our transgressions, 51:43 he was bruised for our guilt and iniquities, 51:45 the chastisement or needful to obtain peace 51:48 and wellbeing for us was upon him, 51:50 and with the stripes that wounded him, 51:52 we are healed and made whole." 51:54 I just think about that, 51:55 you know, in my own life when I was a youth, 51:58 you know, I didn't have a whole lot of friends, 52:00 I actually shut myself in my room 52:02 and how the Lord works, he read my heard, 52:04 you were talk about transformation, 52:05 now I go in front of churches and speak in front of people. 52:07 Like my mom's like, "You can go to counseling, 52:09 there's something wrong with you. 52:10 You don't even get out of your room, 52:11 you don't even do anything." 52:13 And I'm in front of churches speaking, 52:14 and you know, so he's acquainted with my grief 52:16 and that really just relates to me 52:17 that Jesus is personal, 52:19 you know, He's personally involved in our lives. 52:21 Definitely. Amen. 52:22 Just, you know, how it talks about, 52:23 "By his stripes, we're healed." 52:25 There's nothing too far beyond God He can't heal. 52:27 Amen. 52:29 Personally, and so if we've done anything, 52:30 I mean, we've done the worse of whatever 52:33 and He can still heal, 52:34 so if we just ask for that, you know. 52:35 That's right. Amen. 52:37 Praise the Lord. Wonderful. 52:38 Anyone wants to comment on that? 52:40 No. 52:41 It's big, isn't it? 52:43 Yeah. 52:44 I mean, it covers pretty much everybody. 52:46 Yes. Yeah. 52:48 A man of experience, 52:50 He can identify with us 52:54 not only he said, "Okay, I'll take your sins, 52:56 but He can identify with us." 52:58 That's right. 52:59 And because of that, we can be transformed into His likeness. 53:03 Amen. Yeah. 53:04 And it's that transformation that's the big thing. 53:07 Wow. Amen. 53:09 As we contemplate the life of Christ, 53:12 our wounds are healed 53:15 because we see how He Himself struggled 53:20 but had victory in Christ. 53:21 Amen. There you go. 53:23 So that victory is ours today, the battle is the Lord, amen. 53:27 Yes. Thank you. Amen. 53:29 If we would just, 53:30 you know, when we kneel at the foot of Jesus, 53:32 at the feet of Jesus, at the foot of the cross, 53:35 we pray, "Lord, take this from me." 53:37 But when we get up, we put the backpack on 53:40 and two shopping bags of things that we prayed over, 53:44 and we walk away with it 53:45 rather than leaving it at the foot of the cross. 53:48 You know, it's not until we learn to leave it to Jesus, 53:52 it's not until we give Jesus the opportunity 53:56 to heal those wounds that we are going to see, 54:00 you know, more and more of His handiwork in our lives. 54:05 And we're gonna be healed, and when we're healed, 54:08 we are gonna witness, you know, I'm not an ambassador. 54:11 What does an ambassador mean? 54:14 What does that word mean you? 54:15 Represent, you represent to the God. 54:16 Exactly. 54:18 You're a son or daughter of God. 54:19 Exactly. 54:21 So we have to take that to heart, 54:22 we are His ambassadors. 54:23 And you know what, we do show, 54:25 "Yes, we're broken at one point, 54:29 but the Lord put us all together." 54:30 Amen. 54:31 You know, the Lord mends the broken people. 54:34 Oh, just thought about the theme song of 3ABN. 54:37 Mending broken people, I love that song. 54:39 Yeah, we deal with recovery, 54:41 we see a lot dealing with recovery and addiction, 54:42 we see a lot of that in people, 54:44 the power of what God can do to transform it. 54:47 Yes. Yeah. 54:48 Get to hear a lot of stories. 54:50 Well, we have, Celestine, maybe you can share one more. 54:54 I really believe that an ultimate promise 54:57 that I'm looking forward to is the eternal life. 55:00 Amen. 55:01 That is like the ultimate for me 55:03 'cause I cannot wait to reunite my loved ones my Mom, my Dad. 55:09 Yes. And my beloved husband. 55:11 Amen. That's right. 55:12 Yeah. And boy... What a day that will be. 55:14 Yeah, I'm so excited to just think about it, 55:18 the blessed hope that God has promised is just unbelievable. 55:22 And that gives me hope and that helps me a lot, 55:25 and I'm like, "Man, I can't wait to see Jesus face to face 55:30 along with my loved ones." 55:32 Amen. Amen. Praise the Lord. 55:33 I got goosebumps all over me, what a moment that will be. 55:36 Wow. 55:38 Well, I think that puts me to share this scripture 55:41 from Revelation 21 based on what we're talking about. 55:43 I think it would be wonderful to read this as well, 55:46 a precious promise that will soon be fulfilled by our Lord. 55:50 And it says in Revelations 21:1-4, 55:56 "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth, 55:59 for the first heaven and the first earth 56:01 were passed away, and there was no more sea. 56:04 And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, 56:07 coming down from God out of heaven, 56:09 prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 56:13 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, 56:15 'Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, 56:19 and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, 56:23 and God himself shall be with them, 56:25 and be their God. 56:27 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, 56:30 and there shall be no more death, 56:32 neither sorrow, nor crying, 56:34 neither shall there be any more pain 56:37 for the former things are passed away.'" 56:39 Amen. 56:41 And so praise the Lord 56:42 for this precious, precious promise, 56:45 and I believe that we have only shared a few promises, 56:49 there were more promises that we had to share 56:51 but our time is just about over for the family worship. 56:55 That's right. 56:57 And so we want to encourage you 56:58 to look into the promises of the Lord 57:01 and to make them yours. 57:03 That's right. 57:04 Because God spoke these things having us in mind. 57:08 And as children of the Lord, He is... 57:13 I am going to use He can't wait for the moment that He can, 57:17 when it's all over and He can hold us 57:20 and give us a big hug and welcome us 57:23 into the Heavenly Family. 57:25 So I'm looking forward to that and I hope you are as well. 57:28 For now, we say, thank you for joining us. 57:29 And remember, give your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ 57:32 and you will find happiness and peace, 57:34 it begins on this earth and continues forever. 57:36 May God bless you. Happy Sabbath! 57:38 Happy Sabbath! |
Revised 2017-05-22