Participants:
Series Code: TDYFW
Program Code: TDYFW018029A
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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 word 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 01:10 Hello and welcome to another 3ABN Today Family Worship. 01:14 Happy Sabbath. 01:15 We're so glad that you're able to join us 01:17 as you do each and every week and especially 01:19 for the Friday night family worships. 01:21 They're a lot of fun. 01:22 We're Greg and Jill Morikone. 01:24 We've had a busy week, 01:25 not just she and myself here at 3ABN 01:27 but all of us as a team here. 01:29 But it's been a great week, why? 01:31 Because God is on the throne, 01:32 He is the one that provides the strength and the power, 01:35 provides for our needs, 01:36 He is there to see us through any difficulties 01:38 that we may face, but you know what, 01:40 He's not just for us here at 3ABN, 01:41 He's for you too at home. 01:44 So again, we appreciate you 01:46 and your support of the ministry of 3ABN 01:49 for all of the years, 01:50 your financial support 01:51 because it helps spread the gospel around the world. 01:53 This program that you're seeing right now 01:55 is funded because of you. 01:57 So again, we thank you for that. 01:58 And I think only in eternity will you notice 02:01 or know the full impact 02:03 of what your donations have done. 02:04 So again, we appreciate that and your prayers for 3ABN. 02:07 Amen. 02:08 I love Family Worship 02:09 'cause it's an opportunity to unplug as it were, 02:12 we sit down around the table, 02:13 and we just get to share with you at home. 02:15 I know we received numerous letters and emails 02:18 and phone calls from you saying, 02:20 "I love Family Worship, 02:21 and I bring in the Sabbath with you." 02:24 So we just welcome you and around the table, 02:26 we have part of our family, 02:28 that is part of our family for a long time, 02:30 and part of our family that's brand new 02:33 to the 3ABN family. 02:34 And we want to introduce them to you. 02:36 We'll start with the family who's been here for years, 02:38 Brother Tim Parton. 02:40 I don't even look that old. I've been anyway for years. 02:42 You look the same always. 02:44 That's a blessing, Tim. Yeah, God is good to you. 02:46 He is very good to me. It's a blessing to be here. 02:48 Always love working here at 3ABN with you all 02:51 and a privilege to work through the week, 02:54 and then to be able to finish the week with you. 02:56 So it's nice, nice to be here. 02:58 I think it's neat, Tim, 02:59 because it's really fellowship one with another 03:01 but also with God. 03:02 And this is a special time. It is. 03:04 I love the common bond. It's great. 03:05 Yeah, you know, that, you know, 03:06 Tim, God has given you tremendous talents, 03:08 many talents, one of them, playing the piano, 03:11 but we count you as a good friend. 03:13 Amen. 03:14 And even, Tim, if you couldn't play the piano, 03:16 we'll still be your friend. 03:17 That's just the add-on to the friendship. 03:19 So it's a blessing. And I believe that. 03:21 Some people would say that, 03:22 and, you know, not really mean it. 03:24 But I know that that's your heart 03:26 'cause I've heard you sing, and you're not that musical. 03:30 No, I'm not. Not at all. 03:33 We've been honest here. 03:36 I'm just over here flapping my jaw. 03:38 So, no, we are friends away from the piano 03:41 and next to the piano. 03:43 So thank you for that. 03:44 That means a lot to me. 03:46 We appreciate your generosity too 03:47 'cause someone send you some nice little bread and stuff. 03:49 Oh, my goodness, right, 03:50 I'm going to be talking about her later on, 03:52 but, no, no. 03:54 Yes, yeah. 03:55 He shared some of that with us. 03:56 And he does, and we just love it. 03:58 Sometimes Tim will come in the office and say, 04:01 "Here's an extra loaf of bread." 04:03 And we love it to be able to share that. 04:05 Yeah, I want to say to the viewers, 04:07 thank you for the things that you send, again, 04:12 I've also said, you know, 04:13 if baking an apple pie is your thing, 04:16 I have a friend out in California 04:17 who began to send me banana nut bread... 04:20 Yeah. Pumpkin. 04:22 Pumpkin bread. Oh, yes. 04:23 So, my goodness, 04:24 so I've shared it with you 04:26 'cause I know when you share, then things... 04:28 You get more. 04:30 You become a vessel and things more 04:31 come your way and so. 04:32 Well, it's a blessing for us. For all of us. 04:34 We enjoy it. 04:35 We appreciate it, Tim. We do. Absolutely. 04:37 And on the other side of the table 04:39 is part of our brand new 3ABN family, 04:41 we're so excited to introduce them 04:43 to you at home, 04:45 and I'm speaking of Jason and his wife Francine Bergmann, 04:48 and it is a privilege to have both of you here. 04:50 Amen. Well, thank you. 04:52 I know that Brian Hamilton is our CFO, 04:56 and he's been that probably 10 going on 11 years. 04:59 He's been at 3ABN a long time. 05:01 He and his wife Diane have done an incredible job. 05:03 They are looking at retirement. 05:05 We don't even like to say that word, 05:07 but they're looking at retirement 05:08 in the spring of 2019. 05:11 So we've been talking to administrative team 05:13 with our team here at 3ABN, 05:15 we need to bring in someone 05:16 as a replacement and Jason is that replacement. 05:20 Right now, you're under treasurer 05:21 and office manager, 05:23 but we're looking at you stepping into that role 05:26 here at 3ABN and tell us 05:27 just a little bit of your background. 05:28 You've worked in the conference for many years as a treasurer. 05:32 Yes, so I've worked quite a few years in conference. 05:35 I worked in Michigan and Washington Conference 05:38 and Nevada, Utah. 05:41 And then I had an opportunity 05:43 to work at the general conference 05:45 in their investment department. 05:47 So it was a real blessing. 05:50 I've really enjoyed working for the church. 05:53 And now it's a great opportunity 05:55 that I'm here with you, 05:57 and I want to thank you for allowing us 05:59 to be a part of your team. 06:00 So here you are in Southern Illinois 06:03 because you've gone from Michigan, 06:05 all the way out west to the giant mountains 06:07 and those big fir trees or evergreen trees, 06:09 beautiful out there. 06:11 And then to Nevada and then back east 06:14 and then Midwest. 06:16 Southern Illinois. Yeah. 06:18 That's right. 06:19 So we just want to get, you know, used to the culture 06:21 and, you know, I grew up in New Jersey, 06:24 so I was born there, and it was nice, 06:26 the humidity was as it is here. 06:30 And then Michigan wasn't that bad, you know. 06:34 And then I went out to Seattle, and it rained. 06:38 They call it sun breaks, the sun comes out a little bit, 06:41 and then it goes back, and it rains. 06:43 Rains some more. 06:44 And then we decided to go to Nevada, Utah, 06:47 where it was so dry. 06:50 So we went, like, 06:51 from the wettest state to the driest state. 06:54 It was amazing. 06:55 So here in Southern Illinois, the grass grows like crazy. 06:58 Yes, it does. 06:59 And so like you said, in Nevada, 07:00 there is no grass really unless you water it. 07:02 Yeah, that's amazing. 07:04 Their biggest thing there is decomposed granite. 07:06 They call it DG. 07:08 And they spread DG around all of the properties 07:11 to keep the whatever little weeds, 07:14 when it does rain, and then it dies off. 07:16 So it's nice seeing green grass. 07:19 We're blessed to have you here. 07:21 And there are no traffic jams really. 07:23 And so... 07:24 No, which we love. Yes. 07:26 That's good. 07:27 And then your wife, Francine, now, Francine, 07:28 you've been a teacher for years. 07:30 I know you're teaching here in the local area. 07:32 But you've been a teacher for years, 07:33 what grades do you normally teach? 07:35 I've taught all 1 through 8, but usually, 07:37 it's the younger ones. 07:39 This time I have an opportunity to help out in an academy 07:42 or lower grades, six through eight. 07:45 They're fun. 07:46 So it's a good witnessing tool 07:47 where I'm at right now as though. 07:49 And they can tell that I'm a Christian. 07:51 They've already asked me, and they already know. 07:53 So it's already a ministry just beginning so. 07:57 I'm excited for that. 07:58 But I have to say, Illinois, 08:00 I feel right at home 08:01 because I grew up in Michigan, so I have to say, 08:03 I feel more at home than... 08:05 Good. 08:06 So this definitely feels natural to be here, 08:09 so we're very blessed to be here and be with you 08:13 and the ministry. 08:14 So thank you. 08:15 So you walk and I know someone at home gonna say, 08:17 "Okay, so how many years you guys have been married?" 08:20 And then you also have a beautiful, little daughter, 08:21 so how many years you've been married? 08:23 Twenty-three. Twenty-three. 08:27 I love it. 08:29 Yeah, I kind of put you guys on the spot. 08:32 And then you have a beautiful, little daughter, Amanda. 08:34 Amanda, she's eight years old. 08:36 And she's going to third grade right now. 08:38 Wow! All grown up. Yeah. 08:39 And she brings all the laughter and all the joy. 08:43 That's precious. 08:44 Yeah, the neat thing I think of young people and the kids 08:47 is that they see life in such a beautiful way 08:49 and just the innocence and the way 08:52 they look and experience, I would say, 08:53 God and even the spiritual things, 08:55 it's good for us. 08:56 As adults, we all were kids at one time, 08:58 but sometimes the roughness of life can kind of 09:01 somehow put on a squelch some of that sometimes. 09:04 So today, we have a wonderful topic 09:06 that I think can kind of play into that. 09:07 We do. 09:09 As we're talking here tonight on Claiming Promises 09:11 from God's Word. 09:12 We're going to look at specific promises, 09:14 share stories of promises that we have claimed. 09:18 God stands back of every promise 09:20 that He has ever made. 09:21 And He is a Man He cannot lie. 09:24 And I love that 09:25 because all of His promises are yes 09:27 and amen in Christ Jesus. 09:29 And many times, 09:30 we're going through an experience, and we say, 09:32 "Well, I don't know what to do here," 09:34 or, "I'm not sure where to turn," 09:36 but we can always turn to the Word of God. 09:39 So whether you're full of joy tonight 09:41 or if you're struggling, 09:43 this program is for you 09:45 and those promises in God's Word. 09:48 Yeah, we're going to go to some music. 09:49 Tim, of course, when we have Tim on the set, 09:53 we like to have a little bit of piano... 09:55 Let's do it, Brother Greg. Yeah, let's go for it, Tim. 09:56 Actually, you know what? That's a good point. 09:58 Actually, I just got... 09:59 You pray, and I'll be over here. 10:00 Okay, that sounds good, we'll have a prayer. 10:02 But, you know, I like music. 10:03 And I think music is definitely a part of worship. 10:06 And so we hope that you join us because the words will be 10:10 on the bottom of the screen. 10:11 It's not just us here in the studio, 10:12 but it's you at home, we're doing this together, 10:14 Family Worship. 10:15 We'll do that in just a minute. 10:17 Let's pray. Absolutely. 10:18 And, Jason, you want to open in prayer? 10:19 Absolutely. Okay, thank you. 10:21 Let's pray, Father, we want to thank You 10:22 for this time that we can come to You 10:25 and praise Your Name for all that You do. 10:27 Thank You for those promises in the Bible. 10:30 Thank You for Your love and Your mercy 10:32 and Your goodness and Your patience with us. 10:36 We love You and thank You. 10:37 In Jesus' name, amen. Amen! 10:40 So we're going to sing the song, 10:42 I Sing the Mighty Power of God. 10:53 I sing the mighty power of God 10:58 That made the mountains rise 11:02 That spread the flowing seas abroad 11:06 And built the lofty skies 11:10 I sing the wisdom that ordained 11:14 The sun to rule the day 11:18 The moon shines full at His command 11:22 And all the stars obey 11:26 I sing the goodness of the Lord 11:30 Who filled the earth with food 11:34 Who formed the creatures through the Word 11:38 And then pronounced them good 11:42 Lord, how Thy wonders are displayed 11:46 Where'er I turn my eye 11:50 If I survey the ground I tread 11:54 Or gaze upon the sky 11:58 There's not a plant or flower below 12:03 But makes Thy glories known 12:07 And clouds arise, and tempests blow 12:11 By order from Thy throne 12:15 While all that borrows life from Thee 12:19 Is ever in Thy care 12:23 And everywhere that we can be 12:27 Thou, God, art present there. 12:33 Amen. 12:36 Wow! What a powerful song. 12:37 I tell you what, when Tim plays, 12:39 it just makes you want to sing all the worship, 12:41 but as he said, I can't sing, so, you know, 12:43 that would be just one of those things 12:45 where I might be a little bit miserable. 12:46 So, Tim, you picked this song, and thank you again, 12:49 playing for us, but why did we pick this song 12:51 'cause a lot of times, 12:52 you may think standing on the promises 12:53 'cause we're talking about God's promises. 12:55 Right, and I was... 12:56 I considered that one as an option, but when you, 12:59 you know... 13:00 When you get a promise from someone, 13:02 the promise is usually only as good as their character 13:05 and their ability to keep that promise, 13:08 so I thought, you know, 13:09 when you talk about the attributes of God, 13:11 like that song does, I sing the mighty power of God, 13:13 all those words as I'm singing them 13:15 and I'm going over those words, 13:17 and I'm just seeing 13:18 what a beautiful picture of all that God has done 13:21 and in creating the world. 13:23 When He makes a promise, 13:25 that's a kind of person 13:27 you know can stand behind His promise. 13:28 That's right. 13:30 So I felt that was really apropos. 13:32 Absolutely. Yeah, that's great. 13:35 Yeah, for sure. 13:36 We're talking tonight on claiming promises 13:38 from God's Word. 13:40 And, you know, Jason, you're a finance guy. 13:42 They say that there is $5.8 billion worth 13:45 of gift cards that go unclaimed every year. 13:50 That's right. 13:51 As in money, right? 13:53 Money, money, $5.8 billion worth of money 13:55 that's unclaimed, 13:57 that people never actually go to the store 13:58 and buy something with their gift card, and yet, 14:02 with the Word of God, 14:03 how many times 14:05 do these promises go unclaimed? 14:08 We don't even know what the promises are, 14:12 and then if we do know what they are, 14:13 maybe we're afraid to claim them. 14:15 That's right. 14:17 So why do you think... 14:18 And you bring up a good point, 14:20 why do you think we'd be afraid 14:21 of claiming a promise? 14:23 It's a good question. 14:24 Well, you know, I look at it, 14:26 I've seen in my own life and can attest that 14:30 when you get confident in something, 14:32 you think that you can do it. 14:34 And then you look at, "Well, you know, I can do it." 14:38 And then you fall, and then you wonder, "Why did I fall?" 14:43 And that for me, it was reflecting back 14:46 that maybe I took my eye off Jesus, 14:49 and I thought I could do it myself. 14:51 And that's where I... 14:54 Like in your own strength. Yes. 14:56 Yeah, that's a good point. 14:58 Yeah, and I think sometimes too, 14:59 we might be afraid of claiming a promise 15:01 because we're afraid of failure because we think we're the one 15:04 that's making the promise come to its fruition. 15:07 Well, that's proven by the fact 15:08 that we often give God a couple of alternatives, 15:12 you know, if this doesn't work out, 15:14 maybe you can go this route. 15:15 And so instead of just claiming His promise 15:17 and knowing that He's true to His word, 15:19 but, yeah, failures are... 15:22 Like maybe an embarrassment, like, "Okay, 15:24 so we prayed for this, we've claimed God's promise, 15:26 and then it doesn't happen the way 15:27 we think it should necessarily happen." 15:29 Right. 15:30 Like we give God out, you think sometimes. 15:32 Yeah, yeah. That's right. 15:33 I do. That's right. 15:34 Don't you think also it could be 15:36 if we don't know who God is? 15:37 I mean, how can you trust someone's promise 15:39 if you don't know who they are? 15:42 So if Greg were to say, 15:43 "I'm coming home at this time, " 15:45 and what if he always came home late? 15:46 Well, pretty soon, you don't trust that, right? 15:48 You think, "Okay..." 15:49 And he usually comes home on time. 15:51 I don't mean that. 15:52 Actually, we usually go home together. 15:53 But you ride together. We ride together. 15:55 So it doesn't matter. 15:56 That's how you keep your tongue on it. 15:57 Yeah. Yes, that's interesting. 15:59 We ride together. 16:00 But, you know, if you don't know the person, 16:01 then how can you trust them? 16:03 Let's look at our kickoff scripture, 16:05 Isaiah 55:11. 16:09 Does anyone have that? They want to read Isaiah 55:11? 16:14 "So shall My Word be that goes forth from My mouth. 16:18 It shall not return to Me void, 16:21 but I shall accomplish what I please, 16:23 and I shall prosper in the thing 16:25 for which I sent it." 16:28 Amen. Powerful. 16:30 So what does that mean? 16:33 When you read that scripture, what does it mean? 16:34 He's true to His word, what He says, He will do. 16:36 Yeah. That's right. 16:37 And it's not empty. 16:39 I mean, it is a promise like we're talking about. 16:41 That has validity and to prosper. 16:46 And we can hold on to that promise. 16:50 I like that. 16:52 Yeah, I like... 16:53 What version are you reading from 16:54 'cause I like the version that you're reading from? 16:56 New King James, New King James. 16:57 Yeah, so, toward the end, I think Francine has said... 17:00 We'll read it again 17:01 because in there it actually has "I", 17:02 mine doesn't actually have that in the King James Version. 17:04 "And it shall prosper in the thing 17:06 for which I sent it." 17:08 Okay, yes. 17:09 So, yeah, so God is the one that's accomplishing it, 17:12 doesn't say... 17:13 Yes. That's right. 17:15 You're doing it on your own. 17:16 Yeah, exactly, yeah. 17:17 It says, "The God's the one that's doing it." 17:19 And I like this here too, 17:21 "And this shall not return unto Me void." 17:23 This is a powerful promise. 17:24 It really is. That's right. 17:26 Yeah, that when God's word goes out, it won't return void. 17:29 So this is God's word, this is the Bible, 17:32 and these are the promises that we're claiming 17:34 and going to be sharing this evening. 17:35 And I know that you have some too that are probably 17:38 your favorite promises in the Bible as well. 17:41 And so we're going to be sharing 17:42 some experiences this evening, 17:43 but if you ever feel like writing to 3ABN 17:46 and just saying, "Hey, this promise, 17:47 that's something to me because of this and this." 17:50 We would love to hear that, 17:51 so hopefully, you'll take the time to do that. 17:53 It's encouraging, Tim, to get those. 17:54 Yes, that's the part... 17:56 Yeah the word where it says, "We overcome by the power 17:57 of the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony," 18:01 so when we share our testimony with each other 18:03 how God has proven on His promises come true. 18:07 Yeah, we want those. 18:09 We need more of those. 18:11 Amen. Absolutely. 18:12 So if you look at categories of promises in God's Word, 18:14 what would you say are some categories of promises? 18:17 If we were to actually, you know, line them out, 18:19 and we say, "Well, where do they fall under?" 18:23 Or "What type of things can we claim in God's Word?" 18:26 What would you say? 18:28 I think as materialistic as we are, 18:31 we easily go for the material things, 18:34 you know, finances, that's where, 18:37 you know, every day meets the everyday need. 18:40 So I would say, you know, 18:42 promises that we claim for Him 18:44 to provide and give us this day our daily bread even, 18:48 that's when we request that. 18:49 And so I would, I would say material thing. 18:52 Yeah, like our daily needs. 18:54 Right. Absolutely. 18:55 And for me, there is the peace as that, or finding comfort, 19:00 and there's several of them that you just find comfort 19:04 that God's got it under control. 19:06 Amen. 19:07 So be peace, I like that. 19:09 I like that. Let's look at some of those. 19:12 Shall we start with a materialistic one, Tim? 19:14 Well, you don't have to actually. 19:16 It's a great promise. 19:17 You're always a little more spiritual. 19:19 I'm always over here being the heathen. 19:21 That's a great promise though, right? 19:23 But it's a promise in God's Word, 19:24 so it's not being a heathen. 19:26 So we should look at some promises 19:27 on provision, right? 19:28 For how God takes care of us. 19:30 Something comes to mind is Matthew. 19:32 Let's look at that. Matthew 6? 19:34 Yep. 19:35 And then we'll look at peace. 19:39 Matthew 6, I love that, the Sermon on the Mount, 19:42 so many practical tools for how we can live 19:45 as Christians, you know. 19:47 And I'll read that. 19:48 Oh, good. You got that? 19:49 Yeah. 19:51 "Therefore, do not worry..." 19:52 What verse are you in? 19:53 Matthew 6... 19:55 Verse? Verse 31-33. 19:56 Perfect. Got it. 19:57 And just correct me if I'm wrong. 19:59 No, you're good. 20:00 "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' 20:02 Or 'What shall we drink?' 20:03 Or 'What shall we wear?' 20:04 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. 20:07 For your Heavenly Father knows that you need 20:09 all these things but seek first the kingdom of God 20:12 and His righteousness, and all these things 20:14 shall be added to you." 20:18 What does that say to you? 20:20 That, you know, it's easy to get caught up 20:25 in the need itself, 20:28 but the verse 33 20:29 is just something I remember learning as a kid, 20:31 "Seek first the kingdom of God." 20:34 And so order is important, 20:39 you know? 20:40 As with anyone, 20:42 even in our human relationships, 20:45 to expect a promise, 20:46 we've got to set things in order. 20:48 We can't just go and barge in and, 20:50 you know, demand something from you. 20:52 I've got to earn your trust, 20:55 and we just need to have 20:57 a better relationship than me just coming in 20:59 and always being needy. 21:01 So yet God wants us to seek Him first, I think, 21:05 seek Him first, not what He can do for us. 21:09 That's right. 21:11 Seek His heart and seek who He is, His character. 21:13 And then He says that, 21:15 "All these things will give those things to you," 21:16 because that's what a father does. 21:18 Amen. 21:19 He sees how in love you are with him, 21:21 and he can't help but want to be good to you. 21:23 So I love that. 21:24 But it comes to me, in mind anyway, 21:27 that when these provisions are met, 21:30 you're more open to different things. 21:31 You have that other peace, everything else 21:34 falls back into place, when you... 21:35 And even Jesus recognized that, 21:37 when He was with the people 21:39 that He recognized that He needed to be with... 21:42 You know, meet their hunger needs or meet their needs 21:44 and then came the ministry. 21:47 That's cool. That's true. 21:48 I like that. 21:50 Yeah, that is excellent actually, 21:51 so meeting like the physical needs, 21:53 they're open, yeah. 21:55 He fed the 5000, sorry. Yeah, it shows God's care. 21:57 But what's interesting is Jesus always spent that time 22:01 in the mountains or in nature early in the morning 22:06 to get that connection. 22:08 And that connection, like you said, "Seek ye first, " 22:13 and then everything was added. 22:15 And like you said, 22:16 the day went well 22:18 and people were blessed and God was glorified. 22:22 Amen. 22:23 Don't you think in our own, not spiritual life 22:26 but I mean physical with other people, 22:28 in our relationships, 22:29 in our friendships with other people, 22:31 and I don't know if you all are like this, 22:33 but sometimes it bothers me if I feel like 22:35 someone wants to be my friend because of what they can get. 22:39 Because of something they think I can do for them 22:42 or something they think that they can get from me, 22:46 but I want someone to be my friend 22:47 just 'cause they like who I am, you know, 22:49 and because they like you as a person. 22:51 So I don't know, I'm not trying to trivialize God 22:54 because we can't even begin to understand His greatness, 22:57 but in some senses, 22:59 I would think God's the same way. 23:00 If I just come saying, "Give me this, I want that, 23:03 take care of this." 23:04 Instead of... 23:06 He wants us to come to Him because we love Him 23:08 'cause we want Him as person. 23:10 That's right. 23:12 Yeah, and also what is interesting 23:14 about this section of verses, 31 talks about... 23:17 It's not only His provision, 23:19 but it's His concern 23:20 that we worry about these things. 23:22 That's right. 23:23 How many times have I been, you know, just... 23:26 It was the worry and the concern, 23:29 the frustration, the doubt, the whole questioning, 23:32 the whole being tied up in knots 23:34 as to how the need was going to be met 23:37 was almost even worse than the need itself. 23:40 And so God certainly 23:41 doesn't want us to worry, you know. 23:43 I have heard so many times, God owns the cattle 23:46 on the thousand hills 23:48 and the potatoes in those hills. 23:49 That's right. 23:50 So, you know... 23:52 That's good. 23:53 The fact that... 23:55 He's got it covered, 23:56 so He doesn't want us to worry about it, for sure. 23:57 That's good. I love that. 23:59 You know, I like that actually, Tim, 24:00 because that's really God caring about 24:01 even what we're concerned about. 24:03 Exactly. 24:04 Yeah, and I... 24:05 Oh, I think it's Genesis... 24:07 Where's the flood? 24:08 I think it's Genesis 9, I think, is the flood. 24:11 Somewhere in there, I think it's Genesis 9. 24:12 Anyway, God actually talks about the rainbow in the sky 24:16 being a promise that there would not be 24:18 another flood that would destroy the whole earth. 24:20 That's right. 24:21 Well, what did it really matter? 24:22 God could have said, you know, "I can just kind of 24:24 keep that in there just to kind of let you guys worry 24:25 that you might behave yourselves better." 24:27 But He didn't. 24:28 Because they would be concern, 24:29 like, "Man, what if this happens again? 24:31 Now what are we supposed to do?" 24:32 So God just said, "Hey, I'll put this rainbow, 24:33 and that's my covenant, My promise with your Father." 24:36 Again, I know, worry, worry about it. 24:39 Well, same as what you're talking about. 24:40 That is beautiful, isn't it? Wow! 24:42 Yeah, amen. What should we look at next? 24:43 Amen. 24:45 Should we do another provision one? 24:46 Philippians 4:19, and I want to jump to peace. 24:51 Philippians 4:19, 24:54 do you want to read that, Jason? 24:55 Do you have that? 24:56 Just double checking my Genesis 9 24:58 on the flood is it? 24:59 It is, Genesis 9 is the promise. 25:01 I looked. 25:02 Okay, verse 13, I just want to make sure. 25:03 So Genesis 9:13. 25:05 Okay, I'm sorry. 25:06 We were on the Philippians 4... 25:07 Philippians 4:19. 25:10 And it says, 25:11 "And my God shall supply all your needs 25:14 according to His riches 25:17 in glory by Christ Jesus." 25:22 Amazing, isn't it? What a promise. 25:24 Yeah. 25:25 So we don't have to worry about what we wear, 25:27 we don't have to worry about 25:29 what we're going to do tomorrow 25:31 because He already has a plan for us 25:33 but seeking Him first. 25:36 You know, what's powerful, Jason, 25:37 on this is that it starts out, the second word, 25:40 at least in here, it says, "But my God." 25:42 It doesn't say, "By God," but, "My God." 25:45 Boy, that sounds really personal, isn't it? 25:47 Yes. Yeah. 25:48 My God, He's my Lord. 25:50 That's right, and my friend. 25:51 Yeah, that's great. 25:53 So it's the relationship... 25:55 Can you imagine if somebody is watching this 25:56 that isn't a Christian... 25:58 Okay. 26:00 That's an economy that they can't grasp. 26:03 Like my God? 26:04 Well, that, "He shall supply all our need 26:06 according to His riches," 26:07 and that we don't have to worry about, you know, 26:10 what to wear, and, you know, was it Solomon 26:14 that talked about how the birds of the field 26:17 were so beautiful and yet... 26:20 And the lilies. 26:21 And the flowers and consider them, 26:24 and we'll know that how much He cares for us 26:26 and wants to provide for us. 26:29 But that is something 26:30 that even a lot of a Christian believers 26:34 don't, I mean, can't grasp. 26:36 Let alone someone who doesn't believe in God. 26:38 Right, but it is amazing thing because that means... 26:43 Well, does that mean I don't have to work? 26:44 Well, sure you have to work, but there's just an element 26:47 where you don't worry about it. 26:50 You don't... 26:51 Again, that's, to me, the greater of the promise 26:54 is that that's not our concern. 26:57 Yes. 26:58 You know, because we all have to go shopping, of course, 27:00 you know, we're not going to have... 27:01 Unless you subscribe to a clothing subscription 27:05 that they put it on your front porch 27:07 which there are those, and if you can afford that, 27:09 well, more power to you... 27:11 That's right. 27:12 But otherwise, you know, we have to get out 27:15 and get those things. 27:16 So it's definitely describing the concern that He has 27:22 that those things can consume you 27:24 and overpower your desire on your life. 27:30 You know, Tim, 27:31 what I also noticed in the scriptures 27:33 in Philippians 4:19, it states, supply all your need. 27:39 Sometimes in life today, we differentiate 27:43 between need and want, 27:46 and it's interesting that many people for a while 27:51 looked at want as a need. 27:53 And you can reflect that on all the people 27:56 who had credit card debt. 27:58 And, you know, they realize that when things got rough, 28:02 they realized that their credit card 28:06 was helping them 28:08 with more of want than a need. 28:12 And so a few years ago, they realized that, 28:17 "Hey, we're going to cut our credit cards, 28:19 and we're going to stick with what we earn." 28:22 And the need came back. 28:24 So it's very interesting, your needs 28:28 and not your wants which is very powerful. 28:31 Yeah, it is. 28:33 Amen. 28:34 It goes along with the scripture, 28:35 God wants us to be content in all the things. 28:37 That's right. 28:38 You know, whatsoever state we are in for to be content. 28:41 That's true. Absolutely. 28:42 I was going to touch on one thing too you said, 28:44 Tim and Francine and Jason, Jill and I love nature. 28:47 And so there's, you know, 28:49 great scriptures in the Bible 28:50 about the birds, you know, and you think about God 28:53 supplying our need, but the birds, 28:55 He said He'd take care of the birds, 28:57 but the birds are going out there 28:58 and actually gathering and finding the seeds, 29:00 the little bugs, they're not just sitting there 29:01 on the little branch just singing 29:04 all day without going out. 29:06 Yeah, so God is, yeah, supplying. 29:07 He supplies the bugs for the birds 29:09 and the little seeds 29:10 and all that stuff for the birds to go out 29:12 and actually work, pick up the little things. 29:13 And so I liked what you said, Tim, 29:15 that God wants us to actually do our part. 29:17 Amen. 29:19 Whatever much more, we're going to go to peace, weren't we? 29:20 Yeah, let's look at peace. 29:21 We'll stay in the Philippians 4 because there's a great promise 29:24 in Philippians 4 on peace. 29:29 and 7. 29:33 You have that, Sweetie? I do. 29:34 Yes, Philippians 4:6 and 7 says, 29:37 "Be careful for nothing but in everything by prayer 29:40 and supplication, with thanksgiving, 29:43 let your requests be made known unto God. 29:46 And the peace of God which passeth all understanding 29:49 shall keep your hearts and minds 29:51 through Christ Jesus." 29:53 Well, that's great. 29:55 Verse 7, "And the peace of God," 29:56 I don't know what the Peace of God would... 29:58 I mean, He has utmost peace, right? 30:00 Yeah. 30:01 Yeah, wow, so to have that in our lives... 30:03 I like how it says be anxious for nothing. 30:06 Yes. I love that. 30:08 It doesn't say some things. It said nothing. 30:11 And again, it's that He doesn't want you to worry, 30:14 He doesn't want you to be anxious, 30:15 so it has so much more to even than to do with Him 30:18 meeting the need. 30:20 It's what you go through while we go through 30:22 and worrying about or being full of care 30:26 or careful about the need. 30:30 It reminds us also with Thanksgiving, 30:32 and I think that always reminds me 30:34 that I need to be grateful. 30:36 Oh, yeah. 30:37 And the things God has blessed us and already... 30:40 Again, claiming that promise that, 30:42 "Lord, you've already blessed me this far. 30:44 I know you're going to fulfill it again." 30:46 Amen. 30:48 Don't you think that thanksgiving 30:49 has something to do with the anxious? 30:51 In my mind, it does. 30:52 So if I give thanks, 30:55 my anxiousness decreases, right? 30:57 So if I'm focused on the need or what I want, 31:00 then the anxiousness increases, but if I choose to give thanks, 31:04 prayer, supplication, give it to Him and give thanks, 31:07 I think that pulls the anxiousness down. 31:09 Absolutely. 31:11 it's important... 31:13 Today, there is a big... 31:15 Well, I'll just say, in my life, every morning, 31:18 I try to start with gratitude, that's the first words 31:22 come out of my mouth is, 31:24 "Lord, thank You for just good night's rest 31:26 or a pillow." 31:28 And I was just talking to my son last night 31:30 who is getting back into school. 31:32 And he was overwhelmed by all the things 31:36 that were going on, and I said, 31:37 "Son, just take time first of all, 31:40 let's put it in order, 31:41 let's tell God how thankful we are for some things," 31:44 you know, so gratitude is huge. 31:47 You know, that is a good point 31:49 because I'm thinking of your son, 31:50 then so in other words, yeah, I may be overwhelmed, 31:51 but thank you... 31:53 I don't know all that he's dealing with, 31:54 but, you know, thank You, God, 31:56 that I actually have the opportunity 31:57 to get education, 31:58 that I can see my book work have a hand 32:00 to write anything out or type something." 32:02 That's a good point. 32:03 So we could actually read, then go into Philippians 4:19, 32:06 we could actually say, "Thank You, God, 32:08 for supplying all of my needs according to Your riches 32:12 and glory by Christ Jesus." 32:14 So I like the gratitude part. 32:16 Yeah, I think it actually helps us realize 32:18 wherever I think I'm from. 32:20 Yeah, I love that. I love that. 32:21 Thank You, God, because to me, 32:23 every single promise in the Word of God, 32:26 We can turn around as a prayer. 32:29 And when we pray, 32:30 we give thanks 32:32 because we know we've already received it. 32:33 So thank You, God, for that 32:35 I don't have to be anxious for anything. 32:37 Thank You that You will supply all my needs. 32:41 Thank You for Your peace. 32:42 Thank You for whatever the promise is, 32:44 but I love that. 32:45 You know what's interesting, if you look at nature, 32:48 the only one that really can give thanks 32:51 are we the humans, sons and daughters of God, 32:56 which is amazing. 32:58 Right. 32:59 Whereas we can speak and say, "Thank You, God." 33:00 That's right. 33:02 We can, yeah, we can put it in words. 33:04 But that may be what the birds are singing about. 33:06 I'm sure. I'm sure. 33:08 Right? 33:09 If they're smart, they're whistling, 33:11 "Thank You, Jesus." 33:13 For my little bugs and seeds. Right. 33:15 exactly. That's good. 33:17 I like that. I love that. 33:18 We have the ability, let's use that. 33:21 Amen. Yeah, very true. 33:23 Do we want to do an experience or keep going on scripture? 33:25 Sure, yeah. 33:26 No, we can... 33:27 I just was thinking of you at home 33:29 because, you know, we're talking about 33:30 supplying our need, 33:31 and we're just thankful for you. 33:33 We've mentioned this, it seems like every program. 33:35 And so I don't want to be interrupting worship, 33:36 but we truly are. 33:37 It comes from our heart when we say thank you 33:39 because obviously Jesus is the one that supplies 33:41 the means to those of you that are able to donate, 33:43 but still we appreciate you donating 33:46 to the ministry of 3ABN 33:47 because 3ABN is 34 years old just about, 33:51 and so God has supplied our need at 3ABN 33:55 for all the years, 33:56 and then think about your own life. 33:57 There are people in your life or maybe you don't even know, 34:00 someone's giving some money to you anonymously 34:02 or supply something to you, 34:04 we have a lot to be grateful for. 34:07 And I think we should also look at it, 34:10 what if we can be the hands and the feet for God 34:14 to actually help bless someone else. 34:17 And then, man, I know 34:19 when we have the opportunity to do that, 34:20 it really does something to your own heart 34:22 because then we could actually be that supply chain 34:24 to that person that God is using, 34:26 so don't forget that, 34:27 to be a blessing to someone else. 34:28 Amen. All right. 34:30 So you mentioned... Go ahead. 34:31 I've just got to add on to that because it's important... 34:34 It's important 'cause I have to say it. 34:38 I have a really good friend 34:41 who was just sharing with me this morning 34:44 about how that God told her to put up buckets. 34:50 In facts, she had a dream that she was to place buckets 34:53 throughout her house. 34:55 And they were to receive blessings. 35:00 And so she went to a store and brought 35:04 several little plastic buckets, 35:06 and they're scattered around her house now. 35:09 And she has a housekeeper that is not a Christian. 35:14 And she said that a couple days ago 35:18 when the housekeeper was there, 35:20 she had an opportunity to explain 35:22 what those buckets were about. 35:24 And then when the housekeeper turned in her hours, 35:29 she said, "Well, I was actually here 35:31 for two and a half hours, 35:32 but you just pay me $30, 35:36 and put the rest in those buckets." 35:38 Like she was planting a seed. 35:40 And so even to the unbeliever, 35:42 she was able to share her faith, 35:46 and my friend was able to, you know, explain, 35:51 you know, and just provide an example 35:53 of what it means. 35:54 And that's, you know, I don't know 35:57 what those buckets necessarily mean. 35:59 They may not be for money, they made... 36:01 Sometimes God asks you to do something 36:03 just to be obedient, you know. 36:09 So anyway, I know that those buckets 36:12 will represent her belief, 36:14 and she said that she has had to give away, 36:16 God has encouraged her to give away $500 36:20 in the past week to... 36:24 To bless. To bless others, yeah. 36:26 And she said, "I've got my buckets out here. 36:29 How can that work?" 36:31 Well, you know, how that works and when you give, 36:35 God blesses you in return for giving and tithing. 36:38 In Malachi, it says, you know... 36:41 Open up the windows of heaven. 36:42 That's right. 36:43 You know, we don't have that here, 36:45 but that's another promise. 36:46 Well, I've got it right here. You, do? 36:47 Okay, good job. Oh, good. 36:49 Yeah, yeah, Malachi. 36:50 I'm a firm believer in this that... 36:51 Okay, so if you put your buckets out there, 36:53 yes, you might get some money back, 36:54 you know, but I also believe... 36:56 I don't know, I can't really certainly prove it, 36:58 but the tires on my car, maybe if God hadn't blessed, 37:01 would have worn out 10,000 miles ago, 37:03 I don't know. 37:04 It's just those things that I believe God does, 37:06 or I could have been sick 365 days in one year, 37:09 and I was only sick, you know, seven days, I don't know, 37:11 you know, just those little things 37:13 that I think we need to be cognizant of, recognize, 37:14 like you're saying... 37:16 Children of Israel walked all that way 37:17 without their shoes wearing out. 37:19 Yeah, many times, we're a conduit. 37:21 Yes. 37:22 You know, we're a conduit with the love Jesus gives us, 37:25 with our resources... 37:27 Yes. 37:28 With banana bread. Yeah, that's right. 37:29 And when, you know, I look at it as a vessel. 37:32 When we pour out that vessel, 37:35 then the Lord gets an opportunity 37:37 to fill it with more. 37:38 And then we pour it out, 37:40 and it's kind of like the Holy Spirit. 37:41 When we share the good news, He fills us with more. 37:45 And the Lord ultimately is praised because of it. 37:48 Yes. Absolutely. 37:49 You know, Francine, I'm thinking of you 37:51 in the education field, and I know that you worked, 37:54 I think, with public and Christian, 37:56 you know, in that setting, 37:57 but, wow, what a conduit as a teacher you can be, 38:01 especially with this little young minds 38:03 that are being formed. 38:04 And it's constantly again, 38:05 prayer first in the classroom definitely. 38:11 And I think too, you know, vessel may be 38:13 being poured through you, but also who you are... 38:15 That's right. As a person. 38:17 Who you are as a person and your walk with God 38:18 that comes through. 38:20 That's a huge, yeah, a huge testimony. 38:21 Absolutely. I'm sure. 38:22 Do you have all have any testimonies or promises 38:24 that you've claimed? 38:26 I'll let you go first. 38:27 Oh, you want me to go first? Yay! 38:30 Well, I think one of them, 38:31 and it comes back to the peace again, for me, 38:34 and it would be in the 1 Peter 5:7. 38:38 Can we look that up here? 38:39 Definitely. 1 Peter 5:7. 38:43 We hope you're turning in your Bibles at home too. 38:45 This is a Bible Study together. 38:47 1 Peter, find 1 Peter. 38:48 And with this one, I always like the song 38:50 that comes with it. 38:52 Some of us might know it, but later. 38:54 "Cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." 38:58 And there's so many times that I'm anxious, 39:00 maybe it is that student that I want to reach, 39:03 and I don't know just quite 39:04 how to connect with that student 39:06 because maybe they're struggling at home. 39:08 There's lots of issues that are going on. 39:10 And I have to just say, 39:12 "Lord, I need to put it down at You." 39:15 And there's an experience that Jason and I 39:17 come back to every once in a while. 39:19 We were at a camp, and we were volunteering, 39:22 and it was late at night, it was close to midnight, 39:25 and we were heading back to a lodge. 39:29 And we were walking, 39:32 and we could see the lights for a while, 39:34 but then it got so dark because it was in the woods. 39:37 And we couldn't see the moon, we couldn't see any light. 39:40 And we didn't have a flashlight. 39:42 And we did not bring our flashlight. 39:44 Oh, no. 39:45 And so we were realizing how valuable that flashlight, 39:49 it being a light is. 39:50 And so we were walking in the dark, 39:53 and we had to finally say, "Lord..." 39:57 We decided to pray right then and there, 39:59 we just stopped where we were, 40:01 and we decided to pray. 40:02 And we said, "Lord, we don't know 40:04 where we're going. 40:05 We honestly need Your help." 40:07 And so we, and then we woke up, 40:10 and we realized in the stillness, 40:12 in the peace of it, 40:14 then we could hear the water that was close by, 40:18 you felt a little more the path of the wood ships, 40:22 and you kind of knew where the trees were, 40:24 and you could... 40:26 You were more in tune with nature. 40:28 And again, God speaks through nature. 40:31 And it was just amazing that we... 40:34 I mean, it had to be a good... 40:36 I want to say close to half a mile 40:38 that we had to walk. 40:40 Yeah, it was a good distance. 40:41 And so it was a good distance that we just honestly 40:43 could not see our hand in front of us. 40:45 And we made it. 40:46 And then we finally saw the light in the cabin. 40:49 But again, and I love the song, 40:52 I will Cast All My cares Upon You, 40:54 I will lay down... 40:55 And there's many times at night, sometimes I wake up, 40:57 and I just have that fear or something 41:00 and that I want to reach a student, and I wake up, 41:04 and I say, "All right, let me pray. 41:07 Let me..." 41:08 And then I have to sing the song, 41:10 and sometimes I'll sing it three or five times 41:14 until I fall asleep, 41:15 and I just have to keep reminding myself, 41:17 "Lord, I'm laying all my cares at Your feet." 41:21 So that song is another important song 41:23 and another important text for me 41:26 that if I don't know what to do, 41:28 God has it already all planned out. 41:30 And He has led me time and time again 41:35 where I feel His promises, 41:37 and He make His way plain every time, every time, 41:41 and there's miracles upon miracles 41:43 that I'm just in awe every time I think about them. 41:47 Amen. It's a great text. 41:48 That's beautiful. 41:50 1 Peter 5:7, I like it, Francine. 41:52 I think of all the prescription drugs 41:54 that are prescribed for anxiety 41:57 and emotional situations with it, 41:59 if we would just cast all that on God, and again, 42:02 I know that's easier said than done, but, you know, 42:06 there's got to be a key somewhere 42:09 that we just surrender and say, "You know, I..." 42:13 Take it. 42:14 Yeah, "Get rid of this for me, God. 42:16 It's..." 42:17 "You know, you got it. I can't handle it. 42:19 And I don't want to be on medicine 42:21 to control my emotional situations, 42:25 concerns, anxieties. 42:26 You've got to do this." 42:28 So that is a beautiful. 42:29 Isn't it though casting all of your care. 42:30 1 Peter 5:7. 42:32 Yes, there's a little needle point 42:34 in my mom's kitchen ever since I was just a little boy. 42:36 She still has it 'cause we were home 42:38 to see my parents recently, and it's there, 42:40 and it shows little needle point 42:42 and little thread and it shows a little bunny rabbit 42:44 in somebody's garden. 42:46 He's standing on his hind little legs. 42:47 In his two front paws, he has two tops to two carrots, 42:50 and he's in just terrible anxiety, 42:52 like this. 42:53 In other words, he was trying to pull carrots 42:55 out of somebody's garden, 42:56 and all he gets are the little green tops, 42:57 and he wants the carrot. 42:59 And so it says this very text, 43:00 "Casting all your care upon Him for He cares for you." 43:03 And so that was just a little illustration 43:05 that's been in my mom's kitchen 43:06 ever since I was just a little a little guy. 43:09 Oh, my, yes. 43:10 So when I read that, I'm always reminded that. 43:12 Jason, you have an experience you want to share? 43:15 Well, you know, the experience 43:17 that I have kind of relates to Philippians 4:13. 43:24 And it says in Philippians 4:13, 43:28 "I can do all things through Christ 43:31 who strengthens me." 43:32 Yes. 43:34 So I had a situation 43:35 when I was in Michigan conference. 43:37 I was there managing the legal side of the church. 43:42 And we were managing a number of annuities. 43:47 We had to deal with present value, 43:49 and we had this spreadsheet that, 43:52 it was a very complicated spreadsheet. 43:55 And you just have to mess up one little thing 43:58 and the whole thing was wrong. 43:59 Yes. Wow. 44:00 So you were very respectful of this spreadsheet. 44:04 Well, I had used it a number of times, 44:07 and a month after month, things were going really well. 44:10 And then one day, when I was the busiest, 44:14 it seemed, I was having a problem, 44:18 and I couldn't find where the problem was 44:21 in the spreadsheet. 44:22 So I spent one hour, two hours, 44:26 and all I'm thinking about 44:28 in these two hours is all the other stuff 44:30 that I should have been doing. 44:32 Sure. 44:33 And I finally, you know, I'm like, "Okay, I give up." 44:37 I went on my knees, and I said, you know, 44:39 in my office, I got on my knees, and I said, 44:41 "Lord, I need Your help." 44:44 I said, "Because I cannot find this," 44:47 and I said, "You know all these other things that I need to do. 44:50 I need your help." 44:52 So I remembered this promise, 44:56 I can do all things through Christ, 44:57 and I said, "Okay," I said, "Lord, You need to help me." 45:01 So within two minutes after getting up 45:05 from the prayer, 45:06 my eyes led me to where the problem was. 45:09 Sweet. 45:11 And I look at it, I'm like, "Wow!" 45:13 I'm like, "Lord, You are so good." 45:14 That's good. Amen. 45:15 But then I thought, 45:17 "Why didn't I do that two hours ago?" 45:20 So that sort of goes back to what I said earlier, 45:24 sometimes when you get confident, 45:27 you forget to ask the Lord for help. 45:30 And all that time I wasted, and. 45:35 you know, I remember now that when I get into trouble, 45:40 just ask the Lord right away 45:41 because it'll make things more efficient. 45:42 I love that. 45:44 Oh what needless pain we bear 45:46 all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer, 45:49 even the spreadsheet problems. 45:51 That's right. That's right. 45:52 Amen. 45:54 Then we kind of kick ourselves like you said afterward 45:55 and say, "Oh, why didn't I do that?" 45:56 That's right. That's great. 45:59 Any experience to mind or promise? 46:01 Well, you know, I have plenty of personal, 46:04 but I do want to just mention... 46:06 I mentioned earlier about this verse in Malachi, 46:10 but I have a friend out in California 46:15 who has just become so dear to me, 46:17 and she is teaching me lessons, 46:21 and she is talking about experimenting 46:24 with the Word of God. 46:26 And you say, "Experimenting? What's that all about?" 46:28 Well, she says, 46:30 "Having experienced the blessings of God 46:31 in the past..." 46:33 Again, kind of like being gracious, being grateful, 46:36 when you see what God has done, 46:37 when I think about the Lord now, 46:38 He saved me and raised me. 46:42 So she says, "Having experienced the blessings 46:44 that God has rewarded me for obeying Him in the past," 46:48 she wants to test Him with some things 46:52 that she's going through right now. 46:54 And so I encourage even those who are watching too, 46:57 you know, if you have a situation that you... 47:00 Again, all these things 47:01 that we've been telling you to do, cast all your cares, 47:03 and to trust Him, to seek Him first, 47:06 not to worry about the things. 47:08 And these, again, don't have to be for physical 47:12 or for material goods, 47:14 they can be for peace and for even for the salvation 47:17 of lost loved ones. 47:19 Amen. That's right. 47:20 Definitely. 47:21 But Malachi 10 is basically talking about verse 3, 47:26 chapter 3 verse 10, it is in Malachi. 47:30 It's talking about bringing the tithe, 47:33 you know, tithing. 47:34 And so verse 10 says, 47:35 "'Bring ye the whole tithe into the storehouse 47:38 that there may be food in my house 47:40 and prove me now herewith,' saith the Jehovah of hosts, 47:44 "'if I will not open you the windows of heaven 47:47 and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room 47:50 enough to receive it.'" 47:51 And verse 11 goes on and says, 47:53 "I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, 47:56 and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground 47:59 neither shall your vine cast its fruit before the time 48:01 in the field." 48:03 So, anyway, it's just some great promises right there 48:05 in those two verses, Malachi 3:10 and 11. 48:10 That's great. 48:11 That's an interesting experiment. 48:13 I meant to doing some life hacking, you know, 48:16 where you try the Keto diet, 48:19 you tried certain things with your diet. 48:23 So it's fun to do, to experiment with life, 48:25 well, get over into your spiritual life 48:28 and test God and see what an awesome God He is, 48:33 and you carry up your part and He'll carry up His part. 48:36 You know, He's not a conditional God. 48:39 I know that there have been times that He's been... 48:40 Well, let's try every time, 48:42 He's been more faithful 48:44 than I have, but nonetheless... 48:47 And everything He does, 48:48 He is proven Himself when I have tested Him. 48:52 Amen. 48:53 I like the next verse, verse 12. 48:55 It says, "And all nations will call you blessed." 48:57 So that tells us this is why He blesses us, 49:00 not so we just sit back and say, "Oh, wow, 49:02 I've received a lot of blessings from the Lord." 49:04 It's so that other people, people who don't know Jesus 49:08 or have never called on the name of Jesus, 49:11 that they will know, 49:12 "Wow, there's something different. 49:14 Wow, these are Christians. 49:16 And I want to know..." 49:17 He receives the glory, that's right. 49:19 "I want to know more about that." 49:21 Do you have a promise, Sweetie? I was going to ask you. 49:25 Ladies first. 49:27 I have so many I don't even begin to know 49:29 where to mention. 49:32 One of my favorite is Ezekiel 36, God says, 49:36 "A new heart also I'll give you and a new spirit 49:38 will I put within you, 49:40 and I'll take away your stony heart, 49:42 and I'll give you a heart of flesh." 49:44 And so many times in situations, 49:46 I find I can have a stony heart, you know, 49:49 maybe I'm resistant to the work God wants to do in my life, 49:53 maybe resistant to a certain direction or plan, 49:56 and I go back to God and say, "You promised. 49:58 You would give me a heart of flesh. 50:01 You promised you would take out myself, 50:04 and You would pour Your spirit in me." 50:06 And I love that, and every time 50:08 that I have claimed that promise, 50:11 I know He's been faithful to that. 50:12 I just want to make an appeal to you at home, 50:15 I don't know where you are in your walk with God, 50:18 but Jesus says, "Whoever comes to Me," 50:20 John 6:37, "I will never cast aside. 50:25 I will nowise cast out." 50:27 So God wants you to come to Him just now as you are, 50:32 with all your stuff, with all your baggage, 50:34 none of that matters. 50:35 He says if we confess our sins, 50:37 He's faithful and just to forgive us 50:39 and cleanse us to give us 50:41 a new heart and enable us to walk in His steps. 50:45 Amen. Yeah, powerful. 50:46 Do you have a promise? Well, I do. 50:48 And actually, you know, 50:49 this is the neat thing of the Bible, 50:51 there are so many treasures, nuggets in God's Word, 50:53 so I actually changed it here on the spot 50:55 to what I was going to be doing when we were in Malachi, Tim. 50:58 I have a little note here, and I like this. 50:59 This is Malachi 3:6, 51:01 "For I am the Lord, I change not." 51:04 Well, that's beautiful for Bible promises. 51:06 He gives a promise, He's not going to change. 51:08 Exactly. 51:09 And so then I have a little side note 51:10 here with the pen, I was trying to read my handwriting here, 51:12 but it goes back 51:15 and says here in closing, 51:17 "Jesus Christ, the same," what, 51:20 "yesterday and today, " 51:24 and what, "and forever." 51:25 So that's God's promises. 51:27 I remember as a young person 51:28 going through the discouraging situation 51:30 in my life, I was just a young man. 51:32 And I was looking at some leadership, 51:34 and they were failing me on the human side of things. 51:36 And so I went to my dad and said, "You know what? 51:37 I think I'm done with the church." 51:39 My dad said, "You know what? 51:40 I am your father, and I love you, 51:42 and I have failed you. 51:44 So don't look to human beings, don't look to me as your dad, 51:46 don't look to the church leaders. 51:48 They're all trying to do their best, 51:49 but look to God because He does not fail. 51:52 He won't leave you." 51:53 So God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, 51:56 and He changes not. 51:57 So all these promises in the Bible, 51:59 boy, you can put everything, 52:01 your whole life on these promises. 52:03 So anyway, should we have some... 52:05 Do some prayer actually, and, yeah, go to prayer 52:08 and Jason, let's start with you, 52:09 we'll go to you, Francine and Tim, 52:11 then we'll close, okay? 52:14 Father, thank You so much for these promises 52:16 that You have given us. 52:18 Yes. 52:19 And, Father, we ask that You guide us, 52:23 that we may humble ourselves when we're in need 52:27 or when we see others, 52:30 help us to look to You first 52:32 and start with You in the morning, 52:35 that we may be connected with You, 52:37 that our relationship with You may grow stronger, 52:40 and that we will know 52:42 what to ask for at the right time 52:44 for you to bless those that we pray for, 52:48 those things that we may need. 52:51 So thank You, Father, for these promises 52:54 and for Your love and mercy 52:55 and for this Bible that You have given us... 52:57 Amen. 52:59 That we may read these promises and be comforted 53:02 and grow in You, in Jesus' name, amen. 53:05 Amen. Amen. 53:06 Dear Heavenly Father, thank You so much 53:08 that we can call You father 53:10 and that You have all these promises for us 53:12 that we can look upon You, and again, 53:15 shine our light for You 53:18 because we have You in our hearts 53:21 and that we can live through You. 53:22 Thank You that we can cast all our cares upon You 53:25 and that You have it all planned out for us, 53:28 and that You can lead each one of us 53:30 in the world, 53:33 all around and with the young people 53:35 and just be with each person. 53:38 We love You, in dear Jesus pray, amen. 53:40 Amen. 53:41 God, I want to thank You that You have said 53:43 You will never leave us. 53:45 Yes. 53:46 You have promised 53:47 that You would never forsake us, 53:49 and that... 53:50 Well, You just said... 53:52 You are faithful. 53:53 And I want to thank You for that, 53:54 I thank You for Your grace that is sufficient 53:57 in every time of need, for Your love that anchors me, 54:03 and I can rest in that love 54:06 and rest that You have my future, 54:09 You have wonderful things in store for me 54:12 if I will stay close to You. 54:15 And so I just thank You, 54:16 thank You for the plan of salvation, 54:18 thank You for Your direction in my life. 54:22 Father, Your promises are so powerful and so obvious 54:26 when I take time again to be gracious 54:29 and to be conscientious of them. 54:32 So I just want to thank You 54:34 for being a faithful, faithful God. 54:36 I love You. 54:37 Amen. Amen. 54:39 Father, we just thank You for your promise. 54:40 Where two or three are gathered, 54:41 You are right there in the midst, 54:43 and we thank You for Your presence. 54:45 We thank You for the gift of Jesus, 54:48 the gift of salvation that through nothing 54:51 we could do or ever could accomplish, 54:54 but it's the blood of Jesus that cleanses us 54:57 from all sin. 54:58 And we thank You that while we were yet sinners, 55:01 while we walked in opposition to You, 55:05 while we spat in Your face, You turned with love. 55:10 And You said, "I will die for them 55:12 because I love them. 55:13 And I don't want to spend eternity without them." 55:16 God, we thank You for that love. 55:18 We accept and receive Your gift anew just now. 55:24 I pray for my brothers and sisters, Lord, 55:26 sometimes they might feel that the enemy is coming in 55:28 like a flood against them, 55:30 You have promised when he comes in like a flood, 55:33 You will raise up a standard against him, 55:36 and we ask that you would raise up a standard, 55:38 a hedge about them, 55:39 a protection from the wiles of the evil one. 55:43 Thank You for what You've done and the deliverance 55:45 that is ours in Christ Jesus. 55:49 Father in heaven, we're so thankful 55:50 that we have Your Word 55:52 and that we can stand on the promises 55:54 and know that we can sing about Your mighty powers. 55:57 We sang that song earlier. Lord, You're a good God. 56:00 You look out for each one of us. 56:02 Why I worry? I don't know. 56:04 I guess they were just my own lack of faith 56:06 and, Lord, I just pray that today 56:08 You would increase my faith in Your promises. 56:11 And I know those that are viewing, 56:12 watching, listening, or dead, 56:14 all of us here that we would... 56:16 Our relationship with You would be strong and firm. 56:19 Thank You, God, 56:21 that You love us with an everlasting love, 56:23 and that You are there to supply all of our needs 56:26 according to Your will. 56:27 We thank You for this time of study today, 56:29 and in Jesus' name, we pray, amen. 56:31 Amen. Amen. What an incredible study. 56:34 And we just began to scratch the surface. 56:36 I was going to say, 56:37 you gave us a beautiful outline of so many other aspects, 56:40 and I think I misled us from the beginning. 56:43 No, you didn't. You did not. It was powerful. 56:45 But you went into some wonderful things 56:46 that I think this needs to be like a four or five 56:49 or ten-week study on the promises of God 56:52 because truly the Word is full. 56:54 Amen. So we do it. 56:56 We have promises... 56:57 That's right. 56:58 Promises of salvation, promises of transformation, 57:00 promises of protection, provision, 57:02 and peace and assurance and guidance and deliverance. 57:06 I love the promises of deliverance. 57:08 But we're out of time, 57:10 so maybe we'll do a part two sometime. 57:12 Thank you, Brother Tim. Absolutely. 57:14 Thank you, Brother Jason and Francine, 57:17 it's a privilege to do it with each one of you 57:19 and to share family worship together. 57:21 Praise the Lord. Amen. 57:23 Yeah, we just want to encourage you 57:24 to open God's Word, right? 57:25 On daily basis because we know that in these Holy Scriptures, 57:29 our promises for you 57:30 that you can claim on a daily basis. 57:32 Thank you for joining us. 57:33 Again, happy Sabbath, God bless you, 57:35 see you next time. |
Revised 2018-10-08