Thank you for joining us again
00:00:10.97\00:00:12.67
for the second hour for of
00:00:12.71\00:00:14.71
"Prayer and Praise."
00:00:14.74\00:00:16.08
I wanna thank you for
the first hour team here.
00:00:16.11\00:00:19.08
I love your hearts.
00:00:19.11\00:00:20.48
I love your desire to pray
00:00:20.52\00:00:22.05
and your desire to let
God move in your lives.
00:00:22.08\00:00:24.99
So thank you very much
for being an example of,
00:00:25.02\00:00:28.12
and to me, I love that,
00:00:28.16\00:00:29.82
it's great to work
with people that you love.
00:00:29.86\00:00:33.40
So this hour, I want to
just take a lot of topics
00:00:33.46\00:00:38.27
that are universal topics,
00:00:38.30\00:00:40.47
that we know that
we get prayer requests
00:00:40.50\00:00:43.17
into our prayer
warrior requests from pastoral
00:00:43.20\00:00:49.18
that these
categories will cover it
00:00:49.21\00:00:53.55
because we know you have needs.
00:00:53.58\00:00:55.38
And so as you are
hearing these prayers,
00:00:55.42\00:00:58.39
know that we
are praying for you,
00:00:58.42\00:01:00.99
we love you and we
want to honor your needs
00:01:01.02\00:01:04.99
and your requests
00:01:05.03\00:01:06.36
and take them to the Father,
00:01:06.39\00:01:07.76
for He's the one who
can take care of it all.
00:01:07.83\00:01:09.76
So our first topic
is on "Discernment."
00:01:09.80\00:01:15.20
And I'm reminded of John 16:13.
00:01:15.24\00:01:17.71
And it's a prayer
that I've been praying
00:01:17.74\00:01:21.14
for several weeks now.
00:01:21.18\00:01:23.45
That's and says,
00:01:23.51\00:01:24.85
"When He the
spirit of truth has come,
00:01:24.88\00:01:26.31
He will guide
you into all truth,
00:01:26.35\00:01:28.72
for He will not
speak on His own authority,
00:01:28.75\00:01:31.09
but whatever He hears,
00:01:31.12\00:01:32.59
He will speak
00:01:32.62\00:01:33.96
and He will tell
you things to come."
00:01:34.02\00:01:35.92
So I've been waking
up every morning saying,
00:01:35.96\00:01:37.76
"Holy Spirit of truth,
lead me into all truth."
00:01:37.79\00:01:40.60
That's just a wonderful prayer.
00:01:40.66\00:01:41.96
I encourage, in fact, you too
should pray that for yourself.
00:01:42.00\00:01:44.37
But I want to start with a
song that reminds me of that
00:01:44.40\00:01:47.90
and it's in the hymnal.
00:01:47.94\00:01:50.91
It's one I don't hear a
lot, but you might know this.
00:01:50.94\00:01:54.38
So sing along,
00:01:54.41\00:01:55.74
"If you but trust
in God to guide you."
00:01:55.78\00:01:58.81
If you but trust
In God to guide you
00:01:58.85\00:02:05.32
And place your confidence In Him
00:02:05.35\00:02:11.66
You'll find Him
always There beside you
00:02:11.69\00:02:17.90
To give you hope
And strength within
00:02:17.93\00:02:24.34
For those who trust
God's changeless love
00:02:24.37\00:02:30.81
Build on the Rock
That will not move
00:02:30.85\00:02:37.15
It's a great reminder,
00:02:40.16\00:02:41.49
if you will just
let God guide you.
00:02:41.52\00:02:44.03
Greg, you wanna
pray for us? Sure.
00:02:44.09\00:02:45.83
I like this, Tim, far as I
have the words here to the song
00:02:45.86\00:02:48.53
for those who trust
in God's changeless love.
00:02:48.56\00:02:52.70
God doesn't change.
00:02:52.73\00:02:54.30
It's powerful, isn't it?
00:02:54.34\00:02:55.67
As human beings I know I'm
kind of back and forth at times,
00:02:55.70\00:02:57.71
but God doesn't change.
00:02:57.74\00:02:59.64
He's solid, and it says,
00:02:59.67\00:03:01.94
"Build on the rock
that will not move."
00:03:01.98\00:03:05.48
Praise the Lord for that.
00:03:05.51\00:03:07.62
And I like Proverbs 3:5-6,
00:03:07.65\00:03:09.65
"Trust in the Lord
with all of your heart
00:03:09.68\00:03:12.39
and lean not on
your own understanding.
00:03:12.42\00:03:15.19
In all your ways
acknowledge," who?
00:03:15.22\00:03:17.56
"God." That's right.
00:03:17.63\00:03:19.89
"And He will direct your paths."
00:03:19.93\00:03:22.43
Praise the Lord.
00:03:22.46\00:03:23.83
Father in heaven,
00:03:23.87\00:03:25.20
Lord, I just pray
for trust, trust in You.
00:03:25.23\00:03:29.37
We pray for discernment.
00:03:29.40\00:03:32.14
At times the way may
not seem quite clear,
00:03:32.17\00:03:36.08
but, Lord, we know
that You have the direction.
00:03:36.11\00:03:37.91
So what we need to do
is sit and trust in you.
00:03:37.95\00:03:41.42
And then when we
see You opening the way,
00:03:41.45\00:03:42.95
Lord, that we would go forward.
00:03:42.98\00:03:45.02
I think also of the Israelites
00:03:45.05\00:03:46.49
as they put their feet
into the water, it parted.
00:03:46.52\00:03:50.59
So God also give us that faith
00:03:50.63\00:03:51.96
when You say go
forward, and it looks impossible
00:03:51.99\00:03:53.96
that we just go
ahead and go forward.
00:03:54.00\00:03:56.50
Father, I thank You though
this is Prayer and Praise.
00:03:56.53\00:03:58.67
I praise You for those
00:03:58.70\00:04:00.14
that actually have
the gift of discernment.
00:04:00.17\00:04:02.50
And, Lord, thank You for those
00:04:02.54\00:04:03.91
and, Lord, may we
listen to the council
00:04:03.94\00:04:05.91
around us as well.
00:04:05.94\00:04:07.84
But, Father, may
we always turn to You
00:04:07.88\00:04:09.54
for our only source of strength,
00:04:09.58\00:04:12.35
and in Jesus'
name we pray, amen.
00:04:12.38\00:04:15.85
Amen.
00:04:15.88\00:04:18.42
It's been three years
00:04:18.45\00:04:19.79
since I stepped into
my position here at 3ABN.
00:04:19.82\00:04:22.46
It was in January of 2018.
00:04:22.49\00:04:26.46
And to me, Mollie Steenson,
who was my predecessor,
00:04:26.49\00:04:30.17
was a woman of discernment.
00:04:30.23\00:04:32.07
She had great wisdom.
00:04:32.10\00:04:34.04
And I remember
stepping into that office
00:04:34.10\00:04:37.47
and sitting behind the
desk for the first time.
00:04:37.51\00:04:40.88
And feeling like,
00:04:40.94\00:04:42.28
"God, I'm just a little child."
00:04:42.31\00:04:43.81
Remember Solomon prayed that?
00:04:43.85\00:04:45.18
"I don't know how to go out
00:04:45.21\00:04:46.55
and I don't know how to come in.
00:04:46.58\00:04:47.92
And I definitely
don't know how to lead.
00:04:47.95\00:04:52.59
Would You give me wisdom?"
00:04:52.62\00:04:54.52
And I claimed many times,
00:04:54.56\00:04:58.49
many, many times James 1,
00:04:58.53\00:05:01.70
"If any of you lack wisdom,
00:05:01.73\00:05:03.30
let him ask of God
00:05:03.37\00:05:06.07
who gives to all
men and women liberally,
00:05:06.10\00:05:10.64
and upbraideth not and
it shall be given to them."
00:05:10.71\00:05:15.24
So if you're in a
position right now,
00:05:15.28\00:05:16.75
where you're not sure
the right direction to go,
00:05:16.78\00:05:21.08
you're not sure what
is the right decision.
00:05:21.12\00:05:23.82
You need special discernment.
00:05:23.89\00:05:26.55
Send a prayer for help.
00:05:26.59\00:05:28.12
I can't tell you how many times
00:05:28.16\00:05:30.23
someone would be
walking in my office.
00:05:30.26\00:05:33.06
And I'd say,
00:05:33.09\00:05:34.40
"God, I need You right now."
00:05:34.46\00:05:35.90
Just one of those fast prayers
00:05:35.93\00:05:37.63
as they're
coming in to sit down.
00:05:37.67\00:05:39.47
"God, please.
00:05:39.50\00:05:40.90
Right now I need You,
would You give me Your wisdom?"
00:05:40.94\00:05:44.27
And God says,
00:05:44.31\00:05:45.64
"I'll give it to you."
00:05:45.67\00:05:47.01
God, we come before You
because we don't have wisdom.
00:05:47.04\00:05:49.88
We don't have discernment.
00:05:49.91\00:05:52.35
But you do.
00:05:52.38\00:05:53.98
And so, Father, right
now we seek for wisdom
00:05:54.02\00:05:58.05
in those
decisions that we're making,
00:05:58.09\00:06:01.82
that they would be in
accordance with Your will.
00:06:01.86\00:06:05.96
They would bring
honor and glory to You.
00:06:05.99\00:06:09.70
And, Father, for my
brothers and sisters,
00:06:09.73\00:06:11.60
as they're making choices
00:06:11.63\00:06:13.03
that You would
lead, guide and direct,
00:06:13.07\00:06:16.07
and thank You for
what You're going to do
00:06:16.10\00:06:19.04
in Jesus' name.
00:06:19.07\00:06:20.41
Amen.
00:06:20.48\00:06:21.81
Speaking about
discernment is an amazing thing,
00:06:27.32\00:06:30.39
as Jill included in that
wisdom and understanding.
00:06:30.42\00:06:35.36
The Bible talks about
not only discernment for us,
00:06:35.39\00:06:40.90
but I wanna flip
the coin a little bit,
00:06:40.93\00:06:42.46
look at the sermon from
a different perspective.
00:06:42.50\00:06:45.07
For the Word of God
is quick and powerful
00:06:45.10\00:06:47.50
and sharper than
any two-edged sword.
00:06:47.54\00:06:52.61
And the Bible is referred to
as a discerner of the thoughts
00:06:52.64\00:06:59.51
and intents of the heart.
00:06:59.55\00:07:02.95
That's what reminds
me the Bible is living.
00:07:02.98\00:07:06.22
You got to be alive
to discern anything.
00:07:06.25\00:07:09.46
Can you imagine
reading the Bible
00:07:09.49\00:07:10.96
while the Bible is reading you?
00:07:10.99\00:07:13.16
Now think about that.
00:07:13.19\00:07:16.36
That's the Word of God,
00:07:16.40\00:07:18.50
God in the Word.
00:07:18.53\00:07:23.81
If we recognize
that God is in the Word,
00:07:23.84\00:07:25.84
only then can the
Word of God be in us.
00:07:25.87\00:07:29.81
"In the beginning was the Word."
00:07:29.84\00:07:32.68
It was not only the spoken word,
00:07:32.71\00:07:35.25
but the living word.
00:07:35.28\00:07:36.82
And when the living word
left, He left the written word.
00:07:36.89\00:07:41.29
But the spoken word was alive,
the living word was alive,
00:07:41.32\00:07:45.53
and the written word is alive.
00:07:45.56\00:07:47.86
And when I think about that,
every time I open the Bible,
00:07:47.86\00:07:49.73
you know, my wife
knows there are days
00:07:49.76\00:07:51.10
when I'm just thinking,
00:07:51.13\00:07:52.47
"Okay, Lord, my
schedule is so heavy.
00:07:52.50\00:07:54.34
It's Wednesday,
00:07:54.37\00:07:55.70
and I just don't know
what I'm preaching on.
00:07:55.74\00:07:57.64
Please tell me,
00:07:57.67\00:07:59.01
what do Your
people need to hear?"
00:07:59.04\00:08:03.41
And Angie knows, we
have this is not a ritual,
00:08:03.48\00:08:06.75
but my wife knows me so well.
00:08:06.78\00:08:11.19
She even sets a
different kind of music
00:08:11.22\00:08:12.85
on Friday evening.
00:08:12.89\00:08:14.79
Because we'd like music
we could sing along with
00:08:14.82\00:08:17.06
and sometimes it's
straight up, gospel,
00:08:17.09\00:08:20.26
you know, black gospel,
00:08:20.33\00:08:21.63
or sometimes it's
Christian, contemporary.
00:08:21.66\00:08:23.23
Sometimes it's Christian music,
generally, sometimes it's 3ABN.
00:08:23.26\00:08:26.40
Sometimes it's a
Pandora or iTunes,
00:08:26.43\00:08:30.21
she has such a flavor.
00:08:30.24\00:08:31.57
Sometimes it's Gaither
or Heritage, or any kind.
00:08:31.61\00:08:34.84
But on Friday nights,
00:08:34.88\00:08:37.65
she sets it to like what
you're playing right now.
00:08:37.68\00:08:40.02
Because I told her,
00:08:40.05\00:08:41.38
I said, music,
honey, unlocks my mind.
00:08:41.42\00:08:43.42
And if I hear anything
00:08:43.49\00:08:44.82
I need to sing
along with I can't think.
00:08:44.85\00:08:47.46
And you know what, I
want to thank God that
00:08:47.49\00:08:48.82
when I'm reading His
Word, His Word is reading me.
00:08:48.86\00:08:53.19
And it reminds me of
the great responsibility.
00:08:53.23\00:08:55.76
So right now,
00:08:55.80\00:08:57.43
I want to just recalibrate
you for the new year.
00:08:57.47\00:09:00.67
Don't just read the Word of God.
00:09:00.70\00:09:03.30
Let the Word of God read you.
00:09:03.34\00:09:06.74
Because the Word of
God will never see in you
00:09:06.81\00:09:08.68
what God cannot
00:09:08.71\00:09:10.61
and has not already seen in you.
00:09:10.68\00:09:12.41
The Word of God will see
and us what needs to be change.
00:09:12.45\00:09:15.58
And that's why
00:09:15.62\00:09:16.95
my favorite preacher
is resting in the Lord.
00:09:17.02\00:09:18.55
He said, one of the
reasons why we know the Bible
00:09:18.59\00:09:20.49
was not written by men.
00:09:20.52\00:09:22.56
He reveals the worst in us.
00:09:22.59\00:09:25.16
If men wrote it, it
would reveal the best in us.
00:09:25.19\00:09:28.10
But it always shows us
00:09:28.13\00:09:29.46
where we need to
come up a little higher.
00:09:29.50\00:09:31.63
So right now I wanna
pray that for this new year,
00:09:31.67\00:09:34.60
you will allow the
Word of God to read you.
00:09:34.64\00:09:37.04
Don't just let the
Bible become an assignment.
00:09:37.11\00:09:40.38
But let the Bible become
an examiner of your hearts,
00:09:40.41\00:09:43.24
your thoughts, your deeds,
00:09:43.28\00:09:45.91
for only as God can
clear you for the kingdom
00:09:45.95\00:09:52.35
will you be allowed to go in.
00:09:52.39\00:09:54.09
So right now let's
pray for God's Word
00:09:54.16\00:09:55.59
to be the discerner of us.
00:09:55.62\00:09:57.63
Father, and our God,
00:09:57.66\00:10:00.50
it's humbling to know that
we are never out of Your sight.
00:10:00.53\00:10:05.10
That even
darkness is light to You.
00:10:05.13\00:10:09.04
But, Lord, we
don't walk in Your light
00:10:09.07\00:10:10.87
because we'll
hide from your eyes
00:10:10.91\00:10:13.24
because, we
first of all, we can't.
00:10:13.27\00:10:15.58
For me, the thought
not even frighten us,
00:10:15.61\00:10:17.61
but may it humble us
00:10:17.65\00:10:20.48
that we might live soberly,
00:10:20.52\00:10:22.28
godly and righteously
in this present life,
00:10:22.32\00:10:26.42
looking for and hastening,
as the Apostle Paul says,
00:10:26.45\00:10:29.12
the coming of our Lord.
00:10:29.16\00:10:30.99
What a day that's going to be.
00:10:31.03\00:10:32.73
Father, I pray right
now that for this new year,
00:10:32.76\00:10:35.53
that if we haven't
picked up the Bible,
00:10:35.56\00:10:37.43
maybe we don't want
the Bible to read us.
00:10:37.50\00:10:40.27
Maybe we don't want
the Bible to reveal to us
00:10:40.30\00:10:42.24
who we really are.
00:10:42.27\00:10:43.94
But the Bible is not
just a book of instruction,
00:10:43.97\00:10:46.61
but it is our examiner.
00:10:46.64\00:10:48.81
It is the very thing
that the Lord Jesus left
00:10:48.84\00:10:53.78
to get us filed down
00:10:53.85\00:10:55.45
and ready for
that eternal kingdom.
00:10:55.48\00:10:58.09
And, Father, we won't fit in
00:10:58.12\00:10:59.45
until our rough
edges are smoothed
00:10:59.49\00:11:01.86
and our tempers have calmed
00:11:01.89\00:11:03.66
and our spirit is
in harmony with Yours.
00:11:03.73\00:11:06.33
So, Lord, I commit
myself, my wife and me
00:11:06.36\00:11:08.60
as we read our
Bible all the time.
00:11:08.63\00:11:11.00
Father, we
recommit that this year,
00:11:11.03\00:11:12.67
our Bibles will read us
00:11:12.70\00:11:15.04
and that we will know
that You are examining us
00:11:15.07\00:11:17.37
getting us ready
for Your kingdom.
00:11:17.41\00:11:19.21
Help us to accept
00:11:19.24\00:11:20.94
that discernment of Your Word.
00:11:20.98\00:11:23.01
In Jesus' name I pray.
00:11:23.04\00:11:25.25
Amen.
00:11:25.28\00:11:27.95
Ryan, you want to read a
couple of those verses...
00:11:27.98\00:11:30.45
Yeah. Absolutely.
00:11:30.49\00:11:31.82
On discernment.
00:11:31.85\00:11:34.36
James 1:5, it says,
00:11:34.39\00:11:37.93
"If any of you lacks wisdom,
00:11:37.96\00:11:41.30
let him ask of God,
00:11:41.33\00:11:43.63
who gives generously
to all without reproach.
00:11:43.70\00:11:47.37
And it will be given to him."
00:11:47.40\00:11:50.67
And, of course,
00:11:50.74\00:11:52.34
one of the greatest
counsels on all of Scripture,
00:11:52.37\00:11:54.94
Romans 12:2, it says,
00:11:54.98\00:11:58.18
"Do not be
conformed to this world,
00:11:58.21\00:12:01.35
but be transformed by
the renewal of your mind.
00:12:01.38\00:12:06.42
That the testing,
that by testing you
00:12:06.45\00:12:10.56
may discern what
is the will of God,
00:12:10.63\00:12:14.10
what is good and
acceptable, and perfect."
00:12:14.10\00:12:19.10
Wisdom and discernment comes
by the work of the Holy Spirit.
00:12:19.13\00:12:23.47
And, you know, we live in
a world it's not so pretty.
00:12:25.31\00:12:31.95
And we've been told
and counseled many times
00:12:31.98\00:12:34.78
that the Spirit of God
00:12:34.82\00:12:36.15
has been
withdrawn from this planet,
00:12:36.18\00:12:39.02
the closer we move,
00:12:39.05\00:12:40.96
and get toward the
second coming of Jesus.
00:12:40.99\00:12:44.46
And I just want to urge
whoever's watching right now.
00:12:44.49\00:12:47.13
God wants to open your eyes,
00:12:50.60\00:12:54.34
He wants to give you wisdom,
00:12:54.37\00:12:55.70
He wants to
give you discernment,
00:12:55.74\00:12:57.54
He wants to dial in
your spiritual vision,
00:12:57.57\00:12:59.47
so you can see His love.
00:12:59.51\00:13:00.91
And you can see the
world through His eyes.
00:13:00.98\00:13:03.95
They can, you can see it
through the lenses of love.
00:13:03.98\00:13:09.18
But that only comes
00:13:09.22\00:13:10.99
by accepting a
wonderful gift of discernment
00:13:11.02\00:13:14.16
that He wants to bless upon,
00:13:14.19\00:13:15.59
to bestow upon you
and to bless you with.
00:13:15.62\00:13:18.56
And so, you know, I
just want to pray right now
00:13:18.59\00:13:20.93
that same prayer
00:13:20.96\00:13:22.26
that Elisha
prayed for his servant,
00:13:22.30\00:13:27.97
"Open his eyes that he may see."
00:13:28.00\00:13:32.51
God will open your eyes.
00:13:32.54\00:13:34.68
But even in opening and
pulling back the shades,
00:13:34.71\00:13:37.85
there still has to be an
effort on our part to receive.
00:13:37.88\00:13:41.62
And so I wanna
pray for that right now.
00:13:41.65\00:13:43.65
Father in heaven,
00:13:43.69\00:13:45.65
oh, Lord,
00:13:45.69\00:13:49.66
You open blind eyes, Lord.
00:13:49.69\00:13:51.69
Our minds can't even
begin to comprehend that.
00:13:55.26\00:13:59.20
Because the work that you do
is so beyond our understanding,
00:13:59.23\00:14:05.94
You're so wonderful.
00:14:05.97\00:14:07.31
And, Lord, I just wanna
pray right now in Jesus' name
00:14:07.38\00:14:11.11
for all those
people who need to see You
00:14:11.15\00:14:15.35
for who You really are.
00:14:15.38\00:14:17.65
Not through the
eyes of the enemy.
00:14:17.69\00:14:20.96
Not through the
eyes of the world.
00:14:20.99\00:14:22.52
But help us to see You
00:14:25.69\00:14:28.10
through the
lenses of Jesus Christ.
00:14:28.13\00:14:29.53
Lord, open our
eyes that we may see.
00:14:32.57\00:14:37.27
And once you have given us
00:14:37.31\00:14:39.91
that beautiful
spiritual eyesight,
00:14:39.94\00:14:43.81
help us to be able to receive
00:14:43.85\00:14:46.18
the spiritual
mind of Jesus Christ.
00:14:46.21\00:14:48.12
We thank You, Lord,
for all that You've done.
00:14:51.75\00:14:53.46
And in faith, we know
that You will continue to do
00:14:55.46\00:14:58.16
what You do best,
00:14:58.19\00:14:59.53
and that's change
lives and transform hearts.
00:14:59.56\00:15:04.83
We thank You and praise You
and we ask this in Jesus' name,
00:15:04.87\00:15:07.54
amen.
00:15:07.57\00:15:08.90
Amen.
00:15:08.94\00:15:10.27
We enter into a
time now of Prayer
00:15:16.24\00:15:18.38
and Praise for perseverance.
00:15:18.41\00:15:23.39
Persistence in
doing something difficult,
00:15:23.42\00:15:27.86
and I know I need help
00:15:27.89\00:15:33.09
I get distracted.
00:15:33.13\00:15:34.63
And I need perseverance.
00:15:34.66\00:15:37.43
And there's a song
00:15:37.47\00:15:38.80
that reminds me
of this another one
00:15:38.83\00:15:41.24
that we don't
often, I don't often sing.
00:15:41.27\00:15:44.57
So I'm gonna sing.
00:15:44.61\00:15:47.38
O Jesus, I have promised
00:15:47.44\00:15:51.85
To serve Thee to the end
00:15:51.88\00:15:56.25
Be Thou forever near me
00:15:56.28\00:16:01.09
My Master and my Friend
00:16:01.12\00:16:05.83
I shall not fear the battle
00:16:05.86\00:16:10.47
If Thou art by my side
00:16:10.50\00:16:14.90
Nor wander from the pathway
00:16:14.94\00:16:20.61
If Thou wilt be my Guide
00:16:20.68\00:16:25.55
That's great words.
00:16:29.12\00:16:30.49
If Thou wilt be my
Guide, I think, umm.
00:16:30.52\00:16:33.89
So, Pastor, you want to,
00:16:33.96\00:16:36.62
you want to start
with us on that topic.
00:16:36.66\00:16:40.40
We'll go back
00:16:40.43\00:16:41.73
and sing a couple of
verses here in a little bit.
00:16:41.76\00:16:43.10
Sure, perseverance.
00:16:43.13\00:16:45.20
I was talking to someone
00:16:45.23\00:16:46.57
just about facing
the challenges of life.
00:16:46.60\00:16:52.81
And it's very different
far as I'm gonna be very vague.
00:16:52.84\00:16:57.31
And they were talking about
00:16:57.35\00:16:58.85
recounting all the
loss of life this year.
00:16:58.88\00:17:01.18
And we've had a lot of
people we have lost here.
00:17:01.22\00:17:04.39
Not to COVID, but other things.
00:17:04.42\00:17:07.32
And they were
recounting, they said,
00:17:07.39\00:17:10.56
"Even the word journey
is not a comfortable word."
00:17:10.59\00:17:13.83
And I said,
00:17:13.86\00:17:15.16
"Think of it as
a course instead."
00:17:15.20\00:17:17.37
I said,
00:17:17.40\00:17:18.73
"Because Paul, when his
life was coming to an end,
00:17:18.77\00:17:20.84
he said, 'I fought a good fight.
00:17:20.87\00:17:24.11
Perseverance.
00:17:24.14\00:17:25.47
I finished my course.
00:17:25.51\00:17:27.61
I kept the faith.
00:17:27.64\00:17:29.04
I could all
summarize all that persevere."
00:17:29.08\00:17:32.08
There may be
somebody who's wondering,
00:17:32.11\00:17:33.45
"Man, how do I
get ready for 2021?"
00:17:33.52\00:17:38.55
If 2021 is any
indicator of what 2020 was,
00:17:38.59\00:17:42.66
I'm sure there are
people probably saying,
00:17:42.69\00:17:44.83
"Lord, could you
please hurry up and return,
00:17:44.86\00:17:46.83
I don't want to go
through this again."
00:17:46.90\00:17:48.96
I mean, we could never
have in our wildest imagination.
00:17:49.00\00:17:51.30
My wife and I were
talking about this.
00:17:51.33\00:17:53.13
Because you know,
here at 3ABN, we travel,
00:17:53.17\00:17:55.17
we had to cancel
all of our trips.
00:17:55.20\00:17:57.37
And things are
getting to the place now
00:17:57.41\00:17:58.74
where countries
don't want us to come in
00:17:58.77\00:18:00.18
unless we have verification
that we had a vaccine
00:18:00.21\00:18:02.34
and people are
nervous about the vaccine,
00:18:02.38\00:18:04.28
and just all these things
00:18:04.31\00:18:05.65
that are just a part
00:18:05.68\00:18:07.05
of a vortex of
worries in the world.
00:18:07.08\00:18:08.55
And people are wondering
how much of this can we take?
00:18:08.58\00:18:11.62
And even sanity is now
losing its rightful place.
00:18:11.65\00:18:16.62
Not that people
in general are crazy,
00:18:16.66\00:18:18.39
but there's so
much to grab on to that,
00:18:18.43\00:18:20.03
people are not
knowing what to pull.
00:18:20.06\00:18:22.00
So I'll just
encourage you right now,
00:18:22.03\00:18:23.97
like this scripture,
just give it to my wife here.
00:18:24.00\00:18:28.14
It came to my mind.
00:18:28.17\00:18:30.21
It's amazing that you had it
00:18:30.24\00:18:31.57
because I was thinking about it.
00:18:31.61\00:18:34.08
When you talked but the moment
you mentioned perseverance,
00:18:34.11\00:18:35.94
the scripture came to
my mind, 2 Timothy 4:7-8.
00:18:35.98\00:18:40.32
This is what you
want to be able to say
00:18:40.35\00:18:41.68
through the hard times,
00:18:41.72\00:18:43.05
difficulty to the
cold and hot days,
00:18:43.08\00:18:44.55
to the unknown and the known.
00:18:44.59\00:18:46.49
Throught what's on the
news and what's in God's Word.
00:18:46.52\00:18:49.59
You got to hold on, I
have fought a good fight.
00:18:49.62\00:18:52.86
And as my one of my
favorite authors says,
00:18:52.89\00:18:55.36
"God never requires anything
more than He requires of you."
00:18:55.40\00:19:00.50
Think about that.
00:19:00.57\00:19:02.34
God never requires anything
more than He requires of you.
00:19:02.37\00:19:06.27
He will never do that to you.
00:19:06.31\00:19:08.24
So what did God require of us?
00:19:08.28\00:19:09.94
To fight that fight.
00:19:09.98\00:19:11.65
And as, Tim, I think you said,
00:19:11.68\00:19:13.01
"We don't fight
against the devil.
00:19:13.05\00:19:15.02
We're fighting ourselves
and our own tendencies.
00:19:15.05\00:19:18.05
And we're fighting
the fight of faith.
00:19:18.09\00:19:19.55
I fought a good fight.
00:19:19.59\00:19:20.92
Hold on, my brother, my sister,
00:19:20.99\00:19:23.02
husband, wife,
children, teenagers.
00:19:23.06\00:19:27.40
And then also don't quit.
00:19:27.46\00:19:29.50
The worst thing to do is quit
00:19:29.53\00:19:31.30
when you can
see the finish line.
00:19:31.33\00:19:33.57
And if you can't
see the finish line,
00:19:33.64\00:19:35.60
you know, there's a
text that Jesus says,
00:19:35.64\00:19:37.31
"You can discern the
signs of the sky discernment,
00:19:37.34\00:19:39.37
but you can't discern
the signs of the times."
00:19:39.41\00:19:41.64
My brother, the finish line,
00:19:41.68\00:19:43.45
sister, the finish
line is not far away.
00:19:43.48\00:19:47.55
I want to be able to
say, I finished the race.
00:19:47.62\00:19:50.09
Now, I'm mindful of athletes.
00:19:50.12\00:19:51.75
Some of them have run so hard.
00:19:51.79\00:19:54.06
Excuse me for being morbid here.
00:19:54.09\00:19:55.42
Some of them I'll
use the intellectual word
00:19:55.46\00:19:57.89
they regurgitate
00:19:57.93\00:19:59.26
after they
cross the finish line.
00:19:59.29\00:20:00.96
Because they have put
everything they can into it.
00:20:01.00\00:20:03.00
They don't want to
be seen as a person
00:20:03.03\00:20:04.37
that didn't give it their all.
00:20:04.40\00:20:06.00
If the runner does
that for a temporary medal,
00:20:06.03\00:20:08.60
do that for an eternity.
00:20:09.90\00:20:11.41
And then he says,
00:20:11.44\00:20:12.77
"I have remained faithful,"
00:20:12.81\00:20:14.14
the NIV.
00:20:14.18\00:20:15.51
"And now the prize awaits
me, the crown of righteousness,
00:20:15.54\00:20:19.28
which the Lord,
00:20:19.31\00:20:21.92
the righteous judge
00:20:21.95\00:20:24.19
will give me on
that day of His return.
00:20:24.25\00:20:26.86
And the prize
is not just for me,
00:20:26.92\00:20:28.72
but for all who
eagerly look forward
00:20:28.76\00:20:31.53
to His appearing."
00:20:31.56\00:20:32.99
I'm gonna pass it back to
you here just before I pray.
00:20:33.03\00:20:34.73
But you know, in the
Olympics there's the gold,
00:20:34.76\00:20:37.50
there's the silver
and there's the bronze.
00:20:37.53\00:20:39.73
Everybody looks up to
the person with the gold
00:20:39.77\00:20:41.64
and the guy with a silver,
00:20:41.67\00:20:43.24
man, I'm the first place loser.
00:20:43.27\00:20:46.54
And the guy with the bronze,
I'm on the second place loser.
00:20:46.61\00:20:49.98
But you know, they hold
on to that medal nonetheless,
00:20:50.01\00:20:52.18
they made it on the podium.
00:20:52.21\00:20:54.25
Now I know in the kingdom,
00:20:54.28\00:20:55.62
the race is not
given to the swift
00:20:55.65\00:20:57.02
who finishes first or last.
00:20:57.05\00:20:58.52
I just want to be on a podium.
00:20:58.55\00:21:00.89
I just want to get that
crown and say it again, honey.
00:21:00.96\00:21:04.36
Lay aside every weight
when you're running that race.
00:21:04.39\00:21:08.13
Right. Right?
00:21:08.16\00:21:09.50
That's right, Let it go.
00:21:09.53\00:21:10.97
And there's
things in people's lives
00:21:11.00\00:21:12.60
that they will not let go.
00:21:12.63\00:21:15.27
But there's a lot of things
00:21:15.30\00:21:17.37
but you got to
give it to the Lord.
00:21:17.41\00:21:18.74
That's right.
00:21:18.77\00:21:20.11
You have to, so you
can finish that race
00:21:20.14\00:21:23.18
where your crown
is waiting for you.
00:21:23.21\00:21:24.95
Go ahead.
00:21:24.98\00:21:26.31
So get the righteous sneakers
alight, lighten that load,
00:21:26.35\00:21:28.92
get rid of the stuff
that's bogging you down.
00:21:28.95\00:21:31.15
And pray for the Lord
to give you perseverance.
00:21:31.19\00:21:34.29
Finish the course.
00:21:34.32\00:21:35.66
Fight the fight, keep the faith.
00:21:35.69\00:21:38.06
And then you'll
be able to breathe
00:21:38.09\00:21:40.66
as you train for eternity.
00:21:40.70\00:21:42.06
Isn't that nice? Amen.
00:21:42.10\00:21:43.43
We're training for eternity.
00:21:43.50\00:21:45.27
Let's pray right now.
00:21:45.30\00:21:47.97
Father, sometimes we
are our own worst enemy.
00:21:48.00\00:21:52.37
That human nature that
00:21:52.41\00:21:54.21
is still hanging
around our doorstep.
00:21:54.24\00:21:57.58
Sometimes it sits
at the dinner table
00:21:57.61\00:21:59.41
at night with us.
00:21:59.45\00:22:00.92
Sometimes it waits for
us at the foot of our bed.
00:22:00.95\00:22:03.79
Sometimes when we're
putting our slippers on
00:22:03.82\00:22:05.62
to go brush our teeth,
00:22:05.65\00:22:07.19
we step on the toes
of our human nature.
00:22:07.26\00:22:11.23
And we wonder, man, is
this how my week want to be?
00:22:11.26\00:22:14.46
Is this how I'm going
to start off the week?
00:22:14.50\00:22:15.93
Is this any indication
of me being in my own way?
00:22:15.96\00:22:20.97
Father, give us a glimpse
again of the finish line.
00:22:21.00\00:22:25.71
Give us a glimpse again
of that crown of victory.
00:22:25.74\00:22:29.54
But even more than
the material things,
00:22:29.58\00:22:31.21
give us a glimpse of Jesus,
00:22:31.25\00:22:33.68
who made every
provision for us to persevere.
00:22:33.72\00:22:37.69
He was so wonderful
00:22:37.72\00:22:39.05
when He was on
the cross, He says,
00:22:39.09\00:22:40.42
"I finished the work
That you gave me to do."
00:22:40.46\00:22:43.02
We pray for those
of us here at 3ABN
00:22:43.06\00:22:44.99
to be able to one day
whether sooner or later,
00:22:45.03\00:22:48.90
be able to say
as we see the skies
00:22:48.93\00:22:50.97
in the eastern
plains breaking open,
00:22:51.00\00:22:54.74
we'll say, "Thank You, Lord,
00:22:54.77\00:22:56.10
we finished the
work You gave us to do."
00:22:56.14\00:22:58.34
So I pray for
those husbands and wives.
00:22:58.37\00:23:01.21
Like my wife and
I together forever
00:23:01.24\00:23:02.98
eternity in view.
00:23:03.01\00:23:04.68
May there be couples
00:23:04.71\00:23:06.05
that are watching this that say,
00:23:06.08\00:23:07.42
"We're gonna persevere
through our differences,
00:23:07.45\00:23:10.79
through the things
that we don't agree on.
00:23:10.82\00:23:12.92
We're going to pray
and put it in God's hands.
00:23:12.95\00:23:15.72
And we're going to persevere.
00:23:15.76\00:23:17.76
To the parents,
00:23:17.79\00:23:19.16
love your children
through their changing times.
00:23:19.19\00:23:22.23
Teenagers are
teenagers, we've all been there.
00:23:22.26\00:23:26.60
Love them through those days
00:23:26.63\00:23:28.04
where you just don't want
to call them your children.
00:23:28.07\00:23:31.51
Because one day you're
gonna be proud of them.
00:23:31.54\00:23:33.94
But do all that you must do
00:23:33.98\00:23:35.58
to help them know
the future can be there
00:23:35.61\00:23:37.51
as by your guidance.
00:23:37.55\00:23:39.38
And I pray for the young people,
00:23:39.41\00:23:40.82
put down that phone
and pick up God's Word.
00:23:40.88\00:23:44.25
Let there be some
vision of eternity before you,
00:23:44.29\00:23:47.66
so that you can see that
00:23:47.69\00:23:49.02
God can give you
something to persevere.
00:23:49.06\00:23:50.89
It's not a like on Facebook,
00:23:50.93\00:23:53.70
but it's His
shed blood on Calvary.
00:23:53.76\00:23:56.00
And so Thank You, Lord,
00:23:56.03\00:23:57.40
that we can persevere
00:23:57.43\00:23:58.77
if we simply put on
the whole armor of God.
00:23:58.80\00:24:01.00
And maybe our
desire not only to push,
00:24:01.04\00:24:03.51
but one day may
we be able to breathe
00:24:03.54\00:24:05.81
on the other side
of the finish line.
00:24:05.84\00:24:08.24
In Jesus' name, amen.
00:24:08.28\00:24:13.01
Greg, do you have
anything to mention too?
00:24:13.05\00:24:14.75
Well, thinking
about perseverance,
00:24:14.78\00:24:16.79
you know, I'd like
to go out in nature
00:24:16.82\00:24:18.15
that's comfort for me.
00:24:18.19\00:24:19.55
You know, I'd like to just sit
00:24:19.59\00:24:20.96
and watch nature, hear the birds
00:24:20.99\00:24:22.32
and this past summer
00:24:22.36\00:24:24.13
I was sitting in the forest
00:24:24.16\00:24:25.93
and I heard little rustling
in the leaves and the grass
00:24:25.96\00:24:29.23
and so, I looked around the tree
00:24:29.26\00:24:31.47
and there was a box
turtle, an Eastern box turtle
00:24:31.50\00:24:34.24
just going along
its merry little way,
00:24:34.27\00:24:36.47
but it definitely
had a goal in mind.
00:24:36.50\00:24:39.11
And as I took a closer
look at this box turtle,
00:24:39.14\00:24:41.24
it was battle
scarred and battle weary.
00:24:41.28\00:24:44.81
It had some scars on its shell.
00:24:44.85\00:24:47.18
It only had one eye,
00:24:47.22\00:24:48.65
the one eye with
that wound was left,
00:24:48.68\00:24:51.09
the other eye
was all sealed shut.
00:24:51.12\00:24:53.42
And as this turtle
made its way for someplace,
00:24:53.46\00:24:56.56
I'm not sure through the forest.
00:24:56.59\00:24:58.19
It came across what looked like
to me is a pretty small stick,
00:24:58.23\00:25:01.26
but for him it was
a pretty big stick.
00:25:01.30\00:25:03.67
And you know that turtle
didn't just sit there and say,
00:25:03.70\00:25:06.20
I'm battle weary,
I'm battle scarred.
00:25:06.23\00:25:08.34
I got one eye, I
got scars on my shell,
00:25:08.37\00:25:11.94
in my brain that
looked at that stick and said,
00:25:11.97\00:25:13.58
Okay, I'm gonna figure out
00:25:13.61\00:25:14.94
a way to get over this stick.
00:25:14.98\00:25:16.31
And that little turtle
struggled over that stick.
00:25:16.34\00:25:17.68
And on the top,
00:25:17.71\00:25:19.05
it was balancing
all four little legs,
00:25:19.08\00:25:20.42
you know, but it made
it over the other side,
00:25:20.45\00:25:22.72
and it kept
going toward the mark.
00:25:22.75\00:25:24.85
So it's come to mind,
00:25:24.89\00:25:26.22
Pastor, that you
talking about this, too.
00:25:26.25\00:25:27.59
You know, we are so close
to the finish line right now,
00:25:27.66\00:25:29.79
have some battle
scars or battle weary,
00:25:29.82\00:25:31.96
may have one eye,
we've got some injuries.
00:25:31.99\00:25:35.50
But don't give up, don't quit.
00:25:35.53\00:25:38.03
Jesus is coming soon.
00:25:38.07\00:25:39.40
We got to press toward the mark.
00:25:39.43\00:25:40.80
That turtle and it
took off to the forest.
00:25:40.84\00:25:42.17
And I don't know
where it was going.
00:25:42.20\00:25:43.54
But it had someplace
00:25:43.57\00:25:44.91
it was going that was important.
00:25:44.94\00:25:46.27
Well, we've got some place
00:25:46.31\00:25:47.64
that we're
going, that's important.
00:25:47.68\00:25:49.01
Amen. And that's
the kingdom of God.
00:25:49.04\00:25:50.38
So think about perseverance.
00:25:50.41\00:25:51.75
That little turtle
taught me a great lesson
00:25:51.78\00:25:53.48
of just go forward no
matter what you faced,
00:25:53.52\00:25:55.98
or what you've been
through or gone through.
00:25:56.02\00:25:57.95
It's better to go
to heaven with one eye.
00:25:57.99\00:26:00.29
That's right.
Yeah. Can't see it all.
00:26:00.32\00:26:02.12
The eyes gonna be restored.
00:26:02.16\00:26:03.49
But it will get restored
00:26:03.56\00:26:04.89
as long as you
get there, exactly.
00:26:04.93\00:26:06.26
But it didn't
just sit back, Angie,
00:26:06.29\00:26:07.60
and just say you
know what, I'm tired.
00:26:07.66\00:26:09.13
I've got a lot of
injuries and a lot of problems.
00:26:09.16\00:26:10.77
It just kept going forward
00:26:10.80\00:26:12.13
even though it faced the
giant thing in front of it,
00:26:12.17\00:26:13.74
which was the log for it.
00:26:13.77\00:26:15.17
It made it over, kept on going.
00:26:15.20\00:26:17.97
I love those movies that have
that almost like an underdog
00:26:18.01\00:26:22.18
who just, you
know, that they have,
00:26:23.21\00:26:25.71
they have to work all the harder
00:26:25.75\00:26:27.12
to reach that
00:26:27.15\00:26:28.48
and I'm on there,
I'm praying for him.
00:26:28.52\00:26:29.85
I'll be watching the movie.
00:26:29.88\00:26:31.22
And I'll say, "Lord help him,"
00:26:31.25\00:26:32.62
you know, and I just I go there.
00:26:32.65\00:26:35.19
So the text
Philippians, what is it?
00:26:35.22\00:26:36.86
3:14,
00:26:36.93\00:26:38.26
"Press toward the mark."
00:26:38.29\00:26:39.63
Right. Right.
00:26:39.66\00:26:41.20
Amen. Amen.
00:26:41.23\00:26:43.06
Could I just add
something? Please, Pastor.
00:26:43.10\00:26:44.43
Because we're
talking about turtles
00:26:44.47\00:26:46.37
and the slow
things of the nature.
00:26:46.40\00:26:48.34
We wonder why God made them?
00:26:48.37\00:26:50.07
I think it's to
teach us perseverance.
00:26:50.11\00:26:52.64
I have a saying,
my wife knows it,
00:26:52.67\00:26:54.14
at the beginning of
one of the presentations
00:26:54.18\00:26:55.91
we did at the
Benton Civic Center
00:26:55.94\00:26:57.31
a few years ago.
00:26:57.35\00:26:58.68
I began by saying
00:26:58.71\00:27:00.65
"The snail
crossed the finish line."
00:27:00.68\00:27:03.28
And people said,
00:27:03.32\00:27:05.15
I said tonight, let
me ask you a question.
00:27:05.19\00:27:07.22
Have you ever been
to the snail Olympics
00:27:07.29\00:27:09.66
or snail race?
00:27:09.69\00:27:11.73
I said, I bet you haven't.
00:27:11.76\00:27:13.43
Because you couldn't
sit there long enough
00:27:13.46\00:27:16.00
for them to
cross the finish line.
00:27:16.03\00:27:17.67
The snail
crossed the finish line
00:27:17.70\00:27:20.07
prophecy, ever so
slow, but ever so constant.
00:27:20.14\00:27:24.21
We're about to
cross the finish line.
00:27:24.24\00:27:26.14
So keep perseverance.
00:27:26.17\00:27:27.58
It's good. That's good.
00:27:27.61\00:27:29.24
Let's move on to
boldness, the topic of boldness.
00:27:29.28\00:27:33.75
We all need that in
the day that we live.
00:27:33.82\00:27:36.69
And a song that I'm
reminded of that says.
00:27:36.72\00:27:40.16
My Father is rich
In houses and lands
00:27:40.19\00:27:44.76
He holdeth the wealth
Of the world in His hands
00:27:44.79\00:27:49.20
Of rubies and
diamonds, Of silver and gold
00:27:49.23\00:27:53.70
His coffers are full,
00:27:53.74\00:27:55.87
He has riches untold
00:27:55.90\00:27:59.41
I'm a child of the
King A child of the King
00:27:59.44\00:28:05.61
With Jesus my Savior
00:28:05.65\00:28:09.38
I'm a child of the King
00:28:09.42\00:28:14.62
And one of the reasons that
00:28:14.66\00:28:15.99
that fills me with boldness is
00:28:16.02\00:28:17.86
I mean, what can't I do
00:28:17.89\00:28:20.43
knowing I'm a child of the King.
00:28:20.46\00:28:22.63
I can do this.
00:28:22.66\00:28:24.00
And so I am bold
in with His power.
00:28:24.07\00:28:27.47
So, Jill, you
want to speak to this.
00:28:27.54\00:28:29.20
To me, boldness comes
00:28:33.14\00:28:35.31
from a place of
knowing who I am.
00:28:35.34\00:28:37.45
If I don't
understand who I am in Christ,
00:28:37.48\00:28:41.92
then you might be afraid,
00:28:41.95\00:28:43.79
you might close the blinds
00:28:43.82\00:28:45.59
and stay at home and sit alone
00:28:45.62\00:28:47.26
because you don't want to go out
00:28:47.29\00:28:48.99
or you don't
want to face the world
00:28:49.02\00:28:50.53
or you don't want
to face your neighbor
00:28:50.56\00:28:52.86
or that person that you
know you're supposed to forgive.
00:28:52.89\00:28:55.36
Or that person
00:28:55.40\00:28:56.73
that you're
supposed to reconcile with.
00:28:56.77\00:28:58.67
Or you don't want to have
that difficult conversation.
00:28:58.70\00:29:02.57
Or that confrontation
because we're afraid.
00:29:02.60\00:29:05.71
But if we understand
00:29:05.74\00:29:08.11
and if we know
who we are in Christ.
00:29:08.14\00:29:14.08
Let's jump over real quick
00:29:14.15\00:29:15.52
and then we'll
speak again the boldness,
00:29:15.55\00:29:17.02
but let's jump to Ephesians.
00:29:17.05\00:29:22.22
I love Ephesians Chapter 1,
00:29:22.26\00:29:25.16
because there's this entire list
00:29:25.19\00:29:27.60
of who I am in Christ.
00:29:27.66\00:29:31.13
Ephesians 1,
00:29:31.17\00:29:32.63
"In Christ, I am blessed,"
00:29:32.67\00:29:35.00
verse 3.
00:29:35.04\00:29:36.44
Verse 4,
00:29:36.47\00:29:37.81
"In Christ I am chosen,
in Christ I am blameless,
00:29:37.84\00:29:43.35
in Christ I am
predestined, and adopted,
00:29:43.38\00:29:47.22
and accepted, and
redeemed, and forgiven.
00:29:47.25\00:29:52.19
In Christ I have wisdom,
in Christ I have knowledge,
00:29:52.22\00:29:55.46
in Christ I have an
inheritance in Him."
00:29:55.49\00:30:00.33
If you know that,
00:30:00.40\00:30:01.80
if you believe that,
if you stand on that,
00:30:01.83\00:30:06.10
who wouldn't have boldness,
knowing who we are in Christ?
00:30:06.13\00:30:10.97
There's a scripture
here I like you had, Tim,
00:30:11.01\00:30:13.38
it says, Joshua 1:9,
00:30:13.44\00:30:15.78
"See that I command thee,
00:30:15.81\00:30:18.15
be strong and
of a good courage."
00:30:18.18\00:30:20.98
And why are we that way?
00:30:21.02\00:30:22.98
Because we know who He is.
00:30:23.02\00:30:25.99
And we know who we belong to.
00:30:26.02\00:30:31.13
"Be not afraid,
neither be dismayed.
00:30:31.16\00:30:34.30
For I the Lord your God, I
am with you wherever you go."
00:30:34.36\00:30:40.20
So no matter what
you're facing today,
00:30:40.27\00:30:42.80
no matter what
mountain you're trying to climb.
00:30:42.84\00:30:45.71
No matter what
difficulty is in your path
00:30:45.74\00:30:47.98
that seems insurmountable
and you might feel afraid,
00:30:48.01\00:30:51.68
or anxious or timid right now,
00:30:51.71\00:30:54.88
God says, you are His child.
00:30:54.92\00:30:58.29
And in Him,
00:30:58.32\00:31:00.46
all His promises are yes
and amen in Christ Jesus.
00:31:00.49\00:31:04.76
And you can stand
on the Word of God,
00:31:04.79\00:31:08.30
know that you go forward
00:31:08.33\00:31:10.37
in the boldness of
the Lord Jesus Christ.
00:31:10.43\00:31:13.17
Let's pray,
00:31:13.20\00:31:14.54
Holy Father, we come
before You in the name of Jesus,
00:31:14.57\00:31:17.07
not because we are worthy,
but because You are worthy.
00:31:17.11\00:31:20.58
Not because we are righteous,
but because You are righteous.
00:31:20.64\00:31:24.55
Not because we are
holy, but because You are holy
00:31:24.58\00:31:27.58
and You have forgiven
and cleansed and made whole.
00:31:27.62\00:31:32.35
God, You have set us free
from the bands of the enemy.
00:31:32.39\00:31:37.66
And right now
we ask for boldness
00:31:37.69\00:31:40.56
in the name of Jesus.
00:31:40.60\00:31:42.36
We claim the
promises in Your Word,
00:31:42.40\00:31:45.63
those hundreds of
times where You have said,
00:31:45.67\00:31:48.54
"Be not afraid,
for I am your God,
00:31:48.57\00:31:52.07
I will strengthen
you, I will help you,
00:31:52.11\00:31:55.34
I will uphold you with
my righteous right hand."
00:31:55.38\00:31:59.65
God, would You hold us?
00:31:59.68\00:32:01.22
Would You lift us up?
00:32:01.25\00:32:03.22
And would you enable us
00:32:03.25\00:32:04.59
to stand on the
platform of Your Word,
00:32:04.62\00:32:07.36
with that knowledge
of who we are in You.
00:32:07.39\00:32:10.53
God, thank You for that.
00:32:10.56\00:32:12.19
And we claim Your
boldness, in the name of Jesus.
00:32:12.23\00:32:16.56
Amen.
00:32:16.63\00:32:17.97
I once was an outcast
00:32:20.80\00:32:23.41
Just a stranger on earth
00:32:23.47\00:32:26.21
A sinner by choice
00:32:26.24\00:32:28.54
And an alien by birth
00:32:28.58\00:32:31.78
But I've been adopted
00:32:31.81\00:32:35.12
My name's written down
00:32:35.15\00:32:38.59
An heir to a mansion
00:32:38.62\00:32:41.82
A robe and a crown
00:32:41.86\00:32:45.06
That's you.
00:32:45.09\00:32:46.90
So you should be bold and sing.
00:32:46.96\00:32:48.66
I'm a child of the King
00:32:48.70\00:32:52.57
A child of the King
00:32:52.60\00:32:56.00
With Jesus my Savior
00:32:56.04\00:33:00.08
I can do anything
00:33:00.11\00:33:04.15
For I'm a child of the King
00:33:04.18\00:33:08.28
Amen.
00:33:12.12\00:33:13.46
We can do all
things through Christ
00:33:13.49\00:33:14.82
who strengthens us.
00:33:14.86\00:33:16.73
Let's move on to the
topic of being downcast.
00:33:16.76\00:33:23.43
I know that
00:33:23.47\00:33:25.20
a lot of you might
feel down feel blue,
00:33:25.23\00:33:28.70
especially after
the holidays even.
00:33:28.74\00:33:32.54
But this song reminds me.
00:33:32.57\00:33:35.94
Be still, my soul!
00:33:35.98\00:33:38.65
The Lord is on thy side
00:33:38.68\00:33:43.25
Bear patiently
The cross of grief
00:33:43.28\00:33:48.26
Or pain Leave to thy God
00:33:48.29\00:33:54.00
To order and provide
00:33:54.03\00:33:58.87
In every change
00:33:58.90\00:34:02.50
Be still, my soul!
00:34:07.08\00:34:09.44
Thy best, thy heavenly Friend
00:34:09.48\00:34:14.52
Through thorny ways
00:34:14.55\00:34:17.65
Leads to a joyful end
00:34:17.69\00:34:21.69
Ryan, you want to say something?
00:34:24.83\00:34:26.16
Downcast.
00:34:31.50\00:34:34.10
You know,
00:34:34.14\00:34:35.47
when I was looking
down here at the scripture,
00:34:36.71\00:34:38.54
Philippians 4:6-7.
00:34:38.57\00:34:40.94
This is my wife's
favorite scripture.
00:34:43.95\00:34:47.18
I'm gonna read, it says,
00:34:47.22\00:34:49.42
"Do not be
anxious about anything
00:34:49.45\00:34:52.05
but in everything by
prayer and supplication,
00:34:52.09\00:34:55.36
with thanksgiving,
00:34:55.39\00:34:57.13
let your requests
be made known to God.
00:34:57.19\00:35:01.10
And the peace of God,
00:35:01.13\00:35:03.03
which surpasses
all understanding,
00:35:03.06\00:35:05.93
will guard your hearts
00:35:05.97\00:35:07.34
and your minds in Christ Jesus."
00:35:07.37\00:35:10.51
We live in a world of anxiety,
00:35:13.88\00:35:17.05
people who suffer with
anxieties, depressions,
00:35:17.08\00:35:19.41
and all other types
00:35:19.45\00:35:21.95
of mental illnesses
00:35:21.98\00:35:27.99
and ailments
and different things
00:35:28.02\00:35:29.36
that people just
this world beats you up.
00:35:29.39\00:35:33.26
And just, it's just
the reality of the world
00:35:33.29\00:35:37.77
that we live in.
00:35:37.80\00:35:40.80
But I love Philippians
4:6-7 that I just read,
00:35:40.84\00:35:43.47
because it reminds us
00:35:43.51\00:35:47.54
that God understands
00:35:47.58\00:35:50.11
that no matter what
you're going through,
00:35:50.15\00:35:51.48
no matter what you're feeling,
00:35:51.51\00:35:55.05
it's the battle of self, right?
00:35:55.08\00:35:56.65
You're battling, a lot of times
we're battling our own minds,
00:35:56.69\00:35:59.89
or battling our own anxieties
and fears, discomforts.
00:35:59.92\00:36:06.56
But you know,
there's no one ever
00:36:06.59\00:36:10.87
that has dealt
with more anxiety,
00:36:10.90\00:36:13.74
more fear at times,
00:36:13.77\00:36:15.64
I'm sure more trials,
00:36:15.67\00:36:19.81
struggles than Jesus.
00:36:19.84\00:36:22.71
If there's anyone
who understands is Jesus.
00:36:22.74\00:36:26.18
And, you know, I just
wanna say a prayer for those
00:36:26.21\00:36:30.59
who might be
struggling in that area.
00:36:30.62\00:36:34.42
You wake up every day,
00:36:34.46\00:36:35.79
and it seems like
00:36:35.82\00:36:37.16
you can't put one
foot in front of the other.
00:36:37.23\00:36:39.43
And, you know,
I have a loved one
00:36:39.46\00:36:43.47
who deals with anxiety,
00:36:43.53\00:36:45.63
and certain mental disorder OCD.
00:36:45.67\00:36:52.21
A lot of people
think OCD is just,
00:36:52.24\00:36:53.74
you know, you got to have
things in the right place,
00:36:53.78\00:36:56.08
but there's different forms
of obsessive compulsiveness,
00:36:56.11\00:36:59.21
you know, and it's a real thing,
00:36:59.25\00:37:01.75
you know, people
really deal with this stuff.
00:37:01.78\00:37:03.52
And a lot of times
from the outside looking in.
00:37:03.55\00:37:06.39
You know, we as people
00:37:06.42\00:37:08.69
that don't deal
with these things,
00:37:08.72\00:37:10.06
we don't understand it,
00:37:10.09\00:37:11.43
and to us it just
doesn't make sense.
00:37:11.46\00:37:12.99
And even as Christians,
00:37:13.03\00:37:14.36
sometimes we can cast
things upon people and say,
00:37:14.36\00:37:16.90
"Oh, you just, you know,
00:37:16.97\00:37:18.30
you just need
to trust God more."
00:37:18.33\00:37:19.67
Right?
00:37:19.70\00:37:21.04
You know, you just
don't trust God enough.
00:37:21.07\00:37:23.24
And until you've been
in that person's shoes,
00:37:23.27\00:37:25.37
and until you've experienced it.
00:37:25.41\00:37:28.48
It's real.
00:37:28.51\00:37:30.08
And we all have our struggles.
00:37:30.15\00:37:32.28
We've all at some
point in life been downcast.
00:37:32.31\00:37:36.55
And we need to
be picked back up.
00:37:36.58\00:37:38.09
And Jesus is a professional
at picking you back up.
00:37:38.12\00:37:42.92
So I want to pray
for that right now.
00:37:42.96\00:37:44.73
Because I know He's listening.
00:37:44.76\00:37:46.33
And He promises
us in His Word that
00:37:46.36\00:37:47.96
if we ask anything
according to His will,
00:37:48.00\00:37:50.43
He hears us, and He will answer,
00:37:50.47\00:37:52.67
so let's pray.
00:37:52.70\00:37:54.34
Father in heaven,
00:37:54.37\00:37:57.77
Lord, before we even met today,
00:37:57.81\00:38:01.08
to talk about
these things and to pray,
00:38:01.11\00:38:04.78
You were 100 steps ahead of us.
00:38:04.81\00:38:09.68
You see what we don't see.
00:38:09.72\00:38:12.15
You hear what we don't hear.
00:38:12.19\00:38:13.59
And You
understand things far beyond
00:38:16.56\00:38:18.59
what we can possibly comprehend.
00:38:18.63\00:38:23.03
And, Lord, this life
00:38:23.06\00:38:26.23
sometimes can
dish out some pain,
00:38:26.27\00:38:29.37
some discomforts, some
trials and tribulations
00:38:29.40\00:38:32.91
that it's just
hard to deal with, Lord.
00:38:32.94\00:38:38.98
You understand, because
You've been through the valley,
00:38:39.01\00:38:43.32
You've walked through the mire,
You've been through the most,
00:38:43.39\00:38:47.49
You've climbed the
most difficult mountains.
00:38:47.56\00:38:51.66
And so, Father,
I'm praying right now,
00:38:51.69\00:38:53.90
for those who are struggling,
00:38:53.93\00:38:57.37
fighting to keep
their head above water.
00:38:57.43\00:39:01.60
Whatever they
may be dealing with,
00:39:01.64\00:39:02.97
Lord, You already know.
00:39:03.00\00:39:05.31
We pray for them in Jesus' name,
00:39:05.34\00:39:09.71
that You will give
them a sense of hope
00:39:09.74\00:39:16.15
that You will shine
Your bright light of love
00:39:16.18\00:39:19.85
unto the darkest
shadows of their heart.
00:39:19.89\00:39:24.06
That You will cover
them with Your loving spirit.
00:39:24.09\00:39:29.03
And that You
will bring them peace
00:39:29.06\00:39:32.00
and comfort and
hope during these times.
00:39:32.03\00:39:35.07
To help them see
that You're still there,
00:39:35.10\00:39:38.27
that even sometimes,
in the silence of it all,
00:39:38.31\00:39:43.21
you're still there.
00:39:43.24\00:39:45.58
We praise you,
God, and thank you
00:39:45.61\00:39:48.02
because I believe with
all my heart, mind and soul
00:39:48.05\00:39:51.12
that you can answer that prayer.
00:39:51.15\00:39:52.49
I pray this in Jesus' name.
00:39:55.49\00:39:57.16
Amen.
00:39:57.23\00:39:58.56
Be still, my soul!
00:40:01.23\00:40:04.43
Thy God doth undertake
00:40:04.47\00:40:09.14
To guide the future
00:40:09.17\00:40:12.14
As He has the past
00:40:12.17\00:40:16.24
Thy hope, thy confidence
00:40:16.28\00:40:20.02
Let nothing shake
00:40:20.08\00:40:23.99
All now mysterious
00:40:24.05\00:40:27.62
Shall be bright at last
00:40:27.66\00:40:32.46
Be still, my soul!
00:40:32.49\00:40:35.66
The waves and winds
00:40:35.70\00:40:38.23
Still know
00:40:38.27\00:40:41.37
His voice who ruled them
00:40:41.40\00:40:46.07
While he dwelt below
00:40:46.11\00:40:51.91
Why so downcast, oh, my soul,
00:40:51.95\00:40:54.25
put your trust in God.
00:40:54.28\00:40:57.05
Put your trust in God.
00:40:57.12\00:40:58.45
Let's move on to
the category of purpose.
00:41:03.09\00:41:08.70
Beginning this year,
00:41:08.73\00:41:12.00
I want to live
my life every day,
00:41:12.03\00:41:14.47
no matter what year
00:41:14.50\00:41:16.87
I'll be older this year.
00:41:16.91\00:41:22.44
This month I'm
celebrating another year older.
00:41:22.48\00:41:25.18
Yay.
00:41:25.21\00:41:26.55
So, but my purpose
is to serve Christ,
00:41:26.58\00:41:31.95
to follow God,
00:41:31.99\00:41:33.32
to live for Him.
00:41:33.36\00:41:34.72
And the reason I
say that is because...
00:41:34.76\00:41:39.33
Jesus is all the world to me
00:41:39.36\00:41:43.50
My life, my joy, my all
00:41:43.53\00:41:48.00
He is my
strength From day to day
00:41:48.04\00:41:52.77
Without Him I would fall
00:41:52.81\00:41:57.88
When I am sad, to Him I go
00:41:57.91\00:42:02.32
No other one can cheer me so
00:42:02.35\00:42:06.86
When I am sad,
00:42:06.89\00:42:09.52
He makes me glad
00:42:09.56\00:42:12.79
He's my Friend
00:42:12.83\00:42:17.37
Greg, can you talk
to us about purpose
00:42:20.40\00:42:22.27
and pray for those
00:42:22.30\00:42:23.67
who are needing that confidence
that they can have purpose?
00:42:23.71\00:42:28.04
Yeah, great topic, Tim.
00:42:28.08\00:42:31.08
You know, I think
sometimes we can feel,
00:42:31.11\00:42:33.68
you know, why am I
here on this earth?
00:42:33.72\00:42:35.38
Maybe you at home,
00:42:35.42\00:42:36.75
like I don't know
why I'm in existence?
00:42:36.79\00:42:39.35
I may be the only one.
00:42:39.39\00:42:40.92
Think of where the sunshine,
00:42:40.96\00:42:42.49
you say, you know,
I'm the only sun out here.
00:42:42.52\00:42:44.03
I'm tired.
00:42:44.09\00:42:45.43
I've been shining
bright for years and years.
00:42:45.46\00:42:46.80
I'm done. You
know, folks, I am done.
00:42:46.83\00:42:48.60
Man, lots of
people would notice.
00:42:48.63\00:42:50.30
Right.
00:42:50.33\00:42:51.67
We're in a farm country
here. That's good, Brother.
00:42:51.70\00:42:54.94
What about the
little kernel of corn,
00:42:54.97\00:42:57.14
thousands of they are planted,
00:42:57.17\00:42:58.51
millions probably
here in this area,
00:42:58.54\00:42:59.87
this region of Illinois.
00:42:59.91\00:43:01.81
One of the little seeds
00:43:01.84\00:43:03.18
that's planted
says, you know what?
00:43:03.21\00:43:04.55
Forget it.
00:43:04.58\00:43:05.91
I'm just one little corn kernel.
00:43:05.95\00:43:07.32
I'm not gonna sprout this year.
00:43:07.35\00:43:08.78
I'm just gonna stay here,
00:43:08.82\00:43:10.19
I'm just gonna
rot in the ground,
00:43:10.22\00:43:11.55
no one will ever notice.
00:43:11.59\00:43:12.92
But what if all
of those said that
00:43:12.95\00:43:14.42
we'd have no corn,
00:43:14.46\00:43:15.79
even one of those
little corn kernels didn't.
00:43:15.82\00:43:18.23
One kernel of corn
grows into a stalk, right?
00:43:18.26\00:43:22.03
And then ears of corn
and on that ears of corn
00:43:22.06\00:43:24.53
are multiple kernels
00:43:24.57\00:43:25.93
which will feed
many people, animals.
00:43:25.97\00:43:27.64
I love it.
00:43:27.67\00:43:29.00
There's a
reason, there's a purpose
00:43:29.04\00:43:30.37
for that little
kernel of corn to sprout.
00:43:30.41\00:43:32.91
For us, there's a reason
or purpose that we're here.
00:43:32.94\00:43:35.04
I think about John 3:16.
00:43:35.08\00:43:36.41
It says, "For God
so loved the world."
00:43:36.44\00:43:38.18
Okay, then I'm insignificant,
but whosoever will,
00:43:38.21\00:43:42.72
that goes to
personal level to me.
00:43:42.75\00:43:45.55
So that's one person.
00:43:45.59\00:43:47.02
So God died for you.
00:43:47.06\00:43:49.49
You're here for a
reason and a purpose
00:43:49.52\00:43:52.19
talking about purpose.
00:43:52.23\00:43:54.03
And you may
look at 3ABN and say,
00:43:54.10\00:43:56.46
"Wow, I can't be on the air.
00:43:56.50\00:43:57.90
I can't reach the
millions like 3ABN."
00:43:57.93\00:44:00.44
You know what? You
can reach somebody too.
00:44:00.47\00:44:02.90
I think sometimes
00:44:02.94\00:44:04.31
people just look
at everybody else
00:44:04.34\00:44:05.67
and I can't do anything
00:44:05.71\00:44:07.04
but, man, there's
something that we can all do.
00:44:07.08\00:44:08.81
So there's purpose.
00:44:08.84\00:44:10.18
We're here for a
reason and a purpose.
00:44:10.25\00:44:11.58
Let's pray.
00:44:11.61\00:44:12.95
Father in heaven, thank You,
God, we've been chosen by You.
00:44:12.98\00:44:15.88
You've got a plan
for us as Jeremiah says.
00:44:15.92\00:44:19.72
"Father, our
life is significant,
00:44:19.75\00:44:23.73
especially to you."
00:44:23.76\00:44:26.29
You love the entire world,
00:44:26.33\00:44:28.33
which is made up of individuals.
00:44:28.36\00:44:31.13
And, Father, thank You
00:44:31.17\00:44:32.50
for being willing to come
00:44:32.53\00:44:34.47
and live inside of our hearts.
00:44:34.50\00:44:36.67
But yet You're so big
00:44:36.71\00:44:38.34
that You
created the entire world
00:44:38.37\00:44:39.71
and the universe.
00:44:39.74\00:44:41.61
Thank You for being interested
00:44:41.64\00:44:42.98
in the little
details of our lives.
00:44:43.01\00:44:44.35
Lord, we all have purpose,
00:44:44.38\00:44:45.71
we all can make a difference
00:44:45.75\00:44:47.32
to those that we
have influenced with.
00:44:47.38\00:44:51.25
May we gain courage and strength
00:44:51.29\00:44:52.99
in the year 2021.
00:44:53.02\00:44:54.92
Lord, that You've
given us a reason to live
00:44:54.96\00:44:56.89
and to be alive,
00:44:56.93\00:44:58.43
and that we can bring others
to a knowledge of Your love.
00:44:58.46\00:45:01.60
And in Jesus'
name we pray, amen.
00:45:01.63\00:45:05.30
Anybody else
wanna speak to purpose?
00:45:05.33\00:45:10.61
I love Jeremiah 1.
00:45:10.64\00:45:12.24
You have the scripture here.
00:45:12.27\00:45:14.18
Jeremiah is a young man,
00:45:14.21\00:45:17.08
maybe he felt like
he couldn't do the job.
00:45:17.15\00:45:19.88
And yet God said
in verse 4 and 5,
00:45:19.91\00:45:21.82
the Lord gave me the message,
00:45:21.85\00:45:23.39
"I knew you before
00:45:23.42\00:45:24.75
I formed you in
your mother's womb,
00:45:24.79\00:45:28.19
before you were born,
00:45:28.22\00:45:29.62
I set you apart
00:45:29.66\00:45:30.99
and appointed you as my
prophet to the nations."
00:45:31.03\00:45:34.76
So even before you
were born, God knew you.
00:45:34.83\00:45:40.00
He saw you, He formed you.
00:45:40.04\00:45:43.20
And He had a plan and
a purpose for your life
00:45:43.24\00:45:47.74
that only you can fill.
00:45:47.78\00:45:49.64
That's our incredible God.
00:45:49.68\00:45:51.45
I just, I'm so
grateful for that purpose.
00:45:51.48\00:45:54.92
Amen. Amen.
00:45:54.95\00:45:56.58
Hey, there's one
here that Angie shown.
00:45:56.65\00:45:58.22
I'm gonna have you read
it, Honey, that is beautiful.
00:45:58.25\00:46:00.79
She always says this,
00:46:00.82\00:46:02.16
she gives me great
guidance and direction.
00:46:02.19\00:46:04.26
But she's like, she
likes to be this silent.
00:46:04.29\00:46:06.43
She's a good supporting actress.
00:46:06.46\00:46:08.56
A lot of my sermon
material comes from her.
00:46:08.60\00:46:10.47
Yes.
00:46:10.50\00:46:11.83
Because while I'm reading my...
00:46:11.87\00:46:13.20
While I'm doing my
sermon, she's reading.
00:46:13.23\00:46:14.77
Nice.
00:46:14.80\00:46:16.14
Yeah, I love this
text in Psalm 139:16.
00:46:16.17\00:46:20.18
I'm the eighth
child born to my parents.
00:46:20.21\00:46:23.55
Number eight.
00:46:23.58\00:46:25.21
And we always say
what? Eight is enough.
00:46:25.25\00:46:27.32
There was a show
called "Eight is Enough."
00:46:27.35\00:46:29.35
And I'm the eighth child born.
00:46:29.38\00:46:32.15
And my mom and
dad were in England.
00:46:32.19\00:46:36.96
I was born in England,
00:46:37.03\00:46:38.36
and that's where
I lost my father.
00:46:38.39\00:46:41.33
All eight of us
were without a dad.
00:46:41.36\00:46:44.60
And it was just
devastating to my mom.
00:46:44.63\00:46:47.74
But I love this text.
00:46:47.77\00:46:50.51
My mom said I was like,
00:46:50.57\00:46:52.61
almost like a
surprise baby here.
00:46:52.64\00:46:54.58
You know, here comes
number, yeah, number eight.
00:46:54.61\00:46:58.25
She's like, "Oh,
no, I'm pregnant again."
00:46:58.28\00:47:01.45
And I love this
text in Psalm 139:16.
00:47:01.48\00:47:05.45
It says, "You saw
me before I was born."
00:47:05.49\00:47:08.42
Every day of my life
was recorded in your book.
00:47:08.46\00:47:12.33
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had past."
00:47:12.36\00:47:16.77
And it's beautiful.
00:47:16.80\00:47:18.13
And I think of
even your mom, Honey.
00:47:18.17\00:47:20.34
When she said she
was pregnant with you.
00:47:20.37\00:47:22.77
Yeah, I remember.
00:47:22.80\00:47:24.14
And what did she say?
00:47:24.21\00:47:25.54
She thought she
had a stomach virus,
00:47:25.57\00:47:28.44
I was stomach virus.
00:47:28.48\00:47:30.38
And she went to,
00:47:30.45\00:47:31.88
back then they had
exploratory surgery.
00:47:31.91\00:47:34.38
And the doctor that at
the exploratory surgery,
00:47:34.42\00:47:37.62
he said,
00:47:37.65\00:47:38.99
"You don't have a
virus, you're pregnant."
00:47:39.02\00:47:41.29
And here I am. She said,
00:47:41.32\00:47:43.09
"She saw you tucked in."
00:47:43.12\00:47:44.69
She saw you tucked
00:47:44.73\00:47:46.13
and the doctor saw
you tucked in the womb.
00:47:46.16\00:47:48.30
And she said,
00:47:48.33\00:47:49.66
he just closed it
up and left there.
00:47:49.70\00:47:51.43
And it was not like
sonic, all that stuff
00:47:51.47\00:47:53.30
they have nowadays
where you see that.
00:47:53.34\00:47:54.67
She said, "No."
00:47:54.70\00:47:56.04
And he said, "You'd be
okay. Just take it light."
00:47:56.07\00:47:57.91
And there I was
before a single day.
00:47:57.94\00:48:00.61
That is powerful.
00:48:00.64\00:48:01.98
Before a single
day came to pass,
00:48:02.01\00:48:03.98
God knew that there was
not a wife for me in America.
00:48:04.01\00:48:07.72
So He picked
this girl in England.
00:48:07.75\00:48:10.45
And her dad said I
would never go to America.
00:48:10.52\00:48:13.59
And he allowed her dad
to be laid to rest in Jesus,
00:48:13.62\00:48:18.23
just to send my
wife to America for me.
00:48:18.26\00:48:20.93
That's powerful for me.
00:48:20.96\00:48:22.83
God didn't see a
single wife in America
00:48:22.86\00:48:24.90
that he wanted me to be with.
00:48:24.93\00:48:27.44
I don't want to dog America,
because I'm from America.
00:48:27.47\00:48:29.70
But he said I'm sending
him an English-Jamaican girl.
00:48:29.74\00:48:32.74
And I've been blessed.
00:48:32.77\00:48:34.11
Yeah, because my dad did say
00:48:34.18\00:48:35.51
I would never
step foot in America.
00:48:35.54\00:48:38.15
He said over my
dead body, literally.
00:48:38.18\00:48:43.15
But here we are today, 30.
00:48:43.18\00:48:46.99
This year is a 38
years of marriage.
00:48:47.06\00:48:48.89
Thirty eight. That's right.
00:48:48.92\00:48:50.26
And God has been so good to us.
00:48:50.33\00:48:52.93
We've been through quite a bit.
00:48:52.96\00:48:54.60
And any married
couple, you go through all,
00:48:54.63\00:48:56.53
you go through
challenges, right?
00:48:56.56\00:48:57.93
Like Greg and Jill. No, no.
00:48:57.97\00:49:00.20
They're the
exception to the rule.
00:49:00.27\00:49:04.04
No, Greg, no.
00:49:04.07\00:49:05.47
But when you have the
Lord in charge of your heart,
00:49:05.51\00:49:08.88
and you go to Him for
your answers as a couple,
00:49:08.91\00:49:12.45
He's there for us.
00:49:12.48\00:49:13.85
And He's always
been there for us.
00:49:13.88\00:49:15.22
So there may be
couples out there
00:49:15.25\00:49:17.42
that just can't
persevere right now.
00:49:17.45\00:49:19.89
You can persevere with God
00:49:19.92\00:49:21.72
as your center,
your hope, your anchor,
00:49:21.76\00:49:24.06
and He will pull you through it.
00:49:24.09\00:49:25.86
Put self aside and focus on God.
00:49:25.89\00:49:28.53
That's my message to you.
00:49:28.56\00:49:30.77
Amen. Amen. That's good.
00:49:30.80\00:49:32.13
Amen. Thank you, sweetie.
00:49:32.17\00:49:33.50
Ryan.
00:49:33.54\00:49:34.87
Yeah, no, like Jill
mentioned Jeremiah 1,
00:49:34.90\00:49:37.21
but I'm gonna throw
in there Jeremiah 29.
00:49:37.24\00:49:40.78
Oh, man.
00:49:40.81\00:49:42.38
And hearing what
pastor just said about
00:49:42.41\00:49:44.38
how the Lord had a plan
and this is it right here.
00:49:44.41\00:49:48.02
Jeremiah 29:11-13.
00:49:48.05\00:49:51.12
It says,
00:49:51.15\00:49:52.49
"For I know the thoughts
that I think toward you,"
00:49:52.52\00:49:55.09
says the Lord,
00:49:55.12\00:49:56.83
"Thoughts of
peace and not of evil
00:49:56.86\00:49:58.19
to give you a
future and a hope."
00:49:58.23\00:49:59.86
I love that text because it's,
00:49:59.89\00:50:01.63
I can just imagine God saying,
00:50:01.66\00:50:03.20
"Don't tell me what
to think about you."
00:50:03.23\00:50:04.97
Yeah, nice.
00:50:05.00\00:50:06.33
Don't tell me what
to think about you.
00:50:06.37\00:50:07.70
Lord, I'm just
lowly, I'm nothing.
00:50:07.74\00:50:10.87
I'm a nobody.
00:50:10.91\00:50:12.24
Don't tell me what
to think about you.
00:50:12.27\00:50:13.61
That's good.
00:50:13.64\00:50:14.98
Because I already knew
what I think about you,
00:50:15.01\00:50:16.34
thoughts of peace, right?
00:50:16.38\00:50:17.71
Thoughts of peace,
00:50:17.75\00:50:19.25
and not of evil
00:50:19.28\00:50:20.62
to give you a future and a hope.
00:50:20.68\00:50:22.25
What is that?
That's purpose, right?
00:50:22.28\00:50:24.19
Oh, man.
00:50:24.25\00:50:25.59
And I love what
it continues to say.
00:50:25.62\00:50:27.96
"Then you will call
upon me and go pray to me.
00:50:27.99\00:50:32.43
And I will listen to you.
00:50:32.46\00:50:35.13
And you will seek Me and find Me
00:50:35.16\00:50:37.70
when you search for
Me with all your heart."
00:50:37.73\00:50:41.10
I love that text
because it reminds us that
00:50:41.14\00:50:44.24
as Brother Greg brought
out so beautifully over there.
00:50:44.27\00:50:47.58
We might, to us,
it might seem like
00:50:47.61\00:50:50.01
we're this little,
tiny, insignificant speck.
00:50:50.08\00:50:54.78
But in God's eyes,
00:50:54.82\00:50:56.62
I mean, if he can
see that little sparrow,
00:50:56.65\00:51:00.06
you better believe
He knows who you are.
00:51:00.09\00:51:02.12
You're not here by
just some coincidence
00:51:02.16\00:51:04.23
or happenstance.
00:51:04.26\00:51:05.59
God has a plan for your life.
00:51:05.63\00:51:07.30
And He has a purpose
for you. My favorite verse.
00:51:07.30\00:51:09.36
That's my second favorite verse
that I just read, Jeremiah 29.
00:51:09.40\00:51:12.20
My favorite verse
is Philippians 1:6,
00:51:12.23\00:51:15.60
beautiful promise,
00:51:15.64\00:51:16.97
"That He who has
began a good work in you, "
00:51:17.01\00:51:18.94
and gotta start with,
00:51:18.97\00:51:20.34
"being confident"
00:51:20.38\00:51:21.98
Being confident of
this very thing that
00:51:22.01\00:51:23.91
"He who has begun
00:51:23.95\00:51:25.55
a good work in
you will complete it
00:51:25.58\00:51:27.62
until the day of Jesus Christ."
00:51:27.65\00:51:29.25
If that's not a
promise of purpose,
00:51:29.28\00:51:31.22
I don't know what it is.
00:51:31.25\00:51:32.69
I hang on to that promise
00:51:32.72\00:51:34.06
because there's times
when I feel not even that tall.
00:51:34.12\00:51:37.89
And I come to God and say,
00:51:37.93\00:51:39.26
"Lord, why me? Why
have You called me here?
00:51:39.29\00:51:40.93
I'm so unworthy.
00:51:40.96\00:51:42.83
I don't deserve to be here.
00:51:42.86\00:51:44.33
I don't deserve to
be doing what I'm doing.
00:51:44.37\00:51:45.87
I don't deserve
any of the goodness
00:51:45.90\00:51:47.97
that You've bestowed upon me."
00:51:48.00\00:51:51.17
And He's quick to remind me,
00:51:51.21\00:51:52.81
keep your head
up, press forward.
00:51:52.84\00:51:54.28
Yes. Thank you.
00:51:54.31\00:51:55.64
Because one day soon
00:51:55.68\00:51:57.61
I'm going to complete that
work that I've begun in you.
00:51:57.65\00:52:01.22
And that's a promise we
all can look forward to.
00:52:01.25\00:52:03.62
Absolutely. Thank you. Yeah.
00:52:03.69\00:52:05.52
As we have come to the
close of this time together,
00:52:07.69\00:52:11.83
I think it's a
fitting thing that we start,
00:52:11.86\00:52:15.83
we finish this prayer
and we start this year off.
00:52:15.86\00:52:19.57
For those who are
burdened with guilt and shame,
00:52:19.60\00:52:24.21
because you don't have
to bear that this year.
00:52:24.27\00:52:26.64
That's so last year
or it was actually never,
00:52:26.68\00:52:31.05
because Jesus has
done away with that.
00:52:31.08\00:52:36.48
So, take your burden to the Lord
00:52:36.52\00:52:39.19
and leave it there.
00:52:39.22\00:52:42.42
His grace is marvelous.
00:52:42.46\00:52:43.93
And marvelous
grace Of our loving Lord
00:52:45.46\00:52:49.70
Grace that exceeds
our sin, And our guilt
00:52:49.73\00:52:54.24
Yonder on
Calvary's mount Outpoured
00:52:54.27\00:52:58.84
There where The
blood of the lamb was spilt
00:52:58.87\00:53:04.25
Let's all sing it.
00:53:04.28\00:53:05.78
Grace, grace,
00:53:05.81\00:53:09.68
God's grace
00:53:09.72\00:53:13.59
Grace that will pardon
00:53:13.66\00:53:16.76
And cleanse within
00:53:16.83\00:53:20.93
Grace, grace,
00:53:20.96\00:53:24.53
God's grace
00:53:24.57\00:53:28.44
Grace, that is
greater Than all our sin
00:53:28.47\00:53:31.67
Grace,
00:53:41.92\00:53:44.25
make 2021 the year of grace,
00:53:44.29\00:53:46.92
The year of grace.
00:53:48.12\00:53:49.69
not of failure, not of regrets,
00:53:49.72\00:53:52.43
not of dragging the past
over the line into another year
00:53:52.46\00:53:56.50
only to make this
worse than last year.
00:53:56.53\00:54:00.07
Bury the awful things
that happened in 2020.
00:54:00.14\00:54:05.01
All the disappointments
00:54:05.04\00:54:06.37
that the world has
tried to throw at us
00:54:06.41\00:54:08.28
through the portals of media
00:54:08.31\00:54:10.85
say no, no, no.
00:54:10.88\00:54:12.45
I love the way
you said that, Ryan.
00:54:12.48\00:54:14.95
When we, when God has a plan
for you, my brother, my sister,
00:54:14.98\00:54:19.32
don't take that
vision that God has for you
00:54:19.35\00:54:22.46
and say no, you
can't possibly see that.
00:54:22.49\00:54:27.30
It has not yet been
revealed, but you shall be.
00:54:27.30\00:54:31.07
But we know, all
those words of confidence.
00:54:31.10\00:54:33.74
But we know that
when He is revealed,
00:54:33.80\00:54:38.51
we shall be like Him.
00:54:38.54\00:54:40.68
For we shall see Him as He is.
00:54:40.74\00:54:42.68
How are we, Ryan,
Sweetheart, Jill, Greg,
00:54:42.71\00:54:46.48
how are we going to
get to that finish line?
00:54:46.51\00:54:48.32
God's grace.
00:54:48.35\00:54:49.68
For by grace,
00:54:49.72\00:54:51.05
don't let that
word be so familiar
00:54:51.09\00:54:52.42
that you forget what it means.
00:54:52.45\00:54:53.86
For by grace.
00:54:53.92\00:54:55.82
Doctrine is important,
00:54:55.86\00:54:57.19
all you believe is
so vitally important,
00:54:57.23\00:54:58.89
but God's grace.
00:54:58.93\00:55:00.86
Without that grace, this
world is a hopeless place.
00:55:00.93\00:55:04.37
But with that grace,
the work He began, Ryan,
00:55:04.40\00:55:08.57
He's gonna finish it.
00:55:08.60\00:55:09.94
Amen. Amen.
00:55:12.44\00:55:14.08
He's gonna finish it.
00:55:14.11\00:55:15.44
Amen. That's right.
00:55:15.48\00:55:17.48
Amen.
00:55:17.55\00:55:18.88
Jill, you want to
just finish for us.
00:55:18.91\00:55:22.15
Just want to
appeal to you at home.
00:55:22.18\00:55:25.92
You might feel weighted
down by guilt and shame,
00:55:25.95\00:55:28.42
you might have that burden.
00:55:28.46\00:55:30.56
You don't have to carry it.
00:55:30.63\00:55:32.09
The Lord Jesus said that
00:55:32.13\00:55:34.00
He died so that
you can be set free.
00:55:34.00\00:55:37.47
I just want to
pray for you right now.
00:55:37.53\00:55:39.67
Holy Father, we
come before You right now
00:55:39.70\00:55:41.80
in the name of Jesus.
00:55:41.84\00:55:45.74
Thank you, God,
for Your forgiveness.
00:55:45.77\00:55:48.31
Thank You for the blood of Jesus
00:55:48.34\00:55:51.88
that cleanses us from all sin.
00:55:51.91\00:55:56.02
We come before You
with our brokenness,
00:55:56.05\00:55:59.32
with our emptiness,
with our filthy rags.
00:55:59.35\00:56:03.86
claiming the blood of Jesus.
00:56:03.89\00:56:06.43
If we confess our sins,
00:56:06.46\00:56:08.83
you are faithful
and just to forgive us,
00:56:08.86\00:56:12.20
and to cleanse us
from all unrighteousness.
00:56:12.23\00:56:16.30
We accept and
receive that gift of purity.
00:56:16.34\00:56:21.21
That gift of holiness just now.
00:56:21.24\00:56:24.08
And thank you in Jesus' name.
00:56:24.15\00:56:27.22
Amen.
00:56:27.25\00:56:28.58
So this has been a great time.
00:56:31.89\00:56:34.16
Thank you.
00:56:34.19\00:56:36.42
Thank you each of you.
00:56:36.46\00:56:37.79
Thank you for
your heart for prayer.
00:56:37.83\00:56:39.79
And thank you that
00:56:39.83\00:56:42.26
you've been
faithful to the Lord,
00:56:42.30\00:56:43.73
each one of you.
00:56:43.77\00:56:45.10
I love you and I'm so
proud to stand with you.
00:56:45.13\00:56:48.87
And this is going
to be a wonderful year
00:56:48.90\00:56:51.27
in Jesus' name,
00:56:51.31\00:56:52.64
amen.
00:56:52.67\00:56:54.04
For you at home, don't give up.
00:56:54.08\00:56:56.61
We're in this thing to win it.
00:56:56.64\00:56:58.25
So let's do it for the Lord.
00:56:58.28\00:57:00.55
God bless you and
come back another time.
00:57:00.58\00:57:03.82
Amen.
00:57:03.85\00:57:05.19